The Albany - Playlist Autumn 2008

Cover: Omar. Saturday 8 November

thealbany.org.uk

The Albany Douglas Way Deptford London SE8 Box Office 020 8692 4446

PlayList Issue 3 Autumn 2008. FREE

Welcome

A new logo for the Albany signals a fresh approach, and a real excitement about what’s on offer this autumn. The Albany’s new season profiles the best in spoken word, music and new theatre – often with artists working across the boundaries of all three.

We’ve worked with artists both locally and from around the globe to create a unique mix of shows and events.

You can pick from gritty drama, hip hop dance theatre, comedy and more, seeing both established companies and rising stars – as well as music ranging from the big names of ska, reggae, urban jazz and soul to the best up and coming bands at the monthly RAR! There’s more going on for all ages than we can cover here, so check our new website for regular updates and let us know what you think.

Look forward to seeing you, Gavin Barlow Chief Executive

family sundays

We’ve got more fun for families than ever this season with half term and Christmas shows, brand new Baby Grooves and free workshops and activities to go with our Family Sunday theatre shows. Call the Box Office for our brochure or visit www.thealbany.org.uk

The Albany is home to following the resident organisations: APPLES & SNAKES | ARTEFACTS EDUTAINMENT | COMMUNITY DRUG EDUCATION PROJECT | ENTELECHY ARTS | HEART N SOUL | HEAD FOR BUSINESS | LEAN: LEWISHAM EDUCATION ARTS NETWORK | LEWISHAM MUSIC SERVICE | LEWISHAM SPEAKING UP | L.B.L STREET TRADING SECTION | MONTAGE THEATRE ARTS | NEXT STEP | NEW LONDONERS

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October

Thursday 2 – Friday 3 October, 7.30pm

Cool Rules / Fams

World

Premiere

A thrilling dance theatre double-bill from Curtis James working with some of the pioneers of hip hop theatre. Cool Rules, directed by Jonzi D, explores the hopes and aspirations of a young man growing up in modern Britain set against a backdrop of exploding stars and universal truths…

Fams, commissioned by the Albany and featuring shortMAN, was co-written and directed by Benji Reid.

Two strangers enter a hospital waiting room and leave as brothers in this comic journey of discovery.

A Kno Love, Breakin’ Cycles and Makin Projects production in association with the Albany TICKETS £10, £6 CONCS

Friday 3 October, 8pm

Apples & Snakes in association with the Albany presents

Sista Story, Brotha Tale

Putting the story into Black History, headlined by internationally acclaimed storyteller Jan Blake on her Lewisham home turf and well-travelled musician and poet Tuup. Bold tales to be told with sterling support from Carol Leeming, Warsan Shire and Evoke, no mean wordweavers in their own right.

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COOL RULES/FAMS. 2 - 3 OCTOBER

TICKETS £8, £5 CONCS

October

Saturday 4 October, 8pm

Upfront Comedy

Upfront are back with a heavyweight laughter line-up hosted by MTV Base and Choice FM presenter Kat and introducing Brixton bus driver turned award-winning comedian Slim, alongside Gayla Johnson from Los Angeles, with fast-rising Ryan Gough adding a Midlands perspective.

“The most enterprising black comedy promoters in the country” THE GUARDIAN TICKETS £8 IN ADVANCE, £10 ON THE DOOR

Tuesday 7 October, 7.30pm

The Challenge 2008

Free Event

A Black History Month Film Screening With a budget of just £500 and only 6 weeks to deliver, this is Lewisham’s toughest filmmaking competition. Join the winners for a lively evening of Black History Month inspired shorts, a Q&A and a selection of the finest community-made films.

The BHM Short Film Challenge 2008 is a collaboration between Lewisham Film Initiative, Spectrecom Films, the Albany and ITV Local.

TICKETS FREE

Thursday 9 October, 8pm

Speechless

How free is free speech? Are there things that just can’t be said?

Speechless brings together five specially commissioned writers from across South East Asia and four brilliant UK-based poets on the theme of freedom of expression in a multi-lingual spoken word show. Incorporating different perspectives and experiences from Vietnam to Ireland and sexuality to slavery, Speechless will be a night that stimulates brain-tingling debate.

An Apples & Snakes and British Council production in association with English PEN and the Albany TICKETS £8, £5 CONCS

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October

Friday 10 October, 7pm – 12am

Heart n Soul in association with the Albany presents

The Beautiful Octopus Club

The autumn outing of the hugely popular club night showcasing music, art, dance and theatre by artists with learning disabilities and funky tunes from the Heart n Soul DJ’s.

TICKETS £7

Friday 17 – Saturday 18 October, 8pm

Boom Bap / Showtime!

Moving verse and verse that moves.

Double Bill

From the worlds of New York, Vancouver and Sydney prepare for a night of street-inspired spoken word and dance.

These two-man shows combine physical and verbal gymnastics, beat box and stellar improvisation. Hip hop theatre and life stories meet head to head. Featuring Morganics (Sydney) & JoJo Zolina (Vancouver), Baba Israel (New York) & Yako 440 (New York).

An FKuk, Contact Theatre, Invisible Forces, Open Thought and Over the Influence production in association with the Albany TICKETS £10, £6 CONCS

Thursday 16 October, 5 – 7pm

Introduction to Playback & Hip Hop Theatre with Baba Israel and Yako 440

Do It

Yourself

This workshop introduces the short forms of Playback merged with instruction in beat boxing, freestyle rhymes, and turntables.

TICKETS £5 OR FREE WITH SHOW TICKET

Hip Hop Theatre Masterclass Create you own hip hop theatre piece!

TICKETS £8, £4 WITH SHOW TICKET

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YAKO 440. BOOM BAP/SHOWTIME. 17/18 OCTOBER

Saturday 18 October, 11am – 3pm

October/November

Tuesday 21 October, 1.30pm & 7.30pm Half Moon presents

Locked In

Saturday 1 November, 7pm

Fresh

“...the show has you in its grip.” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Expect loaded lyrics, serious sounds and unadulterated talent as the Albany’s AYF team take over Apples & Snakes’ famous open mic platform to showcase home-grown grime, rhythms and rap alongside their favourite professional acts. Come early to secure a slot!

AGES 13+ TICKETS £8, £5 CONCS & SCHOOLS

AGES 13+ TICKETS £4

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LOCKED IN. 21 OCTOBER

A gritty hard-hitting drama about the inner city from award-winning Fin Kennedy, underscored by a hip hop soundtrack. On the 20th floor of an abandoned tower block, a Caribbean MC and a Bengali DJ rip up the airwaves on a pirate station. But when a local gangster asks for a serious favour, their world splits right open. Returning to the Albany after a sell out in 2006.

November

Saturday 1 November, 8.30pm

Nubeyond in association with the Albany presents

Free Event

Resisting the System: Reggae in the 21st Century

An insightful and thought provoking film by Dr Lez Henry exploring sexism, homophobia and shadism in reggae culture today. Followed by a Q&A. FREE

Saturday 1 November, 11pm – 4am Nubeyond in association with the Albany presents

If It’s Lyrics Yuh Want? Part 4

Welcome return of the hugely popular late night reggae event.

Featuring Sista Band with Sister Audrey, Sister Asher and Masai with support from Peter Spence and Roger Robin.

Friday 7 November, 8pm

Apples & Snakes in association with the Albany presents

It’s My Life Innit

Don’t Miss!

So says poet Zena Edwards, and who are we to argue?

Tonight, she lets her hair down with a crew of famous faces and future stars, featuring jazz-rap hero Soweto Kinch and East London’s favourite poet Adisa, alongside fast-lane verbal talent Leeto Thale. Expect a flow of freestyle, acappella and lyrics, all backed up with a tighter-than-tight band and a shed load of positive attitude. All together now: “Whose life is it?”

TICKETS £10, £8 CONCS

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ZENA EDWARDS. IT’S MY LIFE INNIT. 7 NOVEMBER

Supported by Lewisham One Fund TICKETS £10 ADVANCE (LIMITED AVAILABILITY), £15 ON THE DOOR

November

Saturday 8 November, doors 7.30pm

Omar

plus support

NuClassic Soul

Soul supremo Omar’s unique groove encompasses funk, Latin jazz and hip hop and has earned him a loyal following in the years since the release of the sound of summer classic There’s Nothing Like This. A prolific producer and recording artist, he is famous for his album collaborations with a host of international artists including Stevie Wonder, Angie Stone, Erykah Badu, Carleen Anderson and Estelle.

TICKETS £12 IN ADVANCE, £15 ON THE DOOR – STANDING

Have Box Will Travel

Don’t Miss!

Written and performed by Charlie Dark. Directed by Benji Reid.

Transporting you from humble beginnings in a bedroom in South London to spinning records in some of the biggest clubs in the world, Have Box Will Travel tells the semi-autobiographical story of a boy growing up in pursuit of a dream.

This mesmerising, funny and moving show combines storytelling and music and resonates with audiences of all ages. Globally acclaimed for his electrifying performances and entertaining writing, Charlie Dark is a veteran of the UK poetry and performance scene.

Produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and co-commissioned by The Lyric Hammersmith and Punch with support from Manchester Contact in association with Breakin’ Cycles TICKETS £10, £6 CONCS

Post-show event

Outta the Box…

Bring a tune and share your own old skool memories as Dark puts a spin on desert island discs.

TICKETS FREE – SHOW GOERS ONLY

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CHARLIE DRAK. HAVE BOX WILL TRAVEL. 13 NOVEMBER

Thursday 13 November, 7.30pm

November

Thursday 27 November, 7.30pm

If I Cover My Nose You Can’t See Me

Funny and compelling, Polarbear is a 21st century wordsmith with his roots in the rhythms of hip hop and his feet firmly on the ground. With a sharp line in storytelling and poems, he uncovers the tale of a 28-year-old man stuck in a job he never wanted and a 10-year-old private detective looking for answers. Produced

by Apples & Snakes, Polarbear’s first one-man show fuses spoken word, live artwork and visuals in a unique event.

TICKETS £10, £6 CONCS

Friday 28 November, 7pm – 11pm Heart n Soul in association with the Albany presents

The Squidz Club

For young people with learning disabilities who are bursting with creative ideas and a desire to showcase their talent.

There’s live performance, DJs and VJs, an array of creative activities and chill-out zones. Family and friends are welcome too, so come along for a fantastic night.

TICKETS £3

Ola Onabule plus support

Don’t Miss!

Super smooth soul combined with infectious Nigerian-inspired rhythms create Ola’s unique style, earning him a loyal London fan base. A regular of the Royal Festival Hall and Ronnie Scott’s, he has released six successful albums and worked with legends of soul and jazz from Gladys Knight and Roberta Flack to Courtney Pine and Al Jarreau.

TICKETS £10 IN ADVANCE, £12 ON THE DOOR

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OLA ONABULE. 29 NOVEMBER

Saturday 29 November, doors 7.30pm

10.08 ss. 9. le h c Spee

.10.08 t comedy. 4 son. Upfron n h Jo la ay G

September October

& 18.10.08 howtime! 17 Boom Bap/S

November

December Slim. U pfront c omedy.

4.10.08

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7pm 8pm

Saturday 20 Saturday 27

7.30pm 8pm 8pm 7.30pm 8pm 7pm 8pm 1.30/7.30pm 7pm 8pm 7pm

Thurs 2 – Fri 3 Friday 3 Saturday 4 Tuesday 7 Thursday 9 Friday 10 Fri 17 – Sat 18 Tuesday 21 Friday 24 Saturday 25 Thursday 30

7pm 8.30pm 11pm 8pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7pm 7.30pm 7pm 7.30pm 8pm

Saturday 1 Saturday 1 Saturday 1 Friday 7 Saturday 8 Thursday 13 Friday 21 Thursday 27 Friday 28 Saturday 29 Saturday 29

7.30pm 11pm 7pm 8pm

Friday 5 Saturday 6 Thurs 11– Sat 13 Saturday 20

Comedy Inc @ the Albany 27.09.08 /25.10.08 & 29.11.08

The Beautiful Octopus Club 10.09.08

PAGE 11 11 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 11 11 12 5 6 6 6 7 7 11 8 8 8 11 9 9 10 10

u e Yo Nos y rM ove If I C 1.08 1 27.

