Local History

The time of the Romans' arrival in Poole is the subject of a new open air theatre production, exploring the effects the all-conquering Roman armies had on the Celts based in the harbour town and beyond - and how the Romans' arrival changed the county forever.

The play, called The Lost Quay IV - Terra Roma, explores how the brutal and murderous Roman armies had landed in Poole, due to its status as a thriving port, to begin its invasion of the area.

Taking charge is a new Roman army commander called Valerian, as he encounters local people willing to sacrifice everything to fight off their new invaders, while others would prefer to work for peace.

It's the latest in the Lost Quay series from the Fladermouse Productions company, a theatre group using street performances to bring specific eras of Dorset history to life. 2008's Lost Quay III revisited life in Poole during World War II, using real locations in the town to help tell the story.

Exploring Poole's past

Director of the Roman play is Richard Batt, who has been working on the production since January.

Costumes accurately depict Roman times

He says: "Over the years we've looked at more 'modern' moments of history so this is an opportunity to look at Poole at a time that's much further in the past.

"There's a fascinating history of Poole in Roman times and this play helps tell that story."

"We're all taught about the Romans at school but we don't always associate it with our own lives, and the areas where we live.

"We try and make that connection, by placing a new story in the middle of a familiar area."

The Romans in Dorset

In Dorset, The Romans landed at Poole Harbour and the Fleet at Abbotsbury.

They established themselves at Dorchester, then known as Durnovaria, where examples of Roman buildings remain today, such as the Roman house in the grounds of the county council offices.

The Romans overran the Celtic Durotriges tribes who lived in the area, taking over their forts, such as Maiden Castle.

After putting up a fight, the Durotriges eventually became 'Romanised' and were able to continue with their main occupations of pottery and farming, as part of the Roman province known as Britannia.

And the impact of the Romans in Dorset has been recently highlighted once again, with the discovery of a mass grave on the site of the under-construction Weymouth relief road at Ridgeway Hill.

Richard says: "Discoveries like that really make what we're doing feel much more relevant."

Open-air performances

Poole-based Richard worked on the script with writer Ian Dawes, and the five-strong cast are local professional actors.

The play features five local actors

Richard says the open air performances, in a specially constructed Roman encampment at Poole's Harbourside (Baiter) Park, will be a mix of action, drama and comedy.

In future years, Richard says Fladermouse Productions might look at the English Civil War or even a look into Poole's future for its next annual street theatre performance, but for now, he's focused on finalising the plans for Lost Quay IV - and he's hopeful he's got a play that audiences will enjoy:

He says: "They're family shows, but people always come away from our plays and say it's a bit like being taken back in time - it's given them a little bit of history, some drama, some comedy - we definitely like to give them a taste of some action."

The Lost Quay IV - Terra Roma, Harbourside (Baiter) Park, 22 July - 9 August 2009. More information from Poole Lighthouse on 0844 406 8666 or Poole Welcome Centre on 01202 253253.