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As part of our ongoing work to support new and exciting street arts projects, x.trax is pleased to present this snapshot of street shows by UK based culturally diverse artists. We hope this will be a resource for programmers who may be looking to book more diverse outdoor work, as well as a celebration of the range of culturally diverse street performance that is now being produced in the UK.
We have based this selection on our own research, and consultation with programmers, artists and Arts Council Officers across the UK. However this is not a comprehensive over view of all the work in existence and there will of course be new shows being developed all the time; if you know of culturally diverse street arts projects that you think should be included on this website please contact us info@xtrax.org.uk
 We hope you find this addition to our site useful and we welcome your feedback. The x.trax team
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4 x 4 BHANGRA GROUP - BHANGRA MELA
Gurudish Sall - Secretary
PO Box 745
Gravesend, Kent DA11 9UB
T: 07973 292526
W: www.4x4dhol.com
Four by Four performers of the colourful and dynamic folk dance from north India bhangra, have developed a new street show. This features a procession of dancers and drummers combined with strategic stops in the procession to put on a display of bhangra dancing involving stunts, acrobats and swords. the dancers are accompanied by the powerful drum called the dhol. The show is very loud, very bright and energetic, with. the dancers wearing colourful headgear and bright costumes, and dancing bare feet.
The show is called bhangra mela because it shows how the farmers in Nothern India would celebrate once the their crops have been harvested and they are have gone to the mela (fair)
Total running time of show/production: 45 MINUTES
Number of people on tour: 6-12 DEPENDING ON BUDGET
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Akademi South Asian Dance UK
Mira Kaushik - Director
213 Haverstock Hill
Hampstead Town Hall
London NW3 4QP
T: 0207 691 3210
F: 0207 691 3211
E: info@akademi.co.uk
W: www.akademi.co.uk
Waterscapes
Type of production: Static day or evening performance
First presented in association with Somerset House, London in 2004 as a series of free performances in the magnificent setting of the Edmond J Safra Fountain Courtyard. Waterscapes is a captivating display of Kathak dancing from the Royal court of the Moghul Kings. Inspired by Heaven on Earth an exhibition of Art from Islamic Lands at Somerset House in 2004 and accompanied by live percussion, Waterscapes is an explosion of colour, energy and vibrant dancing. Visual Artist Richard Haughton with choreography by Gauri Sharma Tripathi, Amina, Khayyam and Pratap Pawar. Directed by Mira Kaushik.
Other touring productions: Coming of Age and Escapade
Full length duration: 45 minutes
Number of people on tour: 12 dancers
(plus 12 additional performers to create interactive ambience)
Technical requirements: Subject to site / location. PA System with CD Player and microphones. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
photo Richard Haughton
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The Black Eagles
Jo Burgess - Agent
9 Colleton Crescent
Exeter EX2 4DG
T: 01392 454160
M: 07970 884076
F: 01392 848384
E: jo@foolsparadise.co.uk
W: www.foolsparadise.co.uk
The Black Eagles
Type of production: Static day or evening performance
Originally from Tanzania The Black Eagles learnt their acrobatic skills at the age of six on the streets of Dar-Es-Salaam. They toured extensively in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique before coming to England as the three person Black Eagles. Their shows combine stunning acrobatic and balancing skills with graceful, energetic dance and are set to uplifting musical soundtracks. They can perform almost anywhere to any audience, and never fail to startle and impress. For street or stage they present a 25-minute show of acrobatics and dance or ‘Simba’; a comic and acrobatic tale of a lion and its tamer or a 15 minute limbo and fire show.
Full length duration: 15 or 25 minutes
Number of people on tour: 3-6
Availability for touring: Throughout 2005
Technical requirements: Outdoor or indoor venue. Can provide own PA. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Nutkhut - Bollywood Steps
W: www.nutkhut.net
Bollywood Steps
Type of production: Static day or night performance.
A site-specific dance spectacular inspired by architecture and the energy of open spaces that brings the glamour of Bollywood to the heart of any festival. Created by Simmy Gupta for public stairways with original music and water effects created by Michael Lister from Avanti Display. The piece was originally co-commissioned by Greenwich and Docklands International Festival and the Mayor of London and premiered at Trafalgar Square steps in July 2004.
