Don your culture cap and immerse yourself in

a slice of The Arts, South London style…

Written  by Charlotte Walsh

 

AN OCTOROON AT THE ORANGE TREE

TheatreRichmond

(18th May-24th June 2017)

A truly engaging space, The Orange Tree Theatre is always worth a punt, especially if you happen to enjoy a stroll by the river in the sunshine. If you haven’t been already, the space itself is ‘in-the-round’ where audiences surround the stage. It’s this stage layout that lends itself well to simple yet sophisticated productions.

The Octoroon is one exciting production that will be running this spring, and it’s a modern take on the 1859 melodrama by Irish playwright, Dion Boucicault. The production tackles issues surrounding race with eloquence, innovation and imagination. The Orange Tree also has a lovely pub/hotel sharing its name, well worth popping into before or after enjoying a scintillating performance. Even if you just fancy a pint minus the culture on the day, we won’t judge.

RAW FILM

Out Now in Selected Cinemas (Including BFI Southbank and The Ritzy Picturehouse)

If you’re a film buff, you may have already heard of this French cannibal horror film that’s been causing quite the stir. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, Raw is a coming-of-age story about a teenage vegetarian who becomes a cannibal. Portrayed with guts (literally), this visceral story is not just a thrill-fest, but also a study into sisterhood, the way we look at and depict women, the human condition and death. The fact it’s written and directed by a woman earns major points against the gender imbalance of today’s filmmaking industry, but that’s not the only reason to go see this. If you can’t stand the sight of blood, it won’t be for you! If you can get past the gore element, you’ll find a story that echoes the ancient classics by tackling taboo through relatable, sensitive characters with a view to catharsis.

NEW MOON

Monday Evenings at The Half Moon, Putney

The Half Moon is practically a Putney institution at this point. This charming old pub with its great selection of beer, quirky corner building and iconic name has found its way into London’s heart. The music venue is intimate, which is truly refreshing in a music scene as saturated as London’s. Every Monday they have an exposition of new bands hosted by Signature Brew (beer and music working in harmony, can you ask for more?) At £2.50 a head, this place is cheap and cheerful and offers a good selection of fresh talent on the London music scene.

QUEER BRITISH ART AT TATE BRITAIN

Westminster

(5th April – 1st October 2017)

The Tate Britain might be (just) north of the river, but it’s decadent enough that we won’t hold anything against it. Gender and sexuality are two defining spotlight issues of this generation, and ‘Queer British Art’ spans a broad spectrum of the diversity surrounding sexual preferences. Beginning in 1861, when the death penalty was abolished for sodomy, to 1967, when sex between consenting adult men was decriminalised; the show narrates historical change spanning over a century, through the eyes of forbidden coded desire.