LIGHT, CAMERA, CTION, Colin Todd of Brennans Bread (right) with actors Susan Davey and Ruby Campbell and schoolgirl Jessica Potter.
FAMILY bread baker Brennans has joined forces with Replay Theatre Company to bring the real-life heroic story of two young girls – whose lives were changed forever during an ill-fated journey by sea – to young audiences across Northern Ireland.
The extraordinary play which debuts at The MAC, Belfast on the March 12 and 13, before touring schools and arts centres from March 18 to April 20, is calledLifeboat and tells the story of Bess Walder and Beth Cumming, both aged 15, as they embark on a voyage from Liverpool to Canada in 1940.
Replay Theatre Company is a charitable organisation set up to give schoolchildren and young people an opportunity to experience live theatre, often for the first time, and Brennans Bread sponsors the theatre group to offer quality visual arts productions.
Colin Todd, business development manager of Brennans Bread said, “Replay Theatre Company has been putting on shows for schoolchildren from all over Northern Ireland for almost 25 years and we are delighted to again work alongside the group to bring this production of Lifeboat to audiences across Northern Ireland.”
“Through our sponsorship with Replay we aim to help feed the imagination of local schoolchildren and we hope to introduce young people, and their families, to live theatre productions.
“The story behind this real-life play is very inspiring and highlights an enduring friendship which still remains to this day. The production will be shown in a range of theatres and schools across Northern Ireland and I hope that every child, parent and teacher will get the chance to enjoy this remarkable story,” he added.
Eimear Henry, executive director of Replay Theatre Company, said, “Our partnership with Brennans Bread enables us to bring creative opportunities to new audiences.
“Lifeboat tells the story of 90 evacuees trying to escape the relentless bombing of Britain during WWII by sailing from Liverpool to Canada. As the story unfolds we see how the girls spent 19 terrifying hours in the water on an upturned lifeboat and how they willed each other to survive.
“The play is aimed at 8-11 year olds and as with all Replay projects, this performance addresses many areas of the school curriculum so I would encourage mums and dads and parents and teachers across the country to make sure they get to one of the local productions and don’t miss out!” she added.
Brennans Bread is one of the best known bread brands in Northern Ireland and is synonymous with freshness and quality.
It has a wide variety of delicious products within its portfolio including Family Pan, Wholemeal, Batch and, most recently, Wheaten Brown Bread.
Colin Todd of Brennans Bread with actors Susan Davey and Ruby Campbell and schoolgirl Jessica Potter.
To find out where you can see Lifeboat and for further information log ontowww.replaytheatreco.org.
Lifeboat Tour Schedule:-
• Tuesday 12 March 7.30pm – Belfast Children’s Festival – The MAC
• Wednesday 13 March 10.30am – Belfast Children’s Festival – The MAC
• Wednesday 13 March 1pm – Belfast Children’s Festival – The MAC
• Monday 18 March – Lowwood Primary School, Belfast
• Tuesday 19 March 11am and 2pm – Riverside Theatre, Coleraine – £5
• Wednesday 20 March – Knockahollet Primary School, Ballymena
• Thursday 21 March – St Patrick’s Primary School, Newtownstewart
• Friday 22 March – St Patricks Primary School, Enniskillen
• Tuesday 9 April – Gaelscoil na BhFal, Belfast
• Wednesday 10 April 11am – Marketplace Theatre, Armagh – £7
• Thursday 11 April – Limavady Central Primary School
• Friday 12 April – Limavady Central Primary School
• Monday 15 April 11am – The Braid, Ballymena – Free to schools
• Tuesday 16 April 11am – Strule Arts Centre, Omagh – £4
• Wednesday 17 April – Pond Park Primary School, Lisburn
• Thursday 18 April – Pond Park Primary School, Lisburn
• Friday 19 April 11am – Down Arts Centre – £5
• Saturday 20 April 2pm – Down Arts Centre – £5
