The Incredible True Story of the Johnstown Flood

 
 

“Take it from me, son. This story of yours. Put it on stage and people will have no choice but to sit up straight and pay attention”.

Johnstown, 1889: a chance encounter between a ragtag theatre troupe from Britain and the young survivor of a devastating flood spawns an unlikely collaboration.

Johnstown, 2016: a British theatre company heads to America’s rust-belt in the hope of making a hit show and take one too many wrong turns along the way.

Then and now. Here and there. Fact and fiction.

Researched over several years in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, The Incredible True Story of the Johnstown Flood, blends history and fantasy to examine the fine line between empathy and exploitation when telling working-class stories and the perils of telling the story of a tragedy on a community’s behalf.

Ugly Duck, London | 2021

Created by Lee Anderson, Adam Foster & Andrew Whyment

Text by Lee Anderson & Adam Foster

Director | Andrew Whyment

Writers | Lee Anderson, Adam Foster

Movement Director | Kane Husbands

Actors | Daniel Adeosun, Philippa Hogg, Martin Quinn, Natalie Radmall-Quirke, Alice Vilanculo

 
 
 
Andrew Whymentpast