Nonsuch Theatre Limited: At the bandstand: 80 years of story
Nonsuch Studios is proud to announce funding for a brand new community heritage project funded by Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme, celebrating working class histories. At the Bandstand: 80 years Story focuses on bringing the history of The Meadows and The Bandstand to life.
This project is about bringing the memories and histories of Nottingham’s finest Art Deco Bandstand, at the Victoria Embankment, back to life. Built in 1937 on land given to the local community by Jesse Boot, the Art Deco bandstand was a space that was used and celebrated by the local people of Nottingham. In recent years, the bandstand became disused and has fallen into disrepair and suffered damage from vandalism, having been restored to its former glory more recently, Nonsuch are excited to celebrate the history of this space. Working with a local artist facilitator, community groups will reimagine what the bandstand can be used for and contribute to a legacy exhibition that maps the history of the Art Deco bandstand.
The team, along with community members will seek to investigate, discover and catalogue the social history of the bandstand, its surroundings, and the people who used to frequent it - mapping the histories of who performed at the Bandstand, and the people who gathered together to take in performances on summer evenings and weekends.
The project will include sessions for Research Archiving group, masterclasses for research group with local historians and researchers, the collection of oral histories and historical artefacts, photographs and stories and a 1-day event At the Bandstand- co-produced with Creative Community group.
Edward Boott, CEO and Artist Director says…
“It’s amazing to have been given the support of Everyday Heritage Grant to continue working with the communities of The Meadows to explore and celebrate the great cultural asset of the riverside bandstand. Following on from the Nonsuch on Trent Festival which took place during 2021 during social distancing but still welcomed thousands of people from near and far to the bandstand - we saw first hand the huge demand for activity to happen at the bandstand and the importance it has to the local communities.”
Nonsuch first worked at the Victoria Embankment Bandstand in 2021 presenting the Nonsuch on Trent Festival that took place across two weekends in August. Bringing live performance, theatre, comedy and music to the bandstand in Covid-safe conditions with social distancing in place alongside local street food. With experience working with large scale events at the Bandstand we’re excited to work on this smaller scale heritage project, facilitating communities bringing their history to life in this historic venue.
About Nonsuch Studios
Nonsuch Studios is Nottingham’s independent theatre company, community arts organisation & charity. Established in 2013, Nonsuch has grown from a group of graduate artists to become one of the most exciting and dynamic arts organisations and producers in the Midlands.
Recently awarded charitable status, the organisation also has a long established and far reaching community arts programme which reaches over 13,500 individual community members, individuals and artists through a variety of creative empowerment and community cohesion projects.
Company Website: www.nonsuchstudios.co.uk
Social Media: Twitter/Instagram: @WeAreNonsuch
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