Sydenham Arts Festival

AN annual arts festival is looking for volunteers to help stage the event.Now in its sixth year, the annual two-week Sydenham Arts Festival promises to be bigger and better than before and boasts something for all the family.

More than 80 arts and culture events, many of them free, will be held in venues across Sydenham and Forest Hill between July 5 and July 20.

The fortnight will include dance, music, poetry, film, comedy, a family fun day and numerous workshops and will culminate in a free Arts in the Park music concert featuring Woolwich-based singer songwriter Glenn Tilbrook and his band the Fluffers.

Among the festival's other highlights is a free community musical in four parts marking the centenary of World War 1.

Till The Boys Come Home will feature more than 200 performers from community groups, schools, and other local arts organisations who will tell the stories of Sydenham's Great War including the 408 workers of the South Suburban Gas Company, 58 of whom fought and died during the conflict.

Amongst the cast will be Lewisham mayor Sir Steve Bullock who will play Alderman Robert Jackson, the borough's mayor in 1914 and who was trapped in Germany at the outbreak of the war.

Each part will take place at different venues in Sydenham and can be seen on their own or as part of the four performances.

As well as the gas workers the pieces will feature a music hall concert from 1914, the drive for recruits and the impact on the wives and girlfriends left behind and those who worked in the munitions factories.

Sir Steve said: “The anniversary of the First World War is a very significant one which the borough will be marking in different ways and the community theatre production is a great way to do this and also one which will involve a wide range of local residents, groups and schools.

"I think the historical background [of Till the Boys Come Home] is going to give us some real insights into the impact that the First World War on the lives of people in this part of London."

Festival director Jonathan Kaufman said: 'It's really exciting that this year's festival will be the biggest and best yet, but as our costs have escalated we're making an urgent appeal to the community to support us by becoming Friends of Sydenham Arts Festival.

"By donating to our funds, Friends can claim free tickets to some of our most prestigious events, and be listed on our website as Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum givers.

"We're especially keen to hear from business owners who would to like to sponsor some of our big events - and we can offer great placement on our website."

Visit www.sydenhamartsfestival.co.uk for full listings, how to volunteer and to become a Friend of the event.

Rose Theatre, Orpheus and Eurydice

THE ruins of the Rose Theatre is the setting for a new production of Christoph Willibald Gluck's epic opera Orpheus and Eurydice.

The piece is being directed by Pamela Schermann who says the Park Street theatre is the perfect space to stage the show.

"I directed Taming of the Shrew at the Rose last year and loved the space," she says. "It's massive, dark, incredibly atmospheric and quite eerie and with some of the foundations under the water it is the perfect place to create the underworld that features in the piece.

"When I pitched it to the Rose they agreed there couldn't be a better place to do it so here we are!"

The opera is based on the myth of Orpheus who goes to the Underworld to save his wife Eurydice. He manages to persuade the furies, softened by his music, to let Eurydice return with him, but there is one condition - Orpheus must walk in front of her and not look back until they both have reached the earth again.

The production will use the whole site as its stage by performing the first act on the platform in very close proximity to the audience, and parts of the second act within the site, which will be lit with candles and stage lights to create the underworld in which Orpheus has to descend.

"It's been every bit as good as I thought it would be," says Pamela. "It's very exciting. It's an incredible place and the audience is in for a really unique theatrical experience.

"Some of it will be performed in the watery ruins and there will be musicians too although they will be hidden from view until the end."

As well as the professional opera singers who will perform the soloist parts of Orpheus, Eurydice and Amor, and the eight-strong opera choir, the production is also showcasing the talents of a group of local residents who answered a call by the company to audition to take part in it.

"We asked members of the local community in Southwark to take part in this production by inviting them to free workshops on acting and singing, and performing in the opera alongside professional singers," says Pamela.

"We wanted to show that opera is not just for a big opera house but can and should be accessible to everyone and anyone from any background.

"From the workshops we now have 12 people who do the shows on a rotating basis. It's been a fascinating process to see them grow and develop in their singing and confidence. They've really embraced it and it's also been a great experience for the professional singers too.

"It's a beautiful piece, a great story, and I hope people will take a chance to come and see it in all its glory."

Orpheus and Eurydice is on at the Rose Theatre, Park Street, from now until June 28. Tickets £16. Call the box office on 0207 261 9565 or email boxoffice@rosetheatre.org.uk for tickets.

Cyrano of Brixton at the Brockley Jack

THE life of 17th century French dramatist Cyrano de Bergerac has in the past been turned into films, operatic and stage productions but now he has been given a makeover with a difference thanks to a South London playwright.

Kevin Lee has taken the story, updated it and set it in Brixton. As well as re-writing the story to give it a totally contemporary feel he has given it a new name - Cyrano of Brixton - and will open it tonight at the Jack Studio Theatre in Brockley.

For the 29-year-old it has been nine months of hard work to bring it to the stage but he says he is really excited about the result and "raring to go".

"It's a brilliant story and has been made famous by people like French actor Gerard Depardieu and Steve Martin in the film Roxanne," he says.

"I wanted to update it though and set it in South London - and because I've lived in the area my whole life it made sense to set it here.

"It's never been told in this way before. The essence of the original story is still there but I've completely re-written it in a way that I'd tell it to a bunch of teenagers.

"Now we have the cast and crew in place we are raring to go!"

Cyrano was a brilliant poet and dramatist who was highly regarded in society. In fictional works about his life though he has been mocked for having a big nose. He is also shown falling in love with the beautiful Roxanne but realising she would never love him, tries to set her up with one of his friends.

"It's a beautiful love story and that's what I wanted to concentrate on in my adaptation," says Kevin.

"However, to bring it up to date I decided that he should be part of a street gang and whereas in the original they go to war with Spain, here there is a reference to rivalry with the gang's counterpart in North London.

"The gang part of it is secondary though because I wanted to bring out the themes of love, beauty and what it is to be really beautiful - not just outwardly but the beauty within.

"The last thing kids want to hear is about knife crime so I hope that message of love comes through.

"I also hope it reaches out to a new audience - I've made it accessible to teenagers - as well as those people who are familiar with the original. It's very exciting."

For Kevin to bring the piece to his local theatre is a dream and not something he ever imagined he would do when he was growing up. Indeed it was only when he went to the theatre for the first time six years ago that he even considered writing as a career.

"I came to theatre quite late," he admits. "I grew up in Sydenham although I now live in Dulwich and I was never into acting or directing when I was at school and when I left I did a variety of jobs.

"However, six years ago I was persuaded to go to the theatre by some friends and I saw Sheridan Smith and James Cordon in a production of Tinderbox at the Bush Theatre in west London. It is such a small intimate venue and the excitement of being there was incredible.

"Everything went wrong during the production but it was amazing and totally blew me away!

"After that I went to see as much as I could and three years ago I started writing plays, one of which was staged at the Soho Theatre which was an unbelievable honour."

Writing courses followed and Kevin says he spent most of his free time writing and re-writing while his friends were out clubbing.

"It has been hard work because every spare moment has been me trying to improve so I had to ditch my social life for a while!" he laughs.

"But I felt like I had something to say and write about and even though it was hard I just had to keep going.

"I want to try and make something of myself though and hopefully be a full time playwright before too long. I'd also love to work with young people to get them more interested in theatre.

"The experience of writing this play has exceeded my expectations - and I've had great support from Kate Bannister and Karl Swinyard at the Jack who really liked it and thought it had a lot of potential which was fantastic."

And as for the future, Kevin is still writing, has two new plays he wants to get staged and is thinking about his next script.

"If it does well at the Jack I'd like to take Cyrano on tour if I can. But most of all keep writing!" he says.

Watch this space.

Cyrano of Brixton is on at the Jack Studio Theatre, Brockley Road until Saturday, June 14. Tickets cost £14. Call the box office on 0333 666 3366 or visit www.brockleyjack.co.uk/portfolio/cyrano-brixton

Antony & Cleopatra at the Globe

THREE STARS

THE old adage of "the show must go on" was in full force on press night for the Globe's production of Antony and Cleopatra.

Clive Wood, who plays Antony was still recovering from a virus that had caused him to miss several previews and James Hayes, who plays three of the supporting roles, had slipped and injured himself before the evening so won't be appearing for a few weeks. Instead his part was read by Christopher Saul. And Eve Best as Cleopatra appeared to be wearing an ankle support.

These unfortunate incidents for those concerned didn't seem to affect the production at all - in fact it was entertaining, well acted and beautifully staged.

The play itself features some of William Shakespeare's most beautiful and evocative poetry and although it was hard to imagine the sunshine and the stifling heat of Egypt and Rome the language certainly shone through.

At its heart it is a story of a love, passion and lust between Antony and his Cleopatra which transcends everything and everyone.

Eve Best, one of this country's finest actresses, is Cleopatra and brings a mix of both vulnerability and playfulness to the role, flirting with the audience and planting a kiss on one man in the crowd.

She is bewitching and switches mood with ease, brilliantly portraying the mercurial character of Cleopatra.

She is paired with Clive Wood as Antony, a big burly man who inspires an incredible loyalty among his men even though his focus is more on Cleopatra. Indeed he is best when he shows the inner conflict he endures at being torn between his love for Cleopatra and his duty as head of the army.

However, for me there was not enough chemistry between the two. Although there were moments of tender love and emotion, it was not consistent and the sense that they were completely overcome with love for each other and couldn't keep their hands off each other was not strong enough.

That said it was an enjoyable production and there were some stand out performances, notably Phil Daniels as Antony's closest friend Enobarbus, and Jolyon Coy as the steely, and cold Octavius Caesar.

Antony and Cleopatra is on at the Globe, Bankside until August 24. Tickets from £5. Call the box office on 020 7401 9919.

REVIEW: Cats at New Wimbledon Theatre

FOUR STARS

ONE of the West End's longest running shows is wowing audiences in the regions thanks to a nationwide tour.

Cats, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s extraordinary, record-breaking, smash-hit musical is currently at the New Wimbledon Theatre for a two week run.

For those who haven't seen it, it is based on TS Eliot's seminal work, Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats which was written for the poet's godchildren in the 1930s.

Lloyd Webber decided to compose a score around the words and Cats was born, opening at the New London Theatre in May 1981.

Now 27 years later and despite no longer in the West End it still has a loyal and growing fan base - which was evident at the New Wimbledon Theatre last week.

And the appeal of the show is not surprising. With an amazing musical score that includes the timeless song Memory, made famous by Elaine Paige, spectacular set designs, stunning costumes and breathtaking choreography, Cats is utterly captivating.

Although there is not much of a story, it doesn't matter. It's the costumes, the dancing and the set which provide the wow factor and this current production doesn't disappoint.

There are some highlights though - the Jellicle Cats scampering in amongst the audience and Mistofelees, played by Joseph Poulton, who performs the most amazing dance in the second act in a costume studded with glittery sequins - is fabulous. It's breathtaking.

Cats is on at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday, May 17