Lifeboat drama hits the stage
One of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s most dramatic rescues is to be turned into a theatre performance. reports
ON a stormy night in January 1899, the RNLI set out on one of its most treacherous expeditions.
It happened when a vast ship carrying 13 crew and five apprentices ran into danger near Lynmouth, in fearsome conditions.
The waves were so huge that RNLI volunteers were unable to launch Louisa, the 10m long, 10-ton lifeboat. So rescuers made the daring decision to rally together to try and save the imperilled crew.
The night remains one of the charity’s most arduous feats to date – and now the events are being re-enacted on stage.
Louisa, a new production by Pleasure Dome Theatre Company, will be shown across the South West.
It’s the story of how The Forrest Hall , a 1,900-ton ship with 18 people on board was sailing from Bristol to Liverpool when it began to struggle in a rapidly building storm in the waters off Lynmouth.
As the weather worsened, RNLI lifeboat volunteers concocted an ambitious plan to drag the lifeboat, Louisa, across thirteen miles of hills and moorland to the storm-protected harbour of Porlock Weir, from where they hoped she could be safely launched.
Around 100 people and gathered to haul the vessel, aided by 18 horses from a local farm.
Six men were sent ahead with shovels to widen parts of the road.
Now audiences will have the chance to find out whether they made it in time.
Directed by the award-winning Scott Le Crass, the production reconstructs this inspiring true story of bravery, grit and determination.
Helena Payne from Pleasure Dome Theatre Company said: “The story of Louisa is centred on the resilience and courage of a small community achieving extraordinary things in exceptional circumstances.
“We see many parallels with how these small, remote, and under-represented communities have handled themselves during the challenges of Covid-19.”
“Louisa will provide an uplifting evening at the theatre celebrating the culture and heritage of the South West. It will be visceral, punchy and dynamic using physical theatre and
Sea Shanties.
Research for the production involved sifting through historical archives in Lynton Town Hall as well as interviewing the descendants of those involved in the rescue mission.
Jenny Langdon, volunteer Chair of
the Minehead RNLI Fundraising Group said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Pleasure Dome Theatre Company on the production, and donations made on the night will support our fundraising appeal for the upgrade to Minehead’s RNLI lifeboat station.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing the very well-known local story, which is woven into the fabric of the
community, being brought to life on the stage by a local theatre company.”
The debut performance will be on Saturday 16 October at Lynton & Lynmouth Town Hall and the show will be touring across Devon and Somerset for two weeks.
For tickets, prices and performance times, go to www.pleasuredometheatrecompany.com