THIS IS WHERE WE BEGIN

intro:

Welcome to ‘This Is Where We Begin.’ Part of the Walk This Play series by ThickSkin Theatre Company. For the next 40 minutes you will walk with us and listen to a story unfold.

If you look at your phone you will see an orange line and a yellow marker. To stay on track just follow that line. The orange line will pass through a number of zones. When you walk into a new zone the next part of the story will play. Follow the instructions along the way to get the best experience.

While you walk the regular rules of the road apply so be safe and aware of the real world. You can walk at your own pace and the story will wait for you.

You are standing at the top of King Street near the purple door of Pop World. You should be able to see the entrance to Wigan Wallgate station. The Clarence Hotel on the other side of the road and the church between the buildings a bit further up on that side.

You are ready to begin.

A blur of distant whispers

Welcome to the in between. This is a place where all of our memories are stored. Hear that sound. Distant and muffled. That is the memories of people past and present. Feel it under your feet. The pavement holds a history. The buildings and walls have seen more than you can possibly imagine. To retrieve a memory you just have to listen closely. Focus in on the sounds. The more you focus the easier it will be to relive that specific memory. If you do it right someone will take your hand and the memory will become clear for a bit. They will be your guide but only if you keep hold of their hand. If you let go the memory will stop and you will be back here, in the in between. Have a go.. Focus in on a sound…. That’s it.. Ready…

A memory comes into focus

You are 16 years old. I’m holding your right hand. We are standing at the top of King Street. It’s a Saturday night in July. The weather is warm. I’m your best mate and for the last hour we have been trying to get into the bars and clubs on King Street. Worked our way up from the bottom to the top. We managed to get into one place. Past the bouncers and into the noise of the place. You just wanted to see what it was like in there. You always wanted to be older than you were. To be taken seriously. At the bar they asked us for ID and when you showed them your library card they called security. The bouncer chased us out of the doors and onto the street. Here he comes now… Quick, we have to get away. Look around you. Can you see the Church through the buildings on the opposite side of the road. Let’s head that way. Move. Watch the road as you cross.. Head towards the church and the war memorial that stands before it. When you get to the monument wait there.

We will be safe if we keep moving. Keep holding my hand.

This monument is where we used to hang out loads. Remember? This is where you had your first kiss. You remember that! This is where we found a 20 quid note on the floor and spent it all on cheap cider you sang at the top of your voice and we laughed so hard we were sick. This is where we had the argument. Where things were never really the same again. You were stubborn and didn’t want to admit you were wrong. It doesn’t matter now though. We should keep moving. Let’s Head to the left of the church. Follow the path round until you see the stone arch. Don’t cross through it until I tell you to though.

You can see the stone arch in front of you. Stand and look through it. I am going to count down from 5 and then I want you to pass through the arch. Then this memory will end and a new one will begin. A different person from a different time and you will be met by a different guide, hold their hand and they will lead you…

Ready. Five, Four, Three, Two , One….

The sounds rumble and change to a new environment

Stop here.. You are 57 years old, I am your partner and I am holding your left hand. Don’t let go. You are looking at the pointed turret on the Old Courts building. I want you to slowly turn around and look back through the stone arch.

A picture is being taken and you are the photographer. Our daughter has just been married in that church. You are capturing the moments that will be the lasting memories of the day - a beautiful service surrounded by the whole family. You take one more photo and announce to the group to follow you, you are going to lead them to the reception.

Turn to your left and follow the path, past the hair salons along bishop gate.

Turn right at the key cutting shop onto Hallgate. Head up the street to Jaxons court on the left.

You run through your speech in your head as you walk. Thank you all for joining us today on this very special occasion. We are happy so many of you could make it. I’m not going to go on forever but just wanted to say a few words about our daughter and the person she has become..

The sound of the church bells is still ringing*

The wedding party are still following you as you turn left into the alleyway of Jaxons court. As you move along the narrow corridor time begins to shift and as you emerge towards the end of the lane a year has passed. A lot can happen in a year.

