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Past programme
Showcases an eclectic range of fresh and interesting contemporary work, largely by emerging artists
ELEFUNNY COMEDY NIGHT
A terrific line-up of up-and-coming comedians is taking over Blue Elephant - grab a drink and witness some of the most exciting acts the UK comedy circuit has to offer!
Line-up
COMPERE: FITZGERALD HONGER
A regular on the London comedy circuit, Fitzgerald Honger is a dynamic comedian who has performed in top comedy clubs across London and the UK including Up the Creek and the comedy store. When not doing comedy, Fitz is a producer. He’s worked for international companies spanning PR and broadcast television including MTV and Discovery, and has developed a wealth of contacts within the TV and entertainment industries.
DEE ALLUM
Dee Allum is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer.
Dee started her comedy career performing sketches with the Cambridge Footlights and wrote the prestigious Footlights Pantomime in 2018. Dee has also written and performed a 45-minute solo stand-up show, and has performed on the UK Comedy circuit, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at Latitude Festival.
In the last two years Dee has been nominated for Best Newcomer at the Chortle Awards, placed as runner up in the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year award 2021, won the 2Northdown New Act Competition 2021 and was a finalist in the 2022 BBC New Comedy Award competition.
SHARON WANJOHI
Sharon Wanjohi is an up and coming stand up comedian with a varied act ranging from shock to absurd comedy. A Chortle Student Comedy Award Finalist and Funny Women Stage Award Finalist, with 4 years on the circuit, she talks (maybe too much) about children's films and the cartoon dilfs that inspired a generation of sexual awakenings. And she thinks Ratatouille is a commentary on race.
SHALAKA KURUP
Shalaka is an observational comedian and a huge fan of living, laughing & loving.
She's performed at venues across London, including Angel Comedy, Vauxhall Comedy Club and the Comedy Store.
2Northdown New Act Competition Finalist 2022
Brighton Komedia New Act 2023: Runner Up
"Deadpan joy" - James Walsh, The Morning Star
“(an) air of easy professionalism” - Chortle
LUKE CRAIG
Finalist in the 2019 Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year, Luke Craig draws the audience in with his impeccable wit and stage presence. With topics ranging from his South London upbringing to fatherhood, Craig is surely one to watch out for.
“He is a compelling storyteller, with command of pacing, timing, and the dramatic pause.” – The Evening Standard
“His talk of growing up around the shady characters of Croydon and Lewisham, offer[s] some insight into a world not often credibly portrayed” - Chortle
RICKY BO LEE
Ricky is an upcoming comedian and writer from South London who uses his lived experiences to dissect and make fun of everyday life. He uses his comedy to point out the unspoken everyday things with a tint of nostalgia. Be sure to catch him on the circuit!
LUCA CUPANI
Luca has been no stranger to the comedy world circuit since – gigging in Dubai and across Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark to name a few) and of course in Italy, where he has appeared on Zelig, the most successful Italian TV comedy show (recorded live in front of an audience of 2300 people).
Cupani has appeared at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, competed in Seattle and San Francisco International Comedy Festival and regularly performs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Luca’s latest show Happy Orphan received multiple rave reviews.
His solo show in Italian has been broadcasted on the TV channel Rai 5 and it is available on streaming on Amazon Prime Video (Italian Stand Up, episode 3). Luca’s UK credits include appearing on Comedians Vs. News (BBC World Service) The Arts Hour (BBC World Service) and The Arts Hour International Comedy Show (BBC World Service)
Community Street Party
We are back for another Street Party!
Join us on Saturday 25 March from 12pm to 5pm for a street party on the Wyndham Road side of the Jessie Duffett Hall!
Supported by Southwark Council's Cultural Celebrations Fund, it will be a family-focused day with workshops and performances open to all.
Live music, dancing, performances, workshops... It's a day of celebration and a chance to get to know Blue Elephant and its activities better!
(in case of bad weather, the event will be relocated to Blue Elephant Theatre, 59A Bethwin Rd, SE5 0XT)
FREE
INCLUDING:
• A performance by Blue Elephant's very own Young People's Theatre
• Drama games led by our facilitators
• A giant mural to draw and paint on
• Music & salsa dancing
• Free tea, coffee and soft drinks
Blue Elephant Theatre will be open for bathroom facilities, just a few minutes walk away.
Lasagna
What would you do if a neighbour started to leave food on your doorstep? It’s the first national lockdown, two women, both strangers, step out and across the line that divides them.
Lasagna is based on the true life experiences of women who have lost multiple children to the care system. It celebrates community, generosity and humanity.
