The South Londoner - October 2023

SOUTH LONDonER

THE INSIDE SCOOP

The souTh norwood couple looking To make ice cream a year-round Thing

LAST OPEN SESSION: 10TH OCTOBER 5.30PM

Most of our students received at least one offer from a Russell Group university.

20% have secured competitive degree apprenticeships with companies such as Accenture, JP Morgan, Aviva, and Wates

“Pupils

succeed and find joy in learning new things.” - 2022

about us

We’ve been based in the old Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey since 1994.

We are proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

Our flagship publication, the southwark news launched in 1987 and is now London’s only independent, paid for newspaper.

We also publish the south london weekly and greenwich and lewisham weekender every week.

We created the Bermondsey Biscuit and rotherhithe docker in 2018 with support from sponsors including Sellar, Grosvenor, British Land, and many more local businesses.

We use 100% recovered paper from the Ortviken papermill in Sweden, a green energy provider who use biofuel instead of oil and provide heat for 10,000 single family homes.

www.southlondon.co.uk

editor Holly O'Mahony

design Lizzy Tweedale, Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen marketing Clarry Frewin, Katie Boyd, Sophie Ali media partnerships Anthony Phillips

finance Emrah Zeki

managing directors Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn

contact us

email hello@cm-media.co.uk

phone 020 7231 5258

twitter @insouthlndn

instagram thesouthlondoner website southlondon.co.uk

contents

5 HOME SECRETARY A Black Farmers’ Market, Oktoberfest hijinks, vintage posters and more…

8 FAMILY Storytelling, rewilding, headdress making and more…

11-14 LOCAL FACES

Meet the duo behind Brixton’s boutique gym

19 LOVE LETTER TO SOUTH LONDON

James Miles and Lindsay Smith, founders of South Norwood-based Marcelo’s ice cream, share their south London secrets

20 BUSINESS Stafford Geohagen on 20 years of running Brixton Market’s Healthy Eaters, plus a purse-friendly art fair and the South London Wedding Show

22-29 FOOD & DRINK A review of Dulwich’s fusion bar and restaurant Kix, plus the new openings in your ‘hood

25 LOCALLY SOURCED Maggie Bulman

Costumes ready to kit you out for Halloween

31-33 ARTS & ENTS Halloween raves and fantastic firework displays

the local line-up for your diary

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mercury PriZe nominees seed Play for sister midnight

Bringing good vibes only and a glorious mishmash of different music genres to the Peckham Levels stage is Mercury Prize nominee Seed. The 10-piece ensemble, led by alto saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi, are known for their unique fusion of jazz with West African and Caribbean-influenced sounds. The performance is in aid of a good cause too: the band is supporting female-run live music collective Sister Midnight on their mission to open a female-run live music venue in Catford by the end of the year. After the gig, stick around for a boogie to tunes spun by Social Records Society DJs.

Peckham Levels, F1-F6, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. October 14, 7:30pm. Admission: check venue website. www.peckhamlevels.org/whats-on

cha chi tea at the horniman

Fancy a cuppa? How do you take it? A ten-month series launching at the Horniman Museum on October 7 looks to explore the many avenues and connotations of Britain’s national drink, which has been sipped for centuries in communities across the world. While it’s certainly been the glue that’s brought nationalities together and cemented strong trade links between the UK and China, it’s not always been a happy story, what with its demand being linked to imperialism and colonial violence. All this will be explored, along with lectures and workshops on the production of tea from the people who work on the plantations where it is produced. So, whether you take yours with milk and sugar, or cinnamon, or salted butter, come along and learn something new about the drink that’s consumed second only to water.

Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, London SE23 3PQ. October 7 - July 7 2024, 10am - 5:30pm.

Admission: FREE.

www.horniman.ac.uk/event/cha-chai-tea/

suPPort the black farmers’ market

It’s been a year since Natasha Pencil, founder of Taino condiments, set up the first Black Farmers’ Market on Brixton Station Road. The event saw 3,000 people turn out to purchase locally grown, pesticide-free produce sold exclusively by Black farmers. With a couple more iterations of the market running successfully since then, the market returns to Station Road this October, with stalls selling farm-to-fork produce from 10am until 4pm, followed by a closing party at Pop Brixton, which runs until 11pm. Happy shopping!

Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QP. October 8, 10am - 4pm, then Pop Brixton until 11pm.

Admission: FREE. www.bfmarket.co.uk/

raise a stein to oktoberfest at electric brixton

Lederhosen ready! Oktoberfest is making its debut appearance at Electric Brixton. Transforming the nightclub into a Bavarian beer hall every Saturday this October, the event promises to be a raucous affair, with a live Oompah band, DJs, dancing and, of course, the chance to glug some German brews. Electric Brixton, Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill, London SW2 1RJ. October 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1pm - 8pm. Admission: £16.75+. www.skiddle.com/g/oktoberfest-brixton/

vintage (Posters), darling

Classic movies, street art, retro travel advertisements and rare comics – you’ll find posters celebrating them all and much more at Projekt 26’s Vintage Poster Market. Looking to jazz up your walls? Check out the weekend-long event, which is taking place at The Copeland Gallery in Peckham this November. There will be drinks and bites to eat too, for those looking to make a day of it.

The Copeland Gallery, Copeland Park, Peckham London SE15 4UJ. November 3, 2pm - 8pm; November 4, 10am - 6pm; November 5, 11am - 5pm. Admission: £2. www.projekt26.com/market

dulwich gallery frames flemish artist rubens

The work of Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) is the subject of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s major autumn/winter exhibition. The show unites 40 of the artist’s works, from masterpieces to lesser known drawings and privately owned paintings never before seen in the UK. As the name suggests, Rubens & Women will focus primarily on the many pictures of women the artist painted. However, it looks to challenge the notion he only painted a certain type of woman, pointing out he also painted his wife and children more frequently than most artists.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, London SE21 7AD.

September 27 - January 28, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am5pm. Admission: £16.50.

www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/ exhibitions/2023/september/rubens-women/

Playforte builds confidence in young people through theatre and music.

We are professional actor-musicians and experienced tutors currently working in the entertainment industry.

Classes support national curriculum for KS1-KS3 music classes up to GCSE level, while offering musical enrichment and fun!

Original classes! ‘Rock Band!’ ‘Jazz Band!’ ‘Ukulele Band!’ ‘Orchestra!’ ‘Actor-Musician Band!’

Individual and small group instrumental and singing lessons are also available!

Browse our pricing and classes at playfortetheatre.com Contact us at playforte.school@gmail.com

family events

stories all day long at the london literature festival

Inspire a love of stories in your littlest family members in this Southbank Centre event that’s dedicated to the craft of storytelling. Running as part of the London Literature Festival, the day-long event features live readings, performance, music and workshops, and celebrates a diverse body of writers from around the world. There will be opportunities for your kids to take their first steps towards writing their own stories, too.

sleeP rough for a good cause

rewild them at beckenham Place Park

headdresses for heritage

Part of Black History Month, Herne Hill’s Carnegie Library is inviting families to come and make a Carnivalstyle headdress. It’s a chance to meet new faces in the Black south-east London community, or to hang out with your favourite people while getting creative together. Don’t worry, there will be experts on hand to help you place your feathers and sequins in the right spots.

Carnegie Library, 192 Herne Hill Road, London SE24 0DG. October 26, 2:30pm - 4pm.

Admission: FREE.

www.lambeth.gov.uk/events/half-term-carnivalheaddress-craft-activities-2

halloween arts and crafts

Share the load this half term and let the experts help your kids get their spooky costume ready. The Kids’ Table is hosting a special arts and crafts session for Halloween that’s open to 3-10 year olds. Whether it’s a pumpkin they fancy becoming, or a wicked witch or a ghoul, there’ll be guidance around the table, so you can save your DIY costume-making skills for next year. (Phew!)

Peckham Levels, F1-F6, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. October 25 and 27, 12pm - 4pm.

Admission: FREE.

www.peckhamlevels.org/events/kids-table

The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX. October 21, from 12pm. Admission: FREE. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/familyyoung-people/telling-your-story?eventId=961351

Alabaré, a Christian charity supporting homeless veterans, is hosting the first ever sleep out event to run in the grounds of Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College (ORNC). The charity has been running its Big Sleep events for almost 20 years. Each event is hosted at a landmark site, with entertainment and a history lesson about the location provided on the night to make the uncomfortable experience a bit more enjoyable. Anyone who is healthy and aged 14+ can take part. Participants are expected to raise £200 for the charity in addition to paying £10 to secure their space on the night.

The Big Sleep is taking place at the Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN.

October 6 & 7, from 8pm. Admission: £10, with a pledge to raise £200 for the charity.

Worried the kids are spending too much time on their screens? This one-off session at Beckenham Place Park is a chance for them to run wild, sort of, while trying their hand at pond dipping and bug spotting at the centre’s minibeast hotel. The session is being run by a wildlife expert with the aim of helping young children connect with nature and the great outdoors. Did we forget something? Oh yes, each child must be accompanied by an adult, so there will be no slinking off and putting your feet up while they’re out navigating the grasslands, unfortunately. Remember your wellies and waterproofs if the weather is looking iffy. You’ll all be grateful for some screen time once you’re home and dry.

Beckenham Place Park, BR3 1SY.

October 26, 1pm - 3pm. Admission: £5.

www.field-studies-council.org/shop/

storytime with drag queen flair

Can’t wait for the Christmas panto? Take your little ones to Stanley Arts, where drag queen, panto dame and 2022 Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Mama G is presenting storytime with a side of drama. There will be no requirements to sit still and be quiet in this storytelling session. Neither will there be any gendered narratives about damsels in distress and men who have to be brave. Instead, the moral of this story is to be who you want and love who you are. Dancing, laughing and having fun is very much encouraged.

Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, London SE25 6AB. November 19, 12pm - 1pm.

Admission: £5.

www.stanleyarts.org/event/storytime-withmama-g/2023-11-19/1/

meet the founders of levelout: brixton’s boutique gym

―

By Holly O'Mahony

“Our studio is designed to be simple and less intimidating than those studios that try to also be nightclubs...”

Neither Babak Brazell and Jacek Bilinski were working in fitness this time last year. A business strategist and a hospitality entrepreneur respectively, they spotted a gap in the market for a gym that was more refined than the typical run of chains dominating this portion of the city. South London born and bred, they knew there’d be a market for what they were proposing, so they took the plunge in January 2023 and opened LevelOut, a boutique gym offering three types of classes: Lift (aka strength training), Reformer (pilates) and Burn (think HIIT).

The South Londoner spoke to the LevelOut duo to find out more…

Tell us about yourselves. What were you doing prior to setting up LevelOut in Brixton? Were you working in the fitness industry already?

No! I, (Babak), was doing business strategy and Jacs was an entrepreneur in hospitality. The first iteration of LevelOut was actually in CBD products for active people, so we located an opportunity in the market to bring HIIT/Strength and Reformer Pilates under one roof with a friendly, non-intimidating, communityfocussed ethos.

Tell us about your vision for LevelOut. What sets it apart from other gyms in the area?

We're all about community. We want everyone to feel welcome when they walk through the door and feel our gym to be a safe space. Our vision is to democratise boutique fitness, which can be quite intimidating and gate-kept. We know our members by name and look forward to seeing our community every day, and meeting new people. There's no ego here – you come as you are! We’re hoping to build more friendly, welcoming studios across south London. We also put a premium on the quality of our trainers, ensuring we have really highquality classes with people who care about your results. There aren't many boutique gyms in this corner of London. How did you know there would be an appetite for one?

More and more people are interested in health and fitness, so big picture, the sector is growing. What was really useful for us is that we're south London born and bred: I, (Babak), grew up in Brixton and Jacs spent his whole childhood in Clapham, so we're very familiar with the area and how things are changing, and we felt there was a gap in the market for what we offer. People stroll past and often say 'thank god you've opened, there was nothing like this here.' There was clearly an appetite for it!

You currently offer just three types of classes, which are your own spins on pilates, weights and HIIT. Why these?

We did a lot of market research and realised people want a one-stop shop, so we wanted to offer something to improve strength, tone and cardio.

Continues on page 14

 Babak Bravell and Jacek Bilinski

local faces

So we constructed the classes to support these different areas. Reformer Pilates, which uses strengthening equipment, is a particular selling point and we keep our classes intimate, so you always receive adjustments and attention from the instructor. We have a strong concept, but it's not a gimmick.

You opened earlier this year in January – in time to catch the gym membership boom, presumably. How has business been since then?

There are always loads of challenges in setting up a completely new business. In terms of the basics, we have more or less been on an upward trajectory, but every week throws something new into the mix. Things are definitely growing in the right direction, but it's early days. It's too early to decipher a pattern.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Every day throws up new challenges, some big, some small. I, (Babak), broke my knee six weeks before we opened! All sorts of unexpected things happen when you're running a business in a bustling part of Brixton, not to mention having an energy company try and overcharge you by thousands of pounds!

What do you like most about running a gym in Brixton?

It’s all about the people. Our team and community make coming to work a joy and our members make the whole experience fun. Hearing people say they feel good makes it all worth it – getting to hear that you're making a difference to people's quality of life is invaluable.

Do you run events to create a sense of community among your members?

We do! We have a Pilates workshop coming up on October 14, perfect for beginners and regular practitioners alike. We have social events that are really well-attended, so we are expanding those, and have plans to put on a singles’ night! We're also launching a couple more sites across south London later this year, so watch this space…

So for those reading this who are thinking about joining, what facilities do you have on site?

We've got showers, lockers, towels, hair dryers, straighteners – everything you need. We do have a small space for hanging out around classes but it's not really big enough for, say, co-working.

Lastly, gyms can be intimidating for those who don't

use them. What would you say to those who have never tried a HIIT, pilates or strength class, but are potentially curious?

Well, we have an intro offer available on our website and I'd say the best way to find out is to try! The hardest part is getting through the door. Our team is super welcoming to everyone, our instructors are friendly, and the studio is designed to be simple and less intimidating than those studios that try to also be nightclubs. Come as you are, take it at your own pace. Everyone started somewhere.

LevelOut, 10-12 Tunstall Road, London SW9 8BN. Open daily, check website for hours. www.levelout.london/

“we keep our classes intimate, so you always receive adjustments and attention from the instructor

NEW SEASON

SATURDAY TH OCTOBER AT HERNE HILL

SATURDAY TH OCTOBER AT HERNE HILL

VELODROME

VELODROME

GATES OPEN AT 5.00PM

GATES OPEN AT 5.00PM

LIGHTING THE BONFIRE 6.15PM

LIGHTING THE BONFIRE 6.15PM

FIREWORKS START AT 7PM

FIREWORKS START AT 7PM

ADULTS £11.50

ADULTS £11.50

UNDER 16s £1

UNDER 16s £1

The Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome Present...

Purse-friendly art alert ―

The Affordable Art Fair returns to Battersea this autumn, bringing together works from over 100 galleries and showcasing thousands of artworks spanning painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media. All artworks are original, with prices starting at £50 and increasing gradually to the top price of £7,500. Being pocket friendly is at the heart of the Fair, and works are divvied up by price brackets: viewers can shop collections for under £500, for example, or under £1,000. Another pull for the cash-strapped (presumably most of us in this current climate) is that payments can be split into up to 10 interest-free instalments, rather than having to cough it up in one go.

An annual highlight is the Recent Graduates exhibition, which this year takes the title An Intimate Vocabulary. Who knows, you just might pick up a work by one of tomorrow’s leading names?

With the fair falling in October, Black History Month, a new exhibition celebrating this, run in partnership with Black British Art, sounds promising too.

Internationally minded, the Fair offers visitors a chance to gallery hop around the world, purchasing art you never would have come across otherwise.

Professional galleries exhibiting this year include Paris’s

De Medicis Gallery; UK and Hong Kong-based Fan Art; New York’s Able Fine Art gallery; The Hague’s Chiefs & Spirits; and Milan’s Deodato Arte gallery. Got the kids in tow? Make the most of the weekend’s family hour, from 11am – 12pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

It’s not only about shopping, either. Visitors have the chance to meet fellow art enthusiasts when they stick around for the Fair’s after-dark events. These Lates, held on Thursday and Friday evenings, are a chance to have a drink and a boogie to live DJs. Don’t get too carried away, mind, or you might wake up with a slightly too ‘out there’ painting on your wall.

The Affordable Art Fair at Evolution London, Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, London SW11 4NJ, UK.

October 19, 11am – 5pm, Art After Dark Late 5 – 9pm; October 20, 11am – 5pm, Art After Dark Late 5 – 9pm; October 21, 11am – 6pm; October 22, 11am – 6pm.

Admission: £10.60+. www.affordableartfair.com/fairs/ london-battersea-autumn/

make a date with the south london wedding fair

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Got your wedding coming up? Amid the excitement of planning your ceremony and sharing your news with your favourite people, it can be a slog trying to find the right suppliers. Whether it’s finding a catering company who can serve a dinner that’s a good cultural fit, or finding a florist who gets your taste, or a band whose music will get both your high school bestie and your gran dancing, it’s a lot.

Here to save the day is the South London’s Wedding Show, which brings local suppliers together under one roof, introducing them to local couples looking to tie the knot in style. Hosted by Croydon-based wedding planners With Akilah & Co, the fair is also a chance to clue up on trends and find inspiration for the little touches you hadn’t thought of yet. Listen in on live

talks from the experts, and put your questions to them via Q&A sessions. Take part in demonstrations and workshops too – after all, you won’t know what you might be able to do yourself until you try.

The Fair is also a chance to discover the unconventional – from quirky florals to non-traditional wedding outfits – ideal for those who want to do their day differently.

Come with your partner, your mum, or a trusted friend, and get sourcing for your big day.

South London’s Wedding Show is taking place at 897a Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NL. October 22, 12pm - 5pm. Admission: £9 - £25. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-londons-weddingshow-tickets-647939593767

our vision, values and aims

At Harris Primary Academy Peckham Park we have high aspirations and ambitions for our children and there is a driving determination to ensure that all pupils and adults reach their full potential. Our core purpose is to provide all pupils with high quality learning experiences that lead to high levels of progress and attainment.

