production – The Cultural Exposé

Something you should see… In The Beginning was the End at Somerset House

Ed Spencer — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:00:01 +0000

Depending on what you’ve read or what translation you consult, come the eve of December 21st we may be reaching for our nearest and dearest and preparing ourselves for the afterlife. Yes, the longest day creeps ever closer and with it the end of the Mayan calendar (yet some people have the audacity to plan for 2013. Are they mad?). In any case, the more optimistic reading of this arcane calendar is that the date in question marks the end of an era, and rather than a total wipe-out, it may be a brave new world come the 22nd. This sticky subject is tackled by Dreamthinkspeak – – the much lauded site-responsive theatre company – who’ll be returning to Somerset House in the New Year for In the Beginning was the End, a special blend of film, installation and live performance that explores a world either on the verge of collapse – or the brink of rebirth. Let’s hope we’re still here to enjoy this cultural discussion.

If you’re not familiar with Dreamthinkspeak, they have been around since 1999 mesmerising audiences with their site specific performances. This ensemble of actors, technicians and assorted creatives meld different mediums to create an all immersive journey for the audience, making them winners of the Peter Brook Empty Space Equity Ensemble Award in 2010. With their new gargantuan production, inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci and The Book of Revelation and utilising some avant-garde stage production, Dreamthinkspeak promise a journey through underground passages, the undiscovered nooks and crannies of Somerset House and require you take your life into your hand.
The superlatives flowed last time for their 2004 production Don’t Look Back, described variously as ‘beautiful’, ‘intricate’, ‘terrifying’ and ‘involving’ – and anyone that enjoyed the sold-out You Me Bum Bum Train will love this. The action doesn’t unfold until January, but shows like these don’t go on sale early for nothing, so grab a ticket while (and if) you can. (Words: Ed Spencer)

In The Beginning Was The End runs from January 28 – March 30 2013.For more info, visit http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/performance/in-the-beginning-was-the-end

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Something you should see… Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show LIVE!

Laura Thornley — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:00:27 +0000

If you are the kind of person that knows where their towel is (and we most certainly are) then I won’t need to tell you about whats happening at Hackney Empire this July. This main London date forms part of a wider national tour of a new stage/radio show of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy written and directed by Dirk Maggs. The legendary story started life on the wireless and has since been seen in many other guises from TV series and books to a film in 2005.

If you are new to Hitchhiker’s, Don’t Panic! You will, of course, be made most welcome. You can expect a blend of quaintly English sci-fi humour such as answers to the ultimate question of life and the demolition of Earth which is “almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea”. The actor Simon Jones from the original TV series will be playing Arthur Dent (in his dressing gown once again) and if that’s not enough, Monty Python’s Terry Jones will be playing Voice of the Book. The Guide has developed an amazing cult following mostly for its off-kilter humour and madcap philosophical musings but also because it’s loads of fun. Shall we see you there? (Words: Laura Thornley)

Tickets at Hackney Empire are soon to sell out but local performances are available at Woking and Bromley. For more info, visit www.hitchhikerslive.com

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Something you should see…Parade at Southwark Playhouse

The Cultural Exposé — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:00:19 +0000

The Jason Robert Brown fan in me had a serious squeefest when I was invited to attend the Press Night of this new production of “Parade” at the Southwark Playhouse Vaults.

First, a note about the theatre. I adore these little “under the railway arch” type theatres and this one is one to add to my list of theatres I love. Such a beautiful space, which was used perfectly for this production. Being an arch, I worried about the sound, but I needn’t have worried as I found as soon as I sat down that even people on the other side of the room could be heard as if they were sitting right next to me.

Parade tells the story of Brooklyn born Jew Leo Frank, who is falsely accused and convicted for the murder of a young girl. A true story based in 1913 Atlanta, Georgia, this show was nominated for nine Tony Awards during its first previews on Broadway in 1998. Today, 17th August 2011 marks 96 years since Leo Frank died so seeing the show was particularly poignant….

…To read the rest, click here to visit West End Wendy’s blog, westendwendyblog.blogspot.com – The Life And Times Of A London Theatre Fan.

Follow Wendy on Twitter: @Westend_Wendy or Facebook: www.youtube.com/MsWestendwendy

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Something you should see…The Four Stages of Cruelty, Arcola Theatre

Laura Thornley — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:00:22 +0000

It’s not very often that a young theatre production company keep their take on a 250 year old engraving series firmly set in the past- the world loves to ‘bring things up to date’ – but that’s what Simple8 opted for in this new production at the wonderful Arcola Theatre. And I have to say it was a really good decision.

You may not be familiar with Hogarth’s engraving series, his most explicit work, showing the life journey of one man Tom Nero and his descent from animal cruelty to eventual murder of another human, but that won’t matter. The story they have adapted is accessible, reverentially humoured and surprisingly relevant for the modern day. They have applied the right amount of lude, crude foulness that is so truly Hogarth and have made great use of original stage direction and propping (the violin case for the horses nose is a particular favourite).

When Hogarth originally made the series it was for the masses; it was cheap, easily understandable. He wanted it to serve as a mirror held up to the grotesqueness he saw in London society of that time. And as you leave the darkness of the theatre you would be forgiven for noticing its immediate relevance to the city streets of ours. A relevant piece of theatre. (Words: Laura Thornley)

On until June 24th.

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