OVALHOUSE AUTUMN/WINTER 2016
THEATRE SEASON
Welcome to our autumn/winter season There’s a seasonal chill in the air; the evenings are drawing in, and falling leaves and drifting smoke herald bonfire night and Hallowe’en. We invite you to share our new season with a dark autumnal edge; from Christopher Brett Bailey’s neo-noir howl against humanity, to the haunting world of Theatre Témoin’s homeless London, the sinister rise of online surveillance in The Future is Unwritten’s Still to Xavier de Sousa’s exploration of living the loneliness of national limbo. But like autumn new beginnings are just beneath the surface, as Accidental Collective offer a defiant call for hope in a seemingly hopeless world. And as autumn gives way to winter, we bring you a mysterious tale for Christmas. Why The Whales Came, written by one of the UK’s best-loved storytellers Michael Morpurgo, is an enchanting tale that unravels secrets, fears and superstitions to reveal why the whales came to the island. We hope you’ll come and join us for a walk on the wilder side this autumn...
Ovalhouse Downstairs Thurs 6 – Tues 11 October 7.30pm (no performance Sun) Preview Thurs 6 October
KISSING THE SHOTGUN GOODNIGHT Written by Christopher Brett Bailey | Scored and performed by Alicia Jane Turner, George Percy and Christopher Brett Bailey KISSING THE SHOTGUN GOODNIGHT, a neo-noir fever dream and a 120 decibel suicide note. a linguistic kaleidoscope of caustic cartoons, crackpot prophesies and demented erotica. a dense, poetic blend of the hallucinogenic and the hardboiled, all set to a pulverising live score of haunting musics and dark psychedelia. recommended for those with an aural fixation. no kids. no dogs. rated R. 100 mins. colour, 3D. #KTSG | @ct_bailey on previous show THIS IS HOW WE DIE: "a visceral, world-burning piece of theatre... a brutal, vital, incredible show" Total Theatre ★★★★ Guardian ★★★★★ Exeunt ★★★★ Time Out ★★★★ The Times ★★★★ The Scotsman ★★★★ The Stage
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Commissioned by Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Cambridge Junction, Ovalhouse, Theatre in the Mill and Theatr Iolo.
Tickets £13 | £8 concessions | Preview all tickets £8
Illustration by Nathan Hoste
Ovalhouse Downstairs Thurs 13 – Sat 22 October 7.30pm (no performances Sun or Mon) Matinees Sat 15 & 22 October 2pm
THE MARKED by Theatre Témoin
As a boy, Jack lived in a world of monsters and invisible guardians, as he fought to protect the people he loved. Now grown, his life on the streets of London is less fantastical. But when a ghost from his past turns up, Jack must harness the power of forgotten myths to defeat her. After the sell-out success of The Fantasist (“Achingly beautiful” The Sunday Times) Témoin return; spinning together mask, puppetry and physical theatre to navigate a haunting, mystical wonderland inspired by real-life stories of homelessness. “A powerful visual world.” Susan Mansfield, The Scotsman ★★★★ “Wondrous, magical...a marvellous journey.” Three Weeks ★★★★★ “A rollercoaster ride that pulls no punches.” British Theatre Guide ★★★★★ theatretemoin.com | @Theatre_Temoin School matinees available: contact deb.vannozzi@ovalhouse.com for details. The Marked has been developed alongside community consultants with experience of homelessness from St. Mungo’s Recovery College and Cardboard Citizens. Theatre Témoin in co-production with Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham with mask design by Grafted Cede Theatre and with support from The Wellcome Trust, Arts Council England, The Pleasance Islington, and Camden People’s Theatre.
