Manx poet and performer Jackie Morrey-Grace is to premiere her latest theatrical production, ‘Sea Thief’, at the Erin Arts Centre later this month.

The production, which combines poetry, music, theatre and dance, will take place on Friday, November 13, at 7.30pm.

Described as a fusion of jazz and gothic folk storytelling, the show will feature two of Ms Morrey-Grace's original works, incorporating live music, original songs, spoken word and physical theatre.

The first half will centre on Sea Thief, a 23-minute performance developed from a poem in her fourth Isle of Man Arts Council-funded collection, ‘Sea Thief and Other Horrors’.

Originally a six-minute piece, the story has been expanded into a theatrical performance featuring percussion, cello and violin. It was inspired by the work of Czech folklorist Karel Jaromír Erben and composer Antonín Dvořák.

The second half will feature Asila's Song, a one-woman ghost play originally written and performed by Ms Morrey-Grace in 2022. It will combine spoken word, music, original songs, interpretive dance and soundscapes.

‘I was sitting in a Blue Vannin Jazz Club rehearsal when it occurred to me how incredible it would be to perform Asila's Song with our musical director, John Stillman, on the Erin Arts Centre's Steinway grand piano,’ Ms Morrey-Grace said.

‘As a jazz musician myself, I wanted to explore what would happen if we approached the play in the same way we approach jazz - listening, responding, experimenting and working intuitively together, not necessarily to put poetry to jazz, but to see where the process might take us.

‘The result is something closer to gothic folk theatre, developed through months of collaborative rehearsals in which improvisation has gradually evolved into structured compositions and performances.’

The ensemble includes jazz vocalist Lauren Gray, drummer Ed Morrey, Soundology's Amy Howse, and dancers Owen Atkinson and Rachel Crellin. John Stillman will also perform.

She added: ‘We've all brought something different to the production, finding ways to make these intricate stories accessible through music, movement and theatre so our audience can lose themselves in these worlds - to experience suspense, darkness, beauty and moments of dark humour - so the stories are felt, not just heard.’

The evening will coincide with the official launch of Sea Thief and Other Horrors, which contains three gothic folk tales and five humorous poems featuring Ms Morrey-Grace's alter ego, Penny. The collection is illustrated with her own drawings.

Ms Morrey-Grace began writing and performing poetry in 2017 and has since worked on a number of collaborative projects, including the 2024 production Anabelle's Adventures and the Arts Council-funded film On Ravensdale Hill.

The performance marks her return to live work following a period of ill health.

She has acknowledged the support of the Isle of Man Arts Council, Erin Arts Centre and St Catherine's in developing the production, as well as Erin Arts Centre manager Pip Rolfe, who has helped with directing.

Sea Thief is a one-night-only performance, and tickets cost £15. They are available online by visiting erinartscentre.com.

Copies of the new poetry collection will also be available to buy during the interval.