Bitterne Park playwright Deborah Gearing's latest play UpBeat – the story of a brother and sister as they chart the ebb and flow of their lives on a journey from youthful rebellion to adult ideals – visits a host of venues across the region in March and April.

A “buoyant and poetic play set against the backdrop of the heritage waterways of Wessex”, UpBeat follows two siblings as they go on separate journeys of discovery and try to find their place in the world.

Deborah, left, describes UpBeat as a play for river people, informed by contemporary stories of folk who live up and down the waterways; as a celebration of our precious, unique landscape of the chalk stream rivers; and as an urgent play, calling into question our relationship with the water and our guardianship of it.  

As Nelson, the riverkeeper says: “Who's going to shout for the rivers if I'm not here to take care of the fish?”

It's also a play filled with music – traditional and new folk songs are performed by three actor-violinists who act, sing and play their socks off!

“I've been working on this play for a long time, as many Parkers will know. When I started researching the play I had no idea how deeply the river connects us all, or how passionately people feel connected to it,” said Deborah.

Where to see UpBeat

There are many opportunities to see UpBeat around the area, including at Forest Arts, New Milton on March 10, in Winchester on March 23, Totton on March 24, and Hythe on March 26.

For more about the play, full performance listings and booking information, visit Forest Forge Theatre Company's website (scroll down for venue listings and booking information).

Previously
Bitterne Parker: Deborah Gearing