After some extensive research into the original architecture of the Drill Hall and fascination from the original architect Joseph Goddard and his architectural history, we had hoped to find something architecturally inspiring when visiting the archives. However we came across something that inspired us in a different direction altogether. We came across a newspaper article depicting the original opening ceremony of the Drill Hall from 1890, hoping to find something interesting about Joseph Goddard. The article was almost an exact transcript of the entire day as it unfolded, as neither TV or radio was invented newspapers, had to give in depth detail as to the unfolding of the day’s events, including a parade and extravagant luncheon.
This article inspired us to recreate this opening ceremony as this year is the building’s 125th anniversary. We are still working on the ins and outs of doing this, and I am currently working on rewriting this article into a script that may be pre-recorded onto headphones, whilst the audience eat a more modern day lunch, perhaps what the Drill Hall’s current cafe serves in attempt to cross the old with the new in a juxtaposition.
© 2015 Sean Micallef
