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SPENCER JONES: THE HERBERT IN PROPER JOB
You know we love Edinburgh, here at TW towers, and Edinburgh loves 'Big Babies' star Spencer Jones. As you'll find out as you read this interview, the show he won acclaim for at the Fringe this year, 'The Herbert In Proper Job' kinda defies categorisation, but I think it's fair to say that it's hilarious, clownish, and innovative.
Ahead of a run at the Soho Theatre, I put some questions to Spencer, to find out more about the show, and about his life in general. And you can read the interview here.
'Spencer Jones Is The Herbert In Proper Job' is on at Soho Theatre until 31 Oct. See this page here for info and to book.
MATTHEW PARKER: LOVESONG OF THE ELECTRIC BEAR
‘Lovesong Of The Electric Bear' is the last, rarely staged work of well-loved playwright Snoo Wilson. This production, which heads to the Above The Arts studio next week, has already had a much-praised, award nominated run at the Hope Theatre. The play tells the story of code-breaking genius Alan Turing.
To find out more about this fantastical and tragicomic peice, I put some questions Matthew Parker, Hope Theatre artistic director, who helmed this production himself. And you can read the interview here.
'Lovesong Of The Electric Bear' is on in the Above The Arts studio from 4-11 Nov. See the venue website here for more info.
HANNAH HAUER-KING: DRY LAND
Ruby Rae Spiegel's 'Dry Land' was a huge hit when it premiered in New York last year. The play, an exploration of sexuality and the pressure of youth, is set in the locker room of a Florida High School.
The piece gets its first UK outing next week, helmed by up and coming director Hannah Hauer-King. I spoke to Hannah, to find out more about the play and its young author, as well as her own career in the theatre. And you can read the interview here.
'Dry Land' is on at Jermyn Street Theatre from 3-21 Nov. See this page here for more info and to book tickets.
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Midnight Soup | Camden People's Theatre | 30-31 Oct (pictured)
To be honest, I am slightly worried about recommending this show because only a small number of people are allowed into each performance, so it might be hard to get tickets. But if you can, this sounds great, poignant and touching, and with an interesting premise - the audience is invited to help make and share soup as part of the performance. See this page here, where there's a quotation from one of my favourite poems, for more info. Illuminations | various venues | 30 Oct-8 Nov This London festival has loads of great music acts and screenings lined up, so I think your best bet is to have a look at the website here for more info on all of the acts and events. If I had to pick your highlights for you, then I'd suggest Micachu and the Shapes, and Holly Herndon. But obviously, feel free to make your own mind up about this. The full list is here. Suspense Puppetry Festival | various venues | 29 Oct-8 Nov Yes, yes, I am all about the festivals today. I just couldn't help myself. Anyway, if you are a fan of puppetry, this will be heaven, but I reckon even if you don't think puppetry's really your thing, it's about time you gave it a try. Here you will find such a wide range of subject matter and style that you'll have no struggle finding something to suit you. See the festival website here for more info. |
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He Had Hairy Hands | Artsdepot | 31 Oct (pictured) Right, it's Hallowe'en (am I the only person left still spelling it properly?), so I feel it's my duty to scare you. Or at least offer you some kind of spook-themed entertainment to take in tonight. This award winning Hammer-styled comedy werewolf mystery makes its way to Artdepot for one night only. Info and tickets from this page here. Chills In The Chapel | Union Chapel | 30-31 Oct Alan Howarth, who scored much of the iconic 'Halloween' series will perform music from them live, alongside selected excepts from these films, as well as from other movies he's provided the soundtrack for. Sounds like a classy yet creepy evening. See this page for more info. The Scary Halloween Show | Invisible Dot | 31 Oct Well this is bound to be scary, it says so in the title. Well, ok, given that this involves a line up of comedy acts, I think it's most likely to be very funny, with perhaps a little creepy thrown in. You can certainly be sure of some quality quippage, with the likes of sketch triple-act Daphne, afore-tipped character comedian Emma Sidi, and Comedy Award newcomer nominee Adam Hess. See the Invisible Dot's website here for more info. |
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LCMS - Afiara Quartet With James Campbell (Clarinet) | King's Place | 1 Nov
If you are a fan of string quartets (I know I am) then this one should be one for your diaries, a rare UK appearance from famed Canadian four piece The Afiara Quartet. They're joined by famed fellow national clarinettist James Campell for a performance featuring Mendelssohn's String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13, Fribbins' Quintet for clarinet and strings and Mozart's Quintet for clarinet and strings in A. More info from here. Richard Gadd - Waiting For Gaddot | Soho Theatre | 27 Oct-7 Nov (pictured) This show has already been on for a few nights, but you still have a week to catch it at the Soho. It's a show that won a huge amount of critical acclaim up at the Edinburgh Festival this summer, and also came home with award wins and nominations. Richard Gadd is buzzing, and so probably very much on the up. Don't miss this much lauded set. More info and tickets from this page here. Dr Hydenshriek's Laboratory | The Pillbox, Bethnal Green | 31 Oct-1 Nov And finally, a last children's Halloweeny offering for your Halloweeny weekend. This 'laboratory tour' is described as an “immersive multimedia scare experience”, aimed at children seven and over (though younger children are allowed in if you think they are hard enough). Brought to you by the filmmaking workshop team at Studio Film School, supported by Film Hub London and managed by Film London. More info and how to book here. |
