Fairground Reminiscence is an immersive exhibition for all the family celebrating fairground culture, heritage and legacy.
Catch Fairground Reminisence in 2024 - A revived version of our exhibition, live performance and workshops.
21st and 22nd September at Normanby Hall for No Limits Festival 2024.
Our outdoor restaged duet from Fairground Reminisence Live will be performed by Montaine Ponceau and Adam Russell.
21st and 22nd September at Normanby Hall for No Limits Festival 2024.
Our outdoor restaged duet from Fairground Reminisence Live will be performed by Montaine Ponceau and Adam Russell.
“Inspiring and full of childlike joy! Engaged our whole family from 2 years up!” Audience at Gala Gallery 2019
The exhibition celebrates the extraordinary lives of showmen, fairground heritage and the communities they visit, created through artist Adam Russell’s own unique perspective and his relationship to many showman families. The project has been inspired by Adam's dad; Keith Russell and his childhood memories of growing up within a showman family and working on fairgrounds as a young boy.
“Very Evocative of Times gone by” Visitors at Gala Gallery 2019
Discover original fairground objects, posters, photographs, and video footage presented within an immersive fairground set design, alongside contemporary installations and interactive games. The exhibition features a collection of oral histories from showmen; these original accounts are beautifully woven into a bespoke sound score breathing life into the exhibits.
"Magical, Brought me back to Childhood!" Audience Late Shows 2018
The exhibition celebrates the extraordinary lives of showmen, fairground heritage and the communities they visit, created through artist Adam Russell’s own unique perspective and his relationship to many showman families. The project has been inspired by Adam's dad; Keith Russell and his childhood memories of growing up within a showman family and working on fairgrounds as a young boy.
“Very Evocative of Times gone by” Visitors at Gala Gallery 2019
Discover original fairground objects, posters, photographs, and video footage presented within an immersive fairground set design, alongside contemporary installations and interactive games. The exhibition features a collection of oral histories from showmen; these original accounts are beautifully woven into a bespoke sound score breathing life into the exhibits.
"Magical, Brought me back to Childhood!" Audience Late Shows 2018
Fairground Reminiscence Live is an expanded experience taking place within the installation, which includes a 30-minute live dance-theatre performance with 2 professional dancers and a community cast. Inspired by showman memories growing up with the fairground.
Supported by Arts Council England, The Heritage Fund, The Fenton Arts Trust, The Community Foundation and all the brilliant people who supported the successful Crowdfunder UK campaign.
Supported by Arts Council England, The Heritage Fund, The Fenton Arts Trust, The Community Foundation and all the brilliant people who supported the successful Crowdfunder UK campaign.
Tour Dates 2019/20
Carlisle City Centre Exhibition Trail 20th September - 5th October Thought Foundation, Birtley Socially Distanced Events from 29th July – 31st August 2020 Culture Bazaar, Carlisle 15th and 16th February 2020 Byker Community Centre 1st February 2020 – 21st February 2020 Gala Gallery, Durham 29th November Preview Evening 5pm - 9pm 30th November 2019 – 25th January 2020 |
2019/20 Creative Team Artistic Director & Choreographer Adam Russell Cast Adam Russell, Alys North, Keith Russell, Ellie Mai Little, Carolyn George, Corisande Graham, Micheal Rance Visual Artist & Set Design Amy Lord Composer Madelaine Jones Costume Design Casey Dixon |
“As an artist creating work I’ve always been interested in collaboration and blurring the lines between different artist disciplines and forms. It’s exciting for me to explore this work as an interactive exhibition, play-space and dance theatre performance. We encourage play, fun and games as a way for those who visit to immerse themselves into the exhibition. For adults and parents it evokes a sense of nostalgia igniting childhood memories, and for children a vivid sensory experience, wonder and the lives that are changed through visits to the Fair” Artistic Director Adam Russell |