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Company number: 3724349
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Past programme
Showcases an eclectic range of fresh and interesting contemporary work, largely by emerging artists
Not Four Girls
big mess are on a quest to unleash their inner dancer. Come and see them take their first steps into the world of performance in their new comedy show Not Four Girls.
Inspired by the work of Leona Lewis, the protagonists bring spectacle, splendour and sweat, Not Four Girls reach heights that they have never reached before; exploring friendship, trust and bravery. These girls (sort of) are working hard and giving you everything they’ve got. So relax, take a deep breath and prepare yourself for a show like no other. Rice, Ribbons and Bleeding Love are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg
big mess are a theatre company emerging from the University of Surrey intent on making work to empower and inspire all! big mess are passionate about the world, about politics, feminism, gender identities and so much more. They’re here to make shows that matter, even if it gets a bit messy in the process.
Not Four Girls is presented as part of Elephantology, Blue Elephant Theatre’s festival showcasing the work of recent graduates.
Move Fast and Break Things
“Move fast and break things. Unless you are breaking stuff, you are not moving fast enough.” Mark Zuckerberg
We are moving fast.
Really fast.
Powered by data, we are hurtling towards a future where algorithms determine the direction of all of our lives. What we wear. What we eat. Who we vote for. Who we love.
In fact, they already do all of these things.
Because, we moved fast.
But somewhere down the line, we will wonder:
What did we break?
And can it be fixed?
Alone in an office, one Facebook moderator thinks about these things.
And decides to take action.
What happens next will change everything.
Freight Theatre present a work-in-progress show about the internet and ourselves. A piece of movement theatre that delves deep into the world of Big Data in search of something to celebrate: in search of what it really means to be human.
Praise for previous work:
“Works beautifully” - The Scotsman (4*).
“Actually practises what it preaches” - The Sunday Times.
“Brilliant from start to finish” - The Cherwell (4.5*).
“A treat to behold” - DailyInfo.
Freight Theatre are a London-based emerging theatre company who cover big issues through intimate human stories. We believe in making theatre that can be shown anywhere for anyone - location and situation should be no barrier to the opportunity to experience experimental theatre. Founded three years ago, previous projects have included plays such as ‘Lovesong’ (Abi Morgan) and ‘The Crocodile’ (Tom Basden), and devised movement theatre including a new play, ‘Brink’(Alastair Curtis).
Move Fast and Break Things is now fully booked. Please call 02077010100 to be added to the waiting list for returns.
The Christmas Quest
Not many people have heard of The Letter-Machine but it has a very important job. Possibly the most important job of all. It processes all the letters to Santa and makes sure every child is remembered.
When it breaks in a terrible storm, an Elf, a Reindeer and a Teddy set out on a quest to find the parts to fix it. A happy Christmas depends on it.
The Christmas Quest is a new show for families by Blue Elephant Theatre. Full of slapstick humour and joyfulness, it celebrates differences and shares a strong message of inclusivity.
Performance times:
Saturday 7th: 2pm& 4.30pm
Sunday 8th: 2pm & 4.30pm (fully booked)
Monday 9th: 10.45am & 1.30pm (both performances fully booked)
Tuesday 10th: 10.45am & 1.30pm (both performances fully booked)
Thursday 12th: 10.45am & 1.30pm
Friday 13th: 1.30pm & 4.30pm (both performances fully booked)
Saturday 14th: 2pm & 4.30pm (fully booked)
Sunday 15th: 2pm & 4.30pm (both performances fully booked)
Monday 16th: 10.45am & 1.30pm (both performances fully booked)
Tuesday 17th: 10.45am & 1.30pm (both performances fully booked)
I Love Myself, Do You?
I Love Myself, Do You? explores the old Cherokee fable of two wolves fighting within you. One is good, the other is evil.
Which one wins? The one you feed.
Fusing contemporary dance, physical and hip-hop theatre, Michaela Cisarikova directs three female dancers to create personal stories of beauty, identity and self-worth which feel fundamentally universal, all with a vibrant original score composed by Ross Allchurch.
Suitable for 10+
As part of ACE #ThankstoYou week, an under 18 will go free with a paying adult with a lottery ticket, and lone adults with lottery tickets can get £9 tickets. Please call 020 7701 0100 for more information and to book.
Easy
My best friend Meg actually lost it last week, to her boyfriend Amir.
Apparently he lit candles.
Magical, was the word she used.
Alice would give anything for something magical to happen to her. But she’s shy, has no idea how to contour and the last thing she loved was a roast potato.