This performance of Lasagna will be followed by a post show panel including:
Catrina McHugh MBE, Artistic Director of Open Clasp & Writer of Lasagna (Chair)
Vanessa, Co-Creator of Lasagna
Jules Hillier, Pause CEO
.
From the company behind Key Change - New York Times Critics’ Pick and Sugar on BBC iPlayer.
“It made me smile and cry and restored faith in common humanity.”
“Lasagna provides much food for thought.”
“Lasagna was a fantastic production, I watched it twice…thought provoking, motivating and powerful piece.”
About Open Clasp
Open Clasp place theatre at the heart of transforming the lives of women and girls. We collaborate with women and young women excluded by theatre and society to create bold and urgent theatre for personal, social and political change.
We often work directly with women who are affected by the criminal justice system in England in prisons and in community settings to produce theatre of the highest quality. This is then used to influence public opinion, train service providers and influence policy debates. Our work is supported by the women we work with, and the partnerships nurtured in the women’s service sector, community organisations, and academia.
“Open Clasp - a remarkable company working with disempowered women.” The Guardian
Attempts On Her Life
Anne has lived a hundred lives.
She is a movie star, a refugee, a femme fatale, the girl next door, she is nothing and everything all at once.
Attempts on Her Life is a story of womanhood, the beauty of it and the threats to it. We see Anne through the various versions of her existence; a Hollywood actress, refugee, porn star, religious figure, the girl next door. All the things that Anne can be, under the thumb of impossible expectations. We follow her through the highlights and heartbreaks of her life, with the greatest tragedy of all being that Anne is in every one of us. The play consists of 17 scenarios where a range of nameless characters attempt to define who Anne really is.
About Eight Square Theatre
Eight Square Theatre was established at the end of 2021, first creating a Christmas-themed TIE piece which toured in primary schools, sharing the importance of looking after our environment. They are a group of 8 actors who are currently training at the Miskin Theatre and are looking to create a variety of work.
Follow Eight Square Theatre on socials: @8SquareTheatre
Content warnings: flashing lights, explicit language, sexual content
Bamboozled
The game is simple... you won’t know it until you’re in it.
Welcome to Bamboozled. We don’t know what’s going on, and neither do you.
About PipeItUp Theatre Company
PipeItUp members come from different theatrical backgrounds, and share interests of abstract storytelling through physical theatre and multimedia. Their process relies on ‘tentacular’ improvisation observed through their lens, taking inspiration from ‘Viewpoints’ theory and taking stylistic cues from Japanese ‘Butoh’ and the European ‘OBRA’ theatre company. They make honest work that incorporates the body in an authentic way.
Follow PipeItUp on Instagram: @pipeitupcompany
ERECT - 42 minutes plus shipping
Two young men make their first steps into the world of manual labour, and begin to face the demons it brings out in them.
ERECT is about friendship and hardship. Using song and dance to show what can't be said, and beer and sarcasm to say it another way, it highlights the pitfalls of putting on brave face for too long.
Devised by new company Wafer-Thin Theatre, ERECT focuses on masculinity, particularly male insecurities, and their ability to disrupt communication. It is a calling to the wonderful personalities within that get wrapped and packaged, stapled up and shipped away by a society unwilling to hear them.
About Wafer-Thin Theatre
Wafer-Thin Theatre is an emerging company run by Ty Nicholls and George Wait. They focus on devising original theatre, drawing from the techniques of a variety of European theatre practitioners and implementing elements of both naturalism and surrealism. Their work thus far has had a particular focus on men’s mental health, with a vision to uplift and inspire young men.
Led By The Wind
At what moment do you want to fly?
At what moment are you willing to give up the desire to fly?
Led By The Wind is a devised work-in progress that will embark from these questions. A rhapsody breaching boundaries between the memory and the imagined, the personal and the world, documentary and fiction through a blend of live music, moving images and performance.
About Ensemble Not Found
Not been said, not been shown, not been found.
Initially inspired by the infamous HTTP error message, Ensemble Not Found is a newly created theatre collective looking to provoke discussion through new forms of performance and collaborative theatre-making. We are currently run by a group of East Asian theatre artists who are looking to collaborate with artists of all cultures and disciplines.
Elephantology Festival
Elephantology is Blue Elephant Theatre’s Festival for recent graduates and those who are just entering the performing arts industry.
Starting off with an evening of solo performances showcasing 8 talented graduates, we will present three double bills of brand-new début shows.
