We Anchor in Hope

From the award-winning Anna Jordan (Killing Eve, Sid Gentle Films Ltd; Succession, HBO), written between the Brexit vote and Trump’s Presidential victory, We Anchor in Hope captures a moment of deep uncertainty in recent history and the characters’ lives when local pub, The Anchor, closes for good. Chaos is in the air, and yet life goes on. For the duration of the play’s run The Bunker will become The Anchor - transformed into a functioning pub with post-show events including pub quizzes, karaoke nights and music.

Chris Sonnex’s first production at The Bunker since being appointed as the theatre’s Artistic Director in 2018 will feature Valentine Hanson (Orpheus Descending, Theatr Clwyd and Menier Chocolate Factory; Handfast, Summerhall Edinburgh Festival), Alex Jarrett (Aisha, Old Red Lion, King’s Head and Tristan Bates; Les Misérables, BBC), Daniel Kendrick (Ding Dong the Wicked and Vera Vera Vera, Royal Court; Coalition, Theatre503), David Killick (Pressure, Ambassadors Theatre; The Importance of Being Earnest, Vaudeville Theatre and Tour) and Alan Turkington (Antony & Cleopatra, National Theatre; Hamlet, Donmar at Wyndham’s Theatre).

Since 2001 a quarter of all UK pubs have disappeared, with two still closing every day. Like The Anchor, these pubs are likely to become private flats. For regulars the pub is many things: a haven, a burden, a family, a home. All are about to disappear. It’s the end of an era, but Kenny and the gang are going out with a bang - determined to drink the place dry. There’s karaoke and a lot of Campari. There’s secrets divulged and forgotten dreams resurrected. History, like beer, has seeped into the carpet. Tonight, there’s a lot more to lose than a pub.