BLOOMSBURY FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL PATRON
Her Grace The Duchess of Bedford
FESTIVAL TRUSTEES
Maurice Biriotti (Chair) Kate Anderson
Stella Bruzzi Tim Coker
Joe Hancock Nicole Logan
Nick Potter Rosalind Raine
Mark Savage Abigail Tan
FESTIVAL TEAM
Festival Director Rosemary Richards
Artistic Associates Bill Gee, Orit Azaz & Junna Begum
Festival Manager Catríona Strojwas
Senior Programme Manager John-Paul Muir
Programme & Community Manager Ellie Cooper
New Bloomsbury Set Curator Sandra Lam
PR & Digital Marketing Manager Vicky Wilford
Design & Communications Manager Gillian Allmark
Festival Press and PR Mobius Industries
Digital Book Club Manager Tamera Heron
Festival Production Manager Ed Borgnis
Store Street Producer Jake Morry
Finance Mark Sands
Radio, Podcast & Digital Hosting John Offord
Welcome Tickets/Info: bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
2023: Grow
Welcome to Bloomsbury Festival 2023. This year’s festival is bringing a great range of new relationships and creativity to the festival, all of which celebrate and share the life, arts, culture and learning found in Bloomsbury 2023.
Our emerging artists programme New Wave continues to offer platforms to theatre makers, visual artists and musicians who are poised to enter their professional careers. Alongside these opportunities we are also training 10 young adults from diverse backgrounds as our New Bloomsbury Set. These are young artists, writers, performers, and academics within the local community, some of whom have lived here all their lives and some who have arrived from across the globe to live, work and create here.
Our 2023 theme Grow has a direct relationship to the talent development opportunities we offer as well as to our wide and varied programme of music, theatre, art,
walks and talks which make up our festival events, all of which have been inspired by one of many interpretations of the theme, or by our cultural reimagining of Bloomsbury in the 21st century.
We are delighted to announce two major new partnerships for the 2023 festival with City Lit and Holborn Library, both hosting substantial programmes of events at their venues, as well as our many regular hosts and partners.
The festival is made possible by the support of our core funders, sponsors and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Local Business Sponsors, Venue Partners and of course our multitude of creative partners presenting such a broad and exciting programme.
We hope you enjoy your exploration of the programme and Bloomsbury.
Rosemary Richards Festival Director Cover Image: Bloomsbury Festival Performance 2023; photo by Stuart Keegan
bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
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Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme, occasionally changes may occur that are beyond our control.
The programme is correct at time of printingcheck bloomsburyfestival.org.uk for updates.
FREE AND TICKETED EVENTS
Some festival events are FREE to the audience.
FREE - Just turn up events do not require tickets, but please arrive in good time, as capacity is limited. These events will be stewarded.
FREE - but pre-booking essential is applicable for some events.
DIGITAL EVENTS
Look out for this symbol to indicate digital events.
In 2023 we continue to broadcast news, interviews and information about our festival events in partnership with Bloomsbury Radio. Listen online at bil.ac.uk/bloomsburyradio.
BOX OFFICE: bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
Advanced booking until 1 hour before the event.
Booking Enquiries: boxoffice@bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
School Bookings & General Enquiries: admin@bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
020 8156 5945 (Tues - Fri 10am - 4pm)
INFORMATION HUBS
Pick up a brochure from our festival hubs.
Greater London Properties, Judd Street
Mon - Sat 8.45am - 6.30pm, Sun 10am - 4pm
London Review Bookshop, Bury Place
Mon - Sat 10am - 6.30pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm
You can catch up with interviews and programmes about the 2022 festival and previous festivals on our podcast site: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ bloomsburyfestival
CONCESSIONS
Concessionary rates are shown in brackets where applicable. These apply to under 16s, over 65s, full time students, unemployed, disabled people (unless otherwise stated).
ACCESS
Information is available from venue websites or from admin@bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
THE WEATHER
Our outdoor events will continue whatever the weather, unless safety is compromised.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Look out for feedback forms at Festival events or fill in our online survey afterwards – we’d love to know what you think.
Tickets/Info: bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
1. The Art Workers’ Guild
6 Queen Square, WC1N 3AT
2. Birkbeck Cinema
43 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PD
3. Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
235 Shaftesbury Ave, WC2H 8EP
4. British Library
96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB
5. Brunswick Square Gardens WC1N
6. City Lit
1-10 Keely Street, WC2B 4BA
7. Conway Hall
25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL
8. Corstorphine & Wright
21-27 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3NL
9. The Crypt Gallery
Euston Road (Entrance in Duke’s Rd), NW1 2BA
10. Fitzrovia Mural
8 Tottenham St, W1T 4RB
11. Friends House
173-177 Euston Road, NW1 2BJ
12. Greater London Properties
65 Judd Street, WC1H 9RF
Map & Locations
13. Holborn Community Association
Holborn House, 35 Emerald Street, WC1N 3QW
14. Holborn Library
32-38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
15. Holy Cross Church
98 Cromer Street, WC1H 8JU
16. Lamb’s Conduit Street & Rugby Street WC1N
17. London House, Goodenough College
Mecklenburgh Square, WC1N 2AB
18. London Review Bookshop
14-16 Bury Place, WC1A 2JL
19. London Welsh Centre
157-163 Grays Inn Road, WC1X 8UE
20. The Music Room
49 Great Ormond Street, WC1N 3HZ
21. Pushkin House
5a Bloomsbury Square, WC1A 2TA
22. RADA Studios
16 Chenies Street, WC1E 7EX
23. Royal National Hotel (Blooms Café)
38-51 Bedford Way, WC1H 0DG
24. Senate House, University of London
Malet Street, WC1E 7HU
25. SOAS, Brunei Gallery
10 Thornhaugh St, WC1H 0XG
26. St George’s Church Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2SA
27. St George’s Gardens
Heathcote Street, WC1N 2NU
28. St Pancras Church
Euston Road, NW1 2BA
29. Store Street WC1E
30. Waterstones
82 Gower Street, WC1E 6EQ
31. William Goodenough House, Goodenough College
Mecklenburgh Square, WC1N 2AN
Pin positions are approximate - please check exact venue locations on a detailed map.
NEW WAVE: ART PRIZE 2023 –ELLA JACKSON & TARA RYAN
A specially commissioned exhibition from the winners of the 2023 Bloomsbury Festival Art Competition responding to the theme of Grow.
A Love that Never Tires - a set of 4 large portraits by Ella Jackson, a BA Fine Art student at UAL Central Saint Martins,
Existence - a series of black and white narrative photographs by Tara Ryan, a BA Photography student at London Metropolitan University.
Our winning artists become part of our wider festival New Bloomsbury Set’s exploration and exhibitions of contemporary 21st century creativity and culture.
A Bloomsbury Festival Production supported by The Bedford Estates. Presented as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
Holborn Community Association
Sat 14 - Sat 21 Oct; Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm; Sat 10am - 2pm (closed Sun)
FREE - Just Turn Up
NEW BLOOMSBURY SET SILKSBLOOMSBURY FESTIVAL & KINETIKA
A set of 6 silk flags that represent the diverse identity, culture, and history of Bloomsbury’s residents, created by artists at Kinetika and community groups from across Bloomsbury, Holborn and Kings Cross.
This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set programme.
Holborn Library
Sat 14 - Sat 21 Oct; Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm; Sat 11am - 4pm (closed Sun)
FREE - Just Turn Up
A ROOM OF ONE’S OWNGIUSEPPE MARIO URSO
Enter this room and be surprised by an intimate video installation which intertwines space and emotion, to reveal other aspects of the church around you. Don’t miss the chance to step inside this wonder-box.
St Pancras Church
Sat 14 - Sun 22 Oct; 11am - 2pm daily
FREE - Just Turn Up
Please note: Indoor exhibitions may not be open on Mon 16 & Tues 17 Oct - please check website for more details.
26 PLANTS - 26 WRITERS
International writers group and regular Bloomsbury Festival collaborators 26 respond in poetry and prose to vulnerable plants selected by Wildlife Trusts. Their stories will appear online daily during the festival.
Online at bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
Fri 13 - Sun 22 Oct
DEAF MOSAIC - STEPHEN ILIFFE
Intimate photographic portraits celebrating the UK’s deaf community, an astonishingly diverse mosaic of ethnicity, class, religion, sexual orientation and different occupations and interests. Deaf Mosaic has a vital message to share: with the right support, deaf people can do anything.
Supported by City Lit.
Brunswick Square Gardens - Railings
Fri 13 - Sun 22 Oct
FREE - Just Turn Up
ENDLESS - PRESENTED BY UPLIGHT
Internationally renowned street artist ENDLESS has created a piece of art juxtaposing religious and commercial imagery raising questions around the blurred lines in our modern world between sacred and secular.
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
Sat 14 - Fri 20 Oct; 10am - 4pm daily
FREE - Just Turn Up
JESSICA’S FLOWERS - JESSICA STRANG
Jessica Strang photographed flowers - some given as gifts, and others adorning her homecapturing rare glimpses of succulents blooming, down to the weeds amongst the pavement cracks. This exhibition of her photographs captures their glorious colours and remembers Jessica’s fascination with flowers.
