This multi-generational, community verbatim / documentary theatre project was a joint venture with Spring Community Hub, a charity based in Southwark, South London. With support from the Arts Council England, we worked with Spring’s youth group of 5 to 14 year olds to create a piece of theatre that tells the stories of Southwark residents in 1952.

The project consisted of the youth group interviewing older members of the community and creating a performance from their words and stories which was performed by professional actors as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in June 2022.

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Written by the children of Spring Community Hub with Nell Thomas using the words of local people

Performed by Omar Austin, Sojourner Hazlewood-Connell, Michelle Kelly, Jessica Manu

Directed by Charlotte Ive

Dramaturgical assistance from Katie Overstall

Interviews transcribed by Neil Clarke

Produced by Nell Thomas

Project run by Nell Thomas, Felicia Boshorin, Maureen Onwumelu, and Oishee Islam

Thank you to Elim House Community Association and Southwark Pensioners Centre for their time and their stories. Thank you also to Richard and Lesley Thomas, Father Nick at St Giles’, the staff at Southwark Archives, and all of the volunteers at Spring Community Hub who have made this project possible.