Reflections final showcase – Theatre Porto

COVID-19 Reflections has offered spaces and opportunities for residents to think back on their experiences of the past three years.

Bringing all of the activities from the past months together on 23 October, Theatre Porto, Ellesmere Port, hosts a day of Covid-19 Reflection.

The project launched by Cheshire West and Chester Council has welcomed many events and exhibitions including:

Lived experience: presented by the Filament theatre company, who worked with Vivo service users and staff. The project collected, recorded and shared conversations about lived experiences with the tour of their installation ‘The Exchange’.

Societal shift: artist Jayne Lawless worked with residents and a foodbank based at Westminster Community Centre, in Ellesmere Port. Her project collected local stories; and by working with an illustrator, writer and podcast producer they created a range of work that look at how the pandemic has altered society and its structures.

Under-represented voices: Open Eye Gallery have led this photography project, commissioning photographers Ciara Leeming, Sam Ivin and Tadgh Devlin who have worked with Gypsy and Traveller communities, carers, and rural communities to listen to and retell their stories.

In addition, six areas of reflection were created in Castle Park, Frodsham, Grosvenor Park, Chester, Winsford Marina, Stanney Fields Park, Neston, Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port, and Marbury Park, in Northwich.

The final showcase of all the work produced will take place on 23 October at Theatre Porto in Ellesmere Port. Starting at 11am and 4pm.       

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said:

“Please join us for this final Covid-19 Reflections Showcase at Theatre Porto. There will be a chance to look back at the many different elements that have appeared over the past few months.

“The exhibitions, stories, and reflections will be passed to our Archives, so future generations will be able to better understand this period we experienced during the Covid pandemic.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in these reflections, both as a contributor and as part of the audience, many of us have experienced the same or similar experiences as those that have shared their stories.”

For further details about the project:  

www.covid19reflections.website

Pictured - The Great Big Little Parade in Whitby Park.