Bold claim: memories along the Avon riverbank are more valuable than you might think, and a theatre project is ready to prove it. A theatre group is inviting people to share tales connected to the Avon, ranging from dramatic moments to everyday happenings.
The producer, Stephens, explains that stories could be as simple as swimming, slipping into the water, or boating, or as vivid as spotting an otter. He’s interested in how the river has changed over time, or how it has stayed the same, and welcomes any small memory or anecdote you might have.
Known as Shakespeare’s Avon to distinguish it from other rivers with the same name, this river stretches about 85 miles (137 km). It begins near Naseby in Northamptonshire, winds through Warwickshire, and ends in Gloucestershire, forming one of England’s longest river systems.
Stephens notes that the show will be presented alongside a fabric map tracing the river’s course, which audiences will see at the premiere as part of the reveal. He hopes the map will spark further recollections from viewers.
"People can circle the map and say, ‘oh, you didn’t mention this’, or ‘that reminds me of…’." He describes the performance as a communal gathering where additional memories and experiences of the river can be shared.
The Avon map, paired with the memory-based performance, is set to tour in mid-August.
