The lower hold, where precious cargoes of tea and wool were stacked over a century ago on Cutty Sark’s famous voyages, now features a studio theatre.
During the daytime, the hold contains displays of tea chests and other artefacts relating to the ship’s extraordinary history. In the evening, the central section is transformed into an eclectic 92-seat studio theatre, which provides the perfect platform for cabaret, comedy, music, special lectures and small scale-drama.
Following a hugely successful launch in February 2014, the Michael Edwards Studio Theatre will once again welcome renowned performers and personalities, whilst also nurturing the talent of the local area for its new season of autumn events.
“The opening fortnight was a huge success with every show a complete sell-out” says Yvette Griffith, Cutty Sark Studio Theatre programmer.
“We’re really excited to welcome another host of famous performers and fresh talent to the ship for the new season, and further developing the Cutty Sark’s reputation as a unique arts venue as well as a renowned historic landmark.”
The autumn season of the Michael Edwards Studio Theatre will be marked by a series of special performances:
DIANA RIGG
No Turn Unstoned
Diana Rigg brings her bestselling book No Turn Unstoned to the Cutty Sark stage. Expect a scholarly, insightful and hugely entertaining reflection on the worst theatrical reviews in history and a celebration of the actors who survived them, together with anecdotes of life in the theatre. Dame Diana’s career is legendary, and has encompassed stage and film, including Game of Thrones, The Avengers and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
The performance will be followed by a Q&A session.
Friday 17 October
£20 adults, £10 under 18s and students
NICHOLAS PARSONS
Just a laugh a minute
Nicholas Parsons takes us on a humorous and nostalgic journey through the memorabilia of his eventful life. He highlights the many events that have shaped his career, from his early struggles to enter the unpredictable world of show business and his many professional achievements over the years, leading up to the position he now commands. As a mimic and impressionist he not only recalls the events, he recreates them with vivid and amusing impersonations of the personalities involved. His comic timing and skilled professionalism create a cast of characters that make this an evening of comedy like no other.
Saturday 18 October
£20
ANDY KERSHAW
The Adventures of Andy Kershaw
An evening with well-known broadcaster and foreign correspondent Andy Kershaw, whose one-man show has become a hugely successful highlight of many literary festivals, including a sold-out appearance at Hay-on-Wye. Fascinating and often hilarious, his audio-visual presentation treats the audience to recollections from a life spent on the front lines of rock-and-roll and some of the world’s most extreme and dangerous countries.
“The finest British broadcaster bar none” Stephen Fry
“A national treasure and born again Hero” Daily Telegraph
Sunday 19 October
£15
CHARLIE CONNELLY
Attention All Shipping
Celebrating the 90th birthday of the lilting, rhythmic daily litany of the shipping forecast, bestselling writer and award-winning broadcaster Charlie Connelly, author of Attention All Shipping: a Journey Round the Shipping Forecast, takes us on a voyage through its extraordinary history and his own fascinating and hilarious tour of the famous sea areas. From guiding us through the geniuses, dreamers, crackpots and charlatans that made the forecast possible, to bringing to life the people and places behind the mysterious names from North Utsire to Lundy, Rockall to German Bight, Greenwich native Connelly promises an evening of celebration, laughter and terrific stories.
“A very funny man” Irish Times
“Wonderfully eccentric” The Observer
Sunday 26 October
£15
ANNA NOAKES & GABRIELLA DALL O’LIO
Toward the Sea: a Flute and Harp Extravaganza
Two internationally acclaimed virtuosi take us on a breath-taking musical journey, reflecting the world-wide journeys of Cutty Sark in her hey days. Both professors at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Anna Noakes and Gabriella Dall’Olio have been partners since the dawn of the new millennium. Their music is infectious and exhilarating, rich and full-blooded, passionate and ethereal; a combination of glamour and glorious sounds.
Saturday 1 November
£15
QUINCY & DANE BAPTISTE
Black to Black
East London Cockney prince Quincy delivers musings on the world at large, plus sharp-witted pearls of wisdom and observations about life as a single parent, influenced by his own upbringing. He teams up with comedy buddy, Dane Baptiste, who joins the show fresh from his Edinburgh success Citizen Dane. A son of Caribbean immigrants, Dane had a lifetime trying to find a place in society amongst gangs, grammar-schooling and strict parenting. In his anticipated debut hour, this original and provocative rising star asks: is there a place for Citizen Dane? Expect razor-sharp rants and slick musings.
About Quincy: “Expertly combining comedy with emotional insight” Chortle
About Dane Baptiste: “A unique and engaging comic voice that has the potential to go very far indeed” ComedyBlogedy.com
Sunday 2 November
£18
16+
JASON YARDE
Blue Box Diaries
Composer, arranger, producer, musical director and saxophonist Jason Yarde writes music that has been described as powerful, spiritual, evocative, rhapsodic, hair-raising and formidable. In this soundscape project he produces all sound sources live on stage, through saxophones, voice and other found sounds. Through a small arsenal of stage pedals, he continues to take the sounds to another level, creating mind-blowing compositions by adding delays, loopers, harmonizers and tone crunchers. Multi-layered, lyrical, abstract and rhythmical; Jason makes the saxophone sound like anything but…
“Yarde is at the forefront of his generation in the UK.” The Arts Desk
“While he’s now feted primarily as a composer, his sax improvising has quietly blossomed to world class.” The Guardian
Saturday 8 November
£15
MATTHEW STIRLING
Teasing the Mind
Dubbed ‘the mentalist show that will drive you mental’, this performance combines elements of mentalism and movie-related mind bending tricks. Matthew Stirling is currently the only professional magician and hypnotist-mentalist stuntman in the UK. His credits include Harry Potter, World War Z, Fast & Furious 6, Safehouse, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.
“Einstein said the greatest thing in the Universe is the mysteries and for me Mathew Stirling’s magic embraces that vision.” Brian Blessed
Sunday 9 November – SOLD OUT
Monday 10 November – Second show added due to popular demand
£25
18+
Coming up in 2015
HIL ST SOUL UNPLUGGED
Hil St Soul brings a Valentine’s special to the Cutty Sark stage, performing memorable classics and covers including Smile, Pieces and Until You Come Back to Me. All songs are performed live and unplugged. Book now and surprise your Valentine with a unique, romantic night out in the intimate setting of the ship!
Saturday 14 February
£20
For full programme details visit rmg.co.uk/cuttysark/studio-theatre
Online bookings: rmg.co.uk/tickets
Telephone bookings: 020 8312 6608
Tickets admit entrance to the dock and lower hold only
The Even Keel Bar situated beneath the ship will be open pre-show from 6.45pm and during the interval, and will serve drinks and light snacks and refreshments.
All performances start at 7.45pm.