New play draws on real life flood stories (From Tewkesbury Admag)

New play draws on real life flood stories

4:54pm Wednesday 16th July 2008 in News

REAL life stories of bravery and heroism from last years floods have inspired a new play which has been delighting crowds in Tewkesbury.

As the anniversary of the devastating floods approaches, Stroud Theatre Company is performing its latest play called The Higher Ground.

Over the last twelve months the group have been visiting schools and youth groups such as Tewkesbury School, Alderman Knight, Tirlebrook Primary School and the Boys Brigade, Tewkesbury, to listen to childrens stories of the floods and use the ideas to create the play.

More than 100 children and young people aged between four and 18 shared their stories. Stroud Theatre Company then put in a bid to Gloucestershire County Council for a share of the £1m flood recovery grant in order to create the play.

The Higher Ground tour began on July 8 and continues until Saturday (19) with the final performance at Leckhampton Village Hall at 7pm. Each of the the schools that contributed to the story will also receive their own performance of the play.

Kim Kenny, development officer for Stroud Theatre Company, said: "There are various stories which inspired the writer. He took the stories and various flooding myths from around the world and wove them together to make the story."