A Grimsby-born playwright has brought the town’s proud fishing heritage to life in a stage production that’s now touring across the UK.
GRIMM, written and performed by local writer and actress Evie Henderson, dives deep into the stories and struggles of those who spent their lives at sea. Drawing inspiration from tales passed down by her grandfather, who worked on the trawlers for several decades, Henderson captures the grit, humour, and heart of Grimsby’s maritime past.
Set after the Triple Trawler Tragedy, during the Second Cod War, and just over a decade before the collapse of the fishing industry altogether, GRIMM offers a powerful glimpse into a defining era of the town’s history.
Featuring a local cast from across the Humber region, the production has been praised by critics as “rough around the edges in the very best way – rooted in the blood, sweat, and heartbreak of Grimsby’s fishing heritage.”
Henderson said the show was born out of a desire to preserve and shed a light on the community and industry that built Grimsby’s identity.
Explaining the motivations behind the project, Evie told Gi Grimsby News she wanted to “resurrect and give voice to a forgotten 1970’s Grimsby fishing community whilst also throwing the town a great night out!”
She continued: “To this day you are 115 times more likely to suffer injury at sea than any other profession, never mind when people like my grandad where going away , for three weeks at a time, in the most dangerous of conditions. And there was the incredibly tough wives , women like my nanna , holding down the home front, raising the kids and paying the bills – all whilst having no idea if their husband was alive or dead.
“My mission has always been to remember their stories and connect younger audiences to this heritage. But at the same time, there was so much joy, laughter and warmth in this community – it was important that the play reflected this. So expect 1970s hits , a load of jiving and maybe even some fighting but above all a bloody good night out! “
(Image: Isaac Johnson)
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.