Famous Wolverhampton disco photograph subjects reunited 48 years on

The subjects of an iconic photograph taken at a Wolverhampton disco almost 50 years ago have been reunited for a new exhibition celebrating Black History Month.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is set to launch Then & Now – Disco in Wolverhampton on Sunday, October 4, bringing together many of the young people captured in a famous photograph taken by Chris Steele-Perkins in 1978.

The image, which shows a group of youngsters dancing at Wolverhampton's Culture Centre, has become one of the late photographer's most celebrated works.

Now, 48 years later, the people behind the photograph are being given the chance to tell their stories as part of an exhibition celebrating the city's black community and its cultural heritage.

The original photograph will be displayed alongside a series of new portraits by photographer Johnathan Williams, showing how its subjects look today.

Among those featured is international reggae artist Macka B, who was one of the young people captured in the original image.

Steele-Perkins took the photograph while visiting Wolverhampton for a Sunday Times Magazine feature marking the 10th anniversary of Enoch Powell's controversial 'Rivers of Blood' speech.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2014, the photographer described the image as one of his most popular.

"I probably sell more prints of this picture than any other," he said.

He recalled that there had been a degree of tension during his visit to the city, with the youngsters initially reluctant to spend time with a photographer who had travelled up from London.

Despite the photograph's international recognition, many of those pictured have remained unidentified to the wider public until now.

The Grand Theatre's exhibition aims to put the people behind the image in the spotlight, while celebrating their contribution to Wolverhampton's history.

Also on display will be a print of Blues Dance, an artwork inspired by the central dancer in the original photograph.

The piece was created by Claudette Johnson MBE, a founding member of the Black British Arts Movement who studied at the University of Wolverhampton's School of Art.

The exhibition has been curated by the Grand Theatre's head of audiences and creative, Tonia Daley-Campbell, and deputy head of audiences and communications, Scott Bird.

The pair were inspired by a visit to The Music Is Black: A British Story at V&A East, where Steele-Perkins' original photograph features in an exhibition exploring the influence of black British music.

Ms Daley-Campbell said: "Finding this photograph, a beautiful moment captured in time, was a joy and then to discover it was taken in Wolverhampton is so special.

"Bringing this picture to life is the ultimate way to honour our communities during Black History Month.

"This brilliant photograph by Chris Steele-Perkins has been around the world and we are thrilled to make those people who have been nameless for so long the main feature."

The exhibition coincides with this year's Black History Month theme, 'Honouring Our Communities', and aims to recognise the role Wolverhampton's black community has played in shaping the city's identity.

Mr Bird said: "This Black History Month people are going to be able to honour and celebrate black history, Wolverhampton history and our community's history at the Grand Theatre.

"Wolverhampton Grand is so much more than what is shown on stage.

"Our theatre always been about the stories of the people who ensure our theatre remains at the very heart of the local community and through our exhibition, we celebrate a diaspora who have always been part of our story yet whose legacy is finally about to have their moment in the spotlight."

Then & Now – Disco in Wolverhampton will be on display in the Grand Theatre's Encore Lounge from October 4 to 31.

Admission is free, with visitors able to view the exhibition whenever the theatre is open for performances.