Our aims and values underpin all our policy and practice. We consider, revisit and reflect upon these in our day to day work with the pupils and wider community. Through continued and sustained improvement, and a shared understanding of learning, teaching, assessment and curriculum, our Academy aims to:

• Ensure that we inspire in all pupils, a love of learning and the desire to continue to learn;

• Ensure that all pupils have an equal opportunity to take part in the life and work of the Academy and the wider community;

• Provide a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment where children enjoy learning and playing;

• Provide a rich, balanced and varied curriculum;

• Provide high standards of teaching to develop knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects;

• Equip all pupils with the learning habits and self-confidence necessary to constructively influence their own lives;

• Enable pupils to learn from each other through

a collaborative, enquiry based approach to learning;

• Promote creativity and independence so that they are more able to explore and discover things for themselves;

• Develop learning skills by encouraging a sense of curiosity, open-mindedness, perseverance, objectivity, reflection and critical thinking;

• Nurture pupil diversity emphasising individual talents in a wide range of fields, including academic, music, sport, art and drama;

• Develop values and opinions within the context of mutual respect and understanding of differing belief systems and cultures within our community;

• Be a place that every child remembers with affection.

We highly value:

• The way in which all children are unique, and our curriculum promotes respect for the views of each individual, as well as for people of all cultures.

• A working partnership with parents and families to support each pupil’s learning, progress and well-being.

• The spiritual and moral development of each pupil, as well as their intellectual and physical growth.

• The importance of each person in our community. We organise our curriculum so that we promote co-operation and understanding between all members of our community.

• Our environment and we aim, through our curriculum, to teach respect for our world, and how we should care for it.

a love letter to south london

As told to Holly O'Mahony

If ice cream makes you think of summer, a visit to the website of South Norwood’s store-free ice cream business Marcelo’s will make you think again. Current flavours on their menu including ‘smoked maple pecan’, ‘poached pear crumble’ and ‘hazelnut latte’ scream autumn.

Marcelo’s is run by partners James Miles and Lindsay Smith, a chef and nurse respectively, who were inspired to start an ice cream business after a gelato-fuelled cycle trip around Italy and Sicily. All their ice creams are vegan and made from scratch, and they regularly change up the flavours to keep things seasonal and exciting. There’s currently no Marcelo’s store. Instead, the pair flog their scoops at markets and sell it for delivery or pick-up from their South Norwood home.

With Marcelo’s marking a year in business this November, the South Londoner spoke to James and Lindsay about all things ice cream, and their favourite south London haunts…

What made you decide to specialise in vegan ice cream?

At the start we wanted to offer great vegan options as well as dairy offerings. However, after months of testing we found that the vegan options we were making had greater clarity and depth. Making ice cream that more people could enjoy is great for us. We're not vegan ourselves so we don't really advertise it as such; we just think it's really good ice cream that can be enjoyed by all.

What's the most unusual flavour you serve?

Ooft. We don’t really like to think of our flavours as unusual as we don’t want to make gimmicky ice cream. Of the ones we’ve made though the ‘charred corn and vanilla miso’ might be on the more surprising side. It’s like a toasty salted caramel flavour.

And what's your favourite ice cream flavour?

It changes all the time but our chocolate and salted honeycomb ice cream is hard to put down once you start.

Summer's behind us now. Do you anticipate much demand for ice cream over the winter months?

Ice cream is a year round thing! It’s too delicious to only be enjoyed in the sun. It just goes from an outdoor thing to more of an indoor thing so our main goal as it gets colder is to make our pints more easily available to more people.

What does a typical week in south London involve for you?

Lots of churning ice cream these days! But when we do get time off we like to head out on our bikes and visit local markets and bakeries, grab a nice coffee, and spend some much needed time with friends and family over delicious food.

What are your favourite south London eateries?

A Chatsworth Bakehouse sando is a weekly highlight (when we can get hold of one). We also enjoy a glass or two of vino with some lovely small plates at Forza Wine. Then for something more formal we really like Heritage in Dulwich and Chez Bruce in Wandsworth.

Where do you shop for clothes and homeware in south London?

The Crystal Palace triangle is stocked full of lovely homeware and antique stores. We really miss Decorum on the high street though.

And your favourite south London landmark?

The Crystal Palace Bowl aka ‘Rusty Laptop’ is pretty iconic. Glad to see it being returned to its former glory! Can’t wait to see a gig there once they reopen the stage.

Have any local businesses been an inspiration to you for Marcelo's Ice Cream?

Sian and Tom at Chatsworth Bakehouse have really helped us with setting up our business, both in getting our name out there and in influencing our business model. Sara at Bunhead Bakes has also been there giving us little bits of advice when we need it. There’s so many great small businesses around here. It’s just heartwarming being in the mix of them all.

What’s the one place, thing or activity south of the river that everyone should try at least once?

Go for a swim at Beckenham Place Park swimming lake followed by a walk around the grounds and some pizza from The Homestead Cafe. Their lake is a hidden gem of south London and a great place to cool off in the warmer months.

Marcelo’s Ice Cream can be ordered online and is available for delivery or pick-up from South Norwood Hill SE25 (exact address provided after order). Orders can be made for Thursday pick ups between 3pm and 9pm, Sunday pick ups between 1pm and 5pm, and Sunday evening local delivery between 7pm and 10pm. Price: £6.50 - £8 per pint. www.marcelosicecream.com/

 Marcelo's rhubarb crumble ice cream

twenty years of healthy eaters

By Holly O'Mahony

Brixton stalwart Healthy Eaters turns 20 this year. The Caribbean restaurant and takeaway, now based on Electric Avenue, began life back in 2003, when Stafford Geohagen and his wife Rose served home-cooked Jamaican food at a market on Brixton Station Road. A labour of love, Healthy Eaters has so far weathered the storm of gentrification that has swept through this part of London, as well as the pandemic that ground the world to a halt in 2020.

The South Londoner caught up with Stafford during a busy lunchtime at the restaurant to hear about how it started and how it’s going…

You set up your Jamaican restaurant and takeaway business Healthy Eaters 20 years ago. What was the inspiration behind it?

I set up Healthy Eaters to do something collaborative with my wife Rose. We began the business in 2003, having only entered the country in 1999. Cooking is my wife’s passion, and even though I couldn’t boil an egg at the time, I told her I was with her 100 per cent on it. We knew we wanted to provide food and drink that a diverse community would regard as being a healthy, balanced diet. We started off solely serving poultry, fish and vegetables, then later added more meat to the menu. So it was a drive to run a shared business that led us to starting Healthy Eaters together.

How has the business evolved over the years?

My wife and I started out on Brixton Station Road as market traders. Back in 2003, we cooked from our one-bedroom flat in Stockwell and took it to Brixton, where we sold on the streets for six years. In 2009, we moved to Electric Avenue and since then, we’ve always offered an eat-in and a takeaway service. Since the pandemic, we’ve moved into a new ground level space that can accommodate 40 covers. Part of our reason for operating as a restaurant as well as a takeaway is to make sure we can showcase not only food and drink, but what we regard as an experience, providing the community with food, music and culture.

Why did you choose to base your business in Brixton?

Brixton was where our four parents had been based and it has one of the strongest Afro-Caribbean communities. Having recently entered the country, I wanted to align myself with people of my ethnicity and culture.

Has your menu changed much over the years?

My menu has changed somewhat due to the change in demographic of the area and of people’s tastes: you’ve

got people who are vegetarian, people who are vegan, people who are meat lovers, and I wanted to shift the focus on what was originally Jamaican cuisine to make sure we were deep-rooted in all aspects of the local culture. We serve hot food but we also make snacks and bake bread, and we want to see ourselves as a destination that curates and serves our community on a broad spectrum where food is regarded.

What are your most popular dishes?

It’s hard to give favourites, but jerk chicken probably sits at the top. Below that, oxtail and curried goat would run for even places, then the national dish which is ackee and saltfish. You can’t beat the classics!

Who’s in charge of the stoves at Healthy Eaters?

All the food is produced by the head chef, who is my wife, while I do my best to contribute until she runs me out of the kitchen for talking too much.

Your food can now be home-delivered via UberEats. Have you seen much of a difference in business?

Business has increased somewhat, but there’s not been a major difference. We like being able to cook for people who prefer to eat at home, however in my experience, most people prefer to come in to the restaurant to eat.

What do you love most about running a food business in Brixton Market?

Making people happy.

The area around you must have changed a lot over the past two decades. Are there any stalwarts like yourself still doing business there?

Franco Manco, my neighbours, have been around since 1986 [the Brixton pizzeria was known as Franco’s until 2008]. I’ve got Danny’s greengrocers, which has been around for two decades as well. Take us through what a typical working day looks like for you…

A working day starts at 4:35am, getting ready and coming to work. We put pots on the fire and cook up some sweet, sweet cuisine, which we serve at lunchtime, watching the feedback of smiles. The day ends by going to the bar at 8:30pm after work.

Lastly, you’ve got a big anniversary coming up… how do you plan to mark Healthy Eaters’ 20th birthday?

October 14 will mark 20 years since we’ve been looking after this community, to which we are extremely proud, and on the 14th, we’ll be saying thank you by hosting a session that will bring our community together through music, food and culture. After this, we hope to continue living the experience.

Healthy Eaters, 17 Electric Avenue, London SW9 8JP. Open daily, 10am - 6pm. www.healthyeaters.co.uk/

A musical rollercoaster from Olivier award nominee Maimuna Memon (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) in the multi-award winning theatre production

Photo: Eleonora Briscoe

bitesize

―

By Holly O'Mahony

bow down to bao noodle shoP

The latest opening from the Bao restaurant team is a pivot from melt-in-the-mouth fluffy buns (though those are available too, don’t worry) to steaming, oil-glazed bowls of hearty ramen. The first branch of Bao Noodle Shop opened on Shoreditch's trendy Redchurch Street, now a second site brings the same formula to everevolving, increasingly foodie Battersea Power Station. It’s part of the Arcade Food Hall (think canteen style eating, but in a more glamorous setting and where all the restaurants are good), but with its own seating area. In a group? Slink into a booth together. Dining just the two of you or alone? Pull up a seat at the bar. Accompany your ramen with Taipei-influenced cocktails or Taiwanese beers, and be sure to leave room for a scoop of fried Horlicks ice cream.

Bao Noodle Shop, Level 1, Turbine Hall A, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8DD.

Monday - Wednesday, 12pm - 10pm; Thursday - Saturday, 12pm - 10:30pm; Sunday 12pm - 8pm.

www.baolondon.com/restaurant/batterseanoodle-shop/

eat art at tate modern

London’s major cultural institutions are, one by one, upgrading their food and drink offering. This year alone, the National Theatre has opened Lasdun with the guys behind Hackney gastropub The Marksman, and launched a second branch of Peckham’s Forza Wine. Meanwhile, the National Portrait Gallery has opened sultry cocktail bar Larry’s and a rooftop restaurant, Portrait, overseen by Richard Corrigan. Now, Tate Modern is following suit, opening a bar and café with an adjoining riverside terrace where a manu of art-inspired cocktails, sandwiches, cakes and larger sharing dishes are being served.

The Corner at Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Tuesday - Saturday, 10am11pm; Sunday & Monday, 10am - 6pm.

Admission: FREE.

www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/corner

Peckham cellars gets a sister

With their small-plates-and-quality-wine restaurant Peckham Cellars thriving on Queen’s Road, the trio behind it Helen Hall, Luke West-Whylie and Ben McVeigh are sticking with the formula and rolling out a second site in Camberwell: Little Cellars. New to the team and heading up the kitchen is chef Ollie Lawrence, whose inaugural menu promises a plate of ‘confit chicken leg with coco beans and girolles’, and another of ‘poached trout with artichoke and seaweed beurre blanc’. A small affair, there’s space for just 24 inside, with room for a further 16 on the outdoor terrace when the weather permits.

Little Cellars, 75 Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, London, SE5 8TU.

Wednesday - Friday, 5pm - 11pm; Saturday, 12pm - 11pm. www.littlecellars.co.uk/

 Little Cellars: Ben McVeigh, Helen Hall and Luke West-Whylie

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maggie Bulman costumes

Independent fancy dress shop Maggie Bulman Costumes in Dulwich has your outfit covered this Halloween. The shop has a range of hireable adultsize costumes, from book villains to TV heroes and your regular roll call of spooky figures. So whether you’re hoping to channel your inner pirate, live out your Handmaid’s Tale nightmares or spice things up as a sexy devil, let the experts save you the trouble of sourcing all the little bits.

