In 1943 Colin Armitage’s ship was torpedoed in the South Atlantic. He and 13 others scrambled aboard a life raft. 50 days later HMS Rapid rescued him, only he and one other still alive.
Colin was the grandfather of Louise Beech, the playwright. 64 years after his ordeal Louise’s daughter, Katy, was diagnosed with diabetes. In order to distract her during insulin injections Louise began to tell the story of Colin’s bravery and determination to survive.
Katy has said that Grandpa Colin’s story inspired her to carry on when she wanted to give up and die: “If Grandpa Colin can be survive an ordeal like that, I can do anything. I can do these injections”.
The scenes in the play How to be Brave alternate between the life raft and Katy’s house in Hull. Playwright Louise Beech is Colin Armitage’s grand daughter.
Venue Details
EAST RIDING THEATRE IS A COMMUNITY THEATRE, BASED IN BEVERLEY. Established in 2014, the venue was created from a former Victorian chapel and it oifers an intimate space for enjoying many types of entertainment, with a 200 seat auditorium and fully licensed Café Bar. The year-round programme of entertainment, includes theatre, music, comedy, spoken word and much more. Regular exhibitions of art are displayed within the Theatre Gallery. It is also a venue that is often used for festivals and other events. OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR THEATRE Without our Volunteers we would not have a theatre. They are passionate about the entertainment programme that we deliver and dedicated in making a contribution to our day-to-day activities throughout all areas of the theatre – whether it be welcoming our audience front-of-house, selling tickets in the box office, serving drink and food in our café bar, helping with maintenance, keeping the theatre clean or one of many other roles! BOX OFFICE & CAFÉ BAR OPENING TIMES Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm Saturday 10am – 2pm Onsite Café Vegetarian menu options Vegan Menu options Gluten Free menu options Local Brews Afternoon Tea The Theatre's facilities are also open at all times during any performance.
Facilities
Accessible Information Points
Accessible Toilets
Assistance Dogs
Baby Changing
Changing Places Toilet
Hearing Loop
Level Access
Onsite Cafe
Wheelchair Access
