More than four decades of unique theatre history has found a permanent home at Huddersfield University’s new archive centre.
Marsden-based Mikron Theatre Company had amassed a collection of memorabilia over the years but left it stored in an attic.
Now the old photographs, literature, posters, cassette tapes and theatre backdrops have been dusted off and catalogued into the university’s state-of-the-art Heritage Quay centre.
The collection, built up since 1972, is now open to the public to view.
Mikron travels Britain’s canals and waterways putting on shows at canalside pubs, village halls, boatyards and other unusual venues.
It is fitting that Heritage Quay, on the university campus, sits alongside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
Mikron producer Pete Toon said he was delighted that the group’s history could be preserved and enjoyed by others.
He added: “Mikron is the only theatre company that tours in the way we do and we’ve been doing it since 1972.
“In that time we’ve had some amazing experiences and adventures and much of it is documented in this archive.
“We’ve always been aware of the vast amount of information that’s been stored away in our attic, not just about Mikron, but about the history of theatre, the waterways and the people who live and work on them.
“We’ve got some fascinating documents and some great photos and we are so delighted that the Heritage Quay will give us a way to share those with anyone who wants to see them.”
Heritage Quay is one of the most technologically-advanced archives in the UK and access is free. Material can be viewed on touch screens.
Actor Mark Williams, who played Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films, toured for three years with Mikron in the 1980s and there are photos of him in the archive.
Lindsay Ince, assistant archivist and records manager at Heritage Quay, said the material would be invaluable for historians, researchers and the public alike.
For details about Heritage Quay visit www.heritagequay.org or ring 01484 473168.
