Latitude additions - Vivienne Westwood, Sir Peter Blake, Ida Barr, Miss Behave, Jonny Woo...
16th – 19th July 2009
Henham Park Estate, Southwold, Suffolk
Henham Park Estate, Southwold, Suffolk
ARTS ADDITIONS
LITERARY ARENA
~ Vivienne Westwood ~ Sir Peter Blake ~
~ Patrick Neate ~ Hardeep Singh Kohli ~
~ If:book The Future Of The Book ~
IN THE WOODS
~ ‘Faeries’ An ROH2 commission by Will Tuckett ~
FILM & MUSIC ARENA
~ Molly Nyman & Harry Escott ~
CABARET ARENA
~ Ida Barr ~ Miss Behave ~ Jonny Woo ~ Timberlina ~ David Mills ~
~ London Swing Dance Society ~
~ Dusty Limits ~ Kalki Hula Girl ~ Sarah Louise Young ~ Revealing Eve ~
~ Ward & White’s Karaoke Circus ~ Sounds Familiar Music Quiz ~ Musical Bingo ~
POETRY ARENA
~ Daljit Nagra ~ Aidan Moffat ~ Ventriloquist ~
~ Writers’ Centre Norwich – Kei Miller & Roger Robinson ~
~ Nathan Jones and Wave Machines ~
THE WATERFRONT STAGE
~ DanceEast presents Les Moutons ~
~ Riccardo Meneghini ~
OUTDOOR THEATRE
~ La Prima Donna ~
The pioneering, award-winning Latitude Festival returns to England’s Sunrise Coast for another spectacular year. Taking place on 16th – 19th July, near Suffolk’s stunning seaside town of Southwold, organisers Festival Republic are promising Latitude will be the perfect British summer destination.
Latitude celebrates the art of the written word and all of its many splendid facets at Suffolk’s now legendary library by the sea. Like all good books, the Literary Arena will transport you to the far reaches of your imagination guided by the storytelling talents of the very best authors and special guests scheduled for the weekend. Discussions, Q&As, stories and comic genius are the order of the day for these book readings with a difference. Immerse yourself in Latitude’s literary world and learn, explore, laugh and discover at the best literary event of the summer.
The grande dame of fashion Vivienne Westwood will be reading from her challenging and thought-provoking manifesto 'Active Resistance to Propaganda' in Latitude's Literary Arena. A collection of essays it is full of ideas about art and culture that claims to "...penetrate to the root of the human predicament and offer the underlying solution." It appeals to every human conscious to help cultivate and rescue the environment while we still can, using art and urging people to make changes in their own lives to help change the world. She will be interviewed onstage and there will also be the chance to ask any of those burning questions in a Q&A with the audience.
Sir Peter Blake will be in conversation with Mark Ellen discussing his life and work. Initially, Sir Peter Blake may have been most acclaimed in the general public’s eyes through his design of The Beatles ‘Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band’ album sleeve (1967), but continued to produce art for the Band Aid single in 1984, Paul Weller’s ‘Stanley Road’ album a decade later and the late Ian Dury tribute album in 2001 who was highly influenced by Sir Peter Blake’s work. Sir Peter Blake has taught in numerous establishments and currently lives and works in London.
Patrick Neate is a respected novelist, critic, scriptwriter and poet whose work has been published in most major UK newspapers and magazines, widely anthologised and broadcast on radio and television. The author of four novels and one book of non-fiction, he has received awards for all but one of his offerings. Across his work, recurring themes include the ability to re-envisage common situations from an alternative point of view, to imagine himself in the mindset of a completely different world and to realise the importance of story in establishing one's self identity.
Scottish Indian writer, presenter and comic Hardeep Singh Kohli has been on our TV screens since the RTS nominated Channel 4 documentary ‘In Search Of The Tartan Turban’ which explored cultural identity and ethnicity. Further TV appearances include regular slots on Newsnight, Question Time and reporting on The One Show. He also writes for the Guardian and Independent and in 2008 he released his first book ‘Indian Takeaway: A Very British Story’, combining his love of food with his search for cultural understanding, both British and Indian. “How deep is Hardeep's love of food? As deep as Loch Ness and as unfathomable as India. ‘Indian Takeaway’ is a very funny and beguiling journey.'” Paul Whitehouse
New to Latitude Festival this year, The Literary Salon is a den of discussions and already boasts acclaimed workshops with The School of Life and Guerrilla Science. Explore the potential for new media and the fate of the old with if:Book as Chris Meade hosts a salon discussion on the future of the book in the digital age. Come and tell him what you love and hate about books or the big screen. Imagine the literature of tomorrow – and experience some of it now. Watch presentations of new media literature. Join the debate about where words go next with guests writers and if:book associates, contribute to a unique networked book: songsofimaginationanddigitisation.net, inspired by multimedia artist William Blake - and have a chance to win your own Sony Reader.
The enchanted woods of Henham Park also have something to offer as art decorates the trees and fairy lights hang from the branches. Exploring the lush foliage and following where curiosity takes you, you will chance upon new experiences, little surprises and terrific treats at every turn. The small and hidden stage will host surreal and intimate performances during the day and music to dance the night away after dark – it’s almost a woodland festival of its own.