Store Street - Shop windows & railings
Fri 13 - Sun 22 Oct
FREE - Just Turn Up
THE NEW BLOOMSBURY SET PROJECT
Around the world, Bloomsbury is famed as a leafy area of garden squares and as the home of radical artists and writers from the early twentieth century who became known as the Bloomsbury Group. The New Bloomsbury Set redefines the cultural, literary and heritage landscape of Bloomsbury through the lens of the area’s contemporary young people and the wider community.
The project features creative and heritage training for local young people, a Writers of Colour book club and a community banner making project. The New Bloomsbury Set explores contemporary Bloomsbury beyond the Georgian squares, literary names and affluent lifestyles.
Presented in partnership with Bloomsbury Radio, Camden Archives, Camden Tour Guides, Conway Hall, Holborn Community Association, KCBNA, Runnymede Trust and UCL. Writers of Colour book club events are sponsored by Bishop and Sewell. The New Bloomsbury Set is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
THE NEW BLOOMSBURY SET EXHIBITION
An outdoor exhibition curated by the Festival’s own New Bloomsbury Set, a group of local young people reviewing and reshaping the cultural, literary and heritage landscape of Bloomsbury. This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set programme.
Brunswick Square Gardens - Railings
Fri 13 - Sun 22 Oct
FREE - Just Turn Up
WE WERE HERE - CAMDEN BLACK BRITISH HISTORY
A collection of eight biographies of significant individuals of African and Caribbean heritage who have lived, worked or studied in Camden, and whose achievements led to significant social change in local, national and international contexts.
This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set programme.
Senate House, Crush Hall (first floor)
Sat 14 - Sat 21 Oct; 9am - 8pm (closed Sun)
FREE - Just Turn Up
RUGBY ESTATE’S FLOWER TRAILDAWSON FLOWER & LANDSCAPES LTD
Featuring individually arranged flower installations, this trail is inspired by the independent traders and history of the Rugby Estate. Further details can be found at bloomsburyfestival.org.uk at time of the festival.
Lamb’s Conduit Street & Rugby Street
Sat 14 - Sun 22 Oct
FREE - Just Turn Up
ENTWINE: THE AVOCADO SCULPTURESGHOST AND JOHN
An exhibition of 50 avocado sculptures grown in the artists’ home, witnessing every laugh and tear of the couple. Exploring alternative ways to measure growth and new models of creative presentation that focus on community building, love and kindness, and personal life satisfaction.
Holborn Library
Sat 14 - Sat 21 Oct; Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm; Sat 11am - 4pm (closed Sun)
FREE - Just Turn Up
RECLAIMING - CAROLYN MURPHY
A panel montage reflecting on nature’s power to reclaim with additional artworks exploring the habitats and fragility of the world we share.
Holborn Library
Sat 14 - Sat 21 Oct; Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm; Sat 11am - 4pm (closed Sun)
FREE - Just Turn Up
Tickets/Info: bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
Street Food & Flower Market on Store Street
Bloomsbury Festival Production
Store Street, 12pm - 5pm
FREE - Just Turn Up
An outdoor event with pop-up performances.
Join us for an afternoon street food and flower market with pop-up events, to celebrate the start of the Bloomsbury Festival 2023 including family friendly after-school activities from 3pm - 5pm.
The food and flower market will open from midday with busking, local dance groups and performers bringing the street to life throughout the afternoon. Local restaurants and shops take part in the fun and there will be music and spoken word events along the street through the event.
A procession of local communities will bring beautiful silk banners created with groups from Somali, Chinese, Bangladeshi, Holborn Community Association and young people at KCBNA and the Story Garden at Kings Cross.
Opening Event - Friday 13 October
Performers include local youth dance and multi-generation dance groups bringing Latin, South African and street dance to the event.
Pop Up talks including Miranda Janatka, (author of 10 Tips for a Happy Indoor Garden), and Jessica Strang’s flower photographs will be exhibited on railings and in windows (see page 9 for details).
Come prepared for the weather. Store Street is wheelchair accessible.
GLOBAL STREET FOOD MARKETSTREETFOODMARKETS LTD &
LOCAL RESTAURANTS
12pm - 5pm
A curated offering of street food with a global range of food stalls. Food can also be ordered from the streetfooodmarkets.co.uk stalls by mobile app Inuaeats and picked up in Store Street.
ALSO ON FRIDAY:
FAMILY UNDER 5’S WORKSHOPS: TIME TO GROW
Join artist/author Ella Phillips to make, touch, listen and play, in this joyful workshop inspired by her series My Grandma’s Magic Recipes. Celebrate food, family and the magic of growing and cooking together with stories, making and lots of curious materials to enjoy.
The British Library
10am & 1pm; FREE - but pre-booking is essential
CITY LIT PRESENTS: MENTAL WEALTH FESTIVAL
Now in its ninth year, the Mental Wealth Festival takes place from 9 -14 October at City Lit and across other venues in London.
This week-long festival provides a forum for informative, challenging, and inspiring discussions and workshops exploring mental health issues. This year, the festival focuses on connections, exploring ways that connection supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing and celebrating the numerous ways in which we connect with others, ourselves, and the world around us, through a series of free or low-fee events including interactive talks, panel discussions and in-person and online workshops.
Speakers include former Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle, mental health campaigner Rob Stephenson and chartered psychologist, author and coach Jess Baker.
City Lit, one of London’s largest adult education providers, is delighted to be partnering this year with the Bloomsbury Festival.
City Lit
Mon 9 - Sat 14 Oct
FREE and low prices - pre-booking is essential
For the full Mental Wealth Festival programme of workshops, talks, discussions, exhibitions, and other activities, scan the QR code or visit citylit.ac.uk/mwf
Saturday workshop highlights include:
LOOKING TOGETHER: ART AS COMMUNAL SPACE - SARAH JAFFRAY
Explore art as a communal space of conversation. Join this workshop to develop or deepen your art interpretation skills by listening and thinking about the meaning of an artwork collaboratively.
City Lit Offsite at the Wellcome Collection
10.30am; Tickets: £5
HEALING CONNECTIONS - NAILA DUNLEAVY
Integrative therapist Naila Dunleavy will offer a space that will be used to nurture, hold, share, celebrate and make connections. Holding in mind the framework of ‘Healing Justice’, you will reflect on your stories, what may have caused ruptures in your family and wider society in the present and over generations and hopefully begin to repair any fragmented connections.
City Lit - Room 502
2pm; Tickets: £5
UPCYCLED TEXTILE JEWELLERY
Learn how to braid your own colourful bracelets by connecting fabric remnants, ribbons, shoelaces, or that old t-shirt. On this inspirational workshop with Tanvi Kant, you will learn how to repurpose textiles at home into something special to gift to yourself or a loved one.
City Lit - Student Centre & Library
2pm; Tickets: £5
Photo: City Lit by Phil HardmanPETER PAN FAMILY ADVENTURE WALKCAMDEN TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION
A walk led by Ellika McAuley for children under 10 and their families. Explore the gardens of Bloomsbury through a series of themed challenges, and learn about the area’s connection to Peter Pan.
Starts outside The Art Workers’ Guild
11am; Tickets: £14 (children £3)
GROWING UP WITH WITCH POWERSDR SIMONA DI MARTINO
Exploring witches in children’s literature with family friendly chats, personality quizzes, and a draw along session, this workshop investigates the appeal to young children of witches as the main characters of successful children’s books and as comic heroines.
Holborn Library
11am; FREE - Just turn up
ENCOURAGING HEALTHY GROWTH IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS - UCL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
This panel discussion explores with experts how healthy growth can be encouraged in specific populations. From eating disorders to vision impairment, we will discuss what research indicates as beneficial for people experiencing such conditions.
Presented in partnership with City Lit’s Mental Wealth Festival.
City Lit - Cultureplex
11am; Suggested donation of £5 when booking
EVENT TYPES:
WHY EDUCATION MATTERS FOR GROWTH - UCL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
Experts discuss how healthy growth can be encouraged in specific educational environments. From greenery and nature to mental health in schools, the panel will discuss what research indicates as beneficial for human development. Presented in partnership with City Lit’s Mental Wealth Festival.
City Lit - Cultureplex
12.45pm; Suggested donation of £5 when booking
NEW WAVE LUNCHTIME CONCERT: THE FOUR SEASONS - SONG RECITAL
Soprano Charlotte Jane Kennedy and pianist Frasier Hickland present a special selection of songs for all seasons from composers including Bizet, Schumann, Puccini, Fauré, and Sibelius.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
The Music Room
1pm; FREE - Just turn up
URBAN GREENING: CITIES OF THE FUTURE - CORSTORPHINE & WRIGHT ARCHITECTS
This talk by award winning architects will demonstrate and discuss the importance of the grown within the city. From the origins in Tropical Modernism to the established frameworks of Biophilic design.
Corstorphine & Wright, Lambs Conduit Street
1pm; FREE - Just turn up
REBELS AND BLUE STOCKINGSCAMDEN TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION
A walk led by Oonagh Gay. Discover how the New Victorian Women aimed to live independently of their family, earn a wage, and in doing so attracted political and literary attention.