Adult Costume hire ranges from £25 - £50 / kids costume hire ranges from £20- £25. Accessories including wigs, hats and masks from £8-£15. A deposit is taken at the time of collection ranging from £50-£100.

Maggie Bulman Costumes, 295 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London SE22 8JH. Open daily, 9am - 6pm. www.maggiebulmancostumes.com/

thai’s the ticket

If you haven’t been to Mark Dobbie and Andy Oliver’s Shoreditch Thai restaurant Som Saa, go. Or don’t, because this month, the duo are opening their second Thai restaurant in Borough Market (aka, three fewer stops up the Northern Line). It’s called Kolae, taking its name from a style of cooking local to the south of the country. Expect ‘kolae’ meats grilled on an open flame, and coconut-based curries.

Kolae, 6 Park Street, London SE1 9AB. Opening October 2023. www.kolae.com/

a slice of Peckham at the national theatre

As mentioned elsewhere on this page, the National Theatre’s food and drink scene has had a makeover.

First came Lasdun, a new restaurant from the team behind Hackney gastropub The Marksman. Now, they’ve called in the team behind Peckham wine and small-plates joint Forza Wine to cater for the sippers and pickers. A more casual affair than Lasdun, Forza Wine serves up seasonal drinks and gourmet snacks that, in their own words, are ‘sort of Italian’.

Forza Wine at the National Theatre, London SE1 9PX. Monday - Saturday, 12pm - 11pm. www.forzawine.com/

Press for chamPagne!

No, no, south London isn’t about to get a branch of Bob Bob Ricard just yet. But the ‘press for champagne’ gimmick is coming our way via a new branch of stately champagne bar Searcys, which is opening at Battersea Power Station. Whether it finds a market so far away from Mayfair awaits to be seen.

1st Floor, Turbine Hall, Battersea Power Station, 21 Circus Road West, SW11 8EZ. Opening October 2023. www.searcys.co.uk/venues/searcys-champagnebar-at-battersea-power-station/

sticky mango arrives at tower bridge

With his first Sticky Mango restaurant tempting in the South Bank crowd, chef Peter Lloyd has opened another in a swish site overlooking Tower Bridge. If you’ve been to the original, you know the formula: dishes are inspired by Peter’s travels across South East Asia, with highlights including plates that get prepared tableside, like the Wagyu and Short Rib Vietnamese Pho. Further favourites include Singapore Chilli Lobster; Malaysian Curry Puffs; and the eponymous dessert of, you’ve guessed it, Sticky Mango. Not too hungry? Make a beeline for the dedicated Sushi Bar. Dining en masse? Book the Blossom Island dining table and feast surrounded by blossom trees and under chandeliers. Design has been given almost as much attention as the food here, with floating florals hang suspended from above, while calming turquoise waters flow underfoot.

Sticky Mango Tower Bridge, 36C Shad Thames, London, SE1 2Y1. Tuesday - Sunday, lunch and dinner servings; Monday, dinner only. www.stickymango.co.uk/

 Forza Wine ©Caitlin Isola

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facebook: Clay Kiln Craft at Do and Play twitter: @ClayKilnCraft instagram: @claykilncraft phone: 07976 290735 web: claykilncraft.com

email: claykilncraftpottery@gmail.com

20 Church Road, Crystal Palace, London SE19 2ET

review: dulwich delight kix it up a notch

By Isabel Ramirez

Located just off the bustling Lordship Lane, Kix Bar and Kitchen may be missed at first glance, but one trip there and your tastebuds will be the ones guiding you back.

It's run by Nottingham-born entrepreneur Matthew Preedy who, after years of experience, appears to have landed on the recipe for the perfect vibe.

The standard of food at Kix, a fusion of a restaurant and bar, is a welcome surprise.

Although the overarching theme of the dishes is world street food, the menu is compact. Sometimes places with multiple cuisines can be a jack-of-all-trades situation – but not Kix.

It's like they have taken the main characters from lots of different cuisines, put them together in a story and proceeded to tell it perfectly.

This is ideal when going for dinner and you all fancy something different. You could be sitting in Mexico, munching on the tacos (available here with crispy beef or tex mex), and your friend could be in Japan, tucking into the sushi (such as the tuna tataki).

As for what was tastiest, it was hard to pick a winner. The non-meat options were serious contenders – both the Tex Mex Jackfruit Tacos (vegan) and the Prawn and Cod Koftas were saucy and flavoursome.

But the Quirky Jerky – equal measures fresh (slaw) and spicy (jerk chicken) – came out on top. It was one of those dishes that awakens you from any possibility of falling into a food trance.

All the dishes have fun pairing cocktails, like the Grapefruit Margarita or the Beach Bar Daiquiri, designed to complement the flavour of the dishes and act as a palate cleanser between bites.

Made with fresh juice, they’re a refreshing change from the oversweet beverages you may find elsewhere.

Even though we went on a week night, the place was busy. Sharing plates has become a way of life for the 'I'll just have a nibble' women who never want to be too full, so it wasn't surprising to see a group of ladies in the corner with a few small plates between them.

But with the gothic decor and the sultry, evening lighting, this place is ideal for dates and one-onones too.

Kix also has a separate function space available for hire, for bigger groups and parties, as well as a garden.

Like the menu, the main restaurant itself isn't lengthy, which means the service has nowhere to hide. In this case, the staff really shone; they were attentive without being annoying and enhanced the experience.

As well as their daily menu of sharing plates and sides, Kix do Sunday roasts too – mostly sticking to tradition with a little added zhuzh (like the Jerk Chicken roast). Impressively, they even offer a full vegan one (Jackfruit Steak or Kidney Bean and Ale Pie are both available).

The prices are on the higher side – not out of place for its Dulwich location, but it definitely is something to consider. One thing is for sure though, you won't be wasting your money.

