The community came together in Suffolk to bring back Benjamin's Britten's opera 'Noye's Fludde' to the county in a stunning performance at Thorington Theatre.

More than 150 cast and crew members, including world-class musicians, creative performers, and a diverse cross-section of the Suffolk community, participated in two sell-out shows.

The community-centric show, a unique genre defined by Britten, was a collaborative effort involving schools, local families, prison inmates, and industry experts.

Rosalind Parker, Sizewell Creative's creative director, said: “Benjamin Britten defined a new genre of community opera for the villages in and around Leiston with Noye’s Fludde – and we couldn’t be prouder of all the community performers who’ve so successfully captured the creative spirit Britten wanted to inspire."

Student performers from Suffolk New College onstage Student performers from Suffolk New College onstage (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

The initiative started last year with vocal lessons at Pro Corda, Leiston Abbey, followed by creative workshops in eight schools, prop design by local families and a fully-sustainable stage set-up facilitated by Warren Hill Prison inmates.

Members of the Sizewell C team actively contributed throughout the project, testing materials and joining singing sessions.

The two performances featured a rich line-up including choristers from St Catherine's College, Cambridge, Alde Valley Academy, and Suffolk New College students.

Speaking of the project, Imogen Fraser, lecturer in Performing Arts, Suffolk New College, said: “This project has provided our performing arts students with the fantastic opportunity to work as independent artists on a professionally run production."

Suffolk community participates in world-class performance of Benjamin Britten's 'Noye's Fludde Suffolk community participates in world-class performance of Benjamin Britten's 'Noye's Fludde (Image: Mike Kwasniak)

The project, which aligns with the theme of the climate crisis, was a first for the Sizewell Creative arts programme, developed by Sizewell C.

Julia Pyke, joint managing director at Sizewell C, said: “Investing in the arts and delivering performances and opportunities that help bring together community and raise aspirations within Suffolk, is such a rewarding way for us to achieve that.”

The Sizewell Creative initiative promises to offer more free, accessible, and sustainable arts events for the community in the future.