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday 22 February, 7:30pm - Solo Performance Showcase
Thursday 23 February, 7pm - Violent Circumstances
Thursday 23 February, 8:30pm - Hummingbird (SOLD OUT)
Friday 24 February, 5pm - Hummingbird (SOLD OUT)
Friday 24 February, 7pm - Tiny Babies
Friday 24 February, 8:30pm - Violent Circumstances (SOLD OUT)
Saturday 25 February, 7pm - Hummingbird (SOLD OUT)
Saturday 25 February, 8:30pm - Tiny Babies
SOLO PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE
Come along to Elephantology Festival's opening event and discover the fresh talent of tomorrow!
We've invited nine recent graduates to showcase 10 minutes of work in progress of any genre, including monologues, comedy, dance, and spoken word. The artists in our line-up represent Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Trinity Laban, The Free Association, University of Chichester and more!
Line-up
• Axel Kengne - monologue
• Crystal Turner-Brightman - monologue
• Sammy Trotman - comedy monologue
• Mandy Tan & Malachi Briant - dance duet
• Jodie Stone - movement
• Ada Cotton - duologue
• Genevieve Labuschagne - monologue
• More TBA
VIOLENT CIRCUMSTANCES
by Susannah Cann and Molly O'Donnell
Thursday 23 February, 7pm
Friday 24 February, 8:30pm
Written in response to the murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, Violent Circumstances explores five young women's stories of everyday events that quickly turn into exhausting, humiliating and terrifying and fatal experiences.
This unfiltered, angry and darkly comic piece exposes the unknown and ignored experiences of women's everyday struggles with harassment, sexism and violence.
Creative team
Written and directed by Susannah Cann and Molly O’Donnell
Performed by Catherine Thomas, Phoebe Shepherd, Susannah Cann, Annabel Lisk
Movement Director: Annabel Lisk
About Active B!tch Face Theatre
Active B!tch Face Theatre is a new female-led company founded by Rose Bruford graduates Susannah Cann and Molly O’Donnell. Their main idea and drive is to create theatre with women's lives and issues at the centre of the work, whilst also having women sitting in the big decision-making roles in the creative team.
HUMMINGBIRD
by Ilayda McIntosh
Thursday 23 February, 8:30pm (SOLD OUT)
Friday 24 February, 5pm
Saturday 25 February, 7pm (SOLD OUT)
“Belonging? Simply a longing to be… right? Just be.”
Ella dreams of homecoming, Lloyd yearns for his beloved and their children confront their vulnerabilities.
When Ella’s world is torn apart by the Home Office’s ‘hostile environment’ policy, her loved and lost ones attempt to piece it back together.
Hummingbird is a thought-provoking and poignant new play, exploring the ways in which belonging is found in unfamiliar homes. Hummingbird touches on the complexity of British identity and the way migrant communities find a place within them.
Written by Ilayda McIntosh, associate artist at Nouveau Riche and participant of TALAWA’s debut writers group, Hummingbird challenges and blends theatrical form through dub-poetry, music and poetic verse. Based on real-lived experiences.
TINY BABIES
by Sally MacAlister
Friday 24 February, 7pm
Saturday 25 February, 8:30pm
"I’m going to chew my food before I swallow. I’m going to drink a glass of water in between every single glass of wine. And I’m going to let you tell him."
Rona and Sophie are twins. They are one organ. They share a brain. But there are certain things they don’t see eye to eye on.
Rona wants to fight. Sophie wants to forget.
When Sophie’s partner comes to dinner, Rona needs to make a call: allow her sister the life she’s always wanted, or unearth a family secret, long-hidden before the two were even whispers of people.
Tiny Babies is a raw and unflinching dark comedy, exploring inherited trauma in bodies that weren’t there, but still feel it.
Supported by
The Interview
“I think when it comes down to it Daniel, we’re probably looking for the same thing.”
“Peace.”
An interview is being held. Dan has volunteered. The interviewer must be impartial.
As the process progresses, both Dan and The Interviewer realise that understanding why we do what we do, and how our brains have been influenced by the world around us, is no easy task.
The Interview is an absurdist two-hander that explores the insidious nature of sexual assault in our society. Join new company Slime & Pies for this work-in-progress by debut Playwright Eleanor Roberts.
About the artists
The Interview is the London debut of new theatre company Slime & Pies_. Formed in 2022, Slime & Pies_ have recently worked at The Traverse, Edinburgh on an R&D of Kill the Second Coming with Slime & Pies by Ellen Bannerman.
