The Citizens Theatre Reopening
From the Editor: Jon Champaigne
Helen Engelhardt's journey to Glasgow was more than a trip to see a play; it was a return to a community that has profoundly shaped her life. For the grand reopening of the renowned Citizens Theatre, she attended a performance of ‘Small Acts of Love’, a new play that beautifully dramatizes the healing process in Lockerbie, Scotland, after the tragic bombing of Pan Am 103.
What makes this account particularly moving is that Helen herself, a survivor and a character in the play, was able to witness her story told on stage. What follows is her raw and powerful reflection on that singular weekend of reunion, memory, and profound connection.
Glasgow, September 23
After being closed for 7 years of renovation, The Citizens Theatre had its grand reopening on Friday, September 12, with a performance of ‘Small Acts of Love’, a new play by Frances Poet, music and lyrics by Ricky Ross and directed by Dominic Hill. ‘Small Acts of Love’ dramatizes the ways that the people of Lockerbie began to heal themselves after Pan Am 103 blew up over their town on the night of the winter solstice, Dec 21, 1988. They did so, by reaching out to the families now grieving all over the world. Frances Poet concentrates on telling the stories of specific individuals in Lockerbie, and seven American families. On Saturday night, September 20, the Citz (as it is affectionately known in Glasgow) welcomed any of the families who were able to come to be their guests. Four American families and a few people from Lockerbie mingled with the cast before and after the performance.
I had an unexpected reunion with a woman I hadn’t seen in 36 years, a woman who had welcomed me into her home the first time I traveled to Lockerbie with my 6-year-old son, the summer of 1989, and drove me around the countryside and then into the town, Liz Kungo, who, like myself, is a character in the play.
During the intermission, two other people from Lockerbie who also appear as characters—the wife of Peter Giesecke and Josephine Donaldson—approached the table where I was offering my memoir ‘The Longest Night /A Personal History of Pan Am 103’ to buy a copy.
At the conclusion of the play, the actress who had portrayed me as well as Josephine, sought me out to talk with me. One of the most unique and strange experiences of my life has been seeing someone who doesn’t look or sound like me, speak words I’ve said or written, to embody me. It was a privilege to meet Hilary Maclean.
I’m still reverberating from the entire intense weekend and will write again before I leave the UK Sunday and probably again after I return home to Brooklyn next week.
Helen Engelhardt
