Manchester Hill Remembered is an audio-visual performance led by Rebecca Smith (Urban Projections), developed through archival research and community collaboration. The work responds to the events of March 21, 1918, when soldiers from a Manchester regiment were killed during fighting at Manchester Hill, near Saint-Quentin.

The project began with research into archival material, including letters, photographs and first-hand accounts. This was supported by time spent on site in Saint-Quentin, working with members of the Lancaster Regiment to visit the battlefield and surrounding cemeteries. These experiences grounded the work in both historical record and physical landscape.

Back in Manchester, a series of workshops at Central Library brought together descendants and local participants to engage with the material, share stories and reflect on its relevance in the present. These contributions formed part of the wider development process.

The work was further developed during a residency at Chetham’s School of Music, bringing together musicians, composers and writers. Collaborators included members of The Cinematic Orchestra, alongside Katie Chatburn, Seaming To, Michael Symmons Roberts and Liam Frost.

The final performance took place at Manchester Cathedral, combining projection, live music and spoken word within the architectural space. Archival imagery was layered with sound and text, creating an environment where different perspectives and materials could sit alongside one another.

Manchester Hill Remembered brings together research, collaboration and live performance to create a shared space for reflection, connecting historical material with contemporary experience.