London Grey & Green had a wonderful day on the 14th June, when we were invited to perform two short pieces at the Big Noise Festival, which took place at the CLF Arts Cafe (Bussey Building) in Peckham. The Big Noise Festival is an annual ‘gathering of artists both visual and live to provide a fantastic day of entertainment’ which raises money for the Big Issue Foundation. This year, headliners included comedians Sara Pascoe and Richard Herring, DJ and MC duo The Correspondents, drum and bass DJ Dillinja, and Channel One Soundsystem. There was also beautiful visual art, performance poetry and cabaret. We particularly enjoyed Zena Edwards, Sara Pascoe, East End Cabaret, Joe Innes & the Cavalcade, MC Xander and The Correspondents – do check out their work!
London Grey & Green presented two very different works: first up was a 20-minute extract of a new play, Magical Leon, written by Ben Maier and directed by Charlie Ely. Magical Leon is a play about the fierce and imaginative ways in which young people cope with reality. Set in London in the present day, it follows the friendship of Jude (an unemployed graduate) and Leon (a self-trained magician) as they negotiate the ins-and-outs of life in the city; life which is sometimes funny, sometimes dark, always truthful… and occasionally magical. It was performed beautifully by Sam Caseley and Philippa Carson – both RCSSD alumni. Though the theatre was very hot, on the third floor and not completely soundproofed from the live music playing downstairs, the actors kept their audience completely rapt, and we were delighted at the play’s response and the enthusiastic comments we received afterwards. We are so excited to be producing the full-length version of Magical Leon in October (more details to be announced soon).
Our evening performance by The Vaudevillians was a very different affair; a sultry and dramatic cabaret act, performed by Ms. Vivien Dubois and Mr. Tom Collins (aka Tessa Shrubsall and Andy Hill). Viv and Tom guided the audience through the different worlds that they have inhabited, through jazz and blues songs, and playful anecdotes. One minute, the audience were in occupied France, being serenaded by Ms. Piaf, and the next, in a dimly lit, smoky bar in downtown New Orleans, soaking up the sounds of Mr. Fats Domino and Mr. Armstrong. We were very proud of Viv and Tom’s beautiful and original performance, and the way they captivated such a large audience, many of whom expected to spend the night listening to much more modern sounds! Originating at the monthly immersive theatrical event Vaudeville Emporium at Shaker & Company in Euston, The Vaudevillians now gig regularly throughout London. They have recently secured a residency at a soon-to-be-announced new arts venue in Ealing.
Many thanks to all involved in organising the Big Noise Festival! It was a marvelous event and we do so hope we can be a part of it again next year!