• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Ed Fringe

The Spinning Wheel ready for its UK Circuit

May 4, 2016 by Tom Bailey Leave a Comment

Following performances in Brooklyn, NYC, theatre makers Baba Israel, Leo Kay and YAKO 440 return to the UK with The Spinning Wheel, their multi-media performance exploring the vibrant life of Baba’s father Steve Ben Israel; the New York-based poet, jazz musician, countercultural activist, stand-up comedian and core member of the iconic performance collective The Living Theatre.

Directed by interdisciplinary artist Leo Kay, The Spinning Wheel seamlessly blends the talents of a host of internationally renowned artists, in an innovative collaboration across spoken word, music, live art and animation. Striking imagery from award-winning artist Eric Drooker, whose artwork has featured frequently on the cover of The New Yorker, features alongside original music composed by Hip Hop artist YAKO 440 and experimental visuals from Albino Mosquito’s Richard Ramchurn.

RxqbbetoYGT6zn2fPy7HoHE7ZBhc8k90asiAYORcC1I

From the politically charged, hopeful energy of the 60s revolution to the social media storm of 21st Century’s #BlackLivesMatter, The Spinning Wheel reflects on how political movements of the past have morphed into today’s grass roots political activism. Drawn from steve ben’s extensive creative archive, conversations with his collaborators and research into his favourite haunts, the work explores the resonance of his unique generosity in art, life and pacifist, anarchist politics.

Director Leo Kay said “We are living in a time when politics and art feel more connected than they have done since the 80s. The project takes inspiration from the anarchist/pacifist expression of a generation emerging into the late 50s and 60s rebellion, manifest in the anti-war, civil rights and feminist movements.  It reflects on how these ideals are present within contemporary political actions and how we can remember and honour their hugely significant impact. The Spinning Wheel is a celebration of generosity, community and compassion and is a call to arms, a call to reactivate our fighting spirit, and also a conversation between father and son. With baba’s grieving process, and him being a father himself, we wanted to use that conversation to continue steve ben’s onstage performance legacy. Working with Baba, Richard Ramchurn and YAKA 440 allowed us to do this across many disciplines – I love musicality within performance, so that was a joy. Since the original run, the visuals have been elevated; we’ve integrated animation using project mapping and blended this with steve ben’s archive material”.

You can find out more at www.thisisunfinished.com

 

Tom Bailey

Author: Tom Bailey

Tom is a theatre maker and writer based in London, England. He covers news and interviews for Theatre Bubble.
T: Twitter F: Facebook

Filed Under: Featured, News Tagged With: Baba Israel, Leo Kay, New York, The Spinning Wheel

Join the discussion Cancel reply

NEWS / Concert opportunity for musical theatre performers

A series of three concerts featuring musical theatre and drama graduates will be streamed from London’s Cadogan Hall in March. [Read More]

News / By The Waters Of Liverpool Announces UK Tour Dates

 THE HELEN FORRESTER PLAY BASED ON THE BEST-SELLING BOOK WILL RUN FROM SEPTEMBER 2021 VISITING SEVENTEEN VENUES ACROSS THE UK  [Read More]

Review / Jack and the beanstalk @ Belgrade Theatre

Driven by the creative team behind CheekyMonkey productions, Iain Lauchlan and Wll…. have once again pulled off a successful pantomime [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Persis Jadé talks Project Perfect Stranger & PlagueRound

Writer and director of Project Perfect Stranger and PlagueRound Persis Jadé Maravala tells us about the projects and what ZU-UK have [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Louise Blackwell on the Right Here Festival

Louise Blackwell tells us all about the Right Here festival, a festival celebrating the creativity of Crawley, running online on [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • Jane Eyre at the National Theatre
  • How BA World Performance and The Ghosts of Kantan awakened me to the future of theatre- by John James
  • Stuart Slade - Writer of BU21
  • Actor's Corner: Keeping Curious with Jamie Baughan
  • Concert opportunity for musical theatre performers
  • The Role of Stage Manager in a Devising Company
  • Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels announced
  • Tom Bailey

    Tom Bailey
    Editor

  • May 4th, 2016
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Blue Pie Media

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!