SPRING REVELS 1998

Emerson Majestic Theatre, Boston May 8-10, 1998.

Led by Revels founder John Langstaff and legendary chanteyman Lou Killen, the 1998 Sea Revels sailed into Boston with a production filled with salty sea chanteys, beautiful ballads, lively dancing and colorful folk tales. Audiences were transported from the docks to the sea, with fishermen and whalers, to the Caribbean with its pounding island rhythms and Carnival-like festival of Junkanu, before returning home to safe harbor. Featured performers also included a marvelous Focs'l Fufu Band, singer David Coffin, and Bahamian musician and storyteller Derek Burrows. The 1998 Sea Revels was directed by Patrick Swanson. George Emlen was music director.

The Boston Globe declared:
"Sea Revels bring jolly days of sail to life!" and from the same review. . . "The cast hauled on bowlines and hoisted sails to the chanteys, as Peet Foster's brilliantly imagined set became Boston harbor, then ghostly open seas, and finally, a safe harbor in the Caribbean."
"The Revels musicians and chorus were wonderful throughout. The men's lush harmonies filled out the sails on bold chanteys, but explored the loneliness of sea life in homesick songs led by David Coffin and Revels founder John Langstaff; Heidi Hermiller's costumes were gorgeously evocative, their hushed hues giving the look of some 19th-century waterfront canvas come to life."

Photos by Roger Ide