To see for yourself, check out our video review on TikTok @southwarknews

Kix Bar + Kitchen, 57 North Cross Road, Dulwich, SE22 9ET. Wednesday - Sunday, see website for hours. https://www.kixbarkitchen.co.uk

The damage (for 2)

Grapefruit Margarita and Beach Bar Daiquiri = both £12.00 Tex Mex Jackfruit Tacos = £13.00

Quirky Jerky = £13.50

Crispy Beef Tacos = £13.50

Posh Koftas = £16.00

TOTAL: £80

Food & Drink: «««««

Ambience: «««««

Value: ««««

Disabled access: Yes

Disabled toilet: Yes

Booking: Yes

LIVE MUSIC & DJS ART & EXHIBITIONS

FAMILIES & EDUCATION

FOOD, DRINK & FUN

where to dress weird, let your hair down and rave it up this halloween ―

halloween house parTy: downsTairs aT markeT house

If you’re happy to embrace just a bit of Halloween but don’t want it getting too much in the way, then head to Market House Brixton, where its weekly House Party is a “no fuss space” with tunes to keep you dancing into the early hours. On Friday 28, it’ll be Halloween themed, yes, but there’s no dress code specified (a bit of fake blood around your neck will surely do the job?) and the music will be a mix of funk, soul, disco, hip-hop, RnB, reggae, latin and even dancehall – with maybe the odd creepy song thrown in too. Leave all that horror malarkey to someone else’s nightmares, eh?

Market House Brixton, 443 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8LN. October 28, 9pm - 3am. Admission: £6.12/FREE entry before 11pm. www.markethousebrixton.co.uk/event/soundslike-hip-hop-halloween-party/

neon naked life drawing: halloween special

So you don’t fancy a full on horror fest or dancing until you drop down dead, but you still want to do something to mark spooky season? Paint your perfect vision for the night at Prince of Peckham, where a horror-themed edition of its fruity arts and crafts class is unfolding. It’s life drawing, but with a twist: you’ll be using neon reactive materials to draw the models. Rusty? The class starts with some playful drawing games to get you warmed up, then it’s over to you to produce your night’s masterpiece.

Prince of Peckham, 1 Clayton Road, London SE15 5JA. October 31, 6pm - 9:30pm. Admission: £16.76. www.princeofpeckham.co.uk/listings/neon-nakedlife-drawing-halloween-special/

wandsworTh halloween Beer and cider fesTival

While the word ‘Oktoberfest’ is nowhere used in the marketing of this event, it does sound admittedly more like Bavaria’s famous beer festival than a spooky party. Stately Wandsworth venue Le Gothique & Garden is hosting a drink-all-you-can extravaganza, which promises to be a raucous affair. £50 will get you unlimited brews – of which there’s 150 varieties to choose between. Yikes! (Let’s just hope they have unlimited sick buckets available too for when things get absolutely steaming.)

Le Gothique & Garden, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, John Archer Way, Windmill Road, London SW18 3SX. October 25 - 28, 6pm - 11pm.

Admission: £13.27+.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wandsworth-halloweenbeer-cider-festival-2023-tickets-700763581737?aff =ebdssbdestsearch

halloween cosTume parTy: come as you aren’T

Peckham Levels is ‘creeping it real’ this Halloween, throwing a big old party the night the clocks go back to allow for an extra hour of dancing. Come dressed to impress – this is Peckham so keep it cool, yeah? And bonus points for weaving in contemporary references to your outfit.

Peckham Levels, Centre Carpark, F1-F6, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. October 28, 7:30pm. Admission: £5 - £10. www.peckhamlevels.org/whats-on

haunTed roof rioT

Taking the graveyard to the rooftop is the Bussey Building, which is transforming its sky high bar into a ‘haunted graveyard of terror’ for one night only this Halloween.

Look forward to wickedly themed cocktails (you can enjoy one for free if you arrive before 7pm!), live DJs and views to, er, die for – but don’t: you won’t want to miss this party. Blankets will be on hand to warm those who get thoroughly chilled.

Bussey Building, 133 Unit B3.1 Bussey Building, Copeland Road, SE15 3SN. October 28, 6pm - 11pm. Admission: £5 - £10. www.designmynight.com/london/bars/peckham/ bussey-rooftop-bar/haunted-rooftop-riot

The Big disco halloween special

If your vibe could be summed up as ‘Halloween, but make it glitter’, then get your crew down to Brixton Jamm, where its regular club night The Big Disco is being given a spooktacular makeover. Dress to impress is the motto here, but keep it in theme. In their own terms, think ‘groovy ghouls, sparkly skeletons and fabulous freaks’. A rotation of DJs will keep you dancing under the disco ball into the early hours, while special performances, including appearances from That’s Drag, have also been promised.

Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, London SW9 6LH. October 28, 11pm - 4am. Admission: £6+. www.brixtonjamm.org/event/the-big-discohalloween-special/

london’s burning: The best firework displays south of the river

―

Remember, remember the 5th of November. Wrap up warm and prepare to see south London ablaze this Bonfire Night, as fireworks fizz, crackle and explode across the night sky. These public fireworks displays taking place south of the river promise to make this Guy Fawkes Night a memorable one.

BaTTersea park fireworks

It’s a biggie, attracting crowds of around 50,000 across the two nights, but it's popular for a reason. Run by Wandsworth Council, the annual fireworks display at Battersea Park always goes off with a bang. Arrive early to warm up by the bonfire before the explosions, or head to the bar and street food stalls for mulled wine, hot dogs and the like. Saturday is a more grownup affair, with the park's indoor venue Evolution London being transformed into a German Bierkeller complete with a live band, bumper cars and plenty of space to sip from giant steins. The show itself kicks off at 8pm, with an afterparty carrying child-free night owls through until midnight. Got the kiddos in tow? Sunday is a family-friendly event, with the spectacle kicking off a little earlier at 7pm. On top of the glittering bangs themselves, there’s glow-in-the-dark face paint and a safety-first light display replacing the traditional bonfire.

when: November 4 at 8pm (doors open, 6pm) | November 5 at 7pm (doors open, 5pm)

where: Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ

admission: £8.25 - £12.30

Book TickeTs: www.batterseaparkfireworks.com/

fireworks aT The herne hill velodrome

Herne Hill Velodrome is once again holding a Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night mash-up. Come dressed in your best spooky outfit to enter into the fancy dress competition. There will be a bonfire to warm even the creepiest ghouls, plenty of food and drink, and entertainment in the form of fire eaters, LED bikes and jugglers. Falling a week early on October 28, it won’t get in the way of you doubling up and attending a more traditional Bonfire Night celebration too.

