Morecambe boasts a rich entertainment history that has garnered national acclaim within the UK, featuring notable figures such as Thora Hird and Morecambe and Wise. However, the invaluable contributions of Black performers who regularly graced the town’s stages have been overlooked. This talk will explore how one travelling exhibition and one temporary exhibition aimed to address this oversight by bringing these exceptional artists into the spotlight, highlighting their crucial role in shaping cultural heritage both domestically and internationally. Performers such as Adelaide Hall, Clayton ‘Peg Leg’ Bates, Cassie Walmer and many more performed in Morecambe and were featured in the exhibition. By illuminating the achievements and contributions of these artists, the exhibitions sought to celebrate and honour their rightful place in Morecambe’s rich entertainment legacy, ensuring their stories receive the recognition they deserve.
About Kirsty Roberts
Kirsty Roberts is a PhD student at the University of Central Lancashire. She specialises in Black Social History in museums.