The shadows of the Dorset coastline will creep into the heart of Bournemouth as AUB Theatre Productions presents a bold, physical reimagining of J. Meade Falkner’s classic adventure Moonfleet at the historic Palace Court Theatre.
This production breathes life into a local legend that has defined the spirit of the Jurassic Coast for over a century and follows young orphan John Trenchard into a world of ‘free trade’ – a.k.a. smuggling, hidden crypts, and the hunt for the cursed diamond of Blackbeard Mohune.
Set in the mid-18th century in the village of Fleet, near Weymouth, Moonfleet is more than just a story – it's a piece of Dorset’s cultural DNA.
For generations, the Moonfleet Smugglers have been a staple of Weymouth heritage, and the play draws deep inspiration from the real-life history of the Fleet from the narrow lagoon sheltered by Chesil Beach where local families like the Mohunes once lived, to the ruins of the old church (destroyed in the great storm of 1824) that still stands as a haunting reminder of the village's past.
The production is a hallmark of AUB Theatre Productions, where industry professionals work alongside students from AUB’s BA (Hons) Acting, Costume and Makeup, Hair and Prosthetics courses.
Catie Ironmonger, a BA (Hons) Acting student who plays multiple roles in the production, says, “As a girl who grew up in Kent, I knew nothing about the story of Moonfleet, nor the history of smuggling before this.
“One of the characters I play, Grace, is a loving girl who came to Moonfleet at a young age with her father, Maskew, the most disliked person in all of the village. Finding her voice, her presence and her relationship with others in this story has been a wonderful adventure.
On how it was to play multiple characters, Catie says, “It’s an interesting process of discovery, exploring the differences between each role; their individual voices and their impact on the story.
“Working as an ensemble is challenging and rewarding in equal measure. You must learn to listen to others as much as you listen to yourself, move as a unit without second thought, and trust deeply.”
Leading this ambitious production is acclaimed director and Dorset native Tamsin Fessey, who brings a wealth of local passion and international expertise to the project. Having trained at the prestigious International Lecoq School in Paris and performed in the National Theatre’s War Horse, she's co-Artistic Director of the award-winning Angel Exit Theatre alongside Lynne Forbes.
Based on a script originally devised by Tamsin and Lynne in 2009 for a nationwide tour that year, this version has been updated to reflect the perspectives of AUB’s Acting students during workshops they hosted when the students were in their second year at the University.
“Bringing Moonfleet to the Palace Court Theatre is a homecoming in more ways than one,” says Tamsin. “It’s a story I’ve lived with my whole life. By collaborating with the incredible student talent at Arts University Bournemouth, we’re creating a version that is highly visual, using movement and original music to bring the Mohune ghosts and the crashing waves of the Dorset coast to life.”
On the challenges of maintaining an authentic Dorset accent, Tamsin says, “We’re using samples from the New Hardy Players to home in on a proper West Dorset sound.
“We also talked a lot about the role of smugglers in society. In the book, they aren't the bad guys – they were tax evaders. It was a cost-of-living crisis of the time; it’s how the community survived. Even the most prim and proper of characters were probably drinking smuggled tea."
Catie adds, “This process has opened my eyes to local history, and I can’t wait to share it! This show is for anyone, those who know the story, and those who don’t. We are the Mohunes, and we want to share our tale with you!”
Moonfleet will show at the Palace Court Theatre in Bournemouth from 14–16 May. More information about this production is available on our website.
