After several months of studio-based research, examining, drawing and re-drawing washed up Maerl samples, and collecting and collating information from marine experts, divers, film makers, I began plotting out a simple dramatic story line of Maerl. This is an extraordinary coralline seaweed eco-habitat, which I have been dreaming of inhabiting and passionately want people to know and care about.  

By the beginning of May I was armed with  rough scripts, scene plans, painted Maerl back cloths, various sized cardboard and paper-mâché Maerl pieces, pink and blue sheets of material and a few props. I dived into the Surge Scotland rehearsal space in Glasgow to try out my perambulating installation performance idea with producer Mahri Reilly and enthusiastic, creative performers Lewis Sherlock and Sita Pieraccini  portraying a crab, octopus and sea-cucumber, with theatrical critique from Alan Richardson (SURGE director). An exciting full-on experience working out performance possibilities. 

An invited audience were enticed by the Crab tour leader, to enter and explore the Maerl eco-habitat, trying out constructing with pieces of Maerl and to meet the singing and dancing Sea-cucumber celebrity. Here, they experienced the loud threatening sound of the oncoming dreaded dredger and to find and meet the sheltering Octopus, a dredger veteran. They then entered and relaxed in the protected Maerl Bed sanctuary, watching projected underwater marine life footage. The performance closed with the audience returning to shore through the devastated dredged Maerl bed they had explored earlier.

The audience feedback was very positive and will be invaluable to enable me to develop MAERL.

Many thanks to: