THE past few months have been a busy time for our dedicated team of volunteers. Based at Tudor House Museum initially, and then meeting every week via Zoom call, the team have worked tirelessly through the photographic collection of the Worcester City Historic Environment Record, describing the content and unravelling a few mysteries along the way.

One such puzzle had us all scratching our heads – a photograph from the 1950s of the area next to South Parade – a little street known as Parade Place that ran behind the old City Rag Stores. The photograph shows one of the old warehouses, daubed with the words ‘Bankside Theatre’, and a number of billing posters at eye level.

The former Golden Lion Inn, High Street in 1951. The blue plaque commemorating Sarah Siddons was unveiled last year by the Worcester Civic Society

The former Golden Lion Inn, High Street in 1951. The blue plaque commemorating Sarah Siddons was unveiled last year by the Worcester Civic Society

Worcester has a long tradition of theatrical performance, and in fact the 18th-century actress Sarah Siddons, known as England’s finest tragic actress made her stage debut in an old converted barn at the back of the Golden Lion Inn.

She soon moved on to bigger things performing on Drury Lane in London, but this historic link has now been commemorated by a blue plaque on the former pub.

The Vesta Tilley Centre, Lowesmoor in 1990. Taking its name from Worcester’s famous daughter, the building originated as a small theatre and was built partly on the site of The Navigation Inn, where Vesta’s musician father Henry Powles was

The Vesta Tilley Centre, Lowesmoor in 1990. Taking its name from Worcester’s famous daughter, the building originated as a small theatre and was built partly on the site of The Navigation Inn, where Vesta’s musician father Henry Powles was

Many local people will also be familiar with the story of Vesta Tilley, born in Commandery Street (now part of Wyld’s Lane) and later to become wildly popular during the First World War, most especially for her roles impersonating men.

Know Your Place: Create your very own digital Life Story

But to return to the Bankside Theatre puzzle, the team soon discovered (thanks to research by the Worcester People and Places website), that it was run by a small company of actors reliant solely on private subscription and box office receipts.

It seems to have been quite short lived as an enterprise and we would love to hear from anyone who remembers it.

Do you recall this little riverside theatre?

The Theatre Royal, Angel Street in 1951. This theatre was well known to many local people, before demolition in the mid-20th century. It was replaced by the Colmore Depot car showroom which subsequently became a supermarket

The Theatre Royal, Angel Street in 1951. This theatre was well known to many local people, before demolition in the mid-20th century. It was replaced by the Colmore Depot car showroom which subsequently became a supermarket

Or perhaps you have memories of one of the other theatres in the city?

This photograph and many more besides is now available via our new website Know Your Place Worcester and we invite anyone with memories or information about the city to contribute to the Community layer at kypworcester.org.uk or simply have a look and enjoy browsing the images.

You can now also create your own personal, private life story via the new NHS-hosted Life Stories platform https://life-stories.hacw.nhs.uk/

Worcester Life Stories is a collaborative project bringing local people together through shared stories of the City of Worcester. It is co-led by Dr Natasha Lord, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Sheena Payne-Lunn, Worcester City Council and funded thanks to National Lottery players.

For further information or to share your stories, visit worcesterlifestories.org.uk, our Facebook page or Twitter @worlifestories.

You can also email worcesterlifestories@gmail.com or call 01905 721133.

And why not visit the We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook?