We caught up with the cast of Peril at Sea ahead of their opening night at The Square Tower, Portsmouth on Wednesday 27th February. Created and produced by Up The Road Theatre, Peril at Sea comes to Portsmouth as part of New Theatre Royal, Festival of the Sea.
ANDREW FORBES – ISAAC
Are there are places you’re particularly looking forward to touring to?
Genuinely all of them. Visiting lots of different places is one of the pleasures of touring. I’ve been to lots of the areas before, but not many of these towns and villages. I’m looking forward to visiting new places too, and seeing the lightship. My grandfather, Bill Forbes, was born in St Helens, Lancaster, in 1880, so I’m looking forward to heading up that way. I grew up in Frodsham in Cheshire, and I have family from the Wirral.
Tell us a bit about Isaac, your character in Peril at Sea.
I think the expression is ‘still waters run deep’. He’s emotionally complex. He’s someone that’s suffered from the strictures of the society he’s grown up in, and taken an emotional battering in life. He’s withdrawn into himself. There’s a certain sadness to the guy, it’s almost a life wasted as he could have been so much happier.
Have you got any sea stories or memories of your own?
For the first eight years of my life we went to Colwyn Bay on holiday. We went by train and I used to stand at the top of the station steps, spade in one hand, bucket in the other, and shout ‘Seside!’ There was always an excitement about going there, a real joy about it. They had a little train along the front, a permanent fun fair with dodgems and what have you. The beach was great, they were great holidays.
ALEX SCOTT FAIRLEY – BOBBY
Hi Alex, thank you for joining us. What are you looking forward to about touring Peril at Sea?
I regularly run on Shipwrights’ Way, the route they used for transporting timber to the shipyards, so visiting boatyards and boathouses will be interesting. I really love Portsmouth as a city. I’m looking forward to returning to Lowestoft too. I was there on the day of Storm Doris, a lot of the shops shut early because the winds were so high. And I’m looking forward to fossil hunting in Portland!
How are you finding working on Peril at Sea?
I’m really enjoying working on something that’s new. You can give more creatively as it’s new ground being explored for the first time. All the main characters have an arc, but you also get to play so many other characters so it’s the best of both worlds. It’s challenging but in a good way. It’s also enhanced my knowledge of all things maritime, I’m learning a lot.
What do you think audiences will take from Peril at Sea?
The play reminds us how influenced we have been by the fact we are an island. There are also surprises within that history; we have stories audiences will know and those that they won’t. There are moving moments in the show. In this day and age, it’s reassuring to hear of people who will, without question, put their lives at risk to save others. It’s a huge testament to the human spirit. Audiences will laugh, but also learn and enjoy it. There’s something for everyone, even if you’re not really interested in maritime.
How would you describe your character, Bobby?
He’s an outsider. An anomaly in his village. His exclusion from usual village life has made him quite pensive and isolated, then he suddenly finds himself in close quarters to someone who has the key to unlocking something in his past. There’s a slight innocence to him, he’s been a bit sheltered and he wants to find out more.
KÁITLIN A FEENEY – MARTHA
What do you think audiences will make of the production?
I hope they will go away with a real sense of the stories. Up The Read Theatre really are a story telling company, and I think audiences will enjoy the stories being told. There are so many stories in this piece! We are largely going to coastal venues but also a few that are further inland – I’m interested to see how reactions and responses will differ. I think the production will make people think about their relationship or connection with the sea, wherever they are.
Are there any places you are particularly looking forward to visiting?
We’re going to so many places that I’ve not been to before! But I’m really looking forward to revisiting Perranporth. They had a Celtic Festival in the 80s, based in a hotel, that we used to go to. Wonderful memories: swimming in freezing cold seas, beautiful beaches and beautiful scenery. And I’m looking forward to returning to Wells, it’s such a brilliant place to rehearse. So welcoming. We’ll be back here at the end of our own voyage!
Tell us a bit about your character, Martha.
She is a stalwart of the village. Trustworthy, people trust her with their secrets. She’s almost like a modem of the village, she knows so much. She’s always there to help but never intrudes, she will only offer advice if it’s asked for. She feels a deep sense of responsibility for one of the lads in the lifeboat, which is weighing heavily on her, moreso as the night draws on.
Finally, have you any coastal or seafaring stories you’d like to share?
When he was a lad, my father went rowing on Lough Corrib (near Galway in Ireland) with a friend. There’s something like 365 islands on this lake. They went onto one of those islands and lost track of time. The weather changed, and they couldn’t get back. As the night came on, a big search and rescue operation was launched. Dad and his friend returned while everyone was still out looking for him! He was in a fair bit of trouble…
Peril at Sea is at The Square Tower, Portsmouth on Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th February 2019. Click here to find out more.