ONE of London’s most ambitious and outrageous outdoor performances of the year is set to debut in the unusual destination of Deptford (venues and dates below).
With a cast of more than 40 people including: circus aerialists, dancers, singers, poets and local young performers, Spin Cycle is a daring musical on the move, charting the story of a game show and its panel of competitors each trying to win the ‘ultimate luxury lifestyle’.
Created by acclaimed UK company Emergency Exit Arts, who are based in Greenwich, and directed by Dantè or Die’s Terry O’Donvan, Spin Cycle is packed full of humour and wit combining physical clowning with stand-up comedy from the top of a moving 30-foot tower.
It’s the story of an extreme shopping spree that ends with a challenge to everyone to come together to make a change to the way we live.
EEA’s artistic Director, Deb Mullins, describes the plot of the show: “Through it’s dark humour some difficult questions are asked of the audience and yes, Spin Cycle does feature at least one washing machine!”
Spin Cycle has been commissioned by Circulate, a newly formed consortium of six arts centres based in outer London boroughs, including The Albany (based in Deptford).
Raidene Carter, Head of Creative Programmes at The Albany said: “We are really excited to have Spin Cycle debut here in Deptford before the performance tours to other London locations. Emergency Exit Arts’ work is a great fit for the Albany as they share our passion for community engagement in the arts as well as producing inventive and daring performances. We hope to get the Spin Cycle tour off in the right direction here to support the promotion of outdoor arts and strengthen links with local communities across London.”
As part of the London 2012 cultural programme the six venues held a season of outdoor work for the first time and are now working together with the Greater London Authority and the Audience Agency for the next three years – creating a legacy from London 2012 and increasing outdoor arts provision in the city’s outer boroughs.
In addition to Spin Cycle, each venue has set-up Emergency Exit Arts’ unique Street Arts Academy. The Academies work with 13-21 year olds combining visual and performing arts to make unexpected art moments, events, performances and installations in the public spaces where they live, learn, work and play.
Spin Cycle is free to attend, and suitable for the whole family.
Tour venues and dates
The Albany, Deptford – audiences are advised to arrive at 2.30pm for a good view of the show which starts at 3pm – September 7, 2013.
Tara Arts – September 14.
Watermans, Brentford – September 21.
Harrow Arts Centre – September 28.
Millfield Arts Centre, Enfield – October 26.
artsdepot, Finchley – November 2.
For more information visit www.eea.org.uk/shows/spin_cycle.