AUTUMN 2024
TO OUR 2024 AUTUMN SEASON
A very warm welcome to Autumn Season 2024 at Omnibus Theatre. Energised by an electric Summer programme, we look forward to filling our building with another vibrant season of work.
I’m thrilled to introduce our annual inhouse production The Ice at the End of the World, written by award-winning improviser Katy Schutte. This cosmic-horror inspired by real events, follows a group of artists as they journey to the Arctic to create their greatest work while living dangerously on the ‘edge of the world’.
Two productions which started life in Engine Room: My Life as a Cowboy; a heartwarming queer comedy and Mulatto Boy; a bold, spoken word solo show exploring the relationship between Black mixed-race and British identity also feature this season.
We also bring you a season of work from Southeast and East Asian artists, featuring resident artists’ monthly performances in Moongate Mix, and also The Lonesome Death of Eng Bunker, English Ako, The Dreams of Being a Madame and The Rise of Hermit.
Two shows fresh from Edinburgh Fringe; Winner of the Summerhall Lustrum Award, Nan, Me & Barbara Pravi is a critically acclaimed memoir of care, crisis and Eurovision from Hannah Maxwell, and Fringe First Winner, Club Life is an immersive joyride through crazy clubland adventures from Fred Deakin.
HOW TO BOOK
Shining a spotlight on unique true stories, new musical Make Good: The Post Office Scandal is a co-production between Pentabus and New Perspectives. Informed by conversations with Sub-Postmasters, this responsive production by Jeanie O’Hare (book) and Jim Fortune (music and lyrics) is a story of resilience in the face of one of the gravest miscarriages of justice in British history.
We’re also pleased to welcome for the first time; Terrifying Women from Sampira Al Fihri, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Abi Zakarian, and Rotten directed by Omnibus patron Rikki Beadle-Blair.
Christmas is an advent calendar of delights with something for everyone, from comedy to theatre for young audiences and live music. Highlights include St Nicholas: (written by Conor McPherson), Bill a raucous, genre defying piece of musical docu-theatre and the return of Seven Steps Big Band with their festive offering of Christmas music.
Monthly events coming up include; So This is What Happened - true stories from real people, Cabaret style night Fridaze and improvisation group Avocado see the theatre transformed into a Comedy Club.
There are so many new worlds to explore through our theatre doors this Autumn, I look forward to seeing you there.
JOSHUA GOODMAN IN ASSOCIATION WITH TINY WINDOW PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
MY LIFE AS A COWBOY
Country is cool now… isn’t it?
Conor is 17. He lives with his mum in Croydon. He works at a leisure centre. He’s gay. Life is not what he expected, and he’s worried he might be… well, a loser. He dreams of moving away, of being noticed, of being a somebody.
When he hears about an opportunity to perform on stage at the very questionable Croydon Peoples Day, he hatches a plan to indulge his passion of country and western dancing and show the world just how cool he is. But he needs help.
Enter best friend Zainab and fellow lifeguard Michael. Can they be convinced that this isn’t in fact the biggest loser plan ever? Might they even join Conor on stage for his debut country and western bonanza performance?
In Bruntwood Prize-longlisted playwright Hugo Timbrell’s hilarious and heart-warming story of friendship, courage and cowboy dance moves, these three unlikely teenagers learn what it really means to dance, to embrace your weird side, and to show up for your mates.
Directed by Scott Le Crass (Rose, West End), this ‘complete comic delight’ (Boyz magazine) is the all-singing, all-dancing queer coming of age story you need this summer.
Written by
HUGO TIMBRELL
Directed by
SCOTT LE CRASS
BOLD BRUNTWOOD PRIZE-LONGLISTED
27 AUG – 8 SEP, 7.30PM (TUES - SAT), 4PM (SUN)
TICKETS: £18 STANDARD, £16 CONCESSION, £10 PREVIEWS
SAMA SAMA PRESENTS
ENGLISH AKO
“Why can’t I be both?
Both British and Asian?
Both are important, both are beautiful, both are a part of who I am”.
A migrant boy in search of identity; born in Manila, raised in England.
