PRESS RELEASE 1 APRIL 2025
Following the inaugural sell out performances in Summer 2024, America Ground The Musical is set to return to Hastings with a week long week long run at the Stables Theatre in July of 2026.
Also look out for a special fundraising event featuring songs and readings from the show at the Henry ward Hall Hastings on Saturday 4th of July 2025. More info to follow shortly.
ABOUT THE SHOW.
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 shanties and singalong numbers. A show about the heart and soul of Hastings and not to be missed.
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.
For more information call John on 07813 035514 or Bob on 07974 659469