Mysteries of Puppetry. A full day at the Wellcome Collection

Objects of Emotion 16 June 2012, 10.30 – 17.00

A performance of The Table, by Blind Summit is included in the day

As humans, we have an ability to empathise with one another. Reading emotions and sharing them are integral to our survival and social cohesion. But why is it that objects can also spark these feelings in us? When we watch puppets, what triggers our emotions? Is it their movement or is it simply the stories they tell? And can we be just as moved by everyday objects?

None of these questions have straightforward answers, but this unique event tries to uncover the latest science exploring the mysteries of empathy in puppetry and elsewhere in culture.

The morning will start with an extract of Blind Summit’s critically acclaimed performance The Table, followed by discussion about the relationship between puppeteers and puppets. Satellite performances will happen over lunch, followed by a discussion about the ways humans relate to objects in the afternoon.

£20 full price/£15 concession including a full day of discussion and performance as well as lunch and refreshments.

To book, please call 020 7611 2222.

Air-conditioned Finborough on a hot streak

“Events while guarding the Bofors gun,” is revived at the Finborough till 16 June

Latest productions at the Finborough Theatre in Earl’s Court are getting good reviews, which could make tickets for the small theatre even more difficult to get.

The main production at the moment is a well-regarded revival of the late John McGrath’s ‘Events while guarding the Bofors gun.” Directed by emerging director Robert Hastie, John McGrath’s depiction of young men coming to terms with a new, inhuman era of warfare is based on his own experience of National Service in the 1950s.

On Sundays and Mondays, the theatre is presenting Merrie England, a light opera from the early 1900’s.

More at www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk

Camden Fringe: Programme and Venues now online

Camden Fringe launched its programme on 1 June 2012

Camden Fringe launched its seventh successful year on 1 June.

Full programme is live at http://www.camdenfringe.com from today. Camden Fringe runs for four weeks between 30th July and 26th August, taking in venues like the Etcetera, Camden People’s Theatre, Upstairs at the Gatehouse and covering comedy, drama, music and a whole lot more.

Alternative Fringe at the Hive

Expect some legendary comic experiences alongside the most exciting freaks around. Expect chaos and the unexpected.

Alternative Fringe is attempting to recreate the spirit of adventure that thrived before the Alternative went Mainstream.

Their line-up includes:- Phil Kay doing his only full hour shows, Greatest Show on Legs making a triumphant return to the Fringe after some amazingly special one off appearances at Royal Festival Hall, Leicester Square Theatre, Bloomsbury Theatre. Supurbly inventive Trevor Lock, king of the Fringe Lewis Schaffer, the very naughty Bob Slayer fresh from causing a stir in Australia. John Robertson returns, Dave Cohen (previous Perrier nominee), Godfather of Antifolk Lach, Chris Dangerfield, So You think You Are Funny winner Nick Sun, Hackney Empire new act winner David Mills, the glorious Twonkey’s Kingdom, cult This Barry Ferns Belongs To Lionel Ritchie, Internet phenomenon Devvo, Half Past Bitch, Aidan Killian, Laura Levites.

The Hive has a mix of Free and Paid Shows over two rooms (150 and 100 capacity). Paid shows £5 per show. For your £10 membership fee you get to see ALL the paid shows in the alternative Fringe with no extra costs.

You can suupport the Alternative Fringe by becoming a member http://buytickets.at/heroesof

Old Vic Tunnels – 4-8 June

Viscera Theatre Company presents London – Let’s Get Visceral inside the lit up underground labyrinth of The Old Vic Tunnels for a showcase of outstanding New Writing inspired by London.

As the trains rattle over-head and the footsteps of 7.5 million walk the streets above, draw close and watch the intimate stories of our capital city unfurl as Viscera take you from the soil of North Africa, to the foxes of Finsbury Park, into the barricaded bathrooms of ‘arty’ East London.

Featuring five-star playwright Tom Wells (The Kitchen Sink, Bush Theatre), Rachel De Lahay (The Westbridge, Royal Court), Molly Naylor, Lola Stephenson and Roxy Dunn.

Notting Hill Art Roundtable. £5 if you’re quick.

Helen Brough

On Monday 28th May (6.30-9.00pm) the Be Smart About Art Academy presents a round table where artists from a variety of backgrounds will share their personal experience in making a living from their art.

Be Smart about Art will collaborate for this event with FACK Artists, a forum for visual artists that intends to create a community for artists and a platform for discussion and debate.

The venue is in Notting Hill, Latimer Road’s Studio Building.

“So, how did they do it? A panel of professional artists who “did it on their own” share their experiences and insights, with a panel discussion and a questions & answers forum with the audience. Special insight: Artists living abroad & exhibiting in multiple countries”

Book soon to take advantage of the discounted price (£5 only and it includes refreshments!) – To book go to http://besmartaboutartacademymayroundtable.eventbrite.com/

Be Smart About Art Academy founder Susan Mumford will moderate the session and will share her own insights from her experience as gallerist and artist advisor.

Artists in the panel will include Marcus McAllister and Helen Brough.

Loads of Edinburgh Fringe jobs

If you’re interested in working at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, go to http://www.edfringe.com/about-us/jobs

Pop-up open air venue for Shakespeare double bill

The Faction, winners of the Peter Brook Equity Ensemble Award 2011, are creating a pop-up open air venue in Brockwell Park near Brixton to present a new production of Othello and a revival of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Faction has taken over the copse in Brockwell Park to create an improvised auditorium underneath a canopy of trees – perfect for enjoying the summer evenings with a hamper of food, a picnic rug and a high quality Shakespearean production – or two.

Shakespeare’s enthralling tragedy of jealousy, prejudice and betrayal, Othello, is the first production to be directed by The Faction’s Associate Director Rachel Valentine-Smith. Nana Amoo-Gottfried and Elizabeth Twells make their debuts with the company as Othello and Desdemona.

The same company are cross-cast in Shakespeare’s comedy masterpiece A Midsummer Night’s Dream which closed its UK tour last year at the Theatre Royal Bath. Kate Sawyer recreates her critically acclaimed performance as Helena alongside Derval Mellett (Hippolyta / Titania) and Jonathan Plummer (Bottom / Egeus). The production is directed by The Faction’s Artistic Director Mark Leipacher.

The Faction is an ensemble interpreting classical texts with a contemporary aesthetic to engage and excite local, national and international audiences, building a permanent ensemble with a rolling repertoire.

For further information visit www.thefaction.org.uk

New writers in the North

Award of £2,000 for new writers for theatre and an opportunity to have a play produced by the People’s Theatre.

The People’s Theatre and New Writing North are pleased to announce the return of the People’s Play Award. This biennial competition is looking for an exciting new play that will be produced for one week in the studio theatre at the People’s Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne, in November 2012. The winning writer will receive an award of £2,000.

The competition aims to discover and develop new writers for theatre and is only open to writers who have not yet received a full professional production of their work on the stage. Winning the People’s Play Award is a great first step to establishing a career as a professional writer. Former winners who have gone on to write professionally include Alison Carr, Peter Straughan (who recently wrote the screenplay for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy as well as The Men Who Stare at Goats) and Carina Rodney.

Deadline: 31st May 2012. More at www.newwritingnorth.com

The winner will be announced in July and the play will be produced from 20-24 November.

Sluts at the Finborough

World premiere for American Playwright, Joshua Conkel

As part of the Finborough Theatre’s Summer Season, acclaimed US playwright Joshua Conkel makes his UK debut with the world premiere of the darkly comic The Sluts of Sutton Drive.

Everybody wants a piece of Stephanie Schwartz. Her son’s demanding nuggets, her boyfriend wants her to wax and her best friend’s taking her to a stripping class. Now there’s a rapist on Sutton Drive, an obscene caller invading her home and a portal to hell beneath her sofa. How far must she go to make it all stop? And how far is too far?

This black comedy is by Joshua Conkel, “the most important queer playwright of his generation”