April 2009
Young Actors brave the sharks at the Sealife Centre
This year’s Brighton Festival Fringe boasts something a little special on its closing
weekend – a brand new show from the young talent of Sussex, making its world premiere
in the Victorian splendour of Brighton Sealife Centre’s main shark tank!
‘Frying Nemo’ is based around the fictional character Captain Nemo from Jules Verne’s
’20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’, and tells the story of Nemo’s life – from his days
aboard a pirate ship as a teenage swabby, to fighting off cannibals, braving warrior
women, meeting mermaids, and battling to the death.
“When I saw that you could hire the Sealife Centre out as a venue, that was it,”
says writer and director Amy Sutton, 18. “It’s been challenging because it’s not
your typical stage, but that just makes it all the more exciting.”
And as it is written, organised, directed and performed entirely by young people
between the ages of 13 and 19, this promises to be a fresh, energetic show that
will entertain young and old alike.
“This is exactly the sort of show I love,” says cast member Matteo Zambon, 17. “It’s
such a laugh – really good swashbuckling fun.”
“It’s just so cool to be acting in the Sealife Centre!” adds Katie Newman, 13. “We’re
acting around the main shark tank, so the atmosphere is perfect. Some of the cast
members actually have to wear life jackets just in case, that’s how close to the
sharks we are!”
The cast and crew have had three months to create the show, and are confident their
hard work has paid off. “The script is good, it’s fast-paced, and I think it’s got
a good balance between funny and serious,” says Josh Dann, 15.
“All the family can enjoy this show,” says Keira Heil, 19. “And the great thing
about doing it in the Sealife Centre is that people will have the chance to wander
around a bit before the show starts, so essentially you’ve got a show and a look
around the Sealife Centre, all for a fiver.”
Alex Lynch, 18, says “It’s great for all my mates who are students. Most of them
haven’t been to the Sealife Centre for years, and when you tell them it’s only a
fiver for that and the show they can’t book tickets fast enough.”
And it’s not just the students taking an interest. “We’ve been wished good luck
by Ian Mckellen, Stephen Fry, and a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Queen. And
we’re expecting to hear back from David Tennant soon, so there’s still everything
to play for!”
So if you’re looking for something new and exciting in this year’s Fringe, why not
don your pirate gear and head down to the Sealife Centre for this barely credible
tale of high seas adventure!
Frying Nemo is at the Brighton Sealife Centre at 7pm on Friday 22nd and Saturday
23rd May. Tickets are £5, and available from
www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk, or call 01273 709 709.