Grown Men Keep Breaking My Heart
Grown Men Keep Breaking My Heart is a short dance theatre piece that tells the story of two best friends who, after losing contact with one another as teenagers, choose to rekindle their relationship over an evening of partying and drinking. This meetup leads to an eventful evening of revisiting pivotal moments in their lives that shaped them into who they are, and within that shaped the actions and thoughts towards one another and the world.
The piece explores themes of youth, relationships, mental health, and social politics. It comments on the current climate young men grow up in without real leadership, and offers another perspective that is both meaningful and intimate, as well as a much needed platform for young men to access in order to heal, learn and progress.
Grown Men Keep Breaking My Heart mixes a range of styles the artists have trained in, such as Hip Hop, commercial, Kathak, and explores them under the umbrella of contemporary dance.
Supported by
- Frances Prenn, Alexis Prenn, David Cazalet, Lucia Fortune-Ely, Rambert School, Corey Baker Dance
A Guest
Work in progress presented as part of Blue Elephant's residency programme.
A Guest follows a married couple who really are good people. They’re vegan, they’ve adopted, they care about others. Really. So when she brings a stranger to live in their house while he was away on his Yoga retreat, it shouldn’t come as a shock. They are good people after all. But, really, who is she? In this family nothing is as it seems.
A Guest is a riveting new play by Aaron Kilercioglu (For A Palestinian) about hospitality, the nuclear family, and our very British class anxiety.
About the writer
Aaron’s debut sell-out play For A Palestinian (published by Methuen Drama) debuted at Camden People’s Theatre and Bristol Old Vic. He is currently on commission writing plays for Boundless Theatre and Elleanor Lloyd Productions. His previous work has won the BOLD Playwrights Prize and the Methuen Drama ‘Other’ Prize, and has been shortlisted for the Theatre503 Int. Playwriting Prize.
Praise for A Palestinian (2022):
★★★★★ (Everything Theatre)
★★★★★ (Pocket Size Theatre)
★★★★★ (The Reviews Hub)
★★★★★ (West End Evenings)
★★★★★ (RachelReviewed)
★★★★ (WhatsOnStage)
A Topsy Turvy Christmas
Christmas is a little bit different this year.
Blue Elephant Theatre are back again with another festive family treat!
Combining side splitting comedy, audience interaction and a heartwarming message, A Topsy Turvy Christmas is set to delight audiences this December.
Christmas is Robin’s favourite time of year. But this year, everything is different. Her dad isn’t living with them anymore, and although she sees him a lot, it isn’t the same. Despite her efforts to make everything perfect and to feel normal again, nothing seems to be going right.
It only gets more peculiar when she is transported into one of her presents!
Inside her beautiful snow globe, the world is topsy turvy, her best friend is a Christmas tree, and Santa is very unusual indeed. Robin embarks on an adventure to help put things right, but discovers that change is all part of the journey.
A story about navigating change, listening to ourselves and finding Christmas magic, wherever you go.
Suitable for all the family but aimed at ages 4-8 years.
Running time: 45 min.
All performances are relaxed. For more info about access, please message info@blueelephanttheatre.co.uk
Dates:
• Fri 9 Dec, 4:30pm
• Sat 10 Dec, 2pm SOLD OUT
• Sat 10 Dec, 4:30pm SOLD OUT
• Sun 11 Dec, 2pm SOLD OUT
• Sun 11 Dec, 4:30pm SOLD OUT
• JUST ADDED Sat 17 Dec, 11am
• Sat 17 Dec, 2pm SOLD OUT
• Sat 17 Dec, 4:30pm SOLD OUT
• JUST ADDED Sun 18 Dec, 11am
• Sun 18 Dec, 2pm SOLD OUT
• Sun 18 Dec, 4:30pm SOLD OUT
• JUST ADDED Tue 20 Dec, 11am
• JUST ADDED Tue 20 Dec, 2pm
A Topsy Turvy Christmas is generously supported by Unity Theatre Trust and Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.
Supported by
existentialism. (work in progress)
A new work about loneliness, isolation, and self-worth defined by early childhood relationships with music.
Tickets are Pay What You Choose.
About Iona Kirk
Iona is a neurodivergent dancer-actor, choreographer, and early career theatre maker. Iona is an alumna of London Studio Centre. She conceived & choreographed her debut work ‘(un)written • (un)heard’ with 45North and Ellandar Productions in 2019 which was presented at Fringe World Perth 2020 winning the International Dance & Physical Theatre Award. Iona has worked as a dancer with English National Opera 2018/19 and is supported in residency by Space Clarence Mews.
