Memory Lane - Birmingham History Theatre Company

An Illustrated lecture on the history of Ladypool Road with dramatic interludes and music

Memory Lane

This play had its origins in The Ladypool Road Dramatic Trail, which was so successful we decided to put a version of it on stage. The format was that of a lecture but the dramatic illustrations were frequent and varied.

There were also film clips, which had been produced by the Company, and songs written by Peter Churchill. One of these was about Ladypool Lane itself. Another was a wonderful song reflecting the heyday of the Lane as a shopping hotspot in the 1930s.

View The Memory Lane Photo Gallery Here

The clip below was used during the show to recreate the opening of Balsall Heath Park as it might have been filmed on a newsreel. We actually shot the clip in Cannon Hill Park as the background was more effective! A small group of amused onlookers helped get us in the spirit of things. The ending was put on to add a lighter touch! Accompanying the clip is Peter Churchill on piano.

The second clip, below, is a spoof interview with Anthony Pratt (Cluedo inventor) who was born in Brighton Road, Balsall Heath. Jim Fitzpatrick as Pratt suffers for a while as Crispin Francis (Chris Sutton) shows scant regard for his guest.

Reviews

The opening scene was particularly charming, featuring milkmaids, farmers on hobby horses, and a raging bull. The scenes which followed brought various points of the lecture to life, none more hilariously than in the opening of Balsall Heath Park scene, which took the form of an old style film clip, nor more poignantly than in the scene depicting the aftermath of the World War Two bombing of the Carlton Cinema. Being in the audience was not without its perils. Pea shooting schoolgirls had good aim, the air raid siren was loud and the tornado was fierce enough to make hair stand on end.
The music was excellent, the cast enthusiastic, the audience treated.

published in the Balsall Heathan