It has been a while since I have posted up about a show, and I am returning to say 'Hey...I'm back!'
My short time away from the blog has really been due to tending to my 'career garden of life' (and expanding my corny vocabulary).
Since starting the blog, I left my beloved Drama department in very good hands, and decided to pursue what might be called a Portfolio Career. So now, I have a Radio show on Vibe 107.6 in Watford, I present across various different platforms, I teach, act, write comedy and perform as part of a sketch duo. So just a few small changes that I've been adjusting to since leaving the security of my full-time job!
Writing this blog over the past year has taught me to never give up and follow your dreams, as so many of the performers I have written about or interviewed have demonstrated. They have been truly inspiring, and I hope this blog inspires you to seek out some of the fantastic dance, theatre and comedy shows that are coming up this year in my treasured city. Whether you are visiting from afar (do come in) or live around the corner (local estate or mews development) all are WELCOME!
Come and enjoy the bloody great talent that we've got...because we've got bucket loads!
I'd have to agree with Emma Thompson on this one...yes THE Emma Thompson who said that 'they (ZooNation) are one of my favourite things about this city'. This show pretty much encompassed everything I love, not only about London, but also my teenage years, my fondness for dance and generally everything that I think is important. I have decided that this post will take the form of a list, otherwise I am in danger of dramatically hero-worshipping for the whole post and I've already done that before. Please see below for a list of things that this production included that were important to me, and will hopefully resonate with you when you go and see it (oh you must!):
1. A well chosen selection of hip-hop music, edited neatly, including big favourites of mine such as (oh wow I'm having to put a sub-section in the sub-section here): a) Outkast-Ghettomusick b) Teardrop-Massive Attack c) Heard em' Say- Kanye West ft Adam Levine d) Witness the Fitness- Roots Manuva e) Overnight Celebrity- Twista AND MORE (or I'll be here all night) 2. Thoughtful, fast-paced, slick choreography that showcased the dancers skills, the neat editing of the music, and just generally they were (to quote the great Ashley Banjo) ON POINT! 3. A witty narrative- just when you think it will get predictable (which is part of the charm of a fairytale right?) The story 'nips it in the bud' before your brain has to, so you get a feeling of being in-tune with the show. Clever or what! 4. That lighting tho'! ZooNation always get me with this one. Well done Jenny Kershaw (lighting programmer) for those colourful spots and areas that get lit up when the rest of the cast are in darkness...I liked it...I liked it a lot. 5. Animation- A huge 'big-up' here to the animation team. A stand out section had to be in Scene 3 when we were touring 'Beanstalk Towers' and being led up and down the building. That gave me a definite idea of overall style and looked effective. It reminded me a little of the animation used in 'The Animals and Children took to the Streets' by 1927 who are renowned for their stunning animation. However it still had it's own identity, and my personal favourite sections were Spindarella's character entering the ball, and simple moments like the spinning Vinyl's and Jaxx's timer appearing on the wall. It all added huge effect. 6. High levels of creativity- There aren't many shows that can execute what ZooNation manage to achieve here. Firstly the 'spin' on the characters themselves is clever and hilarious. 'Rap-on-Zel' particularly got a huge laugh at the announcement of her name. Jaxx (who get's a little rendition of a Basement Jaxx song every time he appears) as a take on Jack at the basement of 'beanstalk towers'. 'Big Teef' records in which Wolf is the Boss. This is why I feel so strongly that we should take our kids to see this. In schools that are working creatively, this way of thinking and adapting will very much compliment their sense of invention and adaptation for their story-writing. We know and teach 'Magpie-ing' so that children know they can take ideas and add it to their nest of creativity. Adapting is something they are very familiar with and can use more and more to improve their work. The creativity in this show is inspiring and ingenious and it left a mark with many in the audience of varying ages. Stand-out performances were given by Natasha Gooden who played Lil' Red. I was blown away when I saw her at the Freestyle Funk Forum earlier this year (see the post about it here) because her musicality and strength are off the scale. She hits every movement and beat so sharply that it's like watching a solo optical illusion! Corey Culverwell who I recognised from previous shows and of course from BoyBand on Britain's Got Talent this year also deserves a mention for very similar reasons. He has mastered his craft well and it shows. I hope my list gives you an idea of how nuts I am about this kind of theatre, but also the reasons why. If you want something that will make you proud of our city, that will entertain you, that will challenge your children and make you laugh , and that will remind you that dancers aren't there to perform behind someone on a festival stage, but are there because they truly deserve it...get down to see this, before it sells out! Tickets can be booked by following this link: Into the Hoods: 23.10.15-14.11.15
The twisted Hip-hop fairytale which originally hit London's West End in 2008 has been refreshed, revamped, re-jigged, re-buffed, re-whateveryouwannacall it! It's been given a makeover and brought right up to date.
