The Freshwater Five at Old Woollen

Five Fishermen. £53 million of cocaine. An ongoing fight for justice.

In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine. They have always professed their innocence.

This powerful new production seeks to present the case and its events on their merits and asks the fundamental question - honest fishermen or international drug smugglers?

Inspired by the wildly popular Guardian Today in Focus podcast, The Freshwater Five incorporates spectacular storytelling, verbatim accounts, inventive stagecraft, poetry and song.

PICK OF THE VAULT FESTIVAL - Lyn Garnder, The Stage

A "poignant and moving storyteller" leads a "brilliant ensemble" - IW COUNTY PRESS

"A powerful message" - BROADWAY WORLD

"Unique and through provoking" - TEDDINGTON NUB

Award-winning Isle of Wight-based company Deadman delves into subjects of historical and contemporary smuggling, deteriorating coastal communities, immigration and folklore.

Fresh from sell-out tours to coastal communities tour and across the south east in 2023 and 2024, the show is heading out on a headline national tour in 2026.

#FreedomForTheFreshwaterFive