Following cancellation after cancellation of festivals for early-career creatives to showcase their work, the OFFIE award-winning ChewBoy Productions is curating ChewFest, a week-long event of celebrations, experiments and brand-new, never-before-seen work at London’s Lion and Unicorn Theatre from 23-28 May 2022. We’ve all got all the news on the excellent line-up below!
The latest creation from the weird, whacky and wonderful minds of ChewBoy Productions, ChewFest aims to provide a free platform for early-career companies and creatives who’re looking to either have their first credit on a London stage or are looking to be bold with their work in abstract ways. Over the course of the week, ChewBoy will provide support to more than 12 companies and individuals in bringing short and snappy pieces to a London venue.
The week-long celebration will include:
- Six new short plays from six new playwrights, performed by recently graduated actors, culminating in the ‘Stage The Page’ performance of rehearsed readings
- Three half-hour extracts of exciting experimental work from new companies
- Revival of the award-winning TETHERED (ChewBoy) along with By Your Side and Before Feel (Proforca Theatre)
- Exciting collaborations with Gutter Street Theatre, Visability Film Festival and Yellow Hat Productions to forge brand new integrated, multi-disciplinary performances
- Free online workshops to support creatives in forming companies and producing projects
- A very special finale event, of which more details will be announced soon
ChewFest partners
ChewBoy Productions is working in association with Gutter Street, Visability Film Festival, Proforca Theatre and Yellow Hat Productions amongst others to support the creation of integrated live performance events with a focus on the surreal, the abstract and experimentation.
So head to the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town, London to see some of the weirdest, whackiest flavours from early-career companies, dynamic new writers of all ages and bold screen work from some of the most exciting filmmakers in town.
The ChewFest line-up includes:
Monday 23 May
Welcome to ChewFest (7.30pm to 7:55pm)
Start your ChewFest experience right with an introduction to the festival from ChewBoy’s co-founders Hal Darling and Georgie Bailey. Join in a multimedia taste-test through space, time and existence to learn more about what the week has in store for you, the audience member.
Stage the Page (8pm to 9.30pm)
Five performers. Six new plays. Enjoy some of the freshest new writing on the block from a wonderful array of early-career playwrights, performed by a troupe of five performers in a rehearsed reading event like no other.
Featuring premieres of: Skin by Jaisal Marmion, Private View by Lee Lauren, Thor Of Trellick Tower by Shez Chung-Blake, Yarn by Caroline Lezny, Morris Boys by Ted Tooley and Who Cut Off Their Tales/Tails? by Yaz Nin.
Tuesday 24 May
The Adaptation Game (7.30pm to 9pm)
Join Visability Film Festival for The Adaptation Game – an evening of transmedia storytelling, in association with Yellow Hat Productions, as part of Chewfest 2022 at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
This experimental evening marks a new chapter for Visability, one where they’ll be breathing new life into some of their favourite films of the past two years by adapting them for the stage!
As usual, they’ll be shining a light on some vital topics, continuing the company’s commitment to using film (and theatre) as a tool for positive societal change. So, strap in for an innovative, one of a kind evening.
Wednesday 25 May
The Magic Number (7:30pm to 9pm)
Threeeeee, is a magic numberrrrr! On Wednesday, there will be three extract performances from three brand-new companies creating whacky, experimental work.
The companies joining ChewFest 2022 are international theatre company Borderline Confrontational, Muddy Puddles which focuses on bringing life to queer stories and new-writing company White Noise Theatre.
Featuring premieres of: 13 Children by Borderline Confrontational, Thin Air by Muddy Puddles and PlantGays by White Noise Theatre.
Thursday 26 May
Back 2 Back (7.30pm to 9pm)
Long-time collaborators ChewBoy Productions and Proforca Theatre team up to bring you a revival of the multi-award-winning surreal comedy TETHERED, the acclaimed Before Feel by James Lewis and a brand-new play from David Brady, By Your Side in a triple-bill evening of innovative theatre. Note: One ticket will give you access to watch all three of these fantastic plays.
Friday 27 May
Gutter Street Nights (7:30pm to 9:30pm)
Gutter Street is a theatre company and artist collective creating original plays and stories all set in their interconnected theatrical world. They create work where the fantastical meets the gritty, reflecting our own world through a cracked and stained mirror.
Gutter Street Nights is an event where five creatives are challenged to write either a song, speech or poem based around a specific theme. The nights are open to performers and non-performers alike, with an aim to create a comfortable, supportive environment for everyone to share their work and try something new. Join us in a night of new writing, a little pub quiz and if you fancy a go, jump up on the open mic at the end.
Saturday 28 May
Fondue with Chew: A Finale Event Thing (7.30pm to 9pm)
To culminate the festival, the organisers will be providing an evening of anarchy. Chaos. Good vibes and fun. ’Cus that’s what we all need right now, right?
Join Georgie and Hal from ChewBoy Productions and some very special guests to celebrate live performance’s return, to chat about everything and anything, and maybe even try and break some world records… all with chocolate fondue.
