In this audio guide, our narrators will introduce you to the music icons that have stormed our stages as well as the unsung stars and hidden facts of our fascinating 156 year history. 

This guide has been created by a collaboration of 12 Bristol artists and musicians led by Ngaio Anyia, a Bristol-based musician and filmmaker along with music contributions from local organisations.

Using spoken word, singing, music and guest narration, it brings to life the powerful voices and events that have shaped the venue’s past. 

The audio is devised as a standalone listening experience but can also be listened to whilst walking along the story wall and enjoying the extraordinary architecture of the newly restored lantern atrium which sits next to the Beacon Hall.

Credits
Ngaio Anyia: Writer, Lead Narrator, Composer, Arranger, Musician, Vocalist, Soundscape Artist 

Tom Hackwell: Composer, Arranger, Musician, Soundscape Artist, Mix and Mastering Engineer 

Bellatrix: Double Bass, Beatboxer, Soundscape Artist 

Danny Carlo Pandolfi: Writer, Narrator 

Vanessa Kisuule: Writer, Narrator 

Edson Burton: Guest Narrator 

Roger Griffith: Guest Narrator 

LaToyah McAllister-Jones: Guest Narrator 

KALA CHNG: Guest Narrator 

Lisa Glanfield - Guest Narrator 

Freya Glanfield - Guest Narrator 

Rebecca Sadler - Guest Narrator 

Cathy Mager - Producer
  

Music credits 
'Soundscape' - St Pauls Carnival
'Choir Boy' - Bristol Old Vic
'Bristol is Our Playground' - Lady Nade
Bristol Reggae Orchestra 
'Tears of an Actress' - Surgeons Girl / Paraorchestra

Find out more: https://bristolbeacon.org/our-history

Story Wall Audio Guide

This audio description introduces you to the Story Wall at Bristol Beacon. The Story Wall is a mural installed along a long wall in the Lantern Foyer next to Simons' bar. 

The heritage mural is an illustrated artwork composed of 13 panels charting the history of Bristol Beacon from medieval times to the present day and references our musical and social history. 

The mural and this audio description will introduce you to the music icons that have stormed our stages as well as the unsung stars and hidden facts of our fascinating 156 year history.

Credits:
Margo Cargill - Narrator

Michael Achtman - Narrator

Cathy Mager - Producer

Music credits 
'Soundscape' - St Pauls Carnival
'Choir Boy' - Bristol Old Vic
'Bristol is Our Playground' - Lady Nade
Bristol Reggae Orchestra 
'Tears of an Actress' - Surgeons Girl / Paraorchestra

Find out more: https://bristolbeacon.org/our-history

Story Wall - Audio Description

An aural exhibition of Bristol Beacon’s historic place in the community

Since 1867, Bristol Beacon has been a focal point in the lives of Bristolians, showcasing big musical acts and local talent in equal measure, alongside an eclectic program of other events including wrestling, political rallies, beauty pageants, and community events.  

In 2019, oral historian Tot Foster met and spoke with Bristol’s communities who gave voice to very individual and personal stories of their memories of Bristol Beacon. Alongside 40 specially commissioned illustrations by artist Matt Booker, the exhibition “A Place for Everyone” provided a snap shot of the unique role the Hall has played in people’s lives over the years.

A Place For Everyone

In this audio guide, our narrators will introduce you to the music icons that have stormed our stages as well as the unsung stars and hidden facts of our fascinating 156 year history. 

This guide has been created by a collaboration of 12 Bristol artists and musicians led by Ngaio Anyia, a Bristol-based musician and filmmaker along with music contributions from local organisations.

Using spoken word, singing, music and guest narration, it brings to life the powerful voices and events that have shaped the venue’s past. 

The audio is devised as a standalone listening experience but can also be listened to whilst walking along the story wall and enjoying the extraordinary architecture of the newly restored lantern atrium which sits next to the Beacon Hall.