From the exciting stable of performances that the Royal Opera House are bringing to Latitude, an extract from Faeries, an ROH2 commission by Will Tuckett will be played out beneath the branches. This delightful family show uses a combination of puppetry by Blind Summit Theatre, dance and old fashioned storytelling to propel its audience into a world of mystery, magic, imps and fairies. Not just for children, adults alike will be enthralled by the beautiful tale of a lost girl set amongst the mysterious and enchanting trees at the festival.
Uniting alternative worlds of cinematic wonder, musical splendour and visual brilliance, the Film & Music Arena is an exhilarating and intoxicating centre of creativity. Over the festival weekend the Arena will play host to screenings of award winning films, documentaries and shorts with Q&A sessions plus discussions with acclaimed directors and writers. These will be interspersed with musical treats and stunning, transfixing visuals combining together to create a seductive, sensory playground for all ages.
Famed composers Molly Nyman and Harry Escott will be presenting some of their award-winning music to Latitude audiences. A creative partnership Molly and Harry began working as a team in 2001 and over the past few years they have composed music for a number of award winning and critically acclaimed films. In 2008 they composed the score for Poppy Shakespeare, a BAFTA nominated TV film for Channel 4, and completed the score for the current film ‘Shifty’, for which they received a BIFA (British Independent Film Award) nomination for best score. The film is currently enjoying widespread acclaim since its general release in April 2009.
If you want to experience something entirely different then seek out Latitude’s quirky den of mischief and mayhem; the Cabaret Arena. Inside you will witness comedy sketch shows, burlesque, freak shows, drag queens, sing-a-longs, illusionists and much, much more to be announced. With Vaudeville fun, sharp, incisive wit, camp entertainment and a good ol’ fashioned knees up, the Cabaret Arena positively encourages you to leave your inhibitions at the door and be game for anything and everything. This surreal bordello of surprises and spectacular stage shows is visually rich, beautiful and bizarre and will tempt and titillate in equal measure.
The first and only musical hall singer turned R’n’B rap superstar Ida Barr will be performing at Latitude this year. A hilarious comedy turn, Ida is the people’s pensioner, spitting out rhymes about home-help and flu jabs and covering tracks such as Missy Elliott’s ‘She’s A Bitch’ to name but one. Immerse yourself in the world of ‘the original ragtime girl’ - who rose to fame at the turn of the last century singing ‘A Marrow’s A Banana’s Father’ – in this original, funny and sometimes tragic mash-up drag act. Ida Barr is the creation of Olivier Award-winning character comedian Christopher Green.
Described as a “Betty Boop meets Marlene Dietrich’, Miss Behave, the darling of the underground circuit has been blazing a trail into the mainstream. One of the last surviving female sword-swallowers in the world, her trademark bizarre and quirky acts have become a staple of the Cabaret elite. A cocktail of quick wit, high camp, saucy curves ‘n’ costumes, topped with a tongue as sharp as her blades. Of late she has been splitting her time between starring in the world smash hit ‘La Clique’ as the poster girl and host plus producing and hosting her own ‘Variety Nighty’ shows, which boasts a sell out season at London’s legendary Roundhouse.
Shoulder pads in place and cocktails in hand, watch as the explosive drama and high octane intrigue of 1980s soap opera, DALLAS is re-created in ‘Stark Dallas Naked’. With cult performer and drag act Jonny Woo as the still-drunk Sue-Ellen, David Mills as JR who is just asking to get shot and queen of the alternative scene Timberlina as the even more stupid Pam. A cult underground comedy uncovering a dastardly plot to ruin the Ewing Empire.
Fresh from Stark Dallas Naked - Timberlina and David Mills present the sublime and ridiculous in a collision of your favourite Good Morning TV programme on the last night of the Festival. Hear all the bleary-eyed gossip on what's been happening from your hosts with ‘Good Morning, This Evening’, as they talk to impromptu guests from the Cabaret arena (and beyond) as well providing topical notices, weather updates and handy make ‘n’ do tips for Last Night Revellers!...
Latitude will be hosting tea dances in Pandora’s Playground every afternoon with The London Swing Dance Society who will lead you through a selection from the 1920s to the 1960s with wow-studded performances, social dancing and plenty of fun classes for everyone from Charleston, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug to Rock and Roll, Twist and Hand Jive. Led by dance champions Nigel & Nina, the London Swing Dance Society sizzle with all the glamour and fizz of the Jazz Age, and will keep you on the dance floor all afternoon long! Bring your dance shoes and join us for a journey through Jazz!
Dusty Limits is a singer, comedian and drunken raconteur and one of the leading figures on the ‘new cabaret’ scene. He made his European debut in 1999, and since then has graced numerous stages from London to Dublin to Berlin to New York, where he was described by cabaret legend Steve Ross as ‘a superior, singular artist’. He sings everything from Cole Porter to Portishead, from satire to chansons, often with the words changed. He also sings original songs, frequently with macabre and darkly comic themes.
