It’s been a long time since we rock and coaled!
A unique and highly acclaimed climate comedy tour fuelled by science and craic will return to Cork this month with three special shows and workshops.
Combining improvisation and imagination, ‘We Built This City on Rock and Coal’ is a funny and heartfelt show created by scientists, improvisers, musicians, and you, the audience!
After a hugely successful first year, this unique hopepunk theatre experience returns for a second round across Ireland this summer, visiting venues from arts centres to ancient ringforts, and even four island communities.
Created by award-winning science communicator Dr Jessamyn Fairfield, and global improvisation practitioner Katy Schutte, in collaboration with Dr Gesche Kindermann (University of Galway) and storyteller Órla McGovern, ‘We Built This City on Rock and Coal’ is not just a show, it’s a movement.
Combining live comedy, citizen science, music, and real local voices, the show invites audiences to share their thoughts on nature and the climate crisis, with songs, sketches, and even scientific presentations improvised live on stage in response. Each performance is co-created with the community, meaning no two shows are the same, and every laugh is part of a much bigger story: how we care for the environment we live in, from our own back gardens to the edge of the exosphere.
Each performance is paired with engaging sustainability workshops and citizen science sessions designed to give communities practical tools for environmental action. Local climate action initiatives will also be shared through the webuiltthiscity.ie website, connecting far-flung communities who face similar challenges. Local knowledge and recommendation gathered at the events will be presented to policymakers later this year.
The Cork leg of the tour kicks off on 23 July at Ciaran Danny Mike's Pub and Restaurant (CDMs) in Cape Clear Island. The troupe will then perform at Island Cottage Gallery on Heir Island on 24 July, CECAS, Myross Wood House in Leap on 25 July, and at Sherkin Island Community Hall on 26 July.