The Bunker – Remembering Together
A Gaiety production in association with Wonder Fools. Commissioned by Greenspace as part of the Covid memorial project Remembering Together.
Over the past year we have been working with a variety of groups in our community to reflect on their experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, and what it meant for them. Everyone experienced the pandemic in different ways. But for some people it was particularly challenging, and we have been careful to ensure that we listened to and incorporated their voices.
Responding to what many people said during the whole process – which started two years ago with a first phase of work led by Catrin Jeans. Catrin met and consulted with individuals and groups across South Ayrshire using a variety of artforms. What emerged from that first phase was a real interest in working together and connecting – recovering from and moving forward as well as remembering the loss and life changes that affected so many.
The focus for the second stage therefore emerged as more on creating and sharing in a performance context. The Gaiety commissioned Jack Nurse and Robbie Gordon of Wonder Fools, who worked with our Producer Mat Page and our Head of Creative Engagement Jacquii Gavigan. The result was “The Bunker” which is outlined below. You can find out more about the project and about Catrin, Jack and Robbie, here: https://www.rememberingtogether.scot/south-ayrshire
The story follows four strangers who gather in a bunker to spend lockdown together. Their disagreements and different worldviews provide plenty of laughs whilst their individual stories, all rooted in real conversations with local people in South Ayrshire, explore themes around isolation, grief, and a yearning for connection. The Bunker will be a great night out whilst allowing audiences to reflect on our collective lived experiences during the pandemic.
The Bunker is a compelling new comedy musical reflecting on our diverse experiences of lockdown. Created in collaboration with the local community, this original production is a laugh-out-loud jukebox musical with songs we all know and love from artists such as The Clash, Rod Stewart and Dua Lipa, played live by a professional cast and joined onstage by 50 community performers.