Me See t ’ n Ca

RAR! Comedy Inc @ the Albany

Cool Rules / Fams Sista Story, Brotha Tale Upfront Comedy The Challenge 2008 – Black History Month Film Screening Speechless The Beautiful Octopus Club Boom Bap / Showtime!

Locked In RAR! Comedy Inc @ the Albany Sevinmek!

Fresh Resisting the System: Reggae in the 21st Century If It’s Lyrics Yuh Want? Part 4 It’s My Life Innit Omar Have Box Will Travel RAR! If I Cover My Nose You Can’t See Me The Squidz Club Ola Onabule Comedy Inc @ the Albany The Skatalites Stush Club StoneCrabs New Directors Play Reading Festival 2008 Christmas Comedy Jam

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December

Friday 5 December, doors 7.30pm

The Skatalites

Gig of

the Year

Ska legends The Skatalites play their only London date this year. These internationally renowned, veteran musicians fuse boogie woogie, blues, R&B, jazz, calypso and African rhythms to create the classic ska sound. The godfather of rocksteady and reggae in Jamaica, ska’s influence stretches from rap and drum & bass to the 2-tone movement and bands such as The Specials, Madness and The Beat. Unmissable.

“The Skatalites - Jamaica’s answer to the Motown house band and Booker T and the MG’s combined” ROLLING STONE TICKETS £15 IN ADVANCE, £20 ON THE DOOR - STANDING

Midi Music in partnership with DJ Ng and the Albany presents

Stush Club

A Christmas Party special featuring the best of funky house, old skool, soul & rare groove. Dress funky and come to party with resident DJ - DJ Ng and featuring live PA from Elisabeth Troy (Crazy Love & Be Sincere) plus special guest DJs. TICKETS £7 IN ADVANCE, £10 ON THE DOOR

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THE SKATALITIES. 5 DECEMBER

Saturday 6 December, 11pm – 4am

December

Thursday 11 – Saturday 13 December, 7pm

Fresh, Young, Confident, Provocative and Stylish A festival of staged readings by seven emerging directors with StoneCrabs Theatre’s acclaimed training scheme, featuring professional actors.

“The old saying goes ‘you need to crawl before you can walk’ and working with StoneCrabs has made me take my first steps. It has made me realise that anything is possible.” Bola Agbaje, New Directors Programme 2006 TICKETS £10 FOR THREE EVENINGS, £5 FOR ONE EVENING, £4 FOR ONE PLAY

Saturday 20 December, 8pm

Upfront Christmas Comedy Jam

Unmissable

UK comedy pioneer and star of The Real McCoy and Absolutely Fabulous, Felix Dexter digs into his crate of colourful characters to deliver his famous edgy stand up. Felix is joined by silky smooth veteran double act Jefferson & Whitfield and cocky new boy on the block, London-centric Kevin Jay. TICKETS £10 IN ADVANCE, £12 ON THE DOOR

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FELIX DEXTOR. UPFRONT CHRISTMAS COMEDY JAM. 20 DECEMBER

StoneCrabs New Directors Play Reading Festival 2008

Regular Events

Saturday 20 September, Friday 24 October & Friday 21 November, 7pm – 11pm

NXP and the Albany, in association with the Young Mayor of Lewisham present

RAR!

Sell-out monthly club nights for the underage masses, which so far have featured Dan Le Sac v. Scroobius Pip, Princess Superstar and Pendulum amongst the multitudes. September line-up includes Beardyman, A1 Baseline, Goldielocks and DJ host Dean Tynan.

Check www.myspace.com/nxpromotions for breaking news AGES 14+ TICKETS £5

Saturdays 27 September, 25 October & 29 November, 8pm

Richard Coughlan hosts a monthly night of riotous laughs, featuring the likes of Paul Sinha, Christian Reilly, Stephen K Amos, Britain’s only Deaf comedian Steve Day, Ava Vidal, Robin Ince and Shazia Mirza.

Visit www.thealbany.org.uk for up to the minute line-ups.

