The Friends of Bitterne Railway Station, in collaboration with local professional theatre company Unexpected Places, are inviting local residents to share their stories for an exciting new project, Stories from the Station to celebrate South Western Railways 200th anniversary year. This initiative will transform Bitterne Railway Station into a stage for real-life tales, celebrating the connections, journeys, and personal histories that shape the local community.
Originally developed in 2016 as a verbatim storytelling theatre piece, Our Neck of the Woods engaged over 300 participants, aged 5 to 86, culminating in a powerful production attended by more than 1,000 people. Now, eight years later, the project is returning to capture fresh perspectives and explore how the community has evolved under the new name of Stories from the Station.
Be Part of the Story – Local residents are encouraged to contribute their personal experiences by participating in engagement workshops or submitting stories via a dedicated installation at the station and through social media channels. Whether it’s a memory linked to Bitterne, reflections on community life, or thoughts on what makes Southampton home, every voice adds to the rich tapestry of the project.
Get Involved! The Friends of Bitterne Railway Station and Unexpected Places invite all residents to take part in shaping this unique production. If you have a story to share, you are welcome to attend an upcoming workshop, use the link: https://forms.gle/aqac4V2XV8WcjFMt8 or scan the QR code on our project poster to submit.
For more details, visit our website at UnexpectedPlaces.co.uk or contact Artistic Director, Rosanna Sloan at Rosanna@UnexpectedPlaces.co.uk.