Esther Chilton

It wasn’t until I was sorting out my bureau, ready for a house move, that I realised how many programmes I’d amassed over the years. Looking back, I think it’s a habit I picked up from my father. Right from when I was a little girl, wherever we went, whether it was a trip to the theatre, a day spent at a stately home, a major sporting event, or festival, Dad would always buy a programme. So when I started to visit places on my own, even on school trips, I started to buy programmes like Dad and it’s a habit I’ve never broken!

So, as I pulled out programme after programme from the bureau, it was a wonderful trip down memory lane.

The first programme dates back to the beginning of the 80s when my primary school visited Bristol to see the magnificent ship, SS Great Britain, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and built in 1843. It was the first ship I’d seen close up and my jaw must have dropped open as I gazed at its brilliance. I remember it being a drizzly, cold and miserable day when we visited, but for me, the ship certainly shone. The programme is packed full of interesting information about the ship, including its concept and design, how it was built, its launch, voyages, recovery and restoration. I know I read it from cover to cover on the coach trip home; it’s been fascinating to do the same again and it’s made me want to visit it once more, some forty years on.  

Who doesn’t love a pantomime at Christmas? All that Oh no it isn’t! and Oh yes it is! It’s become something of a tradition for my family to go to the pantomime every Christmas. We usually go to the local one and it’s tremendous fun. But my first ever pantomime experience was at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre. It starred Debbie Watling, who was an assistant to the second Doctor in Doctor Who. She played the part of Aladdin, alongside Mike Berry from Are You Being Served? who took on the role of PC Ping Pong. I recall feeling so proud that I had my very own theatre programme for the first time and I sat there, flicking through it before the show. There were colouring pages and my favourite – a dot-to-dot, which I dutifully completed. When the show came on, I was captivated and loved the audience participation, especially He’s behind you! I have seen several versions of Aladdin over the years, but none compare to that first show.

Another programme eagerly bought during my school years is one purchased on a visit to The Barbican Theatre in London. It was an English literature trip as we were studying Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I’d been to the theatre ever since I was a small girl, but the performances were nothing compared to this. I was completely mesmerised. At the time, I didn’t recognise any of the actors. Flickering through the programme all these years on, I could see a young Nathaniel Parker, known amongst other things for playing the lead in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and David Haig, who has appeared in many productions including Four Weddings and A Funeral. But one actor I did know at the time was Jeremy Irons. He wasn’t in the play itself, but I almost walked right into him as we hurried round to the front of the theatre. Being a shy teenager at the time, I giggled, flushed bright red and hurried past!

One programme which made my face light up in delight as I relived the time is from Torvill and Dean’s world tour of 1994. I’d adored them ever since I watched them win gold at the winter Olympics of 1984 and I’d become an avid fan since, buying books about them and videos of all their skating achievements. I’d dreamt of seeing them skate live and that dream came true when Mum and I secured tickets to see them at Wembley Arena after they won their Olympic bronze medal on returning to competitive skating. The programme features plenty of glossy photos, taking the reader through their early years and everything in between times to when they received that second Olympic medal. But seeing them live was an experience I’ll never forget. They certainly knew how to put on a show and I remember Mum and I clapping until we had lost all feeling in our hands and stamping our feet as if we’d go through the floor. Everyone was doing the same and the sheer noise and atmosphere was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. 

Just after Christmas one year, I took a trip to Rome and another dream was realised when I stood inside the Colosseum, the magnificent amphitheatre dating from around 70AD. As I flicked through the guide, I could recall standing there at the time, soaking up its sheer vastness. I’d closed my eyes, imaging gladiators of old, clad in armour, swords raised as they sprinted into the arena, ready to do battle. Another wondrous sight from my trip was the stunning Trevi Fountain. I heard the roar of the water before I turned the corner and then, there it was – vast and simply beautiful. There were also numerous piazzas and churches at every turn, making the whole city a scenic wonder.  

I’ve been fortunate to see many a musical in London over the years (often just after New Year as a treat), from Evita, starring Marti Webb, to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, with Phillip Schofield in the lead, to The Lion King, Matilda, Wicked and many more (yes, I have programmes for them all!), but when something a little different came up, I jumped at the chance to go. There was a production of one of my favourite childhood books, The Railway Children by E Nesbit, taking place at King’s Cross Station, with a real steam train. I’ll never forget being late for the performance as I was told off by the train guard, Mr Perks, played by Emmerdale’s Martin Barrass! I quickly settled into my seat – the audience were sat either side of the tracks and I became completely absorbed in the performance; it really did feel as if I was there and part of it. As I looked through the programme, I could almost hear the chug and hiss of the train and see the steam!

These are just a few of the happy memories I’ve been able to relive. Others include going to see the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, being at Royal Ascot when Frankie Dettori won his magnificent seven and getting him to sign the programme and finally getting to see my favourite singer, Bryan Adams, in concert, thirty-five years after falling in love with his song Run to You. I’m sure they’ll be many more programmes to add to the pile in the future.