Healing Through Collective Trauma: Jack Nurse’s Visionary Direction of The Events by David Greig

The Events, by David Greig, is a daring and introspective piece of modern theatre that forces viewers to face the shadow side of humanity and collective trauma. These ideas are given life in Jack Nurse’s ground-breaking staging of the play in a very intense, tragic production that addresses the anarchy and bewilderment that frequently follows massive disasters.

At the core of The Events is Claire, a community choir director and priest whose life is torn apart when a mass shooting devastates her choir. Claire’s journey through grief, anger, and her search for answers serves as the emotional backbone of the play. Greig’s writing does not give the audience the neat closure that might be expected, and instead explores the painful uncertainty and existential questions that follow such atrocities – A story of healing in the face of unimaginable horror.

This uncertainty is skilfully embraced by Nurse’s directorial style. The emotional and psychological aftermath that affects Claire and the community were the primary focus of Nurse, as opposed to the act’s violence alone. His delicate yet unwavering handling of the subject matter reveals not just the tragedy but also the aftermath’s rays of hope, healing, and human connection.

The utilisation of a live, local choir that augments each performance is among the most distinctive features of The Events. In keeping with the play’s themes of belonging, individuality, and the strength of unity in expression, Nurse makes excellent use of this feature by making the choir an integral part of the story rather than just a background or soundtrack. Their presence amplifies the emotional weight of the production, illustrating the devastating loss and the fractured sense of unity that violence brings to once cohesive groups. But as they sing, there is also a sense of resilience, a fragile but undeniable strength that hints at the possibility of recovery, even after the most harrowing of events -The Power of Community

In doing so, The Events tackles some of the most challenging questions about modern society—about why people commit acts of violence, the breakdown of empathy, and how we might begin to understand and prevent such tragedies. This difficult balancing act is one of Nurse’s greatest achievements, as it allows the audience to engage with the complexities of trauma, without offering simple solutions or pat resolutions.

Ultimately, The Events is a play about healing, compassion, and the deep need to understand why tragedies happen. Jack Nurse’s direction brings a haunting beauty to this narrative, making it as much about what we don’t see or hear as it is about the explosive, heart-stopping moments on stage. His sensitive handling of the material, alongside the presence of the local choir, made the performance unique and personal.

Nurse’s version of The Events ensures that the play not only tells a story of collective trauma but becomes a cathartic, shared experience for each audience member. It’s a production that challenges us to look at the worst parts of humanity, while never letting us forget the potential for connection and healing that remains.

This creative process brought together professional and talented actors – Claire Lamont and Sam Stopford with a Community Choir formed of residents from across North Lanarkshire. The team further includes the assistant director – Katie Slater, movement director – Robbie Gordon, music by John Browne, community choir led by Clare Haworth, set and costume by Becky Minto, lighting design by Lizzie Powell, sound design by Gary Cameron, costume supervisor – Sophie Ferguson, accompanist – James Edward Greechan, production manager – Casimira Hayward-Peel, stage manager – Claire Semple-Gallacher, deputy stage manager – Gillian Richards, technical manager – Matt Nevans, light technician – Lindsay McConnell, and sound technician – Gil Thompson.

Here is what Michael Duke, Executive Producer of The Events, said: This is an unbelievable play. So gripping and moving, and so relevant to the times we’re living in. It’s going to start a lot of conversations and debates for sure – it has struck a chord with audiences wherever it has been produced across the world. (Source: Cumbernauld Theatre)

The Events was a Cumbernauld Theatre Company production in association with Wonder Fools.