YOUR GUIDE TO THIS WEEK IN CULTURE
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Cabaret Children's Shows Festivals Opera Spoken Word Theatre ThisWeek In London
Three To See 22-28 Aug: Camden Fringe, Other Festival Stuff, Other Great Shows
By TW Editorial | Published on Monday 21 August 2023
CAMDEN FRINGE
The Emperor’s New Clothes | Canal Cafe Theatre | 21-23 Aug (pictured)
Whoop whoop – it’s time for more Camden Fringe! Oh, but hang on, this is a bit sad though, because – as you may well have gathered – this is the final set of CF tips for this year. Wah. Well, let’s be positive and, if you’re in London, see as many shows there as you can in these last few days. Maybe starting with this one, an already acclaimed, tongue-in-cheek telling of a classic tale. Click here.
Defective Inspector: A Stitch In Time | Hen & Chickens Theatre | 25-27 Aug
Possibly because I am a sucker for puns I definitely tipped the first ‘Defective Inspector’ show (also on at this year’s Camden Fringe) when it was on at last year’s Clapham Fringe, so I thought I should tip the sequel this time. Though to be fair, you could quite easily see them both. So do that, maybe? Expect a “a time-bending sci-fi caper”. Lots of fun. Find lots more info here.
The Enfield Poltergeist | Upstairs At The Gatehouse | 23-25 Aug
I’m always talking in these tips about my misspent teenage years of reading far too many stories about serial killers and alleged ghosts (I’m an entirely well adjusted sceptic, I assure you), and the poltergeist of Enfield is a famous one that I wondered a lot about. Anyway, here’s a show promising to focus on the human stories behind the headlines, which sounds great. More here.
OTHER FESTIVAL STUFF
The Portrait Of Manon/L’Heure Espagnole | Arcola Theatre | 22-26 Aug
Yes, can you believe it? Along with all the edfringe stuff, and the Camden Fringe stuff, we’ve got a load of other events happening as part of festivals. First, a festival we have had more than a few visits to of late, the excellent Grimeborn at Arcola, and the latest pick is for this offering from Opera Alegría, who present a somewhat contrasting double bill, sung in English with libretti by Lindsay Bramley. Details here.
Woman, Life, Freedom! | Stratford Park | 26 Aug (pictured)
And from a festival that’s been going on for a while to a festival that’s just about to begin: this is our first pick from the Greenwich And Docklands International Festival, which, you probably know, is an annual outdoor performing arts festival. The title of this piece refers to the rallying cry of protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini almost a year ago, and it looks amazing. Click here.
Anansi And The Lost Sun | Little Angel Theatre | 26-28 Aug
“One day darkness covers the face of the land. Lion appeals for someone to bring back the sun. Who will succeed? The Powerful Eagle? The Clever Monkey? Or Anansi the spider and his mates?” A West African tale, conveyed through puppetry, spoken word and traditional music, on as part of Little Angel Theatre’s Children’s Puppet Festival. Read more about it here.
OTHER GREAT SHOWS
Candy | Park Theatre | 22 Aug-9 Sep (pictured)
And now for some stuff that’s not especially festival related. Well, except that this is actually a show we first came across via the digital edfringe back in 2021. We actually did a Q&A with the creative team behind it, so you could do worse than read that to find out more. Then of course you can head to the venue website too, to book your tickets for this highly acclaimed solo show.
Dr Adam Perchard: Interview With The Vamp | Crazy Coqs | 26-27 Aug
Anyone up for a “riotous evening of original music, vocal fireworks, and rampant repartee from two queer theatre icons”? Yeah, thought you might be. So you’re in luck, because Richard Thomas and Dr Adam Perchard return to Crazy Coqs this week to take you on a “whirlwind musical tour of the doctor’s brain. By turns hilarious, tender, silly, dark, and joyful”. Why miss it? Head this way.
Desmond’s Scared Of The Smoking Sea | Jack Studio | 22-25 Aug
And finally, one last bit of theatre for you, and it sounds like a goodie, a play by award winning writer Tommy Sissons, directed by Aoife Scott. “Lewisham. A Pupil Referral Unit. Two students are truanting their lessons. To distract themselves from the looming threat of their limited prospects post-education, they enact a series of daydream sequences”. Intrigued? Me too. Click here.
