BWW Reviews: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2014: THE BOAT GOES OVER THE MOUNTAIN Searches for Spiritual Experiences

Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Monday 17th February 2014

Entering the theatre is the entrance to a journey in, The Boat Goes Over The Mountain, a shared journey, led by Andrew Hale and Craig Williams. The title makes reference to filmmaker Werner Herzog who, for his film Fitzcarraldo, dragged a 320 ton boat up a 40O slope in Peru, which is where Hale sought a shamanic led, halucinogenic induced experience, in the Peruvian jungles.

Williams's music, together with design, by India Mehta, and lighting, by Emily Telfer, create a stunning sense of atmospheric otherness which literally sets the scene for an almost surreal trip, Hale's, surreal and hyper, real trip. This introspective show shares intimately a search for direction, a search for self, a journey through the circular rainbow into the eye of godhood oneness.

Hale poetically details his journey, sometimes depreciatingly, sometimes exuberantly, but at all times with a sense of togetherness with the audience, beaded with humour, laced with inner darkness, liberated from self, and telling of racking agony reaching towards enlightenment.

This spellbinding storyteller led us into the heart of his experience, the heart of himself, culminating in a totally entrancing experience.

This show is not to be missed by anyone who has ever searched, ever journeyed towards self, or anyone who enjoys outstanding theatre.

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