The Toast

Inspired by the idea of absence and the narrative of nostalgia emerging in Act Two I devised a series of toasts in Act One reflecting on the changes in the locality. The radius of reference was equally short but inclusive to the community of the audience.

MC To the things that were meant to disappear

G To the Creative Arts Course

B To the MA that began in January

BM To the Victoria Studios

B To the crossing opposite the Victoria Centre

MC Look left. Look right.

[All look left. Look right.]

BM To being knocked down

G To the car park they knocked down

B To the building next to the car park they knocked down

MC To the buildings we don’t remember once they’ve gone

BM To the cranes

MC Look up. Look down.

[All look up. Look down.]

B To the Odeon Cinema

BM To the ABC Cinema

G To the Broadway

BM To Beatties Toy Shop

B To the CO-OP

BM To CO-OP Arts

G To Allders

BM To Littlewoods

B To C&A

BM To the Xylophone man

MC To the people we only remember once they’ve gone