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Three To See 12-18 Nov: Bunker Theatre Shows, CPT Shows, edfringe Shows, Runs Starting This Week, Shorter Runs

By | Published on Saturday 9 November 2019

THREE BUNKER THEATRE SHOWS

I Will Still Be Whole (When You Rip Me In Half) | The Bunker Theatre | 12-23 Nov (pictured)
I bet there’s loads of you out there who, like me, are currently feeling rather sad about the news that The Bunker Theatre will be closing in the spring. It did, however, make me want to make sure we make the most of it while we’ve still got it and recommend a whole load of shows there this week. So we start with this, an interlinking of monologues by Ava Wong Davies looking at “race, belonging, and what we inherit from our parents”. For more information and to book, see this page here.

Before I Was A Bear | The Bunker Theatre | 12-23 Nov
“And I was going to stop. I was only going to do it once. Just for the story, because why not, because anyone would’ve. I think anyone would’ve”. The second thing you can see at The Bunker this week is a new play from Eleanor Tindall about friendship, sexuality and hot TV detectives. “On a rainy Wednesday evening, Cally sits at her local pub waiting for her best friend. She notices someone in the corner. She recognises them. It can’t be them though, can it? It isn’t. This doesn’t happen. She won’t go over. She won’t.” Details here.

And So The Choir Gathers | The Bunker Theatre | 17-18 Nov
And finally, this new live performance by Liv Wynter starring a selection of “politically enraged” untrained performers and musicians who explore the importance of subculture as a tool for radical organising. “If The Specials, who were last in the spotlight for being an anti-Thatcher and anti-racist ska band, have made a new album during the Theresa May era – what does this mean for political progress in the UK? And if punk is really dead, are we next?” Head this way for info.


THREE CPT SHOWS

CPT’s Bumper Birthday Bash | 12 Nov
Having decided to do a whole section on The Bunker, I also decided to do one on Camden People’s Theatre. Don’t worry, though, they’re not closing in the spring; this event is in fact a celebration marking the start of the final season of the venue’s 25th anniversary year, a birthday you’re probably all very much aware of. This event sees some of CPT’s best loved artists performing specially commissioned works. They’re actually some of our favourites too, so it’s all rather good. Tickets are rather steep compared the the typical cost of a show here, but it’s all good, because all the proceeds are going to their artist development programmes, plus each ticket includes a CPT nova membership. See this page here for more.

Five Years | Camden People’s Theatre | 15-16 Nov
“Let me tell you about Foxwood. A place that my skipping voice would not get me thrown down stairs. Unlike other schools. It was very much like other schools”. Nottinghamshire-based poet, Neal Pike attended a special educational needs school in Nottinghamshire from 1998-2002, and in this show details some of his experiences there, as well as focusing on what it’s like to grow up with a stutter. Expect an exploration of of the teenage experience – from friendship to sexuality – and how our school experiences shape the people we grow up to be. For all the details, head to the venue website here.

When Did You Stop Dancing | Camden People’s Theatre | 13-16 Nov (pictured)
I’ve always been really rather intrigued by that whole hysterical Dancing Plague thing, but I am not sure I ever expected to see a show about it. So, hurrah, here is one, I am definitely here for it. It’s a  storytelling, live art, theatre mashup piece that mixes the true story of said Dancing Plague with autobiographical material from creator Rach McBride. “Told with pop culture references, shoe puppetry, tenderness, tenacity and truly terrible jokes it’s a story of when 500 years ago, one woman danced alone in the streets. And how that became hundreds. And they didn’t stop…” Info here.


THREE SHOWS THAT WERE ON AT THE FRINGE

Old Jewish Jokes | Museum Of Comedy | 12-14 Nov
And yes, they keep on coming, those shows that have been on up at that there Edinburgh Festival Fringe, stopping off in the capital to the delight of London audiences. Though to be fair, we are starting with a long running show that’s been on many times in London, as well as up in Edinburgh. It is, however, is a real favourite of ours, and one that we gave one of our Editors’ Awards to this summer. Anyone who has had an eye on comedy in the last few decades will be well aware of its talented creator Ivor Dembina, and this is a show that certainly bears seeing more than once, if you have seen it already. If you haven’t, please seize this upcoming opportunity, and book here.

Wireless Operator | The Pleasance Theatre | 14-16 Nov
I think this one probably made its debut at the edfringe just gone (though I may be wrong) and a successful one it was too. This story of a World War 2 bombing raid, told through the eyes and ears of a wireless operator, certainly went down well with our own reviewer who said this: “This tense, claustrophobic presentation of a flight team’s final bombing run, set during the Second World War, captures the harrowing experience wonderfully… A powerfully poignant tribute to those who lost their lives, and those who survived, albeit scarred”. So what are you waiting for? Head this way to find out more.

