Movie Matinee – Pearls from the Grit

Immerse yourself in the everyday histories of Lowestoft's Beach Village. Come to the Movie Maker Theatre for an exclusive showing of 'Pearls from the Grit'; a theatre show written and narrated by Dean Parkin.
Immerse yourself in the everyday histories of Lowestoft's Beach Village. Come to the Movie Maker Theatre for an exclusive showing of 'Pearls from the Grit'; a theatre show written and narrated by Dean Parkin.
Event Details

This is an exclusive showing of a film of the live performance of ‘Pearls from the Grit’ at the Movie Maker theatre in Sparrows Nest Garden.

Wednesday 16th September 2pm. As part of Heritage Open Days.

In the early 1900s Lowestoft’s fishing village – known as The Grit – was home to 2,500 people, schools, churches, shops and 13 pubs. Why did it completely disappear and what made the fishing community so special? Mixing stories, poems, film and song, East Anglian writer Dean Parkin and a professional cast bring it all back to life.

Meet no-nonsense fisherman, Ned; Billy, a larger-than-life skipper during the fishing boom; and Ruby (Billy’s daughter), one of the tireless taskforce of women keeping everything afloat. Following an acclaimed pilot tour last autumn, don’t miss this wonderfully evocative and newly-extended show touring Suffolk and Norfolk.

Writer & Narrator DEAN PARKIN, Composer & Pianist MAURICE HORHUT Cast SALLY-ANN BURNETT, TIM FITZHIGHAM, DAVID REDGRAVE Director ALYS KIHL, Producer NAOIM JAFFA

A rare opportunity to see this film depicting an important part of Lowestoft’s history and the working lives of everyday people in an atmospheric location only a stones throw from the original location of the beach village. Enjoy some light refreshments during the screening and a chance to meet Writer & Narrator Dean Parkin.

 

Film showing
free

The film will be shown in the Movie Makers Theatre, which is located in Sparrows Nest Park next to Giardino’s restaurant. The theatre will be decorated with Heritage Open Days bunting and vinyl. There is FREE parking available opposite Sparrows Nest Park on Whapload Road.

Pre-booking required
Booking conditions:
Book a ticket on Eventbrite following this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matinee-movie-pearls-from-the-grit-tickets-1993918312347?aff=oddtdtcreator Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the film showing, as latecomers will not be admitted once the film has started.

Accessibility details

Not accessible for wheel chair user, as the door isn’t wide enough and has a step. Crutches/walking aids can be accommodated permitting users can access the step/doorway. For those who may not be able to access the venue, here’s a link to watch the film at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k3NAV5GkV8

 

The Movie Makers Theatre, which is located in Sparrows Nest Park next to Giardino’s restaurant. The theatre will be decorated with Heritage Open Days bunting and vinyl. There is FREE parking available opposite Sparrows Nest Park on Whapload Road. The park, Sparrows Nest, also features a children’s playground, restaurant, and cafe where you can get a bite to eat before or after the film showing. You can also walk to the site of the lost village. There are no toilet facilities in the cinema, however there are FREE public toilets within Sparrows Nest which will be available to use.

16th September 2026

2:00 pm
Sparrows Nest, Whapload Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1XG
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