People Show
Encyclopedia
The People Show is the longest running English
experimental theatre
company, based in the East End of London
.
Founded by Jeff Nuttall
and Mark Long in 1966 and performing its first show in the basement of Better Books
in London's Charing Cross Road
, the People Show was London's first performance art
company with a "seminal role" in the evolution of British alternative theatre.
Although some People Show shows had scripts, these were largely just starting points for improvised performances by actors, musicians, poets and artists, tailored specifically to the spaces they took place in. In 1969 they staged a performance at London's Royal Court Theatre
that involved inviting passers-by into a telephone box to look at some "dirty postcards", only to present them with "two sugar lumps ... coloured with red ink or, alternatively, a bra stuffed with baked beans".
In 1982 the company established its current permanent base: People Show Studios, a former church hall in Bethnal Green
. People Show continues to be a nationally touring company, having produced 121 productions to date - the most recent being People Show 121: The Detective Show. People Show Studios in Bethnal Green
, London
, is a vibrant creative hub for east London.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
experimental theatre
Experimental theatre
Experimental theatre is a general term for various movements in Western theatre that began in the late 19th century as a retraction against the dominant vent governing the writing and production of dramatical menstrophy, and age in particular. The term has shifted over time as the mainstream...
company, based in the East End of London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
.
Founded by Jeff Nuttall
Jeff Nuttall
Jeff Nuttall was an English poet, publisher, actor, painter, sculptor, jazz trumpeter, anarchist sympathiser and social commentator who was a key part of the British 1960s counter-culture. He was the brother of literary critic A. D. Nuttall.-Life and work:Jeff Nuttall was born in Clitheroe,...
and Mark Long in 1966 and performing its first show in the basement of Better Books
Better Books
Better Books was an independent bookstore. It was founded by Tony Godwin and was located at 94 Charing Cross Road, London.-History:It was founded by British publisher Tony Godwin who took over the premises at 94 Charing Cross Road, London, in 1946....
in London's Charing Cross Road
Charing Cross Road
Charing Cross Road is a street in central London running immediately north of St Martin-in-the-Fields to St Giles Circus and then becomes Tottenham Court Road...
, the People Show was London's first performance art
Performance art
In art, performance art is a performance presented to an audience, traditionally interdisciplinary. Performance may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned with or without audience participation. The performance can be live or...
company with a "seminal role" in the evolution of British alternative theatre.
Although some People Show shows had scripts, these were largely just starting points for improvised performances by actors, musicians, poets and artists, tailored specifically to the spaces they took place in. In 1969 they staged a performance at London's Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
that involved inviting passers-by into a telephone box to look at some "dirty postcards", only to present them with "two sugar lumps ... coloured with red ink or, alternatively, a bra stuffed with baked beans".
In 1982 the company established its current permanent base: People Show Studios, a former church hall in Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
. People Show continues to be a nationally touring company, having produced 121 productions to date - the most recent being People Show 121: The Detective Show. People Show Studios in Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, is a vibrant creative hub for east London.
External links
- People Show - Official website
- People Show - Official facebook