I'LL SAY IT AGAIN! FESTIVAL, TARA THEATRE – LISTINGS
THE LISTENING PROJECT RADIO RECORDING
BBC Wed 2 May 7.30pm | Free
BBC Radio 4’s The Listening Project comes to Tara for an evening of remarkable women’s stories, launching this season of work by women artists. Presenter Fi Glover will curate and share a collection of dynamic, funny and moving conversations between different generations of women. Fi will also be speaking with a panel of artists featured in I’ll Say It Again!, capturing some of their fascinating stories. The audience will be invited to put on Listening Project blindfolds during parts of this event for the ultimate radio experience. This special recording will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 5 May 2018.
The Listening Project is a partnership between BBC Radio and the British Library. Since 2012, BBC Radio producers have been collecting intimate conversations between friends and relatives from across the UK to build a unique picture of our lives today. The topics of these conversations cover everything from living with Alzheimer’s to falling in love in the front seat of a Reliant Robin; over a thousand have been collected and archived in the British Library so far.
A DOLL’S HOUSE THEATRE (drama)
Theatrical Niche Thurs 3 May & Fri 4 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
Mr and Mrs Helmer are the iconic power couple. They excel at work, staying on top, socialising: they excel at excelling. But as his autobiography rolls out around Christmastime, it seems there are a few things that Mr Helmer may not have mentioned in the foreword. Exploring stigmas around gender and mental health, this artful adaptation focuses on the impossible idolisation of one 'perfect' woman, by a man who walks with weights around his ankles. Having worked with some of the UK's leading mental health charities for this artful adaptation, Theatrical Niche uses verbatim interviews and emotive choreography to give Ibsen’s famous tale a resoundingly contemporary voice.
HONOUR AMONG THEBES COMEDY
Natalie Haynes Sat 5 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
Writer, broadcaster and star of the BBC Radio 4 series Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics, Natalie brings her unique combination of ancient history knowledge and stand-up comedy to Tara. Natalie spent 12 years as a comedian before returning to her first love with her book, The Ancient Guide to Modern Life. To coincide with her latest novel, The Children of Jocasta, she takes audiences on a tour through the earliest Greek Tragedies and Comedies, from the first performance by Thespis to the raucous sex-strike of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, via the great tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. The focus of the show will, in part, be decided by the audience. You will be invited to choose what you would like to hear more about: comedy, tragedy, the historical period which gave rise to these timeless plays or, if you prefer, a bit of everything. Ancient history has never been so much fun.
WE ARE THE LIONS, MR. MANAGER! THEATRE (drama/documentary)
Townsend Productions & Tara Arts Mon 7 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
After a sell-out run in 2017, the critically-acclaimed We are the Lions, Mr. Manager returns to Tara Theatre, telling the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai, the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike. Desai was recently recognised as one of the female figures to have had the biggest impact on women’s lives over the past 70 years, as part of BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour Power List.
Desai brought the issue of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore and challenged the perception of Asian women being inherently passive and docile. She had the measure of the most brutish and charmless of her managers, telling them: ‘What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips, others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr. Manager!’
BIZET’S CARMEN OPERA
Rogue Opera Mon 6 & Wed 8 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
Carmen – fiery, daring and uncompromising – meets José, a soldier with a past. She seeks love and liberty, he’s torn between duty, desire and jealousy; Micaëla yearns to return José to the safety of his village, whilst the charismatic Escamillo soon becomes a rival for Carmen’s affections.
Is a life lived outside the law a happy one or is true contentment found in obedience? Can love set you free or is it always a fight for dominance? Are Carmen and José doomed by fate… or human nature?
Rogue Opera presents a new, intimate production of Bizet’s classic opera, sung in French with English subtitles. Passionate about bringing top-class opera to new spaces and communities, Rogue Opera will also be running a free pre-show touch tour on Sunday 6 May (booking essential) and providing audio programme notes.
SECRETS OF THE BLUESTOCKINGS CABARET
The Blue Stocking Society Wed 9 May 7.30pm | £15.50
Since the eighteenth century, London cabaret sorority Blue Stocking Society has run a top secret female resistance movement. Join three undercover members in an all-singing, all-dancing cabaret – an alternative comic history of literary ladies, daring do, and dangerous wandering wombs.
Starring acclaimed cabaret chanteuse Tricity Vogue (“A very special talent”, Time Out Critics Choice), “masterful” Ginger Blush and Audacity Chutzpah (“One of the funniest and most endearing performers on the scene”, Time Out Critics Choice).
This new scripted cabaret show has been created by the founding members of The Blue Stocking Society, which been presenting thinking women's cabaret and burlesque shows since 2010. It has previously been staged at The Red Brick Building in Glastonbury and The Harrison in London.
PUPIK PHYSICAL THEATRE
Yael Karavan & Naomi Silman Fri 11 & Sat 12 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
Pupik is a new, multi-layered, visual and physical two-woman show, created and performed by Yael Karavan and Naomi Silman and co-produced by award-winning companies, LUME Teatro (Brazil) and The Karavan Ensemble (UK).
