Theatre Review: Goldfish Brings an Unusual and Imaginative Story to Bournemouth

An unusual story, inventive staging and powerful performances came together at Pavilion Dance South West in Bournemouth on Friday 16 October, as Goldfish brought its distinctive take on theatre to the Dorset audience.

Set in Alaska in the aftermath of the Klondike Gold Rush, Goldfish follows a struggling mayor desperate to breathe new life into his town. When a young girl is rescued from the river clutching an extraordinary fish, he sees an opportunity to put the town back on the map. But what follows is far from an ordinary tale, with unexpected twists best discovered for yourself.

One of the production’s biggest strengths is its imaginative approach to storytelling. Striking projections, clever set transformations and expressive physical performances help bring the world to life, creating a visually engaging experience that leaves plenty of room for interpretation.

The cast delivers a strong set of performances, with Ben Keenan bringing real presence to the role of the mayor and Ingrid Werner impressing with an expressive, emotionally engaging performance. The supporting cast also adds plenty to the production, while the costumes help establish the atmosphere and authenticity of the setting.

There are moments of humour, beauty and sadness woven throughout Goldfish, alongside themes that feel surprisingly relevant today. At its heart, the story explores a community searching for a way forward, asking questions about ambition, desperation and the lengths people will go to when they believe they have found something extraordinary.

With its unconventional storytelling and inventive theatrical techniques, Goldfish offers something a little different from a traditional night at the theatre. It takes creative risks, gives its audience plenty to think about and demonstrates how powerful storytelling can be when it embraces imagination.

Goldfish will next be performed at the Bridewell Theatre in London, with evening performances from Tuesday 3 November to Saturday 7 November 2026, plus a Saturday matinee at 14:30.

Performance dates:

• Tuesday 3 November – 19:30
• Wednesday 4 November – 19:30
• Thursday 5 November – 19:30
• Friday 6 November – 19:30
• Saturday 7 November – 14:30 and 19:30

Venue: Bridewell Theatre, St Bride Foundation, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8EQ.

For those who enjoy theatre that challenges expectations and approaches storytelling from a different angle, Goldfish is an intriguing production to look out for.