How this started….

We were in Hampton promoting our Platform8 Theatre Festival and a couple came over for a chat.

“You should do a show about Northern Soul,” said the man - and we go on to talk about a play we had both seen years ago about the Northern Soul scene in Wigan.

I asked around and realised that there was a local story that could be told - the Northern Soul scene of Peterborough parallels it’s development as a new town, over 40 years ago. It also raised questions - where is today’s youth culture?

Then a tutor at Peterborough Regional College asked if I had opportunities for their students. A plan fell into place.

Who better to research and present the youth culture of 40 years ago but the young people of today, who also love music, and dance. Add in some journalism and media students, the city’s archives and the popular Heritage Festival, and we have a funding bid ready to go.

Then WE also applied for some health funding to run social fitness classes with the best Northern Soul dance floor fillers, at The Key Theatre, where Jumped Up Theatre is resident.

And so here we are - all because of a chance conversation with Colin Swanborough, and some great partnerships across the city.

Even COVID didn’t stop us, when lockdown happened Jason Webb carried on the interviews over the ‘phone and the dance classes went online.

I hope that The Northern Soul of Peterborough will be a project for everyone to enjoy.

Join in using this webpage to sign up to add your stories or to join our dance classes, and always “Keep The Faith.”

Have a look at your stories, to see a snapshot of some of the stories and images we have had so far.