Theatre Local announces eclectic line-up for Spoken Word Night

Press Release
18 October 2011

FREE EVENTS PROGRAMME IN PECKHAM AT ROYAL COURT’S THEATRE LOCAL, THE BUSSEY BUILDING

The Royal Court’s Theatre Local which opened to a sold-out run of debbie tucker greens new play truth and reconciliation, will host a series of free events and workshops showcasing local talent at The Bussey Building, Peckham from 24 Oct – 24 Nov.

Renowned Spoken Word and Peckham based artists Inua Ellams and Kate Tempest will headline an evening of spoken word featuring a line-up of new local talent. The events programme will also include half term acting workshops, a family arts and crafts day, and a film night of upcoming, young talent.

After beginning in 2010 at Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, the Royal Court Theatre’s initiative to take plays to alternative spaces opened this year at CLF Art Café at The Bussey Building on Rye Lane in Peckham. debbie tucker green’s play truth and reconciliation played a sell-out run and the world premiere of new writer Rachel De-lahay’s The Westbridge will open on 3 Nov-19 Nov. Theatre Local’s events programme is planned to keep the space vibrant and alive in between plays.

From 8pm on Tuesday 1 November Inua Ellams, whose recent production The 14th Tale had successful runs at the Battersea Arts Centre and the National Theatre, will join award-winning artist Kate Tempest, who made her name on the UK hip hop, spoken word and live music scene to headline an eclectic free evening of Spoken Word performances accompanied by a line-up of local spoken word artists, including Peckham resident Josephine ‘Realitie’ Rollings.

‘London’s hottest new spoken word talent.’
The Times on Inua Ellams’ The 14th Tale

On Thursday 24 November from 7pm the CLF Arts Café at Theatre Local will be transformed into a free cinema showcasing a series of short films in partnership with a competition launched by STEP (Southwark Theatres Education Partnership) which will screen the six winning films.

A new six-week playwriting course for Peckham residents has also been launched and will run every Wednesday from 7pm – 9pm, until 9 November. The free drop-in course exploring the tools to write a play will be run by the Royal Court’s Ola Animashawun with guest appearances from playwrights such as DC Moore (The Empire, Alaska) and is open to any age and ability in the local community. The first successful sessions have welcomed over 30 participants all from South London.

Theatre Local will be continuing its free education workshops to local community groups and schools with the next workshops taking place from 3-18 November.

From 8 November, Playwright Bola Agbaje will join Theatre Local working with Peckham based secondary school Harris Academy for a 6 week playwriting course. This will be one strand of a larger education project, working with a primary school and youth group in Peckham to teach and encourage playwriting. These will all be run by a Royal Court Playwright.

During half term Theatre Local will offer creative drop-in days at the Bussey Building for all ages to enjoy. Monday 24 October will offer acting workshops for young people from 4pm, and adults from 7pm, and a family activities day with arts and crafts in the morning and storytelling in the afternoon will be available to drop in to on Thursday 27 October from 10am – 4pm.

The next play in the Theatre Local Season, The Westbridge, will have its world premiere in Peckham from 3 – 19 Nov, before it transfers to the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, with tickets sold on a ‘Pay-what- you- like’ basis when purchased at the venue or £10 in advance.

Listings information

The Westbridge by Rachel De-lahay, directed by Clint Dyer
Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Written by Rachel De-lahay
3 – 19 Nov
Mondays – Saturdays 7.30pm
Press Night Tue 8 Nov 7pm
Matinees Thu 10, 17 & Sat 12, 19 Nov at 3.30pm
Age 14+

The Westbridge will run at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs 25 Nov – 23 Dec.

Spoken Word evening
Tuesday 1 November
8pm
Renowned Spoken word artist Inua Ellams is joined by Peckham Spoken Word Artists for an evening of emerging talent.
Cost – Free
CLF Art Café, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST

Film Night
In partnership with STEP
Showcasing young South London film talent.
Thursday 24 November
7pm
Cost – Free
CLF Art Café, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST

Playwriting at Theatre Local – 6 week course
Every Wednesday from 5 October – 9 November
7pm-9pm
Hands-on opportunity to tell the stories you want to tell and start writing your own play.Weekly workshops mixing writing exercises, group discussion, reading plays, seeing plays, and exploring subjects from the world.
Cost – free and no commitment or previous playwriting experience is needed.
CLF Art Café, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST

Family Day – drop in workshop
Thursday 27 October
10am – 4pm
Arts and crafts morning, story-telling afternoon
7+ must be accompanied by an adult
Cost – Free
CLF Art Café, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST
Bookable through ruthhawkins@royalcourttheatre.com

For further information, images or interviews, please contact Anna Evans on 020 7565 5063 annaevans@royalcourttheatre.com or Ruth Hawkins 020 7565 5013 ruthhawkins@royalcourttheatre.com

Notes to Editors:
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