Credits
Ngaio Anyia: Writer, Lead Narrator, Composer, Arranger, Musician, Vocalist, Soundscape Artist 

Tom Hackwell: Composer, Arranger, Musician, Soundscape Artist, Mix and Mastering Engineer 

Bellatrix: Double Bass, Beatboxer, Soundscape Artist 

Danny Carlo Pandolfi: Writer, Narrator 

Vanessa Kisuule: Writer, Narrator 

Edson Burton: Guest Narrator 

Roger Griffith: Guest Narrator 

LaToyah McAllister-Jones: Guest Narrator 

KALA CHNG: Guest Narrator 

Lisa Glanfield - Guest Narrator 

Freya Glanfield - Guest Narrator 

Rebecca Sadler - Guest Narrator 

  

Music credits 
'Soundscape' - St Pauls Carnival
'Choir Boy' - Bristol Old Vic
'Bristol is Our Playground' - Lady Nade
Bristol Reggae Orchestra 
'Tears of an Actress' - Surgeons Girl / Paraorchestra

Find out more: https://bristolbeacon.org/our-history

The Story Wall - Panel 5 - The Little Theatre (1923)

The Story Wall - Panel 4 - Dogs, Dolls and Flowers (1910s)

The Story Wall - Panel 3 - Fire & Storm (1888)

The Story Wall - Panel 2 - Forgotten Acts

The Story Wall - Panel 1 - Origins

Story Wall AD - Panel 4 - Dogs, Dolls and Flowers (1910s)

Story Wall AD - Panel 3 - Fire & Storm (1888)

Story Wall AD - Panel 2 - Forgotten Acts

Story Wall AD - Panel 1 - Origins

Story Wall AD - Introduction

Part of 'A Place For Everyone' - An aural exhibition of Bristol Beacon’s historic place in the community.

For Bristolians there have been many opportunities to get on the stage at Bristol Beacon. Many people’s first memory of the Hall is actually as a performer rather than an audience member. 

Whether it was part of a school Christmas concert, dancing as part of the annual Stages festival or working with world renowned conductors. On this track we hear from those who have sung, danced, and even paraded on the main stage in front of proud parents, teachers and friends.  

Interviewees also explore the influence that these formative experiences have had on their lives, and the impact that the continuing education work of Bristol Beacon is still having today.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3TeJo8q

The Show Goes On

Part of 'A Place For Everyone' - An aural exhibition of Bristol Beacon’s historic place in the community.

Until the 1980’s what is now the Lantern was known as the Little Theatre, putting on regular and accessible theatre six days a week in partnership with Bristol Old Vic and the repertory theatre company the Rapier Players. With new stories added every week seats were available on subscription in the pre-television era, with members of the public eager to find out what happens next. We hear from actors who trod the boards, and the communities that were built around this unique theatre.  

In the main hall, wrestling was one of the biggest nights of the week. Big names such as Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy would go head to head in nail-biting shows, attracting audiences from around Bristol for regularly sold out bouts from 1950s to 2004. In this collection wrestlers, audience and staff recount their stories of the golden days of wrestling.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3TeJo8q

Spectacular Storytelling

Part of 'A Place For Everyone' - An aural exhibition of Bristol Beacon’s historic place in the community

For Bristolians there have been many opportunities to get on the stage at Bristol Beacon. Many people’s first memory of the Hall is actually as a performer rather than an audience member. 

Whether it was part of a school Christmas concert, dancing as part of the annual Stages festival or working with world renowned conductors. On this track we hear from those who have sung, danced, and even paraded on the main stage in front of proud parents, teachers and friends.  

Interviewees also explore the influence that these formative experiences have had on their lives, and the impact that the continuing education work of Bristol Beacon is still having today.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3TeJo8q

Bristol Takes A Bow

Bristol Beacon is the South West's largest concert hall, entertaining the people of Bristol since 1867. We program the best in Jazz, Classical, World, Pop, Rock, Soul, Contemporary, Comedy, Community & Education. This Soundcloud account is for us to discover new music, share tracks we like, and bring you recordings from within the venue.

This collection is not available anymore.

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