Belfast-born actor, writer, and director Dan Gordon told the story of the Belfast Blitz of 1941 in a stunning piece of immersive theatre in the city's W5 venue.
'It'll Never Happen Here' was a live immersive theatre experience from AMAZE at W5 in the Odyssey Pavillion to mark the anniversary of the Belfast Blitz. Award-winning actor, writer, and director Dan Gordon brought the events of 1941 to life. WartimeNI attended a press preview on 7th April 2022.
The show featured a live performance from actors Marty Maguire and Jo Donnelly as well as multi-screen projection and state-of-the-art 360-degree audio soundscape technology. Much of the script drew from first-hand accounts of those who lived through the Belfast Blitz. Images of old Belfast came from media partners the Belfast Telegraph and P.R.O.N.I.
I’m proud to partner with W5 to present this exciting new theatre production, which will bring immersive theatre to a whole new level. Many people think of war as something that happens elsewhere. And whilst Belfast has had its fair share of troubles since, at the time of the Belfast Blitz there certainly was a feeling that ‘It will never happen here.’
Exploring that theme, particularly with what is happening in the world at present, has been exceptionally poignant and eye-opening and indeed, there are many parallels that can be drawn. The arts, and theatre in particular, have a unique role to play in opening hearts and minds; helping to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. I think this will be a powerful production that will be emotive but also entertaining, in that very particular Belfast way.
