People in Southport are being invited to help a new documentary-drama which commemorates the 140th anniversary since the UK’s most tragic lifeboat disaster took place off the coast of Southport.
Stage Door Theatre Trust has been awarded funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to create 27 Souls – The Last Launch, a powerful new community documentary-drama exploring the tragic and heroic events of the 1886 Mexico lifeboat disaster.
This project has been made possible by money raised by National Lottery players.
Supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project, which will run until December 2027, will unite local historians, schools, descendants, artists, and coastal communities from Southport, St Annes and Lytham to rediscover and retell this extraordinary story of courage and loss.
Stage Door Theatre Trust is currently seeking volunteers to support the creation of costumes for the filming.
If you can help please email: stagedoortrust@gmail.com
The one-hour docu-drama film, titled ‘27 Souls – The last launch’, will blend dramatic re-enactments, real interviews, and archive research to honour the 27 volunteer lifeboatmen who gave their lives in service.
The project will also deliver a wide programme of heritage workshops, community training, and educational resources to engage new audiences with the region’s maritime history.
Participants will have the chance to learn film and theatre production skills, record oral histories, and help shape a living archive for future generations.
The film will premiere locally in December 2026, marking 140 years since the disaster, before touring venues, schools, and museums across the North West.
The Southport and St Anne’s lifeboats disaster occurred on the evening of 9th December 1886 when 27 lifeboat men lost their lives trying to save the crew of the German barque Mexico.
14 of the 16 crew members aboard the Southport Lifeboat Eliza Fernley drowned along with all 13 of the St Anne’s Lifeboat Laura Janet.
The 12 crew of the Mexico were eventually rescued by the Lytham Lifeboat Charles Biggs.
The 27 Souls – The Last Launch project will be delivered in partnership with Southport Life (Southport Offshore Rescue Trust), Lytham Heritage Centre, local RNLI stations, and regional schools and community groups.
It will culminate in a film, exhibitions, and a permanent digital archive housed within local collections.
The project is being created by Stage Door Theatre Trust, a non-profit arts organisation based in Liverpool, dedicated to creating community-driven theatre, film, and heritage projects that amplify local stories and voices.
Founded in 2014 by actor, writer and director Emma Vaudrey, the Trust works across Merseyside and the North West to provide creative opportunities for all ages.
Emma Vaudrey, Director of Stage Door Theatre Trust, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive this incredible support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 27 Souls – The Last Launch is a project very close to our hearts, and this funding will allow us to bring the story of the Mexico lifeboatmen to life for a new generation.
“It’s an honour to be able to share the bravery, sacrifice and community spirit of these remarkable men and their families, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire people today.”
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