In December 2013 following a heavy storm, a World War I German submarine emerged out of the mudflats of the river Medway. Investigation revealed there were a further 23 submarines originally abandoned, the rest having submerged entirely into the mud.

Performed on the Chatham Riverside, this immersive theatre production lead audiences from the submarine hulks of the Medway River to modern day post-industrial communities across modern Europe, through a century of submarine building and wrecking.

With 80 community performers, a choir of 20 local residents, 15 youth theatre performers and 5 professional actors, 23 Submarines brought alive the stories behind these submarines and explored how we connect with our immediate past.

Funded by Arts Council England with additional support from Medway Council’s Arts Development Team.