Thanks to generous support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, 'Riverside Reflections' captures the memories of those who have played a significant role in shaping our history, from actors and directors to projectionists and programmers.
The interviews are researched, conducted and transcribed by a small group of local volunteers who were trained in oral history techniques and technology through a programme run by the Oral History Society and the British Library. We would like to thank Kiz Durrani, Rose O'Donovan, Susannah Herbert, Kate Middleton, Catriona Rooney and Michele Kostiner for their enthusiasm and dedication to this project.
As these evocative, inspiring and amusing audio interviews are collected, edited and transcribed, we will share the material here. We hope you enjoy exploring Riverside’s rich history via these uniquely personal reminiscences.
ALBERT & FRIENDS INSTANT CIRCUS - Long-term tenants at Riverside Studios, 1986 - 2018
MARC BROWN - Projectionist, Riverside Studios 2012 - 2014 / Head Projectionist, Riverside Studios 2020 - 2024
CHRIS COWEY - Executive Producer Top of the Pops, 1997 - 2003
BRIAN COX CBE - Actor
PETER GILL OBE - Artistic Director, Riverside Studios 1976 - 1980
GREG HILTY - Gallery Curator, Riverside Studios 1983 - 1989; Exhibitions Director, Riverside Studios 1989 - 1990
MILENA KALINOVSKA - Exhibitions Director, Riverside Studios 1982 - 1986; Associate Director, Riverside Studios 1986 - 1989
TREVOR LAIRD - Actor/Director
CAROLINE LANGRISHE - Actor
KATE MACFARLANE - Community Events Officer / Gallery Co-Ordinator, Riverside Studios 1984 - 1990
SHIRA MACLEOD - Cinema Director, Riverside Studios 2003 – 2014
REBECCA O'BRIEN - Volunteer, Riverside Studios 1976 – 1980 / Programme Assistant, Riverside Studios 1980 – 1981 / Publicity Assistant, Riverside Studios 1981. Also, Riverside Film Event Programmer
RACHEL TACKLEY - Creative Director, Riverside Studios 2020 – 2024
TêTE À TêTE OPERA COMPANY - Produced their opera festival annually at Riverside Studios, 2007 - 2014
RIVERSIDE ARTISTS GROUP - Artist’s collective, Formed at Riverside Studios in 1986
HEATHER RUCK - Programme Manager, Riverside Studios 2007 - 2011
As an introduction to our history, we produced a short film which celebrates our story so far. Those reflecting on what Riverside Studios means to them include actors Brian Cox and Nina Wadia, the late poet Benjamin Zephaniah and our founding Artistic Director Peter Gill.
