15 years on from the 2008 financial crash, and the globe still recovers. An event that spelled the end of financial firm Lehman Brothers Inc., 161 years post founding brothers – Henry, Emanuel and Mayer’s emigration from Bavaria to the US, the trio’s impact remains. An exploration of their complex legacy, Sam Mendes returns with critically acclaimed The Lehman Trilogy – a historical lesson on the ever evolving nature of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Omar Ibrahim plays it safe with a nice mix of one-liners, anecdotes and metatheatrical riffing. Armed with a gown (“If you’ve seen me wear this before I was high or going down on you”) and a notebook and pen we enter a space where we can refreshingly laugh at the absurdism of racism. Omar’s Pakistani via Ugandan heritage is played up as the VAULT Festival categorises the stand up as “Asian Voices.” Marketed as “an idiot’s attempt to further the cultural conversation… offering a unifying tonic for polarised times.”
We all walk our own paths, scenarios encountered – shaped by societal norms and who we are physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. The term ‘intersectionality’ something that has become part of the zeitgeist, a term that perfectly captures what it is to be human in this world of constructs. Exploring their personal journey of navigating how the world deals with their sexuality, race, class and gender – performer John Paul Zaccarini presents The MixeRace Mix Tape, a resonant, unapologetic live playlist that speaks to today.
Courtesy of Sarah Hickson.
A beautifully directed play about two flatmates navigating the aftermath of Jack’s unfortunate encounter with Mr Pandemonium. Set in a rundown flat permeated with mould the two friends share with an unknown number of furry lodgers; the drama unfolds as Jack enters with blood on his head. Don’t Smoke in Bed is a 1-hour play which explores the harrowing toll sexual violence can have on a person and those close to them. It tells the story of the initial stages of trying to cope when the perpetrator lives in your head and the finite patience of even our loved ones.
In this post-colonial world that we live in, we’re starting to delve into the topic of world history, and how this connects us all. We’re examining ‘empire’, what this looks like, how structures have been established and played out, and how moving forward, we build a world that reflects, yet calls for change where needed. Having made the move from Singapore to the UK 5 years ago, and both gaining a masters degree in the process, theatre maker Mohamad Faizal Abdullah, alongside his theatre producer wife Nur Khairiyah have carved out a new life for themselves. Within this process however, constantly confronted with the question of identity and belonging – something very familiar with anyone of more than one culture. Presenting Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi? ( Who Took My Malay Away?), Abdullah breaks down his Singaporean, Malay, Muslim, British roots in an entertaining hour.
Courtesy of Héctor Manchego.
Open Door have unveiled the graduating actors selected to be part of Open Door Elevate,a brand-new initiative now in it’s third year, designed to help emerging talent from lower-income backgrounds as they enter the professional industry.
Fleeting yet memorable, a holiday romance cab add an unpredictable sense of excitement that elevates mood. Whether momentary, or the start of a promising connection, meeting that special someone whilst away is an added bonus. Nearly 40 years down and the tale of Frances Houseman – aka ‘Baby’ (Kira Malou) and dance instructor Johnny Castle’s (Michael O’Reilly) holiday romance entertains, Eleanor Bernstein’s iconic dance film Dirty Dancing returning to the stage. Adapted into a stage musical by Karl Sydow, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour, and kicking off a national tour at the Dominion Theatre, it’s fair to say the musical starts off the year with a bang!
The ultimate question as to how and why we’re here is one that will forever intrigue mankind. Whether you don’t have an opinion, believe in religious ideas, spiritual ones, scientific ones, philosophical ones or a mixture of these, our outlooks on the world and how we perceive existence is in itself a powerful act. An exploration of what this looks like through the eyes of three dancers, Jules Cunningham’s how did we get here? ponders on the world beyond our immediate reality.
Courtesy of Camilla Greenwell.
The ultimate dream for many performers, making it into Hollywood can be an arduous feat. The journey towards achieving that sometimes unreachable goal, dependent on your route, consisting in a series of actions including drama school training, showcases, agent searches, getting headshots, editing showreels, self tapes with the hopes of this all paving the path for that perfect role. A playful observation of this pursuit and how this plays out for one out of many performers, Zach Zucker presents Zach Zucker: Spectacular Industry Showcase, a comical hour celebrating the craft of performance and self expression.
A hilarious and devastating political musical that blends together an astonishing number of issues in one man’s story, that of Vernon Vanriel, in the backdrop of the Windrush Scandal. Characters in this story are larger than life and scenes are intricately erected and swept away in but a breathmasterfully told by the chorus played by Amber James and Ashley D Gayle.
Courtesy of Steve Gregson.