Dance / Theatre / Comedy
Please note: The listings for BHM have been ‘retained’ to show new viewers what kinds of activities are common during the Black History Month which covers October to November annually. For regular listings visit: Arts and Entertainment
Throughout Oct, Nov & Dec
THRILLER LIVE!
A musical celebration featuring the hit songs of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5. Thriller is a stage and video spectacular celebrating the wonderful music of one of the greatest entertainers of modern times. Venue: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, Greater London, W1D 7ES. Tue-Fri 19:30. Sat 16:00, 20:00. Sun 15:30, 19:30. Adm: £23.50 – £50.50. Info: 0844 579 1972.
Now – 8 Oct
THE RAIN THAT WASHES
An epic journey through Zimbabwe’s turbulent history. A true story that is poignant, political and personal, this beautifully realised one-man show brings to life the human drama behind the history and the headlines. Venue: Chickenshed Theatre – Studio Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, London, N14 4PE. 7:30 pm. Info: 0844 871 7622.
Tues 4 – 8 Oct
ONE MONKEY DON’T STOP NO SHOW
The Harrisons are the most respectable Black family in Philadelphia until the arrival of their niece turns life on its head. Starring Jocelyn Jee Esien. Venue: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG, 7.30pm. Adm: £12 -£14, conc £8-£10. Info: 0208 692 4446.
Sat 8 Oct
DONS OF COMEDY 2011
An amazing, awesome, pumping powerhouse of a stand-up comedy show, Featuring Curtis Walker, Felix Dexter, Felicity Ethnic and Slim. Venue: Broadway theatre, Catford Broadway EN SE6 4RU. 8pm. Info: 0208 690 0002
Tues 11 – 14 Oct
UPRISING
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Brixton riots, award winning author Alex Wheatle MBE presents his moving autobiographical story of how he became a writer. Alex takes audiences on a journey through Britain in the 1980s; Venue: The Albany. Douglas Way. Deptford. London SE8 4AG. 7.30pm. Adm: £10, £7 concs. Info: 0208 692 4446.
Thurs 13 Oct – 21 Jan 2012
DEATH AND THE MAIDEN
Thandie Newton is set to perform this autumn in a revival of Ariel Dorfman’s play, an explosive moral thriller. Years have passed since political prisoner, Paulina suffered at the hands of her captor: A man whose face she never saw, but can still recall with terrifying clarity. Venue: Comedy Theatre, Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN, Adm: Book tickets from 13 October to 22 October and save £10 per ticket at £45.50, £25 and £20 and £18 including booking fees. Info: 0844 871 7627.
Fri 14 Oct
IGNITE – ATONGA ZIMBA
Born in the savannahs of northern Ghana, from a very young age Atonga was taught by his grandfather to play the molo, a two stringed calabash lute. From originally composing songs whilst minding his family’s herd, Atonga has since seen his third European release, Barefoot in the Sand, nominated as ‘Best African Album of the Year’ by Mokum TV in Holland. Venue: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP. 12:00pm. Info: 0845 401 5045, 0207 589 8212.
Sat 15 Oct
LOOK TO THE SKY
In an abandoned warehouse, a search along dark corridors and winding stairs, will lead to a discovery, which will change lives.. A group of young people are forced to confront the very thing that scares them most. Themselves. A gripping new play. Age: 13+. Venue: Tara Theatre, 356 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, London SW18 4ES. Info: 0208 333 4457.
Wed 19 Oct
CLASSICALLY BRITISH 2011
Celebrate British classically trained ballet dancers and choreographers of diverse origin with live performance – featuring Layton Williams (Billy Elliott), and a documentary film showcasing the historical account of the rise of Black & Asian Classical ballet dancers in the UK. Plus Q &A session, with Portobello Dance artistic director and choreographer Mark Elie and guest dancer. Venue: The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11. 12.30pm. Adm: £5. Info: 07947 484 021.
Thurs 20 Oct – 19 Nov
SHALOM BABY
A brand new play from award-winning writer and director Rikki Beadle-Blai. In 1930s Berlin – an intriguing city of Jazz and underground cabaret overpowered by the rise of Hitler and World War II – the daughter of a Jewish family falls in love with their black shabbesgoy (servant), mirrored by a modern tale of a mixed-race couple in seemingly unprejudiced contemporary Brooklyn. Venue: Theatre Royal Stratford East, Theatre Square, London E15 1BN. 7.30pm. Adm: £10 – £22. Info: 0208 534 0310.
