thecourtNovember / December 2018
IT’S BEGINNING /// TO FEEL A LOT /// LIKE CHRISTMAS /// Join us at the switching on Discover the passion and drama Concerts, markets, and events of Earl’s Court seasonal driving our local theatres over the festive period Keeping illuminations Life Local thecourt
New Business category while Threads & Co, the Beauty Salon and Coffee Shop on Kensington High Street, was Commended. The Hansom Cab on Earl’s Court Road was Commended in the Best Bar or Restaurant Category. Natasha Mudhar of Sterling Media in Astwood Mews was Highly Commended as Entrepreneur of the Year while estate agents Susan Prescribed Metcalfe Residential in Hollywood Company Road won a commendation in the Best SME category. When the drugs don’t work, maybe Hosted by the Kensington & a rhumba is the answer. Loneliness Local Enterprises Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, in is, increasingly, being recognised as association with Banham Security, the a treatable cause of mental health Kensington & Chelsea Business Awards problems and, in response, the Shine at Awards were set up to recognise and reward government is authorising GPs to the achievements of the local business broaden their prescribing range by Several Earl’s Court businesses and many local hospitality businesses community across the borough. including “social” activities, such as charities have won recognition for won several prizes. Hotel indigo The finalists were invited to a gala dance classes, for their patients. excellence at the Kensington and in Barkston Gardens won Highly dinner and awards ceremony at the Along with “social prescriptions”, Chelsea Business Awards 2018. Commended in the Best Hotel Millennium Gloucester Kensington Theresa May, also announced a pilot Food Alert the leading health & category, the London Marriott Hotel. scheme for postal delivery workers safety consultants providing specialist Hotel on Cromwell Road won Best “These awards demonstrate that to check in on isolated people during food safety, based on Cromwell Road, Employer of the Year, the Kensington Kensington & Chelsea is an exciting their rounds. Something that, without was named Business of the Year and Holiday Inn was commended and the place to work,” said Elizabeth this incentive, many do already. Best Small to Medium Enterprise Copthorne Tara Hotel in Scarsdale Campbell, leader of RBKC Council. The government says about (SME). Solidarity Sports, which Place was Highly Commended. It also “Recognition from these awards can 200,000 older people have not had a provides sports opportunities for was commended in the Best Hotel make a difference when securing conversation with a friend or relative underprivileged and vulnerable category. City Relay, the AirBnB new customers and new business. in over a month and currently, GPs children, won the Best Charity concierge service in Kenway Road, was Applications are welcome from all see between one and five people a day or Social Enterprise Award while also Highly Commended in the Best local businesses in the borough. suffering with loneliness.
tlc... Crowned Best Agent in London 2018
But Earls Court’s still our favourite!
thecourt To view The Court online go to An Earl’s Court Community Trust publication. Editor: Marius Brill www.thecourt.london & Facebook at Supported by Earls Court Partnership Limited Please send any contributions to: Produced by: www.facebook.com/welovethecourt the joint venture between Capital & Counties [email protected] and Transport for London.
THE COURT COMMUNITY Keeping Life Local
2 Come Celebrate the Earl’s Court Christmas Lights
Don’t miss a chance to enjoy free lights, will add a special festive Mulled Wine and a feast of fabulous twinkle from Cromwell Road to festive bakes from local baking Old Brompton Road, along the full heroes Brownie Box, all served with length of the Earl’s Court Road. a smile by TLC Estate Agents and a This wonderful kick start to bevy of happy community helpers Christmas takes place at the corner at the Earl’s Court Christmas of Kenway Road, by the Prince Illuminations on the 29th of of Teck Public House, and Earl’s November. Court Road, the festive frolics start “At around 6pm, 25 seven-foot at 5.45pm and will be officiated by Christmas trees will illuminate the the Worshipful Mayor of the Royal Earl’s Court Road. It is so lovely to Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, see the area that we live and work Councillor Marie-Therese Rossi. in come alive with light. This is “Earls Court Partnership Limited Capital & Counties and Transport by bringing light to the high street, an event for all the community to are delighted to sponsor the Christmas for London, and the Royal Borough while at the same time helping to enjoy,” says Jamie Coronna, local Lights and Festive Illuminations for of Kensington and Chelsea. launch the festive season in this very business owner and event organiser. the third year running. It’s a fantastic “Developing communities is at special neighbourhood.” “Add in the angelic tones of the Our way to support local businesses whilst the heart of what we want to do,” The 4th Earl’s Court Christmas Lady of Victories’ School Choir, launching the festive season in this said Gary. “It is wonderful to play a Illuminations event is free of charge and we will have you feeling super- special neighbourhood. It’s an event part in supporting local businesses and all are welcome. Christmassy in no time. Last year we look forward to every year.” said these local cherubs captured our Gary Yardley, Managing Director, Date: November 29 hearts!” Capco. Time: 5.45pm with lights on at 6pm. Finishes at 7.30pm The custom-made Christmas The Earls Court Partnership Location: Corner of Kenway Road and Earl’s Court Road trees, with their thousands of mini Limited is the joint venture between Fast Food from Courting Drama the Philippines You might think that amateur dramatics are the preserve of village This Autumn the Earl’s Court Road halls and moody teenagers but in the found itself at the centre of an very urban Court area it is thriving in international phenomenon. The first the shape of The Earl’s Courtiers. partly instilled playing with the Joliebee in the UK opened its doors to Few parts of inner London can Courtiers, led Tony to get an agent and long queues of eager Filipinos longing boast an Am-Dram society but the he is now a much sought after actor. for a taste of home. Customers were Courtiers have been going from Not forgetting his roots, he is back to lining up right around the block to be strength to strength every year play Dickens’s miser. one of the first to savour Joliebee’s providing opportunities for locals to The brainchild of singing Estate distinctive fare. perform and tread the boards. Agent, TLC boss Toby Brown, The Asia’s biggest home grown fast food The company started with a Earl’s Courtiers moved from bringing chain, Joliebee started in 1975 as an production of A Midsummers Nights’ Shakespeare