A group of Great Yarmouth residents are pairing up with a Portuguese film and theatre director for a show in the town’s SeachangeArts Drill House.

Eastern Daily Press: Rehearsals taking place in Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass PhotographyRehearsals taking place in Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass Photography (Image: (C) JAMES BASS PHOTOGRAPHY)

Marco Martins is creating a new theatre show, exploring British and European identities and featuring a community cast from Great Yarmouth.

Co-produced by SeaChange Arts and presented as part of this year’s Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Provisional Figures explores ideas of migration and what it means to be British and European.

It is being staged on Friday, May 25 and on Saturday, May 26 from 7pm.

Around 30 residents of the town from all backgrounds have been working together with Mr Martins’ creative team for the past year.

Eastern Daily Press: Rehearsals taking place in Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass PhotographyRehearsals taking place in Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass Photography (Image: (C) JAMES BASS PHOTOGRAPHY)

Nine have been chosen for the final cast, with the show going into rehearsal in Great Yarmouth this month.

Mr Martins said: “The piece was originally developed to focus on the Portuguese community, but we quickly found a strong interest from all sorts of people in Great Yarmouth.

“There is an exciting tapestry of British and international communities in the town, each bringing their own perspective to life in the UK.

“We want to reflect, explore and give voice to their experiences.”

He is an acclaimed film director. He won best film at last month’s Sophia Awards, Portugal’s national film awards, and previous accolades include the Prix Regard Jeune at the Cannes Film Festival and best director at the London Raindance Film Festival.

He also has a catalogue of theatre credits, working with diverse groups, including gypsy communities in Sanguedo and workers of Viana do Castelo shipyards in Portugal.

Provisional Figures will go on to be performed in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal with the original cast.

Joe Mackintosh, chief executive of SeaChange said: “Marco’s team have embedded themselves in the town over the last 12 months. The piece will develop organically, devised in part, by the community themselves – there’s no pre-determined script.”

Before the Saturday show a multi-cultural celebration event with music and food will be held.

Tickets are ‘pay what you can’: £3, £6, £9 and £12 and are available on 01603 766400, at www.nnfestival.org.uk or www.seachangearts.org.uk