One of the first on the scene that "forever September morning", seasoned journalist Thomas Flynn shared his experiences in his moving epic poem, Bikeman. Now actor-director, Chris Barton brings the drama to life on stage. Part quest, part eulogy, part lament, the events are conveyed in harrowing, unforgettable detail.

When the planes crashed into the twin towers in New York, Tom Flynn was one of the first journalists on the scene. Finding himself wrapped up in the turmoil and destruction, he was seen that afternoon on CBS News, reporting on the experience to the nation, his hair still grey with dust and ash from the fallen towers. It was a life-changing experience that has haunted him ever since, and in 2008 he wrote it all down in a powerful epic poem entitled “Bikeman”. In “9/11 – A Survivor’s Tale” Chris Barton portrays Flynn in a devised dramatic re-telling of those dark events at Ground Zero. It is told from the perspective of a first-hand witness who narrowly escapes death himself, trapped in an airless parking garage. As he moves inadvertently from observer to participant we share his quest for a message of hope to emerge from the rubble. The terrifying adventure is hauntingly underscored by Peter Salem, the celebrated composer of British theatre, film and television. Chris Barton is Westminster Theatre Company’s multi-talented artistic director. He works variously as director, writer, musician and actor, and is never happier than when bringing all these facets together on a single project. Co-directed by Chris and the company’s resident designer Dee Shulman, and with coaching from Peter Chequer, our choreographer and movement expert, we are proud to present this premiere staged interpretation of an important contemporary work in Grahamstown. Praise for Thomas F Flynn’s “Bikeman”: “Tom has the newswriter’s talent for sharp, vivid detail – carried on a tide of deep emotion. This is a new window onto a shattering time.” Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America “These dispatches in verse tell the story of a journey into a modern underworld, and of the escape that made it possible to tell the tale.” Dan Rather, CBS Evening News “Tom Flynn’s epic poem will both haunt and inspire generations to come.” Craig Hatkoff, Cofounder, Tribeca Film Festival Praise for Chris Barton’s previous shows: “A fine performance, with touches of humour and moments of anger, but always one that expresses the brutality and despair of the situation he describes.” The Scotsman “...the comic, the tragic and the melodramatic are all there. The acting is clear and unadorned... this is a surprise and a treat.” The Independent