New musical Sea Change to receive world premiere in Birmingham

A new musical titled Sea Change will have its world premiere later this month.

Presented by British Youth Music Theatre, the piece is by Birmingham-based writers Will Jackson and Elinor Peregrin.

Set in Blackwater Cove, the story follows the rare phenomenon of the Tidal Eclipse when Selkies of the sea are granted a week to walk upon land and live among humans.

The music features folk melodies, sea shanties and ballads. Jackson and Peregrin first met at Birmingham Hippodrome at BEAM2025, a showcase for new writing. Sea Change will play at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio from 28 August to 30 August, with a cast of 36, including young performers from Birmingham.

The writers said: “We’re so excited for the upcoming run of Sea Change at Birmingham Hippodrome. It’s so special to be having our work performed by such a talented group of young people at this brilliant venue in our home city. Audiences can look forward to a show which blends modern, coastal Britain with ancient folklore – rewriting the myth of the mystical Selkies and exploring how they might cause havoc if they came ashore today. We’re working with a great group of creatives, and we can’t wait to see how our BYMT company brings this story to life in August.”

Birmingham Hippodrome has the first UK-based in-house musical theatre department.