to the garden squares ice cream parlour in Manila but is now and ground beef; fried chicken with a Dream in Earl’s Court Square in of SW5 to large cast, epic family most famous for its fried chicken with beef patty mushroom gravy and rice; 2012; they had no sets and the cast musicals. When their production spaghetti. and corned beef, garlic rice and fried members played multiple characters. of Alice in Wonderland called for An eye-catching social media egg. Sides include mashed potato and This year, their latest production of children a call out was made to local campaign was launched featuring gravy and creamy macaroni soup. Oliver!, starred a full cast with over 50 primary schools and the response Joliebee’s “jolly” red bee brand Wafting out into Earl’s Court pickpockets and other urchin parts was overwhelming. Oliver! attracted mascot, aimed at London’s estimated Road is the aroma of a souped-up with a huge set built by two mothers of over a hundred applications to be 200,000 Filipino ex-pats. KFC, however their trademark fried children involved. The production in street urchins, n’er-do-wells and other Following the opening of a branch chicken, “Chickenjoy”, is known to be Barkston Gardens this summer was a Dickensian characters. “It’s difficult to in Milan this is only the second crunchier and spicier than the usual sell out and the troupe are continuing say no,” says Brown, “we were looking Jollibee restaurant in Europe. US southern fried chicken. the Dickensian theme this December for maybe 15 children but ended up Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Foods The late TV chef Anthony with A Christmas Carol. with 50.” Corporation chief executive, told Bourdain, described Jollibee’s The actor Tony Richardson, The Courtier’s next summer project the Evening Standard: ”We aim to spaghetti with hotdogs as “deranged who stars as Scrooge, launched his is still in the air. “There’s been talk of become one of the top five restaurant but strangely alluring” when he tried professional thespian career after Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” companies in the world. Opening our the dish while filming in Manila. working with The Courtiers. It was says Brown, “or maybe Peter Pan.” first store in the United Kingdom There are around 1300 Jollibee when Tony was appearing as Malvolio Whatever it turns out to be, it’s bound brings us one step closer to realising restaurants around the world, half in in the Courtiers’ production of Twelfth to be a toe-tapping spectacular, this vision.” the Philippines and half abroad and, Night that he met Caroline Tod, best exuberant, musical, providing a life- Joliebee’s menu features a according to the Evening Standard, known as Director of the Earl’s Court affirming experience for both actors distinctive fusion of US and Asian Earls Court was chosen for the first Film Festival. Unlike the doomed and audience. dishes including fried chicken with UK site as it has historically been infatuation of his character, love was Book Your Tickets To A Christmas spaghetti covered in a red sauce home to London’s biggest Filipino reciprocated and the two are now Carol By Visiiting Www.thecourt. loaded with slices of hotdog sausage community. married. The confidence to perform, london/Christmas
3 thecourt
Cuthbert’s, “when people come and are served a proper three course meal you see them come out of WASTE NOT, WANT NOT their shells and start talking and really connect with each other.” “When I lost my job,” said one diner, “I was so – Refettorio Felix at St Cuthbert’s embarrassed to come here, you wouldn’t believe. When you are on your uppers, and someone comes THERE IS A MOMENT, every Christmas, when and serves you food, it’s good for the soul. Having the last cracker has been pulled and you’re stuffed napkins, having proper knifes and forks, it makes you because you just had to try some of Christmas feel like you’re somebody. It gives you hope for the pudding, cake and log… oh and what other time of future.” year could you indulge a bit of brandy butter? There Now Refettorio Felix is adding a new dimension is a moment when you look at the table and it’s still to their work: teaching a number of their guests to heaving with bits of food and it’s clear that you have, be chefs. The culinary training course is specifically or your host has, over-bought; and you have a pang of aimed at those out of work, having experienced guilt about the lonely the homeless and the hungry… long-term unemployment, homelessness or at because you’re human. risk of homelessness, with the aim of giving them And here’s food for thought: 4.2 million Christmas confidence, skills and a much increased chance at dinners are wasted across the country according to destined for the compost heap. The project involves employability. Unilever. That’s the equivalent of 263,000 turkeys; 115 volunteers in the kitchen and dining room every The seven-week course is taught be Chef Gregg 7.5 million mince pies; 740,000 slices of Christmas month serving 1072 zero waste meals to our most Brown (Apprenticeship coordinator at University pudding; 17.2 million Brussels sprouts; 11.9 million vulnerable. of West London) and Chef Simon Boyle, founder carrots and 11.3 million roast potatoes. Every host The six to seven tonnes of food that the Felix of Beyond Food and Brigade. Each week, the spends, on average, £112 on food alone; which means project saves per year may seem a mere morsel in apprentices learn how to prepare one or two dishes £64 million is spent every Christmas on food that is comparison to the overall nationwide problem, from scratch, using surplus ingredients to create an never eaten. but Earl’s Court can be proud to be hosting this entire menu. They also hit the books learning life And though you might try to ameliorate with a trend-setting project. It is paving the way for skills, interview technique and CV writing. lot of turkey sandwiches and Bubble and Squeak, others, showing that a viable infrastructure can be The inaugural course saw 13 apprentices graduate, all year round, on average, 30.8% of the food we created to both tackle food waste and food poverty; having both completed the course, and gained an buy, we chuck. Most food waste is from excess food a paradoxical outrage that such things can even accreditation in Health and Hygiene Level 2. The buying but by changing our shopping habits we can coexist. next course begins in January 2019. actually do something about it. Far harder to change The project is a carefully coordinated So, come the Queen’s Speech on Christmas day, is the other half of the food waste conundrum; food collaboration of charitable and non-profit and you’re on the sofa feeling a bit bloated but that never even makes it into a shopping bag. You’d organisations: the St Cuthbert’s Centre, world- warm and satiated, spare a thought, a moment and think there is something rotten in the supply chain renowned Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura’s