Relaunching this Spring following delays caused by the pandemic, 60 Miles by Road or Rail will allow Northampton locals to contribute and engage with a series of arts, heritage and community events, which will tell their unique town story and culminate in a theatre production, to be held at Royal & Derngate, created by local artists. 

The community project launches today and will run until Wednesday 15 December 2021, with the production will be staged between Wednesday 22 – Saturday 25 September 2021.

The project will look at the history of Northampton, which was designated as a New Town in 1968, and looks at how it was advertised to be ‘only sixty miles by road or rail’ from London. The 60 Miles by Road or Rail project will use the arts to investigate how Northampton integrated the old with the new and looks at the legacy that has come from this and the ramifications that it has also had. 

Anyone who has a strong link to Northampton is invited to work with local artists on the project and share personal stories, memories and photos. These will then be taken and explored to capture the many varied voices and diverse communities of Northampton through written stories, photo exhibitions and a documentary film. 

Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate, James Dacre, said: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with this remarkable team of local theatre-makers as they tell this story of their hometown, drawing upon the stories of hundreds of local people to create a rich theatrical portrait of Northampton’s recent history. After a year of isolation, 60 Miles By Road or Rail will bring communities from across Northampton together again to celebrate our town.”

The project will partner New Town Heritage Research Network to host three interactive workshops and the company of performers involved will consist of Subika Anwar-Khan, Helen Crevel, Jo Blake, Dan McGarry and Davin Eadie. It is also supported by Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Lottery Community Fund, The Compton Fund Northamptonshire Community Foundation and Travers Foundation. Their partners include Carbon Theatre, Royal & Derngate, Northampton Past, New Town Heritage Research Network, Eight Engines and Warts and All Theatre. The theatre production is made with support from Royal & Derngate, Northampton, after receiving development support through the theatre’s Generate programme.

Tickets for the theatre production are available here.