Tonight (Friday) and tomorrow are the latest chance to see Ryde Boy, a bold new play by Joe Plumb at Department in Ryde.
The barn at the back of Department has been transformed into a version of the King Lud pub as the audience are immersed in the world of the pub.
All lads together
The Horse Box Theatre play, Ryde Boy, is a gig-theatre play written by Joe Plumb which tells the story of a group of lads who come together on the anniversary of their friend’s suicide.
The piece is directed by Holly Downer and the cast includes Mia Finnigan, Joe Plumb, Charlie Merricks, Garry Smith, Ashley Hetherington, Callum Davies and Mitch Hamer.
Plumb: Tackling the big issues
Playwright, Joe Plumb, says,
“Every year, a group of lads gather in the King Lud pub to remember their friend Danny on the anniversary of his suicide. They have all drifted apart since his death and it is unlikely they will meet like this again.
“It’s a hard-hitting play that doesn’t shy away from a number of big issues and through music, dialogue and spoken word we tell the stories of this dysfunctional group of Ryde Boys.”
Downer: Both contemplative and relentless in its truth-seeking
The show’s director, Holly Downer, said,
“Joe Plumb’s visceral play Ryde Boy has been a really exciting prospect to explore and bring to the stage for the first time.
“At once both contemplative and relentless in its truth-seeking, the play pulls no punches in examining the nature of grief and its complexities for young (and not so young) men, facing down their identities, hopes, dreams and aspirations in the face of loss.
“From the familiar environment of the local Island boozer, we want audiences to immerse themselves in the messiest of nights out, where one thing is absolute – that the truth will come out, kicking and screaming. What does it mean to be a ‘Ryde Boy’? And at what cost?”
Born in a Barn: Supporting Island talent
This play is a part of a wider project for Horse Box Theatre, funded by Arts Council England, to develop new performances.
Born in a Barn, is a research and development project to support Island talent and explore how Department in Ryde can work as an incubator space for new performance ideas.
It has included work in progress performances in the shopfront window, workshopping a new musical and exploring how they can make their performances more accessible.
Grab your tickets now
Don’t miss your chance to see Ryde Boy for the first time (or again).
RYDE BOY, a new gig-theatre play by Joe Plumb takes place on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th August, 7.30pm at Department, 29-30 Cross Street, Ryde PO33 2AA
Tickets are available from the Horse Box Theatre Website.
Our thanks to Horse Box Theatre Company for sponsoring for this feature. They and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
Image: © Julian Winslow
