1 River Stage Festival Returns to London's South Bank Five Free Weekends of the Best and Brightest Entertainment from Some Of
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
River Stage Festival returns to London’s South Bank Five free weekends of the best and brightest entertainment from some of the UK’s leading arts and culture organisations will once again arrive at London’s South Bank this summer; The Glory, HOME, Manchester, WOMAD, Rambert and the National Theatre each ‘take over’ the River Stage for a weekend throughout July and August. Following the success of their appearance at River Stage 2016, The Glory return to the National Theatre to kick off River Stage 2017. The Glory, said "We can't wait to storm the River Stage again with drag-fuelled back-to-back shows, including previews of our latest work. In giving us this platform the NT gives a nod to London's alternative scene which is almost a theatre genre of its own and among the best in the world. We're keeping it all family-friendly while showing off the capital's best contemporary talent. Bringing the underground overground… the results will be rare, spectacular and so much fun in the sun! We'll see you there- dress-up encouraged but optional" Then HOME will bring an array of performers and musicians from Manchester to the capital. Walter Meierjohann, Artistic Director: Theatre, HOME, said “Following HOME’s previous collaborations with the National Theatre, we are delighted to have been invited to curate a weekend of this year's River Stage Festival. We are looking forward to sharing the best HOME and Manchester has to offer, with an eclectic line-up of performers and musicians - this will be the ultimate HOME from home weekend." WOMAD Festival, the acclaimed international arts festival, makes its River Stage debut with a variety of music, arts and dance. Chris Smith, Director of WOMAD, said “WOMAD celebrates diversity, togetherness and sharing cultures across borders so it is perfect for us to collaborate with the NT’s River Stage, showcasing some of the best global acts in the most varied, buzzing and colourful city on the planet. We are delighted to be bringing a splash of colour and the funky festival vibes from WOMAD to central London and to work with such a prestigious institution as the NT”. Rambert returns to the River Stage, with an eclectic range of performances from the world of contemporary dance. Mark Baldwin, Artistic Director at Rambert said: “Rambert at the River Stage provides the most amazing chance for anyone passing by to engage with and enjoy dance from some of the freshest talent and most exciting dance makers in the world today. We moved to our new building on the South Bank just 3 years ago so it’s a brilliant opportunity to celebrate and showcase our presence here. Whether you want to join in with a workshop or sit back and enjoy stunning dance and music, our programme promises to be an energetic and uplifting weekend.” To conclude the festival, the National Theatre brings you a jam-packed bank holiday weekend. Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre said: “It’s brilliant to be announcing the 2017 line up for the River Stage festival. I’m delighted that this range of partners from across the country have decided to join us this year, and the assortment of performance, music, dance and workshops free for all ages is a vibrant and vital part of the National Theatre programme this summer.” London’s Night Czar, Amy Lamé, said: “In the summer months the Southbank really comes alive with Londoners and visitors enjoying fantastic restaurants, market stalls and street theatre. The return of the River Stage adds to the buzz with an incredible season of free 1 outdoor entertainment. From world class dance and circus acts, to workshops and DJs, there’s something for everyone – so make the most of the summer nights and soak up some exciting new culture on the Thames as the sun goes down.” 28 – 30 July Friday 28 July Luxury Hell 6.30pm – 7.30pm Jonny Woo kicks off the weekend with East London super group Luxury Hell, a blazing fusion of contemporary scene legends who will rock out the Riverside Stage with funked-up alternative anthems. The Unholy Hour 7.30pm – 8.30pm Welcome to the musical church of John Sizzle and the Miss-iah herself, Shesus, and the sexy habit- clad Sistas! Divine interventions, saintly sing-a-longs and musical miracles abound from these festival favourites. LIPSYNC1000 Allstars 8.30pm – 9.30pm Enjoy a dazzling selection of star turns from The Glory’s biggest and most prestigious drag queen competition LIPSYNC1000 beefed up with added butch allure from some Drag King sensations! Jutting their jaws, jiggling their bits and moving their lips to your favourite hits! WIGS! LASHES! BRAWN & MANLY ATTITUDE! APOCALYPSTICK Party! 