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Edited and Published by Robert W. McDowell

July 23, 2026 Issue
PART 2 (July 23, 2026)

A FREE Weekly E-mail Newsletter Covering Theater, Dance, Music, and Film in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area of North Carolina Since April 2001.

PART 2: TRIANGLE THEATER REVIEW BY JEFF McDERMOTT

Pirates! A Boy at Sea Provides
Nonstop Family Entertainment


Pirates! A Boy at Sea stars (clockwise from top left) David Holt as Captain McGovern, Akili Gathers
as Captain Freely, Lydia Sayers as Harry, Devin Jacobs as Jim Watts, and Bryan Squires as Sneep
(photo courtesy Switch Theatre Company)

Switch Theatre Co.'s production of Pirates! A Boy at Sea, directed by Lindsey Womack, is a 90-minute one-act play for young adults, providing nonstop entertainment for the whole family. When the house opens, the preshow music perfectly sets the mood with a Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, while delightful Sea Shanties are featured in the lobby before the show begins. The buzz grew in the half-full house as various children began to ask -- "Will it start soon?" "When will it start?" "Is it starting yet?" -- which added charm, and its own excitement, to the experience. The recorded announcements included obligatory pirate references, while informing everyone that the cast would be available for photos after the show.

The simple sets included a huge magic chest, portholes, sky, door, barrel, bucket, smaller chest, ship's wheel and rail, which were moved around often to portray a pirate or naval ship, an island, and the bedroom of young Jim Watts, determinedly played by Devin Jacobs. Lydia Houston's vibrant costumes were also easily modified to portray multiple characters.

Five actors share 11 roles, two uncredited. At times, some characters recognize when characters appear as someone else, providing a giggle for the observant audience or when a patch appears on a different eye for a different character. Props, such as swords and telescope, made the action more visceral throughout; but a tossed sheet after a mainsail cannoning served brilliant comic relief!

In addition to the expected pirate humor, there are several amusing songs (including a lovely a cappella beginning for the "Rules" song, hilariously performed by pirates Lydia Sayers as Harry and Bryan Squires as Sneep!) combining spirited and unique choreography while teaching "pirate yells." Occasional sound effects by Louis Landry, such as the opening jungle sound, a creaking ship when Jim is tied to the railing, or chimes as the chest is opened, vibraphone when Jim returns, drums during final Father-Son talk, perfectly emphasize dramatic moments. Nearly all of the play's sparse background music enhances, rather than distracts, from scenes, excepting the discordant bit before introducing the protagonist.

Using miniature cardboard cutouts of a pirate and naval ship, each with separate ocean cardboard attachment, were manipulated by a respective crewmember as silly chases and battles were briefly carried out during the play. Other creative prop highlights were the swirling water scarves and especially the sharks, just wait! The accordion music ending the scene was sublimely poignant.

A subtle irony occurs during the climax conflict where Captain McGovern, played by David Holt, is outed for ignoring the King's pirate proclamation, when Captain Freely, played by Akili Gathers, does not want to give up her ship, even though the ship has already sunk!

Microphones were neither used nor needed, because the actors projected and articulated well, although a few times Captain Freely zealously spoke in faster rhythm with the last syllables trailing off unheard by the audience. The various accents employed by the actors were enjoyable and contributed to the impact of the story. Both captains exuded exceptional confidence and authority, with Captain Freely also sharing a warmer side during a bonding scene with Jim, which later supports the delightful ending, perfectly underscored by an accordion reprise.

Switch's Theatre Co.'s staff and volunteers were welcoming and energized about the performance as they happily greeted patrons. I recommend this play to anyone who enjoys family fare (adults comprised most of the audience!) without a predictable plot or ending, and adding a full measure of heart. Tickets are open seating, so arrive early and enjoy the well-themed music.

Charles Way's PIRATES! A BOY AT SEA (In Person at 7 p.m. Friday, July 24th, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25th), directed by Lindsey Womack and starring Akili Gathers as Captain Freely, David Holt as Captain McGovern, Devin Jacobs as Jim Watts, Bryan Squires as Sneep, and Lydia Sayers as Harry (Switch Theatre Co. in the The River Church, 4425 Ben Franklin Blvd., in Durham). STC VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/@switchtheatreco. PRESENTER: https://switchtheatreco.org/, https://linktr.ee/switchtheatreco, https://www.facebook.com/switchtheatreco, https://www.instagram.com/switchtheatreco, https://bsky.app/profile/switchtheatreco.org, and https://www.youtube.com/@switchtheatreco. VENUE: https://www.theriverdurham.com/, https://www.facebook.com/theriverdurham/, and https://www.instagram.com/riverdurham/. DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/. PIRATES! A BOY AT SEA (2010 Welsh play): https://www.charles-way.co.uk/play-details/pirates/. CHARLES WAY (Welsh playwright): https://www.charles-way.co.uk/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-way-a15382103/. TICKETS: $15 ($10 students and children, plus taxes and fees, or Pay-What-You-Can tickets. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-926-9906 or info@switchtheatreco.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: Switch Theatre Co..

EDITOR'S NOTE: In high school, Jeff McDermott was both newspaper and yearbook editor. He interned in local commercial radio and commercial TV, then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue journalism. In his junior year, he tried a computer class, realizing that programming was like writing, so he switched majors, with hopes of more employment opportunities. After graduating with a degree in mathematics and computer science, he continued reviewing records, CDs, videos, and books for national fanzines and media magazines. He was a blues DJ for 14 years at WSHA 88.9 FM at Shaw University in Raleigh, and served on the station's board of directors. He has emceed the Festival for the Eno every July 4th for the last 25 years, and he has worked with WRAL to produce I Got the Blues so Bad, a documentary on N.C. Piedmont Blues, which premiered for Black History Month in 2005 and is still in syndication. He loves dashing to NYC to attend shows or concerts and is thrilled to participate as an actor and playwright locally with Sip & Scripts, and in NC State University Theatre's QuickSCRIPTS company, debuting his latest play on June 20th, during NCSU's TheatreFEST 2026. His first four short plays have been seen during workshops locally in Playmakers Theatre, NCSU's Frank Thompson Theatre, Cary Historic Arts, and Wynnshire Ridge Community Center in Hickory, NC. He enjoys practicing with the NCSU Improv team, CIA, and working as crew or front of house for local theaters. Jeff will be assistant director for Burning Coal Theatre Company's Feb. 4-21, 2027 production of The Pitmen Painters His "favourite colour" remains orange! Click here to read Jeff McDermott's reviews for Triangle Review.

 

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