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About the Show
‘A superb night out’ ★★★★ – The Scotsman
‘A beautifully moving take of friendship, bravery and sacrifice’ ★★★★ – The Skinny
1936. In villages, towns and cities across Scotland, 549 lives are gradually intertwining.
People of contrasting backgrounds, ideologies and religions. Spurred on by their burning passion for equality and freedom, they will form the Scottish ranks of the Spanish Civil War’s legendary International Brigade.
2022. The country is in crisis.
In a small pub in Prestonpans, East Lothian, four millennials are told a story. The true story of four local miners who, 86 years ago, travelled from the streets of Prestonpans to the valleys of Spain. They gave up everything that was familiar: for a land that was not; for a people they had never met; and for a cause they believed was right.
549, a play with songs and storytelling, is a timely insight into one of Scotland’s almost forgotten conflicts.
Tour Dates 2022:
SEPTEMBER
The Brunton – 23, 24 Sep
Beacon Arts Centre – 27 Sep
Perth Theatre – 29, 30 Sep
OCTOBER
Macrobert Arts Centre – 1 Oct
Tron Theatre – 6, 7, 8 Oct
Eden Court – 10, 11 Oct
Traverse Theatre – 14, 15 Oct
Castle Douglas Town Hall – 25, 26 Oct
Moffat Town Hall – 27 Oct
Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse – 28 Oct
NOVEMBER
Fairlie Town Hall – 2 Nov
Cumnock Town Hall – 3 Nov
Troon Town Hall – 4, 5 Nov
Archive
Supporters
This archive and the research behind it has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Those interviewed include Daniel Gray, Max Arthur, Mike Arnott, Paul Philippou, Tam and Jimmy Watters, Mark Gillespie, Marlene Sidaway, Jim Jump, Kath Campbell. Verbatim texts came from Ian MacDougall’s Voices from the Spanish Civil War (Living Memory) and Real Band of Brothers by Max Arthur. Images have been provided by Kevin Buyers. Actors include Robbie Gordon, Rebekah Lumsden, Cristian Ortega, Nicholas Ralph, Katie Scott and Josh Whitelaw.