Starts at Blooms Cafe, The Royal National Hotel
2pm; Tickets: £14
COLD ISLANDERS PRESENTS: CARIBBEAN FOLKLORE
Join Cold Islanders in their storytelling space as they read, reminisce and discuss Caribbean folklore and cherished fairytales. Cold Islanders is a community based platform that endeavours to celebrate, appreciate and educate people about Caribbean culture.
This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set ‘Writers of Colour’ Book Club programme.
Holborn Library
2pm; FREE - Just turn up
Tickets/Info: bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
Saturday
NEW WAVE THEATRE: GOODGIRLPARBATI CHAUDHURY
A new work in progress by dance artist-writer, Parbati Chaudhury, with music by Archita Kumar. It’s the final weeks of Suhana’s pregnancy. While closest friends, Padma and Brinda, go all out to offer their invaluable, though mildly chaotic support, Suhana’s maternal instincts kick in.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
RADA Studios - The Studio Theatre
2pm (plus 2pm Sun 15 Oct); Tickets: £5
NEW WAVE THEATRE: THE MORPHEA BY ROWENNA MORTIMER - FURTHER THAN THE EDGE
“Water, water everywhere and not a place to sleep?” Morphea’s home on the canal is being disturbed, so off she sets on a journey…
An original tale for the theatre.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
RADA Studios - The Studio Theatre
5pm (plus 5pm Sun 15 Oct)
Tickets: £12 (£10)
IMMERSIVE LISTENING: LIVE MUSIC WITH NIKA SHOOT & BOBBY WILLIAMS
An ambient, immersive musical experience, creating live music soundscapes for deep listening and exploring deep meditative states of being.
William Goodenough House, Goodenough College
5pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
REY CAMOY - TARINAINANIKA THEATRE COMPANY
Breath-taking physical theatre from Japan, inspired by the life and work of a little-known painter. Rey Camoy is a gut-wrenching love song to beauty - the kind worth living and dying for.
City Lit - John Lyon’s Theatre
7.30pm (plus 7.30pm Sun 15 Oct); Tickets: £12 (£10)
OILS BY JESSICA RACHID
A gripping show about survival, trauma, and the unyielding strength of a woman. Follow the journey of a courageous mother as she navigates domestic violence, while simultaneously managing a thriving kebab shop in the vibrant landscape of East London.
Winner of Bloomsbury Radio’s New Wave Radio Play Competition 2022. This new production has been developed with Drayton Arms Theatre Creative Director, Audrey Thayer.
RADA Studios - The Studio Theatre
7.30pm (plus 7.30pm Sun 15 Oct);
Tickets: £12 (£10)
IF WALLS COULD SING! A MUSICAL HISTORY OF AN ADDRESS IN BLOOMSBURY - THE GOOD COMPANIONS
Exploring Bloomsbury’s fascinating history through the story of one house - 49 Great Ormond Street - and the people who lived there, using a lively combination of narration and vintage songs.
The Music Room
7.30pm (plus 3.30pm & 7.30pm Sun 15 Oct)
Tickets: £12 (£10)
BALUJI SHRIVASTAV OBE AND JAZZ ORIENT
Celebrating jazz with Indian and Latin influences combined with intricate patterns of percussive footwork from Indian dance. Featuring sitar, dilruba, tablas, keyboards, sax and vocals.
Holy Cross Church
7.30pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
STAND-UP COMEDY MEETS CLASSICAL PIANO - AÏDA LAHLOU
Mixing live piano performance and stand-up comedy, Aïda explores the realities of being a classical pianist today, from managing parental expectations to the comical quirks of working within the classical music industry.
William Goodenough House, Goodenough College
8pm; Tickets: £8 (£6)
EVENT TYPES: ▐ MUSIC
PERFORMANCE & FILM
NEW WAVE LUNCHTIME CONCERT: PIANO WORKS OF SERBIAN CONTEMPORARY COMPOSERS
Explore a beautifully curated selection of piano pieces by Serbian 20th and 21st century composers, performed by Serbian pianist
Ana Bursac.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
City Lit - Recital Room
1pm; FREE - Just turn up
INDIE ZINES PANEL TALK & ZINE CREATION SESSION
Join zine creators as they explore the current climate of independent creation publishing.
Followed by a zine making workshop by Arda
Awais and Savena Surana @Identity 2.0.
This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set ‘Writers of Colour’ Book Club programme.
Waterstones, Gower Street
1pm Talk / 2.30pm Workshop
Tickets: Talk FREE - Just turn up Workshop £15 (£12)
NEW WAVE THEATRE: GOODGIRLPARBATI CHAUDHURY
(See page 17)
RADA Studios - The Studio Theatre
2pm (plus 2pm Sat 14 Oct); Tickets: £5
LEGENDARY WOMEN OF BLOOMSBURYCAMDEN TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION
A walk led by Zhanna Macmillen. Following the footsteps of the remarkable women of Bloomsbury’s history, and showing how they shaped the world we live in.
Starts at Blooms Cafe, Royal National Hotel
2pm; Tickets: £14
HIDDEN BLOOMSBURY - CAMDEN TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION & THE NEW BLOOMSBURY SET PROJECT
This guided walk explores some of the hidden histories of Bloomsbury. Led by Camden Tour Guides with the participation of festival trainees from the New Bloomsbury Set project.
This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set programme.
Starts at Blooms Cafe, The Royal National Hotel
2pm; FREE - Just turn up
THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF THE BODY - TARINAINANIKA THEATRE COMPANY
An acting workshop with the creators of Rey Camoy (see page 17). Rediscover the expressive power of your body through the theatrical art of Corporeal Mime.
City Lit - Room 102
2pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
IF WALLS COULD SING! A MUSICAL HISTORY OF AN ADDRESS IN BLOOMSBURY - THE GOOD COMPANIONS
(See page 17)
The Music Room
3.30pm & 7.30pm (plus 7.30pm Sat 14 Oct)
Tickets: £12 (£10)
SPIRIT OF PLACE: LANDSCAPE AND SELF
When we look at the landscape, what do we see? Authors Will Ashon and Dr Susan Owens explore what we see in the British landscape, and how place and history shape us.
Conway Hall
3pm; Tickets: £9 (£6; Conway Hall members free)
RICERCARE - VICTOR BRAOJOS (PIANO)
This solo piano recital presents a journey through works by Granados, Franck & Beethoven, written in their last years, as the artistic culmination of a lifetime.
City Lit - Recital Room
3pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
EVENT TYPES:
TALKS & LITERATURE
Tickets/Info: bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
GROWING IN LOVE: EXPLORING FOLK ROMANCE OF THE INDUS
Discover the power of storytelling with Faheem Hussain, exploring the timeless folk romance of Sohni-Mahiwal, inspiring introspection, growth, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. Ages 16+
City Lit - Cultureplex
3.30pm; Tickets: £8 (£6)
I DREAM IN COLOUR BY JASMIN THIENEXTANT
This one woman play explores memory, loss, and the intersection between disability and culture, drawn from experiences growing up fighting eye cancer and eventually blindness as a Bruneianborn Chinese woman.
City Lit - John Lyon’s Theatre
4pm
Tickets: £12 (£10; free companion tickets available)
RACHMANINOFF AT A MIRROR - FLAVIO VILLANI (PIANO)
Crossing Rachmaninoff (2015 documentary) subject Flavio Villani presents a programme of Rachmaninoff’s Preludes Op.23 intertwined with his own semi-improvised works.
City Lit - Recital Room
5pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
NEW WAVE THEATRE: THE MORPHEA BY ROWENNA MORTIMER - FURTHER THAN THE EDGE
(See page 17)
RADA Studios - The Studio Theatre
5pm (plus 5pm Sat 14 Oct); Tickets: £12 (£10)
NEW WAVE THEATRE: INTRANSIGENT LINES BY LIZZIE MILTON
In search of their long lost mother, two sisters embark on a perilous sea voyage when one of them begins turning into an octopus. A rehearsed reading of a coming-of-age story exploring neurodiversity.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
City Lit - Cultureplex
6pm; Tickets: £5
2ND PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY BY VYTE GARRIGA - MACREADY THEATRE YOUNG ACTORS ENSEMBLE
Nine teenagers. One baritone saxophone. A futile search for a theme. The possibility that someone is the great-grandchild of Dorian Gray. This performance is BSL Interpreted.
A co-commission from Bloomsbury Festival and Macready Theatre, with support from Cemex UK and Rugby School. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Holy Cross Church
6.30pm; FREE - Just turn up
EVENT TYPES: ▐ TALKS & LITERATURE ▐ MUSIC ▐ PERFORMANCE & FILM
RHUBARB AND CUSTARD - STUPID AND BRAVE THEATRE
A one woman show about grief and jazz piano, with original music. The show is about what it means to love someone that both hurt you profoundly, and made you who you are.