Turn to the right and enter the bus station. When inside, walk down to stand N

You go past each stand, one by one, noticing the people and pigeons waiting for their buses. You've stood at this bus stop many times before. The daily commute to your 9 to 5 job, days out with me to nearby towns. But today it isn't you leaving.

This is where you said goodbye. Your daughter standing there alone looking you in the eyes and saying. I won’t be gone forever. I just need to get away from this place. From the memories here and to find a new start. I need to see more of the world and explore. I’ll call you every day. I Promise….

You have one last hug and move towards the exit. See the way out next to adams news? let’s walk that way. Through the doors and into the covered walkway of Lever street. Head towards the end and stop. You want to look behind you, see if she is still there, hoping she didn’t step on that bus. But you don't turn around because you know she is gone, not forever though. You need some air.. You are feeling an overwhelming surge of emotions.. If you want the memory to stop just let go of my hand

The rumble once again shifts us into a new memory

You are 3 years old. Standing on Market Street, the bus station is behind you. The only thing in your left hand is the soft furry paw of your favourite teddy. You dropped me and when you picked me up again, mum wasn’t there anymore. Let’s go find her. Turn left and walk down Market Street away from the town centre.

Everything around is massive. You dodge through people walking, legs striding. Weave your way around bollards and leap over a dropped coke can. Smell the cakey sweetness drifting out of Galloways. No time to stop! She must be down this way. Keep moving forwards. This is not the first time you have been lost. And you have always made it back before. It’s like an adventure and I’m with you every step of the way. Just don’t drop me like you did last time. Okay! Keep walking down to the bottom of the street but we can’t go any further because it’s a big road and we are not allowed to cross it on our own. You are nearly there when all of a sudden there it is a voice loud and piercing. (ALFIE) It shouts again!.. (ALFIE SAMSON GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW) You recognise your name.. You turn to look back the way you came and there she is in the distance. Red faced and fuming. She yells something at you. You begin to run.

We rummble suddenly into a different memory. The music is lighter

You are 18. I’m holding your right hand. I’m the one you’ve been dating for the last year. The one you are keeping a secret. Well trying to! We are standing on the corner by the traffic lights. Look across to the opposite diagonal corner towards the centre for advanced technical studies. That’s where we are going. Let’s use the traffic lights and make our way over there… When we get there we are going to head along Parson’s walk towards the park.

This is where we decided our future. Walking along this road hand in hand. 18 and our whole lives ahead of us. This is where the sun started to set and the light of the summer evening grew orange and heavy. You played me a song that you love and told me that it reminded you of your dad or something that your dad had said to you. Advice or something. You played it on the portable speaker that you always carried with you.

A song plays - Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths.

We walked and listened to the song and it felt like the beginning of something amazing. Let’s keep walking toward the park.

People keep looking at us as we walk by. That music is too loud, someone mutters. We giggle and you turn the song up louder. We keep walking and you make a bet with me. If you guess what colour car drives past us first, i have to give you a quid. We went to Wallgate news like we always do and you spent all your money on chocolate and crisps for the park. I'm surprised they still let us in after last week. You tried to stick a load of sweets in your jacket pockets and the man noticed and chased us out the shop. You could probably still hear him shouting from here.

Keep walking until you are past the hospital on the left

You start to prod my shoulder and I know exactly what you're going to say next. You ask me if I know where Gandalf lives? That he lives on this street apparently? He doesn't anymore i tell you, it was when he was a kid, and he's not called Gandalf, he's called Ian. But you already know that. He came into your school when you were younger and did a speech about being an actor. From that moment on you always knew it was exactly what you wanted to do with your life. Then you tel me you've got a place in a fancy drama school in London. That you want me to come with you. It’s a very easy decision and our futures are decided. For now anyway.

