Croydonites: Croydon's version of Edinburgh lands this week
Croydonites: Croydon's version of Edinburgh lands this week
Here are 7 shows you should see
Welcome back to Londonist: Croydon Edit. Piloted by Londonist editor and Croydonian Will Noble, it's about all things in the borough of Croydon. This week, the team from Croydonites pick out seven shows they’re champing at the bit to see at 2024’s Croydonites Fringe and Croydonites festival—which sees almost a month of theatre, comedy, music, dance and more take place at venues around the Cronx, starting on Thursday 31 October.
A Cronx Tale & Again, Again and Again
Audiences will experience an animated film, spoken word, music and a Q&A all within 70 mins! Having taken part in our local artist showcase (CroydonBites) last year these two pieces—which appear as a double bill—were selected by the Croydonites team for further development and we’re super excited to see how they’ve evolved. A Cronx Tale is a short, animated film about the dangers of getting involved in gangs, street crime and county lines, while Again, Again and Again takes a deep dive into the human psyche through spoken word, music and theatre. A Cronx Tale & Again, Again, and Again, 31 October-2 November
We Can Be Heroes
Made up of a completely local cast, this lip syncing dance performance is going to be something really special. The work has been performed all over the world and is the creation of French choreographer, Arnaud Piraut. He’s been in residence in Croydon for a week to rehearse with our participants. There will be two performances in Whitgift Square on Saturday 2 November (2pm and 4pm) and the best part is, it’s completely FREE! We Can Be Heroes, 2 November
Frankie Foxstone AKA The Profit
In a town like Croydon, where a new high rise is going up every other week, we have to shout out property developer Frankie Foxstone’s walking tour. This show takes you through the town centre, where you’ll follow the fabulously dynamic Frankie as she explains exactly how she’s going to develop Croydon, just like she’s done with Mumbai and Slough! The experience is full of surprises, transforming familiar spaces into an interactive stage and offering a fresh look at the Cronx. Frankie Foxstone AKA The Profit, 2-3 November
MEGASTRUCTURE
Winner of the Rotterdam International Choreographic Competition, Sarah Baltzinger and Isaiah Wilson bring their astonishing duet MEGASTRUCTURE to Croydon for its UK premiere. Without amplified sound or stage lights, this dance is like a puzzle whose pieces are constantly being dismantled, tested and reinvented. It’s hard to describe just how extraordinary these dancers are and the work is littered with humorous and touching moments. MEGASTRUCTURE, 6 November
Blessed, Tryna Shake This Curse
Inspired by Afrofuturism, technology and growing up in Croydon, Blessed, Tryna Shake This Curse is the debut show from actor Simon Manyonda (Rye Lane, His Dark Materials, Eric). It’s the first show to have gone through all three of Croydonites commissioning pathways and presented in association with our friends Talawa Theatre Company. Focusing on his journey to becoming an actor, Blessed blends late 90s and early 00s nostalgia with a compelling coming-of-age narrative. Blessed, Tryna Shake This Curse, 7-8 November
All of Us Strangers: Redux
Richard DeDomenici’s Redux Project creates short extracts of well known films in their original location with local participants. For 2024, Richard and Croydonites have recreated a Redux of All of Us Strangers, the romantic fantasy starring Andrew Scott and filmed in Croydon. Featuring some of the borough’s best known landmarks, the evening also includes some of Richard’s other amazing Redux recreations. All of Us Strangers: Redux 9 November
Watch it!
Wendy Houstoun, maverick of the dance world, has been causing trouble for four decades and shows no sign of changing course. Watch It! is quite possibly her last work; a ridiculous game show for one about identity, personal truth and political ideology. Can Wendy get to the end of the show without offending anyone? You’ll have to come to find out… Watch it!, 14-15 November
Croydonites Fringe is on 31 October-3 November, closely followed by the Croydonites Festival, running 6-24 November. Check out the full programme, and get yourself to some shows!