In 2020, the people of Falkirk came together virtually during the various lockdowns and covid-19 government restrictions, to enjoy the performing arts in new ways. This exhibition compares how we connected and communicated creatively in person in the past to how we united during the pandemic, to rehearse and perform music, dance and theatre. Volunteer placement Lorna Keddie has been reaching out across the area to capture “history in the making” to see how different groups and individuals responded to lockdown. This exhibit includes some of the stories she found and her research into archival images that reflect how this contrasts with other points in our past.
Here you can see Denny Choir and Band (c.1910), a local choir outdoors (c.1905), Erskine United Presbyterian Church Choir (1865), Camelon Pipe Band (1920), Bo'ness & Carriden Band (c.1910), dancers at West Church entertaining Polish troops (1942), "The Arches in the Butterfly Dance" (c.1910), Maypole dancing at Bonnybridge Gala (c.1905), and their contemporary equivalents: the Strathcarron Singers, Falkirk Youth Music Initiative, AJ Dance, and Bo’ness Dance!
Then, further into the image gallery, you’ll see Gala Day in Bonnybridge (1910s), Hymie Lipman at the Roxy Theatre (c.1930), Falkirk Operatic Society (1934), Bo'ness Children's Fair (1904, 1930), Bo’ness Fair (1994), and their contemporary equivalents: Project Theatre, Falkirk Youth Theatre, AJ Dance, and Easter Carmuirs Primary School.
You can learn more about contemporary responses to the pandemic by searching our Lockdown Stories.
This exhibition was put together by our volunteer Lockdown Stories Coordinator Lorna Keddie.