some money to help this incredible local charity of our food but the trouble is, there isn’t. Every day ‘Food For Soul’ and the Felix Project; a charity set up tackling food waste, food poverty, homelessness and tonnes of food which is still edible is dumped by by Chairman of the Independent, Justin Byam Shaw, loneliness. You can donate online via a link on their supermarkets because it has passed its “best before” who named it after his son who died tragically young. website www.refettoriofelix.com or text RFSC17 £10 date or is aesthetically unwanted. At least 2.2 million Broadly, Felix Project drivers collect waste food to 70070. tonnes of food is wasted in the UK grocery supply from supermarkets, ‘Food For Soul’ turns the food St Cuthbert’s beautifully renovated hall and chain and directly from supermarkets every year. into meals whilst the St Cuthbert’s Centre provides kitchen are also available to rent in evenings and In a quiet street in Earls Court a collection of a beautiful, warm, venue, a mental health worker at weekends, great for everything from parties charities are changing all that with a compelling always on hand as well as bathing facilities for those and work functions to dinners and talks. All rental idea to battle food wastage, food poverty and social in need. Bottura has opened similar community charges go back into funding the charity. Find out isolation all at the same time. And they’re doing it kitchens in Italy, Rio de Janeiro and, most recently, more by emailing [email protected]. in style Paris. Each project shares the common themes The Earls Court Project, an innovative joint Refettorio Felix, based in the St Cuthbert’s Centre, of: using surplus food, working with designers to venture between Capital & Counties Properties PLC Philbeach Gardens, is no soup kitchen. Every day it renovate underused spaces and create engaging (‘Capco’) and Transport for London (TfL), is proud to provides restaurant style three course meals for the community spaces whilst serving high quality and provide on-going funding to the St Cuthbert’s Centre homeless, the lonely, the old and people with mental nutritious dishes to vulnerable people. to help support the work of the dedicated team so health conditions. They prepare gourmet meals “One of the hardest things we’re trying to tackle they can continue to make an important impact in entirely using food from supermarkets that was is social isolation, said Alistair Kingsley, CEO of St the local community.
4 WHAT’S ON DOWN THE MARKET?
NORTH END ROAD MARKET FARMERS’ MARKETS On Saturday 15th December, from November sees tasting sessions at our the stalls on the first weekend in 2019. 9am to 5pm, North End Road will host local farmers’ markets on the weekend The last 2018 market at Earl’s a bumper market of festive fun and of 17th/18th November. Turn up to Court will be: Sunday 23rd December seasonal food, drink and gifts at their sample, see what pleases your palate, (10-2), and we will be back on Sunday annual winter extravaganza. and find out how to order. 6th January 2019. The last 2018 It’s a great day out shopping for At Earl’s Court on 18th November, dates for South Kensington, Pimlico Christmas gifts at the traffic-free Picks Organic have organic turkey, and Notting Hill, are Saturday market in North End Road with more goose, cockerel and duck, as well as 22nd December 2018, returning on than 150 stalls including arts and gammon and sausage meat to try; Saturday 5th January 2019 crafts, clothing, fashion accessories market forms part of the popular Midgham Farm have whole gammons For more details on all the markets and much more. series of traffic-free seasonal street and fore ribs of beef to order while as Christmas approaches, keep an eye The market is also hosting hilarious markets which take place every year Astons Bakery and Popina are offering on the market blackboards, or check street entertainment that will keep on this 131-year-old high street. delicious Christmas goodies, including www.lfm.org.uk, where you will get all the family laughing with, the For more details, or if you’re interested mince pies and Christmas cake. Wild more of an idea of which seasonal Christmas Cats Choir, Rubella, in taking a stall, check out www.lbhf. Country will have plenty of seasonal products (cheeses, wreaths, trimmings Salmonella and Buttons bringing gov.uk/business/markets/north-end- veg and for cheese lovers, Quickes for the festive meal, quince cheese, the panto feel; Bridie the Tea-Lady road-market Cheddar will have their usual delicious mistletoe, and more) will be on offer demonstrating a tall order with her North End Road Market - Monday to selection. and where and when. stilt-walking and, of course, a visit Saturday, from 8am to 6pm, between The markets will run up to the last Earl’s Court Farmers’ Market, Sundays from Santa. Fulham Broadway and Lillie Road weekend before Christmas and then 10-2 at St Cuthbert’s and St Matthias The North End Road Christmas SW6 most producers will be back manning Primary School, SW5 9UE The Festive Season at West Brompton Crossing
AS THE WEATHER turns chilly festive good-will at West Brompton and with Christmas just around the Crossing’s pop up high street, which corner, there’s plenty happening at has partnered with the Earls Court West Brompton Crossing on Saturday project team to offer special seasonal 8th December to get you in the festive treats for the day, including: mood. The Earls Court project team will THE HOARDER be opening their doors at the Project Pop in to The Hoarder for a discount Rooms (located at 16-18 Empress on a festive hot chocolate. Place SW6 1TT) between 11am and 3pm for the annual Christmas open THE PRINCE PUB day event. Try a delicious free winter warmer Guests will be able to enjoy a range mock-tail crafted by the bar staff at of festive arts & crafts workshops; The Prince. from designing your own yuletide flower wreaths, to making your own THE CROSSING Christmas stockings and decorative Super cool stationary brand Afu Rok, baubles. Visitors will also be able to the latest tenant at The Crossing, will The Earls Court Project is being enjoy mince pies, live festive carols be offering a free West Brompton brought forward through an innovative and there will be face painting Crossing tote bag with every purchase. joint venture between Capital & throughout the event for younger A complimentary loyalty card for Counties Properties PLC (‘Capco’) guests. Everyone is welcome to come West Brompton Crossing is available and Transport for London (TfL). The down and join in with the festivities. for local residents, offering discounts Open Day will also give visitors the Best of all, workshops and admission and seasonal promotions. If you are opportunity to explore plans for Earls are free and require no pre-booking. interested in receiving a loyalty card, Court through architectural models There will also be plenty more please [email protected] and video installations.
