The Hastings Fringe Theatre comes to Rye this weekend bringing three plays to the Rye Creative Centre, New Road, the home of ARRCC.
On Friday October 6 at 7.30pm: The Cocktail Pianist
On Saturday 7 at 7.30pm: Highly Inflammable
On Sunday 8 at 7.30pm: Seven Seconds
The Cocktail Pianist is a one-man play. Mike Hatchard performs the story of Bernard Halfpen – the almost invisible pianist at the Luton Skyport Hotel. As he plays his anodyne melodies, he reveals a dark past, and how he might have been a great concert pianist had fate not had other plans.The original score reflects how Bernard overcomes an illogical fear of numbers, untimely seductions, too much education, a dabble into alcoholism, and an entirely understandable inability to cope with the pressure of piano competitions.
Set in two equally explosive eras – 1977 and post-Brexit Britain – Highly Inflammabletells the story of a teenage friendship ruined by intolerance, racism and idealism, all set to the music of punk legend Poly Styrene. Local resident Poly Styrene formed the inimitable punk band X-Ray Spex after seeing a gig by the Sex Pistols on Hastings pier in 1976. Crackling with music, energy and plenty of punk outrage at the state of our nation, Highly Inflammable asks what we could have done then to make the world different now.
Seven Seconds is a powerful, poignant drama exploring themes of social insecurity, sex and psychological trauma. Starring a cast of young local actors, it traces the events that led to the tragic death of a teenage girl. Challenging and emotive, it has particular relevance for a young audience.
You can buy tickets on the door for individual shows or you can watch all three for only £25 with a Weekend Pass
Posters reproduced courtesy of Hastings Fringe