Ghastly weather aside, the play Ship Songs launched into the public eye last Wednesday at Q Theatre in Auckland. The season is all go until April 7th and ticket prices are reduced to an easy thirty-five dollars as part of a reel-you-in first week special. Ian Hughes takes the helm of a mammoth and personal true story, once told by his mother (as she chopped onions).

Ship Songs begins like a film, and proceeds like an off-the-wall Power Point presentation. The animated projections may be stylistically out of sorts, but they do the job and are at times extremely clever. The ‘first slide’ illuminates animated opening credits across a canvas screen, then comes an oddly familiar CGI curtain lift and out zips Ian Hughes from a porthole in the sail-like canvas. It’s been said Hughs is a master story teller, he is. The man can also sing while playing over 14 characters. Ahoy, mate!

Don McGlashan’s got talent too. He heads a many instrumented three man band that pose centre stage and integrate with Hughs like good mates after a lager; at one point the violinist’s instrument takes up the supporting role of a weasely ship mate. Make shift instruments and sound props litter the musician’s feet and aid Hughes as he jumps around the stage telling three intertwined tales.

This play is not short on laughs, as Hughes proves he has the guts to make light of a stormy situation. However, the comedic stance is at times tiring and the plays more emotionally loaded themes are glided over. A few moments of genius come in the shape of a Morse code gag, some clever subtitle translation, and a historically misplaced ‘present day Onehunga style Maori accent’.

The stories are genuine, and the underlying message is grand. If you’re in need of a provocative boot in the backside to set your own journey a sail, then Ian Hughes’ labour of love, Ship Songs, is the play for you.

By Vivienne Frances Long

Vivienne is an Auckland artist and art writer.

The Auckland Theatre Company shows In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) at The Maidment Theatre till 7th April 2012.

For more info, please visit the Q Theatre website.