
Free tickets for children to RNLI 200th anniversary musical premiering in Whitby
Young theatre-goers can experience the drama of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s heroes of the sea with free tickets to theatre performances of the charity’s 200th anniversary musical.
Facing the Waves, by Whitby’s professional theatre company Dogwood Productions, premiers in the town on September 20 before moving to Glaisdale, and touring coastal and rural communities in the North East.
The show celebrates the 146,000 lives saved by the RNLI’s volunteer crews and brings together the iconic real-life Victorian hero Henry Freeman, and a young mum, a character created from the real people the writers met in writing the show. Henry Freeman miraculously survived the Whitby lifeboat disaster when all of the twelve other crew members perished, before leading some of the most extraordinary rescue attempts of the century. In present day, Faith is his counterpart, from a family steeped in the same tradition, juggling family, career and crewing the lifeboat. Will it be going off to sea or will it be chips for tea?
A number of tickets for the three performances in the town and the one in Glaisdale will be donated free to young people by Whitby Seafood.
Dogwood’s Director, Antony Bellekom, says ‘Live theatre really is an experience like no other. It's a chance to immerse yourself in a story and to feel the emotions of the characters. We want young people to share that experience, but we know that cost can be a real barrier. The support of Whitby Seafoods is a real commitment to the next generation of local theatre goers and helps educate young audiences about the charity that saves lives at sea’.
Whitby Seafood’s Head of Culture, Barry Harland said: ‘As a major local employer, we are keen to support the community in a really practical way, particularly where we can help young people enjoy new creative experiences and learn about water safety. This exciting partnership with Dogwood Productions allows us to do this’.
The music is composed by award-winning composer, Alastair Collingwood, who has written for the West End and for TV favourites, French and Saunders. The cast includes Eliza Shea, who has performed opposite Matthew Broderick, Off Broadway, but more recently appearing in Whitby at the Fish & Ships Festival in Dogwood’s Chip Shop Chronicles.
In preparing the show, Dogwood, working with the BBC, conducted numerous interviews with communities including Whitby, Saltburn and Bridlington. They captured the memories, experiences and expectations of those living by the coast to create this authentic tale.
The show is being performed at The Chapel On The Hill, Brunswick Street, Whitby on Friday 20th September at 7.30pm and on Saturday 21st at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. It is also being performed at The Robinson Institute, Glaisdale on Sunday 22nd September at 7.30pm.
The free tickets for young people will be available through schools and local community groups. Dogwood welcomes other organisations who may not yet be involved in their distribution to contact them at[email protected] or by phoning 0748 5128996.
There’s full information on the show at www.dogwoodproductions.co.uk
Facing The Waves is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Notes To Editors:
Pictures with captions and credits can be downloaded from this online collection: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/15280A24-F49E-40E7-A6B40873A76D84BD/. No login is required.
RNLI at 200: On 4th March 2024 the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea. Throughout 2024, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate the charity’s history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
Dogwood Productions is a professional community interest company which invests profits into supporting new and young performers. The theatre company’s recent shows have toured England and been heard on BBC Radio 4. It is the official theatre partner for the RNLI as it celebrates its bicentenary, and 146,000 lives saved, in 2024.
About Whitby Seafoods:
Founded in 1985, Whitby Seafoods is an independent Yorkshire family business, based in Whitby.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.