The Playground Theatre announces new and live digital shows for December
https://theplaygroundtheatre.london
The Playground Theatre is to re-open next week with a programme of music, theatre and a pantomime starring national treasure Su Pollard. The West London venue initially re-opened in September but was forced to close again in November owing to changes in Government guidance. Lift Off Live, a celebratory evening of live theatre and music accompanied by cocktails, will launch the programme on 3rd December.
Music is at the fore of the programme: Acello and piano recital with Sebastian Comberti and Maggie Cole (6th Dec), live musical comedy from Bowjangles with Excalibow (10&11 Dec) and an evening of Portuguese Fado music, Noite de Fados (12 Dec).
Completing the live season, two Christmas-themed events, one for families and a second for adults as part of the Playground’s annual RebelFestive event (19 &20 Dec). A Radio Panto version of Mother Goose (script in hand but full of action) on both afternoons will star Su Pollard and Jessica Martin. Moulin Scrooge follows in the evening and will be a joyful night of dance, music and comedy for grown-ups. It is rumoured that Santa Claus may appear at the two-day event.
New writing in the digital sphere will be available, with six showcases of short works taking place throughout December as KickItDown productions presents KickItDown’s Digital Sharing (2-21Dec).Streamed Zoom pieces and audio dramas will fill the evenings, all of which were created in lockdown by established and emerging artists. The digital programme will be offered on a ‘Pay What You Can’ basis.
The Playground Theatre is an off-West End theatre dedicated to nurturing new talent and staging an international programme of shows. Led by co-Artistic Directors Peter Tate and Anthony Biggs, this unique space is in a former bus depot located on Latimer Road W10. Its name is intended as an invitation to theatre makers and performers to come and play, and to encourage bold experimentation with new works for the stage. Since it opened, The Playground Theatre has cultivated relationships with international companies and practitioners. To date, this has seen the venue work with leading creatives from Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Japan and beyond.
The Playground Theatre has taken various steps to ensure the health and safety of those visiting the space. Hygiene is maintained to an extremely high standard with frequent antibacterial surface cleaning, plus regular commercial grade fogging. To comply with Covid-19 Social Distancing guidelines, tickets to events are only available in seating clusters. All patrons are asked to bring and wear a mask in the theatre or purchase one from the box office. If anyone attending a performance displays signs of being unwell or receives a temperature test that indicates they may be affected by Covid19 the venue reserves the right to refuse admission in the interests of the health and safety of all patrons in the theatre.
Companies interested in developing work at The Playground should email [email protected]
@PlaygroundW10 | https://theplaygroundtheatre.london
LISTINGS
Live Shows
Up to 20 December 2020
The Playground Theatre, Latimer Road, London W10 6RQ
7.30pm and 2.30pm matinees
2 seats – £30 | 4 seats – £60 | 5 seats – £75
https://theplaygroundtheatre.london
Lift Off Live 3 December, 7.30pm
A punchy evening to celebrate the lifting of Lockdown2 and the return of live theatre. Come and enjoy a lift off cocktail and enjoy some surprise theatre followed by amazing music performed by Carlo Rossi and the Organic Jam. A night that will lift your spirits.
Recital for Cello and Piano with Sebastian Comberti and Maggie Cole 6 December, 5pm
Sebastian and Maggie have been close friends and colleagues for many years. They are delighted to bring this programme of sonatas and variations to the Playground in a welcome return to playing live in an unusual and intimate space. As the year of Beethoven’s 250th birthday celebrations draws to a close, their programme will feature his music alongside works by David Popper and Anton Diabelli, two composers who write with poignance and virtuosity for cello and piano.
Bowjangles: Excalibow 10 – 11 December 7.30pm
Award winning musical comedy team Bowjangles presents its most magical show so far. A theatrical, musical journey through myths, folklore, legends and a portal in a cello case in the quest to find the most priceless relic of all, a magical violin bow known as Excalibow. Expect tales of monsters, ancient gods, historical figures and characters of pure fantasy in this action-packed show, all presented in Bowjangles’ own inimitable and unique style – full of comedy, energy, and almost every musical genre you can imagine. Suitable for all ages. May contain traces of ABBA.
Noite de Fados/Fado Night 12 December from 5.30pm
Join us for a pre-Christmas night of live Fado music and dining inside the theatre. With celebrated singer Cristina Miguel accompanied by musicians Ze Pedro and Antonio Alves.
The event is being staged by a new cultural organisation Alma Lusitana and will raise funds for the creation of an Amateur Lusophone Theatre Group. The project seeks to nurture authors writing in the Portuguese language among the descendants or immigrants from Lusophone countries and to promote the cultural and artistic heritage of those countries.
RebelFestive 19-20 December
A two-day Christmas themed festival at the Playground Theatre. Featuring a community-led performance, a family-friendly panto and an evening of cabaret.
RebelFestive: One Community presents a seasonal selection of shorts 19th December, 1pm
Stories and poems written and performed by service users from St Charles Hospital, Mental Health Unit, as part of the Playground’s on-going Well Written out-reach programme.
RebelFestive: Mother Goose 19-20 December, 3.30pm
Miss Sixpence presents Mother Goose by Philip Meeks, starring Su Pollard and Jessica Martin.
It’s 1954 and in the faded North Kensington parish of Tipple by the Thames the church hall has been condemned following a riot at the annual Christmas jumble sale. Now, church stalwart, Miss Olive Sixpence has nowhere to perform her legendary Boxing Day pantomime. Arch-rival, the thrice widowed Gladioli Moon, offers up her back parlour and a war time wireless set. Alongside Miss Sixpence’s strange nephew Neville, a timid neighbour Mr Paltry, a broken vicar and Mrs Moon, Miss Sixpence presents Radio Panto Mother Goose.
RebelFestive: Moulin Scrouge (Over 18s) presented by The People Pile & Friends 19-20 December, 7.30pm
A story about a time, a story about a place, and above all things; a story about a tight arse! It’s time to rejuvenate, reinvent and revitalise Christmas. Delve into Santa’s Sack, and meet St. Knickerless themself; reminisce about fabulous festive fables from the famous ‘Fur Tree’. So, wrap up and roll around with the rambunctious rabble of the Moulin Scrouge.
Digital Programme
KickItDown’s Digital Sharing 2, 5, 12, 16, 19, 21 December, 7.30pm
In March 2020 KickItdown put a callout up on The BBC Writersroom. After receiving 700 submissions in total 18 final pieces were selected. KickItDown is excited to announce that it will be sharing these 18 stories with the world throughout December. Six evenings of streamed Zoom pieces and audio dramas, all created in lockdown by established and emerging artists. Tickets offered on a ‘Pay What You Can’ basis. Book through the Playground’s What’s On.