Blow Down tells the story of two iconic Yorkshire landmarks

The demolition of the iconic cooling towers at Ferrybridge Power Station that impacted on the lives of the people who lived and worked beneath them is probably not an obvious choice for a play.

When the towers were explosively demolished thousands turned up to watch them come down and Blow Down about their history is scripted by award-winning playwright Garry Lyons who lived near them based on stories collected from the local community in Ferrybridge and Knottingley. He’s written a funny, gritty and thought-provoking show with music about how losing a major landmark and employer impacts on a typical post-industrial Yorkshire town.

From the towers’ raucous seventies heyday through recession and decline in the 2000s, Blow Down tells the story of the area through the experiences of people who lived there, based on often surprising insights, authenticity and a lot of humour.

“For some years I’ve lived near Ferrybridge Power Station and watched its iconic cooling towers come down from close at hand,” says playwright Garry Lyons. “I thought it would be interesting to see what local people thought about the loss of such a landmark.

“So, I interviewed members of the community, and from the recordings developed a play that captures their hopes, dreams, fears and memories. It’s a snapshot of a Yorkshire town at a particular moment, but one that I’m sure will resonate right across the north and beyond.”

Here’s some fun Ferrybridge facts to whet your appetite:

• The land for the power plant was bought in 1917 by Yorkshire Electric Power Company

• Construction on Ferrybridge A started in 1926 and it was up and running a year later

• Ferrybridge B was constructed in 1955, followed by Ferrybridge C a decade later

• Ferrybridge Power Station, officially known as Ferrybridge C, was a looming landmark on the West Yorkshire horizon for more than 50 years

• In its heyday, it employed in excess of 900 people

• Rising costs meant it had to close in 2016

• Demolition began in 2018, with thousands of people gathering to see the enormous towers come down

• Further demolition occurred in the summer of 2021, with homes evacuated, roads closed and planes and drones prohibited from flying over

• The last of the extensive demolition work took place in March 2022

Blow Down is directed by Leeds director, dramaturg and creator Tess Seddon, who has directed plays at Sheffield Theatres, Leeds Playhouse, National Theatre, Hull Truck and The Yard.

You can find out more about the making of Blow Down by watching this short behind-the-scenes film.

Blow Down is in the Bramall Rock Void from 3^rd – 11^th February.

To book box office: 0113 213 7700 or www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk