Listings in London:

Mixed listings | Edu-tainment | Exhibition | Film | Health | Lectures

Literature | Music | Storytelling | Theatre | Trails | Workshop

Now -12 Oct
1800 ACRES
Having left Brooklyn to make a new start with her teenage son, Linda, an affluent African-American, buys a ranch in Texas, but the original owner refuses to leave and physical and psychological violence ensue. Warning: Nudity involved. Venue: Crisp Rd, Hammersmith W6 9RL. 8pm, mat 1pm & 2.30pm. Adm: £10- £17.50, conc £14. Info: 0208 237 1111 / www.riversidestudios.co.uk

Now - 18 Oct
YOURS ABUNDANTLY, FROM ZIMBABWE
A white British woman on holiday and meets a young orphan boy named Enock. The subsequent correspondence between the two of them forms the basis of this poignant and heartbreaking tale, and offers a powerful glimpse into the lives of those living in the shadow of Mugabe. Venue: Oval Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, SE11 5SW. 7.45pm. Adm: £12, conc £6. Info: 0207 582 7680.

Now - 1 Nov
THE HARDER THEY COME
A reggae musical immortalised in Jamaica's first homegrown feature movie. In a riot of retro moves, '70s pop classics and immaculately pressed nylon, the hugely talented all-black cast tell the tale of Ivan Martin: a country boy-turned-rude bwoy whose dreams of vinyl glory are fulfilled at the expense of his life. Venue: Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5DE. Info: 0870 040 0046.

Now - 8 Nov
IN THE RED AND BROWN WATER
Oya is a star athlete who has to choose between following her dream and caring for her sick mother. Venue: Main House, Young Vic, London SE1. Adm: £15 - £22.50. Info: 0207 922 2920.

Thurs 2, 8 & 16 Oct
LIFETIMES
Premiere performances of 2 new plays performed by Ajoda (African Elders Group) and COFA (Caribbean Over-50s Association) based on their life experience in Africa, the Caribbean and Britain. The plays have been developed through improvisation and rehearsal;. Plus a participatory reminiscence theatre workshop and lunch. Additional performances will take place on the 8th &15th October. Venue: European Reminiscence Network, AJODA & COFA, Charlton House, Charlton, SE7 8ER. Disabled Access. 11am - 4pm. Info: 0208 852 9293 / www.europanreminiscencenetwork.org.

Sat 4 Oct
UPFRONT COMEDY
Upfront are back with a heavyweight laughter line-up hosted by MTV Base and Choice FM presenter Kat and introducing Brixton bus driver turned award-winning comedian Slim, alongside Gayla Johnson from Los Angeles and Ryan Gough. Venue: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG. 8pm. Adm: £8adv, £10 door. Info: 0208 692 4446.

Tues 7-26 Oct
JAMAICA, FAREWELL
The true story of Debra Ehrhardt's journey in which she escapes a revolution-torn Jamaica during the political upheavals of the 1970s. Written and starring the lady herself. Venue: Hackney Empire Studio, 291 Mare St, London, E8 1EJ. 7.30pm. Adm: £14.50; conc available. Info: 0208 985 2424.

Wed 8 Oct - 8 Nov
THE BROTHERS SIZE
Ogun Size who owns an auto-repair shop, and Oshoosi Size fresh out of prison always takes the wrong track. Venue: The Maria Studio, Young Vic, London SE1. 7.45pm, mats 3pm. Adm: £10-£17.50. Info: 0207 922 2920.

Thurs 9 Oct
RHYTHM, LIFE & ROOTS
A 90 minute dance filled production, exploring its roots in relation to Black History and its influences. Venue: Brady Arts Centre, 192 - 196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU. 7pm-9pm. Adm: Free, adv booking. Info: 0207 364 7912.

Sat 11 Oct
SKIN
ACE Dance and Music's fusion of energetic contemporary, African, Caribbean and Japanese dance styles. Venue: Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT. 8pm, bar opens 6.45pm. Adm: £9, conc £7. Info: 01722 321 744.

Wed 15 Oct
IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW
When Sathnam Sanghera was twenty-four years old he discovered a secret about his father that would both darken, and illuminate his life. His father had been schizophrenic for almost all his adult life and, in the early years of his marriage to Sathnam's mother had been terrifyingly violent towards his family. Venue: Gloucester Room, Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, IG1 1EA. 7pm - 8.30pm.

Wed 15 - 24 Oct
HIP HOP THEATRE LAB
Featuring Baba Israel & Yako 440 Hip Hop Theatre Lab is Jonzi D Productions' regular series of evening workshops dedicated to exploring Hip Hop Theatre practice, giving artists the space, time and resources. Jonzi D and other emcees, dancers, poets. Venue: Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R (tube: Angel). 7pm-9.30pm.

Sat 18 Oct
CELEBRATING WINDRUSH
Celebrating in music and drama the struggle for acceptance and the many accomplishments of the African Caribbean community both locally and across the United Kingdom. Venue: Museum Of London Docklands, West India Quay, E14 4AL. 1pm-4.30pm. Adm: Free. Info: 0870 444 3855.

Sat 18 & 19 Oct
THE REAL MCCOY RECONNECTED
A live comedy sketch show starring, Llewella Gideon, Leo Muhammad, Felix Dexter, Judith Jacob and Maureen Hibbert, five original members of the BBC's first ever Black Comedy show. This brand new show also features Tameka Empson (Three Non Blondes),Donna Spence and Mr Cee. Venue: Hackney Empire, Mare Street, London E8. 8pm Adm: £22- £24.50, conc £2 off. Info: 0208 985 2424.

Tues 21 Oct
LOCKED IN
A gritty hard-hitting hip-hop drama about two inner city MCs, one Caribbean, the other Bengali DJ riping up the airwaves on a pirate station. But then a local gangster asks for a serious favour. Aged 13+. Venue: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG.1.30pm & 7.30pm. Adm: £8, conc £5. Info: 0208 692 4446.

Tues 21 Oct- 8 Nov
CATALYSTA
Catalysta travels from London to Grenada several months after Hurricane Ivan to visit her elderly sister Eartha and her husband. They share their home with their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. But when Catalysta arrives, the family battles she finds raging threaten to wreak more havoc than the hurricane itself. Venue: Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London, SE11 5SW. 7.45pm. Sat matinee 1 Nov at 2pm. Adm: £12, conc £6. Info: 0207 582 7680.

Fri 24 & 25 Oct
THE BROTHERS
A phenomenal success since first performed in 2005, selling an amazing three times. Venue: Hackney Empire, Mare Street, London E8. 8pm. Adm: £12.50, conc £2 off. Info: 0208 985 2424.

Sat 25 Oct & 1 Nov
THE SHACKLES, THE WHIP & THE DRUM
Discover how and why Caribbean dance differs from the dance of West Africa; the role dance plays in the experience of African enslavement in the Caribbean and enjoy this exciting dance performance. Venue: Museum Of London Docklands, West India Quay, E14 4AL. 2pm-2.45pm (then) 3.15pm-4pm. Adm: Free. Info: 0870 444 3850.

Tues 28 Oct - 15 Nov
YARD GAL
Hackney-born teenagers Marie and Boo take us on a raw and funny journey. They are best mates but things start to go wrong when their loyalty to each other is tested by the destructive reality of the streets. Venue: Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London, SE11 5SW. Tues - Sat 8pm. Adm: £8, conc £5. Info: 0207 582 7680.

Thurs 30 Oct
HAPPY & MARRIED?
An exploration of marriage in the 21st century, and a search to understand what Happens after the words "I do". Happy & Married? is a dark, physical comedy that employs a pinch of puppetry, a punch of surrealism, and a whole heap of hope in discovering what takes place behind closed doors. Venue: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA. All day. Adm: £12, conc £10. Info: 0207 613 7498.

Fri 31 Oct
CROWTHER'S JOURNEY
The story of Bishop Ajayi Crowther, the first black Anglican. The story is told through an intergenerational performance by older people from Southwark Pensioner's Centre and young people from Camberwell Choir School. Venue: St Peter's Church, Liverpool Grove, Walworth SE17. 2.30pm. Adm: £1. (wheelchair access). Info: 07960 318 055.

NOVEMBER

Sun 2 Nov
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
A theatre performance exploring the legacy of the Negritude Movement through the poems of Leopold Senghor, Aime Cesaire and Leon Damas and using African myths and experiences to promote equality and diversity. Venue: Museum Of London Docklands, West India Quay, E14 4AL. 2pm & 3.45pm. Adm: Free for under 16's, museum ticket holders, NUS card holders and disabled carers. Annual adult ticket: £5, conc: £3 (over 60s and unwaged), Wheelchair access. Info: 0870 444 3850.

Tues 4 Nov
AFRICA'S HOPE
Inspired by their experiences as genocide survivors, Rwandan theatre group Mashirika come to Greenwich with Africa's Hope, a fusion of beautiful choreography, lively drum rhythms and vibrant Rwandan music. 12 yrs plus. Venue: Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES. Adm: £15, conc. £12.50; children £7.50. (Disabled access). 7.30pm. Info: 0208 858 7755 /www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk.