Kalki Hula Girl will titillate and captivate the Latitude audiences with her mind-boggling hula-hooping skills and dance moves. Combining her long-time love of dance, dress ups, and all things carnival, her acts are performance art meets variety meets comedy using punk-rock-attitude and informed circus skills. Hoops have propelled her around the world several times with hypnotising performances with her dazzling jewelled hoops old-time cabaret glamour, pouting, winking, and smiling, she is a saucy French maid, a dazed bar-fly, a raddled night-nurse, a tragic cheerleader – you’ll be mesmerized.
Sarah-Louise Young has been part of the London alternative scene working with the likes of Dusty Limits, Des O’Connor and Nathan Evans for many years and has regularly performed at Volupte, Madame Jo Jo’s, The Pigalle Club and the Soho Revue Bar as well as treading the boards in the West End. She’ll be bringing three cabaret characters who blend comedy, performance art and song including a country ‘n’ western porn star named Sammy Mavis Jr, a forgotten French diva and a talent show reject.
Famed choreographer and performer Charlotte Eatock brings her stunning production 'Revealing Eve' to Latitude’s Cabaret den. ‘Revealing Eve’ is a short solo about the objectification of women. Originally performed at Stratford Circus as part of Small Dances it is accompanied with music by Camper Van Beethoven.
Since its launch in October, this live karaoke night has gone from strength to strength, attracting the starry likes of Phill Jupitus, Ben Miller, Kevin Eldon, Chris Addison, Isy Suttie and Josie Long, all keen to sing their favourite songs with a live band which boasts Danielle Ward (The Loves) on bass, Martin White (The Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra) on keyboards, Foz Foster (David Devant & His Spirit Wife) on guitar and David Reed from The Penny Dreadfuls on drums. Following a spectacular orchestral edition at London's legendary 100 Club, Messrs Ward & White are proud to bring their Karaoke Circus to Latitude.
London’s infamous Sounds Familiar Quiz comes to Latitude. A fun-filled, laugh-a-minute, the-answers-are-on-the-tip-of-tongue quiz with a difference, brought to you by question-setter DJ Al and MC Quizzical who will freestyle some choons that you will have to try guess who or what the hell he’s on about. In true party spirit they will be teaming up with 80’s dance troupe the Glitterbanditz to bring you the ultimate test of knowledge.
Musical Bingo is the latest interactive event from the Bring & Share crew. It's as simple as it sounds - imagine the kind of bingo grandmas have played since time began, but with songs instead of numbers and a mixed up soundtrack with anything from Johnny Cash to Roisin Murphy and Dizzee Rascal to David Bowie. The sessions have been running with much success over the past 18 months testing musical knowledge and uniting people at The Lock Tavern, The Amersham Arms, as well as many summer festivals. Stop in for a quick game and see if you’ll be the first to call ‘House!’
Positioned enticingly by the banks of the lake at the entrance to the main festival arena, Latitude’s perfectly placed Poetry Arena is a wonderful den of distraction. Curious passers-by are pulled inside by barrels of raucous laughter, pensive silences and fascinated faces, all transfixed by the raconteurs on stage. People find themselves camped out there all day, relaxing in the shade and enjoying a continuous line-up of the very best in comedy sketches, slam poets, spoken word, storytelling, rappers and much, much more. With a full schedule running throughout the whole weekend, Latitude welcomes the following funny, satirical, hard-hitting, absurd, bizarre and witty poets to the largest poetry event in Europe.
Famed award-winning poet Daljit Nagra is bringing a very special performance to the Poetry Arena. Born in the mid-60s to Punjab parents Nagra grew up in London before moving to Sheffield in the 80s where he found it difficult to fit in. The experiences he and many British-born Indians have had are dealt with expertly in his first book ‘Look We Have Coming to Dover!’ touching on racism, arranged marriages, mosques and corner shops as well as more British things such as KFC and Hilda Ogden.. Receiving critical acclaim it won the 2007 Forward Poetry Prize for the Best First Collection and the 2008 Arts Council England Decibel Award. His first published work was the pamphlet ‘Oh My Rub!’ that became the Poetry Book Society Pamphlet Choice and was chosen as one of the Guardian's Poetry Books of the Year. Alongside his own poems Daljit will play some of his favourite recordings by the key poets of the past century
Aidan Moffat, one half of Falkirk’s Arab Strap, will be performing his poetry from the startling and beautiful art package ‘I Can Hear Your Heart’. An album of mostly minute-long vignettes it is a semi-autobiographical musical novel about the adventures, regrets, and dark comedy of being a pissed, chaotic and promiscuous man in his mid-twenties. He paints a sinister self-portrait of the modern male with short stories based around lost love, blossoming misogyny and learning from our mistakes all delivered in a hypnotic Scottish drawl.
Ventriloquist is a performance poet and musician who weaves tantalisingly tall tales from a broad pallet of James Brown concerts, the interconnectedness of all things, journey's via cow trough portals to the centre of the earth and sometimes about getting poo in his eye. His work has been featured on Radio 1, XFM and SKY TV. His new show "Did I Say That Or Think It?" is an amorphous brew of surreal stories, metaphysical explorations and sometimes just some funny stuff that rhymes.
