Yoxman sculptor installs work in WW2 crater theatre

A renowned sculptor has created a brand new piece of work for an outdoor theatre built in a World War Two bomb crater.

Suffolk-born Laurence Edwards is behind statues like the Walking Men on Lowestoft beach and the Yoxman, a 26ft (about 8m) bronze man that stands near the A12 in Yoxford near Saxmundham.

Now he has created two similar sculptures, one of which has been installed at the entrance of the Thorington Theatre.

Edwards said it meant "a great deal" to him to have his work at a place he visits often.

The theatre was created in a bowl in the earth believed to have originated during World War Two, leaving a natural amphitheatre.

Edwards started work on two new sculptures back in the autumn, with the second to be installed in July.

They stand at 8ft (2.4m) and have been cast in bronze, something the artist said took months to complete.

"This is quite a unique sculpture because it's actually got a comedy and tragedy theatrical mask hanging over his shoulder on his back," he explained.

"So he's a special unique piece built for this incredible theatre."

He added that while they had the same colouring and texture to his Yoxman statue, they had a different feeling.

Edwards said he had been coming to the theatre since it opened.

It was built during lockdown within the basin of the crater, with only hand tools used and the timber taken from a nearby woodland.

"I am a Suffolk person and any sculpture that gets located in my area means a great deal," Edwards continued.

"I am from the soil, I believe in this soil, I am of the soil and so are these figures, so to have something in its native place is really special and so close to the foundry.

"You can't have better providence here of a local product."

Lindy O'Hare, co-founder of Thorington Theatre, said the idea for the sculptures came about when they wanted a way to greet people into the theatre.

"Then I met Laurence Edwards, he actually did a little bust of one of our grandchildren, and then we got talking," she explained.

"To have them in the entrance walking in, beckoning people to come this way, they have such a great energy.

"They're like his walking men, but then we had the idea to put theatre masks, a tragedy and comedy mask, on their shoulders to show that they were theatre men."

The partnership comes as the theatre gets ready for its sixth summer season.

O'Hare has also worked with pupils to create a miniature version of the theatre at nearby Bramfield Primary School.

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