Quicksand cast go on Morecambe's famous cross-bay walk

Quicksand is a forbidden love story centred around Morecambe Bay

The cast of a new play centred on Morecambe Bay have been getting expert advice from the leading authority on the north Lancashire coastline.

The writer and cast of Quicksand, the latest production at the Dukes in Lancaster, wanted to get a closer feel of the bay.

So they went out for a cross-bay walk with Cedric Robinson who is known as the Queen's Guide to the Sands.

He has been the bay's official guide for almost 50 years.

Quicksand is a forbidden love story between Leo from Ulverston and a Polish girl called Elka who has recently moved to Morecambe.

The writer, Zosia Wand, said Morecambe Bay is crucial to the plot and why they called on the services of Cedric.

"The bay is very important in the play; the quicksand is a metaphor in the play but also Leo has a huge connection with Morecambe Bay.

'Really special thing'

Prince Philip has been on Cedric Robinson's famous cross-bay walk

Zosia continued: "He sees the view and it matters to him deeply and it is when he talks about the bay that he manages to hook Elka in."

One of the actors, Sarah Parkes, was delighted to be accompanied by the Queen's Guide to the Sands and said it will help her performance.

She said: "It's absolutely fascinating; what a wonderful opportunity.

"What wisdom and to have [Cedric] here is a really special thing."

Now 76, Cedric has spent his entire life in the area.

He was fisherman, cockler and coastguard before he took up his post as the bay's official guide.

Royalty and celebrities have joined him on his famous walks, including Prince Philip and the late Sir Harry Secombe, and he knows more than anyone the beauty, and the dangers, of the notorious bay.

So what does Cedric make of the play centred around his beloved bay?

"It was very interesting, she has made a very good job of it," he said.

Quicksand at the Dukes, Lancaster, Thursday 27 January to 12 Feb 2011