Writers’ Centre Norwich is a literature development agency based in Norwich. Interested in both the artistic and social impact of creative writing, WCN work with writers, readers and diverse communities on a wide range of ongoing and one off projects and events. At Latitude, Writers’ Centre Norwich will be bringing Kei Miller and Roger Robinson to perform their work in the Poetry Arena. Kei Miller divides his time between Jamaica and the United Kingdom, where he teaches Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow. Miller’s short stories, poetry and novel were published to critical acclaim. Trinidadian writer and performer Roger Robinson has performed worldwide and is an experienced workshop leader and lecturer on poetry. He has received commissions from Theatre Royal Stratford East, The National Trust, London Open House and the National Portrait Gallery. His new book Suckle is due to be published in Jul 2009 by Waterways Press.
In 2008, Nathan Jones + Wave Machines launched their collaborative performance project at a series of co-curated events called ‘Wave If You're Really There’, bringing a new quality and cohesiveness to poetry and live music partnership and raising the bar for literature in performance. Poet, performer and producer, Nathan Jones is a resident writer and Creative Director of the Mercy arts collective. His uniquely engaging poetry performances are set to a dynamic soundtrack of synths, vocal harmonies, guitars and percussion. Wave Machines' limited 7"s, 'I Go I Go I Go' and 'The Greatest Escape We Ever Made', realised on Chess Club records, both sold out last year, and saw the band become one of the hottest new bands around at the moment.
At last year’s festival, Latitude unveiled the beautiful stage on the lake. People crammed onto the banks to sit and witness fantastic dance and performances throughout the weekend as gondolas rode by and the lake sparkled in the sun. Renamed The Waterfront Stage, this year the stage will once again showcase contemporary, modern dance from the world’s leading companies and choreographers.
DanceEast, based in the East of England is one of the nation’s leading dance organisations bringing world-class dance to the region. They aim to present an eclectic programme of dance performance of different genres, widening the experience of audiences whilst bringing a new and invigorated audience to dance. Taking dance to villages and communities with no access to dance performances they work with acclaimed dancers and choreographers to produce imaginative theatre experiences for new and young audiences. They will be performing Les Moutons on Latitude’s wonderful Waterfront Stage.
Riccardo Meneghini has worked and collaborated with companies such as Russell Maliphant, Scottish Dance Theatre, DV8 Physical Theatre, Opera North, Balletto Teatro Torino. At the same time developing vocabulary in his own choreography working as a freelance performer and teaching contact improvisation, release technique and composition. ‘Spun’ is the result of three weeks residency in Yorkshire Dance (Leeds), supported by Arts Coucil England. It has been part of an evening "Made in Yorkshire" and performed in Italy and then London as part of ‘Resolution! 2009’. Spun examines how affection and love of a life can shift themselves around, and how moving on can sometimes mean skipping forward to the beginning.
With the involvement of the country’s leading theatre companies, Latitude has established itself as one of the best theatre festivals in Europe. Not to be contained within the confines of the stage, theatre can be found around every corner at Latitude, emerging from the woods, performed on the banks of the lake as well as the Theatre Arena, drawing inspiration from the surroundings. There’s something for everyone so take a chance on an unknown play or watch a critic’s choice at Latitude 2009.
'La Prima Donna' is the new audio-visual performance installation by Hellcat Productions featuring the characters from Caryl Churchill's 'Top Girls'. Presenting fearless Victorian traveller Isabella Bird, passionate Japanese concubine Lady Nijo, valiant Dutch warrior Dull Gret, ever-doting Patient Griselda and courageous cross-dressing Pope Joan. Our five feisty heroines battle the 3D surround sound, manipulating their audio environment; punching the treble, kicking the bass. The piece combines choreographed dance, performative gender and period-shifting costume to explore the contorted ideals of feminine beauty. The piece features live DJing through state of the art 3D surround sound technology invented by the Illustrious Company.
Elsewhere, the very best in film, theatre, comedy, literature, poetry, dance, art and cabaret will be pitching up at the fourth edition of Latitude Festival. LateNightTales will be presenting some fabulous live performances from an eclectic set of bands in the Film & Music Arena; Sadler’s Wells and the Royal Opera House will be showcasing stunning performances on The Waterfront Stage; Royal Shakespeare Company, The Bush, National Theatre, Paines Plough, nabokov plus more will all be coming to the Theatre Arena along with the English Touring Theatre presenting Latitude’s first musical ‘Been So Long’. Also for the first time is the dynamic orchestral brilliance Britten Sinfonia performing in Latitude’s outdoor spaces. The Literary Arena is packed full of top authors including Blake Morrison, Geoff Dyer and Robin Ince’s Book Club as well as workshops from The School Of life; plus stellar poets Andrew Motion, Brian Patten, Jackie Kay and Simon Armitage will be in the Poetry Arena. The Cabaret Arena welcomes Zimbani, Deborah Frances-White, Jessica Delfino, Cardinal Burns and Watson and Oliver plus plenty more exciting performances to announce. With a quite astonishing comedy line-up to be announced and much, much more across all of the arenas, Latitude 2009 is once again a perfect slice of cultural heaven by the sea.
