The Not Television Festival – this weekend!

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The Not Television Festival is almost upon us! It doesn’t seem long ago that I was chatting to Francis Alexander, the artistic director of Chelsea Theatre, about the spirit of engagement that underpins Come With Me If You Want To Live, the cabaret night we’ve put on at the theatre twice now. Why couldn’t we create a whole weekend of work in the same spirit, we thought – not just turns as part of a night but whole shows that thrive on the collaboration between performers and audiences – the thing that makes cabaret so special.

We wanted to celebrate shows that love you back. Shows that are unrehearsable and unrepeatable. Shows that look you in the eye and reach out a hand. Shows that get you buzzing in places the telly just can’t reach. Shows that are, well, not television.

And now we’ve done it! The Not Television Festival launches this Friday at Chelsea Theatre and I couldn’t be more excited about the line-up, which draws on the worlds of comedy, music, theatre and visual art as well as cabaret – not to mention a tea dance. Each show should be a treat in itself but the idea is that you can experience a whole day – even a whole weekend – of delightfully daring fun. It’s also the perfect way to decompress from, or catch up on, the Edinburgh Fringe, with lots of acts fresh down from the fest.

Here’s a bit more info on what to expect:

FRIDAY NIGHT is a comic double-act of the devilish and divine: first, Australian comedian Josh Ladgrove mounts his cross, giving you the chance to Come Heckle Christ in an anything-goes audience with the almighty; then Red Bastard defies you to stare him down and, more importantly, look inside yourself.

SATURDAY is when music comes to the fore. The theatre’s afternoon open-air tea dance (hope for sun!) segues perfectly into Mister Meredith’s Knees-Up round the old Joanna, plus some improv art from Drawabout. See a whole new side of tranny superstar Jonny Woo when he picks up a script he’s never clapped eyes on for experimental theatre piece White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, then join the Creative Martyrs as, cello and cymbals in hand, they recover from the apocalypse. Tricity Vogue drags us into a delectable den of ukulele love before Tomás Ford brings things to a climax with his euphorically invigorating, only slightly terrifying electric cabaret.

SUNDAY is all about the unknown pleasures of unpredictable exchanges. The Sunday Assembly will deliver the joys of church without the drawbacks of religion while, at the piano, musical maestro Michael Roulston invites you aboard uncharted flights of melodic fancy, and Drawabout create more improv art. Lady Rizo takes her turn picking up the unseen script of White Rabbit, Red Rabbit to transport us who knows where. Finally, fingers on buzzers as Miss Behave rounds off the weekend with her deliriously daft, slightly satirical game show.

All this plus food, drink and the Anxiety Box!

The full details can be found at the Festival’s Facebook event page or via the Chelsea Theatre website.

I’ve also been spreading the word about the Festival and the thinking behind it, including an interview with To Do List and a Q&A for London Calling. There’s also been a nice preview at This Is Cabaret.

So that’s about it for now – hope it’s of interest and maybe to see you down there. Step away from the remote control…