A new exhibition at Lancaster Maritime Museum will tell the stories of black entertainers from Morecambe's golden era.
'In the Spotlight' celebrates the contributions of internationally acclaimed performers who graced Morecambe’s theatres during the late 19th and early 20th century,
The exhibition invites visitors to rediscover a remarkable chapter in Morecambe’s cultural history and one that celebrates resilience, talent, and the enduring legacy of black performers who helped shape the town’s vibrant entertainment scene.
It has been researched by Kirsty Roberts, a Lancashire-based Black historian and PhD student at the University of Central Lancashire.
The university has a longstanding partnership with Lancaster City Museums and is committed to uncovering and sharing black histories rooted in the region.
“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be facilitating the return of these fabulous, internationally acclaimed performance artists to Morecambe," said Kirsty.
"Morecambe was a destination to which black artists repeatedly returned with enthusiasm for over 100 years and I can’t wait to celebrate this often-overlooked part of the town’s storied history.”
Funded by National Lottery players, In the Spotlight unveils a stellar lineup of performers who lit up Morecambe’s stages between 1850 and 1950.
Among them are trailblazing stars of the Harlem Renaissance and Cotton Club eras, including the charismatic Ken ‘Snakehips’ Johnson, the legendary Adelaide Hall, and the beloved James Herns (also known as Jimmy Cooney), who fell so deeply in love with Morecambe he made it his home.
The exhibition is now open to the public and will run until November 2 2025.
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