BRIDGES collapsed, rivers burst their banks and landslides were triggered as torrential rain from Storm Desmond swept through villages and towns across Cumbria and other parts of the UK during the first weekend of December 2015.

Thousands of homes and businesses at Kendal, Appleby, Ambleside, Grasmere, Keswick, Cockermouth and Carlisle and many others areas were flooded.

The aftermath for those affected was traumatic to say the least.

In north Lancashire, at 10.45pm on December 5, the storm plunged 100,000 people into darkness, lasting four days for many.

At its peak, 1,742 cubic metres of water per second flowed down the River Lune in Lancaster - the highest flow of any river ever recorded in England.

Almost two years on, The Dukes opens its autumn homegrown theatre season with the premiere of a play inspired by the stories of north Lancashire people who experienced the storm and power cut in 2015.

Blackout, which runs at the Lancaster theatre from October 13 until November 3, is an original play inspired by testimony from residents, community organisations, emergency responders, sociologists and journalists who weathered the storm together.

It tells of the chaos, bewilderment and camaraderie during a power cut which left communities without communication, transport or information, cut off from the modern world.

Award-winning Manchester-based writer Sarah McDonald-Hughes has focused the play’s attention on the real-life experiences of a Lancaster business owner who saw her shop devastated by flood water, a young woman from Morecambe wandering the streets during the blackout and a schoolboy who lost his most precious possession to Storm Desmond.

Blackout will also feature contributions from a fire officer, coastguard, an electricity company manager and a Lancaster University academic who co-wrote a report on what was the first long duration power cut in Britain to affect thousands since becoming so internet dependent.

Performed in The Round, Blackout will be the first mainstage production to be directed by Alex Summers, The Dukes associate director.

Alex said that they had been deeply inspired by the resilience of those people who had shared their stories with them. He added: "I hope Blackout represents something of what makes Lancaster city district so special, being lovingly created and performed by its residents, whilst paying tribute to those affected most acutely.”

The cast stars two high profile, locally-based professional actors, Christine Mackie and Peter Rylands, who will be supported by 40 community performers in keeping with the ethos of Blackout being created with, and performed by, local people.

Christine’s extensive stage, television and radio career includes a current stint in Coronation Street where she plays Dr Gaddas.

Peter last appeared at The Dukes in a production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in 2011.

He played various roles in the 2016 summer season at Keswick’s Theatre By The Lake and has appeared in many television dramas, including Peaky Blinders and Emmerdale.

During the creative process, The Dukes engaged with people in some of the district’s most deprived areas - Marsh, Ridge, Ryelands, Vale, Harbour, Heysham North, Poulton, Skerton and Westgate - who will be offered specially discounted tickets to see the production which is recommended for anyone aged 12 and over. The final performance of Blackout on November 3 will coincide with the first night of Light Up Lancaster, a magical festival of light and art, which attracts thousands to the city.

There will be a post show talk-back session after the October 18 performance.

For performance times and further information telephone The Dukes box office on 01524-598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.