We Built this City on Rock and Coal: Merging Climate & Comedy

A new show, previewing in Galway on May 30th before touring the country, aims to educate and make a difference about climate change through theatre and comedy. Find out more here...

We Built This City on Rock and Coal brings scientists and theatre makers together for a co-created comedy show driven by hopepunk, climate research, music, and what matters most to the local community. It is a show that is fun for audiences, and good for the planet, based on the idea that every individual and their community can be part of a solution to climate change.

The cast will host a free preview with Arts in Action at University of Galway on 30 May at 1pm, before embarking on a nationwide tour and returning to County Galway in June (see full list of dates below).

Research shows that caring for our local environment helps us care for the planet, so the events also include sustainability workshops and citizen science activities. Each live show holds space for audience members to speak up and/or be interviewed. These source materials are used by international improvisation experts to inspire scenes, songs and sketches that are unique to each show and community.

The venues range from arts centres to ringforts, and the project will also visit three islands off the coast of Ireland: Inishbofin, Arranmore, and Rathlin Island. By bringing shows to rural centres like Ionad Cois Locha, Interface Inagh, Wild Nephin National Park, and the Centre of Excellence for Climate Action and Sustainability in west Cork, the project aims to prompt discussion and change around environmental topics while finding local positive steps towards solving climate change.

We Built This City on Rock and Coal is co-created by Dr. Jessamyn Fairfield (award winning science communicator and performer) and Katy Schutte (global improvisation practitioner and author). They will partner with Dr. Gesche Kindermann, sustainability and conservation expert from the University of Galway, and storyteller Órla Mc Govern, among others. Audience stories about climate change and climate action will also be collected and shared online as part of the Caomhnú citizen science initiative.

To find out more, follow @webuiltthiscity_ie and visit their website for tickets http://webuiltthiscity.ie/

Additional locations and dates:
01 June - CECAS, Cork
02 June - CECAS Market, Cork
08 June - Wild Nephin National Park
09 June - Wild Nephin National Park
10 June - Mulranny Arts Centre
13 June - Ionad Cois Locha, Donegal
14 June - Arranmore, Donegal
17 June - Rathlin Island
19 June - Holywood, Antrim
22 June - Interface Inagh, Galway
27 June - Inishbofin, Galway
Book tickets for all shows HERE.