 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
As usual, there’s a lot happening over Christmas in the entertainment world in Hackney. Here’s a guide to the not-to-be-missed shows, films, events and plays over the period.
The Hackney Empire is staging its third annual pantomime, described in the Financial Times as ‘the most reliably raucous seasonal fun in London’. This year it’s the turn of Cinderella, written and directed by Susan McKenna, and starring Donna Steel as Cinders and Peter Straker as Baron Hardup. It’s already begun its run and it finishes on 13 January, prices vary. Also on during December is Dario Fo’s hilarious political satire Accidental Death of an Anarchist, which plays at the Acorn Theatre till 16 December (7.30pm, £12.50 (concessions £9). Billy Bragg – ‘The Bard of Barking’ – takes to the stage on10 and 17 December, delving into his twenty-five year archive as well as playing songs from his new album. Finally, don’t miss Baroque Christmas, part of the celebrated Hackney Proms and featuring the Battuta period instrument ensemble playing such classic Christmas Baroque music as Handel’s Messiah plus the music of the shepherds on Christmas Eve. What better way to start a Sunday? (17 December, 11.30am, £10, mince pies and mulled wine served), Contact 020 8985 2424, www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Running at the Arcola Theatre until 9 December is Ditch Digger, written and directed by Nathan Osgood, ‘a mystical tale of adventure, exploration and forgiveness’ concerning the meeting between a boy and an old man in the Mojave Desert and based on the author’s own life (£12. £8 concessions, ‘pay what you can’ on Tuesdays). Starting at the Arcola on 12 December, and finishing on 13 January, is Alexander Ostrovsky’s A Family Affair, translated and adapted by Nick Dear. The play is a farce about swindles and double-crossing in the Russian merchant class in the 1850s. Funny, boisterous and irreverent, it was banned for over thirty years after its first appearance. Accompanied by original music provided by Bow & Bellows. Phone 020 7503 1646, www.arcolatheatre.com
The full Rio Cinema programme for December was not available at the time of going to press. However, screening until 8 December is Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (15), a children’s movie for grown-ups set in 1944 Spain, among political intrigue and turmoil. A young girl discovers an ancient labyrinth in which resides the faun Pan. A tale of fantasy and imagination, not for young kids. To find out what’s on during the rest of the month, ring 020 7241 9410 or visit www.riocinema.org.uk .
Make your way down Kingsland Road to the Geffrye Museum for a traditional Christmas. On 6 December the Claudia Jones Singers, an over-55 gospel choir from Hackney Community College, perform a Lunchtime Concert (1pm, free). The following evening, the Museum is hosting a Tudor Christmas Evening, with chamber music, Tudor craft-making and seasonal fare (8pm). On 14 December, there is a Concert by Candlelight, with a capella vocal group Bocca Aperta (8pm, £12 in advance). Finish off the festive season with a Farewell to Christmas, the annual Twelfth Night celebration at the Museum, including burning of the holly and the ivy, stories about Epiphany and carol singing in the garden. Phone 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk. |
