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Past programme
Showcases an eclectic range of fresh and interesting contemporary work, largely by emerging artists
Lewis Peake at Blue Elephant Theatre
In this exhibition by artist Lewis Peake we are presented with a series of alien creatures and futuristic landscapes. The subjects of his environmental paintings, inspired by mechanical shapes and organic forms, are partially obscured by what might be dust, pollution or planetary atmosphere. The two opposing forces, nature and technology also influence these pictures - how they compete and become enmeshed. The way they both clutch at an existence, behave erratically, occupying unexpected places and surviving in compromised states is constantly unnerving.
As well as using traditional media, many of these landscapes began as sketches drawn on his iphone whilst on the London Underground. These are then used as a base layer, painted over and textured using digital media.
Depicted in this recent series of creature sketches, we meet personified animal hybrids with altered physical features. They are moulded out of Earth’s inhabitants but have been tampered with and given warped anatomy. The challenge with these beasts is keeping the familiar animalistic features while also incorporating a sinister alien quality.
The exhibition can be viewed before and after performances of Boy in Darkness, and by appointment during office hours on weekdays. Please call 02077010100 to arrange to see it.
roswitha in soffitta
Roswitha is peculiar!
Lost in her memories, with only suitcases for companions, she is trying to find her way home. Gathering courage, she journeys through unexpected places to face her future and leave the past behind.
roswitha in soffitta is a piece of physical theatre and mime by Selma Roth with music by Alex Judd.
roswitha in soffitta from Selma Roth on Vimeo.
Reviews
Supported by
Physical Science
Our three scientists take children on a movement adventure, to learn about three magical potions that can transform your body in different ways!
Physical Science is an interactive dance performance for children aged 5-7 years, taking them on a journey through science.
Physical Science is designed with accessibility in mind, and a live audio narration and British Sign Language (BSL) are both integrated into the performance. We welcome children with speech and language learning needs, physical and sensory disabilities, and English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Reviews
Supported by
MYTHS
Join the Fates for an evening of hilarity in the underworld as Hammer and Tongs Theatre take on the myths of Ancient Greece. Dodge snakes with Medusa’s stylists, chug protein shakes with the goddess of war, and glimpse the dinner-party squabbles on Mount Olympus that really started the Trojan War.
The Greek Myths retold as you’ve never seen them before, accompanied by live music!
Praise for Hammer & Tongs Theatre’s Arabian Nights
‘There are only so many words to say how fabulous this production was. Creative, inventive, witty and original... I was captivated’ - Southwark News
‘One of the best pieces of pure theatre I’ve seen in fifteen years' - Snipe London
***** ‘A great night out. Keep an eye on this bunch’ Remote Goat
**** ‘So funny…the applause didn't stop’ - Views From the Gods
**** ‘I’ve never seen anything quite like this before, and would like to see more of it' - Female Arts
Reviews
Southwark News
MYTHS Illustrated
This collection of illustrations created by artist Lizzie Kendal is based on the script of MYTHS – Greek Legends: A Comedy Remake, currently showing at the Blue Elephant Theatre. She is sister to the show’s Director, Jennifer Rose Lee with whom she is delighted to be working in collaboration.
By using a different medium to explore these stories, Lizzie hopes that her watercolours will bring a new and delightful perspective on the play during your post or pre-theatre cup of tea/ glass of wine/ sit down!
All works displayed here are for sale, ask the Blue Elephant staff for more information. For commissions and to see more of Lizzie Kendal’s work please see lizzietheartist.tumblr.com
The exhibition can be seen before and after peformances of MYTHS, Tuesday to Saturday. Appointments to see the exhibition during the day, Monday to Friday, must be made prior to visiting.
Wine World Map: Northern Hemisphere
Joe Stevens, artist.
"The origin of my current creative practice is a work called Wine Games from 2007, which was a sculptural assemblage of Wine Gums laid out in an algorithm-derived pattern on a chequerboard floor. This was the catalyst for further works resulting from and inspired by the work. Wine Games used an algorithm to generate information that was then used as the raw material for further activity, with the different Wine Gums colours indicating a direction on the grid floor. By using an algorithm with the methodology of the grid I am able to redirect creative endeavour into this focused and autonomous structure to generate a perpetual guidance system that dictates this structure for each new context that I explore.
Wine World is shorthand for Wine Games: World, which is in itself an extension of the original Wine Games concept. The ultimate goal of Wine World is to play the game on a global scale and, like the mythical Phoenix with five colours that symbolize the five virtues; the chosen colour scheme can be interpreted on the level of symbolism: black for contentment, red love, green humility, orange compassion and yellow truth."
http://wineworld82.wordpress.com
@winegames82
The exhibition can be seen before and after dates where there is a show, typically Tuesday to Saturday, but please check in advance. Appointments to see the exhibition during the day, Monday to Friday, must be made prior to visiting as we cannot guarantee access to the space on a walk in basis.
Spare Tyre Scratches
Brace yourself for new writing that will touch your heart, scuff your emotions.
Gavin Dent directs provocative and abrasive new writing by three emerging artists aged 70+ . Writers explore ageing: looking back, looking forward, looking towards death.
Scratches challenges prejudice and celebrates diversity.
Spare Tyre is one of the UK’s leading participatory arts charities. They have over 35 years of experience of using and making theatre that enables voiceless communities and individuals to share and celebrate their untold stories.
