America Ground The Musical

Hastings based playwright John Knowles and musician Bob Tipler have created a satirical play with songs, loosely based on the history of the America Ground area of Hastings. The America Ground was an area of shingle beach that was settled on in the late 18th and early19th Century with its residents paying no rent as the land apparently had no owners.
At some stage "the ground" became known as "The America Ground" with its residents referencing America - a country that had gained its independence within living memory.
We give thanks to Steve Peak for his excellent book on the real history of the America Ground (available from The Hastings Book Shop in Trinity Street Hastings) which has proved an invaluable reference piece for this unusual and unique part of Hasting History.

The play is actually an allegory concerning today’s housing crisis and issues of land ownership which has a particular relevance to Hastings and many seaside towns today. With the huge rise in house and rent prices, the surge in second homes and holiday lets over the last few years, availble and secure accommodation is a real issue for many people.

Storms, greed, corruption, incomers, fishermen, smugglers, a useless water and waste provider, a love triangle all combine in this rollocking tale with sea shaties and singalong numbers. A show about the heart and soul of Hastings and not to be missed.

There are four performances (including a Saturday matinee) running from the 27th to the 29th of June at the Hastings Observer building.
Tickets are available now from the link below.

We give thanks to our sponsors, Historic England, Arts Council England, The Magdelen and Lasher Charity, The Albion Pub, Rock Rose Beauty, Fotoseeker as well as the many who have contributed to our fundraising campaign.

Although we have secured most of the funding we need, recent price rises mean we are little short of our ideal target.
All contributions are welcome no matter how small.

Thanks for reading!
- Bob and John