The Canary and the Crow at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney is a very impressive piece of ‘gig theatre’; a term I was previously unfamiliar with. On this evidence, Middle Child (a ground-breaking company from Hull), have created a potent hybrid of drama, direct address, chamber music, hip-hop and grime. It’s also dynamic, didactic, arresting and fresh and, without realising it, I’ve waited to see a theatrical development like this for a quite a while.

(c) Alex Brenner

Knut Hamsun’s novel Hunger over a century ago would give way to a new style of writing, writing based more so on the psychological well being of a protagonist. Originally based in Oslo, a nameless protagonist finds himself gradually spiralling into a world of deprivation and hunger, his very generosity now causing him to scrounge for food, this in turn having a significant impact on his physical and mental health. What’s concerning is that this tale of homelessness and poverty draws a parallel to our very own modern society; according to Crisis UK, in 2018 an estimated ‘57,890 households were accepted as homeless in England. In Scotland, 34,100 applications were assessed as homeless and in Wales 9,210 households were threatened with homelessness.’ A sign of our times, Hunger resonates as much today as it did in the 19th century. An adaptation of Hamsun’s pivotal novel is currently showing at the Arcola Theatre, with actor Kwami Odoom taking on the lead role; The Young Man. Kwami tells us more about the show.

Despite compelling performances, Hunger leaves a certain something missing. While there are moments of brilliance and a clear attention to detail, I want this show to leave a few more questions unanswered.

Courtesy of Alex Brenner

Zinnie Harris’ Meet Me At Dawn was first performed at the Traverse Theatre in Scotland in 2017 and is now receiving its London première at the Arcola Theatre. The audience finds the two protagonists, Robyn played by Marianne Oldham and Helen played by Jessica Hardwick, marooned on a deserted beach.

Founded in 2007 by Daniel Goldman, CASA – meaning ‘home’ in Portuguese and Spanish is one of the UK’s biggest champions of cultural exchanges between Latin American and UK based artists. An arts organisation programming predominantly theatre, their well known and respected festival has enjoyed 9 editions, with its 10th taking place this July. Taking over the helm of both the organisation and festival this year is CASA contributer Cordelia Grierson, the newly appointed Artistic Director who has helped shape CASA’s journey behind the scenes within the past 8 years. Talking ahead of this year’s festival, Cordelia tells us more about what to expect as well as the event’s newly introduced multi-disciplinary element.

As a part of the Arcola Theatre’s Creative Disruption the Arcola Women’s Company presents Women of Troy, a reimaging of Euripides’s text told from a female perspective. A cast of sixteen women form the ensemble for this production. In turns they recount Troy’s fall, detailing the trauma surrounding the events that took place. The graphic descriptions are echoed in their bloodied clothes and dishevelled appearances. This, combined with a bare stage, conveys the cold atmosphere of the piece.

On Rememberance Sunday, various events and services will take place to commemorate the lives lost in both WWI and WWII. The day is crucial in taking a step back, and taking in the gravitas of those who have sacrificed their lives for the rights of future generations. We’re taught about key events that led up to both conflicts and we also hear of the victorious. What we often don’t hear about are the various soldiers and labour workers who aided in the conflict from a multitude of backgrounds. Daniel York’s Forgotten tackles this, a narrative solely focussed on the 140,000 Chinese Labour Corp who contributed in Great Britain and the Allies’ victory a century ago.

Currently playing at the Plymouth Theatre Royal, before transferring to The Arcola Theatre, Forgotten fleshes out the one sided narrative we’re so often used to hearing. Forgotten brings to light the 140,000 Chinese labourers who aided in Britain and the Allies WWI victory a century ago; as a result, educating and celebrating the contributions of the Chinese Labour Corps. Director Kim Pearce talks to us about what drew her to the project as well as the extensive research process that brought this much needed production to life!

Starting life as a 5 minute play, Daniel York’s Forgotten has been many years in the making. A response to the lack of acknowledgement given to the tremendous effort aiding Britain’s and the Allies’ WWI victory, Forgotten places at the forefront the 140,000 Chinese labourers who sacrificed their lives in the hopes of escaping their current regime. The title, Forgotten speaks of many who have disgracefully been written out of the history books, a common thread often witnessed within significant Western texts. A much needed historical lesson, the production looks to highlight an alternative perspective of an event we are so often used to being presented in a particular manner. November 2018 marks the centenary of the war’s ending, making this a very timely piece. Daniel tells us more about the show’s creation and what to expect! 

I firmly believe that if Virginia Woolf were alive today she and her lofty set of literati would be stomping around East London somewhere – floating between the fringes of privileged society and the liberal arts world sipping a kale juice or soy latte. In my eyes, it’s appropriate then for Hal Coase’s adaptation of Mrs Dalloway to find a home at the fringe Arcola Theatre in Dalston.