The entrance to the park is up here on the right. Let’s turn in there and keep moving past the Park map on the left and towards the small red cart in the middle of the path. This memory is fading. You will have to try and focus on a different one..

As you walk through the park gates

You are 71. I’m holding your right hand and I am your granddaughter. I’m holding your hand and it’s cold and I’m squeezed against you for warmth. Lets walk past the small red cart over there and head into the park. This time of year when the heat of the summer has gone and you have to start getting your big coat out again. The colours of the leaves and the trees is blinding and golden. Everything is starting to close down for the cold months in one final blaze of glory. I remember mithering you for a bit of your sausage roll to feed the ducks, but you said no! Ducks don’t eat sausage rolls, you will make them ill. That was in the pond on the left. Gets all frozen over in the winter months. Keep walking forwards.

Up ahead there are some benches. Why don’t we sit on one of them for a minute. Look at the view all the way up to the cafe on the hill. The steps were so icy that day and you told me off for laughing at the people slipping and sliding. We always had a laugh though. You taught me to see the funny side of things. Not to get weighed down by all the seriousness in the world. And when ever I did get lost in it you would tell me a joke.. How did it go again..

Oh yes..

Knock Knock Who’s there Yodel A hee Yodel A hee, who? Why are you yodelling…

You loved that joke.

See over there to the right. The statue of Sir Francis Sharp Powell. The man sitting is all dark bronzed but his shoe is shiny and golden. Remember what you told me. You said I would have good luck if I rubbed the tip of the shoe with my hand. Something to do with the good fortunes of Sir Francis rubbing off on whoever touched it. Total superstition but you always did it.

Let’s go over there now. Move towards the statue.

Okay ready. We are standing facing the statue. Let’s see if any luck rubs off on us today. I’ll count down and then we can touch the shoe together.. Five, Four, Three, Two, One.

there is a moment of silence

We will just have to see if that works…

Let’s move on. Look to the right and head up the path towards the park gates.

I remember you used to sing to me a different song everytime we went for one of our walks. You knew the words to all the old songs. The war time songs. But one in particular sticks in my memory about leaning on a lamppost. I loved that one. We used to dance all the way out of the park.

MUSIC PLAYS - Leaning on a lamppost by George Formby

Keep walking towards the park entrance and through the gate. Dance if you want.

The seasons change as we rumble through the gates and into a new memory

You are 4 years old, I am your grandparent and I’m holding your left hand. We are walking to your first day of Primary school. Cross the road and keep going straight along Mesnes Street. It’s a grey morning in September and you are fidgeting and uncomfortable in your new uniform. Shoes hurting and solid around your toes. You feel squashed. Scared about being left alone. You wonder how fast you can run in those shoes. You squeeze my hand as hard as you can and that calms you down and helps you to breath again. I promise to take you to the park again after school if you are good in your lessons today. Why do you feel so scared of going to school today. New things. New people. Different place. All scary!

You try to focus on the sounds around you. You can hear the sounds of the cars. The rhythm of your footsteps. The crunching leaves under your feet. Another kid bouncing a ball. Birds in the sky. Pigeon wings flapping, Keys jangle, Someone laughs, Car door shuts.… they fall into rhythm.

the music is jolly and plays the sounds in an interesting rhythm

The new beat makes you feel excited. It pushes you forward. We are heading towards the traffic lights. We need to cross over the road and keep heading forward. Towards the town centre. You like to press the buttons and wait for the green man before you cross. I taught you that. Cross the road toward the Market.

There is a loud thunder clap and it begins to rain

You are 22 years old. I am holding your right hand. You can feel my fingers wrapped warm in woolly gloves. It's wintertime and every day is a day closer to Christmas. I’m looking at you and I know exactly how you’re feeling. I am your sibling after all. You’ve got that rumbling in your gut that makes you feel a little sick. I squeeze your hand because I know it’s all going to be okay. Can you feel me squeezing? You’re walking anxiously up Mesnes street, closer and closer to the high street shops. You have been saving up for a gift for your partner. It’s your first Christmas together. You want it to be special. But last week I was struggling with the food shop, and you offered to chip in and help me out. Now what do you get them you start to think. Whatever it is, you don’t think it will be good enough.

