Sea Stories

Sea Stories was written and directed by Kevin Wilson, who is not only a playwright but also a local, talented, published crime fiction writer and actor. The show comprised two short plays, namely The Telescope and The Souvenir, in Kevin’s words, ‘inspired by the coastline of Brook’, located on the Isle of Wight.

The audience, of around forty, was quite sparse on this penultimate show. However, numbers had been higher on preceding evenings and there were six shows in total.

The programme, depicting a huge wave, breaking over rocks, was striking and pertinent to both plays. As well as information on both plays, there were Director’s notes, pen pictures of the cast and a special thanks to local musician, John Hacker, who wrote the music for The Souvenir. Unfortunately, owing to illness, he was unable to perform live at this show which was a shame. However, his music had been recorded and we were treated to his haunting, atmospheric and memorable melodies. Sea shanties were also played throughout the evening, adding to the atmosphere.

The Telescope told the story of a married couple, who visited the beach regularly and became aware that a man was watching from a house using a telescope. Whilst they were suspicious, it transpired that he was widowed and passed his time by observing people on the beach. He then relayed his findings to a photograph of his late wife. In only his second appearance on stage, Tony Hinton played the part of Peter very well. Despite appearing nervous at times, his slight hesitancy enhanced the conversation particularly with Charles when discussing the loss of their  spouses. It added to the poignancy. Carolyn Ferguson, who gave her usual polished  and solid performance, was the terminally ill wife, Sarah. Newcomer to CAODS, Russall Cooper, was outstanding as her husband, Charles. The rapport between them was palpable and their interactions totally believable. Hopefully both newcomers to CAODS will appear on stage again very soon.

The Souvenir is based on the true story of a Norwegian barque that ran ashore at Brook in 1916. As the coastguard workers were serving in the war, soldiers were on duty. They did their best to save the crew, however, one died from exposure and the captain went down with his vessel. Narrator, Amanda Robertson, clearly set the scene which was then reenacted. The story shifted from the day of the tragedy to the present day. Again, the cast was strong and cohesive, shifting from both past and present day.

Sound effects were very good and the lighting up to the usual high standard. Particularly effective was the sepia effect for the scenes in 1916 in The Souvenir. The bright lights then depicted the present time in a present-day bar. For both plays, there was a simple backdrop. For The Telescope, shades of blue or a cliff face. The projection of the storm scene in The Souvenir was superb. The set was minimalistic with the apron used for scenes in both plays. In The Telescope one side was the couple’s home and the other the home of the man with the telescope. In The Souvenir, one side was used for the scenes set in 1914 and the other for the present day.

Both plays were entertaining and thought provoking. Well done to Kevin Wilson and the whole cast and crew. This was a very engaging evening’s entertainment being something different and whilst sad, it certainly gave the audience something to think about. It was so good to watch something written by a local and proves, yet again,  that we have some talent on our small island.

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