Productions: Lifeboat

By Nicola McCartney.

Based on an extraordinary true story of courage and survival.

For people aged 8 and above.


Winner Barclays Stage Award:
Best Show
(Children and Young People)

Beth: We didn’t let go. Why didn’t we let go?
Bess: Well we couldn’t give up, could we?
Beth: That’s right, we were not in the business of giving up.

On Friday 13 September 1940, a ship, the City of Benares, set sail from Liverpool for Canada. On board were ninety young evacuees escaping the relentless bombing and dangers of war-torn Britain. Four days into the crossing the ship was torpedoed and sank. Only eleven of the evacuees survived.

Two girls, Bess Walder and Beth Cummings, spent 19 terrifying hours in the water on an upturned lifeboat. They willed each other to survive.

Image © Kevin Low           

                      

              This is home                     Euston Station


             
Images © Douglas McBride

                                                       Winner of the 2002

Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards 2007
'utterly compelling'
Lifeboat was nominated for 'Best Visiting Production' (The Lowry)

Lifeboat Goes Down Under

New Zealand International Arts Festival

Lifeboat will be part of the
New Zealand Arts Festival 2008, peforming at the following venues:

- Expressions Theatre, Upper Hutt
(22-23rd February)
- Soundings Theatre,Wellington
(26th Feb to 1st March)
- Kuranui College, Greytown
(3-4th March)
- Little Theatre, Lower Hutt
(6-8th March)


Sydney Opera House

We are delighted to be the first Scottish children's theatre company to perform at Sydney Opera House.
See website for details of performances of Lifeboat,
from 18- 30th March

FREE Resource Pack -
click on image to download

 
Image © Douglas McBride

   For a downloadable jpeg of the above image click on the image (available for all photos on this page)


Press Quotes

A heart-rending and evocative depiction of the human spirit . . .
a powerful emotional journey. . . an impeccable production . . .
The Herald

A wonderful, affectionate portrait of wartime family life, with a powerful feeling for the popular music and culture . . . there’s the sheer passion and spirit of two brilliant actors who bring the story alive, so much so, that at the end the audience wiped the tears from their eyes and rose to give them a standing ovation.
The Scotsman Critic’s Choice

As children’s theatre goes, Lifeboat is a peach, as theatre for grown ups – it’s a delight . . . a gloriously entertaining journey.
Daily Mail

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