Yahoo Lifestyle Play tells true story of rave that stopped a riot
A new play hopes to make more people aware of the time a rave was organised to stop a riot.
In 1995 there were two nights of rioting on Luton's Marsh Farm estate, when about 500 people attacked police with petrol bombs, bottles and bricks.
When a third night of rioting was expected to take place, a local collective called Exodus Collective organised a rave for the same time.
An area near where the riot took place will now be a venue for an outdoor play called Rave New World, which explores that event and Luton's rave music heritage.
Arts company Tangled Feet, Revoluton Arts and Marsh Farm Outreach have come together to stage the performance at Marsh Farm House on 21 and 22 March.
Glenn Jenkins, co-founder of Marsh Farm Outreach and the Exodus Collective, said the raves "drew away all the angry energy and turned it into beautifulness".
Later that night, Mr Jenkins received a call from BBC Three Counties Radio reporters who were in Marsh Farm but, despite a heavy police presence, there was no riot in sight.
"The week after, the Luton News headline was 'Rave stops riot' - that was one of the many significant things in that group that I'm really honoured to be part of," he said.
Kat Joyce, co-artistic director of Tangled Feet and director of Rave New World, described the story as "inspiring".
She said she was working with an ensemble of young performers from Luton to create "something that tells a banging story, has a banging soundtrack and delivers the audience into a place where they all have a party together at the end".
The outdoor show uses music, breakdancing and moving cars, including a London taxi that unfolds to reveal an aerial theatre rig.
She hoped the play's message, of "partying as a means of resistance", can inspire a new generation.
Ms Joyce said: "Our job is not to lean into nostalgia but to join that spirit up to meet young people where they are and bridge the gap between generations.
"It feels like we need to party now like we never have before."
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