A BALLAD OF THAMESMEAD
Commissioned by Greenwich and Docklands International Festival.
6 & 7 September 2024: 8.30pm at Thamesmead Clocktower, 26 Meadowford Cl, London SE28 8GG
1986. The beautifully restored Nelson’s Clock is hauled onto a barge in Deptford and sailed down the Thames - a gift to an exciting new town centre at the vibrant focal point of Thamesmead.
2024. A baby coot nestles in her canal nest in the shadow of the clocktower. Three kids scuttle up and down the steps playing families. And a woman sits looking up at the hands tick-tick-ticking away, pondering the ebbs and flows of home.
A Ballad of Thamesmead gently peeks into how the world around us impacts how we feel about our home. Live folk songs by Abbey Wood native Marie Bashiru along with Thamesmead Community Choir interweave with a soaring sound design that includes local peoples’ voices, culminating in the clocktower illuminated like never before.
Access:
- BSL interpreted performance: 6 September
- All performances captioned
- Audio Described performance & Touch Tour: 6 September
- Wheelchair accessible
Photos by David Levine
A Dante or Die Production
Creative Director: Terry O’Donovan
Directed by Arti Prashar
Original Music Created & Performed by Marie Bashiru
Performed and devised by Jasmine Chiu, Jordan Ajidi & Simon Rice
Set & Costume Design by Stewart J. Charlesworth
Lighting Design by Jo Palmer
Stage Management by Stella Kalides & Ellen Swailes
Movement Director: Ayse Tashkiran
Movement Assistant Placement: Elize Layton
Creative Facilitation by Nicole Acquah, Charlie Hendren & Fiona Watson
Choir: Thamesmead Community Choir
Featuring the voices of Thamesmead: Chris, Jecoliah, Adam, Vernon, Tony, Billy-Jo, Emma, Mum's Aid, Sofia, Dhruva, Shreeja.
A Ballad of Thamesmead takes place in Thamesmead Town Centre at the clock tower.
Stewart Charlesworth has designed a set which will float along the canal, featuring key elements of Thamesmead town. Spot the canon balls, slide and houses which will all come together to create a miniture Thamesmead. This design layout by Stewart shows the miniture Thamesmead in detail. It is being built using 3D printing so it can float - we look forward to bringing it to life with stunning lighting, original music and dance.
The trailer for A Ballad of Thamesmead can be found here. This was filmed and edited by Greta Zabulyte.
Here are a few rehearsal shots taken by Greta Zabulyte.
