DRUNKEN NIGHTS, Live Performance Events for Pubs, to Return to London, Nov 2013

A series of live events created specifically for pubs - will return to London later this month. Contemporary performance company Drunken Chorus will produce a second season of live events, building on the resounding success of their first year, which showcased the work of 18 early career artists. The project is no ordinary season of events - with all of the performances created specifically for the main bar spaces of London pubs.

Says Chris Williams, Artistic Director of Drunken Chorus: 'We're delighted to be bringing the project back for a second season of events. This year we have new pubs, a new line-up of exciting artists and even a DRUNKEN NIGHTS beer.'

The company have selected 16 artists / companies, from an open call for proposals. The work to be shown comes from a range of artistic disciplines, including theatre, dance, comedy and spoken word. Between November 2013 until February 2014, four events will take place at The Oval Tavern (Croydon) and The Bell (Middlesex Street, Whitechapel).

Events at the two pubs in November and December will feature short performances under 10 minutes in length, which are all in the Early Stages of development. Performances include an interactive karaoke of lies, 3 dance performances, pub games for the twitter generation, an alternative guide to the local area and a drunken mime. Just like last year, it promises to be an eclectic, entertaining and thought-provoking evening. The first event in Croydon will also feature a performance by Club Soda, a group of local artists with learning disabilities.

Three of the artists from the initial two events will be selected to receive development support throughout January and February, with residencies at Rich Mix in BethnAl Green and Matthew's Yard in Croydon. They will also receive a small budget, production support from Drunken Chorus and mentoring sessions with established artists, David Rosenberg (Shunt, Motor Show, Ring), Karen Christopher (Goat Island) and Julian Maynard-Smith (Station House Opera). Their work will then be shown as a work-in-progress at Matthew's Yard and in Rich Mix's main bar space, followed by finished triple-bill performances at The Oval in Croydon (15 February 2014) and The Bell in Whitechapel (22 February 2014).

Last year, DRUNKEN NIGHTS also went on to take place at the Accidental Festival in Camden, as well as Freedom Festival in Hull. The company are planning to develop the project even further over the coming years. Says Sheena Holliday, Co-Director of Drunken Chorus: 'What makes this project unique is that the performances take place in public bar areas - rather than separate rooms or upstairs theatres. The events are free and anyone can turn up, so we reach unsuspecting drinkers and passers by. We love the risky nature of this, and the spark that the pub environment adds to each performance.'

Events this year will be compered by Roxy Bourdillon, and each pub will be serving a special DRUNKEN NIGHTS Ale, which has been brewed in collaboration with Late Knights Brewery in South London.
The project is being produced by Chris Williams and Sheena Holliday. Chris is the Artistic Director of Drunken Chorus and has created several successful works, event and projects with the company. He has worked as a freelance artist with Forced Entertainment and Kings of England.

Sheena is a filmmaker, writer and community artist. She is one half of Crestfallen Productions, who have made four short films so far and are in pre-production on new short film The Ditch and their first feature film. Past films have toured extensively on the festival circuit, with Roseberry Road now being submitted to festivals worldwide.
For the full line-up as well as updates on the project visit http://www.drunkennightsblog.wordpress.com/ or www.facebook.com/DrunkenChorus.

Short performances (under-ten-minutes):
Saturday 30 November 2013, 7.30pm: The Oval Tavern (Croydon, CR0 6BR)
Saturday 14 December 2013, 7.30pm: The Bell (E1 7EX)

Final Triple-Bill
Saturday 15 February 2014, 7.30pm: The Oval Tavern (Croydon, CR0 6BR)
Saturday 22 February 2014, 7.30pm: The Bell (E1 7EX)

Entry is free and no ticket is required.

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