She feels ordinary. Unremarkable. Unpopular.
Until Jamie from Maths messages her.
Finally, something is about to happen to Alice.
Something big. Something she won’t ever forget. Something she never expected.
And the whole school knows.
Easy is a powerful new play by Amy Blakelock, exploring what happens when we combine social media, love island ideals, Snapchat and teenage insecurity. An intimate portrait of adolescence today, Easy asks us – why is it so hard to believe we’re good enough as we are?
Easy has been developed in consultation with teachers and teenagers and free PSHE workshops are available for school and youth group bookings. Workshops are supported by the leading UK sexual health charity Brook.
The performances on Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th November are previews and prices are £10.00 (full), £9.00 (conc.) & £8.00 (Southwark Residents)
Easy is a new play by Amy Blakelock about issues encountered by teenagers today and is recommended for ages 14+. Easy was a finalist in the Best Production for Young People aged 13+ category at the offwestend.com awards.
Supported by
Turtle Dove
Everyone loves a love story. Turtle Dove explores true tales of the sometimes bumpy, funny and sad journeys we take with our relationships. Made from interviews with people of all ages and sexualities, their voices are weaved into the musical soundtrack and their honesty and secrets are brought to life through dance and theatre. This duet is a heart-warming, candid and witty show that celebrates all forms of love and touches on life’s heartaches.
Devised in collaboration with leading composer Dougie Evans and script writer for the BBC Nick Walker, Turtle Dove is characterised by creative use of text, effortless physicality and its authenticity. Come and experience the stories of strangers who will soon feel like friends.
Produced in association with Lîla Dance.
“Love...appears in a memory recalled, in a shiver of anticipation, in energy and in space...Turtle Dove is genuinely heart-warming.”
Sanjoy Roy - Resolution! Review
“Performed so well, with great sincerity”
Wen Amanda Koh- Resolution! Review
Suitable for ages 14+
Turtle Dove Trailer from Amy Morvell on Vimeo.
Supported by
Chica Michelle Concert - October 2019
Treat yourself to an evening with some of South London’s most exciting new acts.
After a successful launch in August, Chica Michelle Concert is a new platform for emerging artists with their own distinctive and individual style of performance.
Expect music, dance and more in this fresh explosion of talent, headlined by Chica Michelle.
The other exciting up and coming artists include:
Alice Callari
Doze Crude
Richard Rawal
George Wilkis
Sophie Lagan
Lea Baruffato
DJ Pharaohz
Comedian MC Mark
Alice Callari
George Wilks
George Wilks is an up and coming musician, producer and songwriter from the South of England. Learning his first instrument at the age of 6, he found his love of music early on, and discovered a passion for performing which he has continued to this day.
He will perform acoustic versions of his songs at the Chica Michelle Concert, however he records tracks as a one man band, using piano, guitar, and drums pads.
George is looking to release original material on to streaming services in the near future, so keep an ear out for the exciting things he has planned.
DJ Pharaohz
Doze Crude
Sophie Lagan
Ricardo Rawal
Ricardo Rawal is a Dancehall/Reggae artist. He was born in Jamaica and now lives in London.
He says "Music has always been a passion of mine. Expressing how I feel and what I'm going through at that moment in my life has helped me overcome some hard situations. I write from the heart and express everything in my words. current I have a EP out titled "Can't stop my shine" streaming on Apple music, iTunes and spotify. I hope people all over the world can relate to my songs and the lyrics I speak, if not, I hope they can bop their head and tap their foot to the beat."
Lea Baruffato
Carrier of a husky voice and a bluesy/rock guitar, Lea combines different influences like Rock, Pop, Country, Indie and Folk Rock in an original and characteristic style thanks to his travels and Argentinian roots.
He writes songs about life experiences with the ultimate goal of touching people's souls.
Weight/Wait
Karen's at her first counselling session. Will her mind let her stay?
This “completely engaging and emotionally intelligent" dance theatre duet explores the mental and physical ‘weight’ of our thoughts and inner voice through raw, physical movement, dark humour, original text and music. The audience are taken on a journey with Karen as she tries to keep her head above water.
"It reveals the fragility of the human condition"
Arts for Health
"a powerful piece of contemporary dance theatre and an emotional rollercoaster that is gripping from start to finish.....an exquisite duet performed by two very impressive dance artists”
Nadia Strahan, Fringe Review
“Empathetically tactful, gracefully written and exceptionally performed, Weight/Wait is as exquisite as it is heart-wrenching, a welcome conversation on anxiety through dance.”