City Lit - Recital Room
7pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
NEW WAVE RADIO DRAMA: PETRICHOR BY THEO HRISTOVDUCKTAPE
Stella and Alex meet in the early hours of the night and fall madly in love. They’re both seventeen and from London. But that’s where the similarities end. And tonight there’s a storm coming.
Presented as a radio play by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
Listen at Bloomsbury Radio
7pm
REY CAMOY - TARINAINANIKA THEATRE COMPANY
(See page 17)
City Lit - John Lyon’s Theatre
7.30pm (plus 7.30pm Sat 14 Oct); Tickets: £12 (£10)
OILS BY JESSICA RACHID
(See page 17)
RADA Studios - The Studio Theatre
7.30pm (plus 7.30pm Sat 14 Oct); Tickets: £12 (£10)
THE BRIGHT, THE GIFTED AND THE FEARLESS - CAMDEN TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION
A walk led by Penny Burns, following fascinating females, memorable men and inspiring institutions in and around Bloomsbury.
Starts at Friends House Gardens
11am; Tickets: £14
NEW WAVE LUNCHTIME CONCERT: DUO NEUL - SEUNGYEON LEE (GUITAR) & JUNE LEE (VIOLIN)
Recent graduates of The Royal College of Music, both originally from South Korea, present a delicate and emotional performance of four contrasting pieces and styles.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
1pm; FREE - Just turn up
BLOOMSBURY & KINGS CROSS GROUP
BOOKSHOP CRAWL - 2 HOUR CRAWL
An exploration of the second hand, specialist, indie and chain bookshops of Bloomsbury led by Bookshop Crawl UK. Meet fellow book lovers, swap book recommendations and explore bookshops and literary landmarks.
Starts at St Pancras Church Gardens
2pm; Tickets: £8
WRITERS OF COLOUR DIGITAL BOOK CLUB
In this online event we will be reading and discussing the instant no.2 New York Times bestselling book Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Hosted by freelance writer and digital storyteller Tamera Heron.
This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set ‘Writers of Colour’ Book Club programme.
Online
5.30pm; FREE - but pre-booking is essential
WHO WERE THE BLOOMSBURY GROUP?
A digital panel discussion introducing different aspects of the Bloomsbury Set of a century ago, their lives, writing, art and changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality in the 1920s. With Darren Clarke (Charleston Trust) , Thomas Kennedy (Tate Britain) and Nino Strachey (author).
This event is part of the festival’s New Bloomsbury Set ‘Writers of Colour’ Book Club programme.
Online
7pm; FREE - but pre-booking is essential
PHOENIX - HELEN PERCIVAL
A whirlwind of spoken word poetry, movement and music that takes audiences on a journey to explore healing, transformation and connection. A love song to life, the show investigates how we might find gold in our darkest times.
The Crypt Gallery
7pm; Tickets: £8 (£6)
HEAVEN CAN WAIT - BE•WILDER THEATRE
Presenting the tragicomic theatrical tale of an artist on their life-changing journey to reach Paradise, in search of inspiration for their craft and a renaissance of their spirit. By RADA graduate company be•wilder.
Holy Cross Church
7pm; Tickets: £15 (£10)
FINEGAN VISCARDI DUO EP LAUNCH: UNCOVERED ROOTS
The Finegan Viscardi Duo launch their debut EP, featuring folk music from the UK and Ireland in different contexts, arranged for saxophone and harp. A new work by harpist-composer Anne Marie O’Farrell will also be showcased. With guest artist, violinist Martha Campbell.
The Art Workers’ Guild - Main Hall
7pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
NEW WAVE THEATRE: HOW TO RUN AWAY BY LUCY ANDRINA - HOT TRIP THEATRE
This new play is the dirty, mucky, sweaty secondcousin of Eat, Pray, Love. Forget meditating for ten weeks on a remote mountain, instead try crying in showers on different continents.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
The Crypt Gallery
9pm (plus 9pm Thurs 19 & Fri 20 Oct)
Tickets: £8 (£6)
EVENT TYPES:
TALKS & LITERATURE
A GREEN THREAD - CAMDEN TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION
A walk led by Maggie Coates. Take a stroll through interesting green spaces and growing places in eastern Bloomsbury. Hear about some of the area’s stories and characters along the way.
Starts at Holborn Library
11am; Tickets: £14
NEW WAVE LUNCHTIME CONCERT: MICHELLE HROMIN’S SONIC EXPLORATION
Featuring works by Steve Reich, Liza Lim, Unsuk Chin, Paquito d’Rivera, as well as her own compositions, redefining the sonic possibilities of solo clarinet playing.
Presented by Bloomsbury Festival as part of the New Wave programme, a platform for emerging talent.
