THE impact on Andover of the redevelopment of the 1960s and 70s can be seen all around us.

There are a sizeable number of people who still grieve for the loss of the old Andover, its shops, cinemas and quaint market town charm.

In 2014 Test Valley Arts Foundation commissioned a new piece of youth theatre to be directed by John Baxter and written by Roy Chatfield.

They chose to explore the period of redevelopment and after conducting some extensive research and also gaining access to the material gathered through the Encounters Programme Roy was able to fashion together a script which told the stories of the people who were re located as well as the inhabitants of Andover at the time.

This show, Now We Tell Our Tale, was performed to great acclaim by around 60 young people in the Lights Theatre in February 2015.

Now, 12 months later, the show is being revived. This time it is in the hands of a group of professional actors with John Baxter again being the director. This is the first time ever that a professional production has been completely generated, rehearsed and presented at The Lights Theatre. The finished show is being toured around the schools of Andover with the aim of enlightening this new generation about the history of the town they live in.

There is an opportunity for the general public to see the show as it will be performed in the Arena area of The Lights Theatre on February 10 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from The Lights. At the conclusion of the public performance there will be a question and answer session with the actors, director and writer about the show and the issues it raises. If you lived through this turbulent period of Andover’s history please come along. Not only will you be entertained but you will also be able to contribute to what is bound to be a lively discussion.

John Baxter, Test Valley Arts Foundation