It's set to have the humour, wit and pace of the first show under the direction of Sadler's Wells associate Kate Prince who is, quite frankly, a NARRATIVE WIZARDif you ask me.
What's more, if you're not based in London, it doesn't have to matter this time, because it's going on a national TOUR.
YES!
This is a big deal for ZooNation as the Peacock Theatre is usually the only spot to catch them doing their thang when they work on a large scale.
Set in the ‘Ruff Endz Estate’, the story follows two lost school children who have been tasked to find an iPhone as white as milk, trainers as pure as gold, a hoodie as red as blood and some weave as yellow as corn. Along the way, they meet DJ Spinderella, wannabe singer Lil Red, vivacious rapper Rap On Zel, budding music producer Jaxx and embark upon a storybook adventure into the heart of a pulsating community!
If there are any Teachers out there looking for some twisted Fairytale inspiration for your classes (I know it pops up in the curriculum a lot!) this show would be IDEAL. Sure we can all take our kids to the pantomime, and sure pantomimes have their place in the theatre world (a very important place as well) but trust me, take your kids to be inspired by a show like 'Into the Hoods-Remixed' and they will thank you for the cool choreography, the massive music, and for being on their level. Children's story writing and creativity in the classroom is on a higher level than ever before, and finally there is a production to match the imagination we require from our kids. To find out more and to book tickets, click on the link below: Tickets for: Into the Hoods- Remixed 2015 Tour
The last time I stepped foot into the Roundhouse was for a January performance of 'Fuerzabruta' which took me from sub-zero temperatures to beautiful Braziliana over a dreamy evening of wide entertainment. Roundhouse are known for making their events feel exclusive and bespoke, and I was expecting to be captured after hearing the title of the performance.
Initially drawn to the night because of the dance names involved (Arlene Philips, Tommy Franzen and ZooNation) I have to admit that the installation was a second thought. However, the wonderful thing about 'mash-ups' is that the people behind it don't just mix together different forms and genres, but they bring you into the blender and combine your tastes with something new, expanding your horizons and world view at the same time.
Utopia was an idea conceived in collaboration with artist Penny Woolcock, who's work focuses on telling stories, the grittier, real stories that surround us and make our world what it truly is. It became immediately apparant that the installation was a red siren raising awareness about our obsession with material objects, celebrity and wealth. It's just what I needed, as I had spent the last few days browsing for new threads, trainers and Brazilian blow-dry's, I appreciated a gentle slap in the face to put me back on a humbler path and not get too tied up in the curation of my outer self.
Walk-through areas had been set up with tables of paraphernalia that created a message or image of someone with a history you wanted to hear more about. Upon touring through the masses of boxes which displayed branded labels such as 'wealth, 'happiness', 'spirituality', 'popularity' and 'exclusivity' narratives were being activated and voices told stories of how they had been affected by money, job issues and class difference. The irony was too much to ignore upon walking around and hearing some girls discussing which boxes they want in their flat; 'These boxes look nice y'know, I would want, wealth, happiness and spirituality, what about you?'
Walk-through Installation
Walk through Installation
I was deeply drawn in to a narrative from a boy who attended a local Camden school, and talked about his observations of middle and working class people. How could he achieve the same standard of homework in a one bedroom flat with his mum and baby brother that another pupil could achieve in a house with three bedrooms and a study? What about the tutors that his friends had for their GCSE's? The cross section of classes mixing together in London schools can be wide, and yet we wonder why people who come from homes with certain privileges are the ones who are doing well.
