‘An exploration of a community over 100 years and, I hope a love letter to Canvey and its brave people’.

Ruth Kettle Frisby, member of the Havering Climate Coalition, today writes in the Havering Daily on a new Queen’s Theatre play being shown in February entitled ‘The Flood’.

‘On the night of 31st January 1953’, whereupon ‘a tidal surge came down the north sea flooding low lying lands in its path. Canvey Island was badly hit with the Sea Wall washing away in the Tewkes Creek area.’ (https://www.canveyisland.org/).

‘The Flood’, by Essex writer Vickie Donoghue (Tales from the Thames, The Witchfinder’s Sister), commemorates the 70^th anniversary of this tragedy in Canvey Island – in which 59 people lost their lives – and yet the enduring message of the play is a positive one about the magic of community spirit.

Many of us, who have never experienced such horrors first hand, can scarcely bring ourselves to imagine what it must have been like for women, men and children during The Great Flood, and its devastating aftermath.  

However, in the summer of 2022, Havering too experienced tragedy, when an unprecedented heatwave caused wildfires, and residents of Wennington lost everything: their homes, their possessions, their pets in some cases, and no doubt the essential sense of safety, security and stability that many of us take for granted. 

In the aftermath of the Wennington Fires, The Havering Daily aptly concluded one article on a reflective note of hope: that ‘[t]his was one of the worst days possible for the London Borough of Havering, but the fantastic community spirit in the borough will help all these residents find a way to get through’.  Sure enough, our own community dug deep, and did what we could to show our neighbours that they were not alone.  

We’ve seen with our own eyes the irrepressible, shape-shifting capability of local communities when they come together. It’s heartening to learn that this theme is the focus of Donoghue’s exciting new play, which, she reveals “is all about people and relationships, lives and family and friendship”.

Based on real-life events, this large-scale world premiere production is an extraordinarily tender, and timely tribute; a story about what it really means to call a place ‘home’. 

Set in the village hall, and yet spanning a time-period of 100 years, the play oscillates between the past, in January 1953; the present, in January 2023; and even the future, in January 2053, by which time the island is completely submerged at high tide. 

The most fitting, and yet intriguing aspect of the play, is perhaps the inclusion of two community company choruses: one of young adults from Havering College, and the other of older adults, aged 65+. Donoghue herself effuses that “the community cast idea really excites me”, I have to say it does me too!

This is a unique opportunity to have on our doorstep at Queen’s Theatre, and it’ll be one we’ll treasure. The production is set to revive our consciousness of this historic event on its landmark 70th anniversary, enabling us to gain new and imaginative insight – not only into Essex’s past – but on climate change, and the things that connect us to each other. I strongly suspect that – for a number of interconnected reasons – this particular play will capture something that is dear to the hearts of many residents in Havering.

Great care has been taken to honour underlying truths, and the sense of hope that emerges from this multidimensional play; the set design itself is carbon neutral, with zero waste, using only reclaimed materials.  

Directed by the award-winning Stef O’Driscoll, delivered by a first-class creative team, and featuring a cast of 17 actors, this one is definitely not to be missed!

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.

Support Local Journalism
We at The Havering Daily appreciate your support of quality journalism. Your generous donation, no matter the size, allows us to continue bringing unbiased and informative news to the community. Your contribution helps us maintain our independence and allows us to continue providing high-quality journalism. Thank you for valuing the work we do and for supporting our mission

Thank you