Horatio Nelson, Fever and Fire

A play telling the life story of Horatio Nelson is coming to the Southwold Arts Centre on the 22nd October following its sell out run at the Tabard Theatre in West London. Titled Horatio Nelson, Fever and Fire the critically acclaimed one-man show is performed by Nelson expert Adam Preston, in costume by 2025 Prime Time Emmy winner Dougie Hawkes (for Bridgerton).

Described as an ‘outstanding achievement’ by London Theatre 1, the show is based on deep research, breathing new life into an epic tale and delving into Nelson’s early years, exploring how the loss of his mother at age nine and his overlooked status as a “middle child” fuelled a relentless drive for love and glory. The production brings vividly to life the early struggles and heartbreak, the glorious battles and the scandalous love affair with Emma Hamilton. The Chiswick Calendar called it ‘an impressive journey through an extraordinary life’, while London Pub Theatre Magazine nominated it for a Standing Ovation Award and described how it ‘packs plenty of punch whilst maintaining a careful, clever control, making this legend of the sea into a masterful spectacle”.

“The reaction to the shows at the Tabard in Chiswick was overwhelming” says Adam Preston, a self-confessed Nelson obsessive who also wrote the play. “We were immediately asked to bring it back in September, but what was really exciting were the invitations to bring the show to East Anglia, which is of course Nelson country. I absolutely jumped at the chance and we’re kicking off with the Fisher Theatre Bungay on Trafalgar Day, going on to the Southwold Arts Centre on the 22nd October and ending with two nights at the Puppet Theatre, Norwich on the 23rd and the 24th October.

Preston, who describes Fever and Fire as a ‘highly dynamic telling of one of the greatest true stories of all time,” describes how he had an accident on the first night at the Tabard. “I cut my hand quite badly during some swordplay. I was dripping blood on the stage but the audience never noticed. They were too gripped by the ultimate sailor’s yarn.”

With a sophisticated sound design by Amanda Priestly, the one hour show has more than thirty scenes and lighting changes which are live cued by technician Nat Green, making Horatio Nelson, Fever and Fire an immersive experience.

Reviews:

https://www.londontheatre1.com/reviews/horatio-nelson-fever-and-fire-theatre-at-the-tabard/

https://www.londonpubtheatres.com/review-horatio-nelson-fever-and-fire-at-the-tabard-9-11-april-2026