Hannah Lee, Voice Magazine
Caldonia & Katharine create original stories using movement, theatre and spoken word. They engage directly with audiences by presenting relevant topics with emotionally driven content and by breaking the fourth wall. They create from ideas that spark conversation and find light-hearted ways to provoke responses.
Weight/Wait is supported by Arts Council England, Arts for Health, DanceXchange, Rural Media Company/Random Acts and Spin Arts.
Weight/Wait is now fully booked and we are operating a waiting list. Please call 02077010100 if you would like to be added to it.
Weight/Wait - Production Trailer from caldonia dances on Vimeo.
Ellipsis
In a world where apathy is the norm, Emma has always pursued the idea of perfection. Nothing could stand in her way. But when a mysterious epidemic ravages the world she lives in and panic becomes common, all that changes.
That's when the testing starts….
This preview performance is The Rose Company’s first project, presented ahead of a full run in 2020.
Way Back When...
A playful storytelling performance and workshop for families, created by Blue Elephant Theatre for Black History Month.
Weaving together African and Caribbean folklore and factual history, Way Back When… celebrates the efforts of previous generations, finding inspiration for today.
Tickets are FREE but should be booked in advance to confirm availability.
Suitable for all ages, especially for 6-10.
Performances will take place at:
Peckham Library on Tuesday 22 October at 2pm
Blue Elephant Theatre on Saturday 26 October at 11.30am
Brandon Library on Saturday 26 October at 2pm
Supported by
Hurricane Diaries
Victoria is from Puerto Rico, an island ravaged by a hurricane like none before it. Finding herself in London, she looks back at what it is to be from a place forever changed by violent forces.
As she recalls three major hurricanes that hit the island, this solo show reveals a woman rooted in Latin America, shaped by its history, but living far away from home.
Hurricane Diaries explores the complex relationship an immigrant has with their country of birth, the devastating effects of natural disasters on poverty stricken nations and how colonial regimes affect countries today.
Nuestro pueblo jamás será derrotado, pues generación tras generación parirá héroes y heroínas.
Our country will never be beaten, as generation after generation, we breed heroes.
Pedro Albizu Campos
Hurricane Diaries is written and performed by Amanda Vilanova, a Puerto Rican theatre maker living in London. Her work explores the immigrant experience in the United Kingdom, cultural nostalgia and colonialism.
Reviews
Swish
Swish, swoosh, splosh!
Welcome to the Ocean! Come and join the fun with Dotty, Blue and Olive on the reef – and help them watch out for the strange orange Tangle and other mysterious things that keep appearing in the ocean.
Featuring puppetry, Makaton and plenty of audience interaction, Swish is a playful multisensory exploration of life underwater and the positive ways in which we can reduce plastic in the ocean.
Chica Michelle Concert
Treat yourself to an evening with some of South London’s most exciting new acts.
Chica Michelle Concert is a new platform for emerging artists with their own distinctive and individual style of performance.
Expect music, dance and more in this fresh explosion of talent, headlined by Chica Michelle.
Free refreshments with your ticket.
Doors open at 6pm, with the performances starting at 7pm.
Friday Flop
What happens when you put a bunch of clowns into a theatre with an audience?
Ever feel uneasy in the current climate? Faced with a global tsunami of idiocy in the real world, who will make sense of it all? Clowns have been making the meaningless, the taboo and the unthinkable into digestible fun for millennia. Why would they baulk at the present opportunity?
To laugh or not to laugh, that is the question.
London's international clown company continue their research into what makes clowning happen.
Citizens of Nowhere all trained at the London Clown School in the art of ridiculing themselves and everything else. They are trained to respond to laughter (and its absence) and directed by Jon Davison, one of the world’s leading clown practitioners.
Supported by
Science Adventures
In their top secret lab, the science fictionaries are trying to collect the fizziest, flashiest, most marvellous stories about science! Join them on their quest and maybe they will even tell you a few - if they can get the computer to work!
Stories about the wonders of space, stories about dinosaurs, stories about asking amazing questions. Using specially designed interactive technology, storytelling and puppets, this band of mad scientists have created a delightful show for children aged 5-12 years and adventurous adults!
Don’t miss this special chance to see the show before the science fictonaries head to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!
*suitable for younger children too.
Coppice Theatre is a Cornwall based company specialising in creating engaging, entertaining and accessible productions that showcase talent, new writing, design and new digital media. We are a collective of practitioners that work across multiple projects and collaborate with various Cornwall based companies. Our work is aimed at young audiences and we all share a love of great storytelling.