Arlene gave an inspirational and down to earth speech, talking of her days growing up with limited money and resources and her compassion for those who live in poverty today. She talked passionately about the 'blame culture' that has been adopted so freely and her own Father's difficulties meaning he struggled to work. She quite rightly pointed out that he would have been given a more derogatory label in 2015 than he did all those years ago.
As the night drew into the performances, we were treated to money themed dances by Tommy Franzen, who was joined by ZooNation Youth Company and Street Circus Collective. A sweet and heartwarming segment was added to the evening by the lovely ballroom and Charleston dancers, who proved that when it comes to dance, age ain't nothing but a number. Franzen leant his quirky locking and popping that was reminiscent of his Charlie Chaplin performance in 'Smile' earlier this year, whilst the younger dance members supported and packed a punch in their street sections.
Toby Campion (Poetry Slam runner up 2015) gave us two spoken word pieces, the second one humorously written about struggles and being at the Job centre and Caleb Oluwafemi (Poetry Slam winner 2015) told us a story about his Grandfather and his philosophies on money.
Toby Campion
Caleb Oluwafemi
At the end of the evening we got an insight into the world of extreme fame through a Q&A session with a professional George Clooney lookalike! I'm not sure this was a strongest way to end the evening but it did tie in with the flow of thoughts that were already shaping up over the night.
Block9 have done an incredible job on the installation giant that stood at the back of the theatre. It provided a Hollywood-esque backdrop to the night and had that unique element that Roundhouse always does so well. I was lucky enough to be involved in a project for the Olympics in which they created an enormous 'Tree of Light' that was powered a lit up by cyclists inside the construction. It had a similar gigantic feel and I felt privileged to be in front of their work again.
Utopia will run until Sunday 23rd August 2015 with a varied programme of events on different nights. You can find out more and book by clicking the link below.
When people ask me who I admire most in my life (this doesn't happen all that often actually, but if you imagine Morgan Freeman saying that first line it feels like you are at the beginning of a delightful film doesn't it?) my answer would be Kate Prince. Being a lover of hip-hop music and rich narratives that strongly connect me to the characters and action (take a breath Jenny!), it's not a surprise that Prince's creation 'ZooNation' became a favourite. When anyone asks me about a ZooNation production, I truly sound like a groupie-a MASSIVE fan.
ZooNation was set up by Kate Prince in 2002, and within eight years became a resident company at Sadler's Wells. The first big production that was commissioned 'Into the Hoods' was a huge hit, marrying traditional fairytales (Lil' Red and the Wolf for example) with modern tracks by artists such as Kanye West, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder to name a few.
The ZooNation company has now gone on to produce shows such as 'Some like it Hip Hop' an adaptation of 'Some like it Hot', 'Groove on Down the Road' an adaptation of 'the Wizard of Oz' by ZYC, the youth company, and 'The Mad Hatters tea Party', an original take on the characters from 'Alice in Wonderland'.
The amazing energy and humour from the shows ensure that you leave on a high. The music is always well chosen, and the skill of the dancers showcased is mind-blowing. The strength agility and even acting skills of the performers is of high quality, and more importantly, can appeal to people of all ages.
Prince's vision to put together Hip Hop and narrative that appeals to a huge audience has taken bravery and creativity. A white woman leading the way in hip hop is not so controversial any more, but unusual, and her ethos has been clear from the beginning.
The creative vision in each show will always make your heart smile. Dance battles instead of job interviews, a white rabbit that has OCD (that's why he's always so late!) and a sensitive boy named Lionel at school who is encouraged to be brave (We all have a bit of a Lion day sometimes?).
I would encourage everyone to go and see anything produced by this lady, as you are guaranteed to enjoy the creative spin put on EVERYTHING that she does (there's that groupie voice again!)
I'd like to thank Kate Prince for being a role-model for risk taking, for making stories fun, modern and relatable, and for having great taste in music!
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