549: Scots of the spanish civil war

Director & co-Writer

“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.”

— ★★★★ Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

Scottish Main Stage Tour - September-November 2022 - dates and venues

UK Tour - May/June 2019 - dates and venues

Comrades of the International Bridgade, 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.

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.

Supported by Creative Scotland

One of the most vibrant young companies to emerge onto the Scottish theatre scene in recent years - The Scotsman, 2021

*549 will be accompanied by a pop up installation and interactive website (549.scot) celebrating local volunteers of the International Brigade supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“Pulses with energy”

— ★★★★ The Scotsman

“Black Watch reimagined for a small town function room”

— ★★★★ The Herald

“Brilliantly executed”

— ★★★★ Reviews Hub

Trip @citizenstheatre today for @wonder_fools’ excellent 549: SCOTS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR. Properly good show - great performances, confident direction and a sold out crowd on a weekday matinee! Surely one of Scotland’s best new companies.
— David Byrne (@mrdavebyrne) February 14, 2018

Tremendous show by @wonder_fools in Prestonpans Town Hall tonight The 549 . Viva the International Brigade!
— Iain Gray (@IainGrayMSP) February 10, 2018

Went to see The 549 in Prestonpans tonight. Ladies' toilet at the interval, two working-class East Lothian voices float over the partition. "Lot of language, eh?" "Yeah. But it widnae be right if there wisnae."
— joycemcmillan (@joycemcm) February 8, 2018

@wonder_fools did a brilliant job tonight with 549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War @Prestonpans. Good luck with run @citizenstheatre pic.twitter.com/dVssNf5voE
— Caitlin McCorry (@CaitlinMcCorry) February 9, 2018

Amazing afternoon spent watching the @wonder_fools at work.

A raw & emotional performance telling the story of the Scots who fought facism in Spain. pic.twitter.com/sZH1bXHvzS
— I am the DJ (@IamtheDJ40) February 17, 2018

Do go see #549 by @wonder_fools. An important part of Scottish history that needs to be told. A fight that needs to continue. On my part, from my heart, love, respect and thanks to the 549. #nopasaran #laluchacontinua pic.twitter.com/h4r6FzQoNO
— Itxaso 'Taz' Moreno (@QueenoftheClyde) February 10, 2018

Previous Dates:

Prestonpans Town Hall - 7 - 10 February 2018

Citizens Theatre - 13 - 17 February 2018

Writers
Jack Nurse &
Robbie Gordon

Director
Jack Nurse

Associate Director
Lucy Wild

Designer
Becky Minto

Costume Supervisor
Sophie Ferguson