Fri 21 Oct
BHM GALA NIGHT
Live music, poetry, dance and comedy featuring live show by Yolanda Brown Saxophonist and winner of Mobo, Poetry by Floetic Lara and Jason Nwansi, plus Robbie Gee and Slim, two of our best comedians. PA by Vivian Jones in London. A night for all the family. Venue: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4JA. 7.30pm – 12pm. Adm: Adults £8 under 16s £4.50 Family ticket £22.00. Info: 0208 496 3587 / 0208 496-3585
Sat 22 Oct
CARNIVAL CHILD
The Carnival Child’s magical powers are needed when she sees in her crystal mirror the beautiful rainforest being destroyed. Can the magic of carnival re-awaken the barren forest? A colourful show with puppets, masks and music from South America and the Caribbean. Age 5-11 years. (45 mins). Venue: The Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Rd, London NW6 7JR. 11.30am and 2pm. Adm: £5-£6. Info: 0207 292 7300.
Sat 22 Oct
BLACK SPIRITUALS BY LA’SHEKA
Saturday lunchtime performance in the Library foyer for 2 hours. Bookings not required. Venue: Ilford Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1EA. 12 noon – 2pm. Info: 0208 708 9206.
Sat 22 – 23 Oct
QUINCY’S COMEDY LOUNGE
Old Skool versus New Skool, come and witness two generations of comics battling it out for bragging rights. Age 18 yrs plus. Venue: Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX, 7.45pm. Adm: £15, conc £12.50. Info: 0844 357 2625.
Wed 26 – 19 Nov
SPEECHLESS
An extraordinary story of two girls struggle to be heard. Refusing to speak to adults, the twins communicate in their own private language, their only relationship being an intense and turbulent bond with each other. Speechless is a powerful portrayal of the twins secret world and their struggle to find a voice against all odds. Venue: Arcola theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL. 7.30pm, mat 2.30pm). Info: 0207 503 1646.
Fri 28 Oct – 20 Nov
ROADKILL
A world away for you, but a world right on your doorstep. Roadkill takes you on a journey by minibus to a house somewhere in east London to tell the powerful story of the terrifying complexities of sex trafficking today, based on real experiences. Harrowing details of a young woman trapped in a living nightmare. Venue: Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BN. Varied Times. Adm: £18. Info: 0208 534 0310.
Fri 28 Oct
CLASSICAL BUT MODERN
Performance by classical singer Carmen Rodney – performing Negro Spiritual. There will be an opportunity to have a go at singing in the Operatic style! Venue: Walthamstow Library, High Street, Walthamstow E17 7JN. 7pm – 8pm. Adm: Free Info: 0208 496 3189.
NOVEMBER
Tues 1 Nov
IROKO INTERACTIVE THEATRE
Interactive performance for schools. Traditional African theatre using live music, dance, songs and games to bring traditional fables myths and legends to life. Venue: Brady Arts Centre, 192–196 Hanbury St, Whitechapel, E1 5HU. 10.30am & 1.30pm. Adm: adv £5, schools performances only. Info: 0207 364 0952.
Tues 1 – 5 Nov
TUPAC SHAKUR: THE RIGHT TO REMAIN
An explosive exploration of one of the world’s most compelling yet misunderstood musicians of rap and hip-hop. This raw and intimate one-man performance experiments with form of theatrical performance by utilising projected images, video and text to contextualise the narrative, combining Tupac Shakur’s lyrics and poetry with a dramatic rendering of his persona. Venue: Tara Theatre, 356 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, London SW18 4ES. 7.30pm. Adm: £11.50, concs £7.50. Info: 0208 333 4457.
Sat 5 – 6 Nov
FORGIVE ME
A side splitting comedy of manners. Under the watchful eye of a talented cast including Charles Tomlin, Allison Mason and Terri Salmon Blue Mountain Theatre puts today¹s much maligned Younger Generation under the microscope in Forgive Me! Our family’s fortunes are laid bare in this side splitting comedy of manners. Never forget -’What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly’- unless of course it’s laughter!” Venue: Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ. Adm: £22 – £ 24. Info: 0208 985 2424,
Thurs 10 Nov
MUSIC SERVICE GALA
The event features music performed by a number of borough ensembles including orchestras, choirs and percussion groups, as well as soloists and music from the borough’s secondary schools. Venue: Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ. Adm: £5, conc £3. Info: 0207 241 7408.
Fri 11 Nov
11.11.11
Grand Union return with guests for a night of music specially devised to mark this significant Armistice Day. Celebrating musical and political freedom through jazz and the art of improvisation, this unique melting-pot of jazz and world musicians turns East London into the New Orleans of today! Venue: Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ. Adm: £11. Info: 0208 985 2424.
DECEMBER
Sat 17 Dec
QUINCY’S CHRISTMAS SHOW
Quincy’s Comedy Lounge ends the year with his Christmas Special. Age 18 yrs plus. Venue: Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX 7.45pm. Adm: £15, with dinner £27.50. Info: 0844 357 2625.
