Dive into Myth and Imagination with Burn the Curtain’s “Swim from the Wild Shore”.
An unforgettable blend of wild swimming and participatory theatre on the North Devon coast.
Photo by Theo Moye 19/05/2025 Burn the Curtain ‘Tales from the Wild Shore’ promo at Bucks Mills, Devon. Jess May Cox
This July, take to the waves with award-winning theatre-makers Burn the Curtain for Swim from the Wild Shore, a daring and dreamlike fusion of wild swimming and storytelling, where myth, magic, and imagination meet the sea.
From July 8–10, 2025, intrepid swimmers will gather on Hele Beach, North Devon to join the mysterious ‘Shore Sisters’ in a ritual unlike any other. Their mission? To fetch the Sea Runes, tell a story so enthralling it pacifies the ocean’s rage, and secure a year of calm waters for all.
Each year, a flower blooms in the ocean, an invitation from the deep. To keep the sea monster, the storm, and the spirits of the ocean at bay, a story must be fetched from the surf, one so enchanting it holds the forces of nature spellbound. Will you be the one to retrieve the sea runes and share the tale that saves us all?
This theatrical swim is a unique fusion of folklore, adventure, and ocean magic. With only a limited number of spaces available, this is a rare opportunity to take part in a powerful ritual of creativity and connection.
“There’s been a huge rise in wild swimming across the UK, as people seek deeper connections with nature,” Joe Hancock, Artistic Director of Burn the Curtain explains, “with Swim from the Wild Shore, we’re taking that one step further, inviting swimmers not just to enter the sea, but to enter a story”.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Burn the Curtain once again, following many years of successful collaboration”, says Claire Ayres, Creative Producer for Beaford Arts. “Their work is always bold, imaginative and deeply engaging. We know they’ll deliver an experience to remember, something truly magical for audiences and participants alike”.
This event is open to confident swimmers over the age of 14, happy in 100 metres of sheltered water. Participants should bring a swimming costume, towel, and something warm for afterwards. Imagination is essential. Limited places available. Dare to dive in?
Produced in partnership with Beaford Arts, Swim from the Wild Shore is a prologue to a major immersive theatre production coming to Bucks Mills later this summer and there’s more to explore in the lead-up. A series of craft and music workshops have begun to pop-up in the area, helping to weave the wider story and community together. To find our more visit beaford.org/events
____________________________________________