I Caught Crabs In Walberswick

Teenage Walberswick locals Wheeler and Fitz spend their spare time smoking joints, catching crabs and loitering around looking for something to do. That something turns up in the eye-popping shape of Dani, a wild child from a private girl’s school. The boys can’t believe their luck – forget the GCSE exam tomorrow, this is an opportunity that can’t be missed – and embark on a quest to impress.

This touching coming of age saga perfectly captures the thrills and fears of being 16. The teenagers are realistically portrayed as sympathetic and fallible, not angels or demons – little devils, maybe. Each shouldering his or her own burden, they battle with living up to expectation by rebelling against it.

Expertly performed by the five-strong cast, Joel Horwood’s script has a lovely tone, full of humour and pathos. He evidently has an acute ear for dialogue and rhythm.

Aaron Foy and Harry Hepple completely inhabit their roles as Fitz and Wheeler, displaying a natural rapport, while Gemma Soul comes into her own as unhappy brat Dani. The coastal town's various adults, all played by Rosie Thompson and Andrew Barron, prove as confused as the youngsters. Thompson is particularly poignant as Dani’s distraught artist mother Ursula, with Barron endearing as Wheeler’s wistful father.

Lucy Kerbel’s skilled direction ensures the pace is maintained, with never a dull moment, while the space is fully exploited. These strengths – along with strong lighting, design and sound – combine to make I Caught Crabs in Walberswick a pleasure to watch.