A brand-new community musical celebrating Bridlington’s rich fishing heritage is set to make its debut in 2027.
“A Girl and a Gansey” written and directed by John D. Slater, with musical associate Rebecca Roe, tells the moving story of the town’s fishing community during the late 1800s. Inspired by Stephen Carvill’s iconic Gansey Girl sculpture overlooking Bridlington Harbour, the production explores the loves, laughter, hardships and courage of the families whose lives revolved around the sea.
The story follows Sarah, a young Bridlington woman whose husband is away fishing as she waits anxiously on the harbour, knitting his next gansey. Her hopes and fears are shared by countless fishing wives, reflected in the musical’s opening number, Home From Sea.
Sculptor Stephen Carvill has praised the script and is fully supporting the project, which features ten original songs celebrating the town’s proud maritime history.
Anyone interested in taking part is invited to attend a script read-through at 2pm on Saturday, 16 August, in the function suite at The Sefton Hotel, 26-28 Flamborough Road, Bridlington.
Further information, including previews of the new songs, can be found at www.johndslater.co.uk/a-girl-a-gansey. Performance dates at The Spotlight Theatre will be announced in due course.