Tickets £13 | £8 concessions
Photo by Idil Sukan
Ovalhouse Downstairs Weds 26 – Sat 29 October 7.30pm Thurs 27 October: post-show discussion
HERE’S HOPING by Accidental Collective
Times are tough and the news is grim. Daisy and Pablo were in need of some hope, so they thought they should make a show about it. They wanted it to be a show about the triumph of hope, but it turned out that things are not as simple as that. Hope and hopelessness hold hands. They are knotted and complex. So this is a show about determination and resilience, about not giving up, about keeping going despite the odds. Hope is hard work, and it’s even harder when you go it alone – but perhaps something will happen if we’re all in a room together. Here’s hoping… @accidentalC | accidentalcollective.co.uk Thurs 27 October: free post-show discussion Art and Activism
Here's Hoping has been developed into a full production from a FiRST BiTES work-inprogress piece originally presented at Ovalhouse in 2015. Co-commissioned by Ovalhouse and Theatre Royal Margate. Supported by Kent County Council. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Tickets £13 | £8 concessions
Image by Alex Powell
Ovalhouse Downstairs Tues 22 – Sat 26 November 7.30pm Weds 23 November: post-show panel discussion Matinee Sat 26 November 3pm
STILL by The Future is Unwritten | Written and directed by Paul Hodson
Vivian Maier was the reclusive street photographer whose exceptional talent only came to light after her death. Inspired by Maier, Still celebrates her work and life and explores issues of privacy, ownership and assumptions raised by her posthumous evolving story. Placing the audience in a gallery space, with images and action happening around them and on an app in their smartphones, Still asks “Is there any privacy left?” in an age of instant photography, social media sharing and ever-growing surveillance. “One of the best bits of theatre I’ve seen for a while. Genuinely innovative, thought-provoking and compelling.” Steve North @ tfiunwritten | the-future-is-unwritten.co.uk Weds 23 November: free post-show panel discussion on photography and privacy with The Guardian’s intelligence correspondent Ewen MacAskill.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Tickets £13 | £8 concessions
Image by Beth Fitzerald.
Ovalhouse Downstairs Weds 30 November – Sat 3 December 7.30pm Xavier de Sousa and Ovalhouse present
POST by Xavier de Sousa
We live in ever-shifting political and social landscapes. As a generation that grew up in an open-doors Europe and the advances of the internet, we have been accustomed to travel, exchange, engage and collaborate with people from different nationalities. All of this is currently threatened by rising tides of nationalism. POST is an exploration of inhabiting a ‘national limbo’ and failing to adhere to border and identity-defining norms. This is an extra-live show and audiences may respond in whatever way feels natural; moving around, taking pictures, and coming and going from the auditorium if needed. Latecomers are permitted. More info at extra-live.co.uk.
#POST | @xavinisms | xavierdesousa.co.uk Sat 3 December 2-4pm Master Your Own Heritage Workshop Through soup making and storytelling, this workshop proposes to be a point of connection with our own heritage. POST has been developed into a full production from Xavier de Sousa's FiRST BiTES workin-progress piece Saudade, originally presented at Ovalhouse in 2015. Commissioned by Ovalhouse with support from Marlborough Theatre, Bike Shed Theatre, Camden People's Theatre, Tempting Failure Festival and the Attenborough Cultural Centre for the Arts. Additional funding from Arts Council England.
Tickets £13 | £8 concessions Workshop Tickets £2 (please bring a soup vegetable of your choice)
Photo by Paula Harrowing
Ovalhouse Downstairs Thurs 22 – Sat 31 December 11am & 2pm (no performances on Christmas Day or Boxing Day) BSL interpreted performance Tues 27 December 2pm Wizard Presents
WHY THE WHALES CAME Written by Michael Morpurgo | Performed by Danyah Miller Multi-award-winning performer and storyteller Danyah Miller vividly brings to life another enchanting tale by Michael Morpurgo. Why The Whales Came is created by the same team who brought you the acclaimed and much-loved production of I Believe in Unicorns, and is full of fun, mystery and adventure. Children Gracie and Daniel have been forbidden to go near the mysterious and seemingly dangerous Birdman. But messages and clues intrigue them and, after being lost at sea in the fog and stranded on his tiny island, they begin to unravel the Birdman’s secrets, the villagers’ fears and superstitions and learn why the whales came to the island. “Danyah Miller is a storytelling phenomenon. I shan't miss WHY THE WHALES CAME. Don't you miss it either. It will be a theatrical tour de force, that's for sure.” Michael Morpurgo @wizardpresents | wizardpresents.co.uk Suitable for everyone aged 7+ who loves a good story. Family-friendly menu and festive picnic area available. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Tickets £11 | £8 concession Family ticket £35 (2 adults + up to 3 children)
Photo by Richard Davenport
H A Christmas treat for families and children over 7 H
vISIT OUR THEATRE
bAR
Open from 6pm every theatre evening, we offer a variety of drinks, including a hand-picked selection of Borough Wines, craft beers and ales from local Brixton Brewery and a range of coffees from Drury Tea & Coffee.
INTRODUCING
bOKIT’LA If you haven’t discovered bokits yet, make sure you come down to our café and sample one they’re absolutely delicious! What is a bokit? A hand-made dough pocket filled with your choice of SaltFish, Chicken or Aubergine, topped with sauce Creole, avocado and chilli sauce (to the heat level you prefer) Hand-cooked to order from £2.50 – available theatre nights Weds-Fri from 7pm @Bokitlaltd | FB: Bokit La bokitla.com
COME RHYME
WITH ME
Ovalhouse Café/Bar Sat 1 October & Sat 10 December 7pm The UK’s most delicious spoken word event is back in London in partnership with Ovalhouse. Hosted by Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger, Come Rhyme With Me warmly welcomes audiences from all walks of life to a feast of the finest poets, lyricists and musicians.
