PRESS RELEASE– 15 October 2024
Theatre pop-up brings puppets, bands, and performers to Hampstead Heath
- Free event – 19 October, 2pm – 5pm, Lido Cafe, Parliament Hill Fields
- Performances from Edinburgh Fringe 2024 sell-out performers
- Live bands, karaoke and display by Guinness world record “butt hooper”
- Art exhibition opening & craft-making for children
- Dog show, magic show and much more…
Musicians, performers, poets, magicians and puppets will take to an impromptu indoor and outdoor stages at London’s smallest theatre this Saturday.
The Glade Theatre, a pop-up theatre concept will create a performance space at the Lido cafe this Saturday with a line up of live music and an eclectic range of acts, supplemented by performances by members of the public.
The programme includes two puppet shows fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, a shadow puppet performance as well as bands and musicians, a dog show and a display by Andrea HulaMyHoop who holds the Guinness world record for “butt hooping”. An art exhibition will be held in the cafe and an art-making area will include paints, puppet-making and a “clay ground”. An exhibition – Upwelling – featuring the work of Sophia Marinkov Jones will also be unveiled in the cafe.
“We are proud help bring arts to the heart of our community. Every month we give a wall of the cafe to a different artist to display their work and have exhibited more than 50 over the years,” said the Lido café’s Emma Ferandez.
“We are also always happy to host the Glade Theatre which, this Saturday, promises an eclectic line up of performers, as well as “open mic” type performance space where anyone and everyone is free to step up and perform.”
Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, world-renown puppeteer Mark Down will perform his show “What to do in a Puppet Emergency” and The Horgles (Kyle Moss and Kelby Guilfoyle) will introduce a colourful cast of comical characters.
Artist and shadow puppeteer Sophie Jones led classes in puppet making and will perform “The Tadpole and the Plankton”, a shadow puppet show created a performed with a large cast of children.
The Glade Theatre puppets will roll out the old favourite “Lazy Masie” as well as a brand new adaptation of “I’m Running Out of Patience with my Neighbours” by Monty Python, the late Terry Jones.
Up-and-coming three-piece band, Jay and the Lost Arts, will perform a stonking set and other musicians are expected together with some sing-along karaoke.
A dog show will welcome dogs of all shapes and sizes and an art corner will offer paints, puppet making and a clay ground for children.
Locals and passers-by will be invited to put their names down to do a turn and take a bow. The newly formed Lido Players will perform “Conversations in the Sauna”.
“The Glade Theatre began during lockdown as a much-needed outdoor performance space where people of all ages could gather for doses socially-distanced culture,” said Glade Theatre founder, Stefan Simanowitz.
“This costless way of bringing live arts to the heart of communities has survived and grown beyond the pandemic and we encourage anyone to set up a Glade Theatre wherever they are.”
For more information contact 07799650791
ABOUT THE GLADE THEATRE
“Incredibly, the Glade Theatre is the brainchild of a 3-year-old child,” Stefan Simanowitz explains. “In 2021, I was on Hampstead Heath with my godson when we were caught in rain shower. We took shelter beneath a glade of trees and to the pass the time, I did a rendition of Singing in the Rain while my godson sat on a bench. When I’d finished, he got up, took my hand, sat me on the bench and performed a song of his own. That moment planted the seed of the idea.”
Rather than being a physical theatre company, The Glade Theatre is instead an idea. It attempts to demonstrate that – with a little bit of imagination – anywhere can become a performance space and it aims to encourages people to overcome their inhibitions take to a makeshift stage.
The concept is intended to spread and encourages anyone to create theatres in parks and playgrounds and gardens the world over. Anyone can set up a Glade Theatre where they are by making their own sign or requesting a free banner. Visit www.gladethreatre.com
Press release –19 July 2022
Children replace dogs to salvage London dog show cancelled by heatwave
Disappointed dog-lovers who turned up to Hampstead Heath on Sunday only to find the annual dog show had been cancelled due to the heatwave, were treated to an impromptu dog show where the canines were replaced by children.
The hastily organised “dog show” took place at the Glade Theatre that was hosting an all-day pop-up performance space beneath a glade of trees beside the lido.
“It became apparent that a number of people in our audience had come to the Heath to see the dog show so we decided to put on a dog show of our own,” said Glade Theatre founder, Stefan Simanowitz.
“Several children volunteered to be dogs and they were put through the paces by other audience members who agreed to be part of a panel of judges.”
The “Best in Breed” trophy went to a Dalmation called Spotty (played by 5-year-old birthday-girl Eloise). The “Dog with the Waggiest Tail” prize went to a Cocker Spaniel called Ziggy (played by 6-year-old Daniel).
Mango – a Labaradoodle and the old real dog taking part in the show – came third.
The Glade Theatre, launched on Hampstead Heath in the wake of COVID lockdown, is performance concept that allows anyone – musicians, actors, poets, magicians, puppeteers etc – to take to the stage.
A costless way of bringing live arts to the heart of communities, all it involves is hanging a fabric theatre and a canvas banner from a tree and inviting passers-by to take part. The public are also encouraged to set up Glade Theatres in public spaces wherever they are. Organisers will provide people with banners and theatres.
