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London venues: The King's Head Theatre

The King's Head theatre introduces itself as London's most ambitious pub theatre, committed to produce unapologetic work. Dan Crawford led the venue for 35 years establishing it as a breeding ground for new talents and great work. The walls of the pub display the multitude of famous faces that bean their careers here.

The King's Head Theatre stands on a plot of land that has been used as a public house since 1543, though for most of its history it has been known as the King's Head Tavern, the name itself coming from an old story about Henry VIII supposedly stopping by for a pint on his way to see his mistress. The current building dates back from the 1800's.

In 2010 the Olivier Award-winning UpClose Production became the theatre's resident company, and Adam Spreadbury-Maher was appointed the venue's second artistic director. At the Start of 2015, the third chapter of the King's Head Theatre began as the theatre celebrates her 45th anniversary.

With the departure of OperaUpClose, Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher chose to stay on, refocusing the venue's artistic policy towards new work and critical theatrical revivals. High quality and accessible classical music remains a part of the program with Charles Court Opera joining the venue as an associate company.

The venue's reputation for nurturing new talents continues, with pioneering trainee director scheme still being run by the King's Head theatre. Recent graduates have gone on to work at the National Theatre, RSC, Lyric Hammersmith and the Globe, plus many others internationally acclaimed companies.

 

The Magic Circle Performances

The magic circle is the premier magical society in the fascinating world of magic and illusion. With an international membership of around 1500, all dedicating in promoting and advancing the art of magic, an entertainment as popular today as when the famous club was formed in 1905.

The magic circle realised a long held ambition in 1998 when they opened they own purpose built headquarter in the heart of Euston, close to London's West End. Here in addition to their superb theatre, they have a library, a splendid museum, and on display their vast collection of posters and memorabilia relating to the history of mystery. 

In this unique setting they present shows and special events where the audience can experience the atmosphere of their home of magic, which has become an award winning venue for corporate functions and conferences. 

Book your seats and enjoy an evening of magical performances and wonder featuring some of the best magicians in the world. You'll learn about the history of magic, and get to witness amazing close-up conjuring and a magical stage show as part of this highly entertaining evening.

http://themagiccircle.co.uk

Little Angel Angel in London

Little Angel Theatre is one of the only three building-based puppet theatres in England. Established in 1961, the Islington-based theatre is the centre of artistic creation. The 100 seat theatre stands side by side with the workshop where all new productions and puppets are developed, carved and constructed. They are dedicated to the celebration and development of puppetry and live animation in all its diverse forms.

For over fifty years Little Angel Theatre have provided high quality puppet theatre aimed at family audiences and is continuing to extend their work for adults and young children. Not only do they produce they own shows which play in-house and tour nationally and internationally, but they also welcome puppetry companies from around the UK and overseas to perform on their stage.

Little Angel Theatre has a lively and imaginative educational program working with schools, youth and community groups, particularly in islington and the neighbouring  boroughs. They also run participation activities, such as the Saturday Puppet Club, Crafty Kid Club and Youth Theatre, and regular kids fun days and Holiday clubs.

Finally, through various courses throughout the year they provide training opportunities for puppeteers and puppet makers, maintaining this rare art form in the UK. They continually seek founding for this work and have recently received support for Esme Fairbaim Foundation towards a program of training activities.

 

Performing Arts at the Roundhouse Theatre London

Roundhouse Poetry Collective

The Roundhouse poetry collective is a group of young writers and performers who meet weekly to create, experiment and develop their work under guidance of established and celebrated poets.

To join, young people only need an interest in writing and the will to commit to a year of development. By the end of the project, participants will have developed skills in a large range of poetry writing and performance styles, learnt how to create work together and been introduced to exercises and techniques to improve their craft.

The program helps students develop confidence as writers and performers by offering detailed feedback and guidance, as well as creating a close network of likeminded potential collaborators. Joining the poetry collective offers the opportunity to be invited to perform at the Roundhouse as well as at a number of high-profile  festival and events.

Devising Theatre: Real Life Stories

This workshop is a chance for anyone interested in theatre to learn more about verbatim techniques and explore how they can be used to make innovative new work. Making Verbatim theatre means using exactly the same words that were used originally by someone else. This could be by a politician, a celebrity, your sister or even Twitter.

To join this project no previous experience in acting is necessary. All information http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/young-creatives/list

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regent Street Cinema London for Actors, Film Students & Fans

Build in 1848 and housed within the Polytechnic Institution on London's Regent Street, the cinema was the first in the UK to show moving pictures. In 1896, the cinema showcased the Lumber Brothers' Cinématographe to a paying audience and, as the curtain fell, British cinema was born.

After being used a student lecture hall by the university since 1980, it was restored into a working cinema featuring a state-of-the art auditorium as well as inclusive space for learning, cultural exchange and exhibitions. It is a truly landmark venue for the British film industry in the heart of London's West End.

The cinema is one of the few in the country to show 16mm and 35mm films, as well as the latest in 4K digital films. It offers premieres, repertory screenings, retrospectives, documentaries, animation and experimental cinema. You can also experience double-bills showcasing the best of home-grown British talent, world cinema and classic movies in a classic environment.

The university of Westminster has always been at the centre of innovation in film production and cinematography. Many of the university's alumni occupy prominent roles within the industry. The Regent Street cinema will provide a platform for film students and professionals to come together and showcase their outstanding work.

