Eastchurch. June 2020. The first house falls. Another dangles precariously over the cliff edge. 124 more are declared at risk. The tide continues to rise.
Icon Theatre has announced the development of The House That Floated Away (working title), a new community theatre production inspired by the real stories of residents living in Eastchurch, Sheppey, on the frontline of the climate emergency.
Drawing on testimonies from local residents, neighbours, young people and climate experts, this new piece of theatre explores themes of resilience, belonging and survival in the face of accelerating environmental change.
The co-created production, staged on a shoreline with the communities, will combine live performance, a community choir and local schools. Audiences will wear individual headphones, creating an intimate sound world that blends documentary voice, original music and narration.
Nancy Hirst, Artistic Director and Director of the production, said:
“The House That Floated Away is still in early phase development and is growing out of conversations with people living in Sheppey and Medway. Although the production is inspired by tragic events that have happened in Eastchurch and is a way of giving these communities a voice, overall it is a rally cry to raise awareness of what’s happening in many coastal communities across the country. The show will be about real lives and real loss, but also about resilience. I would like to thank everyone who has got involved for their generosity in sharing their stories and ideas with us”
The development of The House That Floated Away also coincides with the launch of Icon’s new Environmental Sustainability Policy and Action Plan, which places climate justice at the heart of the company’s work. The production will be the first to pilot Icon’s use of the Theatre Green Book.
Daniel King, Executive Director of Icon Theatre, said:
“We are pleased to be formalising Icon’s commitments to the environment through our new policy following the Theatre Green Book. Climate justice is at the centre of both this policy and this production. The climate emergency is being felt first and hardest by communities already facing structural disadvantage. One of the key aims of the policy is to ensure that both the stories we tell and the way we make theatre reflect our values of access, equity and sustainability.”
More about the development of Icon’s Environmental Policy can be read here
The first phase of research and development for The House That Floated Away (working title) will culminate in a work-in-progress sharing in September 2025.
A Creative Estuary co-commission, supported by Arts Council England, Garfield Weston Foundation, Medway Council and The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust.
More about the production can be read here.
Enquiries
Daniel King
Executive Director, Icon Theatre
daniel@icontheatre.org.uk