Keep walking along the street and admire the buildings around you, dripping in snow that’s slowly melting to mush. It reminds you of the drinks we used to get from Empire Cinema. Remember we always used to share one when we would go every weekend? Sugary ice that would turn our tongues blue.

It’s a freezing cold day today, but you can still feel beads of sweat against your neck. You wish we were kids again, back in the cinema stuffing our cheeks with popcorn. Your hand begins to tremble a little. I tell you it doesn’t matter what you get them, they will love it either way. It’s the thought that counts. Between cars passing by, you spot flashes of shoppers shuffling away to their next unknown destination. A kaleidoscope of Primark bags and JD shoe boxes fills your eyes.

Keep going just a little further.

Stop.

You are now on Standishgate. Look up to right at the lines of shops ahead of you. I need to leave to go to work now. I notice you taking in the entire high street with every blink you make. You begin to panic. I tell you to close your eyes. Just for a moment. Forget all your stresses, all your worries, leave them here at the top of this street. You helped me out when I needed you, and I’m going to do the same for you. Keep your eyes closed. Breathe in for five seconds. One, two, three, four, five. Breath out for five seconds. One, two, three-

The familiar rumble sounds shifts you to a new memory

You are 18 years old, I’m squeezing your left hand tight. You are looking up to the top of Standishgate. Let’s walk up the road together. You glance back over your shoulder to see if the group of punks that tried to jump us are still following us.. They’re not. As you move up the street you see all your mates appearing around you. All heading to the same place. All heading to the Casino Club.

MUSIC PLAYS - The night by frankie valli and the four seasons.

That place where you went every weekend without fail. It was your church. Your place to let go. To move with you friends to the best music in the world, at the best night out in the world. You start to feel safer. Anticipation is getting stronger. Let’s stop when we are at the entrance to the grand arcade shopping centre.

walk up to the shopping centre

Face the front of the building.

This is where you used to sweat. To move… So much movement. So many bodies pushing to get in. Pay your money and then get out onto that dance floor. That sound! That beat.. Nothing like it and you moved with grace and fierceness, with soul, in your heart and in your feet. Shuffling, sliding, dropping. Surrounded by faces. Not just Northern, Not just wigan. From the world. All of us riding on the wave of Northern Soul. Minutes into hours into all nighters. Feeling the cold of the morning air as we leave hours later. Joy in our hearts to carry us through the week until we can do it all again. Do you remember how we first met? It was on this very dancefloor. The three before eight began to play and everyone was up. The three before eight is always bitter sweet. To know it's the last three songs before its hometime. Before we shuffle away for another week just waiting for these glorious hours. But these three songs, I'll never forget them. They will still be ringing in my ears when I'm old and grey, and I'll always think of you.

We need to keep moving. Look to your right up the slope of Millgate. Hear that whisper drawing you forwards. Let’s move that way and come face to face at last.

You are as old as you are now. There is no one holding your hand. Walk up towards the face and look into my eyes.

Come closer.. Closer… I am the guardian of the in-between. The rest of my body is buried under the ground, only my head is above the surface. All the small tiles of metal that make up my face are the many memories of this town. The reflections of the past and the future. Some of those you have been tuning into are etched here forever. There is still room to add more. Many memories are being added every day.

Try and think of your favourite and strongest memory of this place. Hold it in your mind and picture it clearly. I will count down from 5 and when I reach zero your memory will be etched onto my face forever and you will be released from the in between

Are you ready?… five, four, three, two, one……

A big fanfare of music plays with distant echoes of all the music from the walk. It finishes with a long held string chord that swells and then stops

THE END