Pupik – meaning ‘navel’ in Hebrew – is the story of an encounter between two women, both descendants of generations of immigrants who have always been foreigners in other lands. Together they tackle questions of identity, roots, displacement, borders and the concept of a home. They travel through time and space, unveiling the layers of their nuanced stories and ancestry, tracing a line from the personal to the universal. With decades of experience in physical and visual theatre, dance and clowning between them, Yael and Naomi fuse their artistic skills into a simple and poetic language in this two-woman show, creating a playful and intimate dialogue with the audience.
Pupik premiered in Brazil in 2015 and toured throughout the country and in Portugal in 2016-2017. Now, the show comes to the UK in a new English adaptation, supported by Arts Council England.
ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE: MOTHER OF PRIDE THEATRE (Historical drama)
Eileen Page Wed 16 – Fri 18 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
One of the most dynamic women in history is reincarnated in Eileen Page in her remarkable one-woman performance of Eleanor of Aquitaine: Mother of the Pride by Catherine Muschamp.A woman of extraordinary courage, beauty and iron will – uniquely Queen of France then Queen of England, and mother of two English kings – Eleanor of Aquitaine’s name was legendary ever before her death.
Eileen Page’s 70-year career encompasses Shakespeare, contemporary writers, musical theatre, film and television. Her long association with the Royal Shakespeare Company included Peter Brook’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost, Henry V with Paul Scofield, Mother Courage, Richard II, The Winter’s Tale, and Waste with Judi Dench, which transferred to the West End. Other West End appearances include Heidi Schiller in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies (Shaftesbury Theatre, a role she later reprised for a BBC gala performance), Me and My Girl (Adelphi Theatre); The Boyfriend (Duchess Theatre); and Nine (Royal Festival Hall). Among many leading roles in repertory seasons across the country, one of her favourites was Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter at Liverpool Playhouse.
STRANGE FRUIT – A TRIBUTE TO BILLIE HOLIDAY MUSIC (cabaret)
Nina Kristofferson Sat 19 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
Nina Kristofferson’s musical play brings a captivating cocktail of songs and stories from Billie Holiday’s life. The highs and lows of Billie Holiday’s illustrious career are punctuated by some of her greatest hits, including God Bless The Child, Good Morning Heartache, Strange Fruit, Don’t Explain and All Of Me. Haunted by experiences of racial segregation, prostitution, drugs and abusive men, Lady Day’s unusual timbre told a story like no other jazz singer’s. Her influence on contemporaries like Sinatra is no secret and her influence on jazz is indelible. In this mesmerising performance, singer and actress Nina Kristofferson brings Holiday’s remarkable story to life.
COMPLICITÉ COOKS: SYRIA, RECIPES FROM HOME STORYTELLING THEATRE
Complicité Creative Learning Tues 22 May 7.30pm | £17.50
Syria has always been the marketplace for the most delicious ingredients from East and West, a meeting point for travellers and traders, where spices and sweetness collide; nothing unites and inspires Syrians as much as food.
Friends and passionate cooks Itab Azzam and Dina Mousawi co-wrote Syria Recipes from Home, a cookbook that celebrates everything food and memory can mean to an individual, to a family and to a nation. The book was included in several Best Cookbooks of 2017 lists, including Martha Stewart’s, The Guardian, The Times, London Evening Standard and many more. It received rave reviews on BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme and Woman’s Hour and described by the Evening Standard as 'So much more than a cookbook.'
On Tuesday 21 May, Dina and Itab will launch Complicité Cooks with an interactive evening of live Syrian cooking, stories and music at Tara Theatre.
JOAN, BABS & SHELAGH TOO THEATRE (drama, documentary)
Conscious Theatre Weds 23 May 7.30pm | £10 (£7.50)
Conscious Theatre presents a whirlwind journey through the life of Joan Littlewood, the unsung hero(ine) of British theatre. Unquestionably brilliant, undoubtedly maverick and undeniably rude, Littlewood was passionate about political theatre, improvisation and the use of working-class language in theatre.
Joan, Babs & Shelagh Too chronicles the life of a fascinating character far ahead of her time. It tells Joan’s story in her own words and in those of her collaborators, including Barbara Windsor and Shelagh Delaney. Written and performed by Gemskii, the show will take you on a journey through the rapidly changing theatrical landscape of twentieth century Britain, from Littlewood’s childhood in post-Second World War London, passing through Manchester where she formed her political ideology, to the explosion of Theatre Workshop’s success at Stratford East’s Theatre Royal in the ‘50s and ‘60s, before she disappeared to Nigeria to work with Wole Soyinka.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT THEATRE (reading/work-in-progress) MissyMya & Tara Arts Fri 15 May, 7.30pm, £8.50 (£6)
Food for thought! New female voices, creating new work.
5 female actor/writers were given a brief – to create a solo piece on the theme of ‘Food and Empowerment'.
They could interpret how they wish; their stories, their voice, on their terms.
Following a week-long development programme at Tara with Anjali Mya Chadha, the ideas will be turned into new solo performances and premiered as works-in-progress. The actor/writers are Kiran L Dadlani, Bushra Laakar, Medhavi Patel, Gita Gupta and Rema Chandran.
