Manchester Hill Remembered is a powerful audio-visual performance that reimagines a little-known World War I battle through art, memory, and community collaboration. Led by Rebecca Smith (Urban Projections), the piece pays tribute to the events of March 21, 1918, when 79 soldiers from a Manchester regiment were lost in a single day during fierce fighting on Manchester Hill, near Saint-Quentin, France.

To ground the work in authenticity, Rebecca collaborated with archivists to uncover personal letters, photographs, and first-hand accounts of the battle. She travelled to Saint-Quentin with members of the Lancaster Regiment to visit the battlefield, local cemeteries, and surrounding landscapes - immersing herself in the physical and emotional traces left behind. Back in Manchester, workshops held at Central Library brought together descendants and community members to share stories, explore archival materials, and reflect on the lasting human impact of the conflict.

This deep research formed the foundation of an intensive artist residency at Chetham’s School of Music, where Rebecca worked alongside a collective of musicians, composers, and poets to bring the project to life. Collaborators included members of The Cinematic Orchestra (Stuart McCallum, John Ellis, Luke Flowers), composer Katie Chatburn, vocalist Seaming To, poet Michael Symmons Roberts, and musician Liam Frost. Together, they wove archival visuals, live music, and spoken word into a rich, immersive performance.

The culmination of this work was a live show at Manchester Cathedral, performed to a sold-out audience. Through layered projections, haunting soundscapes, and poetic narration, Manchester Hill Remembered created a reflective space for remembrance - honouring the lives lost, while connecting past and present through shared memory.

This contemporary act of remembrance not only brought a hidden story into the light but also celebrated the strength of community, collective reflection, and the role of art in keeping history alive.