As well as popping-up in parks and public spaces around London, the Glade Theatre travelled to Glasgow for the COP26 Climate Summit to provide pop-up performance spaces across the city. For two months earlier this year, the Glade took up residence inside the Fambula Bar in Belsize Park Town Hall. This weekend it also popped up at Swains Wine Bar in Dartmouth Park.
“As lockdown began to lift, we hung a large ‘Glade Theatre’ sign from a tree and the space beneath was transformed – as if by magic – into a theatre. It provided a much-needed outdoor space where people of all ages could gather for doses socially-distanced culture. And the concept has grown,” said Stefan Simanowitz
“A performance space like an ‘open mic night’ without the mic, the Glade Theatre is a simple way to bring performance, creativity and play to heart of any community.”
THE STORY BEHIND THE GLADE THEATRE
Incredibly, the Glade Theatre is the brainchild of a 3-year-old child.
In 2021, Stefan Simanowitz was with his young godson on Hampstead Heath when they were caught in shower. They took shelter beneath a glade of trees and to the pass the time, Stefan did a rendition of Singing in the Rain while his godson sat on a bench.
“When I’d finished, my godson got up, took my hand and made me swap places with him, sitting me down on the bench. He then performed his own song. That moment planted the seed of the idea for the Glade Theatre.”
Over the summer, the Glade Theatre returned regularly to this spot on & to other leafy glades around London, enlisting the participation of passers-by and friends or just be part of the audience.
To set up a Glade theatre, anyone can make their own banner or order one for just £30 (+P&P). The fabric theatres are also available at cost price.
For more information or to book a place at the drinks launch contact 07799 650791 or visit www.gladetheatre.com
X (formerly Twitter)@GladeTheatre / INSTAGRAM – @thegladetheatre
To order a 3m x 2m banner (£30+ P&P) contact alan@adelphicgraphics.com
Watch video about the #GladeTheatre herehttps://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1434927405429309441
London’s smallest theatre launches with performers, puppets and celebrity guests
Musicians, actors, poets, magicians and puppets – including some famous faces – will take to an impromptu stage at London’s newest and smallest theatre on Saturday, 16 July.
The Glade Theatre, a pop-up theatre concept which launched on Hampstead Heath in the wake of COVID lockdown, is returning to its roots with a new outdoor space outside Swains Wine Bar.
Behind a velvet-curtained doorway, benches, cushions and child-size armchairs will provide seating for an audience of up to 25 people of all ages. With only a handful of acts booked, the programme will rely on audience to get involved.
“As lockdown began to lift, we hung a Glade Theatre banner on a tree and the space beneath was transformed – as if by magic – into a theatre. It provided a much-needed outdoor space where people of all ages could gather for doses socially-distanced culture. The idea caught on and has grown,” said Glade Theatre founder, Stefan Simanowitz.
Stefan Simanowitz
In addition to a large canvas banner, the Glade Theatre consists of a delicate 10ft x 8ft fabric stage and blackboard listing upcoming performers that anyone can add their name to.
As well as popping-up in parks and public spaces around London, the Glade Theatre travelled to Glasgow for the COP26 Climate Summit and had a two-month indoor residence at Fambula Bar in Belsize Park Town Hall.
A costless way of bringing live arts to the heart of communities, organisers encourage anyone to set up a Glade Theatre wherever they and provide the materials to do so.
“The Glade theatre is a performance space like an ‘open mic night’ without the mic. It aims to encourage locals step up and recite a poem or perform a party piece,” said Victoria Sharples, Founder of Swains Wine Bar & Store and local resident.
Victoria Sharples
“When we heard about the Glade Theatre, we felt that our leafy courtyard would make a magical space to bring the arts to the heart of our community.”
THE STORY BEHIND THE GLADE
Incredibly, the Glade Theatre is the brainchild of a 3-year-old child.
In 2021, Stefan Simanowitz was with his young godson on Hampstead Heath when they were caught in shower. They took shelter beneath a glade of trees and to the pass the time, Stefan did a rendition of Singing in the Rain in the rain while his godson sat on a bench.
“When I’d finished, my godson made me swap places with him, sitting me down on the bench whilst he performed his own song. That magical moment planted the seed of the idea.”
Over the summer, the Glade Theatre returned regularly to this spot on & to other leafy glades around London, enlisting the participation of passers-by and friends or just be part of the audience.
To set up a Glade theatre, anyone can make their own banner or order one for just £30 (+P&P). The fabric theatres are also available at cost price.
EVENT: The Glade Theatre VIP/Press
Swains Wine Bar & Store – 16 July 2pm – 3pm. Performances 3pm – 6pm NW5 1QX https://www.swains.london/
- For more information or to book a place at the drinks launch contact 07799 650791 or visit www.gladetheatre.com
X (formerly Twitter) @GladeTheatre / INSTAGRAM – @thegladetheatre
To order a 3m x 2m banner (£30+ P&P) contact alan@adelphicgraphics.com
Watch video about the #GladeTheatre herehttps://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1434927405429309441