A modern Northumbrian folktale about a curious young storyteller with a fascination for the sea will be brought to life at a North East theatre this month.
The Boy and the Seahorse was originally commissioned as part of Onstage: Online, a digital theatre festival created by the Durham City venues Gala Durham and The Assembly Rooms Theatre while the country was in lockdown.
Written by Benjamin Storey and produced by North-East based Squiggle Productions, the animation proved a big hit with young audiences and has now been reimagined for the stage.
The show will be performed at Gala Durham – a Durham County Council venue – on Saturday 16 April, as part of its first regional tour. It is just one example of how local talent is nurtured in County Durham, which is now one of only four locations still in the running to be UK City of Culture 2025.
Benjamin Storey said: “The original digital commission really helped me through lockdown and some part of me knew the show would be a live performance at some point.
“The exciting thing with reimagining this show into a live performance is that we have to surprise audience all over again, with new characters, new songs and new storytelling.”
The Boy and the Seahorse is a modern Northumbrian folktale exploring themes of identity and traditions, while also educating audiences on articulating emotion. It is based on the last generation of gas lamplighters in the North East, known as the ‘Learies’.
Set in 1899, the production tells of a curious young storyteller, fascinated by the sea and yielding an imagination so vivid that it pours out of his head and comes to life before his eyes.
Gearing up for a life at sea, his mother teaches him how to face his fears and that the first step towards courage is never hiding who you are.
The storyteller begins his seafaring adventures and realises that his mother’s wisdom can do more than help him face his fears, it can save his entire crew from the myths and legends of the sea.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Cabinet member for economy and partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “One of the main aims of Onstage: Online was to keep creativity alive at a time when cultural venues were closed. It’s wonderful that something positive which emerged during that time is going on to entertain and inspire new audiences.
“Showcasing North East talent is at the heart of County Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025. Securing the title would provide even more opportunities for creative professionals and communities from across the region to create, engage with and enjoy arts and culture in relevant and inclusive ways.”
The Boy and the Seahorse is recommended for children aged seven and over and their families. Tickets are priced £8 or £30 for a family and are available from www.galadurham.co.uk or 03000 266 600.
To find out more about County Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025 visit www.durham2025.co.uk or follow @Durham2025 on Facebook, @Durham_2025 on Twitter and @Durham2025_ on Instagram.
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