A vivid new theatrical production celebrating the transformative power of cold-water swimming is set to wrap up the regional winter calendar next month.
Sea Wolves Howl will take the stage at the Forge Theatre in Bairnsdale for a special matinee performance on Sunday, July 19, at 2pm. Following the final curtain, audience members are invited to remain at the venue to enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea hosted in the Forge Theatre foyer.
Based on true stories from a remarkable community group, the production utilises a blend of storytelling and catchy original songs to explore the lives of an intrepid, intergenerational group of women and gender-fluid individuals.
The narrative follows five distinct characters who meet on the beach early each morning to brave the freezing winter elements. Standing in the brine, the swimmers join hands to ensure no one backs out before howling like wolves and immersing themselves in the wild sea.
The play tracks their journey from their homes to the shoreline and back again. Each step provides a unique physical challenge, evoking a deep repository of shared memories, fears, triumphs, and laughter.
Organisers have described the performance as a metaphorical plunge into the joys of cold-water therapy, which ultimately serves as a whole-life therapy for the participants. Once in the water, the differences that divide the characters on land are stripped away, unleashing a wildness and playfulness that allows them to connect deeply with nature and each other.
Sea Wolves Howl features a cast of older female and gender-fluid actors who bring the authentic words and experiences of real-world swimmers to life.
Tickets and further information for the July 19, performance can be secured by contacting the Forge Theatre box office or by visiting the East Gippsland Shire Council website.