9.30pm – 10.45pm It’s a new world order! London is burning tonight as a glamorous tribe of radical fairies, super queers, fashion freaks and punk queens gather outside the National Theatre for this hell-raising riverside rave! The world is ending, so put some lipstick on, and dance into the fire. Saturday 29 July LOVE INN with Auntie Maureen & Timberlina 1.00pm – 2.30pm Join lovely, beardy drag legend Timberlina and his side-puss Auntie Maureen for this old-school “Love Inn”, a cheeky brunch-time boogie and request-filled family-friendly music sesh. Homo Histories 2.30pm – 3.15pm Take a mince through time as The Glory exhumes queer legends from the past, present and near future. Meet loitering literary Oscar Wilde, juggle some balls with tennis champ Martina Navratilova. Maybe Tom Daley will make a splash? And if there’s one thing history ever taught us – it’s that Madonna will almost definitely steal the limelight. Figs In Wigs 3.15pm – 4.15pm Figs in Wigs, the UK's most ignored performance troupe and the world's first ever all female, non- singing, all dancing Backstreet Boys tribute act. They do other stuff too but no one cares cos it’s all about the boys! Night Of A 1000 Jay Astons 4.30pm – 5.30pm Don’t miss this revival of Jonny Woo’s cult Edinburgh Fringe show! A lip-synced musical “all about the slutty one from Bucks Fizz”. Follow the skirt-flinging story of the unstoppable Eurovision winner Jay 2 Aston. GLORY LATES presents 5.45pm – 7.00pm Come and see a host of the greatest live performers from The Glory’s much-celebrated cabaret roster, starring RICHARD THOMAS, SEX SHELLS, JAIME NANCI, Le Gateaux Chocolat, Jonny Woo, John Sizzle and more guests to be announced. Grizzle Go ABBA 7.00pm – 8.45pm Comedic duo John Sizzle and A Man To Pet bring ABBA to the stage. Mamma Mia – here we go again! They’ll talk ABBA, they sing ABBA, they are ABBA. Aren’t they? Did we mention ABBA? 80’s ARMAGEDDON PARTY 8.45pm – 10.45pm A glorious 80’s pop party meltdown. Duran, Spandau, Whitney, Madge & Michael! Let the Glory take you back to when shoulders were big and pop was BAD! Now That’s What I Call Music! Sunday 30 July Drag Life Drawing 1.00pm – 2.30pm Join The Glory’s own life-drawing coaches James Davison, Simon Gray and host Jonny Woo for this special “drag life drawing” session. A live art class for all the family, with music, materials and special guests. Come along and draw a queen! Sizzle’s Sunday Service 2.30pm – 3.30pm Laidback grooves, horoscopes and Prosecco possession. Kick back and enjoy the views at this chilled out Sunday sesh with DJ John Sizzle and friends. Big Gay Songbook 3.30pm – 5.00pm The Glory’s campyloo piano bar returns for the grand finale of the weekends festivities. Join Jonny Woo, Rudi Douglas, Farrah and guests for The Big Gay Songbook. We’ll all sing the songs that make us gay in an old-school London boozer sing-a-long style with a glam twist. 4 – 6 August Friday 4 August Bourgeois & Maurice 6.30pm – 7.30pm Sequin-clad satirical weirdos Bourgeois & Maurice write songs that stick like bloodstains in your new carpet and dissect current affairs and moral confusion. “It’s hard to think of any other act delivering such clever, funny and sharp material” Time Out Dave Haslam 7.45pm – 10.45pm Dave Haslam DJ-ed over 450 times at the Hacienda in Manchester through the late 1980s when his eclectic, open-minded and ground-breaking DJing became a focus for Madchesters indie/dance fraternity. Saturday 5 August Mighty Heart Theatre Saturday 5 August 3 All day Creators of work that aims to reflect the world around them, Mighty Heart Theatre are on a mission to see what people think of Manchester & The North, with some other pop up surprises along the way. These words will then be turned into a performance on Sunday. Bootworks Theatre The Jukeboxes 12pm – 1pm Watch two beautiful 1950s Jukeboxes spring to life as two performers re-create classic pop music videos using props, puppets and a terrible selection of wigs. The kitsch duo bring to life the likes of The Beatles, Sinead O’Connor and Adele. Dance and sing along, whatever your age! The Beat Chics 1.30pm – 2.30pm The Beat Chics believe in two things and two things only. Music from the 1960s and vinyl records. When they head to the River Stage, they'll be spinning a collection of classic and rare records perfect for an afternoon on the South Bank, including tracks from The Shangri-Las, The Supremes, The Zombies, Lulu and more. Bootworks Theatre The Jukeboxes 2.45pm – 3.45pm Watch two beautiful 1950s Jukeboxes spring to life as two performers re-create classic pop music videos using props, puppets and a terrible selection of wigs.