TICKETS £10

Saturdays from October, 12pm – 3pm on the café stage

Unplugged @ the Albany

Are you a singer/songwriter? In a band? Finding it hard to get gigs in the most competitive part of London? Then come and play an unplugged set on the Albany café stage and join the Albany hall of fame from Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Dire Straights, Courtney Pine, Vic Reeves and Athlete through to The Metros, who all played here early on in their careers. Plus you could get a chance to play the mainstage at RAR! GO TO WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THEALBANYDEPTFORD TO APPLY

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New

RAR! 20 SEPTEMBER, 24 OCTOBER & 21 NOVEMBER. Photo: Mackenzie Hodge

Comedy Inc @ the Albany

Café

Thursday 30 October – Thursday 20 November

Turks in London, an exhibition in the café Thursday 30 October, 7pm Sevinmek!

Join the borough’s Turkish community and the Mayor of Lewisham for the launch of the installation and film exhibition with traditional food, music and performance on the eve of the anniversary of Turkish independence.

TICKETS FREE

And calling all you mature but young at heart clubbers out there - look out for the

Silver Sounds Winter Warmer

on 18 December and more events for the vintage raver in the new year.

Come and visit our famed fully licensed café which serves delicious home made cakes, hot meals, soups and salads as well as fair trade teas and coffee.

Open Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm* Saturday 10am – 3pm Sunday 12pm – 4pm *8pm on performance nights.

The café and garden are fully accessible, child friendly and free Wi-Fi Internet access is available inside and out.

Did you know that we cater for business lunches, conferences, weddings and award ceremonies?

Contact Cameron MacKenzie on 07960043708 or email cameron.mackenzie@thealbany.org.uk

; =

The Albany offers a variety of multifunctional spaces to hire for meetings, rehearsals, parties or conferences. Call Miles Eady on 020 8692 0231 ext 218 or email hires@thealbany.org.uk.

See www.thealbany.org.uk for more information.

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HOW TO BOOK

EVE LYN ST

RD NT KE

DOUGLAS WAY

GREENWICH

BLACKHEATH RD

NEW CROSS RD

ILL RD BROOK M

LEW ISH AM WA Y

CREEK ST

DEPTFORD CHURCH ST

WATSONS ST

D OL NEW CROSS

AMERSHAM VALE

DEPTFORD

NEW CROSS GATE

BY PHONE 020 8692 4446

CREEK RD DEPTFORD HIGH ST

LONDON BRIDGE

DEPTFORD BRIDGE DLR

Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday 10am-5pm or until show time on performance days, Sunday from 2hrs before the show. Please note ÂŁ1 fee for credit card bookings applies.

BY POST

Cheques accepted with a bank guarantee card. There is a charge of 50p for tickets posted to the booker prior to the performance.

ST JOHNS LEWISHAM

The Albany Douglas Way Deptford London SE8 4AG Box Office 020 8692 4446 www.thealbany.org.uk HOW TO GET HERE BUS

21, 36, 47, 53, 136, 177, 188, 199, 225.

TRAIN

New Cross 5 mins walk. Deptford 2 mins walk (6 mins journey from London Bridge, 20 mins from Charing Cross.

(N.B. Deptford Station is not accessible for wheelchair users).

DLR Deptford Bridge 7 mins walk (1 min from Greenwich, 12 mins from Canary Wharf, 5 mins from Lewisham).

CAR

ONLINE BOOKING www.thealbany.org.uk

IN PERSON

Debit/credit card cash, cheque or postal order accepted.

TICKET PRICES

Concessions are available to anyone receiving unemployment or disability benefit, full time students, senior citizens and young people (up to 18 yrs). Proof of status or ID is needed.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Join our free mailing list by sending your name, address, postcode and email to: boxoffice@thealbany.org.uk or by calling 020 8692 4446.

New Cross Road (A2), Creek Road (A200) Deptford Church Street (A2209) Free parking on Ffinch Street & Giffin Street. Douglas Way is pedestrianised, on street parking is available nearby on Watsons St, Octavius St and Rochdale Way.

TAXI

Private hire taxis can be booked from the venue.

ACCESS

; <= Please let our Box Office know your requirements.

Large print brochures are available upon request from the Box Office so-uk.net