Thomas Clarkson speaks to the people. © University of Manchester

Slave traders, anti-slavery campaigners and an escaped slave will be seen in the Manchester Museum on April 3 and 4 2008.

The actors portraying characters from the 18th and 19th century are coming in to mark the start of a conference on the impact of performance as a medium of learning in museums and historic sites.

Visitors will be able to walk around the museum, which is part of Manchester University, with a museum curator, anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson, African and British slave traders, escaped slave James Watkins and a Lancashire cotton worker.

The play, This Accursed Thing, was developed by Tony Jackson, a senior lecturer in drama at the university, and written by one of the actors, Andrew Ashmore, based on research into the slave trade and its connections to the museum’s collections.

It explores the hidden – and often contentious – stories behind the collection.

“At first glance you might wonder why a performance about slavery is taking place alongside the famous archaeological, botanical and Egyptology exhibits – amongst others,” said Tony Jackson.

“One answer is that parts of the collection were paid for by wealthy individuals who benefited from the slave trade.”

“This is a history behind a history: it’s a chance for Manchester to acknowledge its slave trade links – but also to remember the proud contribution the city made to its abolition.”

© University of Manchester

Part of the play illustrates the actions of escaped slave James Watkins, who toured the UK lecturing in favour of Abraham Lincoln’s fight against slavery. Lancashire cotton workers subsequently voted to boycott cotton from the southern States, even though it threatened their own livelihoods.

Pete Brown, the Museum’s Head of Learning and Interpretation, said that “visitors’ eyes light up” when they see the issues played out in front of them, proving what part live interpretation has to play in presenting the past.

The performances are taking place at 3.30pm and 5pm on April 3 and 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm on April 4. The performance at 1.30pm will be audio described and at 3.30pm it will be British Sign Language interpreted. Call 0161 275 2648 to book or make further enquiries.

The conference Performing Heritage: Research and Practice is taking place April 3-5 at the University of Manchester, bringing together practitioners from around the world.

This Accursed Thing will soon be available online. Find out more about Manchester and the Transatlantic slave trade at www.revealinghistories.org.uk.