5 thecourt Notable Buildings – Gilbert’s House BY THADDEUS BELL
ONE OF THE MOST extraordinary houses in Earl’s Court is 39 Harrington Gardens, a 19 tiered, flemish style, red bricked house designed by Ernest George and Harold Peto for W.S.Gilbert, better known as the librettist half of “Gilbert and Sullivan”. With Arthur Sullivan, Gilbert wrote fourteen eternally popular “operettas”; forerunners of the modern musical. and drawing-room overlooking Waterloo, in order categorical.” The comic intent, use of spoken communal gardens, on the ground The opposite caryatid dipicts a pig voice and jaunty music, meant that floor. tailed woman resting cymbals on they never qualified as real opera for Number 39 was built in 1883 to her stomach, possibly this is another the sophisticates of the time. Their mirror the flamboyant character pun, it was “cymbolic” of Gilbert’s most famous works include H.M.S. of the occupier. The Flemish style words hushing the musical side of Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance echoed Gilbert’s own taste for the his co-productions. and, according to Wikipedia, one historic, the exotic and the primacy Above the door the Gilbert coat of of the most frequently performed of aesthetics which was all the rage arms features a squirrel with a nut works in the history of musical due to the Aesthetic Movement. and is flanked by two children, one theatre, The Mikado; which was Gilbert filled the interior with exotic feeding a bird, the other fighting one. written in this house, commissioned oriental objects and The Mikado was Gilbert’s hospitable yet often prickly from the profits of another apparently inspired by the clattering personality was summed up in these well-known Gilbert and Sullivan fall of a Japanese sword that hung baroque curlicues. production, Patience. above his study door. Inside, an oak-panelled hall George and Peto designed all the Beatrix Potter, who lived around included a floor-to-ceiling distinctive red brick properties on the corner, noted in her diary, “The chimneypiece in carved stone Harrington Gardens and Collingham Dutch houses are mostly finished…… fronting a blue-tiled inglenook Gardens as part of a huge speculative Mr Gilbert’s is a very handsome in which Gilbert hung his hams. building fad that swept through house with its marble court. But I The drawing-room at the back Kensington following the Great doubt the comfort of the little lattice had rosewood panelling, an ornate Exhibition of 1851, the building windows….” She also somewhat strapwork ceiling, a hooded alabaster of the Albertopolis museums and overestimated that the house chimneypiece and the fireplace itself colleges around Exhibition Road contained, “twenty-six bedrooms was richly sculpted in a C16th style. and the creation, in 1865, of the with a bath-room to each (fancy But for all the historic flourishes, Metropolitan District Line. Most twenty-six burst water pipes)” But Gilbert was also a believer in of the new streets followed the there certainly are five stately stories modern technology. The area was classic, stuccoed, terraced pattern of mullioned windows and carved predominantly lit by gas but from but George and Peto had different stone topped with an enormous the first, Gilbert installed electric designs on the area. stepped gable. At the very top is a lighting with power coming from The pair travelled each summer stone galleon, not HMS Pinafore an eight-horsepower Crossley to the continent and their resulting but a reference to Gilbert’s alleged gas engine mediated through a sketchbooks proved a rich source for ancestor, the heroic Elizabethan Crompton-Burgin dynamo. He inspiration. Many of their buildings sailor Sir Humphrey Gilbert. is also known to have installed a drew on their impressions of the The external details reflect telephone line directly to the Savoy redbrick, 17th century, gabled Gilbert’s own delight in storytelling. theatre to keep close contact with houses of Ghent in Belgium. They Two caryatids flank the doorway. all his productions there, before designed their properties to the One, with a long split tongue, is London had a city wide exchange. highest standards of craftsmanship literally a tongue twister. Gilbert was Gilbert’s creative output included for families who wanted ‘beautiful’ already famed for mouth mashing over 75 plays and libretti as well as and ‘artistic’ homes. Unlike the verses like “I am the very model numerous short stories, poems and conventional London terraced of a modern Major-General, I’ve lyrics, both comic and serious. His house, with a long passage and stairs information vegetable, animal, house reflected his personality and a leading up to a first floor drawing- and mineral, I know the kings of visit to wonder at all the details will room, these houses had square England, and I quote the fights reward any enthusiast of his work as halls with the dining-room, library, historical, From Marathon to well as the architects George and Peto.
