The Finest Ruin by Ivo de Jager, a third year History student at the University of Leicester, is a play specially written for the Story of Parks project. The play was produced and performed by University of Leicester students and directed by Edward Spence.
The Finest Ruin is inspired by the Arch of Remembrance, the war memorial in Victoria Park. The Drama flicks between the 1920s when it was being designed by world-renowned architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, who also designed the India Gate in New Delhi, and the 1950s where two women from diverse cultural backgrounds happen to meet under the shadow of the Arch and become friends.
All three reflect on the meaning of art, friendship and remembrance whilst exploring what the Arch has come to represent for the people of Leicester. It was performed over several days in Leicester’s Y Theatre in 2016 and 2017. A special outdoor performance was held beneath the arch in Victoria park in November 2017.
‘Writing The Finest Ruin has been a great experience. I did a lot of research on the history of Leicester and the life of Sir Edwin Lutyens, to ensure the play is accurate and infuse it with life.’ -Ivo de Jager
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