Oysters – a play about sex, boatbuilding & bivalve molluscs

[Jan Harber]

Went to see Oysters, Eastern Angles latest production, at the Sir John Mills Theatre in Ipswich last night.

The play, written by Ivan Cutting, was created in partnership with the Pioneer Sailing Trust. It is indeed about sex, boatbuilding and bivalve molluscs...the plot revolves around the restoration of an oyster smack, and includes loads of local maritime history. It is loosely based on the Colne, Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea (both places having had boatbuilding yards closed when developers moved in).

The set designer, Rosie Alabaster, has used animated lino-cuts by the artist James Dodds and old film footage of the oyster industry to set the scene on stage.

We thoroughly enjoyed the evening, although couldn't help but notice that, like us, almost all the audience were of bus-pass age. Oysters probably has limited appeal to younger folk but I would recommend it to anyone who has even a passing interest in the East Coast's maritime history.

The show opened in March and continues at various community centre and village hall venues in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, including Maldon at the end of next week, Brightlingsea May 7 to 9 and finishes at Woodbridge Community Hall on June 5th and 6th. See www.easternangles.co.uk for more info.

 

[Habebty]

Now there's a title/sentence I never thought I would read on here

 

[johnalison]

Thanks, I'll look out for it, though I don't know if I'll find time to go. We can't have too much culture in the area. If anyone likes James Dodds' work, the Sentinel gallery in Wivenhoe is now showing stuff by him and his family. I have one of his prints, and that cost more than enough, though.

 

[Tam Lin]

Have booked for Maldon. I hope Mrs TL enjoys it, she got really excited when I asked her if she would like to go to the theatre!

 

[Otter]

We saw their production of We Didn't Mean to go to Sea and was one of the best professional productions I've seen, very creative use of the set and actors playing a number of roles.

 

[DavidofMersea]

It is loosely based on the Colne, Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea (both places having had boatbuilding yards closed when developers moved in).

I think you are being a little unfair, the yards closed, and then the developers moved in

 

[Hydrozoan]

Now there's a title/sentence I never thought I would read on here

Yes, the boatbuilding element surprises. But as the native oyster can change sex twice a season, the other two elements seem quite a natural combination.

And thanks to the OP for the heads-up.

 

[Tam Lin]

Just got home from seeing it. I enjoyed it, not so sure about Mrs TL. She has just told me that it was alright. Lots of threads going on. Not often you get a play about Essex boatbuilding!

 

[Vamoose]

Saw it in Maldon last night.. Interesting, and will keep an eye out for any future productins..

 

[Sniper]

We saw it early in the run and on balance I think we'd agree with Mrs Tam Lin. The actors were all good, especially the young lady who held together several roles and we enjoyed the Scouse water spirit. However, it would have benefited from a few less characters and some editing of plot lines would have made for a more focussed production. None the less, it was good to see plank steaming and the relative merits of conservation, restoration and renovation debated on stage.