6 Howard Carter (1874–1939) Blue Plaques – A Tour – Part 3 19 Collingham Gardens SW5 0HL The Court continues its look at our Carter was the original Tomb Raider, the most celebrated former residents. archetypal mummy hunting Indiana Jones Sir Norman Lockyer Hattie Jacques who discovered the (1836–1920) (1924-1980) tomb of Tutankhamun, the richest, most intact 16 Penywern Road 67 Eardley Crescent, and beautiful Egyptian tomb ever uncovered by SW5 9ST London SW5 9JT Egyptologists. In 1922, Carter had been excavating If you’ve ever talked like a This Comic Heritage in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings for several years, chipmunk after inhaling Blue Plaque commemorates the comedienne who sponsored by the Earl of Carnarvon but had found a helium balloon, it’s Sir exploited her plus size for comic effect and lived very little. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Norman you can thank. In here for 35 years until her death. Famous for playing Carnarvon had given Carter one last season and 1868 a prominent yellow bossy, no-nonsense, characters like Matron in the Carter shifted his attention to some huts he had line was observed in a Carry On… films she was also, for many years, a used in a previous season. Whilst demolishing them, spectrum taken near the perfect comic foil for both Tony Hancock during on 4th November, their young water boy stumbled edge of the Sun. Lockyer his Half Hour and Eric Sykes. Jacques was married on a stone that turned out to be the top of a flight of suggested it was caused by an unknown solar for fourteen years to the Dad’s Army actor John steps cut into the bedrock. Dug out, the steps led to element he called Helium after the Greek word Le Mesurier who, in 1962, was forced to move into the greatest archaeological find of the 20th Century. for “Sun”. Unfortunately, French scientist Pierre a different bedroom when Jacques installed a new According to many, including Arthur Conan Doyle, Janssen also lodged the same observation on the lover in the family home. Jacques’ weight was they also released the “Curse of King Tut”. Within same day in France so the two men are credited bittersweet for her . Talking about her long-term role a few months Carnarvon died, and then his half- jointly. This dismaying coincidence may have on the radio series It’s That Man Again she said “It brother Aubrey Herbert, then Carter’s friend Bruce inspired Lockyer to found the journal Nature, still was planned that I should play a character named Ingham whom Carter had gifted a mummified hand the pre-eminent publication in general science, ‘Ella Phant’. Ted thought the laughs would come to with, allegedly, a bracelet inscribed “cursed be he as a way for scientists to understand what others on the size gags but, being radio, and coupled with who moves my body.” In all nine people associated are working on. Lockyer was so didactic that the fact my voice didn’t have the timbre of a ‘heavy’, with the find died within a few years of entering the mathematician James Whitbread Lee Glaisher that didn’t really work out ... A large lady with a little tomb. Carter himself lived to a not overly ripe 64. once complained he “sometimes forgets he is only voice hit the spot, so ‘Sophie Tuckshop’ was born— The idea of a curse unleashed by a disturbed tomb the editor and not the author of Nature.” the terrible child who never stopped eating”. became the basis for countless Hollywood movies.
. 7+ENTRY ST PHILIP’S SCHOOL THE COUNTRY'S LEADING BOYS' CATHOLIC PREPARATORY SCHOOL (Ages 7-13) www.stpschool.co.uk 6 Wetherby Place|London SW7 4NE |Tel (020) 7373 3944 [email protected]
Approximately half of all leavers since 2010 to: Day Dulwich, KCS Wimbledon, St Paul’s, Westminster 8+ENTRY Boarding Ampleforth, Eton, Harrow, Winchester thecourt West End? The Best End is Right Here
THEATRE IS ONE of those essential proving grounds of culture, where writing, music, visual craft and performance, meet, not with the huge budgets and mass consumption of screen dramas, but mostly with simple physical, visceral passion. Nowhere is this more evident than in fringe theatre. And the Court area is lucky to have at least three of the best Off-West End Theatres in London, theatres that are accessible, not just geographically but financially. If you want to experience moving drama, it won’t be the ticket prices that will make you cry. Not only does the intimacy of the venues bring a compelling edge to productions, they all share premises with pubs so a post-drama Richard Leigh in his Magic Cavern, stiffener is always on hand. beneath Barons Court Theatre
