The Art of Storm-Whistling

Qtopia Sydney, 27-30 June 2026, as a part of the Pride Fest

The review

It is comforting storytelling, like a lullaby that takes you far to the sea, dreams, strange creatures, adventures, looking for answers and finding them.

Tom Robins as John tells his story. When he was ten years old, he lost his young beloved uncle, his best friend, who yet again left for the sea and never got back.

His little boat was found, and there was a gift left, a book with tales about the sea and its magic creatures.

Years passed before John got some money, a boat, and followed his heart to find his uncle, following clues in his magic, weird stories, and the book. It is about time when desperation passed, leaving the sweet sadness of missing one you truly loved, giving a chance to connect again. To follow their path and, with that, to find your own way and self.

This Fringe style story, with a modest, well-working set - a pile of plastic packaging boxes for bottles as a boat and rocks, a coat-hanger with a shirt tightened on it as a mast and a sail, brings a lot of self into it.

One wishes the lighting and soundscapes would be a touch tighter in the first half of the play, to confine the story and get a bit more sensory volume to it.

Qtopia may not be a perfect match in a vibe to this work, at least that might explain the great availability of tickets, which is a shame.

It is a chamber show, under an hour, much work to see to let it take it to your soul and soothe it, give it a good rest, and make you look at the sky, stars, and clouds when you are back, to feel the inviting infinity beyond quite at that time, dimly lit back streets of Darlinghurst. Thinking about sails under moonlight, when a tall ship I was helming that night was gently rolling in a breeze.

Creative team and Cast

Presented by Curious Roach Collective

Written and performed by by Tom Robins

Directed by Amelia Holds

Image by Photos By Jamois @photosbyjamois