A coastal folk musical an unexpected choice for Birmingham. What do you think local audiences will enjoy most about this show?

Living in the famously landlocked city of Birmingham was actually part of what excited us about writing a coastal story. Birmingham has a brilliant connection to water, with more canal mileage than Venice, but we loved the idea of transporting audiences somewhere completely different. We have an exceptional cast of young performers from around the UK, and we’re lucky to be showcasing incredible talent from the West Midlands within that too.

 

For people unfamiliar with Selkies, what makes them interesting to write about?

Selkies are mythical creatures who are humans on land and seals in the sea. There’s a lot of contradictory folklore about them, so we were able to create our own rules of mythology around them for this show. In Sea Change, under the rare phenomenon of the ‘Tidal Eclipse’, they have a limited time on land before they must make an irreversible choice: return to the sea or remain on land forever.  We’re both interested in stories about belonging and being an outsider. As openly queer writers, we were naturally drawn to mythology that asks questions about identity, home and the courage it takes to choose your own path.

 

What role does music play in shaping the world of the show?

Sea Change is packed with folk melodies, nautical ballads and sea shanties, which all shape how our town of Blackwater Cove expresses itself. Because the show sits at the meeting point between ancient folklore and modern Britain, the music helps bridge those worlds. Folk music carries a sense of history while also feeling deeply communal, which captures what the show is all about.

 

The show asks characters to choose between two worlds. Is there a particular character or journey that audiences may find especially relatable?

Almost every character is wrestling with some sort of choice. The Selkies have the clearest dilemma, but many Blackwater Cove residents also ask themselves whether to embrace change or stay on their well-trodden paths. Most people will recognise that feeling of standing at a crossroads in life, whether that’s leaving home, finding a community, pursuing a relationship, embracing your identity, following a passion or deciding who you want to become.

 

What do you hope audiences take away from the story after the final tide has turned?

More than anything, we hope audiences leave feeling hopeful, warm and content, like they’ve just had a lush meal in a cosy pub when it’s raining outside. Sea Change explores the risks and rewards of stepping into the unknown, but it’s also a celebration of community, connection and finding the courage to be yourself.

 

Book tickets to see Sea Change this weekend at Birmingham Hippodrome!