THE FINBOROUGH THEATRE is no pushover. She knows her own mind, she is a This 50-seat theatre has always punched above its stickler for the truth, and she hates scroungers… weight consistently bringing challenging, funny and thought provoking works to an intimate audience. Jeannie – 27 November – 22 December 2018 Founded in 1980, this multi-award-winning theatre, a. Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, led by Artistic Director Neil McPherson, presents SW10 9ED plays and music theatre, concentrating on new w. finboroughtheatre.co.uk writing, or rediscovering genuinely neglected works from the 19th and 20th centuries. Rivalling bigger BARONS COURT THEATRE and better funded theatres, the Finborough runs This theatre has been running for nearly 16 years and both an internship programme and a Resident unlike many pub theatres that are located upstairs or Assistant Director Programme. The Finborough in the back room, the Barons Court Theatre is located Theatre was also the inaugural holder of both the partnership with the National Theatre Studio, and in the vaults below the Curtains Up Pub. This descent Leverhulme Bursary for Emerging Directors in the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer favours a certain darkness and may be why it has scheme. This tiny theatre regularly transfers been the home of London’s longest running theatrical productions to the West End and Off-Broadway. If magic show, The Magic Cavern. Ron Phillips, the you want to see it first, see it here. theatre’s artistic director produces about 70% This festive season the Finborough is reviving classics and 30% new works. His focus in selecting Aimée Stuart’s pre-second world war play Jeannie. productions is plays that will entertain rather than A 1930s version of the Cinderella story, this focusing on a particular genre. charming light romantic comedy, ideal for the With 60 seats that surround the stage on three Christmas season, was last performed in London sides, the playing area is an intimate square in 1940. Set in 1936 in a “wee one-eyed” town in surrounded by archways. Sometimes plays also use Scotland it tells the story of Jeannie, a drudge the audience space, as in a production of Antigone, in for her mean controlling father, who dreams of a which the chorus sat in the front row. different life. When she receives a large inheritance, The theatre is featuring a number of productions she seizes the opportunity to finally escape to the over the festive period but try to cactch KDC glamour and sophistication of European travel. Theatre’s production of Flare Path by Terrence During her stay in Vienna, Jeannie encounters Rattigan, a tale set in a pub next to an airfield during both Stanley, a washing machine inventor from WWII. When the airmen are called off on a raid, their Yorkshire, and a real Viennese Count. But Jeannie wives and girlfriends are left to wait anxiously, but
8 In the 80s it was hired as a rehearsal studio by Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, nearby in Clareville Grove. They subsequently fitted the room out as a theatre to give the students their own performance space. The Drayton Studio – as it was then – continued for the next 20 years, with 12 public performances every year. Eventually Webber Douglas moved to bigger premises and in 2011 the Drayton Arms Theatre was opened as a professional fringe venue. For great fun this Festive season the Drayton Arms is hosting a joyful farce retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes mystery The Hound Of The Baskervilles. Holmes and his incomparable sidekick Dr Jane Watson travel from the appearance of an ex-lover, and bombing by the the streets of London to the Devonshire Moors Luftwaffe, calls for heart-wrenching choices to be as they attempt to solve the mystery of a huge made. hellish dog terrorising the locals. This inventive Closer to Christmas, Magician Richard Leigh and hilarious comedy mystery is a fast-paced farce presents an evocative Fun Fair at The Magic Cavern, featuring just two fearless actors playing every role. an intimate underground mystical playground – a realm of magic, illusion and intrigue that will transport you to the odd-ball fairgrounds DRAYTON ARMS of yesteryear. All is not what it seems though. The Drayton Arms Theatre has been making Everything has a magical twist or surprise. For an waves in the theatrical world by hosting incredible show from this era, enter the attraction outstanding productions. Programme Director called ‘The Fastest Mathematician’ that has got to be Audrey Thayer and Executive Director Gene seen to be believed. David Kirk actively scour Fringe Festivals up and down the country looking for innovative powerful Flare Path - 27th November - 01 December 2018 dramas. They also try to cater for the French The Fun Fair at The Magic Cavern - 19th community based nearby around the Lycée in The Hound of the Baskervilles - 11th December December -l 30 December 2018 South Kensington. Originally a function room, 2018 - 12th January 2019 a. Barons Court Theatre, Curtain’s Up pub, 28a the first theatrical use of the space was just after a. Drayton Arms Theatre, 153 Old Brompton Comeragh Road, W14 9HR the war as a rehearsal room for many of the actors Road, SW5 0LJ w. offwestend.com/index.php/theatres/shows/42 from the newly formed BBC TV who lived locally. w. thedraytonarmstheatre.co.uk
A community space a Communitywhere s greatpace things happen Where Creativity Can Flourish A great place to work,A great 1A Nevern place to Place work, is 1A Nevern Place is located in the heart of located in the centre ofEarl's Earl’s Court. Court. A creative A creative hub with a THE BOLTON hub with a big communitybig heart, community we welcome heart, we local welcome freelancers, small businesseslocal freelancers, owners, charitiessmall business ‘Blending the hip and the wholesome – a vibrant and people workingowners, from home not-for-profit who just organisations, British pub offering the warmest of welcomes’ need to escapecharities for a littleand communitybit. groups.
