Flooded
A night of theatre, opera and song like no other in the stunning setting of St Edmundsbury Cathedral
- Next Event
- 15th November - All day
- Following 1 Event
16/11/24 00:00
-16/11/24 00:00
About this event
Flooded is a night of theatre, opera and song combining The Fools’ Flood by Neil Clayton (a new play about an historic flood in Bury St Edmunds), and Benjamin Britten’s family opera, Noye’s Fludde.
The Fools’ Flood, written by Neil Clayton, tells the real story of 13th Century Bury St Edmunds, when monks at the Abbey decided to dam the Tayfen Brook which flooded the marshes to the northeast of the town. Enraged by this, town citizens try to violently tear down the dam with some rather nasty consequences.
Noye's Fludde is an operatic classic, written by Benjamin Britten and first performed in St Bartholomew's Church, Orford in 1958, during the Aldeburgh Festival. Written especially for a mixed company of professional and community players, the piece tells the famous story of Noah's Ark and the Great Flood sent by God to sweep the Earth.
The project brings together St Edmundsbury Cathedral, 15 local schools, Britten Pears Arts, Suffolk Music Service and multiple community groups.
The production is the largest arts project undertaken by the Cathedral in recent times and will involve over 200 locals and professional creatives.
As well as being full of beautiful music and fast paced action, Flooded! will allow us to reflect on our world today with the climate emergency and migration so often making headlines. With a set made almost entirely from recycled materials and with many costumes decorated by the children themselves, the production is a space for the community to come together, listen to, and create a wonderful evening of theatre and music together.
Flooded will be conducted by incoming cathedral Director of Music, Claudia Grinnell, directed by Anna Pool and designed by Stewart Charlesworth.
There will be three performances available, one on Friday 15 November at 6.00 pm and two on Saturday 16 November at 1.00 pm and 6.00 pm.
About the Venue
For over 1,000 years, the site of Suffolk ’s Cathedral has been one of worship and pilgrimage.
The death of Edmund, King of the East Angles, at the hands of the Danes in 869 led to the building of an abbey to house his remains. St James’s Church was built within the precincts of the Abbey, becoming a Cathedral in 1914. The Cathedral building has continued to develop over recent years with the addition of the Millennium Tower, completed in 2005, and its magnificent painted and gilded vault, added in 2010. In 2009 the Cathedral changed its dedication to become the Cathedral Church of St James and St Edmund.
Visitors are welcome to look around the Cathedral on their own. Entry is free but donations gratefully received. A free introductory leaflet is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Polish. Visitors are most welcome to attend any of the daily services.
Guided Tours of the Cathedral run Monday to Saturday at 11am from the font from April to October. Tickets can be purchased at the Cathedral Shop. Occasionally a tour may have to be cancelled if another event is taking place in the Cathedral. If you are travelling some distance, please do ring the Cathedral office to check. These tours last approx 1 hour and cost £6 per person (under 16s free).
St Edmundsbury Cathedral Tower Tours - Experience a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of St Edmundsbury Cathedral's Millennium Tower with fun and knowledgeable guides. Explore heady heights with amazing views from the top of the tower, the highest point in Bury St Edmunds! Don’t forget your camera!
St Edmund Statue by Dame Elisabeth Frink - A trip to Bury St Edmunds would not be complete without a photo of the iconic St Edmund statue by Dame Elisabeth Frink. The statue can be found outside in the Great Churchyard of the Cathedral.
Cathedral Lego Project - St Edmundsbury Cathedral has launched an ambitious project to recreate the Cathedral out of 200,000 LEGO bricks! Visitors can see the Lego Cathedral being built before their eyes and donate a brick to be part of this amazing project. The Lego Cathedral is located in the South West corner of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Opening times may vary based on volunteer availability.
The Ancient Library - The Ancient Library was founded by Dr Miles Mosse in 1595 as a resource for clergy training. There are over 550 books, mainly printed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The library, in a room over the north-west porch designed by Stephen Dykes Bower in 1960, has bookcases made by Leonard Goff in 2004. If you would like to visit the library, please contact the librarian through the Cathedral Office on visits@stedscathedral.org or 01284 748730.
Pilgrim's Kitchen - after touring the Cathedral why not relax with a cuppa at the Cathedral's cafe?