The No 9 Bus To Utopia

How one man's extraordinary journey led to a quiet revolution.

When David’s partner left him for someone she described as 'younger, but more mature', he set himself the challenge of being a more sharing, loving person.

As a man with a taste for the exotic, however, this was never going to be resolved by a weekend course in mindfulness. Instead he embarked on global adventure. Taking a year off he journeyed through Europe and America visiting an anarchist haven in Denmark, a spiritual caravan park in Scotland, a paradisal community in Californian dreamt up by Aldous Huxley and an entire eco-city in the Arizona desert.

Most impressive of all was Damanhur, a 1000-strong community in the Alps with a giant underground temple the size of St Paul's Cathedral, a village of tree houses and an orchestra of singing plants. 

Along the way David’s quest raised issues that beset many of us. Why is depression rife amongst those who have wealth and freedom? Is getting what you want really utopian? Could alternative communities teach us a better way to live in both our relationships and our modern cities? 

Inspired by his adventures David returned home with a desire to change. Not just himself but also his neighbourhood and city. Find out how he succeeded in this funny and uplifting show that asks some big questions and finds the answers surprisingly simple.

Dr David Bramwell is the co-creator of Sing-Along-A Wicker Man, which returns to The Old Woollen on 25 September (https://tinyurl.com/yrxfh9zd).

He is also a Sony-award winning radio presenter for BBC Radio 3, host of the Adventures in Nutopia podcast and has won 'Best Comedy' and 'Outstanding Theatre' Awards for his one-man shows. He is a doctor by rumour only and should be approached with caution if he offers to whip out your appendix for a packet of biscuits. 

"A remarkable storyteller - RADIO TIMES

"As compassionate as it is funny" - TIM SMIT, EDEN PROJECT

"Full of wit, wisdom and pathos" - THE IDLER