LITERARY ARENA
Latitude celebrates the art of the written word and all of its many splendid facets at Suffolk’s now legendary library by the sea. Like all good books, the Literary Arena will transport you to the far reaches of your imagination guided by the storytelling talents of the very best authors and special guests scheduled for the weekend. Discussions, Q&As, stories and comic genius are the order of the day for these book readings with a difference. Immerse yourself in Latitude’s literary world and learn, explore, laugh and discover at the best literary event of the summer.
The grande dame of fashion Vivienne Westwood will be reading from her challenging and thought-provoking manifesto 'Active Resistance to Propaganda' in Latitude's Literary Arena. A collection of essays it is full of ideas about art and culture that claims to "...penetrate to the root of the human predicament and offer the underlying solution." It appeals to every human conscious to help cultivate and rescue the environment while we still can, using art and urging people to make changes in their own lives to help change the world. She will be interviewed onstage and there will also be the chance to ask any of those burning questions in a Q&A with the audience.
Sir Peter Blake will be in conversation with Mark Ellen discussing his life and work. Initially, Sir Peter Blake may have been most acclaimed in the general public’s eyes through his design of The Beatles ‘Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band’ album sleeve (1967), but continued to produce art for the Band Aid single in 1984, Paul Weller’s ‘Stanley Road’ album a decade later and the late Ian Dury tribute album in 2001 who was highly influenced by Sir Peter Blake’s work. Sir Peter Blake has taught in numerous establishments and currently lives and works in London.
Patrick Neate is a respected novelist, critic, scriptwriter and poet whose work has been published in most major UK newspapers and magazines, widely anthologised and broadcast on radio and television. The author of four novels and one book of non-fiction, he has received awards for all but one of his offerings. Across his work, recurring themes include the ability to re-envisage common situations from an alternative point of view, to imagine himself in the mindset of a completely different world and to realise the importance of story in establishing one's self identity.
Scottish Indian writer, presenter and comic Hardeep Singh Kohli has been on our TV screens since the RTS nominated Channel 4 documentary ‘In Search Of The Tartan Turban’ which explored cultural identity and ethnicity. Further TV appearances include regular slots on Newsnight, Question Time and reporting on The One Show. He also writes for the Guardian and Independent and in 2008 he released his first book ‘Indian Takeaway: A Very British Story’, combining his love of food with his search for cultural understanding, both British and Indian. “How deep is Hardeep's love of food? As deep as Loch Ness and as unfathomable as India. ‘Indian Takeaway’ is a very funny and beguiling journey.'” Paul Whitehouse
New to Latitude Festival this year, The Literary Salon is a den of discussions and already boasts acclaimed workshops with The School of Life and Guerrilla Science. Explore the potential for new media and the fate of the old with if:Book as Chris Meade hosts a salon discussion on the future of the book in the digital age. Come and tell him what you love and hate about books or the big screen. Imagine the literature of tomorrow – and experience some of it now. Watch presentations of new media literature. Join the debate about where words go next with guests writers and if:book associates, contribute to a unique networked book: songsofimaginationanddigitisation.net, inspired by multimedia artist William Blake - and have a chance to win your own Sony Reader.
IN THE WOODS
The enchanted woods of Henham Park also have something to offer as art decorates the trees and fairy lights hang from the branches. Exploring the lush foliage and following where curiosity takes you, you will chance upon new experiences, little surprises and terrific treats at every turn. The small and hidden stage will host surreal and intimate performances during the day and music to dance the night away after dark – it’s almost a woodland festival of its own.
From the exciting stable of performances that the Royal Opera House are bringing to Latitude, an extract from Faeries, an ROH2 commission by Will Tuckett will be played out beneath the branches. This delightful family show uses a combination of puppetry by Blind Summit Theatre, dance and old fashioned storytelling to propel its audience into a world of mystery, magic, imps and fairies. Not just for children, adults alike will be enthralled by the beautiful tale of a lost girl set amongst the mysterious and enchanting trees at the festival.
FILM & MUSIC ARENA
Uniting alternative worlds of cinematic wonder, musical splendour and visual brilliance, the Film & Music Arena is an exhilarating and intoxicating centre of creativity. Over the festival weekend the Arena will play host to screenings of award winning films, documentaries and shorts with Q&A sessions plus discussions with acclaimed directors and writers. These will be interspersed with musical treats and stunning, transfixing visuals combining together to create a seductive, sensory playground for all ages.
Famed composers Molly Nyman and Harry Escott will be presenting some of their award-winning music to Latitude audiences. A creative partnership Molly and Harry began working as a team in 2001 and over the past few years they have composed music for a number of award winning and critically acclaimed films. In 2008 they composed the score for Poppy Shakespeare, a BAFTA nominated TV film for Channel 4, and completed the score for the current film ‘Shifty’, for which they received a BIFA (British Independent Film Award) nomination for best score. The film is currently enjoying widespread acclaim since its general release in April 2009.