Combining the best in British pub hospitality with individuality, character and 1a Nevern Place is fully managed by Earls’ Court Community Trust quirky charm, The Bolton is located on the corner of Earl’s Court Road and – Registered Charity
Brompton Road.The perfect setting for a laid-back yet distinctly memorable Sponsored by Pricing Capital & Counties Monthly Membership: £50/month drinking and dining experience. The Bolton’s interior boasts a double-height Main Room: £10/hour Office Meeting Room: £10/hour ceiling, private function room and a snug fireplace for those chillier months. ◆ Special offers for charities and Upstairs discover the distinct flavour of Holland at Proeflokaal Rembrandt special interest groups. ◆ Special rates for resident (the Rembrandt sampling room) with 126 different Dutch beers on offer association tenants and together with great Dutch snacks and meals. unemployed localresidents. ◆ Annual memberships available for groups that require regular Every Monday: London Life Drawing classes, walk in basis from 7pm - meetings. A woRksPACE foR All 9.30pm, Fri - Sunday: open for walk in drinks, food and fun Dutch style. Visit www.1anevernplace.com for bookings or contact us on [email protected] for further information
9 thecourt THE COURT RECOMMENDS A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens Location: St Philips Church and St Cuthbert’s Church CALENDAR Dates: 29, 30 November and the 1 December November / December 2018 Tickets: Adult £10, Child £5, Concessions available from www. Tony Richardson stars as thecourt.london Scrooge in A Christmas Carol For further listings details, please check www.thecourt.london The Earl’s Courtiers are all set to and with the venue or organiser to confirm dates and times. bring this Dickens’ classic to life in Earl’s Court this Festive Season. Do All listings correct at time of going to press. If you’d like to see not miss THE play of the Festive Season. A mean-spirited, miserly old your event below, please send listings in the same format to man named Ebenezer Scrooge sits in his counting-house on a frigid [email protected]. Christmas Eve. His clerk, Bob Cratchit, shivers in the room nearby because Scrooge refuses to spend money on heating coals for a fire. Bah humbug! MUSIC on a rivalry between two composers, A: St Philips Church, 96 Earl’s Court Road, London W8 6EG Handel and Porpora. A: St Cuthbert’s Church, 50 Philbeach Gardens, London SW5 9EB Fulham Opera presents Don Carlo A: St Cuthbert’s Church, 50 Philbeach W: www.thecourt.london/christmas Location: St John’s Church, Fulham Gardens, London SW5 9EB W: See saintcuthbert.org/news- Date: 6 to 18 of November St Matthias Choir, under the direction Tickets: £27 plus booking fee – book events for all classical and festive FESTIVE events of the new musical director for the online www.wegottickets.com/ church, Quintin Beer, will perform fulhamopera Earl’s Court Christmas Prelude and Preparation: Scherzo Illuminations Christmas favourites. All are A new production of Verdi’s welcome. The Worshipful the Mayor remarkable opera Don Carlo. Directed Residency Concert Location: Kenway Road, Earl’s Court Location: St. Cuthbert’s Church Road Corner of the Royal Borough of Kensington by Lewis Reynolds. Musically Directed and Chelsea, Councillor Marie- and with a new score for 11-piece Date: Sunday 2nd December, 6pm Date: 29 November – 5.45pm to Tickets: £10 / £15 – Available on the 7.30pm / lights on at 6pm Therese Rossi will be attending this orchestra by Ben Woodward. special event. A: North End Road, Fulham, London, door Tickets: This is a free event Begin Advent with a concert Free food, mulled wine, Carol singers A: St Cuthbert’s Church, 50 SW6 1PB Philbeach Gardens, London SW5 W: www.fulhamopera.co.uk celebrating some of the wonderful and Christmas Lights. Come along music for this season of anticipation. and kick start the festive season. See 9EB W: saintcuthbert.org/news-events The Fureys Hold back the beat of the Christmas our special feature for more details. drum with this reflective recital. Location: Nell’s Jazz and Blues THEATRE A: St Cuthbert’s Church, 50 Philbeach The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Date: Tuesday 27 November – Gardens, London SW5 9EB Concert 7.30pm to 11pm Time is Love / Tiempo Es Amor W: saintcuthbert.org/news-events Location: Our Lady of Victories Tickets: £22.50 – visit website by Chè Walker Church for bookings or email info@ Location:The Finborough Theatre Trio Manouche Date: Wednesday 12 December - nellsjazzandblues.com Date: 1 January to 26 January 2019 Location: The 606 Club 6.30pm to 8.30pm Legends of Irish music & song The Tickets: £16 - £20 Date: Monday 3 December - 8.30pm Tickets: £20, plus online booking fee FUREYS, renowned for their hit songs “You’re holding my sins inside you Tickets: or call 020 7352 5953 for The Lord Mayor’s Carol Concert will ‘I will love you’, ‘When you were sweet now. I’ve told you something no one bookings have a Steel Band, Portobello Live! 16’, ‘The Green fields of France’, ‘The else knows.” World class gypsy jazz ensemble start Community Choir, Holland Park old man’, ‘Red rose café’, ‘From Clare The European premiere. In the last to here’, ‘Her father didn’t like me the week with fun at Club 606 Opera and other special guests from A: 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, Chelsea, remaining barrios of East LA,Blaz anyway’, ‘Leaving Nancy’, ‘Steal away’ the borough. celebrate the diverse returns from prison, but something etc return to Nells Jazz and Blues on London SW10 0QD range of children supported by local W: 606club.co.uk ain’t right. His lifelong love Havana 27 November 2018 in this their 40th charity, Solidarity Sports, and will Cortez is keeping a secret. Serena Anniversary year. include music, poetry and readings by Then Jerico Acoustic with special The Sex Worker is our ethereal guide A: Nell’s Jazz and Blues, 3 North End some very special guests. There will to this menacing world - but why Road, West Kensington, Lodnon W14 guest Lily Lyons be a party afterwards! Location: The Troubadour are there pterodactyls overhead? 