'Road To Freedom' is a combined arts project which conveys stories about the 1936 Spanish Civil war, the volunteers who fought for democracy in Spain and the links to the West Country. For two years project developers Malcolm Cuthbertson and Amanda Boyd researched films, photos and songs from archives held by Warwick, Southampton and Swansea University, Marx Memorial Library and The BFI, developing a multi media show with folk songs, flamenco dance and music.
The Curzon Cinema & Arts in Clevedon became a performance space for two shows and The International Brigades Memorial Trust brought their pop up exhibition to North Somerset for two weeks prior to the show March 2017. The exhibition also featured works from Louella Frankel - Jones and Melanie Hamer.
Some comments from the shows:
The silence was just as powerful in the performance. If my dad, a brigader was alive he would have been so proud. There was a lot of narrative. I liked that you presented the material and we could find the narrative ourselves.
I was interested to see how many references there were to Quaker involvement in the relief work as well as the Sidcot connections of Archie Doran, Nathan Clark and even Dorothy Rutter.
Very varied interesting show. Loved the rustic feel and intimate feel! Good to understand the roots of flamenco.
Worth the trip from Cardiff No Pasaran!!
Excellent portrayal of the spirit in which people rushed to assist those in dreadful circumstances in Spain. I was aware of the history but found tonight’s performance very moving and thought provoking. Thank you to all involved.
Really enjoyed the whole espectaculo informative moving and fun. Our students were unable to come but would be highly recommending it if it were to come back.. Ill look out for further productions. I heard about it as info was sent to Backwell school. I teach Spanish A Level.
Didn't know much about the Spanish civil war but found this fascinating. Very much enjoyed the mix of the presentation particularly resonates with world issues about refugees, rise of populist nationalism etc. Thank you.
Photos by Chris Emmerson
twitter.com/xenmedia?lang=en
The Curzon Cinema & Arts in Clevedon became a performance space for two shows and The International Brigades Memorial Trust brought their pop up exhibition to North Somerset for two weeks prior to the show March 2017. The exhibition also featured works from Louella Frankel - Jones and Melanie Hamer.
Some comments from the shows:
The silence was just as powerful in the performance. If my dad, a brigader was alive he would have been so proud. There was a lot of narrative. I liked that you presented the material and we could find the narrative ourselves.
I was interested to see how many references there were to Quaker involvement in the relief work as well as the Sidcot connections of Archie Doran, Nathan Clark and even Dorothy Rutter.
Very varied interesting show. Loved the rustic feel and intimate feel! Good to understand the roots of flamenco.
Worth the trip from Cardiff No Pasaran!!
Excellent portrayal of the spirit in which people rushed to assist those in dreadful circumstances in Spain. I was aware of the history but found tonight’s performance very moving and thought provoking. Thank you to all involved.
Really enjoyed the whole espectaculo informative moving and fun. Our students were unable to come but would be highly recommending it if it were to come back.. Ill look out for further productions. I heard about it as info was sent to Backwell school. I teach Spanish A Level.
Didn't know much about the Spanish civil war but found this fascinating. Very much enjoyed the mix of the presentation particularly resonates with world issues about refugees, rise of populist nationalism etc. Thank you.
Photos by Chris Emmerson
twitter.com/xenmedia?lang=en
| programme.pdf |
The team had the opportunity to perform in the Spanish towns of Alcalá de Henares and Cuenca during April 2019.
In early 2020, the team took the show to Wrexham in Wales. There is a strong relationship with the Spanish Civil War and Welsh history. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/recalling-heroic-welsh-volunteers-who-15525202