Queens Of Sheba | Battersea Arts Centre | 18-23 Nov (pictured)
“At a London nightclub in 2015, the lives of a group of friends were changed forever when confronted with misogynoir – where sexism meets racism – in its most vicious form”. This show was on at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe (and yes, that still counts when it comes to being included in this section) and is another show that delighted the reviewer we sent along to it, to the extent that she handed it a whopping 5/5 score. Here’s a bit of what she said: “Through their keenly felt satire, they depict the deeply ingrained forms of prejudice within our society with a bold, fiery energy that electrifies the stage. Funny, heart-wrenching and ultimately empowering, this is the kind of intersectional feminism that needs to be seen and heard everywhere”. Details here.


THREE RUNS STARTING THIS WEEK

#WeAreArrested | Arcola Theatre | 13 Nov-7 Dec
“When a journalist is sent a flash-drive containing critical evidence of illegal government activity, he is duty-bound to publish the story. But with the nation destabilised and divided, a sinister power is eroding the rule of law. What price will he pay for speaking out?” An adaptation of the book by Can Dündar, who was arrested for publishing footage of Turkish State Intelligence sending weapons into Syria, and Arcola’s first co-production with the Royal Shakespeare Company. For all the info and to book see this page here.

The Wolf, The Duck And The Mouse | The Unicorn Theatre | 15 Nov-5 Jan (pictured)
You know how last week we (well, I) spoke about the inexorable march towards Christmas and Christmas shows? Well, here we are, taking more steps, with this show for younger audiences being staged all over the Christmas period. I think you probably need this kind of stuff in November, too, though, to help get through those dull grey November days when it’s too miserable to play outside. This is about a duck and a mouse stuck in the belly of a wolf (which yes, sounds gruesome, but that’s what fairy tales are like, right?) and is an adaptation of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s ‘subversive’ picture book. Head to the venue website here for more.

Kissing Rebellion | Ovalhouse | 15-30 Nov
“Exploring the impact of global crises and personal heartbreaks, ‘Kissing Rebellion’ is a new dance theatre performance inspired by the social media message that followed the Paris attacks in 2015: “Il va falloir beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup d’amour”- “It’s going to take a lot, a lot, a lot of love. Hosting dinners over the last three years in their home cities of London, Paris, Chicago and Los Angeles, co-creators Carolyn Defrin and Abigail Boucher audio-recorded their guests’ humorous, passionate and sorrowful stories that began with a kiss”. This sounds rather good, tackling a really interesting theme, a performance “about our ability to heal and care in the wake of what has been shattered”. Details here.


THREE SHORTER RUNS

Italy Uncovered | Theatre503 | 17-18 Nov
A short strand of five rehearsed readings, ‘Italy Uncovered’ brings together a collection of work by a new generation of Italian playwrights, all with very different themes. On Sunday 17 Nov there’s ‘Lost’ by Greta Cappelletti, ’10 mg’ by Maria Teresa Berardelli, and ‘For Your Own Good’ by Pier Lorenzo Pisano, and on Monday 18 Nov there’s ‘In The Woods’ by Carlotta Corradi and ‘Variations on Kraepelin’s Model’ by Davide Carnevali. There are deals available when you book more than one show, I think. Take a look at the ‘What’s On’ page here, for links to all five.

God 2.0 | The Lion & Unicorn Theatre | 12-16 Nov (pictured)
“What would you ask God? What if you didn’t like the answer? In this religious satire by Kent based Blueberry Goose Theatre Group, God gives a monthly interview answering ANY question. For Ash Pentel, a troubled heavy-weight political journalist and this month’s interviewer, the right answer could be a life saver”. I think there’s a chance you might have seen an earlier version of this intriguing show when it was on as part of the Camden Fringe in 2018, but if you did, I reckon you’ll enjoy this fleshier version more. And if you haven’t come across it before, now’s your chance to see it. Details here.

Much Ado About Nothing | Wilton’s Music Hall | 12-23 Nov
“Home from war, a group of soldiers attempt to put their fighting days behind them. But adjusting to civilian life isn’t easy, especially when love is thrown into the mix. How do you let go of your demons? How do you learn to be your real self again? And what does that mean for the friendships that helped you survive?” It’s many people’s favourite. It’s certainly one of my favourites. So yes, I am quite keen to see this classy production, and so should you be. For all the info and to book your tickets head right this way.



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