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This week, we've got a new TW Explainer to copyright and the creative industries. Copyright is a legal principle that gives creative people control over the outputs of their creativity. What does that mean? And what do you need to know when you are creating or using copyright protected works?
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FESTIVAL STUFF>>
Reboot Festival | Barons Court Theatre | until 21 Sep
If you made the mistake of thinking we couldn't possibly find any more festivals to talk about, well, that was a, um, mistake. There's nearly always a festival going on in London and, most of the time, I'm interested in them. This week I'm going to start by recommending a whole festival, because that's how I roll sometimes. This is the Reboot Festival at Barons Court Theatre and it's packed full of new short plays. Find out more here.
Plantation A | Arcola Theatre | 11-14 Sep (pictured)
Over to a festival now that we've been tipping all summer long, Arcola's fabulous Grimeborn fest, which - as you must surely know by now - is full of operatic treats. This one is based on 'Jealousy', a 1957 novel by French novelist Alain Robbe-Grillet, whose stories look at the habits and patterns of people. It features suitably experimental music from Edward Jessen and is staged by the London-based Phaedra Ensemble. Info here.
I, Victor | Bridge House Theatre/Jack Studio | 10-12 Sep
"Childhood sweethearts, after-school graveyard dwellers and one of them is dead. Vic and Liz are made for each other. That is, until they're not. Death might seem like the end, but Vic has other ideas". This intriguing Frankenstein-inspired show is from another festival we've previously visited, SE Fest 24, and has won praise on previous outings. The run is split between two venues, make sure you go to the right one. Click here.
FESTIVAL CONNECTIONS>>
Ugly Sisters | New Diorama Theatre | until 20 Sep (pictured)
And look at that, I am still not willing to shut up about festivals. Even when, in this section, the whole festival label is somewhat tenuous. Here it means these are shows/people we heard about when we were at the Edinburgh Fringe at some point. This particular show was on at edfringe 2024, so our memories are very clear: our reviewer loved this show and gave it a 5/5, so if you didn't get the chance to see it last month up north, do so now. More info here.
Musclebound | Jacksons Lane | 14 Sep
I've a feeling I have tipped this show at least a couple of times since we interviewed creator Rosy Carrick about it back in 2022, and that, of course, is because it's rather good. In it, Carrick, single and handing out relationship advice to a teenage daughter, reflects on her own past sex life, which contrasts starkly with her nascent fantasies about muscular movie heroes like Conan and He-Man. Find out more here.
Zoë Coombs Marr: Every Single Thing in My Whole Entire Life | Soho Theatre | 10-21 Sep
Back to more recent appearances at edfringe - because, yes, this is a show that did make an appearance in Edinburgh last month - though it's not the first time, of course, that this acclaimed comedy act has been on at the Scottish Festival. Australian Zoë Coombs Marr - who you'll perhaps know from her character comedy as sexist man Dave - is going to tell you absolutely everything at Soho Theatre this month, so don't miss it. In fact, click here.
SHORT STOPS>>
Sancho & Me - For One Night Only | Greenwich Theatre | 11 Sep (pictured)
Perhaps you've already read actor Paterson Joseph's 2022 novel 'The Secret Diaries Of Charles Ignatius Sancho', based on the life of the first man of African heritage to vote in Britain? If not, you should, it's really good. And you should also go along and see this storytelling show by Joseph, built around the content of his book, which explores themes that intersect with Paterson's own story of growing up black and British. Info here.
Deadheads | Theatre503 | 10-14 Sep
"Miriam works in finance in Singapore. Her sister Jade is settling into post-uni life while working in a London cafe. They haven't spoken in two years. But when their mum finally remarries, they are forced back together, to pack up their childhood home side by side. Will they find a way to reconnect and free themselves from the past?" A well-reviewed play by Maddie Lynes from acclaimed sibling theatre company Three Sisters. Find out more here.
Scavengers | White Bear Theatre | 10-14 Sep
Another well received show, this one, and also winner of the OffFest Camden Fringe Award 2023, amongst other accolades. It's post-apocalyptic, set in the basement of a London tower block following a major ecological disaster, and sees its characters desperately trying to survive against the odds. Expect to see them confronting "sexual longings, fears, and deadly outside forces that threaten to destroy everything they believe and desperately cling on to". Info here.
LONGER RUNS>>
The Real Ones | Bush Theatre | until 19 Oct
Finally, some longer runs for you to get your teeth into. Or, at least, stick into your diary for another date if you can't make it in the next seven days. First up, this new play from Olivier winner Waleed Akhtar: "Best friends Zaid and Neelam shared a dream: get away, make it as playwrights, build a future where they're free to be themselves. Together, always. Years later, things are far from what they expected". Details here.
Dogs Don't Do Ballet | Little Angel Theatre | 13 Sep-16 Nov (pictured)
"Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes. You see, Biff doesn't think he's a dog, Biff thinks he's a ballerina..." Yep, this one's for the kids. And I know we recommended loads for them over the holidays and now it's not the holidays, but hey, maybe they need a little treat to take away the sting of being back at school? If they don't like school, of course. For ages three to eight, more here.
Here In America | Orange Tree Theatre | 14 Sep-19 Oct
For the final tipped show of the week, it's time to make our way to the Orange Tree for the world premiere of 'Here In America' by the renowned David Edgar. It's set during the time of McCarthyism, which saw hundreds of Hollywood's filmmaking community blacklisted, and sees two famous names - Elia Kazan and Arthur Miller - faced with the difficult choices the situation presented them with. Find out more about the show here.
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