The Real Reasons We Drink is an experiment in bringing local history to life. In a performance curated and presented by its regulars, a pub will become the setting and the subject of a pointedly personal, entirely subjective presentation of its own history – for one night only.

The Ranelagh pub in Bounds Green, North London is the social centre of its community. It’s been the spontaneous pint, the all-nighter, the first date, the hair of the dog & the unofficial babysitter since 1861. Since May, Travelling Tent have been collecting interviews with The Ranelagh’s customers and former staff, combining their experiences with archival research and original music to create a live event shaped by its participants and unique to its location.

The project’s director, Miriam Sherwood, grew up in Bounds Green and has worked in the pub herself. She says, “I used to hear great stories working behind the bar at The Ranelagh, and when a customer told me that her grandparents had met at the pub, I realised how far back those stories must go. I wanted to find a way for that social history to be heard by more people, in a way that reflected and celebrated the atmosphere of the pub.”

The Real Reasons We Drink is part of The Ranelagh Story Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, says, “Going to the pub is such an intrinsic part of our culture and our grant will help communities to tell those tales and enjoy history at the same time.”

Travelling Tent is an arts company founded in 2013 by Eleanor Harding, Miriam Sherwood and Annie Ward to combine their history, theatre and documentary backgrounds with their interest in fostering new and existing communities.

The Ranelagh, 82 Bounds Green Road, London, N11 2EU
Sunday 4th October 2015, 7.45pm
Free (limited availability, please reserve in advance)
Suitable for ages 16+. Wheelchair accessible.
www.travellingtent.org.uk
@TravellingTent