River Lane - a new communty play

After the success of our community play Dark Earth, staged at Flag Fen earlier this autumn, we are busy planning another exciting community theatre project.

Written by acclaimed Peterborough-raised playwright Tony Ramsay, the new production River Lane will be performed in the city in May 2014. Much larger in scale than Dark Earth, this ambitious theatre production will require the help of over 100 local volunteers to get the show off the ground.

River Lane Community Producer Amy Fisher said: "Eastern Angles are looking for volunteers to work on every aspect of the production from performing and prop-making, to stage management and sound operation and much more. This will be a really exciting chance for people to work with a professional theatre company on a wonderful new play. Participants can develop their skills and make new friends along the way. No experience is necessary, volunteers just need to be enthusiastic and really committed to the River Lane project".

Tony Ramsay, writer of Eastern Angles' hugely successful theatre production ‘The Long Life & Great Good Fortune of John Clare', has used his own background to inspire the new play. Set in the city the story will take audiences back to the days of Frank Brierley's supermarket, Walter Cornelius and the Peterborough Birdmen, Desmond Dekker and the soul music of the 1960s. But at the heart of the play, is the area around River Lane.

"I grew up in Peterborough and at the age of 14, River Lane was the centre of my world", explains Tony. "Cooling water used to seep into the cut from under the power station, this warm water attracted fish. Day and night people came to fish from the narrow strip of land between the cut and the river".

"I remember hauling a tench out of water in the dark using a penny and a tin can as a bite detector. Once I fell into the river at three in the morning and had to cycle home in my soaked clothes. It was the sort of place that gave parents' nightmares!"

For further information about the show and how to get involved contact River Lane Community Producer Amy Fisher at: riverlane@gmx.com or ring: 07922 604875 or visit: www.riverlane.info to register your interest.