‘The River’ was a one-act play written by Charles Mander. It was performed by Sheep Worrying Theatre in January 1982 and starred Dave Keighron, Ed Grey and Denise Hawthorn.
The play told the story of a fisherman played by Keighron, based on River Parret ‘mud horse’ fisherman Brendan Sellick, and his relationship with a young ‘factory worker’ played by Ed Grey. It contrasts the old and new in terms of employment and lifestyles.
During the rehearsing of the play the River Parrett flooded and submerged the Stretcholt home of the playwright. Actor Ed Grey recalls driving home that night along the A38 seeing hundreds of small animals running quickly across the road only to be followed minutes later by a small tidal wave.
The play was also performed in the Somerset one-act play festival.
‘The River’ was on a double bill with ‘Deep South’ by Kim Newman.