Set during, and in the aftermath of the First World War, this poignant drama follows the lives of three members of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, on an incredible journey from the mines of Cornwall to the fields of Flanders, and back home again.
Surfing Tommies is a moving tale of war and friendship, but ultimately one of redemption, forgiveness and hope. Along the way we watch characters fall in and out of love, meet with mazed beauties, and befriend the very first surfers in the unlikeliest of surroundings. Though set in the early twentieth century, this darkly mischievous play makes comment on current conflicts around the world, and what it is like to be away from where you d’belong t’be.
Reviews
“‘Electric’ Tragedy jolts audience”
“....exciting on the printed page but electric in performance”
“....this performance hit its audience as hard as enemy machine guns hit those brave enough to go over the top at the Somme, such was the standard of performance that there was hardly a dry eye in the house.”
Cornishman 2.7.09
“...Surfing Tommies is a celebration of Cornish heritage and a touching and funny portrayal of friendship, love and family ties. The play’s presentation of the effect of war upon soldiers and their families is poignantly relevant to the modern day and is acted with incredible perception and sensitivity by the fantastically gifted cast.”
Vicky Webb - Behind The Fringe
“...I laughed a million times and cried three times. THAT WAS AMAZING.”
Fringe Review
“OUTSTANDING. Excellent acting, funny yet very moving. A must see.”
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK:
“I have just returned from Callington town hall where I saw the absolutely brilliant Surfing Tommies. Every one with the slightest interest in drama must see this superb production.”
“Truly moved. My husband is in the Navy and my brother in law is currently in Iraq. Surfing Tommies so beautifully encapsulates the experience of war and even though it's not so close anymore, the danger is no less and every day I hope and pray that our family and friends will come home safe and sound. I can't underestimate the value of someone being prepared to give up their life for me, for us, and the pressure of that on those who commit to that service is extraordinary and unbearable. Surfing Tommies made me laugh, cry and think in equal measure. Thank you for presenting Cornish touring theatre at its best. Characterful, challenging, moving, relevant and very very funny.”
“Fantastic, energetic, funny and very very sad - an emotional roller-coaster. It was fab!”
“Wonderful performance and moving story. Loved it. I cannot believe what I have seen.”
“Fantastic - comic yet very very moving. Thank you.”
“Simply one of the best theatre pieces we've EVER seen - easily equals, if not surpasses, Footsbarn & Kneehigh.”
“Cracking story, brilliantly performed.”
The tour is now over, thank you to the audiences and venues for all your support.
May
Monday, 23 May 2011, 7.30
Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 7.30
Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 2.00 & 7.30
Thursday, 26 May 2011, 7.30
Friday 27 May, 2.00 & 7.30
Minack Theatre
Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 6JU.
Contact: 01736 810181
www.minack.com
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Perranporth Village Hall
Nr Truro, Cornwall, TR6 0DP
Contact: 01872 572121
Monday, 30 May 2011
Burrell Theatre
Trennick Lane, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TH
Contact: 01872 246 038
www.burrelltheatre.com
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Sterts Theatre
Upton Cross, Nr Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 5AZ.
Contact: 01579 362382
www.sterts.co.uk
June
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Rondo Theatre
St. Saviours Road, Bath BA1 6RT.
Contact: 01225 463362
www.rondotheatre.co.uk
Thursday, 2 June 2011
The Wharf Theatre
Canal Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8AT.
Contact: 01822 611166
www.tavistockwharf.com
Friday, 3 June 2011
Arc Theatre
College Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 0ES.
Contact: 0845 299 0476
www.arctheatre.org.uk
Monday, 6 June 2011
Lighthouse Studio
21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1UG.
Contact: 0844 406 8666
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
The Octagon Theatre
Hendford, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1UX.
Contact: 01935 422884
www.octagon-theatre.co.uk
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Torch Theatre
St. Peter's Road, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 2BU, Wales.
Contact: 01646 695267
www.torchtheatre.co.uk
Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16 June
The Pleasance Theatre
Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF
Contact: 020 7609 1800
www.pleasance.co.uk
Friday, 17 June 2011
Lowry Studio
Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ.
Contact: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Green Top Circus
Saint Thomas Building, 74 Holywell Road, Sheffield, S4 8AS
Contact: 0114 244 8828
www.greentop.org
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Dean Clough
Dean Clough, Halifax, HX3 5AX.
Contact: 01422 255266
www.deanclough.com
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
The Met
Market Street, Bury, Lancs, BL9 0BW.
Contact: 0161 761 2216
themet.biz
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Washington Arts Centre
Washington, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington NE38 8AB.
Contact: 0191 219 3455
www.artscentrewashington.co.uk
Friday, 24 June 2011
Stephen Joseph Theatre
Westborough, Scarborough, YO11 1JW.
Contact: 01723 370541
www.sjt.uk.com
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Rosehill Theatre
Moresby, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 6SE.
Contact: 01946 692422
www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
The Carriageworks
The Electric Press, Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 3AD.
Contact: 0113 224 3801
www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk
Wednesday 30 June 2011
Barnfield Theatre
Barnfield Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1SN.Contact: 01392 270891
www.barnfieldtheatre.org.uk
July
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Brewhouse Theatre
Coal Orchard, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JL.
Contact: 01823 283244
www.thebrewhouse.net
Sunday, 3 July 2011
The Driftwood
Trevaunance Cove, St. Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0RT.
Contact: 01872 552428
www.driftwoodspars.co.uk
Saturday 16 July 2011,
Grampound Village Hall
Meadow Lodge, Creed Lane, Grampound TR2 4SD.
Contact: 01726 883874
Sunday 17 July 2011,
Altarnun Village Hall
Moors Edge, Treween Launceston Cornwall PL15 7RD
Contact: 01566 86579
Monday 18 July 2011
Artrix Theatre
School Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1AX
Contact: 01527 577330
www.artrix.co.uk
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
The Queens Hall
Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LS.
Contact: 01434 652477
www.queenshall.co.uk
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Landmark Theatre Wilder Road, Ilfracombe EX34 9BZ.
Contact: 01271 324242
www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
Thursday, 21 July 2011
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Pentewan, St.Austell, Cornwall PL26 6EN.
Contact: 01726 845100
www.heligan.com
Friday, 22 July 2011
The Brewhouse
Union Street, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1EB.
Contact: 01283 508100
www.brewhouse.co.uk