The Shadow-Line

This coming-of-age high-seas adventure novella, originally published in 1916, follows an unnamed sea captain during his inaugural voyage. Recommended for the captaincy of a ship whose captain has died, a young first mate on the verge of retiring from life at sea readily accepts the position and sets sail with glad aspirations. Early into the voyage, stagnant air halts the ship in the water, and, one by one, the crew members contract a severe feverish illness. While the captain and scant sailors remain healthy, most of the crew is relegated to the hold, unable to aid with navigation. A crew member who continuously rants about the former captain’s ghost manifesting the ship’s woes adds to the new captain’s trials. Darkness envelops the ship as it’s assaulted by treacherous storms and limps toward a Singapore port. Accomplished British actor David Horovitch (House of the Dragon) enhances the production with nuanced character voices, superb pacing, and the cadence of a master storyteller.