Our Freedom was a co-created project led by The Customs House in South Shields, created to mark the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Rooted in local history and personal memory, the project honoured South Tyneside’s veteran community and the vital role local people played during the Second World War.

The project began in June after The Customs House was selected as one of the 80 projects nationally as part of a Future Arts Centres programme commemorating the anniversary. This project supported an ambitious creative process that placed veterans and their families at the heart of the work. Over the research phase, the creative team engaged with 103 veterans and family members from across South Tyneside, gathering stories, memories, and lived experiences that would shape the final performances.

These conversations were central to the project. Veterans were invited to share both the proud and painful aspects of their experiences, ensuring the work was created with honesty, integrity, and deep respect. Many of those who contributed later attended the performances themselves, recognising their stories reflected on stage and responding with a moving standing ovation.

The performances took place on Saturday 9 August, culminating in two outdoor presentations attended by approximately 120 audience members. Set across six locations at the Mill Dam and Harton Quays, with the River Tyne as a backdrop, the event transformed familiar spaces into sites of reflection and remembrance and connected to South Tyneside’s seafaring heritage. The performers created living memorials, as they honoured the past while powerfully connecting it to the present.

The production featured high-quality acting and movement work led by choreographer Rob Anderson, whose national experience includes working with companies such as Gary Clarke Dance. Rob described the process as emotional and humbling, noting the responsibility he felt in telling these stories faithfully. His leadership ensured the performances were both artistically ambitious and grounded in the voices of the veteran community, creating work that resonated deeply with audiences.

Audience and stakeholder feedback highlighted the project’s impact. Councillor Dean, Lead on Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities, described Our Freedom as “a truly fitting tribute for the 80th Anniversary of VE & VJ Day,” praising how veterans’ own stories were sensitively woven into the performance. Actor Ben Gettins reflected on the pride the project inspired, describing it as rooted in South Tyneside’s respect and gratitude for its veterans, and a piece he would “hold very close” to his heart.

The legacy of Our Freedom extends beyond the performances themselves. As a direct result of the project, The Customs House has been invited to join South Tyneside’s Armed Forces Forum, strengthening ongoing relationships with the local authority and veteran support networks.

At its heart, Our Freedom was about connection, between generations, community, and between past and present. By placing veterans’ voices at the centre of the process, the project created a shared moment of remembrance that felt authentic, inclusive, and deeply meaningful.

Our Freedom was a living act of remembrance, a celebration of historical events, and a testament to the power of art to bring communities together.