Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company return with To Save The Sea

Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company are delighted to bring their latest musical extravaganza, To Save The Sea, to Scottish stages this autumn.

Article Source: Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company
Last Updated: 11 July 2024 14:38

To Save the Sea is a vibrant, sung through musical from Isla Cowan and Andy McGregor, the team behind the smash hit Battery Park, about a group of dedicated Greenpeace activists who take on oil giants Shell when they occupy their Brent Spar oil store in the middle of the North Sea.

It’s 1995 and Shell plans to dump their defunct oil structure in the ocean, but a determined group of Greenpeace activists from across the world decide to take action and launch their biggest protest ever – on the Brent Spar in the North Sea. Despite Shell’s best efforts to stop it, using all means necessary, the activists determinedly stay on the platform for 3 weeks. As the campaign gains momentum, pressure mounts on those in power and political battles ensue at sea and on land and across Europe.

To Save The Sea has everything you need in a musical – from dramatic real life events to entertaining interludes, there are good stories and good tunes. There are vibrant characters, battles, celebrations, giant water cannons and unexpected explosions. Heart-breaking ballads, outrageous villains, rock music and even comedic cabaret songs featuring a surprisingly sexy John Major. There’s homesickness, seasickness, and epic sea-shanties. All the while asking important questions about Scotland, oil, and the environment.

This environmental and history making story of people power is told by a stellar cast of eight – Kara Swinney, Katie Weir, Kaylah Copeland, Matthew McKenna, Nathan French, David Rankine, Ewan Somers and Helen Logan playing the protesters, Shell executives and scientists.

To Save the Sea is an epic adventure story about Scotland and the world, about saving the environment and standing up for what you truly believe in. Full of heart, hope, and a touch of satirical comedy, To Save the Sea is a David vs Goliath story with hope and a song at its heart.

How the show came about - looking for inspiration during lockdown, Andy searched for a new writing partner on Twitter and found Isla. Isla’s interest in eco-drama had led her to the story of the Brent Spar and, without ever meeting one another in real life, the duo completed a first draft of the show. Fast forward four years, and many drafts later, and the show is ready to hit the stage.

Andy McGregor says of To Save The Sea: “Sleeping Warrior is known for creating high quality musical theatre. Having built our reputation on shows like Spuds, Crocodile Rock and Battery Park, we are delighted to be bringing the amazing true story of the Brent Spar occupation to the stage. This is a unique show, unlike anything Scotland has seen before, and we are very excited to be bringing it to life before touring all over the country”.

Creative team: Writer/ Director Isla Cowan & Andy McGregor; Designer Claire Halleran; Lighting Designer Simon Wilkinson; Musical Director Alan Penman; Sound Designer Fraser Milroy; Dramaturg Debbie Hannan; Assistant Director (FST) David Hewitson; Outreach Associate Jordan Blackwood; Producer: Steph Connell

Isla Cowan says: “When I first came across the story of the Brent Spar, I was struck by how dramatic and theatrical and epic the real-life events of this protest were – it just *had* to be made into a show! The story of the Brent Spar is a story for today – it speaks to our current concerns over oil and the environment, but – most importantly – shows how normal people really can make a difference when they stand up for what they believe in. I’m absolutely thrilled to be sharing this inspiring story with audiences across Scotland, in an epic and entertaining new musical.”

To Save The Sea is touring to 12 venues across Scotland in 2024. The tour kicks off on 25 September at the Tron Theatre (Glasgow); Perth Theatre; Macrobert Arts Centre (Stirling); Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh); The Gaiety (Ayr); Byre Theatre (St Andrews); Beacon Arts Centre (Greenock); Howden Park Centre (Livingstone); Dundee Rep; Cumbernauld Theatre (Cumbernauld); Tivoli (Aberdeen) with the final performance at Eden Court (Inverness) on 02 November.

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