Show exploring parallels between Piper Alpha and the climate emergency closes in Banchory

Pibroch has been touring since April

Author: Toni DawsonPublished 6th Jul 2023

A north east artist is paying tribute to the piper alpha disaster through a multimedia stage show.

Pibroch has been created by John Bolland, an ex-oil and gas worker turned climate activist, and explores the parallels between the worlds greatest offshore disaster and the climate crisis.

Mr Bolland said: "The inspiration for the show started when we were doing some extinction rebellion protests outside the PnJ live for the oil show in 2019 and one of the tensions that arose was actually a lack of compassion and sympathy for oil workers."

"There was a sense of there cant be any sympathy for them versus these are just blue collar or white collar workers just trying to put roof over their kids heads."

The production brings together a combination of music, poetry and Johns first hand experience of the industry.

"You always believe if you're on the inside you can make more of a difference than if you re on the outside. as we became more aware of the climate changing i know that i had a view that actually the oil companies could do something about this," he said.

Marking the 35th anniversary of the disaster was not an intention of John's when producing the show, however the timing of its release has led to his awareness of the aura surrounding the event. It is about our being sad for our children but also our compassion for our fathers.

"There's a lot of sensitivity around Piper in the north east so it was really important to be not just tactful but deeply compassionate about that.

"The thing about piper, although it was intense in terms of the time when it happened, because oil workers come from all over the country it expands out, there are people in Vancouver, people in Houston and people in France as well as throughout the United Kingdom that were affected either by the loss of their fathers, sons, or partners."

The show is split into two parts, the first a production of the arts, and the second an open room discussion, which has seen survivors and first responders alike bring their thought and opinions to the table.

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