Thurs 6 Nov
RUDI LICKWOOD
'I'm a National Treasure' is a satirical look at Rudi Lickwood's national Identity: Black, British Proud and packed with insightful social comments as to who he is and why he is. Venue: Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, Park Hall, Park Lane, Croydon CR9. 7.45pm. Adm: £15.50. Info: 0208 688 9291/ www.fairfield.co.uk.

Thurs 27 & 28 Nov
AFRICA'S HOPE
Africa's Hope brings the incredible energy and irresistible rhythms of live African dance and drumming to the UK, alongside high-impact stories of survival of genocide in Rwanda: singing, contemporary dance with high-impact real-life testimony of survival as the backbone. Venue: Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA. 7.30pm. Adm: £12, conc £10. Info: 0207 613 7498

Thurs 6, 10, 13, 17, 24 & 27 Nov
WHO WAS MICHAEL X?
Black Power activist and groundbreaking political icon? Trouble-maker, pimp and murderer? Vanessa Walter's new play which delves into the politics of Britain in the 1960s and the transformation of Michael de Freitas into Michael X told by the man himself. Venue: The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY. 7.30pm- 8.30pm. Adm: £5. Info: 0207 361 3204 / arts@rbkc.gov.uk.

Tues 11- 29 Nov
MUHAMMAD ALI AND ME
Muhammad Ali and Me is a rich production full of wonder told through poetry, dance, boxing, African acapella singing, audience interaction and cleverly integrated British Sign Language. Venue: Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London, SE11 5SW. 7.45pm. Sat matinees 22 & 29 Nov 3pm. Adm: £12, conc £6. Info: 0207 582 7680.

Mon 10 Nov
THE COMEDY SCHOOL
Come join Phill Jupitus, Felix Dexter, Judith Jacob, Neil Mullarkey, The Comedy Store Players and many more comedy friends and former students of The Comedy School for a lively evening of solo performances, improvisation, music and sketches. Venue: Hackney Empire, Mare Street, London E8. 8pm. Adm: £27.50- £250. Info: 0208 985 2424 / www.thecomedyschool.com.

Thurs 13 Nov
HAVE BOX WILL TRAVEL
The semi- autobiographical story of Charley Dark, a south London boy growing up in pursuit of a dream. Directed by Benji Reid. Venue: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG. 7.30pm. Adm: £10, conc £6. Info: 0208 692 4446 / www.thealbany.org.uk

Sun 16 Nov
PRESTIGE VARIETY NIGHT
Hosted by the Award winning Comedian Eddie Kadi and staring; comedians Richard Blackwood, Slim and A Dot, plus urban street dancers and music from Lloyd Brown and Peter Hunningale. Venue: Concert Hall, Fairfield, Park Hall, Park Lane, Croydon CR9. 7.30pm. Adm: £22.50-£27.50. Info: 0208 688 9291.

Tues 18 Nov- 14 Dec
VAKOMANA VAVIRI VE ZIMBABWE
Two Gents Productions presents Vakomana Vaviri ve Zimbabwe, a very different take on one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies Two Gentlemen of Verona as it resonates with the Zimbabwean Experience of exile, powerful rulers and personal allegiances in this adaptation that will make you laugh and cry all at once. Venue: Oval House Theatre, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London, SE11 5SW. 8pm. Sat matinee 6 Dec 3pm. Adm: £12, conc £6. Info: 0207 582 7680.

Thurs 27 Nov
IF I COVER MY NOSE YOU CAN'T SEE ME
Funny and compelling, Polarbear is a 21st century storyteller with his roots in the rhythms of hip hop and his feet firmly on the ground. With a sharp line in storytelling and poems, he uncovers the tale of a 28-year-old man stuck in a job he never wanted and a 10-year-old private detective looking for answers. Venue: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG. 7.30pm. Adm: £10, conc £6. Info: 0208 692 4446.

Sat 29 Nov - 10 Jan 09
MOTHER GOOSE
Is beauty really only skin deep? What happens when the one thing your heart desires is offered to you on a plate? Do you give away the magic goose you have grown to love so much and who With all the usual spectacle, mayhem, comedy, cool music usually associated with a panto. With Sharon D Clarke. Venue: Hackney Empire, Mare Street, London E8. Adm: £11.50-£21.50. Info: 0208 985 2424.

DECEMBER

Wed 3 Dec
ALFRED FAGON AWARD 2008
be among the first to get a glimpse of the work-in-progress of a brand new play! Come and enjoy a rehearsed reading of the winning play from this year's Alfred Fagon Award 2008 which inspires British writers of African and Caribbean descent. Venue: Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS. 4pm-6pm. Info: 0207 565 5000.