THEATRE: La Maupin
Described as ‘Marie Antoinette meets the Pogues’, La Maupin is a new musical play about “queer historical female badass” Julie d’Aubigny, a 17th century bisexual French opera singer and sword fighter. A folk punk piece, it has a cast of five female and non-binary actor-musicians.
“The story of La Maupin, like so many other women from history, has been all but erased,” says writer Olivia Thompson. “Our theatre company Fantastic Garlands wants to change that. As a gay woman I especially feel that a queer female from history should have her story told: she is someone I would have loved to have learnt about at school.”
And both Thomson and co-artistic director Suzy Catliff have strong roots in the area. “In fact, my paternal grandmother was brought up a few streets away from the theatre in Charlton Kings Road,” she says, “and would later work at the Black Cat Factory in Camden, so I in particular have a very pull to this part of London.” La Maupin runs November 22nd-December 3rd, 42-44 Gaisford Street, NW5 2ED, Performances 7.30pm Tuesday-Saturday, tickets here.
ART: LuYang NetiNeti at Zabludowicz Collection
Last Sunday we visited the new and much-raved-about new solo exhibition by the highly acclaimed Chinese multi-media artist LuYang. The exhibition features the world premiere of their new commission, alongside multiple immersive moving image installations, an interactive arcade gaming space – if you have teens they’ll love this, see main image above – and a screening room presenting the ‘greatest hits’ of the artist’s videos from across the last decade.
In short, it’s mesmerizing and provocative in equal measures. And as usual, the unique former Methodist Chapel itself is always such an atmospheric backdrop to any exhibition.
We also enjoyed Rebecca Parkin’s depictions of women – seen throughout art history, film and popular culture – as possessed, witch-like beings, in the smaller Invites room (ends Dec 18th). NetiNeti is in the main room until February 12th 2023, open Thursday – Sunday, 12-6pm (or by appointment), free entry and no booking required. Zabludowicz Collection, 176 Prince of Wales Road, London NW5 3PT
AND FINALLY…Xmas Lights!
Don’t forget the Kentish Town Road Festive Lights Switch-on, next Saturday Nov 26th, 430pm, with live acts at the Canopy, an Xmas market at the library, discounts at participating stores and more live music at the Lady Hamilton pub too.
Main image: LuYang NetiNeti at Zabludowicz Collection. Installation View. Photo David Bebber
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