CABARET ARENA
If you want to experience something entirely different then seek out Latitude’s quirky den of mischief and mayhem; the Cabaret Arena. Inside you will witness comedy sketch shows, burlesque, freak shows, drag queens, sing-a-longs, illusionists and much, much more to be announced. With Vaudeville fun, sharp, incisive wit, camp entertainment and a good ol’ fashioned knees up, the Cabaret Arena positively encourages you to leave your inhibitions at the door and be game for anything and everything. This surreal bordello of surprises and spectacular stage shows is visually rich, beautiful and bizarre and will tempt and titillate in equal measure.
The first and only musical hall singer turned R’n’B rap superstar Ida Barr will be performing at Latitude this year. A hilarious comedy turn, Ida is the people’s pensioner, spitting out rhymes about home-help and flu jabs and covering tracks such as Missy Elliott’s ‘She’s A Bitch’ to name but one. Immerse yourself in the world of ‘the original ragtime girl’ - who rose to fame at the turn of the last century singing ‘A Marrow’s A Banana’s Father’ – in this original, funny and sometimes tragic mash-up drag act. Ida Barr is the creation of Olivier Award-winning character comedian Christopher Green.
Described as a “Betty Boop meets Marlene Dietrich’, Miss Behave, the darling of the underground circuit has been blazing a trail into the mainstream. One of the last surviving female sword-swallowers in the world, her trademark bizarre and quirky acts have become a staple of the Cabaret elite. A cocktail of quick wit, high camp, saucy curves ‘n’ costumes, topped with a tongue as sharp as her blades. Of late she has been splitting her time between starring in the world smash hit ‘La Clique’ as the poster girl and host plus producing and hosting her own ‘Variety Nighty’ shows, which boasts a sell out season at London’s legendary Roundhouse.
Shoulder pads in place and cocktails in hand, watch as the explosive drama and high octane intrigue of 1980s soap opera, DALLAS is re-created in ‘Stark Dallas Naked’. With cult performer and drag act Jonny Woo as the still-drunk Sue-Ellen, David Mills as JR who is just asking to get shot and queen of the alternative scene Timberlina as the even more stupid Pam. A cult underground comedy uncovering a dastardly plot to ruin the Ewing Empire.
Fresh from Stark Dallas Naked - Timberlina and David Mills present the sublime and ridiculous in a collision of your favourite Good Morning TV programme on the last night of the Festival. Hear all the bleary-eyed gossip on what's been happening from your hosts with ‘Good Morning, This Evening’, as they talk to impromptu guests from the Cabaret arena (and beyond) as well providing topical notices, weather updates and handy make ‘n’ do tips for Last Night Revellers!...
Latitude will be hosting tea dances in Pandora’s Playground every afternoon with The London Swing Dance Society who will lead you through a selection from the 1920s to the 1960s with wow-studded performances, social dancing and plenty of fun classes for everyone from Charleston, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug to Rock and Roll, Twist and Hand Jive. Led by dance champions Nigel & Nina, the London Swing Dance Society sizzle with all the glamour and fizz of the Jazz Age, and will keep you on the dance floor all afternoon long! Bring your dance shoes and join us for a journey through Jazz!
Dusty Limits is a singer, comedian and drunken raconteur and one of the leading figures on the ‘new cabaret’ scene. He made his European debut in 1999, and since then has graced numerous stages from London to Dublin to Berlin to New York, where he was described by cabaret legend Steve Ross as ‘a superior, singular artist’. He sings everything from Cole Porter to Portishead, from satire to chansons, often with the words changed. He also sings original songs, frequently with macabre and darkly comic themes.
Kalki Hula Girl will titillate and captivate the Latitude audiences with her mind-boggling hula-hooping skills and dance moves. Combining her long-time love of dance, dress ups, and all things carnival, her acts are performance art meets variety meets comedy using punk-rock-attitude and informed circus skills. Hoops have propelled her around the world several times with hypnotising performances with her dazzling jewelled hoops old-time cabaret glamour, pouting, winking, and smiling, she is a saucy French maid, a dazed bar-fly, a raddled night-nurse, a tragic cheerleader – you’ll be mesmerized.
Sarah-Louise Young has been part of the London alternative scene working with the likes of Dusty Limits, Des O’Connor and Nathan Evans for many years and has regularly performed at Volupte, Madame Jo Jo’s, The Pigalle Club and the Soho Revue Bar as well as treading the boards in the West End. She’ll be bringing three cabaret characters who blend comedy, performance art and song including a country ‘n’ western porn star named Sammy Mavis Jr, a forgotten French diva and a talent show reject.
Famed choreographer and performer Charlotte Eatock brings her stunning production 'Revealing Eve' to Latitude’s Cabaret den. ‘Revealing Eve’ is a short solo about the objectification of women. Originally performed at Stratford Circus as part of Small Dances it is accompanied with music by Camper Van Beethoven.
