Play about rower Harry Clasper heads for famous theatre

Hadaway Harry, which premiered in front of 50 people at South Shields Maritime Trust, is heading to the Theatre Royal, in Newcastle, next year.

The one-man play, by South Shields playwright Ed Waugh, is about the life of famous Geordie rower Harry Clasper.

The sportsman was renowned internationally as a world champion sculler, a trainer of champions and a boat design innovator.

Ed said: “Last year we toured Hadaway Harry along the rivers Tyne and Wear to small venues that had resonance with Harry’s life.

“The experience was fantastic, especially at the Maritime Trust boathouse in South Shields, where we premiered the show.”

Harry invented the thin racing craft with outriggers seen today at the Olympics and in the Oxbridge boat race.

Hadaway Harry will be at the Theatre Royal on February 24 and 25, next year. For more details and to book tickets, go to www.theatreroyal.co.uk