THEATRE
Written
by Carole Patullo, Jane Bayly, Yoni Prior, based on stories of the Sea Wolves
At various venues across Melbourne & Victoria from June 2026
Reviewer:
Kate Herbert
Stars: *** (3)
This review is published only on
this blog. I presented a radio review on Arts Weekly, 3MBS, Sat 20 June 2026.
KH
 |
| Sea Wolves Howl - cast - image supplied |
Sea Wolves Howl is a warm and cosy show, despite being about
freezing in the chilly waters of bay!
A cast of five (Carole Patullo, Jane Bayly, Carmelina Di Guglielmo, Kelly Nash, Em Jevons), four older women and one younger performer,
performs this community show that is based on the real stories of a group of
women who started swimming daily at Mount Martha on the Peninsula, come rain,
shine, winter or summer.
These intrepid women call themselves the Sea Wolves: they
hold hands, howl like wolves and step valiantly into the cold waters of the bay.
The script, based on the real swimmers’ stories, is
written by two of the performers, Patullo and Bayly, with director, Yoni Prior.
Community Theatre that is designed for a target
community, written from community stories, about community issues, and performed
for that specific community, cannot be reviewed in the same way as other
theatre. Although this production is performed by professionals, the purpose
must be considered: to reflect the stories of the women who have share shared
their lives and related how swimming with the Sea Wolves changed to them.
The original, target audience on the Mornington
Peninsula. and particularly the Sea Wolves themselves, would have been totally
engaged with the familiar stories, locations and content.
The production has no linear narrative or dramatic
structure with a beginning middle and end. Rather, it is a series of short
monologues by individual characters woven together with group scenes and
original songs that are sung by the women and accompanied by a musician.
They chat and sing about the individual experiences
that led them to the swimming, their personal lives, how they have been changed
by joining the group and by swimming in the cold water daily.
They talk about the sense of belonging, of community,
of the health benefits of cold-water swimming, of the support they share, of making
new or difficult choices in their lives, and about dealing with aging, illness
or loss.
The simple staging has been adapted to work on large
stages than its original home on the Peninsula, and they use few props – pool
noodles make an appearance –and corrugated plastic sheeting evokes the icy waters
of the Bay.
This is a feel-good show with a welcoming, community
feel and the audience at The Round was delighted to howl like wolves with the
performers. Look for it in your suburb
or region.
by KATE HERBERT
Cast:
Carole
Patullo, Jane Bayly, Carmelina Di Guglielmo, Kelly Nash, Em Jevons
Musician: Audrey Hart
Creative
Team
Writers:
Carole
Patullo, Jane Bayly, Yoni Prior
Director
Yoni
Prior
