In this post, Inca, a young actor, tells us about working on The Plough Youth Theatre’s film production of ‘Listening to Lynmouth (the Rising of 1952)’. The film, which tells the story of the devastating flood that hit Lynmouth in 1952, will be shown at the North Devon Record Office on Saturday 18 September as part of the Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project.
Reflections
It has been an amazing experience working with the archives. There was so much to learn and so many stories to tell and be told. When listening to these stories being told from someone’s point of view, it is amazing to think that what we are listening to happened.
We started the project by learning and listening to a few characters from the archives, then improvising scenes after listening to the hour-long clips on each character. From doing this we found connections between characters, whether they were related or were in the same building when the flood started.
After doing this for a few weeks, we picked out characters that were a main part of the flood. I chose Ada Richards, the Post Mistress from the Brendon Post Office. Now we could focus our attention on these characters and learn more about their stories.
After listening to more of the archive, we found ideas that we wanted to use; like the hotel collapsing and candles going out one by one in the windows, and Ada Richard’s piano having pickled eggs spilt in it during the floods.
We then started filming our characters’ monologues straight to the camera, telling their stories. The next week we filmed action and acting, parts like the candles and piano.
I’m looking forward to seeing the finished film, I have loved being part of this project and helping to unlock the stories of our past.
Ada Tucker © Mark J Rattenbury
See the film
The film created by the Plough Youth Theatre Group is available to watch online. Watch the film.
