In July 2025, Unpuzzled Theatre Company began an exciting new journey with the people of Basildon to create Revolt! — an intergenerational performance linking the events of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt with the world we live in today.

Basildon is often thought of as a "new town," yet it holds a rich and fascinating history. The Peasants' Revolt itself touched this region, making it the perfect place to reflect on how moments of protest and change ripple through time. With support from Creative Estuary 2025 Commissions and Basildon Council, we set out to explore what lessons from the past can teach us about the challenges we face now.

Over the summer months, participants aged between 16 and 79 came together to devise this piece. The process has been as important as the outcome: therapeutic, cathartic, and reflective. Our group described the project as a space to share experiences, find connections, and express themselves through creativity. The diversity of perspectives has been incredible — from teenagers bringing fresh, urgent voices, to older participants offering memories and reflections across decades of change.

Together, we have delved into political and social movements, exploring parallels between life in 1381 and post-Covid society. What drives people to rise up? Why does history so often repeat itself? And how can art help us to make sense of it all? These questions have been woven into an abstract, thought-provoking performance that reflects our collective journey.