Human Cannon: Northern Stage

Human Cannon by Edward Bond

Set in the Spanish Civil War - a time of hostile attitudes driven by global influences, a time of violence, betrayals and injustices, Bond’s Human Cannon explores what it is to be human.

‘The past works as a myth on our present. It is a burden on our back and from time to time we have to manage it so that it is comfortable and we can go on with our journey.’

Edward Bond 1977

The play begins in the 1920’s - in a poverty stricken and divided Spain. At the heart of this story is the village of Estaroban and a peasant farmer, Agustina Ruiz.  We meet Agustina, preparing to bury her nameless child. When the war takes over the village and the play, she is by now a member of the Republican resistance.  Fighting for social justice and liberty, Agustina learns to fire her enemies’ cannon, and through the strength of human will, ends the play by herself becoming the most effective weapon in the armoury of revolution.

Human Cannon is a beautifully poetic yet uncompromising interpretation of the Spanish Civil War. It is a manifesto of resistance.

Drama online

This is a rare opportunity to see Edward Bond’s poetic and highly political writing in production

Directed by Fiona MacPherson
Lighting Design by Kev Tweedy
Sound Design by Jeremy Bradfield 

Running Time: 2 hours