SUFFRAGETTE FLASH LITERATURE (workshop)
The Word Factory & Tara Arts Sat 26 May 2pm | £50 (incl. refreshments)
In this half-day workshop, particpatants will have the opportunity to work with flash fiction expert Tania Hershman to create the shortest of short stories (around 500 words), taking inspiration from the words and deeds of revolutionary women the world over. The day will culminate in taking to the stage at the intimate Tara Theatre to share some of the work created and celebrate those who fought before us, using their voices and your own.
Flash fiction is the process of creating stories under 2,000 words. Part poetry, part narrative, flash fiction is also known as sudden fiction, micro fiction, short short stories or quick fiction. No previous writing experience necessary; just bring pen, paper and your imagination!
Short story writer and poet Tania Hershman's third short story collection, Some Of Us Glow More Than Others, was published by Unthank Books in May 2017 and her debut poetry collection, Terms & Conditions, by Nine Arches Press in July. She is also co-author of Writing Short Stories: A Writers' & Artists' Companion (Bloomsbury, 2014).
Word Factory’s is the UK’s leading short story organisation, with a mission to promote and support short story excellence. It runs a year-round programme of live classes, literary salons, short story club and other events.
SUFFRAGETTE FLASH READING LITERATURE (reading)
The Word Factory & Tara Arts Sat 26 May 7pm | £5
An evening of flash fiction – the shortest of short stories – presented by Tania Hershman and a collective of writers, taking inspiration from the words and deeds of revolutionary women worldwide.
After a day-long masterclass in flash fiction with Tania, up to 20 participants will take to the stage to present their work in an intimate evening of readings. Flash fiction is the process of creating stories under 2,000 words. Part poetry, part narrative, flash fiction is also known as sudden fiction, micro fiction, short short stories or quick fiction.
HALF BREED THEATRE (drama) Soho Theatre & Talawa TheatreTues 29 May 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
“I am that mixed raced kid, like 50/50, on the fence, luke warm, in-between maybe. Trust me, around here I’m about as black as it goes…”
Jazmin feels different. She doesn’t want to stay in the village. She doesn’t want to have a baby. She doesn’t want to laugh at racist jokes in the local pub. She’s got to get out.
Following its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017 and a run at London’s Soho Theatre, Soho Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company present Half Breed, Natasha Marshall’s semi-autobiographical dark comedy about finding your voice.
Natasha trained on Soho Theatre Young Company’s Writer’s Lab and the Talawa First new-writing scheme. Half Breed was shortlisted for the Tony Craze Soho Young Writers Award and the Alfred Fagon Award and was nominated for Best New Play in the 2017 UK Theatre Awards.
GIRLS ARE COMING OUT OF THE WOODS LITERATURE (poetry/discussion)
Tishani DoshiWeds 30 May 7.30pm | £10 (£7.50)
‘Girls are coming out of the woods,
wrapped in cloaks and hoods,
carrying iron bars and candles
and a multitude of scars, collected
on acres of premature grass and city
buses, in temples and bars.’
So starts Tishani Doshi’s Girls Are Coming of the Woods. Tishani comes from the Hay Festival, where her latest book will be launched, to Tara for this special event with Kamila Shamsie.
Born in Madras, India, Tishani is an acclaimed poet, journalist and dancer. The daughter of a Welsh mother and a Gujarati father, Tishani deals critically with issues of being a woman, aging, sexuality, loss and violence.
She is the recipient of an Eric Gregory Award for Poetry, winner of the All-India Poetry Competition, and her first book, Countries of the Body, won the prestigious Forward Prize for Best First Collection in 2006. Tishani's debut novel, The Pleasure Seekers, was shortlisted for the Hindu Literary Prize and long-listed for the Orange Prize.
The author will be performing some of her poetry and will then be in conservation with novelist Kamila Shamsie.
WOMEN OF THE MAHABHARATA – A SHARING READING Thur 31 May 7.30pm | £8.50 (£6)
From the Queen who blinded herself to the woman who defied death, Kamila Shamsie, Preti Taneja, Razia Iqbal, Grace Nichols and Gurpreet Bhatti share works-in-progress on iconic women characters from The Mahabharata - India’s great epic of humanity - as part of Tara’s focus on reclaiming classics.
LONDON KLEZMER QUARTET LIVE MUSIC
London Klezmer Quartet Sat 2 June 7.30pm | £15.50 (£13)
Tara rounds off I’ll Say It Again! in style with theLondon Klezmer Quartet, who perform klezmer at its most beguiling and seductive, conveying the subtleties of the original tradition, combined with a kick-the-chairs-over ability to party
The quartet was formed in 2009 by a group of klezmer specialists keen to explore the almost lost wedding music tradition of Jewish eastern Europe. A dynamic group of performers whose deep understanding of klezmer, the celebratory and soulful music of Eastern European Jews, is reflected in exuberant, passionate and accomplished performances that captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds. This show will move you from toe-tapping to tears and back again in moments.
Popular in the UK, the band has also had five sell-out tours in Australia, as well as several other international performances. Their performances have been broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and 6, BBC TV and ABC Radio.