Since its launch in October, this live karaoke night has gone from strength to strength, attracting the starry likes of Phill Jupitus, Ben Miller, Kevin Eldon, Chris Addison, Isy Suttie and Josie Long, all keen to sing their favourite songs with a live band which boasts Danielle Ward (The Loves) on bass, Martin White (The Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra) on keyboards, Foz Foster (David Devant & His Spirit Wife) on guitar and David Reed from The Penny Dreadfuls on drums. Following a spectacular orchestral edition at London's legendary 100 Club, Messrs Ward & White are proud to bring their Karaoke Circus to Latitude.
London’s infamous Sounds Familiar Quiz comes to Latitude. A fun-filled, laugh-a-minute, the-answers-are-on-the-tip-of-tongue quiz with a difference, brought to you by question-setter DJ Al and MC Quizzical who will freestyle some choons that you will have to try guess who or what the hell he’s on about. In true party spirit they will be teaming up with 80’s dance troupe the Glitterbanditz to bring you the ultimate test of knowledge.
Musical Bingo is the latest interactive event from the Bring & Share crew. It's as simple as it sounds - imagine the kind of bingo grandmas have played since time began, but with songs instead of numbers and a mixed up soundtrack with anything from Johnny Cash to Roisin Murphy and Dizzee Rascal to David Bowie. The sessions have been running with much success over the past 18 months testing musical knowledge and uniting people at The Lock Tavern, The Amersham Arms, as well as many summer festivals. Stop in for a quick game and see if you’ll be the first to call ‘House!’
POETRY ARENA
Positioned enticingly by the banks of the lake at the entrance to the main festival arena, Latitude’s perfectly placed Poetry Arena is a wonderful den of distraction. Curious passers-by are pulled inside by barrels of raucous laughter, pensive silences and fascinated faces, all transfixed by the raconteurs on stage. People find themselves camped out there all day, relaxing in the shade and enjoying a continuous line-up of the very best in comedy sketches, slam poets, spoken word, storytelling, rappers and much, much more. With a full schedule running throughout the whole weekend, Latitude welcomes the following funny, satirical, hard-hitting, absurd, bizarre and witty poets to the largest poetry event in Europe.
Famed award-winning poet Daljit Nagra is bringing a very special performance to the Poetry Arena. Born in the mid-60s to Punjab parents Nagra grew up in London before moving to Sheffield in the 80s where he found it difficult to fit in. The experiences he and many British-born Indians have had are dealt with expertly in his first book ‘Look We Have Coming to Dover!’ touching on racism, arranged marriages, mosques and corner shops as well as more British things such as KFC and Hilda Ogden.. Receiving critical acclaim it won the 2007 Forward Poetry Prize for the Best First Collection and the 2008 Arts Council England Decibel Award. His first published work was the pamphlet ‘Oh My Rub!’ that became the Poetry Book Society Pamphlet Choice and was chosen as one of the Guardian's Poetry Books of the Year. Alongside his own poems Daljit will play some of his favourite recordings by the key poets of the past century
Aidan Moffat, one half of Falkirk’s Arab Strap, will be performing his poetry from the startling and beautiful art package ‘I Can Hear Your Heart’. An album of mostly minute-long vignettes it is a semi-autobiographical musical novel about the adventures, regrets, and dark comedy of being a pissed, chaotic and promiscuous man in his mid-twenties. He paints a sinister self-portrait of the modern male with short stories based around lost love, blossoming misogyny and learning from our mistakes all delivered in a hypnotic Scottish drawl.
Ventriloquist is a performance poet and musician who weaves tantalisingly tall tales from a broad pallet of James Brown concerts, the interconnectedness of all things, journey's via cow trough portals to the centre of the earth and sometimes about getting poo in his eye. His work has been featured on Radio 1, XFM and SKY TV. His new show "Did I Say That Or Think It?" is an amorphous brew of surreal stories, metaphysical explorations and sometimes just some funny stuff that rhymes.
Writers’ Centre Norwich is a literature development agency based in Norwich. Interested in both the artistic and social impact of creative writing, WCN work with writers, readers and diverse communities on a wide range of ongoing and one off projects and events. At Latitude, Writers’ Centre Norwich will be bringing Kei Miller and Roger Robinson to perform their work in the Poetry Arena. Kei Miller divides his time between Jamaica and the United Kingdom, where he teaches Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow. Miller’s short stories, poetry and novel were published to critical acclaim. Trinidadian writer and performer Roger Robinson has performed worldwide and is an experienced workshop leader and lecturer on poetry. He has received commissions from Theatre Royal Stratford East, The National Trust, London Open House and the National Portrait Gallery. His new book Suckle is due to be published in Jul 2009 by Waterways Press.
In 2008, Nathan Jones + Wave Machines launched their collaborative performance project at a series of co-curated events called ‘Wave If You're Really There’, bringing a new quality and cohesiveness to poetry and live music partnership and raising the bar for literature in performance. Poet, performer and producer, Nathan Jones is a resident writer and Creative Director of the Mercy arts collective. His uniquely engaging poetry performances are set to a dynamic soundtrack of synths, vocal harmonies, guitars and percussion. Wave Machines' limited 7"s, 'I Go I Go I Go' and 'The Greatest Escape We Ever Made', realised on Chess Club records, both sold out last year, and saw the band become one of the hottest new bands around at the moment.
