SEA WOLVES HOWL
It’s a must-see, big-hearted show that reminds us what it means to feel alive - particularly when cold water tingles in the bathing suit area… Funny, heartbreaking, playful, and sexy… it is stunning theatre… unleashing a wildness and a joy that is greater than the sum of its parts. The fancy-shed-turned-performance space comes alive… What a triumph is this show, these stories, these people saying yes to the lifeline of possibility and no to fear and inhibition
Tracee Hutchison
A beautiful play evolved from a group of female, intergenerational and non-binary cold water swimmers with their stories uniting them as a caring community over Covid. Supported with beautiful live music, and with moments of sadness, combined with lots of laughter, the audience were howling with them at the end. The set is simple, a delight and very tour-able
Robin Batt
Beautiful show; enjoyed every second of it. Beautiful writing, beautiful music and great performances.
Jolyon James
Selling Points
Bold, Life-affirming, relatable theatre. In fractured and unsettling times, these real stories about individuals facing fears, building community and triumphing over challenges have broad appeal. They are authentic, poignant, hilarious, deeply moving and surprising. A story that taps into a global phenomenon at a local level, commissioned by and for regional communities, for theatre lovers and people new to theatre. Catchy and haunting original songs, playful choreography and visual surprises with a design that brings the sea to your theatre space.
Seldom-told stories of the lived experience of women and gender fluid people across generations, sensitively underlining the importance of compassion, visibility and representation, as the characters embrace their essence and each other - seen, supported, celebrated and loved for their true selves.
Community Participation: Accompanying digital photographic exhibition: ‘Portrait of a Sea Wolf’ by Noa Smith Fletcher is available. We offer post show Q&A’s addressing community, documentary and verbatim theatre-making, and performance workshops for all abilities and ages (primary school to Aged Care). All 5 performers are experienced teaching artists; talk to us about tailoring workshops for your needs: eg devising performance (VCE Drama), improvisation, storytelling, comedy, monologue (VCE Theatre Studies), choreography, song-making etc.
Content Warning
Suggested audience 15+ – some adult themes and strong language References to death, physical and mental illness, family violence, social isolation. Limited swearing in English and Italian.
Finding your mojo and your people in VERY cold water!
Based on the true stories of a remarkable community, Sea Wolves Howl is vivid theatre with catchy songs.
Early each morning, an intrepid intergenerational group of women and gender fluid people meet on the beach. They enter the sea, join hands so no-one can chicken out, howl like wolves, and immerse in the freezing water. Five characters take us from home to the shore, into the brine and back, each step offering a particular physical challenge and evoking stories, memories, fears, triumphs, connections, courage and laughter. When they brave the wild sea, the differences that divide them on land are stripped away as they expose their bodies and souls to the water, to nature, and sometimes to each other. This cold-water therapy becomes whole-life therapy, unleashing a wildness and playfulness that says yes to the universe with a mighty howl.
A metaphorical plunge into the joys and challenges of cold water swimming. Sea Wolves Howl features older female and gender-fluid actors strutting their stuff in their togs, speaking and singing the words of people whose lives have been transformed by finding their wet and wild together.
Created by: Carole Patullo and Jane Bayly with Yoni Prior
Directed by: Yoni Prior
Music by: John Thorn
Choreography by: Sally Grage-Moore
Photography by: Noa Smith Fletcher
Performed by: Jane Bayly, Carmelina Di Guglielmo, Emma Jevons, Kelly Nash and Carole Patullo
Inspired by the Mount Martha Sea Wolves, from an idea by Claire Thorn for Flinders Fringe Festival 2024.
Supported by a Mornington Peninsula Shire Performing Arts Development Grant
Audience & Marketing
Ideal show for:
Audiences looking for stories of hope and positivity
People who love theatre, songs and music
Older women and queer community, their friends, families, partners, communities
Nature lovers, people who love water, who are afraid of it, swimmer and non-swimmers
People living with illness/trauma; isolated people yearning for connection and validation
Regional communities
Swimming, sporting and wellness groups
Seniors groups: residential and independent living
Theatre/drama students
Photography, arts and book club groups
Professionals, participants and volunteers in community groups and community cultural development