Faced with the challenges of the ‘model minority’ trope, East Asian stereotypes and the migrant
experience of survival and sacrifice of a heritage in order adopt another culture and identity, we follow his unique journey into adulthood.
Will his search between his Asian-ness and Britishness lead to acceptance and a place he can call home?
This story is a celebration of two cultures, which merge into one.
TICKETS: £15 STANDARD, £13 CONCESSION 11 – 14 SEP, 7PM
QI WANG PRESENTS
THE DREAMS OF BEING A MADAME
May, haunted by her past and struggling in London, meets Lairs, whose joy hides deep pain. Both women, starved for love and battling personal demons, seek fulfilment— May grows stronger, while Lairs spirals further into despair.
TICKETS: £15 STANDARD, £13 CONCESSION 12 – 14 SEP, 8:30PM
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY STEVEN
NGUYEN
THE RISE OF HERMIT
Third-year law student and avid gamer, Hermit is living a double life. As his reallife becomes pale in comparison to his adventurous online life, he begins to find sanctuary on a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).
But as he dives deeper into virtual reality, losing touch with actual reality, he becomes disconnected from relationships, misses phone calls, avoids social gatherings and all human contact.
The only exception is when he bumps into his Uber Eats delivery driver.
Logging online to escape his anxiety and feel more digitally connected; Hermit might be slaying dragons and demons in the gaming world, but in the real world, he’s killing himself. What can he do to break the cycle? Can he save himself?
13-15 SEP, 7:45PM, 4:30PM (SUN)
TICKETS: £6
WATTLE AND DAUB WITH KAKILANG PRESENT
THE LONESOME DEATH OF ENG BUNKER
On January 17th 1874, Eng Bunker woke to discover his conjoined twin brother Chang was dead. This is the story of Eng’s final hours; alone for the first time in his life. Using puppetry, music and striptease, this is a gothic horror about the brutal cost of assimilation, being entirely alone in the universe, and about waking up chained to a dead body.
17-21 SEP, 7:30PM
TICKETS: £15 STANDARD, £13 CONCESSION
EMMERSON & WARD PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM ANGELICA AND JOSIE WHITE PRESENT
ROTTEN
Hitchcock meets Lord of the Flies in this exciting new comedy-thriller by emerging writer Josie White.
Three young, regional actresses: Saoirse, Coco and Sonia are struggling to survive in London. Their shared dream is dwindling away quicker than their bank balances. But who needs electricity? Or Netflix? Every night, through their grotty living room window, the antiheroes have a front row seat to observe the life of Instagram ‘celebrity’ Iris MontagueWillis.
When the girls spot the newly engaged Iris in a compromising position with a woman, they decide to film it, and are later persuaded by Sonia’s on-again-off-again, drug dealer boyfriend Ross to blackmail Iris. But their scheming soon spirals into complete anarchy. Betrayals, double-crossings and love triangles, twists and turns, it's every person for themselves!
6 OCT, 7PM & 7 OCT, 7PM & 9PM
TICKETS: £15 STANDARD, £13 CONCESSION
AMANDA CASTRO PRESENTS
TERRIFYING WOMEN
TERRIFYING WOMEN V: GUTTED 3 plays united on a theme of body horror. After hugely successful runs in 2021, 2022, 2023 and earlier this year at Cambridge Junction, Terrifying Women are back for the fifth instalment in our horror series. And this time, we’re exploring all things body horror. Expect tales of cracking bones, gushing blood, infestation, distortion and destruction of the human body ...and cheese.
Featuring three brand new pieces from Sampira Al-Fihri ,Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Abi Zakarian.
TICKETS: £15 STANDARD, £13 CONCESSION 1-3 NOV , 7:45PM, 4:30PM (SAT & SUN)
PRESENTED BY OMNIBUS THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH KATY SCHUTTE.
THE ICE AT THE END OF THE WORLD
“We do not take the journey; the journey takes us."
Set on a tall ship, a selected group of artists voyage to The Arctic Circle. The aim? To create their finest work, inspired by life on the ‘edge of the world’.
However, not everyone is suited to the terrain: isolated from her emails and barista coffee, successful poetry translator, Alys is forced onto the creaking boat by her publisher to live with a group of strangers. While crossing the perilous ‘Devil’s Dancefloor’, all communication with the outside world is lost and the mysterious Arctic guide, Laura challenges the others to give in to the elements.
As the ice melts, exposing dangers from an ancient world, the true wild nature of the Arctic is revealed, along with the increasing deep marks left on its environment by humanity. Through infinite days and nights on the waves, the artists’ work becomes more dangerous and an ancient being is stirring from the cold dark waters beneath. How far will each go to create the greatest work of their lifetime?
The Ice at the End of The World is inspired by writer Katy Schutte’s recent real-life journey to the Arctic. Directed by Madelaine Moore and produced in association with Omnibus Theatre for their Autumn Season, this new cosmic horror explores the powers of the natural world and how far humans will go to match them.
MADELAINE MOORE Written by
Directed by KATY SCHUTTE
TICKETS: £18 STANDARD, £16 CONCESSION, £10 PREVIEWS 24 SEP – 12 OCT, 7:30PM (TUES-SAT), 4PM (SUN)
EDI CARDOSO & MEGHAN BARTUAL SMYTH PRESENT
MULATTO BOY
“I’m starting to think that maybe it’s not the British they see. It’s my mum. Not me. That maybe they never saw me. Maybe I was never a member of the team.”
Mulatto Boy is a funny, bold, spoken word inspired one man show exploring the link between Black mixed-race identity and British national identity and how the two reflect and affect each other. A gut-wrenching ride told through West African theatrical practices and Angolan language, music, dance & traditions. Mulatto Boy asks us, what is it to be Black, Mixed-Race and British and who gets to decide what we are?
TICKETS: £18 STANDARD, £16 CONCESSION, £10 PREVIEWS 15 OCT – 3 NOV, 9:30PM (TUES - SAT), 4PM (SUN)
Directed by
EDI DE MELO CHRIS YARNELL
Written & preformed by
A PENTABUS AND NEW PERSPECTIVES CO-PRODUCTION PRESENT
MAKE GOOD: THE POST OFFICE SCANDAL
A new musical, three years in the making, tells the story of the resilience of the Sub-Postmasters and their families, in what is now recognised as the gravest miscarriage of justice in British history. Can the Post Office ever make good the damage they have done?
JEANIE O’HARE (BOOK) AND JIM FORTUNE (MUSIC AND LYRICS)
Directed by Written by
8 & 9 NOV, 7.30PM & 2.30PM (BOTH DATES) ELLE WHILE
TICKETS: £18 STANDARD, £16 CONCESSION
HANNAH MAXWELL & PLOTNEK PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
NAN, ME & BARBARA PRAVI
It’s 2021, and Hannah is living in Luton looking after her nan. But after seeing some big brown eyes on Eurovision, her life takes some strange and interesting turns. Combining spoken-word, video and chanson française, NAN, ME & BARBARA PRAVI is a tragicomic memoir of grief, care, addiction, hope and coping in unprecedented times
"A masterclass in storytelling" "Delightful and clever" THE SCOTSMAN THE TIMES
TICKETS: £15 STANDARD, £13 CONCESSION 26 – 30 NOV , 7.30PM
FRED DEAKIN PRESENTS
CLUB LIFE
The London premiere of the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe-First-winning club / theatre immersive experience. Lemon Jelly's Fred Deakin hosts an interactive joy-ride through his 80s/90s crazy clubland adventures. Travel back in time to help Fred and his five-strong cast recreate his classic club nights and bring the fashion tribes of the late 20th century back to life. Or just watch!
Over two and a half hours this innovative show moves between performance and club mode. Dancing is welcome but all participation is entirely optional and the show can be fully enjoyed without getting out of your seat.
Genuine audience reactions from social media:
‘A brilliant night’ - Girl Industries.
‘An absolute triumph’ - Philip.
‘Totally wonderful’ - Claire.
‘Such fun’ - Venus.
#clublifeshow
"Inspiring… perfectly executed"
The Scotsman "Infectious euphoria"
The List "Bound to hit the spot" The Times
"A raucous house party that doubles as a wistful meditation on countercultural extinction"
The Guardian
TICKET PRICE VARY DEPENDING ON DATE. GO TO OMNIBUS-CLAPHAM.ORG FOR MORE INFO 12 – 24 NOV, 7.30 PM
BILL
BILL is a raucous, ridiculous, genre defying piece of musical docu-theatre that tells the strange life of Milton Bill Cooper, the most destructive and influential man to ever grace radio. If you’ve heard that 911 was set up by the CIA, of crisis actors at Sandyhook, that lizard people run the world, or the phrase ‘wake up sheeple’, you’ve got this Vietnam vet, author, and orator to thank. And no one knows who he is.
BILL is a meticulously researched, brash, funny, glittery, dirty romp through 70 years of conspiracy, aliens and americana, complete with Michael Bay parodies, verbatim, drag, puppetry, clowning, and the dumbest jokes you have ever heard, all set to an original, live, country-western/disco soundtrack.
Go grab a beer, pull up a pew, and lend an ear to BILL.
The man who made America suck first. 3 – 22 DEC, 7:30 PM (TUES-SUN), 4 PM (SUN)
TICKETS: £18 STANDARD, £16 CONCESSION, £10 PREVIEWS
RED FOX THEATRE PRESENTS
STRANGE FISH THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
ST NICHOLAS
When I was a boy, I was afraid of the dark… what was there.
Strange Fish returns to Omnibus Theatre with a dark supernatural tale by award-winning playwright Conor McPherson as an alternative Christmas offering.
A jaded and cynical Dublin theatre critic falls for a beautiful young actress. In pursuing her to South London, he meets a household of modern-day vampires who offer him a new life- his part of the bargain is to help them feed their bloodlust.
This production was a hit at last year’s Buxton Festival where Nick Danan won the award for Best Actor.
Strange Fish Theatre Company have previously staged three acclaimed productions at Omnibus Theatre: The Matchbox; Quietly and The Turn of the Screw. The last two productions featured Nick Danan.
Conor McPherson is an internationally renowned playwright whose work includes The Weir; Girl from the North Country; Shining City and Port Authority. He was named by The New York Times as “the finest playwright of his generation”. He won the George Devine Award for St Nicholas and an Olivier Award for The Weir.
17 – 24 DEC & 27 DEC – 5 JAN , 7:45PM (TUES-SAT), 4:15PM (SUN)
TICKETS: £18 STANDARD, £16 CONCESSION, £10 PREVIEWS
GARLIC THEATRE PRESENTS
3 LITTLE PIG'S TAILS
‘Let me in little piggy it’s snowing outside…’
A Christmas version of the beloved tale of the three little pigs! A grumpy old Wolf is the finest chef in Paris and dreams of cooking pig tail soup for his festive menu. When he sets off to the countryside, will he find the clever little pigs and can you help them build their houses in time?
A funny and magical Christmas treat for the very young to make you squeal with laughter, bristling with puppets, live accordion music and lots of joining in. Will the wolf succeed in climbing down the chimney? Come help the little pigs on their snowy adventure.
Garlic Theatre entertain the whole family with beautifully crafted puppets and a garlicky French twist to the tale.
Devised and designed by Directed by
Performed by Puppetry direction by
IKLOOSHAR
14 – 22 DEC, 10:30AM & 1:30PM , 11AM & 2PM (WEEKEND)
TICKETS: £16 STANDARD, £13 CONCESSION, £10 PREVIEWS
IKLOOSHAR MALARA
MARK PITMAN AND LIZ WALKER
MALARA
Music by GARLIC THEATRE STEVE TIPLADY
FINGERZ
An evening for everyone from the sapphics xoxo
Welcome to the world of FINGERZ!
We are a community of Sapphic, non-binary and trans humans. The London queer scene is about to U-Haul its way to the Omnibus theatre in Clapham. Of course, a night in soho is great but what if there was a space where you were entertained by the most talented queers you’ll ever find and lead through an evening of hilarious games.
Guess what? You’re in luck as that is exactly what we have for you! On the first Monday of the month, kick start your week with a lesbian load of queer fun. We have performers from shows such as THE QUEENZ and Homoparody. Lastly, our goal is to create a space where everyone feels welcome and those who feel underrepresented in this world will be empowered to be fiercely themselves. The room will be full of so much love and support so, all we ask is for you to bring more of it!