Recommended for ages 14+.
Running time: 85 minutes
Reviews
The Son of Heaven, the Servant of God & the Map of the World
“You may travel about while reclining at ease, and scan the countries of the world without going out of doors.”
Beijing, 1582. An Italian Jesuit presents the Emperor of China with a map as tall as a man and twice as wide, one of the first ever to show the whole world, old and new, East and West.
Anticipating the internet by four hundred years, two men -- one thousands of miles from home, the other in a palace he would never leave – survey the world without taking a step. A journey through memory and imagination to discover whether home is a place or something we carry within ourselves.
A work-in-progress production by Tattooed Potato.
“Intriguing… packed full of daring approaches, strong acting and bold imagery”
★★★★ Views from the Gods on Tattooed Potato’s The Nightmare Dreamer
Reviews
Cycles of the Southern Wild
In November 2012 Cat Gerrard began a journey across America, by bicycle. She soon learned that 2767 miles is not just a journey on a map: it’s a journey into our own depths.
Travelling across swamp and desert, stretched out and blown about by forces outside and in, she discovered how to stay still at full tilt. Join Cat and cyclist and percussionist Belinda Sherlock as they interclash and rhythmically mash storytelling and percussion, using only their voices, bodies and bicycles.
"Cat Gerrard has taken the art of the personal narrative to a new dimension in Cycles of the Southern Wild, it is woven cleverly into fragments of myth and folklore; Gerrard steps gracefully between them all. Her touch is light and her presence is captivating. She invites us as audience to go with her, and it is easy to say yes".
~ Clare Muireann Murphy, Storyteller
Reviews
Supported by
The Lonely Room
Time has stopped.
They wait.
And wait…
and wait ...
and wait.
They wait, surrounded by nothingness and the empty loneliness of their existence. Occasionally, they catch a glimpse of hopeful change and move beyond their fears. But as quickly as it comes, it goes...
The Lonely Room is an enchanting mime duet by Eloise Carles and Flavia Bertram telling the story of two women trapped in the in-between of life. This story is inspired by our inner passive dreamers. We all know them: they articulate their desires, but take no real action towards fulfilling their imagined adventures. Through the language of corporeal mime and dance set to an atmospheric score, the duo create a timeless world of fears, anxieties, dreams and - most importantly - hope.
The Lonely Room is presented as is a work-in-progress. Eloise and Flavia intend to take it to Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015 and showcase the project internationally.
There will be a chance for questions and answers after the show.
Reviews
Supported by
A Double Bill of New Works- in-Progress
Lone Rangers
One female human discovers she is not alone.
So does the other.
Physical comedy Lone Rangers combines clowning, monsters and a lifetime supply of shaving equipment. How will our heroines survive the first chapter of their perilous adventure?
One for Sorrow
Keith has been awake for six days. He will do just about anything to avoid sleeping. He’s been talking to his grandmother, even though she’s dead, and now he wants to talk to us.
One for Sorrow is a darkly comic audience with a man confronting his lifelong nightmares.
Reviews
Anna Nguyen at Blue Elephant Theatre
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These paintings are part of Anna’s current theatre show A Dream from a Bombshell which explores the Vietnamese diaspora and the struggles between first and second generation Vietnamese.
Anna embarked upon her journey, looking back at her history and heritage, including the Vietnam war, after witnessing a devastating cycle of anger and aggression that devoured her family. These works came about to heal and unify her family.
Anna Nguyen is a British Vietnamese artist and theatre director and co-founder of Trikhon Theatre. To find out more about her show visit www.trikhontheatre.com
The exhibition can be seen before and after dates where there is a show, typically Tuesday to Saturday, but please check in advance. Appointments to see the exhibition during the day, Monday to Friday, must be made prior to visiting as we cannot guarantee access to the space on a walk in basis.
SEA ArtsFest Scratch
SEA ArtsFest is the first Southeast Asian arts festival in the UK, championing and developing the work of the artists of Southeast Asia and those inspired by Southeast Asia. SEA ArtsFest brings together artists, practitioners, makers and thinkers to increase awareness of SEA Arts and its audience base.
The SEA ArtsFest Scratch is a new platform introduced this year by the SEA ArtsFest to provide a platform for new work inspired by Southeast Asia or by emerging Southeast Asian artists. The Scratch looks to showcase new works in progress and support them to develop further.
A Night of Black History
A Night of Black History is a multi-performance night that allows talented and positive young people to embrace their amazing gifts and individualism to inspire others.
Through the eyes of a young boy, we explore and celebrate black history with a wide variety of performing acts. They will perform artistic pieces inspired by their own knowledge and perception of black history.
Come on down and celebrate Black History Month with Vice Voices UK and Blue Elephant Theatre. This is definitely a night not to be missed.
In Transit
In Transit is a voyage through the mind of Ella, who has lost all perception of where and who she is. Desperate to re-learn her past, she brings us into a world full of strange characters where she will unlock the secrets of her broken mind and confront the hardest moment of her life.
One hour. One actor. 27 characters. A highly physical one-woman show accompanied by original live music, In Transit is a tragicomical tale which captures moments of sheer beauty alongside nuggets of sweet and well-observed humour.
First Runner-up, Best International show Brighton Fringe 2013.
Reviews
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