From Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th September, the Southbank Centre will witness 4 days of talks, discussions, musical performances, theatrical productions and art, all revolving around the culturally rich continent of Africa. Africa Utopia 2015 promises to start, and continue various discussions in the UK, from identity, to migration. Star Boy Productions tackles the latter, and its director, Ahil Ratnamohan speaks to Theatrefullstop ahead of the show about the collaborative nature of the ensemble, inspirations for the show and what he truly thinks of the unavoidable headlines.
Star Boy Productions is set to be performed at the Southbank Centre this September as part of the Africa Utopia Festival. How are you feeling ahead of the festival?
Down and Out in Paris and London is a brand new theatrical take on George Orwell’s autobiographical novel, with a modern twist. It is in collaboration with PIT and Greenwich Theatre, with supporting funds from Arts Council England. Written and directed by the New Diorama Theatre’s artistic director, David Byrne and co-directed by Kate Stanley, it is now experiencing sell out performances at the Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh.
Baila, which translates as ‘dances’ in Spanish, could not sum up the Southern American landscape any better! Dance is an integral part of the continent’s culture, it’s an alternative language that allows for the articulation of expression, restoration of history, socialisation with members of the community… It is one of the life forces of the continent.
The Clown of Clown‘s is part of The Arcola‘s annual Grimeborn Festival, a series that showcases some of the more experimental offerings from the world of classical opera and ballet. Historically, the clown and the melancholic have always been close relations, particularly in literature. Whether Shakespeare’s fool, hounding Lear with intimations of mortality or Heinrich Böll’s clown, an alcoholic squandering his talents and pining after his ex wife, the jester has often been deployed as a powerful, ironic symbol for the unattainability of human happiness. Constella Ballet & Orchestra‘s production taps into this dark heritage, exploring the sinister side of the mythical fool, their experimental approach yields thrilling results.
You know as soon as you enter into the world of My Beautiful Black Dog – where Brigitte Aphrodite welcomes her audience members in sparkly shorts and even more sparkly platform heels – that this is going to be a distinctive and very personal performance. From the outset Brigitte addresses her crowd directly, and continues to respond to them throughout. At times it feels like a party rather than a production, but that seems to be half the point. Because the more intimately we connect with her, the closer we come to understanding the very real origins of Aphrodite’s show.
Superbolt Theatre formed in June 2011. The company, comprises of Simon Maeder, Maria Askew and Frode Gjerlow met during their training at Le Coq Theatre School in Paris and have been collaborating ever since. The international company have devised plays including Centralia, Piatto Finale, The Uncanny Valley, and have toured the UK, Poland, Switzerland and Norway. Their latest show being Jurassic Park.
Piles of books adorn the stage, an obstacle course of literature presents itself, intrigue fills the air. Danyah Miller welcomes the audience to the afternoon’s proceedings, naming particular audience members she had been speaking to prior the performance, and acknowledging them for their presence. Although this is an attempt to introduce an inclusive environment, this pre-show goes on longer than it should, and has me wanting for the performance to begin.
Michael Simkin’s stage adaptation tests patience. Adapted from the bestselling book of the same name, Dear Lupin dramatises the real life letter correspondence of The Sunday Times writer, Roger Mortimer and Charlie Mortimer, his increasingly wayward son.