8TG A: Our Lady of Victories Church, 235a Love and Betrayal. Tenderness and W: nellsjazzandblues.com Date: Saturday 8 December – Kensington High Street, London, W8 8.30pm to 11.45pm Rage. Crime and Home. Adventure 6SA Tickets: £19 – visit troubadourlondon. and Ageing. Los Angeles behind the Les Bougies Baroques present W: Visit eventbrite.co.uk for details com for bookings mask. Handel and Porpora: A Georgian Head to The Troubadour for a very A: Finborough Theatre, 118 Court Rivalry The Earl’s Court Christmas Carol special and intimate evening as Mark Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED Location: St. Cuthbert’s Church Concert Shaw and Ryan Williams bring you an W: finboroughtheatre.co.uk Date: Thursday 29 November - Location: St Cuthbert’s Church acoustic night of Then Jerico tunes 7.30pm Date: Saturday 15 December – 4pm from the past 30 years. This event Paradise Rocks! Tickets: £18.50, which can be booked Tickets: Free entry / donations us rumoured to be recorded for live by Simon Indelicate in advance at Eventbrite welcome release later this year. Location: Barons Court Theatre Join period instrument ensemble In aid of Solidarity Sports and the A: 263-267 Old Brompton Rd Earl’s Date: 8 December to 9 December ‘Les Bougies Baroques’ and mezzo- St. Cuthbert’s Restoration Fund, St Court, London SW5 9JA 2018 soprano Maria Ostroukhova on an Cuthbert’s, Our Lady of Victories W: troubadourlondon.com Tickets: £10 - £14 18th-century journey shedding light School Choirs, and the newly formed Original sin in the sun drenched
10 island climes! Succumb to sweet of your very own design, learning Tickets: £20 or a Week’s Pass £50 temptation in this new musical that new model making skills with an The Life Drawing Gymnasia is a model adapts John Milton’s 17th century epic introduction to architectural design run collective of professional artist account of man’s first disobedience techniques. Your pop-up book will be models seeking to collaborate with into a Hawaiian Elvis movie from finished off with tiny flat pack furniture artists, changing and challenging the 1960. Meet Adam, heir to the Club and people to take home with you. role of the muse in the artistic process. Eden Holiday Camp empire; Eve, his A: 224 - 238 Kensington High Street, The ethos of the project ‘Gymnasia‘ blushing fiancee, struggling to resist London W8 6AG London SW7 3RA is inspired by the Ancient Greek the unruly passions beneath her W: designmuseum.org W: sculptors.org.uk principle ‘to exercise nude’, the body wholesome exterior; and meet Danny and mind in harmony, incorporating Morningstar, rock’n’roller, rebel and Nature in Winter Tour dance, yoga, physical theatre, and reprobate, whose arrival in Paradise Location: Holland Park, Stable Yard classical themes.Inspired by dance, spells trouble for this innocent outpost Date: Saturday 1 December - 9am yoga and movement they project of the American Dream. Enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour visually spectacular, physically Barons Court Theatre, Curtain’s Up A: Do You Want to Become a stroll through the park looking at demanding interactive compositions. pub, 28a Comeragh Road, W14 9HR Sculptor? birds, plants, butterflies and park Their unique style of intimate, yet W: offwestend.com/index.php/plays/ Location: The Royal Society of management of current interest. powerful performance modelling is view/18002 Sculptors There is no charge and all are a breath taking spectacle of highly Date: Sunday 23 November 1pm welcome without booking. charged drama, an opportunity for OTHER THINGS TO DO onwards A: The Stable Yard, Holland Park, artists of all levels to be inspired by the Creative Quarter 2018 is a day of free Ilchester Place, London W8 6LU expression of the pure physical form. Make Pop Up Buildings events in South Kensington offering W: thefriendsofhollandpark.org A life drawing event like no other! Location: The Design Museum 13-19 year old students the chance to A: Barons Court Theatre, Curtain’s Up Tickets: £15 per person explore creative industries and creative Life Drawing Gymnasia pub, 28a Comeragh Road, W14 9HR Date: Sunday 25 November 1pm careers. by Natasha Jervis W: offwestend.com/index.php/ onwards A: Royal Society of Sculptors, Dora Dates: 1 January to 6 January 2019 plays/view/18047 Create a pop-up paper house book House, 108 Old Brompton Road, Location: Barons Court Theatre
THE COURT CROSSWORD NUMBER 3 To win a bottle of wine courtesy A cryptic crossword with a bit of local knowledge.Five clues (in blue) are the surnames of TLC Estate Agents, just send of famous residents of the Court area, four commemorated with Blue Plaques. a photo of your finished grid to ACROSS [email protected] 6 Freddie from Planet One. (7) 7 William will hurry weight. (7) 9 Nail aloft poster girl. (3-2) 10 Most caring will offer wrong set. (9) 11 Each end of a boat points in this direction. (7) 13 Beatrix likes to amble (6) 15 Reassemble, reprocess amid tightened oxygen. (10,3) 19 Earning in comedy. (6) 20 Bath sin reformed in the spirit of forgetfulness. (7) 23 Alfred is chicken after a problem. (9) 24 6 Across’s band is taken to the ER. (5) 26 Best to dine before rapid eye movement drug. (7) 27 Capital biro in a mixup. (7)
DOWN 1 Smile right in gin. (4) 2 Regal colour for prince’s rain. (6) 3 Witness to a warped bendy star. (9) 4 Space rock takes a steroid (8) 5 All roads lead to a rotton gin according to way indicator. (6,4) 6 Canadian leaf shows direction to the French. (5) 7 Round bell. (4) 8 Wild characteristic. (6) 12 For sticking whiskey faucet east. (6,4) 14 Eastern monarch reformed, gains a kin. (5,4) Last issue’s Crossword 16 Pamela’s acid measure allowed a short book. (8) Winner was Thomas Erndt 17 Scheherazade had a thousand and one. (6) who has already received 18 Mahatma finds help in American soldier. (6) his bottle of wine. 21 Small shiny disc sewn on clothes makes Alfred leave equal to indulge in sin. (6) 22 Poem after a hundred is a cypher. (4) The Court crossword is 25 Piccadilly love statue misplaced rose. (4) generously sponsored by
11 Charles Dickens’ A Christmas
Tony Richardson Carolis Scrooge 29th Nov at 7.30pm St Philip’s Church (Corner of Earls Court Road and Stratford Road) 30th Nov & 1st Dec at 7.30pm St Cuthbert‘s Church (50 Philbeach Gardens)
Tickets can be purchased by calling Toby Brown on 020 7370 4000 or emailing him at [email protected] Alternatively you can book online at www.thecourt.london/christmas/ All ticket proceeds will be donated to the respective churches