Studio Seated
Ploughing The Salt Sea is a solo autobiographical music theatre show, drawing on Bev Lee Harling’s recently discovered rich heritage of centuries old, fishing family roots in Hastings. The narrative, drawn from the suds of the Old Town Wash House, told through the eyes of the overlooked women, seeks to rewrite their stories back into our current consciousness through original and traditional folk song. Bev shares precious memories, real and imagined which connect through the universal themes of secrecy, loss and finding your own voice.
She tells of a great uncle lost at sea; a dastardly grandfather running amok with the law; the decline in her own mother’s health; a great great grandmother, proprietor of several net huts down on Rock-a-Nore and knitter of their family gansey – a fishermen’s jumper, featuring their unique family motif, which has been beautifully recreated for the show by local knitter Helen Jones.
After sell-out shows at the Stables Theatre and a coastal tour, Bev is bringing the show back again to its Hastings roots with some exciting new material as the show continues to evolve through further research and development.
Written and performed by Bev Lee Harling
Directed by Dr. Mo Cohen
Sound Design: Frank Moon
Set, Video & Costume Design: Simon Daw
Lighting Design: Jonathan Richardson
Choreography: Arthur Pita
Creative Producer: Mae Dewsbery
Running time: 80 minutes, no interval
Supported by the Arts Council, Stables Theatre, and the Hastings Storytelling Festival.