THE MENU Appetisers: Open mic (there are six 3 min slots only - arrive early to secure your spot on the mic) Starter: An up-and-coming poet to whet your appetite Main Course: A poet to sink teeth into and digest slowly Dessert: The sweet treat, someone who'll bring a smile to your face!
FOOD bY bOKIT'LA @comerhymewithus | deannarodger.co.uk | @Bokitlaltd | bokitla.com
Tickets with food £12 | without food £8
ARTISTS’ TRAINING
WORKSHOPS Our greatest resources are the artists that we work with. So each season we offer artists the opportunity to learn, train and develop at Ovalhouse. Training is provided in response to requests from artists through our #Connect programme. This season we’re delighted to partner with our friends at house theatre and Include Arts to provide the following events: Thurs 13 October, 10.30am-4.30pm
bETTER TOURING This training day will explore best practice of all things touring: tour booking, financial deals, funding, contracting and marketing support. house theatre, a venue network of over 180 venues across the South East, tours 12-15 productions per year and will facilitate the day, contributing their expertise and encouraging peer-to-peer learning. Participants get a discount to stay and see Theatre Témoin’s The Marked. @housetheatre | housetheatre.org.uk Thurs 10 November, 10.30am-4.30pm
MAKING ACCESSIbLE THEATRE Led by Include Arts, this training day will explore what it means to make theatre accessible, embedding access from the beginning of the process. Topics will include communication, terminology and venue access, as well as resources to engage with new audiences. Include Arts works with a wide range of cultural organisations including the National Theatre and the RSC. @includearts | includearts.com Places for either workshop are limited to 20 and are open to one representative per company. Cost £5 to secure a place, includes refreshments. book via ovalhouse.com or call 020 7582 7680.
RESEARCH & DEvELOPMENT
As well as supporting the development of all of the plays that are staged in our theatres this season, we’re proud to support the following artists who’ll be working behind the scenes in our rehearsal rooms developing brand new ideas. These include: 19-28 September beartrap Theatre working on Josephine This new show featuring original compositions and choreography, is a syncopated re-telling of the infamous dancer’s whirlwind life. 28 November -3 December Mojisola Adebayo working on STARS The story of a very very old lady who goes into space... in search of her own orgasm. "Isn't that where they all go, into the stars?..." 13-20 October Outspoken Arts working on #ReGeneration Activism and individualism collide over soya lattes, jerk chicken, planning applications and pop-up vintage shops. Welcome to Brixton. 5-24 December Jamie Wood working on I Am A Tree If I’m still for any length of time, someone will tell me about their life. My girlfriend says this makes me like a tree that all dogs want to piss up.
CALL OUT FOR
ASSOCIATE
ARTISTS
Ovalhouse are looking for five associate artists to go on a journey with us over the next two years. Whether it’s your ‘tricky second album’, or making your biggest work yet, we’re looking for artists or companies with big ambitions. There are no limits to who can apply, but we expect you to be making work which will excite and inspire our audiences. We welcome applications from directors, producers, makers, individuals and collectives at any stage of their career. We expect you to be geographically close to Ovalhouse; this includes the whole of London, but we will give preference to those on our doorstep.
What we offer: • seed funding • organisational and artistic development • rehearsal space • creative support in developing your projects • access to the skills of all Ovalhouse staff • press and media profile and marketing support • audience development What we ask: • contribution to the creative life of Ovalhouse • work closely with Ovalhouse to develop audiences • provide critical feedback for other Ovalhouse productions • be a part of a peer-to-peer support network • mentoring artists from 33% London and Young Associates
#CONNECT EvENT Thurs 6 October 6-7pm A session to find out more about our associate artists scheme, and a chance to meet other artists. Led by our Head of Theatre and Artists’ Development Owen Calvert-Lyons, this is a chance to put your questions to him about the associate artist scheme and get advice about what to do if you’re interested in applying. FREE
HOW TO APPLY Deadline for Associate Artist applications: Friday 21 October at 12 Noon Email: Associates@ovalhouse.com for an application form, or come along to our #Connect event on 6 October where you can pick one up and find out more. Artist interviews: w/c 7 November Period of Associateship: 1 January 2017 - 31 December 2018
Creative Youth Creative Youth is for 11–18 year olds who want to learn new skills in drama, dance and creative writing. Workshops are run by top professional artists, and we will take you on free trips to London’s favourite theatres, galleries and museums! We’re kicking off with Innovate Drama for 11-16s starting on 5 October 5.20-7.20 pm. No experience necessary. Contact us at any time to join or to find out what’s coming up call 020 7582 0080 Ext 4 or email naomi.shoba@ovalhouse.com
Call out for future arts professionals! We are currently recruiting for 12 Young Associates aged 18-25 living in Lambeth or Croydon. Young Associates are awarded a bursary and spend around a year with Ovalhouse getting professional training and hands on experience in arts leadership. To find out more and to request an application pack email naomi.shoba@ovalhouse.com
Demonstrate! This is our project for children with disabilities, including autism, which we run in partnership with Corali Dance Company. Over six years we’ve explored dance, circus skills, music, graffiti, puppetry, installation art – and we’re still exploring! If you’re interested in joining please get in touch with stella.barnes@ovalhouse.com and we’ll keep you informed about the next start date for the project.