TICKETS: £5 2 SEP | 7 OCT | 4 NOV | 2 DEC
FRIDAZE
Welcome to Fridaze, where every fourth Friday of the month comes alive with a vibrant fusion of music, comedy, drag performances, and everything in between.
Created as a haven for South London’s artistic community and open-minded souls, Fridaze beckons all to join in a celebration of creativity and expression. Our stage is a melting pot of talent, where emerging artists and seasoned performers alike come together to captivate audiences in an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
Whether you’re a musician, comedian, drag artist, or simply a lover of the arts, Fridaze is your platform to shine. We curate each lineup with care, embracing diversity and nurturing emerging voices.
Submit your talents, mark your calendars, and immerse yourself in the magic of Fridaze.
23 AUG | 27 SEP | 25 OCT | 22 NOV
TICKETS: £5
SO THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED
Six people tell a true story.
So, This Is What Happened is back! Our popular storytelling night returns.
Connection is more important than ever, so we invite you to laugh, cry and celebrate stories from the lives of real people.
TICKETS: £10 STANDARD, £9 CONCESSION 6 SEP | 4 OCT | 1 NOV | 6 DEC, 7PM
AVOCADO
You want bold theatre? Avocado improvise an ORIGINAL PLAY in front of your eyes, now that’s a different night of comedy
Brothers from other mothers, Hamza and Jake discover characters, scenes and storylines on the spot, without the faintest idea what might happen next. Go on a different journey every month as Avocado pull an ORIGINAL ONE-ACT PLAY out of thin air; turning truth into belly laughs, tension into surprise… imagine Tarantino meets Spinal Tap. Legendary music seasons each show, from soulful grooves to rare classics, leaving you dancing in your seat and rolling in the aisles. Buy a ticket, take the ride.
TICKETS: £10 13 SEP | 11 OCT | 8 NOV | 13 DEC
MOONGATE
September sees Moongate co-producing with Kakilang for an extra special Moongate Mix to mark ESEA Heritage month with ASIAN IS THE NEW COMEDY & ROCK ’n’ ROLL II
Featuring stand up comedians Huge Davies and Ria Lina and music acts Cathy Jain and Jason Kwan
The event will be accompanied by Malaysian pop up kitchen GWEILO which starts from 5pm
And there’s even more as the cafe space is the setting for the launch of ’The Land of Kings’ exhibition by acclaimed artist Donald Shek
9 SEP | 14 OCT | 11 NOV | 9 DEC, 7PM
TICKETS: £5
1 DEC, 7PM
29 DEC, 7PM 10 NOV, 7PM
READY SINGER ONE SEVEN STEPS BIG BAND TERRA INVISUS
GET INVOLVED
ENGINE ROOM NEXT PAGE
Our regular scratch programme, where dynamic and talented theatre makers present daring, new work in the first stages of development.
Engine Room puts you, the audience, at the heart of the creative process. Following the sharing you will be asked to complete a feedback form, with your comments directly influencing the next development of the pieces. Give feedback, offer ideas and discover the next generation of theatre before anyone else.
Artists that have previously presented work include; Nouveau Riché, Vera Chok, The Queer House, Opia Collective, Cocoa Butter Club and Playing On
Autumn Season Dates: 28 Oct, 20 Nov, 16 Dec
Tickets: £6
OMNI-WRIGHT
Omni-Wright is an 8-part playwriting course, each session looking at the different elements of playwriting and how they come together to form a brilliant piece of theatre.
Each session dedicated exploring ideas and the work of other playwrights; developing your writing with the chance to share a draft of your own work to the group for feedback. At the end of the course, writers will be inspired by their time working with each other and have a refreshed perspective and drive to work on their play.
The group is designed for (but not limited to) writers who have not had a play professionally produced for more than one week.
This course runs once every season (3 times a year). Keep an eye out on our socials for when submissions open.
A season of plays in development from brilliant new writers.
The Next Page Festival is a season of rehearsed readings every January, inviting audiences and industry to hear new work and share their thoughts, helping the play on its next stage of development.
Submissions for the Next Page Festival will open in September 2024 and will close midOctober.