Full length duration: 30 minutes
Number of people on tour: 16
Availability for touring: This production is currently looking for partners for touring in 2006. Please contact the Company
Technical requirements: A broad rise of steps is ideal. It can also be performed on the flat given suitable sightlines; power source for PA, wind and smoke machines, access to water supply, site crew and stewards
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Nutkhut - Maharajah’s Banquet
W: www.nutkhut.net
Maharajah’s Banquet
Type of production: Static and walkabout piece for day or night performance.
A Bollywood version of a flamboyant Marharajah and his squabbling entourage of dancing courtesans. Etiquette and manners meets Town Hall Bureaucracy in a comedy of cultural confusion. At a town twinning ceremony, visiting royalty invite a local Mayor and councillor to dinner, where the mayhem begins. Performed in the round, the cast of 6 includes stilt-walkers, musicians, dancers and an aerialist. Come and witness the 200 year old mystery of the Indian Rope Trick! Commissioned in 2004 by Ealing Summer and Stockton International Festival.
Full length duration: 2 x 25 minute performances per day
Number of people on tour: 8 (6 performers, 1 stage manager, 1 technician)
Availability for touring: by negotiation
Technical requirements: Performance in the round requires 20m x 20m , 1 Powder and 1 Water Fire extinguisher plus 1 fire blanket, Static lighting required if performed at night. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Dodgy Clutch Staged Presentations Ltd
Ozzie Riley - Director
11 Side
Quayside
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JE
T: 0191 261 9055
F: 0191 261 9055
E: enquiries@dodgyclutch.com
W: www.dodgyclutch.com
Elephant
Type of production: Static day or night performance.
Forbidden entry to heaven, respected tribal Chief Zanenvula calls on his ancestors for an explanation. Reviewing his life and actions as they advise, he begins to understand how he has offended the Spirit of Africa.
What did he do, and how can he redeem himself?
Fifteen performers and musicians from South Africa and the UK use elaborate body puppets, gauze screen effects, brilliant acting and wonderful songs in the latest visual feast from Dodgy Clutch. Elephant celebrates Ubuntu (humanity) through an enchanting exploration of the themes of captivity, freedom and redemption.
Full length duration: 1 hour
Number of people on tour: approx. 17
Availability for touring: June 2005
Technical requirements: The show can be performed in either an indoor/theatre environment or a marquee (provided by Dodgy Clutch or the Booker). Both options require power & blackout facility. Marquee performances also require 60’ x 80’ ground space, security and stewards during performance times. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Emergency Exit Arts
Les Sharpe
Co Artistic Director
PO Box 570 London SE10 0EE
T: 0208 853 4809
M: 07867 541600
F: 020 858 2025
E: info@eea.org.uk
W: www.eea.org.uk
Working Title: The Arena
Type of production: Static night performance.
The Arena is a self-contained large scale touring production with a purpose built outdoor arena. The performance will play to a standing audience of 3000 people.
A large arena appears in town. Mysteriously the audience are asked to bring an egg to the performance. As they enter the arena, leaving the ordinary world behind, they are transported into a parallel universe; a spirit world of wild dances, mad chants, fire, light, mechanical monsters, cooking, creation and death. Their own images are mixed with archive footage, aerial performances and pyrotechnics to create a unique, intense, immediate and involving communal experience.
Other touring productions: Runga Rung – the Colour of Colours. An outdoor processional show for a standing audience of thousands. Suitable as a festival finale, Runga Rung is a dynamic fusion of British Asian Culture, Indian traditions, carnival and fiesta; a universal festival of colour, fire and light.
Full length duration: 60-70 minutes. Can be performed on consecutive nights.
Number of people on tour: 13
Availability for touring: May 2006
Technical requirements: The show will be developed in winter 05/06, after which technical information will be available. The promoter has the option of charging the audience for the performance. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
photo Jamshid Mahamood
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Hip Hop Collective
David Holly - Project Manager
c/o independance
Brixton Hill Methodist Church
Elm Park
London SW2 2TX
T: 0208 671 8811
F: 0208 671 0066
E: david.independance@virgin.net
W: www.independance.co.uk
Heroes
Type of production: Static day or night performance.
