Strangers into Citizens - Time Out investigation
Below is the report report and podcast by collaborator Zak Brophy on the Strangers into Citizens Campaign, published on the Time Out blog:
http://www.timeout.com/london/big-smoke/blog/7696/Strangers_Into_Citizens_march-report.html
We worked together to make a video diary of Halyna, an undocumented Ukranian migrant trying to make her way in the UK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep9XJU_1U1I
Which was used as part of a projection reel at the Bank Holiday Monday march for the Strangers into Citizens campaign in Trafalgar Square on May 11, 2009.
Read My Lips
A collaboration between UK Slam poetry star Deanna Rodger and interpreter Jacqui Beckford.
“The concept form this film began with two moments of beauty. During a phone interview with Deanna – the UK’s new Ferrago Slam Poetry Champion – in spring 2008, I asked if she would recite one of her poems to me down the phone. Love Ambitions came unashamedly down the wire from her university in Birmingham and a wave of emotion broke on the back of my neck. Months later, during a Tiata Fahodzi play at Islington’s Almeida Theatre, I was distracted by a shadow-boxer stuck out on the far right of the stage. I’d seen captioned performances before, but nothing like this. Jacqui was in tears by…
Busk London - Time Out Investigation
It took 23 years for the tube to catch up with New York’s licensed busker scheme, Music Under New York (MUNY), but in 2003 Transport for London(TfL) tried it and we liked it. Hold our breath for another 20 years and we might just get 24-hour trains too.
On the Big Apple’s MUNY website, busker profiles gleam with images, biogs and sample tracks. Try the same in the Big Smoke and you’ll find some guff about details of a new 0845 number used as an ‘interim in-house booking system while we… look for a sponsor.’
Previous sponsorship – Carling followed by thelondonpaper/ Capital Radio – dried up last spring and the scheme, now administered in-house, is showing cracks under the financial…
Palestine Protest at the Israeli Embassy
In a cry for peace, London fails to set the example.
Story, photos and film by Christian McLaughlin.
Helpful links: www.londoninformer.co.uk
Spyski / The Importance of Being Earnest
Who’s who in Peepolykus’ latest laugh a minute show.
“Things are never quite what they seem when it comes to comedic theatre group Peepolykus. Take their name, for a start. Sounds like an ancient Greek god…
A quick cut of Peepolykus in rehearsals.
Story, photos and film by Christian McLaughlin
Helpful links: Spyski, Lyric Theatre
Saving Ginglik
Concrete or Culture – the axe is raised on one of west London’s best venues.
“The counter-offensive has begun.
Armed with unity and good vibes, scores of Shepherd’s Bush residents turned out to try and save Ginglik on Saturday. As it stands, the seven-year- old cultural centre and club is due to be filled with concrete by H&F Council, which says it cannot justify spending taxpayers’ money on refitting the venue…
A quick cut of the Save Ginglik protest.
Story, photo and film by Christian McLaughlin
Helpful links: Ginglik, Fulham and Hammersmith Council
Bola Agbaje in conversation with Femi Oguns
African theatre has never been so prevalent in London.
Bola’s Gone Too Far is at The Royal Court Theatre, Femi’s Torn is at the Arcola Theatre, and new African playwright for every day of the week is about to fire up the Almeida Theatre with the Tiata Fahodzi residence.
This four minute edit of a 40 minute conversation touches on how Bola and Femi came to take centre-stage and the issues they want to explore through their art.
Editing by Bobby Krlic and Charlie Cattrall Camera work by Nico Mensinga, Charlie Cattrall, Rober Leckie and Bobby Krlic. Interview by Christian McLaughlin.
Helpful Links: Gone Too Far, The Royal Court Theatre , Torn, at the Arcola Theatre , Tiata Fahodzi residence at the Almeida Theatre , Tiata Fahodzi , Andrew…