Dogwood Productions brings RNLI bicentenary musical Facing the Waves to London
A story of selflessness and bravery that stretches across the centuries, a timeless responsibility passed on from one generation to the next. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, putting the lives of others before their own.
Facing The Waves is a new musical from Dogwood Productions to celebrate 200 years of the charity that saves lives at sea, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The theatre company’s recent shows have toured England and been heard on BBC Radio 4. It features songs and music from the award-winning composer, Alastair Collingwood.
Dogwood is the official theatre partner for the RNLI as it celebrates its bicentenary, and 146,000 lives saved, in 2024.
Following a successful tour of theatres in Yorkshire, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Lincolnshire, new performances have been announced in London, at the The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith London tomorrow (Friday 18 October 2024).
Facing the Waves brings together an iconic real-life Victorian hero 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?
The landscape and sea are unchanging, but life in a community facing the waves brings new challenges. Henry was an outsider, questioned and shunned for much of his life. Adventure and misadventure, if it wasn’t true, it couldn’t be written. In the 21st century, the tide of tourists masks the challenges that characterises many of our beloved seaside towns. For Henry and Faith there are personal demons to be faced, redemption to be found.
In preparing the show, Dogwood, working with the BBC, conducted numerous interviews with communities all along the north-east coast, capturing the memories, experiences and expectations of those living by the coast. This included sessions as far north as Alnwick and all the way south to Hartlepool. The writers have used these local contributions to create an authentic tale that encapsulates the dedication and heroism of the RNLI’s volunteers and the always present perils of the sea.
Anjie Rook RNLI Associate Director, who is overseeing the RNLI’s 200th anniversary programmes, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to Dogwood Productions for supporting the RNLI with their musical Facing the Waves which will now aso be performed in London, particularly as we celebrate our bicentenary in 2024.
‘For 200 years, it is people who have made the RNLI what it is – from our brave volunteer lifesavers who risk their lives to save others, to the committed fundraisers and generous event organisers and donors – events like these are crucial to funding our 24/7 lifesaving service.’
Dogwood Productions’ shows focus on telling the story of those living in communities poorly represented and previous productions have explored the joys and challenges of rural living. Dogwood is a Community Interest Company and features new music, street theatre and puppetry to create distinctive productions.
Alastair Collingwood has composed the music for and appears in the new shows. He has been a composer for over 30 years and has written scores for numerous theatre shows, including London’s West End. His TV credits include the music for French and Saunders; the sitcom, Mad About Alice (BBC 1) and How Clean Is Your House? (Channel 4), amongst many others. He is joined on stage by performers whose credits include many West End appearances, Off Broadway and BBC radio and CBBC shows.
Facing The Waves is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
It will be performed at the Lyric Theatre Studio in Hammersmith on Friday 18 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. For tickets visit: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/london/the-lyric-theatre-hammersmith/facing-the-waves/e-xjkpyx
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.
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.