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Vibrant 2015 | Finborough Theatre | 25 Oct-12 Nov I can't quite remember why I haven't already mentioned this in one of these here tipping sessions, but you know, better late than never, there's still time to take advantage of this year's Vibrant festival of new work at the Finborough: staged readings of work from both established and up-and-coming playwrights, now in its seventh year. Lots of different and varied sounding pieces that are highly likely to be oozing potential. See this page here for more info. Belarus Free Theatre's Staging A Revolution festival | secret locations and the Young Vic | 2-14 Nov (pictured) And another likely festival for you. And I've remembered to tip this one at the start of it, too, so no excuses for not going. Belarus Free Theatre, one of the boldest, most political arts organisations we know, present two weeks of performances and discussions in association with Young Vic. See this page here for a great long list of what's on and this page here for other info and to book. Mark Watson: Work In Progress | Invisible Dot | 2-6 Nov I am not sure I need to try and sell you the lovely, lovely Mark Watson, do I? He really is lovely, you know. And extremely funny. Plus, this is only one of many 'From The Fringe' events you can take in at Invisible lot, so while you are on the website booking your tickets for this, have a look at all the other great things that they have coming up. Though I may remind you of some of them further down the line. Anyway, info and ticket bookery right here. |
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The Notebook | Battersea Arts Centre | 3-14 Nov (pictured)
This hugely acclaimed piece from veteran edgy theatre ensemble Forced Entertainment is based on the novel by Ágota Kristóf. Set during WW2, this unsettling play relates the tale of twin brothers, evacuated to their grandmother's farm and depicts their struggle to remain morally consistent against the backdrop of the darkness enveloping central Europe during this time. See this page here for more info and tickets. Waste | National Theatre | 3 Nov-19 March This revival of Harley Granville Barker's early twentieth century play 'Waste' seems pretty timely, dealing as it does with a hung parliament, a controversial bill to push through it, and personal and public scandal. The first draft of this play, written in 1906 was famously censored and a second, entirely different version was staged in 1927, but was still a controversial treatment of a cut-throat and cynical world. See more info and book here. Dry Land | Jermyn Street Theatre | 3-21 Nov And another revival now, but of a much younger play, first staged a year ago in New York, to much acclaim. Not only is the award-nominated play young, so is the playwright, Ruby Rae Spiegel, and I have it on good authority that this is a very good show for older teen girls, and women in general. Not suitable for anyone under twelve however. See the venue website here for more info. |
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Lolly | King's Place | 4 Nov (pictured) The fabulously funny Lolly Adefope has won no small amount of critical acclaim and a number of big fans here at TW HQ. She's a great character comedian, presenting her debut hour, which she took to the Edinburgh Fringe earlier this year. I feel very confident saying that I think she is one to watch out for; expect to see lots more of her in the future. Info and tickets here. Time Pieces: Double Bill | Battersea Arts Centre | 4-7 Nov Just as you'd expect from the heading above, there are two shows per night of this run, under the heading of 'time pieces'. First up is 'Like You Were', in which Deborah Pearson uses video footage to explore the person she is now compared to the person she used to be. Secondly, we have 'The Future Show', also by Pearson, which has toured internationally for two years, with new scripts for every run. You can see either or both. See this page or this page for more info and to book. Love Song Of The Electric Bear | The Arts Theatre | 4-21 Nov This production of the late Snoo Wilson's surreal play about code-breaking hero mathematician Alan Turing has already had a very successful run at the Hope Theatre, but now transfers for a series of performances at the Above The Arts studio in the West End. This staging has received numerous plaudits and nominations, so not one to miss if you know what's good for you. See the venue website here for more info. |
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The Session | Soho Theatre | 3-28 November The first of two Soho Theatre recommendations in this set of tips (sorry, other venues, I couldn't help myself), this show is an intriguing sounding piece about a couple who don't speak the same language and therefore meet with communication difficulties and crossed wires...and it's got a great creative team behind it. Have a look at this page for tickets and info. Alfie Brown - Ism | Soho Theatre | 4-14 Nov Can't help thinking Alfie Brown is slightly Marmitey, possibly because of the serious social commentary (not everyone likes that kind of thing, you know) that he manages to make so captivating and funny. He is certainly a force to be reckoned with, and a comedian who has become a firm favourite with many members of our team. See the venue website here for more info and to book. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland | ROH Linbury Studio | 5-7 Nov (pictured) Will Todd's charming family opera was commissioned by Holland Park Opera, and has been delighting open air audiences for several seasons now, but this month heads to the Royal Opera House for a number of indoor performances. For more info, you could read our very own Q&A about it here, but you can also look at this page here for official info and ticket stuff. |
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