Pushing the nostalgia button
“What an astonishing and pleasing prod to my nostalgia button”, wrote Bob del Quiaro when acknowledging receipt of the exhibition booklet. Bob featured in the 1960’s recollection of the success of Electra.
Exhibition visitors were also able to prod buttons, since they were given the opportunity to listen to sound clips culled from the videos shot by Amanda Evans [nee Dawes] and daughter Olivia.
An audio stand was designed by Amanda’s son Jonathan Evans and the team commissioned Carl Gray – a member of Wick Theatre’s workshop team – to build three.
A Raspberry Pi [a tiny and affordable computer] was installed in a box on top of the stand and each had four different files activated by push buttons on the lid.
The stand was stabilised on the uneven floor with a stage-weight snuggled into a foot.
The twelve audio snatches were :
1950
Ralph Dawes : memory of our first production; four One-Act plays performed in April 1950
1960
Sue Wittaker & Margaret Davy : share memories of working backstage at the Barn Theatre
1960
Peter & Vincent Joyce : talk about building scenery in Penney’s Yard
1970
Maggie Pierce & Cherry Fraser : remember hiring costumes for the Shakespeare productions
1970
Ralph Dawes : shares his memories of Nikki le Roy
1970
Ray Hopper : talks about his character in Richard lll
1980
Karen Butcher : remembers The Snow Queen
1990
Barrie Bowen : talks about improvements to the Barn Theatre
2000
Richard Porter & David Creedon : talk about working on Ciphers
2000
Sue Whittaker & Margaret Davy : remember ‘Allo ‘Allo
2010
Guy Steddon : talks about play selection
2010
Maggie Pierce & Cherry Fraser : remember a favourite dress
