Performed at Riverside Studios in March 2026
Reviewed by Sinéad May Keegan
SALT, written and directed by Beau Hopkins and performed by Emily Outred, Mylo McDonald and Bess Roche, is an ambitious and atmospheric piece of theatre from Contemporary Ritual Theatre. Set on the harsh East Norfolk coast in 1770, the production blends folklore and music to create a dark tale of obsession, superstition, lust, life and death.
The show is physically and vocally demanding, but handled with impressive energy and commitment. The cast creates characters that feel vivid and alive. Their ability to shift between storytelling, movement and music keeps the audience engaged. The inclusion of sea shanties and folk-style songs set in the ‘round’ creates a theatrical experience that does indeed point towards the possibility of a deeply engaging and moving event: a ritual.
The play’s ambitious style occasionally worked against it in this staging. The rope ring within which action takes place separates rather than includes the audience. At times, the narrative can be difficult to follow. Also, perhaps, it was difficult to prepare the London audience and hold the space 'ritualistically'; including the audience consciously in that aim, bringing them to stillness, offering cues as to how to direct their attention etc. The ritual dimension may need a delineated space with a more tangible sense of space holding than was possible to achieve in this limited studio slot. or simply a prologue to welcome the audience with.
Nevertheless, SALT remains a bold and distinctive theatrical experience, driven by strong performances, striking music and a unique way of storytelling that is not often seen on London stages. Above all a true vision of ritualistic theatre is at work. I look forward to seeing more of what this ambitious and exciting company creates.
Sinéad, our London Fringe Theatre Network Co-ordinator and part of the box office team
Sinéad May Keegan
Sinéad works at the Cockpit as part of our box office team and as our London Fringe Theatre Network Co-ordinator. She is also an actor and a creative who has worked extensively on both stage and screen in the UK and Ireland.
SALT played at Riverside Studios in March 2026
Writer and director - Beau Hopkins
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