Picking up the Threads

Photo: Picking up the Threads

In 2013-14 DIY developed a project which looked back at the history of the theatre company.

DIY members worked with local artist Claire Hignett to create a textile hanging which represents all the people involved in the company Each person is represented by a different thread and together they form a knitted timeline which maps the history of the company. The hanging was on display in the Angel Centre, Salford for 10 years.

photo: a group of people are sitting round a large table concentrating on what they are making. There are big bobbins and balls of different coloured wool on the table. In the foreground a woman in a wheelchair is holding one end of some wool hleping another woman who is making something.

 

A film crew of DIY members created a film documenting the process of making the textile hanging. Two short films made by Hilary Easter-Jones from Wynter Productions capture some of the memories and stories which emerged from members and supporters through the ‘Picking up the Threads’ project.

“Picking up the Threads” #1

How was the ‘Picking up the Threads’ project put together? Where did the initial ideas come from and how did it become a finished, fully-realised piece? This documentary film follows the project from inception to completion. Filmed by Sandra Brookes and Angela Chadwick from DIY and Supported by Wynter Productions.

“Picking up the Threads” #2

DIY Theatre Company is not the building we work in or the projects we undertake. It is the people who are truly the foundations of the company. In this short montage, the 12 DIY members shared their memories.

“Picking up the Threads” #3

DIY has been in existence since 1994. In 2013 we thought it was time to look back at the last decades, that’s a lot of memories! Lucky for us, one of our founder members, David Austin, has an amazing memory that has stored every production, every moment and every story.

If you'd like DIY Theatre to perform at your centre, please get in touch