A GROUND-BREAKING play about freedom, what it means and whether we can truly achieve it, is coming to Poole this autumn by the county’s Forest Forge Theatre.

Free Folk was written by Gary Owen four years ago and first performed in 2010, directed by Forest Forge’s Kirstie Davis.

A revised version is back on stage next month, again directed by Kirstie and with original cast member Maggie Tagney playing the central character, an elderly lady called Pearl.

Pearl lives in the New Forest and delights in spending her days watching the changing seasons and the wildlife outside her window.

When a vicious storm sweeps through the forest and floods a road, a motley group of characters are stranded in her home.

They include a young couple Hannah and Tim who have diverging ideas about settling down and Shaun, a rogue and thief who carries even more secrets. What happens on this fateful storm-tossed night will change their lives forever, for good and for bad.

Kirstie said: “It’s part comedy, part thriller and an amazing piece of writing.

"The action has already happened so the characters know what’s going on and are telling the audience about it, but time twists and changes and it’s a wonderfully multilayered piece of drama.

“The heart of the play is Pearl, because the other characters come to her house and while they feel trapped, she’s loving it because she has more company than she’s had for ages.”

Maggie was delighted to have the chance to return in the role of Pearl.

“I love her because she is so happy with her life and content with what she has.”

Playwright Gary came up with the characters after visiting the New Forest and observing people going about their daily lives.

Kirstie explained: “The first draft came back to me and I was immediately transfixed – he brought together five brilliantly imagined characters into one space. It is all about what freedom means.

“Each character goes through a moment of decision that changes their lives forever.

Gary’s writing goes between black comedy to poeticism to real thriller and suspense.”

  • You can then see it at The Olympic Theatre, Lychett Minster on October 9 at 7pm.