Heritage Quay hosts new Sir Patrick Stewart exhibition

Lucky Sir Patrick Stewart fans are getting an extra treat this autumn courtesy of the University of Huddersfield. 

A new exhibition, ‘Sir Patrick Stewart: From Mirfield to the Stars’, celebrating his stellar career on stage and screen will be on display from 6 to 30 October at the University’s Heritage Quay. 

The exhibition coincides with the publication of his memoir, Making It So, which Sir Patrick will discuss at a sold-out event at the University on 24 October.

The objects on display include:

• Rare and unseen programmes and photographs from his early acting days in Mirfield drama clubs
• A costume from his one-person production of A Christmas Carol
• Sir Patrick’s copies of Star Trek: The Next Generation scripts
• Programmes and photographs from his time in the RSC.

Born in nearby Mirfield, Sir Patrick is now the University’s Emeritus Chancellor following his nine years as University Chancellor up to 2014. His unique archive has been held by Heritage Quay since 2019 and includes material from Sir Patrick himself, such as theatre programmes, photographs and personal papers. 

It also features material gathered by the Patrick Stewart Research Library , a volunteer, fan-run resource relating to his acting career. Originally based in the United States of America, the Library was supported by Patrick himself, who said of its existence “I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Now resident in the USA, Sir Patrick was born and brought up in a working-class family in Mirfield, just outside Huddersfield. The exhibition tells the story of his discovery of acting, and early stage career as well as his years of success at the Royal Shakespeare Company and on screen as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and its movie spin-offs. Visitors can also find out more about his work off the stage supporting good causes.

Dr Rebecca Bowd, University Archivist commented: “We are so pleased to be putting some of the treasures of the Sir Patrick Stewart Archive on display in celebration of his new memoir. Anyone inspired to find out more about his life and work should make the visit. Whilst the exhibition is only on for a couple of weeks, the Archive is permanently available in our research room and is free to visit. No matter which areas of Sir Patrick’s life you may be interested in, we’ve got fascinating material to explore.”

'Sir Patrick Stewart: From Mirfield to the Stars’, runs from 6 October until 25 October. Entry is free. The exhibition is open Monday-Saturday.