Family / Immersive Theatre
Travelling through 200 years of railway history
There is no better place for travelling through two centuries of railway history than within the ash pits for Brunel’s original station at Temple Meads that was more recently a railway workers social club.
It’s now the Loco Klub and the atmospheric underground venue for Wunderground 200, an immersive theatrical experience taking place throughout the school summer holidays.
It’s aimed at children aged from five to ten; with my own ten-year-old daughter just about willing to get into the spirit of things as we met characters including Robert Stephenson tinkering with the Rocket and Dr Beeching readying his destruction of the railways which we are only now slowly putting back together.
Wunderland 200 is described as “taking visitors on an immersive journey that is equal parts performance and play”.
The play aspect sees children become budding engineers and undoing the damage of Beeching’s cuts; something now happening in real life across the Bristol area.
From the dawn of the steam age to a glimpse into the future of sustainable travel, this is a lively and illuminating glimpse into some fascinating stories.
Dr Beeching is the villain of the story thanks to his sweeping cuts of the 1960s – photo: Sam Patching
The tunnels have been brought alive thanks to the fertile minds of the Invisible Circus team.
This 60-minute performance is a look at railway history but if you look at Bristol’s recent cultural history, the Invisible Circus team feature heavily.
“Wunderground 200 is about time travel, yes, but it’s also about imagination, innovation and identity,” said Invisible Circus creative director, Doug Francisco.
“The railways shaped Britain’s past, and they’ll shape our future.
“This show is an invitation to celebrate where we’ve been and dream about where we’re going, all from right here in one of Bristol’s most extraordinary underground spaces.”
Wunderground 200 takes place at the Loco Klub until August 31. For tickets and more information, visit www.locoklub.com/wunderground-200
Main photo: Sam Patching
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