What’s on
The Gathering - Festival of the Dead
The Gathering - Festival of the Dead - The Unquiet Grave
5:00-6:00 FAMILY SILENT DISCO Kid-friendly tracks £5pp
6:00-7:30 WE GATHER Fire, Drums, Clog Dancing, Sing Out Streatham and Simon the Fire Breather.
ALL FREE!
Proper food from Richard of Richard’s Kitchen and a bar in the Pavilion
7:30-9:00 Dance in the Dark SILENT DISCO
Groove to Disco, Northern Soul, Funk tracks. £10 pp
Family Silent Disco
As part of the amazing FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD….
FAMILY SILENT DISCO!
Tickets £5 per person - in advance to guarantee you spot - or on the door.
Dance the whole family silly round the Woodfield - music will be suitable for a younger audience.
Finishes in time for the amazing GATHERING!!!
Silent Disco
As part of the Woodfield’s FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD…
The real SILENT DISCO…
TUNES FOR EVERY TASTE… A CHANCE TO DANCE YOURSELF SILLY WHEN NO ONE CAN SEE YOU!!
Party in the Park!! Get Funky in a Field! Disco in the Dark!!
Tickets £10 per person - Book in advance to guarantee your spot, or pay on the Door.
Bar and Food available.
This is a NO HEELS dance - come and wiggle in your wellies!!!
Boogie in your BOOTS!!!
The Unquiet Grave - Festival of the Dead
The Unquiet Grave - Festival of the Dead
‘Stories from the Other Side’
Halloween stories told by internationally acclaimed Kate Corkery and Nell Phoenix.
Come in costume.
Food & Drink on the night
With the End in Mind - Festival of the Dead
With the End in Mind
Festival of the Dead - The Unquiet Grave
Join us and Friends of Streatham Cemetery (Garrett Lane) to remember our own dear departed with craft, stories, and music by Wandle Delta String Band.
4:00-8:00pm FREE Suitable for all ages.
"Lear's Shadow" - by Colin Hurley
Lear’s Shadow
Devised and Performed By Colin Hurley
SPOILER ALERT: At the end of Shakespeare’s play Lear dies.
What I’m wondering is: what happens then? Come on, we all wonder that, sometimes, don’t we? What happens after you die? Well, that’s where this show starts.
A man in a dressing gown shuffles in, carrying a box. From the box he pulls the objects, people, quarrels, wrongs, jokes, mistakes, laughter and regrets that add up to a life. Over the next seventy minutes he retreads the path that brought him here, to This Great Stage of Fools: the loss of his daughters, the loss of his knights, the loss of his fool, the loss of his wits... oh, and the storm. Don't forget the storm. When The Rain Came.
Using only Shakespeare's words (reordered, repurposed, and often repeated) Lear's Shadow is a mischievous, engaging reflection on Shakespeare's great domestic tragedy.
Content Warning: this piece contains vivid depictions of Very Poor Parenting.
Colin Hurley has been acting for fifty years. Mostly in plays by dead people!
Works include: Royal National Theatre (Lear, Richard III) - The Globe - Including Twelfth Night in the West End and on Broadway as Sir Toby Belch. Royal Shakespeare Company - most recently as Brabantio in Othello. Film and TV work. Classical Acting lecturer at LAMDA.
Shakespeare Storytelling Workshop
Shakespeare Storytelling Workshop
COLIN HURLEY intro to workshop
Shakespeare and Storytelling workshop
Story telling. That’s words, right? How do we share those words with other people?
Most of Shakespeare’s words are in plays, to be heard, rather than read, so I’d say they were meant to fit into your ears, rather than your eyes
That’s where the performer comes in.
I’ve been teaching and leading workshops for twenty five years, at Shakespeare’s Globe (from 6yr olds to university students, and teaching teachers in Europe, China, America) and more recently at Rose Bruford and LAMDA (the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).
This, my favourite workshop, will spend time raising our awareness of the non-verbal communication that supports the words. We will play games (or call them exercises if you want to be all serious about it) exploring circles of concentration, eye-contact, proximity and taking the time to notice the space we’re in, walk the angles, and play the space we’re in.
It’s just stuff we do instinctively in real life, but if we heighten our awareness of these aspects of non-verbal communication, we can become much more effective communicators, more skillful players, in life and in performance.
Yes, of course we start with the words, but those black squiggles on the white paper? They are not Hamlet, Macbeth, Lear. They’re the blueprint. They’re just the starting point.
The play’s the thing. So let’s play! (absolutely no experience of acting or performing is required to enjoy this workshop. The tone will be gentle and twinkly, encouraging curiosity and laughter.
Gently and playfully, let’s just notice the space we’re in, and the implications of proximity, eye-contact, discovering what a scene could be rather than deciding what it is. Balancing the ‘table work with ‘walking the angles’.
