Dates: 18/04/2026
📍 Theatre: Shakespeare North Playhouse
The Shakespeare North Prescot, Prospero Place, Prescot L34 3AB
Prescot ,
Tickets: From £12
In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight (Jamie Green, Jon Beere, Daniel Payne, Scott Birtwistle and Zoran Dresic) were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine. In 2021 new evidence came to light that cast doubt on the original convictions. A tale that has long divided our Isle of Wight community. This powerful new debut play and production seeks to present the case and its events on their merits 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 Isle of Wight company delves into subjects of historical and contemporary smuggling, deteriorating coastal communities, immigration and folklore as well as examining this ancient profession’s place in our times.
Award-winning Isle of Wight company Deadman’s debut, fresh from sell-out tours to coastal communities tour and across the south east in 2023 and 2024 is now arriving on a national tour in 2026. IOWers artistic director Samuel Bossman and playwright Liam Patrick Harrison’s full-length debut is a detailed and rich theatrical investigation into the men’s tragic downfall and coastal communities. #FreedomForTheFreshwaterFive
THE FRESHWATER FIVE, a debut play about Isle of Wight fishermen convicted of drug smuggling who maintain their innocence, comes to Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre on 1 May as part of a 2026 national tour.
Where is Shakespeare North Playhouse located?
|
Halifax Choral Society: Carols and Brass Victoria Theatre Halifax (11/29-11/29) |
|
Matilda in Concert (PG) Hosted and narrated live by Danny DeVito The Royal Albert Hall (10/30-10/30) |
|
Negativist Studio 3 (1/28-1/30) |
|
The Haunting The Libra Theatre Cafe (10/25-10/27) |
|
London Community Gospel Choir at Christmas The Royal Albert Hall (12/16-12/16) |
|
Bones in the Desert Jacksons Lane (11/24-11/24) |
|
Aladdin Family Pantomime Victoria Theatre Halifax (12/11-1/03) |
|
Scott Binns presents We're In It Together Victoria Theatre Halifax (11/14-11/14) |
|
Alex McAleer - Mind Reader Quay Arts (11/14-11/14) |
|
The Sensational 60s Experience Victoria Theatre Halifax (11/20-11/20) |
