With new design from award-winning Becky Minto, 549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War is back on stages across Scotland with a new mainstage version followed by a rural tour.
1936. In villages, towns and cities across Scotland, 549 lives are gradually intertwining. People of contrasting backgrounds, ideologies and religions. They are the 549 Scots who would form the Scottish ranks of the Spanish Civil War’s anti-fascist International Brigade.
Created by Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse – founders of Wonder Fools and writers of 549 – Robbie stumbled across the history of the 549 when his grandfather told him the story of four men from Prestonpans who fought in the Spanish Civil War.
Wonder Fool’s 549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War follows four miners from the streets of Prestonpans to the valleys of Spain. George Watters, Bill Dickson, Jock Gilmour and Jimmy Kempton form part of a group that gave up everything they knew. This is the second tour of the show and Wonder Fools’ first mainstage tour of Scotland. With an updated script responding to the current socio-political landscape and an expanded score by BBC Scottish Artist of the Year finalists VanIves, the show promises to be bigger and better than ever, whilst still maintaining the community spirit of being told a story over a pint. Following a mainstage adaptation for spaces including the Tron Theatre Glasgow and Traverse Theatre Edinburgh, a local tour around Scotland will make its way to Castle Douglas Town Hall, Troon Town Hall and more.
Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse of Wonder Fools commented:
“Solidarity, community and internationalism feel more important now than ever. We can’t wait to take this reimagined version of 549 onto mainstages in autumn this year before bringing our much-loved town hall version back to rural communities too.”
Praise for 549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War:
“A piece that puts faith in the belief that, despite all the bombs and bullets being thrown at you, the world really can be changed for the better.” The Herald ★★★★
“A formidable piece of popular small-scale touring theatre in the 7:84
tradition, educating working class audiences across Scotland about their own history, while providing a superb night out.” – The Scotsman★★★★
“Vibrant telling of a chapter of Scottish social history with a strong community spirit” – Thom Dibdin, The Stage
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