when: October 28, 5pm - 9:30pm

where: Herne Hill Velodrome, 104 Burbage Road, London SE24 9HE

admission: £11.50/£1 under 16s

Book TickeTs: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ fireworks-at-the-herne-hill-velodrome-tickets

musical fireworks display in wimBledon park

The London Borough of Merton is holding fireworks displays in two separate locations. On Friday November 4, there will be two displays in Wimbledon Park – both set to music. First, there’s a family display suitable for the littlest ones, set to spellbinding songs around the theme of magic. This is followed by a larger themed display for adults and brave kids, with the bangs set to much-loved one-hit wonders. As well as music and fireworks, punters can make the most of fairground rides and an array of stalls serving warm food and drink. The site stays open until 10pm.

when: November 4, 5:15pm family show / 7:15pm general fireworks show where: Wimbledon Park, Home Park Road, London SW19 8AU

admission: £9/£6.50 under 16s/£0 under 5s Book TickeTs: www.merton.gov.uk/ communities-and-neighbourhoods/events/ fireworks-displays

musical fireworks display in morden park

London Borough of Merton’s second set of fireworks displays are being held in Morden Park. Again, they’re being set to music, with a family display at 5:15pm followed by a larger one at 7:15pm. There will be a fairground here too and plenty of warming street food to tuck into. The site stays open until 10pm.

when: November 5, 5:15pm family show / 7:15pm general fireworks show where: Morden Park, Lower Morden Lane, Morden SM4

admission: £9/£6.50 under 16s/£0 under 5s Book TickeTs: www.merton.gov.uk/ communities-and-neighbourhoods/events/ fireworks-displays

dulwich fireworks display

Powered by the aptly named ‘Brilliant Fireworks’ company, the annual Guy Fawkes display at Dulwich Sports Club is great for families. Since going green a couple of years ago, there’s no bonfire anymore, but an eco-friendly projection of flames fills its place. Look forward to the bangs and colourful flashes of fireworks plus stalls serving mulled wine, real ale, burgers, pizza and even curry to help you warm up and refuel. The best bit? Kids can see the fireworks for just £1 when accompanied by an adult.

when: November 5, 5pm - 7:30pm

where: Dulwich Sports Club, Giant Arches Road, London SE24 9HP

admission: £1 - £12.89

Book TickeTs: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ dulwich-firework-display-2023-kids-for-a-quidtickets-651601165627

“I

Ofsted 2023

Kingsdale is Outstanding in every area (Ofsted 2023) and presents extraordinarily rich opportunities to challenge students of all abilities including providing options to study Latin, Economics and Psychology. There is also the choice to learn two languages from the start of Year 7 for gifted & talented linguists. Kingsdale attracts many able students and operates a diverse, expansive curriculum to meet the particular needs and aspirations of all of our students and their families. The school offers a wide variety of academic subjects including 4 or 5 optional courses selected by each child in addition to co-curricular activities every day.

‘Pupils achieve exceptionally well in a wide range of subjects and attain highly at GCSE and A level.’ Ofsted 2023

Kingsdale is rated as a very high performing non-selective school. It has a very impressive track record of being one of the foremost schools, in the locality, for outcomes at Key Stage 5 with some truly outstanding academic results.

‘Leaders aim to nurture the talents of pupils through their scholar programmes in mathematics, music, art and sport.’ Ofsted 2023

‘Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary…At break times, pupils use the space available to them sensibly. They chat with friends, have lunch together, read or play sports outside.’ Ofsted 2023

Subsidised excursions to amazing destinations such as Malaysia, Namibia, Brazil, the USA and the French Alps are an essential element of the school’s Trips of a Lifetime programme.

Kingsdale is a dynamic, remarkably popular and progressive school that has invested over £30 million to develop an awardwinning educational learning environment.

Harnessing Sixth Form Talent

Take advantage of the chance to visit Kingsdale Foundation School’s purpose built Sixth Form Site. See for yourself how we bring the best out of our students and why our post 16 provision is so popular and so heavily oversubscribed. We invite you to apply for a Sixth Form Scholarship worth up to £1,000 per annum. For more details email: sixthform@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk

Our Year 12 Sixth Form Open Day dates for 2024:

Wednesday 27th September 2023 4-7.30pm

Kingsdale had an incredible history of regularly producing the top achieving individual student in the country at GCSE during the pre-pandemic period!

The school has one of the best pupil to teacher ratios of any mainstream secondary school in South London.

Wednesday 18th October 2023 1.30-6.30pm

Wednesday 8th November 2023 1.30-6.30pm

Wednesday 29th November 2023 1.30-6.30pm Visits by Appointment Only. Virtual tours will be taking place and broadcast live during each event!broadcast live during each event!

For further information, please visit www.kingsdalefoundationschool.org.uk

‘Pupils are rightly very proud of their school. They really enjoy their learning and talk with enthusiasm about the school’s culture of mutual respect and inclusivity.’

ed fringe favourite manic street creature comes to southwark Playhouse

―

Get in your seats, theatre fans, because rising musician, singer and stage star Maimuna Memon (Olivier Award-winning Standing at the Sky’s Edge) is bringing her show Manic Street Creature to Southwark Playhouse.

The story follows Ria, a musician looking to chart the giddy promise and eventual heartbreak of a recent relationship through her latest album. But when she gets sucked back into those euphoric then painful feelings, her troubled past threatens to unsettle her present.

Maimuna says: “I have always wanted to bridge the gap between the music industry and theatre,

and with Manic Street Creature I have tried to bring songs you might hear on record to the stage. This, alongside a deeply personal story makes this show the most important I have ever written. Mental health has played a big part in my life, and I hope that people can watch this show, be brought on a journey and feel like they aren’t alone. I am so excited to be bringing this show to London and to a venue that has such an incredible reputation for innovative and new musical work.”

Chris Smyrnios, Artistic Director of Southwark Playhouse, says: “We are so pleased to be a part of presenting the amazing Manic Street Creature in London for the first time. The run of the show will fall on the theatre’s 30th anniversary (November 9) and we couldn’t have hoped for a more apt production than this to highlight the theatre’s work over the last 30 years, showcasing innovative and engaging work by talented new and emerging theatre artists.”

The show has already received a slew of positive reviews following a successful run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022. Catch it here while you can.

Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD. October 19 - November 11, 7:30pm.

Admission: £10 - £24. www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/ manic-street-creature/

By Holly O'Mahony