Fasten your seatbelts, set your imagination to hyper-drive and hang on for a high-flying, action adventure as The League (a mighty crew of Hip Hop super-heroes) encounter one of Hip Hop’s new generation and take him on a quest to accept his destiny as one of the ‘chosen ones’.
In the style of Marvel Comics, The League is a rogue band of heroes who have joined forces together, each with their own super-human Hip Hop powers: Poppinator, a popping powerhouse; Lock-or, the philosophical Locking King; the Wonder Twins, B’boy and B’girl who can Break into a storm and, the beats-master himself, Ware-House. Together they hold the keys to Hip Hop’s past but they realise they must pass on their knowledge: “without the new generation the old is forgotten… learn your history or you’re doomed to repeat it.”
It is our young hero’s destiny to keep the old alive.
Full length duration: 50 minutes
Number of people on tour: 11
Availability for touring: June 2005
Technical requirements: Outdoor and indoor performances. Portable sprung floor, approx. 9m x 6m with smooth, even surface. Lighting required if performed at night. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Dhol Academy / Walk the Plank
Liz Pugh - Producer
Walk the Plank
72 Broad St, Salford
Greater Manchester M6 5BZ
T: 0161 736 8964
M: 07748 907734
E: liz@walktheplank.co.uk
W: www.walktheplank.co.uk
In the Dholdrums
Type of production: Promenade music piece for day or night performance. Requires processional route for giant mobile drum, up to 20 drummers and 2 stilt walkers.
A street show, inspired by the north Indian dhol drum, created by the Dhol Academy and Walk the Plank, from an original idea by Ajay Chhabra, originally commissioned by the London Mela.
Created by the Dhol Academy and Walk the Plank from an original concept by Ajay Chhabra, In the Dholdrums is a processional music piece inspired by the north Indian dhol drum. A giant, mobile dhol drum (3m x 5m) is processed through the street, flanked by 6 drummers and 2 stilted characters that interact with the audience. On arrival, the drum is confronted by a phalanx of motionless, silent drummers... after a call and response between drum and drummers outside, it bursts open to reveal more drummers inside. The drum becomes a three tiered stage on which they perform the percussive finale, accompanied by the other drummers, pyrotechnics and pre-recorded music. Originally commissioned by the London Mela.
Other touring shows: The Dhol Academy drummers can perform indoors, or run workshops with children and young people.
Full length duration: 3 performances per day, duration depends on processional route identified.
Number of people on tour: 25
(up to 20 drummers, 2 stilt walkers, 2 technicians, 1 stage manager)
Availability for touring: negotiable The Dhol Academy consists mainly of non-professional musicians so availability of drummers may be limited.
Technical requirements: Final performance arena requires 35m x 35m space, PA and three headset radio microphones, mobile and static lighting required if performed at night. NB. This is a new show and the technical rider is subject to change.
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Nzi Dada
Jim Parris - Artist / Manager
Nzi Dada
10 Greening Road
Levenshulme
Manchester M19 3EQ
T:0161 224 3776
M: 07733 041 897
E: jimparris@neoglobal.net
W: www.neoglobal.net
Ritual Imaginaire
Type of production: Static Night performance
Ritual Imaginaire, is a powerful collision between Bantu culture and contemporary performance that oscillates between fierce percussion and mystical ceremonial style. Bringing funk, jazz and electronics together with African percussion and tradition, it combines live music and physical performance with atmospheric lighting, sampled sound and giant sculpture.
Nzi Dada is a collaboration between Manchester-based bass player Jim Parris (CARMEL) and Paris-based Cameroonian performance artist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Xumo Nounjio. Performances are highly percussive, with Xumo and percussionist Christophe V playing a variety of instruments including an African log drum, triggered samples, metallic instruments, and bead shakers.
Full length duration: 40 minutes
Number of people on tour: 10
Availability for touring: 2005
Technical requirements: Performed on a 24’ x 36’ steeldeck stage in front of a 3m high metal sculpture; second sculpture adjacent to stage. Minimum 4kW PA and monitoring and 30kW lighting comprised of 1Kw PAR cans. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Rashpal Singh Bansal
Artistic Director
87 Windsor Road
Ilford
Essex IG1 1HG
T: 020 8478 4414
M: 07904 337 808
E: rashsingh_bansal@hotmail.com
Rampant
Type of production: Static day performance.
