The Flood or Mrs Noah and the Flood

The Flood is a modern retelling of the biblical tale about Noah and his Ark. It was written for the Unicorn Theatre and has since had many productions. What marked out the original production was that the two children in the story were play by actors well into their sixties. It is unfortunate that with climate change the play has become ever more relevant.

Synopsis

An ordinary middle class family face another ordinary day, but it turns out to be like no other – rain has begun to fall and will not stop. Martha, has had a dream and believes the end of the world is nigh, but her businessman husband Gerald thinks she is ill and needs to see a doctor. Their two children watch as the rain falls and their parents argue. Gerald refuses to believe Martha and goes to work while she blows their savings on a yellow boat. She orders the children to pack enough clothes and food for a long journey. Gerald reaches the baot just in time as the world is washed away – except it seems for one yellow boat. Eventually after much hardship the family reach an island which is anatuarl paradise, and the children begin to rebuild their lives and create a new culture. As the play ends, they see another ship on the horizon.

Characters

• Martha
• Gerald
• Tony (aged six)
• Rebecca (aged eleven)

Review

‘Charles Way’s provocative play – magical, haunting, funny and tearful.’ The Guardian (following a production by M6 Theatre)

The Flood is published by Collins Educational, 77-58 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JB.ISBN 0-00-330304-7

• Available from Amazon
• The play has been translated into Russian Welsh and German. The German translation is available from Theaterstückverlag München