Norfolk's past of worshipping fishing and fearing God comes to life in the new play, SALT.

This is the first play from Great Yarmouth's new theatre company, Contemporary Ritual Theatre, and it shows great promise for the burgeoning group.

From a sold-out performance at Norwich Arts Centre, the three-person play took place in the centre of the audience, providing people little respite from the constant feeling of dread.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Norwich Arts Centre.Norwich Arts Centre. (Image: Newsquest)The play takes place in an unnamed Norfolk fishing town sometime before the Industrial Revolution. Man Billy (Mylo McDonald) and his mother, Widow Pruttock (Emily Outred), are getting by with small catches. But Billy wants to see more action, both on the sea and in the flesh.

Mother Pruttock's grip is loosened amid whispers from townspeople and the arrival of a Pagan fair show-woman (Bess Roche), and the power struggle bubbles up into a tale of extreme manipulation and hopelessness.

SALT was thoroughly enjoyable for its moody and gloomy atmosphere. From the lighting to the sea shanties, it is clear the entire crew were all on board for the project's vision.

With charismatic, demi-religious figures and the odd bit of incest, the play was very gothic in places. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Emily Outred as Widow Pruttock in SALT.Emily Outred as Widow Pruttock in SALT. (Image: Contemporary Ritual Theatre)The actors strived to create a jarring sense of dread and pulled it off wonderfully. And a special mention needs to be given to the direction, especially with the use of accents. The Norfolk accent is seemingly quite difficult to mimic, but each actor was convincing and it was excellent to hear onstage.

The story was a little difficult to follow at times but portrayed Man Billy's slip of reality incredibly well. On reflection, I still don't know which character to trust.

READ MORE: SALT: Great Yarmouth's new theatre company debuting play

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Pagan-esque show-woman comes to lead to Man Billy astray.The Pagan-esque show-woman comes to lead to Man Billy astray. (Image: Contemporary Ritual Theatre)My main criticism is that director Beau Hopkins previously said his aim was "to appeal to people who have never been to theatre before". While the play was very enjoyable, I question whether something that 'far out' is the best way to draw new faces in.

SALT continues its first UK tour and will be at Southwold Arts Centre on Friday, May 24, Fisher Theatre in Bungay on Saturday, May 25 and The Space, Isle of Dogs, London, from June 4 - 8.

For more information, visit www.contemporaryritualtheatre.org/salt