Shantify - Review

Shantify tells the story of a band from southern England who have been friends since they were young and are now leading normal lives, but make sure to come together and play gigs of hits turned into shanties.

The first half is a narrative of three brothers and how they must return to the town to help their family business after their father passes away, but soon learn one of the brothers had other plans for their life. The other friends work jobs like restaurant, coffee shops, etc. This section is a jukebox musical where they incorporate shantified versions of songs into the plot.

The second half is a gig of their band where they play a smattering of shantified songs for the audience.

The first half is absolutely not needed and felt completely shoe-horned in. The storylines they set up have little stakes, are never resolved, and the drama and tension they try to build doesn't work because everyone is too positive. It was rushed.

The second half is fantastic, with great arrangements of popular songs accompanied by incredible vocal performances by the group including jaw-dropping harmonies.

Had it been just the second half extended, this show would have received a 4+. By extending the gig portion, they could do some behind the scenes storylines to give emotional resonance and plot. Think Six but shanties.

Unfortunately, unlike their pristine vocals, the show falls flat.

⭐⭐⭐

3/5