PART ONE

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.