Just weeks after the news that Bermondsey-born Tommy Steele is to be knighted, his 1957 autobiographical musical film The Tommy Steele Story is being released on Blu-ray and DVD this week.
Sir Tommy is patron of the Rotherhithe & Bermondsey Local History Society and the local group wrote to congratulate him when his knighthood was announced in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours.
A blue plaque honoring Sir Tommy’s Bermondsey roots can be seen at Nickleby House in George Row on the Dickens Estate.
After leading London Bubble theatre company for more than 30 years, Jonathan Petherbridge – known as Peth – has announced that he is to step down as creative director of the Rotherhithe-based charity at the end of this month.
“I have enormously enjoyed my work with London Bubble bringing promenade shows to London parks, and making intergenerational projects with Londoners old and young – it’s been strong,” he said.
“I’ve worked with some wonderful people and I hope we’ve shown that theatre can be made in many ways, by many people and for many vital reasons.
“Working with Bubble for this length of time has allowed me to see how a company can develop theatre makers from its own community. We have a fantastic team of young artists who have come through our Young Theatre Makers programme. We have trustees and advisors who originally joined our children’s group or youth theatre. We’ve also seen two projects, Make Believe Arts and Cardboard Citizens, sprout and grow into separate companies. Now Speech Bubbles continues to expand as it works in partnership with other companies across the UK.
“This year COVID-19 has delivered an unexpected and significant blow to our income. To survive, we have to draw on reserves, maximise income and rethink how we connect with our participants – so it’s a good time for our board and for me to move on and look to the future, bearing in mind the landscape after lockdown.
“I wish London Bubble well and I am sure the company will continue to invent new ways to make theatre that surprises and energises our community.”
Sir Simon Hughes, chair of London Bubble, said: “The departure this summer of Peth, Jonathan Petherbridge, from the leadership of London Bubble Theatre will mark the end of a hugely creative, exciting and memorable three decades for our brave, innovative and socially engaged company. Rooted in our south London communities, Bubble led by Peth has introduced thousands of individuals, families and groups to the transforming and encouraging experience of making and experiencing theatre.
“We thank Peth sincerely for all his huge commitment, determination and energy given to London Bubble. The company will do our very best to make sure that difficult times do not prevent us from continuing to transform through theatre the lives of those many people who London Bubble can benefit most.”
Strictly singer Hayley Sanderson has teamed up with survivors of domestic violence to create a charity cover of Britney Spears’ ‘Stronger’.
It is a song recorded by survivors, on their phones, in their homes during COVOID-19 isolation.
The single will raise money for SE16-based Bede House’s domestic violence team and nationwide domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid. All proceeds will go exclusively towards supporting sufferers of domestic violence.
The Printworks has applied to Southwark Council to vary its premises licence to change the venue’s maximum capacity for live music and DJ-led events from 5,000 to 6,000.
The application is to amend condition 340 to read ‘That the full premises will trade to capacity (6,000 people), when a DJ and / or live music will perform / be performed, on no more than 20 events per year. These events are referred to as ‘major events'” and to amend condition 341 to read ‘That the maximum capacity of the premises is 6,000 persons for all DJ / music led nights and 6,000 patrons for all day time events and exhibitions.’
London Bubble has asked us to share details of their adult drama group which meets Wednesdays, 7-9pm at 5 Elephant Lane, Rotherhithe, SE16 4JD.
“At Bubble we create a friendly, supportive, creative atmosphere for people to build skills* and make theatre about the things that are important to them. People come to this group come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience.
“This term we are making a short performance inspired by the myth of ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’. This is the story of divided families which Romeo and Juliet is based on. It is also the play within a play in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Our plan is to make our own modern version of the play (which we think will be much better than Shakespeare’s!)”
London Bubble’s terms run April-July, Sept-Dec, Jan-Mar and costs £80 (£40 concessions) per term.
You’re welcome to come for a free taster class to see whether the group is right for you.
Or, why not join Bubble for this term’s short performance on Wednesday 4July.
To find out more or book for a taster class, get in touch with Lucy on 020 7237 4434 or [email protected]
London Bubble offers fun, friendly, creative sessions for children, teenagers and adults. The new term starts week commencing Saturday 21 April.
These weekly classes give the opportunity for a wide range of people to make theatre together, assisted by experienced theatre practitioners who share the vision that ‘people make theatre’.
Weekly drama classes for all ages at London Bubble Theatre
new term starts w/c 6th January 2018
Fun, friendly, creative sessions for children, teenagers and adults
These weekly classes give the opportunity for a wide range of people to make theatre together, assisted by experienced theatre practitioners who share the vision that people make theatre.
Classes held at 5 Elephant Lane, Rotherhithe, SE16 4JD
For 6-8yrs, 9-11yrs, 12-17yrs (youth theatre) and adults.
Fees: £60 (£30 concessions) for under 18s. £80 (£40 concessions) for adults. Taster classes available at start of term.
London Bubble is a community-based theatre company located in Rotherhithe, making theatre involving people of all ages aiming to build community, develop wellbeing and create dynamic and involving new theatre.
The charity is now recruiting new Ttustees to join its board, chaired by Sir Simon Hughes. London Bubble are particularly keen to address the following skills-gaps
1. Fundraising, especially with experience of individual giving and legacy giving
2. Young people’s wellbeing, including arts, youth justice and employment
3. Knowledge of how schools work
4. Digital engagement and its role both in making theatre and marketing it
5. Knowledge and/or experience of Arts for Health initiatives from a Health or Social Care perspective.
London Bubbleis looking for people to join a singing group that will provide the choral content for an intergenerational performance project, Primary.
Primary explores the place of Primary Schools in our hearts and communities.
Research, interviews, artefacts, games and songs gathered from people in all aspects of Primary education are being brought together to create a brand new show. The musical content will be woven into the action and the choir will perform alongside Bubble’s volunteer performers.
Singers of all ages and experience (or none) are most welcome to join in. No audition.
Rehearsals will be split between cast & choir rehearsals to accommodate those who would like to do both.
Under 12s should be accompanied by an older member of their family.