Rampant is a solo study of contemporary society and it’s relationship with nature, juxtaposing urban life with natural surroundings. The piece was originally commissioned by Greenwich and Docklands International Festival for Dancing City at London’s Canary Wharf.
Full length duration: 10 minutes Number of people on tour: 1
Availability for touring: May 05 to April 06 (not during September and October 05).
Technical requirements: Rampant is a flexible piece that can be staged for any urban environment. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
photo Jon Spaull
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Sheron Wray
Wray Inc
Creative Director
P.O Box 779
Wembley
Middlesex HA0 3ZR
T: 0208 902 9069
M: 07973 320747
F: 020 8902 9069
E: info@texterritory.com or texterritory@sheronwray.com
W: www.texterritory.com
Texterritory
Type of production: Static day or night performance.
Told through text messaging, dance, music, dialogue and animation, Texterritory is the story of an evening in the life of a legal secretary called Grace Campbell. Watch as she prepares for her first date with Jerome aka J, who, it transpires, is going to be late. Share her optimism and discourage her despair as she agonises, with your help, on where her relationship with the elusive J might lead. What will she wear? How will she fill the time before her date arrives? Who will she call if he doesn't? Play your role as part of a dynamic and influential audience in this truly unique multi media, interactive text messaging performance. Conceived and performed by Nesta fellow, choreographer and JazzXchange director Sheron Wray with digital artist Fleeta Siegel. Orginally commissioned by Future Physical in 2003.
Full length duration: approximately 50 minutes
Number of people on tour: 6
Availability for touring: May 2005
Technical requirements: Requires a focussed site/location where animation and text messages can be projected onto a cyclorama or large screen (screen must have good visibility in daylight conditions); sound desk; basic lighting rig; Lino (dance) floor; good mobile phone coverage from major networks; 2 radio mikes and 2 CD DJ style music decks with mixer. Lighting required if performed at night. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Spearfish
Director
2nd floor
Hotspur House
2 Gloucester Street
Manchester M1 5QB
T: 0161 236 2785
M: 07970 669997
F: 0161 236 0205
E: benr@spearfishltd.co.uk
Open Space
Type of production: Static day performance.
Spearfish work with a range of artists to create huge canvass cubes. The artists make paintings live using a variety of materials and techniques including spray paint, acrylics and marker pens.
The large performance format always generates keen interest from spectators and audiences. The performance is supported by Spearfish staff that interact and engage with spectators and audiences and explain some of the techniques and artistic styles of the artists.
Spearfish have a wealth of artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds that can work to briefs and/or themes set by event organisers.
Other touring shows: Enclosed Space, UK Love Tour, Digital Space.
Full length duration: Minimum 8 hours continuous.
Number of people on tour: various – up to 10
Availability for touring: flexible
Technical requirements: Spearfish provide a flat packed wall structure to erect them on site. Crowd control barriers to form a fence around the cubes are required. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
photo Tom Reed
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UpSwing
Vicki Amedume
Artistic Director
27 Eversley Road
London SE7 7LE
M : 07939027444
E: vickiamedume@hotmail.com
Voices
Type of production: Static aerial piece for day or night performance.
Taking inspiration from an anthology of African proverbs ‘Voices’ is a contemporary piece that portrays an African woman's quest to pass on her culture to her daughter growing up in a new world.
The relationship between mother and child is played out in as a duet on aerial hoop. The movements reflecting the complexity, strength and support of this relationship. The piece has a very simple aesthetic focusing on the connection between the two women and how their different qualities combine to create this intimate and involving spectacle. The piece was originally co-commissioned by Greenwich and Docklands International Festival and the Mayor of London.
Full length duration: 15mins
Number of people on tour: 4
Availability for touring: mid-July 2005
Technical requirements: Aerial rig with 2 rigging points parallel to audience; a covered floor space (i.e. thin gym mats/ dance flooring or dark carpeting) of 3m x 3m under rigging points is required, PA with amplifier and CD playback and 2 microphones. Lighting required if performed at night. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Vicki Amedume and Simmy Gupta
27 Eversley Road
London SE7 7LE
M : 07939027444
E: vickiamedume@hotmail.com
Wrapped Up
Type of production: Static show with aerial rig for day or night performance.