WEDNESDAY CHATS
Meet the Artistic Director! We’re throwing open the digital doors for you to have an online chat with Marie McCarthy, our AD. Whether you want to discuss an idea, collaborate, find out about our artist development schemes or pitch your show to be in our programme.
During an online face-to-face conversation, we can cover so much more ground than by email; my response rate is quicker and our dialogue is more directional. Many of the artists I’ve spoken to so far have struggled to make contact with organisations – they have scripts and ideas they want to develop, but they might not know how to go about this or who to talk to. Wednesday Chats is there to help artists take control, feel valued and acknowledge their work. From personal experience as an actor and theatre maker, I remember how difficult it was to make contact with venues – organisations can feel impenetrable and artists can feel stuck in a waiting game. It also allows us to identify where and how further development can happen.”
CAFE BAR
Everyday before and after the show, we serve a menu of hot drinks, craft beers, wine and seasonal cocktails. From Wednesday– Sunday, we provide a menu of delicious pastries and snacks.
MUSIC
Every 1st Sunday of the month.
SCHOOL OF DESIRE SHANNON MCKAY BATTERSEA JAZZ COLLECTIVE
Every 2nd Sunday of the month.
Every 3rd Sunday of the month.
ROB MILLER
Every 4th Sunday of the month.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Omnibus Theatre is a registered charity but we do not recieve any regular funding. We rely on your donations to keep our ticket prices affordable, bolster emerging artistic talent and provide innovative programmes for young people in our local communities.
A MEMBER
Our members receive fantastic benefits including events and the latest Omnibus Theatre news for as little as £25 a year.
Donations are essential in helping us to stage excellent theatre and provide creative opportunities for the whole community.
JOIN THE 1889 CIRCLE
Help us raise capital investment to secure the future of Omnibus Theatre. 1889 Circle members gain exclusive access to special events with notable guests from stage and film.
To find out more visit omnibus-clapham.org/support-us or call 0207 622 4105
THANK YOU
We are incredibly grateful to all of our donors and members for their generous contributions to Omnibus Theatre.
Our work would not be possible without charitable trusts, foundations and businesses who support us with project funding. Including:
Ian Mactaggart Trust, The Foyle Foundation, Unity Trust, John Thaw Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Mayor's Social Fund, Lambeth Holiday Activities and Food (HAF), Clapham Relief Fund, The Worshipful Company, The Ironmongers Company, The Hobhouse Charitable Trust
And thank you to our sponsors for 2023/24
Fallon Windsor & The Swedish Embassy
VISITOR INFORMATION
HOW TO FIND US
TUBE
We are a 5 minute walk from Clapham Common underground station.
BUS
88, 137, 249, 417 buses stop directly outside Omnibus Theatre and many others close by at Clapham Common.
CAR
Limited on street parking available after 6.30pm. Before 6.30pm these spaces are pay and display. Visit our site for more access info.
ACCESSIBILITY
All performance spaces and facilities are fully wheelchairaccessible. Due to the variability of seating arrangements in our performance spaces, it is useful for us to know at the time of booking if a wheelchair space is required. However, it is possible that this can be arranged on arrival. If you have access requirements, please arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the show and make yourself known to box office staff on arrival.
TICKET COLLECTION
We run a paperless box office system. You will be emailed a PDF ticket when you book in advance. Pick up your entry pass to the theatre from our box office on arrival.
VISIT OUR CAFE BAR
CONCESSIONS
Concessions apply to over-65s, children under 18 years, students in full time education, Equity & SDUK and individuals who work for the NHS. Concessions also apply to anyone that identifies as disabled, carers and access support workers and anyone who is in receipt of an income based benefit, or an unwaged dependant of someone who is claiming (proof of status may be required).
GROUP BOOKINGS
Some events carry a group offer of 10% off for groups of 6 or more people. Please check online, as details vary depending on the event, or phone us for more details.
Our Café Bar is the perfect relaxed spot to unwind before or after a show, to hang out with friends, have meetings or to just sit and watch the world go by. By night a buzzing hive of audiences and artists enjoying pre or post show meals as well as the fully stocked bar of craft beers, wine and seasonal cocktails. Visit omnibus-clapham.org/cafe-bar for seasonal menu's and opening hours.