About this event
5 fishermen. £53m of cocaine. An ongoing fight for justice.
In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight (Jamie Green, Jon Beere, Daniel Payne, Scott Birtwistle, Zoran Dresic) were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine. They have always professed their innocence. A tale that has long divided a community on the Isle of Wight. This powerful new play seeks to heal the divide and explore the state of our coastal communities.
Inspired by the wildly popular Guardian “Today in Focus” podcast, The Freshwater Five incorporates spectacular storytelling, verbatim accounts, inventive stagecraft, poetry and song.
The south coast cast and creatives delve into subjects of classical and contemporary smuggling, deteriorating coastal communities, immigration and folklore as well as examining this ancient profession’s place in our times.
Fresh from a sell-out coastal communities tour in 2023, award-winning Isle of Wight company Deadman is bringing the show on a wider tour to audiences. Led by artistic director Samuel Bossman, Liam Patrick Harrison’s stage play launches a detailed and rich theatrical investigation into the men’s tragic downfall.
Thanks to the Freshwater Five and their families, Emily Bolton (director of appeal and solicitor for the Freshwater Five), The Guardian Today in Focus Podcast.
Deadman is an award-winning precarious class-led theatre and film company whose work has been presented on stages across the country as well as international film festivals. The company and ensemble are dedicated to staging contemporary and captivating local narratives – for and from Britain’s unheard and underserved coastal communities.
The Freshwater Five is a regional project funded by Arts Council England, The Mike Howley Trust and Farnham Maltings Working Class Artists Fund. Local cultural partners include Quay Arts, The Island Collection, and The Isle of Wight Creative Network.
Duration: 60-70mins. Contains: strong language and drug references. Suitable for ages 12+
