Stars of 1980s popular dance TV show The Hit Man and Her, which was filmed at Mr Smiths, turned out for the official launch of an exhibition celebrating the iconic club.
Music mogul and the Hitman himself Pete Waterman, along with well-loved Hit Man and Her dancers Fitz, Bov, Wiggy and Spike, now a member of boyband 911, attended the 80s themed event to celebrate the opening of the Goodbye Mr Smiths exhibition at Warrington Museum & Art Gallery.
The exhibition is a response to the community reaction following the fire and demolition of the infamous building that housed the iconic nightclub.
It follows the building’s story from the Art Deco Ritz and ABC cinemas to its heyday as Mr Smiths nightclub and its sudden dramatic destruction in April 2015.
The launch was attended by more than 150 people who shared their memories of the club, which attracted people from all over the North West in the 80s and 90s.
They were treated to a special performance from DJ Steven Davidson who played old skool tunes and Mr Smiths favourites to entertain the visitors.
A collection of photographs, objects and memories, including oral history interviews with well-known local characters such as Stan the Man and Hitman and Her dancer, Wiggy, pay a nostalgic tribute to the well-loved local landmark.
Pete Waterman, from The Hit Man and Her, said: “You forget everything that happened at Mr Smiths until you see it on the wall in the exhibition, I’ve seen pictures of me here that I’ve never seen before.
” It’s amazing to hear people still talk about Mr Smiths with such affection.”
Michelle Hill, curator of the exhibition, said: “Thanks to everyone who attended the Goodbye Mr Smiths launch event at the museum.
“It was a fantastic night with people really getting into the party spirit and feeling nostalgic, judging by the amount of photographs and memories that were added to our memory boards.”
Listings information:
Goodbye Mr Smiths
Saturday 14 Nov 2015 – Saturday 20 Feb 2016
Admission: Free
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Museum Street, Warrington, WA1 1JB