She is part of Ellandar's digital project ‘Yoga For The Feet’ a digital theatre work prioritising access & collaborating with neurodivergent artists originally presented at Liberty Festival 2022. Her current work-in-progress harmony. 天人合一 was a commission from Certain Blacks and is being presented as a work-in-progress at The Pleasance Futures Festival 2022.
ELEFUNNY COMEDY NIGHT
A terrific line-up of up-and-coming comedians is taking over Blue Elephant - grab a drink and witness some of the most exciting acts the UK comedy circuit has to offer!
Including:
CHIN WANG
DAVINA BENTLEY
VIGGO VENN
AHMED IBRAHIM
LESLIE GOLD
MACLARRY
Compered by FITZGERALD HONGER
CHIN WANG
Having grown up in China and now living in the UK, Chin Wang is an up-coming stand-up comedian in the UK comedy scene. Chin’s infinitely likable stage persona and belting gags have seen her ripping up live gigs from London to Glasgow as well as radio shows in Scotland and virtual shows streamed to Shanghai. Funny, charming, and hilariously honest, Chin is fast becoming one of the most exciting new acts to see.
DAVINA BENTLEY
Comedian Davina Bentley is a Jewish London raised comic, inspired by high status US comics such as Michelle Wolf and Ali Wong, who tackle subjects previously deemed off limits. Since starting writing and performing stand-up comedy six years ago, Davina has reached the finals of numerous competitions and performs regularly in comedy clubs including Top Secret, Vauxhall and Fulham.
As a lawyer who does not suffer fools gladly, Davina examines the absurdity of modern life and pop culture - her cynical outlook is perfectly contrasted with her energetic and smile-filled performances.
As well as performing stand-up up comedy, Davina posts sketches regularly on TikTok and Instagram, parodying the hard-hitting political TV dramas Made In Chelsea and Emily in Paris. her current TikTok record stands at 600k views for her depiction of ‘“Bohemian” Islington Dad.’
VIGGO VENN
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Viggo Venn is a Clown, Comedian and Norwegian! Norway is very very boring… Luckily Viggo is not, and he relocated to London and recently won the “NATYS - New Act of The Year”. His solo show “Viggo Venn: Club Comedian” sold out its Edinburgh Fringe run.
AHMED IBRAHIM
King Kong winner 2021. Another of South London’s brightest lights, Ahmed has appeared at Up the Creek and many other top comedy clubs. His natural, relaxed style is charming and endearing.
LESLIE GOLD
New Jersey native Leslie Gold speaks truth to power - and to anyone who will listen. With no patience for idiocy, Leslie is endearingly funny and confident enough to get away with it.
West End New Act of the Year One to Watch 2022
So You Think You’re Funny Semi-Finalist 2021
MACLARRY
Maclarry is a South African comedian raised by the world on a mission to bring laughter to all. Join him on his journey of funny as he crafts hilarious tales in his warm, natural style including navigating life in London, fatherhood and adulting in general.
FITZGERALD HONGER - COMPERE
A regular on the London comedy circuit, Fitzgerald Honger is a dynamic comedian who has performed in top comedy clubs across London and the UK including Up the Creek and the comedy store. When not doing comedy, Fitz is a producer. He’s worked for international companies spanning PR and broadcast television including MTV and Discovery, and has developed a wealth of contacts within the TV and entertainment industries.
2023
2023 is a response to the climate crisis and the growing need for change in the world we’re living in.
A change of awareness in how we relate to our earth is needed urgently. Although we are facing unprecedented challenges as a collective with our planet, there is still time to shift the direction.
With original music by world-renowned composers, James Keane (Hofesh Shechter, Theo Clinkard, Joss Arnott) and Joe Scott (Lauryn Hill, Peter Gabriel, Blackstreet), 2023 takes the audience on a sensory adventure inviting us to reflect on our own relationship to the earth and allowing us a glimpse into the world we can create when we reconnect with our planet.
________
About Noa Genazzano / Universe In Motion
Born in Barcelona, Noa Genazzano was raised in NYC. She graduated from The Ailey School where she performed alongside Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. After relocating to London she worked with esteemed choreographers Maxine Doyle, Vinicius Salles, and Humanhood, among others.
In 2018 she founded Universe in Motion to inspire personal and global shifts in awareness through movement, meditation, and performance art. Her work, U Are The Universe, premiered at Triskelion Arts in NYC.
Follow Noa on Instagram: @universeinmotion
Check out Noa's website: www.noagenazzano.com
Reviews
Britton Fisher, Board Member The Joyce Theatre, New York City
Danica Paulos, Company Member Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater