The Beach: Prestatyn

National Theatre Wales’s collaborative production with Hide and Seek, The Beach, transforms a stretch of North Wales coastline, scattered with run-down resorts and neon flashing, music blaring amusement arcades, into a giant playground for adults and children alike, with not a single slot machine in sight.

This show, directed by Catherine Paskell, is as far removed from traditional sit down and shut up theatre as possible. Here, the audience has no choice but to actively participate in the quirky competitions on the sand. However our role in the production is much more than mere participants, we are continually shaping, changing and influencing it as we make decisions, develop our own ideas and act upon them.

From the very beginning we are immersed in the show as the motley crew of individuals on the beach is divided into six teams with a shared goal. That goal is to help Charlie (Mathew Lloyd) and TJ (Michael Humphreys) to bring the Missing Generation (twenty-somethings who have left to find work and better prospects) back to Prestatyn. This is no mean feat due to the persistent harassment, bullying and awkwardness of the Curtain Twitchers: the cold-hearted conservative people of the town who refuse to let young people camp on the campsite, drink coffee in the cafes or any activity that might include an ounce of enjoyment.

Following the “Curtain Twitchers” theft of the “elements” (pictures representing items that could be used to lure back the Missing Generation) each team is thrown down the gauntlet of completing a series of strange and surreal games as the only method of reclaiming the elements.

The games test our physical, musical, dancing, acting, logistical and communicating abilities, as well as our willingness to get wet and wind-swept in the process. Our team starts by endeavouring to transport cardboard cut-out adults, children, dogs, prams and all manner of luggage on a miniature cable car. This game was devised by a bitter, tortured (self-appointed) genius with an appetite for endless rules and regulations.

Then our team is sent to contend with a crazed mobile aquarium owner who challenges the participants to fill his fish tanks with water from two paddling pools using a random selection of items including a wellington boot, a colander, a gravy boat and a funnel.

The next foe is an enraged milk-maid/ cafe owner who insists that each team milk her rather lifeless cardboard cow until each glass at her cafe’s counter is full of milkshake, followed by a hostile encounter with a woman who forces the team to participate in a game of kazoo charades.

Each team returns with its hoard of “elements” to create the ultimate plan to entice the Missing Generation back to Prestatyn. All the ideas are pitched to the Curtain Twitchers who must choose their favourite (or should that be least hated). As the winners are declared everyone is invited to write a message in the sand to his/her hometown.

The production’s ability to convince grown men and women to partake in often ridiculous games is down to the success of our interaction and rapport with our enthusiastic and charming guides for the evening TJ (Michael Humphreys) and Charlie (Mathew Lloyd). Their energy is the driving force of the show, giving what could have been a rather uncomfortable, even slightly embarrassing evening of childish games, a real sense of character, and an over-arching purpose.

This production pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the theatre in Wales, as well as challenging assumptions about what is theatre. But far from being merely a series of albeit enjoyable games, the show questions and challenges our definition of home and our relationship with that place.