About
COMRADES OF THE INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE:
YOU CAN GO PROUDLY. YOU ARE HISTORY.
YOU ARE LEGEND.
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.
2017. The country is divided.
In a small pub in Prestonpans, East Lothian, four millennials are told a story.
The true story of four local miners who, 80 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.
In association with the Brunton Theatre and Citizens Theatre. Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Quotes & Reviews
PRESS FOR 549: SCOTS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
★★★★ "This play doesn’t just want us to remember and respect our history, it’s a call to arms and a timely reminder to always fight for what you believe in.”
Reviews Hub
★★★★ "Black Watch reimagined for a small town function room"
The Herald
★★★★ "There is a special thrill in seeing the play performed, this week, in Prestonpans Town Hall, a building these men would have known well, in front of the kind of local audience, reliving part of their own history, that has been thin on the ground in Scottish theatre since the demise of 7:84 Scotland and Wildcat"
The Scotsman
The Company
WONDER FOOLS
Established in 2014: Wonder Fools seek unknown and forgotten stories lost in the evolving social landscape of modern Britain that we are able to reshape and make theatre from. We strive to create evocative and exhilarating contemporary theatre and performance, in both conventional and out of the ordinary settings. We seek to make accessible, energetic and engaging work which appeals to both traditional as well as non-traditional audiences. We aim to push the fold of who contemporary theatre and performance can attract and appeal to. We are fascinated by how theatre and performance can be socially and historically rooted in the landscape and community in which it's made; however big or small.