The Music Room
1pm; FREE - Just turn up
THE SMALLER SQUARES OF BLOOMSBURY - SEEKOUT LONDON & CAMDEN TOUR GUIDES ASSOCIATION
A walk led by Mike Marriott. Explore some of the less visited squares of Bloomsbury, discovering their histories and what can be seen, enjoyed and admired in them today.
Starts at Senate House steps, Malet St
2pm; Tickets: £14
THE INTELLIGENT SOLUTION? YOU DECIDE: AI IN HEALTHCARE - UCL (WEISS)
Tour a facility where lifesaving research takes place and be part of a jury deciding right from wrong in a near future where Artificial Intelligence is entering medicine.
A Secret Facility in Bloomsbury
6pm (plus 6pm Fri 20 Oct)
Tickets: Donation when booking online
THE DREAMQUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH - VULCANELLO PRODUCTIONS AND SHIVERS
An adventure into perhaps the most peculiar corners of even H P Lovecraft’s imagination, read to the accompaniment of shadow puppetry and a live theremin soundtrack. Watch out for space cats.
The Crypt Gallery
6.30pm (plus 6.30pm Fri 20 Oct); Tickets: £15 (£12)
POETRY’S CIRCLE OF GROWTHDARK ANGELS
An inspiring live performance of poetry on the theme of ‘Grow’ by Dark Angels poets. Features new poems specially written for the festival. An uplifting and accessible evening of poetry, offering new ways to connect with poetry for everyone.
The Art Workers’ Guild - Gradidge Room
6.30pm; Tickets: £8 (£6)
LIFE LINES: POETRY, DANCE AND MUSIC - SAGE DANCE COMPANY & RACK PRESS POETS
A cabaret style event mixing poetry, music and contemporary dance, with Sage Dance Company, a ballet based dance company for ages 55+, and Rack Press Poetry, an independent poetry press based in Bloomsbury and Wales.
Holborn Library, 4th Floor
7pm; Tickets: £10 (£8)
BLUE LIGHT - KAST ART ASSOCIATION
A one-act theatrical monologue with music telling the tales of the remarkable life of Marie Curie; the woman, the mother, the widow, the scientist, the Nobel prize winner, who shattered barriers and changed the course of history.
Holy Cross Church
7pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
ONE HUNDRED BOOKS FOR THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS - LONDON REVIEW BOOKSHOP
Twenty celebrated writers chose the five books we need to help us navigate the next twenty years, to mark the London Review Bookshop’s twentieth birthday. Four of them discuss their choices.
London Review Bookshop
7pm; Tickets: £10
INUA ELLAMS AND FUEL PRESENT: AN EVENING WITH AN IMMIGRANT
Littered with poems, stories and anecdotes, award-winning poet Inua Ellams tells his ridiculous, fantastic immigrant-story of looking for a country to belong to and a place to call home. In association with Choose Love, supporting refugees around the world.
Senate House - Beveridge Hall
7pm; £15 (£12)
SEED - CORRUPTED POETRY
Language is the seed, the action that breaks the silence. An evening of poetry, art and sound, featuring Luke Kennard, L Kiew, Helen Bowell and Richard Price, plus an exclusive event pamphlet.
The Art Workers’ Guild - Main Hall
7.30pm; Tickets: £10 (£7)
A MUSIC PARTY AT MONTAGU HOUSEBLOOMSBURY BAROQUE
A programme of vocal and instrumental music performed on period instruments, inspired by Marcellus Laroon’s 1730s painting A Music party at Montagu House. The programme includes music by Pepusch, Handel and Sancho.
St George’s Bloomsbury
7.30pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
GIANT FOLK
Alternative folk-jazz group led by vocalist Rowan Flack present mysterious folk songs, hidden and understated jazz standards and their esoteric, original compositions which are experimental and magical in nature.
London Welsh Centre - Bar
8pm; Tickets: £12 (£10)
NEW WAVE THEATRE: HOW TO RUN AWAY BY LUCY ANDRINA - HOT TRIP THEATRE
(See page 23)
The Crypt Gallery
9pm (plus 9pm Wed 18 & Fri 20 Oct)
Tickets: £8 (£6)
EVENT TYPES:
Discovery Hub Grow at Holborn Library
An exciting mix of science and creativity for three days for schools, families and the general public.
Thursday 19 & Friday 20 October
10am - 3pm Schools Bookings* 3pm - 4pm Public Opening
* For schools bookings, please email admin@bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
Saturday 21 October 11am - 12pm Quiet Hour** 12pm - 4pm Family Day
** If you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please email admin@bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
FREE - Just Turn Up
For full programme information visit: bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
