‘New name’ for Bristol Beacon to increase venue’s inclusivity

Some well-known local names and faces are behind a project designed to improve inclusivity and accessibility at Bristol Beacon.

The historic venue that recently reopened following a controversial £132m refurbishment was renamed in 2020 to shed any celebration of slave trader Edward Colston. But, it has now been given a ‘new name’ – its first original British Sign Language (BSL) moniker, created by a team of local deaf artists.

The project, led by artist, producer and curator Cathy Mager, actor David Ellington, artist Rebecca Vaughan, and BSL consultant Lynn Stewart Taylor, is part of a larger effort to make the venue more inclusive and accessible to everybody.

The Beacon’s heritage interpretation programme, coordinated by Mager, is funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, and explores the venue’s past from several perspectives.

A nationally-acclaimed artist and curator, Mager rose to attention when she organised ‘The Museum of 51‘ at the Southbank Centre in London. She offers special insight into marginalised viewpoints in the arts as a deaf activist.

Speaking about the Bristol Beacon project, Mager says: “Throughout Bristol Beacon’s 155-year history, the building has witnessed everything you can imagine. It’s an incredibly rich history full of incredibly diverse characters, but so much of it had got lost through time and remembered through a predominantly white male and middle class lens.

“We wanted to shine a light on the forgotten characters and stories and place them alongside the big names that we’re all familiar with – like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Tina Turner and so on. And it was important to bring them to life in creative ways that everyone could engage with and get excited about. Bristol Beacon is for everyone, and we hope that through the heritage programme, many more people will now see that it is for them and enjoy exploring it.”

Among the additions is a BSL-signed video tour led by actor David Ellington and producer Rebecca Vaughan, which provides a description of the venue’s vibrant individuals and stories. Using animation, the 11-minute tour brings historical events to life. The venue now has an audio guide with poems and soundscapes made in conjunction with Bristol-based artists and musicians.

The audio guide is a collaborative effort between 12 Bristol-based artists and musicians, led by St George-based musician, filmmaker and inclusivity consultant Ngaio Anyia. It was written by Bristol writers Vanessa Kissule and Danny Pandolfi and includes the Roundels Soundscape, which features stunning choir music, We Grow, created by Amber Ruth-Watson.

“A huge part of the building transformation ambition was to make it absolutely accessible in every possible way,” said Sarah Robertson, director of communications at Bristol Beacon.

“Before the renovation, it was challenging for some audiences and artists to be able to physically access, so the construction programme has made sure that everyone can get in and out of every space easily.

“But the transformation is about much more than just getting around the building. We want everyone to be able to experience and enjoy the Beacon’s history and culture in a way that suits them and speaks to them – and that means without needing to buy a ticket to a concert or even coming into the venue.”

At the core of the renovation is the 12-metre Story Wall mural in the Lantern Foyer, which represents the Beacon’s rich history. It was researched over three years and reveals previously erased stories, such as the high presence of women, disabled musicians, and people from working-class origins in the Bristol music scene. The Story Wall also features rare BFI video from the 1900s, providing glimpses into Bristol’s heritage.

The Sound Lounge, located in the main foyer, acts as a collaborative communal place with historic posters and an interactive lyric wall. The venue’s cellars now hold a new performance area and bar that features Convergence, an abstract light installation by neurodivergent artist Frankie Boyle.

Main Photo: Bristol Beacon

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