Despite all the Covid19 restrictions, this theatre has been building relationships, and building a real rapport with creatives and freelancers. “It’s about support”, says Adam. “Although we’ve been isolated from the community, we tried to find ways during the first lockdown to keep providing content, keep people in a positive frame of mind, to support creatives and free-lancers.”
This is something they’ve taken to a high level of attainment after receiving a £50,000 Culture Recovery Fund from the Arts Council. It has enabled them to provide employment and engagement with the people they work with. At the same time, it has been possible to make many things free for people to access and attend.
This engagement has resulted in the Space extending their reach around the country and also worldwide. Adam is clearly surprised and delighted by this development. “Oxford, Manchester … we’ve had interaction from Argentina, Canada, the States …” he reels off quite a list. It’s a big shift from their usual audiences in Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets and all over London.
Whilst this has been one of the benefits of working online, the theatre is opening the doors (restrictions permitting) in December to shows which will also be live streamed.
MYLES AND ME runs 9 and 10 December, a touching and funny account of how a person deals with being diagnosed with a lifelong currently incurable medical condition, and the importance of living with rather than suffering from such a condition. Performed by disabled actress Ruth Curtis.
This is followed by Christmas perennial THE SIGNALMAN 16 to 19 December. This atmospheric adaptation for Charles Dickens Ghost story has long been a favourite at LPT magazine.
Streaming work is a new discipline and Adam is very excited by the possibilities and options now available with online work. “We’ve upgraded all of our live streaming equipment so there are more interesting things we can do with it and stream more material from our venue,” says Adam. There was a whole load of shows which had to be reschedule due to lockdown and they somehow managed to get four of those on when the theatre reopened. Nevertheless, they hope to keep live streaming for access and to build on their success with a global audience.
“We work with a lot of international performers” explains Adam. “Friends and family never got to see their work. Live streaming gives them the opportunity to do that. Really useful for people shielding and for those who find travelling to the Space difficult or prohibitive.”
For those who wonder whether the theatrical experience can still be conveyed in a live streamed event, Adam believes that it can. As a stage director he believes that it’s important to continue with normal working practice. “This is a stage play that we’re creating so create it for the stage and the audience in theatre. Then look at how we can film it. Theatre is the starting point.” He explains. “What’s the right thing for the play? Where can we film this from? How can we make it work? It won’t be quite as good but for those who can’t get to see it, It’s the next best thing really.”
He believes that in this way it retains the feeling of live theatre, but the theatre has also experimented with other methods. “We’ve been doing zoom plays, it’s a new genre” explains Adam. “We did a really interesting festival of duologues commissioned from 8 playwrights; two handers performed online over zoom.”
“It’s a really creative process with the director’s making them interesting theatrical experiences,” says Adam. “One director used split screen. Each actor had two cameras one fixed with a phone as a second camera, so they were able to use the space. Other plays were a bit more static but just by shifting the angle of the camera; moving closer or further away … there are lots of engaging uses of that limitation.”
Adam who used to live in Isle of Dogs, now lives in Hitchin so he uses his time whilst travelling to get some work done. Off peak to London Bridge and then onto the Jubilee line. It’s also thinking time for the future of the theatre.
“We always have broad aims” says Adam “New writing, revivals, classics, alternative theatre. We’ve had anything from puppetry to immersive theatre and opera. It’s a kind of balance and a range of things that people come and see at The Space.”
“We’ve had great feedback on the quality we’ve managed this year” he continues “it’s so important to keep giving opportunities to engage with work and culture during lockdown.”
They didn’t know what would happen when they re-opened. Would people be confident and comfortable about coming back? Adam is delighted that half of the shows have been at full capacity. Even so, with COVID-19 restrictions seats are strictly limited which means online access is really important right now. Clearly Adam, is passionate about reaching out to people.
There is plenty of added value at the Space including free directors meet-ups and a playwrights meet-ups. Audiences can also get involved with SpaceWorks Participatory Theatre Company which brings people together for creative expression. “It’s a welcoming and supportive group” says Adam. “We used to do just workshops and showcases, but the group started getting quite sophisticated and wanted to do full productions. We gave them a budget, a director and they did everything else themselves.” Recently the group has expanded to include a mix of regular members and creatives who wanted to explore topics or subjects. Past workshops have included ‘Theatre and Activism’ with the new programme being uploaded soon.
The Space is absolutely brimming with current opportunities and a huge programme of theatre events coming up this Spring. The full programme can be viewed on the Space website, with the December – January programme listed here. Anyone who wishes to join the community is sure of a warm welcome.
Adam Hemming was chatting with Heather Jeffery, Editor of London Pub Theatres
WHAT’S ON AT THE SPACE DECEMBER - JANUARY
23 NOV 14 DEC
Exciting new, intergenerational SpaceWorks programme, The Long Family Dinner is a series of FREE creative workshops culminating in a community feast.
SPACE THEATRE CLUB FREE
2 DEC - 2 DEC
It's like a book club but we watch plays online instead of reading books! All welcome.
DIRECTORS MEET-UP FREE
8 DEC - 13 APR
Artistic Director, Adam Hemming and Associate Director, Sepy Baghaei, host a bi-monthly open house workshop and discussion group for theatre directors.
MYLES AND ME Live and streamed
9 DEC - 10 DEC
A touching and funny account of living with a monster. Vicky didn’t invite Myles into her life. Can she surmount the monster? Without free choice? Can Vicky make it work?
STREAMED LIVE FROM THE THEATRE
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE FREE
11 DEC - 11 DEC
Join the team at the Space for an open discussion on what’s possible now for live/in person/analogue AND live/online/digital theatre…including, just what are we calling it now?
THE SIGNALMAN Live and streamed
16 DEC - 19 DEC
A signalman is haunted by a mysterious figure standing by a train tunnel. But what is it warning against? An atmospheric adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens ghost story.
STREAMED LIVE FROM THE THEATRE
UNIQUE DIGITAL CHRISTMAS SHOW TO REMEMBER?
THE SAVING OF SANTA ONLINE ONLY
20 DEC - 23 DEC 4PM
Oh no! There’s something wrong with Santa. It’s up to chief elf ‘n’ safety officer Nordstrom, Aurora, the cleverest fairy and YOU, to save Christmas.
PLAYWRIGHT MEET-UP FREE
3 JAN - 7 MAR
Literary Manager, Mike Carter hosts a bi-monthly open house Sunday morning workshop and discussion group for theatre writers.
The Spring Programme of events can be found on the Space website
We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication
A ONEOFF Special Award has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs, with sensitive editing, and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre