3rd – 13th October 2006
Peak commuter times

In 2006 Show Of Strength Theatre Co, Bristol (‘SOS’), Theatre Royal Plymouth and The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham collaborated on BRUNEL AND PARTNERS: commissioning three short new pieces of work about Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as part of ‘BRUNEL 200’, for performance on railway stations across the region. Each ‘play’ lasted approximately 10 minutes and was written for two characters, one of whom was IK Brunel. Each performance opened at its ‘home’ railway station, then toured to partners’ stations. Later it was decided to add three more stations – one close to each partner’s home base. Performances were afternoon and early evening, for a period of two weeks (Monday-Friday) on appropriate areas of the stations. Target audience: commuters/ travellers: ordinary people passing through stations.

The project developed directly out of JOINED UP WRITING, a new writing partnership led by Show Of Strength and the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. The first project, WAITING, came out of a conversation with David Prescott at Theatre Royal Plymouth, and resulted in over forty monologues by Bristol and Gloucestershire writers being produced in spring 2006. The project also collaborated with Taunton’s Brewhouse and Exeter’s Northcott Theatres. Show Of Strength was lead partner on WAITING, and continued this role for BRUNEL AND PARTNERS.

THE CREATIVE TEAMS

SOS

Producers Sheila Hannon & Gill Loats
Writer Shiona Morton
Director Robin Belfield
Designer James Helps
Performer Bob Martin
Performer Hayley Fairclough
Stage Manager Julie Davis

PLYMOUTH

Producer David Prescott
Writer Nick Discombe
Director Sarah Levinsky
Designer Monique Jones
Performer Steve Jacobs
Performer Hilda Eusebio
Stage Manager Hugh Borthwick

CHELTENHAM

Producer Sue Colverd
Writer Fi Benson
Director/Designer Sue Colverd
Performer Angie Bain
Performer Mark Roper
Stage Manager Corin Hayes