The cinema will also play a key role at the center of our community: school programs, hands-on learning, debates and discussions will connect what we do with those around us. For all information https://www.regentstreetcinema.com

Amateur Theatre Company in London

The Tower Theatre Company is a performing non-professional acting group in the city of London. They present about 18 productions each year in London, either at their base theatre, or at other small venues in the London area. During the summer months, they also perform touring productions, with regular appearances at the outdoor Théâtre de Verdure in Paris.

The Tower Theatre Company has been entertaining audiences for over 80 years. All their actors, directors and technical crews get involved for the sheer love of drama. The only full-time, non-professional company in central London, the Tower produces shows that compete with the best of the professional London fringe. 

They stage productions from Beckett to Butterworth, from Shakespeare to Sondheim. They seek to tackle new theatrical territory as well as to recreate stage classics, but most of all they aim to inspire audiences with their unique combination of creativity, passion and collaboration.

To get involve, please check their website http://www.towertheatre.org.uk/index.htm

London Stories: Made by Migrants Battersea Arts Centre

The Battersea Arts Centre is planning a theatre project called London Stories: Made by Migrants. It is a show that is happening over 3 weeks in November. London Stories: Made by Migrants will be a festival focussed around people from all sorts of backgrounds who live in London telling true stories that are income way related to the theme of migration. The storytellers will take over the building - an old Victorian Town Hall - and will tell stories to small audiences of 4 or 5 people at a time.

The stories might be personal stories of coming to London - from other parts of the UK, from other parts of Europe or other parts of the world - and trying to make a life here. But they are also interested in family stories of migration from previous generations. They want to try and represent a real diversity of stories of migration to London. They are also interested in stories from people who have welcomed migrants and refugees. They want to offer a positive narrative to help counter the negative messages we often get through the mainstream media.

They have launched their call out for stories. Please do have a read. If you know people who have great stories to tell on this theme but might prefer just to chat to them please let them know, they're very happy to meet up with groups and individuals to chat about the project. Here's the link to their website https://www.bac.org.uk/content/42052/to_archive/call_out__london_stories_made_by_migrants

BFI London Film Festival

Here it comes again, the British Film Institute Festival is starting soon 5-16 October 2016. This year, the BFI London Film Festival celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Every film selected is chosen on the basis that the programme team believes in it, recognizes something exceptional about it. The Institute want to champion these filmmakers, to inspire, challenge and entertain audiences. It looks for cinema that reaches beyond our own experience, into new worlds and invented narratives. It actively seek out diversity, believing that all people have a desire, indeed a right, to see their stories on screen.

Immediately following the Festival, the BFI will launch the UK's biggest ever season of film and television dedicated to celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors - Black Star. They want to amplify the ambitions and the purpose of the Black Star programme at the Festival.

Not only to celebrate black acting achievement, but to ask the searching questions that underpin this season. Questions about opportunity and aspiration, about the power to decide. Questions that have become increasingly urgent over the course of this year, intensified by the Black Lives Matter movement and by world events, including those close to home.

Unlimited Festival for the World Southbank Centre

Coinciding with the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, September sees the much anticipated return of Southbank Centre's Unlimited festival, which celebrates the artistic vision and originality of disabled artists. Join a festival of dance, music, literature, comedy, visual arts and theatre from around the world that celebrates difference with a spirit of artistic adventure, honesty and humour.

Highlights include the first ever solo stand-up comedy performance by Touretteshero Jess Thom, the world premiere of Assisted Suicide: The Musical by Liz Carr and a dance duet from leading artists Claire Cunningham and Jess Curtis. These artists continue to break boundaries, challenge taboos and drive innovation in imaginative and unexpected ways.

From London, Chickenshed presents Tales from the Shed and invites you to enjoy a vibrantly interactive theatre show designed for young children. Tales from the Shed shows are lively and informal, inviting performers and audience to share the same space. There is no edge of the stage - just a single inclusive space where everyone joins in a dramatic dialogue with everyone else. It couldn't be further removed from watch-and-listen theatre, and the possibilities are as limitless as our imaginations.

For all information and to book tickets, visit southbankcentre.co.uk/unlimited
or phone 020 7960 4200.

 

 

 

A Visit to Angels Costumes in Hendon

Angels costumes main business is making the clothes on the television and the silver screen look picture-perfect and historically accurate. But this world-famous costumiers also runs a fancy-dress shop on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Its purpose-built premises in Hendon has eight miles of clothing rails, all packed with garments in every shape, size, color, style and era. As well as a near-infinite number of coat hangers, the building houses design studios, a tailoring department, offices and a fridge full of fur.

Why not going for a visit? You'll see dresses that were made in the nineteenth century, epaulette designed especially for 'Dad's Army', pretend chainmail, real chainmail, royal wedding replicas and hundred of Santa suits. Try to spot the outfits that appeared in the 35 films that have won the company Best Costume Oscar - among them 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', 'Gladiator' and 'Titanic' - or just enjoy the fact that Leonardo di Caprio wore something that's now hanging in your vicinity.

Its fantastic tours run several times a month on selected weekdays and cost £20. Email tours@angels.uk.com for upcoming dates and to book your place.
Angels Costumes, 1 Garrick Road, NW9 6AA, Hendon, London.