THE WATERFRONT STAGE
At last year’s festival, Latitude unveiled the beautiful stage on the lake. People crammed onto the banks to sit and witness fantastic dance and performances throughout the weekend as gondolas rode by and the lake sparkled in the sun. Renamed The Waterfront Stage, this year the stage will once again showcase contemporary, modern dance from the world’s leading companies and choreographers.
DanceEast, based in the East of England is one of the nation’s leading dance organisations bringing world-class dance to the region. They aim to present an eclectic programme of dance performance of different genres, widening the experience of audiences whilst bringing a new and invigorated audience to dance. Taking dance to villages and communities with no access to dance performances they work with acclaimed dancers and choreographers to produce imaginative theatre experiences for new and young audiences. They will be performing Les Moutons on Latitude’s wonderful Waterfront Stage.
Riccardo Meneghini has worked and collaborated with companies such as Russell Maliphant, Scottish Dance Theatre, DV8 Physical Theatre, Opera North, Balletto Teatro Torino. At the same time developing vocabulary in his own choreography working as a freelance performer and teaching contact improvisation, release technique and composition. ‘Spun’ is the result of three weeks residency in Yorkshire Dance (Leeds), supported by Arts Coucil England. It has been part of an evening "Made in Yorkshire" and performed in Italy and then London as part of ‘Resolution! 2009’. Spun examines how affection and love of a life can shift themselves around, and how moving on can sometimes mean skipping forward to the beginning.
OUTDOOR THEATRE
With the involvement of the country’s leading theatre companies, Latitude has established itself as one of the best theatre festivals in Europe. Not to be contained within the confines of the stage, theatre can be found around every corner at Latitude, emerging from the woods, performed on the banks of the lake as well as the Theatre Arena, drawing inspiration from the surroundings. There’s something for everyone so take a chance on an unknown play or watch a critic’s choice at Latitude 2009.
'La Prima Donna' is the new audio-visual performance installation by Hellcat Productions featuring the characters from Caryl Churchill's 'Top Girls'. Presenting fearless Victorian traveller Isabella Bird, passionate Japanese concubine Lady Nijo, valiant Dutch warrior Dull Gret, ever-doting Patient Griselda and courageous cross-dressing Pope Joan. Our five feisty heroines battle the 3D surround sound, manipulating their audio environment; punching the treble, kicking the bass. The piece combines choreographed dance, performative gender and period-shifting costume to explore the contorted ideals of feminine beauty. The piece features live DJing through state of the art 3D surround sound technology invented by the Illustrious Company.
Elsewhere, the very best in film, theatre, comedy, literature, poetry, dance, art and cabaret will be pitching up at the fourth edition of Latitude Festival. LateNightTales will be presenting some fabulous live performances from an eclectic set of bands in the Film & Music Arena; Sadler’s Wells and the Royal Opera House will be showcasing stunning performances on The Waterfront Stage; Royal Shakespeare Company, The Bush, National Theatre, Paines Plough, nabokov plus more will all be coming to the Theatre Arena along with the English Touring Theatre presenting Latitude’s first musical ‘Been So Long’. Also for the first time is the dynamic orchestral brilliance Britten Sinfonia performing in Latitude’s outdoor spaces. The Literary Arena is packed full of top authors including Blake Morrison, Geoff Dyer and Robin Ince’s Book Club as well as workshops from The School Of life; plus stellar poets Andrew Motion, Brian Patten, Jackie Kay and Simon Armitage will be in the Poetry Arena. The Cabaret Arena welcomes Zimbani, Deborah Frances-White, Jessica Delfino, Cardinal Burns and Watson and Oliver plus plenty more exciting performances to announce. With a quite astonishing comedy line-up to be announced and much, much more across all of the arenas, Latitude 2009 is once again a perfect slice of cultural heaven by the sea.
TICKET INFORMATION
Weekend tickets £150 plus booking fees • Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £60 plus booking fee. Weekend tickets prices include car parking and camping • Days include car parking only.
Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821
Online at: www.festivalrepublic.com • www.seetickets.com • www.latitudefestival.co.uk
For a full list of national and regional outlets please visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk
For further Press info contact: 020-7792-9400
Charlie Caplowe: charlie@presscounsel.com
Dani Cotter: dani@presscounsel.com
Anthea: anthea@presscounsel.com
Dan Griffiths: griff@presscounsel.com
Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821
Online at: www.festivalrepublic.com • www.seetickets.com • www.latitudefestival.co.uk
For a full list of national and regional outlets please visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk
For further Press info contact: 020-7792-9400
Charlie Caplowe: charlie@presscounsel.com
Dani Cotter: dani@presscounsel.com
Anthea: anthea@presscounsel.com
Dan Griffiths: griff@presscounsel.com
Labels: 2009, Ida Barr, Jonny Woo, latitude, latitude festival, Miss Behave, Sir Peter Blake, Vivienne Westwood
posted by Press Counsel PR at
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