Wrapped Up is a duet between a Kathak dancer and an aerial performer. Hidden in their dreams two performers are masked behind a long hanging red silk fabric. The music starts, the performers awaken and are slowly unveiled. They separate into their worlds of air and land where they long to make contact with each other. Eventually their worlds meet and the dancer and aerialist move as one with graceful controlled movements, until finally the dancer is transported into the aerial world. Wrapped up is a visual feast of colour and passion. It is in equal parts entertaining, uplifting and powerful.
Wrapped up will be developed as a large scale show for 3 dancers and 3 aerialists to create a Busby Berkley visual extravaganza. Commissioning partners are being sought to support this development.
Full length duration: 10mins
Number of people on tour: 2
Availability for touring: mid July 2005
Technical requirements: 1 rigging point parallel to audience, with minimum 3m space either side of points (i.e. a 8m diameter stage clearance under rigging point); minimum height of rigging points 6.5m; a covered floor space (i.e. no gravel, sand, dance floor preferable) of minimum 8m diameter is required; PA with amplifier and CD playback. Lighting required if performed at night. Please contact the company for more detailed technical spec and requirements.
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Waingi
Peter Badejo / Juwon Ogungbe
c/o Bradley Hemmings
Artistic Director
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival
6 College Approach
London SE10 9HY
T: 0208 305 1818
F: 0208 305 1188
E: bradley@festival.org
W: www.festival.org
Wiangi
Type of production: Processional day or night performance.
Directed by Peter Badejo/Juwon Ogungbe. Waingi is a contemporary processional performance featuring a 25 foot high Nigerian masquerade boat structure, featuring live music, dance and traditional masquerade costumes. It explores war, conflict and reconciliation. First performed as part of Greenwich + Docklands International Festival's The Wisdom of Africa event in July 04. Choreography and African proverbs inspired by BBC World Service book. The piece was originally co-commissioned by Greenwich and Docklands International Festival and the Mayor of London and also shown at Trafalgar Square in July 2004.
Full length duration: approximately 45 minutes
Number of people on tour: 15 people
Availability for touring: from Summer 2005
(require further development and re-rehearsal)
Technical requirements: A processional show featuring a large boat like structure (set on a hidden transit Van base; height restrictions 5m clearance and 4m width clearance.). NB. the boat structure is not road-worthy and must be transported to performance sites on a flatbed truck; PA system to be supplied on board the boat with 7 radio mics for the 3 musicians and 4 lead cast members; mobile lighting and flares required if performed after dusk or at night.
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Yellow Earth
Pete Staves
Representative / General Manager
Yellow Earth
Diorama Arts Centre
34 Osnaburgh Street
London NW1 3ND
T: 0207 209 2326
M: 07973 382620
F: 0207 209 2327
E: admin@teallowearth.org
W: www.yellowearth.org
The Silk Road
Type of production: Processional route required, day performance
Yellow Earth Theatre presents: Madcap Mayhem on The Silk Road! A slapstick promenade performance with traditional music by the UK masters of East Asian physical theatre. Join our inept, sorry, we mean intrepid travellers Mao-zi, Da-niu and Ah-yi, transporting their serenading, heavily pregnant, multi-Chinese instrument playing, Mongolian princess Xiao-qiu across the Central Asian Steppes and across the Taklamakan Desert. A highly entertaining journey with danger, adventure and hilarity discovering wonderful treasures along the way. Produced in association with Greenwich and Docklands International Festivals and originally developed for an exhibition looking at the traveller’s journey for the British Library.
Other touring shows: Chinese Two-Step 1925-2005
Full length duration: 3 x 20-25 minute performances over one day or six performances over two days
Number of people on tour: 4 performers
Availability for touring: from Summer 2005.
Other touring shows: Chinese Two-Step 1925-2005
A new 25 minute work by Chinatown Arts Space developed in partnership with Yellow Earth. A visual street spectacle (drama, dance and music) for Chinese and East Asian communities, illustrating the journeys of the Chinese community through the decades from the Shanghai cabaret scene of the ‘20s, through the main immigration to Britain in the ‘40s and ‘50s, up until the present day.
This show is in development – contact the company for more information
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