Musical love letter to a West Yorkshire town that rose from the flood waters comes to Leeds Playhouse

A new folk musical celebrating the hope, creativity, and strength of the Hebden Bridge community is being showcased in Leeds in April and May as part of a northern tour. The Flood, an exciting new show from AKA Theatre Company, will open at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre at Northern Ballet on 19 April ahead of transferring to the Barber Studio at Leeds Playhouse on 14-15 May.

On Boxing Day 2015, the picturesque town of Hebden Bridge was devastated by the worst floods in a century. Homes and businesses were submerged. Lives were turned upside down. The community could easily have sunk but, instead, it remained buoyant, raised up by the spirit of the Valley. Neighbours joined forces, artists found new inspiration and Hebden Bridge emerged stronger than ever.

Performed by a cast of five talented actor-musicians, the show blends live music and heartfelt storytelling based on true accounts, inviting audiences to celebrate the resilience of the West Yorkshire community in the face of disaster.

“We’re thrilled to bring The Flood to Leeds,” says writer-director Lucie Raine. “This is a story about what it means to come together when everything falls apart. It’s not just a play – it’s a tribute to resilience and creativity, inspired by Hebden Bridge and its people. It’s a celebration for all communities who have faced adversity and emerged stronger.”

The creative team comprises Lucie Raine, Book & Lyrics; Joe Revell, Music & Lyrics; Marie McAndrew, Musical Direction; Oonagh Johnson, Assistant Director & Dramaturg; Ayana Beatrice Poblete, Producer; and Charlotte Murphy, Set & Costume Design.

The Flood premieres at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre at Northern Ballet on 19 April (bookable via Leeds Playhouse) and will then tour to Chester Storyhouse on 24-26 April, The Atkinson Southport on 1 May, Georgian Theatre Royal Richmond on 2 May, 53Two Manchester on 7-8 May, Friargate Theatre York on 9-10 May, Hull Truck Theatre on 13 May, Leeds Playhouse on 14-15 May, and Hebden Bridge Little Theatre on 16-17 May.

The Flood is supported by Leeds Playhouse and Arts Council England.

Listings info
AKA Theatre Company Ltd presents
The Flood
19 April – Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Northern Ballet
14-15 May – Barber Studio, Leeds Playhouse
90 mins
11+
Box office 0113 213 7700
Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk

BLOG: Lucie Raine, the rather aptly named Writer/Director of The Flood, discusses her new folk musical   

I have a vivid memory of the 2015 floods, having friends and family living in Hebden Bridge at the time. I remember the apocalyptic images taken of places I walked regularly and the emotional impact it had.

Later, when studying for my MA, I was searching for compelling local stories to tell, and these events came straight back to my mind. Composer Joe Revell and I visited the town and began to talk to anyone we could; shopkeepers, pub landladies, librarians, even the receptionist at the local school. We built up a picture of the events over that week and, more importantly, the feelings and vivid memories of people who were there. We also collected contemporary news sources and footage collated by locals.

Armed with a plethora of unique and compelling stories, and inspired by musical retellings of real events such as London Road and Come From Away, we began to weave together individual stories into a complete narrative. We knew we wanted the show to be performed by actor-musicians, as art and music are so deeply ingrained in the culture of the area, and we loved the idea that the residents themselves created the soundtrack for the town. We also knew we wanted the staging to feel fleeting and impermanent, like the event itself, so actors build and dismantle structures throughout the duration of the play.

The Flood examines the reaction to the crisis, as told by the people who were there. Everyone’s priorities and breaking points are different, and this is reflected in the various characters onstage. We also wanted to explore the real human cost of climate related disasters, not from a global political perspective, but from the perspective of friends and neighbours. Real events happening in the heart of England.

The first 45-minute performance was pulled together in just under seven weeks, including research, writing, rehearsal and production. This was well received by audiences and attracted the attention of Leeds Playhouse.

We conducted a five-day R&D (research and development) at the Playhouse in January 2024 to try out new material, expand the actor-musician element and further develop some storylines to take the show to 75 mins.

Off the back of the success of the R&D, we were invited to pitch to Venues North theatre network, and from there booked our upcoming northern tour.

It means such a lot to be able to bring this story to audiences in the North, and especially touching to be performing shows in both Leeds and Hebden Bridge, the two places most intimately related to the birth of the show.