ONE of the most challenging feats undertaken in RNLI history is to be brought to life on stage with a tour of 12 venues debuting at Lynton and Lynmouth Town Hall on October 16 and 17.

Directed by the award-winning Scott Le Crass, Louisa is presented by Exmoor-based Pleasure Dome Theatre Company partnering with the RNLI.

Using physical theatre and sea shanties over 80 minutes, it tells the incredible story of a lifeboat community pulling together on a treacherous night in January 1899 to save a 1,900 ton ship in distress.

Unable to launch Louisa, the 10m long, ten-ton lifeboat, due to the size of the waves, an ambitious plan was concocted to drag her from Lynmouth across 13 miles of hills and moorland to the storm-protected harbour of Porlock Weir.

Around 100 local people gathered to haul the Louisa, aided by 18 horses sent from a local farm. Six men were sent ahead with shovels to widen parts of the road. Helena Payne from Pleasure Dome Theatre Company, said: “We see many parallels with how these small, remote, and under-represented communities have handled themselves during the challenges of Covid-19.

“Louisa will provide an uplifting evening at the theatre celebrating the culture and heritage of the South West. We hope everyone will leave energised and hopeful about what can be achieved when people work together.”

The show will be touring across Devon and Somerset for two weeks. Venues include: the Regal, Minehead, on October 20; East Quay, Watchet, October 22; Holford Village Hall, October 23; Exmoor Studios, Dulverton, October October 27; and Porlock Village Hall, October 29. It will also be staged in Taunton, Tintinhull, Street, Yeovil, Barnstaple and Exeter,

For more information including tickets, prices and performance times, visit www.pleasuredometheatrecompany.com