We Are London Our drama and arts group for young migrants aged 14-22yrs meets every Saturday 3.30-6.30pm. It’s a good place to make new friends and have fun, and share your hidden talents. You don’t need good spoken English or previous experience in the arts: just come and join in! Contact Stella for more info: stella.barnes@ovalhouse.com or 020 7820 7279. @OvalhouseCY | ovalhouse.com/under26 | FB OvalhouseCreativeYouth
SUPPORT OvALHOUSE A new home for theatre in brixton Ovalhouse is moving to a brand new purpose-built venue in two years and we need YOU to help us on our road to Brixton! Follow our journey @Ovalhouse #roadtobrixton
Meet our Ambassador Eugene Simon from Game of Thrones. Eugene jetted in from Australia to host our recent Cinema Event at Ovalhouse. If you would like to join us for our future events or to receive our newsletter, please contact the Development Team: louise.cremin@ovalhouse.com | 020 7820 7272
HELP US ON OUR JOURNEY There are many fun ways to help us:
bUY-A-bRICK for brixton ovalhouse.com/support/buy-a-brick
TAKE-A-SEAT in our new venue ovalhouse.com/take-a-seat
SKYDIvE for Ovalhouse ovalhouse.com/skydive
NAME A SPACE See your name in lights and name a space in our new building – contact the Development Team
For more information about how to donate and our Capital Campaign contact: Katie Milton, Development Director – Capital Campaign katie.milton@ovalhouse.com | 020 7820 7273
DIARY 1 Oct
COME RHYME WITH ME
6 Oct
#CONNECT EVENT
6 - 11 Oct
KISSING THE SHOTGUN GOODNIGHT by Christopher Brett Bailey
13 Oct
WORKSHOP: Better Touring
13 - 22 Oct
THE MARKED by Theatre Témoin
26 - 29 Oct
HERE’S HOPING by Accidental Collective
10 Nov
WORKSHOP: Making Accessible Theatre
22 - 26 Nov
STILL by The Future is Unwritten
30 Nov - 3 Dec
POST by Xavier de Sousa
10 Dec
COME RHYME WITH ME
22 - 31 Dec
Wizard Presents WHY THE WHALES CAME by Michael Morporgo
25% OFF your order
when you book for 2 (or more) shows
All tickets must be booked in one transaction; discount applied at checkout. Only one offer per booking, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Does not include Come Rhyme With Me. Only perfs on Dec 22 & 23 valid for Why The Whales Came.
FOR bOOKINGS: OvALHOUSE.COM 020 7582 7680
OvALHOUSE 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW
box office 020 7582 7680 book online OvALHOUSE.COM Tickets: £13 | £8 Christmas Show: £11 | £8 | Family ticket £35 (2 adults+3 children) Season Offer: book for 2 or more shows in our autumn/winter 2016 season and receive 25% off your booking*. Discount applied at checkout. (*subject to availability.) Getting Here Nearest tube OVAL (Northern Line) or VAUXHALL (Victoria Line & BR) Buses 3, 36, 133, 155, 159, 185, 436 Car parking for disabled visitors only, on-street parking after 6.30pm Santander Cycles dock directly opposite, on Kennington Oval. We are not in the congestion zone. Café Our cafe is open from 7pm Weds-Fri for home-cooked bokits from the Bokit’La pop-up restaurant. Meat, fish & vegetarian options.
Access Ovalhouse Downstairs, Café, Bar and Garden. @ovalhouse
ovalhouse
Ovalhouse (Christ Church [Oxford] United Clubs) is a registered charity no. 288931
Cover image by Rob Larson.
Theatre bar Our theatre bar is open every night throughout our autumn season from 6pm for a full bar service and hot and cold drinks. Covered garden area open daytimes and evenings.