Raising Cary Grant – The Bristol Footsteps of Archie Leach
Departs Millennium Square, Bristol
18 & 19 November 2023 (12:00 and 15:00)

Booking opens 2 October: Tickets Free; booking essential

Running Time: 1-1.5hrs

THIS EVENT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED – BUT WE’LL BE BACK IN 2024

Join us for an extra special pilot of an all-new immersive actor-led theatre walk with Show Of Strength Theatre Company, using language and location to explore the transformation of Bristol boy Archie Leach into Cary Grant, the world’s most famous movie star.

A fun and informative exploration of the city Archie knew and loved – both as a boy and later on his visits home. The theatres and cinemas, hotels, shops and restaurants, and the harbour – landscapes he returned to time and time again, that helped form and transform him into a Hollywood star and style icon.

In partnership with Show Of Strength Theatre Company, renowned for their dynamic performances focusing on true and amazing Bristol stories, this theatre walk builds on the highly successful Looking for Archie Walking Tour which was originally developed as part of the Being Human Festival in 2017.

Meet at the Cary Grant statue in Millennium Square on Bristol’s harbourside, we’ll literally walk in his footsteps and hear his voice develop and change as the years pass. The walk will take roughly one and a half hours, covering a distance of about 1-1.5 miles and will end at Castle Park in Bristol city centre with a post-walk discussion to unpack the history and themes raised.

The walk will take place come rain or shine, so please bring what footwear and clothing you need to make yourself comfortable! This gentle walk is wheelchair accessible, with no big climbs, and there will not be any stairs on the route.

Save the Date!

Friday 17 November for schools (15:00) – please Email for more information

Saturday 18 November (12:00 and 15:00)

Sunday 19 November (12:00 and 15:00)

Tickets Free; booking essential. This pilot event is free, but we welcome donations to support the Cary Comes Home festival activity and to help make this a more regular all-year round event. Please use the donate button above.

n.b. ALL OF OUR WALKS ARE SOLD OUT! But you can add your name to the wait list via the booking link below, we’ll get in touch if any places become available:

 

We’re hoping to work with Show of Strength to add Cary Grant to their slate of theatre walks that operate throughout the year.  Sign up to our mailing list for updates!

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 9–18 November 2023. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.

 

 

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Cary Comes Home is a biennial festival which aims to celebrate Cary Grant’s Bristol roots, develop new audiences for his work and recreate the golden age of cinema-going, directed by Dr Charlotte Crofts (Professor of Cinema Arts, UWE Bristol). Learn more at carycomeshome.co.uk

 

Show of Strength Theatre Company, established in 1986, has created 3 new theatres in Bristol including The Tobacco factory (1998). In 2021 THE MANSION THROUGH TIME, outdoors at Ashton Court, told the story of the Smyth family. Current projects include exploring the lives of female convicts transported from Bristol Newgate gaol, funded by Historic England. Other theatre walks are in Clifton, Harbourside, St George and Keynsham. BBC Sounds podcast GANGSTER THE STORY OF JOHN PALMER – now nominated as Best Factual Podcast, British Podcast Awards – features the company’s Bedminster tour BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER. Learn more at Learn more at showofstrength.org.uk

Supported by UWE Bristol and the Arts and Humanities Research Council Impact Acceleration Account