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Freshwater Five: Skipper To Speak Publicly For First Time In Ten Years At Quay Arts Production

An award-winning Isle of Wight company will stage its much-anticipated homage to ‘The Freshwater Five’ later this month — with a rare appearance confirmed.

The infamous story of the Freshwater Five — one of the biggest drug busts of modern times — will take to the stage at the Quay Arts from February 27 to March 3.

Speaking publicly about the case for the first time in more than 10 years Jamie Green, skipper of the Galwad-y-Mor and alleged ringleader of the drug smuggle, will appear in a post-show Q&A for the Island run of the play.

Island-born creative duo Samuel Bossman and Liam Patrick Harrison are the brains behind production company Deadman, which has put the play together.

Almost 12 years on from the original convictions 'The Freshwater Five' recounts the tale of five men caught up in one of the biggest drug busts in Isle of Wight history.

Built on the wave of enormously positive coverage and audience feedback received, Arts Council England has funded Deadman to develop the production to tour the UK South Coast.

It will begin its journey with a return to the company’s home venue of Quay Arts for a five night run until March 3.

The new full-production of the ‘The Freshwater Five’ tells the story of five fishermen on the Isle of Wight.

Jamie Green, Jon Beere, Zoran Dresic, Daniel Payne and Scott Birtwistle were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine.

They have always protested their innocence.

‘The Freshwater Five’ is a regional project funded by Arts Council England, The Mike Howley Trust and Farnham Maltings Working Class Artists Fund.

Details of the performances and purchasing tickets can be found online.

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