Birmingham Hippodrome is teaming up with the city’s museum and art gallery on a major project to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Birmingham blitz.
2,241 Reasons to Remember will bring together archive images from the library of Birmingham, oral history from the museum and art gallery and work created by members of the public at workshops and schools across the city. The project will culminate in a sound and light installation by Metro-Boulot-Dodo, an associate company at Leicester’s Curve theatre.
Eight hundred people lost their lives and thousands were injured when the city suffered three consecutive nights of bombing in 1940.
Graham Callister, Birmingham Hippodrome’s director of creative programmes, said, “although the Hippodrome escaped a direct hit, the surrounding area didn’t and many bombs were dropped in the Southside area, with one hitting the public baths in Kent Street.
“We felt it was important to help remind families today of what happened 75 years ago, discover how thousands of children were evacuated and understand the devastating damage inflicted on the city during the Birmingham blitz.
“The installation will be free to visit from 19 until 21 November and will be situated in a key location associated with the blitz.”
The Hippodrome has also teamed up with theatre company Highly Sprung to offer a half-term residency from 26 until 30 October for children aged 9 to 16. During the week, children will learn drama and physical theatre techniques as they explore what happened during the blitz and the impact it had on children their age.
Further details are available at the Birmingham Hippodrome web site.