We will be on our feet a lot of the time, but nothing risky or too energetic. There will be time for discussion, but it will be specifically reflecting on our experience and discoveries while playing on our feet, rather than general theorizing. I am always aware that to stand up at all in front of others is an act of courage. Let’s see if together we can find our way to dare to play.
We start at 10am, but doors open at 9:30 so there’s a chance to grab a cuppa (not included, but the coffee is good!) and a chat.
My priorities are enabling actors to work out a space together, to spend more time on ‘receive’ rather than ‘transmit’, balancing the fixed points (the words, the verse) with the fluid (we don’t plan any staging beforehand). Over the years I’ve watched my Factory Friends make well-known scenes from well-known plays seem like improvisations. That’s the Magic and Mystery I’d like to explore.
I’ve been a professional actor since 1981, mostly theatre, lots and lots of Shakepeare, most recently with Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and The Factory Theatre Company, who meet most weeks to explore our craft together, and who specialize in pop-up, stripped–back performances of Shakespeare’s plays in conventional or unconventional playing spaces.
Classical Quartet open rehersal
The Millbank Quartet - open rehersal
The Millbank Quartet, based in London, is made up of violinists Anna Mitchell and Andrew Taheny, violist Melissa Doody, and cellist Hannah Scarborough. The quartet met as members of the Southbank Sinfonia and have been working together since; playing concerts in and around London in venues such as Smith Square Hall, St Peter’s Belsize Park, and the Anghiari Festival.
This will be their final rehearsal for an upcoming concert on 23rd November (details of which they will share soon) at which they’ll be playing Dvorak’s ‘American’ String Quartet No. 12, Mozart’s String Quartet No. 11, and Jessie Montgomery’s ‘Strum.’
As this is an Open Rehersal, you are welcome to enjoy the music and be able to arrive or leave within the performance. We would appreciate a donation towards the quartet and the Woodfield - Suggested Donation £5.00 - and for that you’ll get a chair to be able to stay for the whole show or as long as you’d like.
South London Storytelling - CLUB NIGHT!
South London Storytelling presents….
CLUB NIGHT!
Upper Hall - Stair access.
Please come and tell a story or just come to listen.
You can come and tell any story even one you have told here before.
Free Film Night - The Elephant Man
Brought to you by the fabulous STREATHAM FREE FILM FESTIVAL
The Elephant Man
Main Hall - Step Free Access.
Doors (and Bar) opens at 7pm. Film starts at 7:30pm
First Come - First Seated. No Booking
David Lynch's beautiful and remarkable monochrome study of John Merrick.
John Merrick - John Hurt
Frederick Treves - Anthony Hopkins
Mrs Kendal - Anne Bancroft
Carr Gomm - John Gielgud
Mrs Mothershead - Wendy Hiller
Written by Lynch, Christopher de Vore and Eric Bergren, The Elephant Man is chiefly a tale of an affliction borne, and of the growth of the sentimental – yet nevertheless moving – friendship between Merrick and Treves. The Elephant Man continues to resonate today due to its exploration of themes like otherness, acceptance, and the societal gaze. While the film critiques Victorian society's treatment of John Merrick, it also prompts reflection on how we perceive and treat those who are different in our own time.
Takings from the bar and snack sales go to support the Woodfield Pavilion.
Cello recital - Hannah Scarborough
Cello Recital - with Hannah Scarborough
An afternoon Cello Recital at the Woodfield Pavilion - with Hannah Scarborough
A wonderful mix of Classical pieces and folk tunes which Hannah has developed from her global travels.
Hannah's wonderful collection is also brought to life by interacting with her audience, explaining details about the music and the journey the tunes have been on.
Woodfield Pavilion. Thursday 31st July. 4pm to 5:30pm
Hannah Scarborough, born and raised in northern California, is a London-based freelance cellist whose work ranges from orchestral playing and opera pit playing to a variety of chamber music. She earned her Masters in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where she was teaching assistant to Prof. Steven Doane, and her Bachelors of Music from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in 2020.
Following her conservatory training, Hannah moved to London to be a part of orchestral fellowship Southbank Sinfonia from 2023-2024. She has since been working as a part of ensembles such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, and Glyndebourne Sinfonia.
She enjoys teaching cello lessons privately and at a music school, and is looking forward to organizing more of her own chamber music projects in 2025.
South London Storytelling Club
“FAMILY”
All stories welcome on the theme of ‘Family’ - or if you like, just come to listen.
BYO drinks and we’ll provide the snacks. Tickets £5 on the door covers room hire.
Look forward to seeing you there!
For further information email HERE
Free cello recital - Hannah Scarborough
Open Rehearsal - with Hannah Scarborough
Hannah Scarborough, born and raised in northern California, is a London-based freelance cellist whose work ranges from orchestral playing and opera pit playing to a variety of chamber music. She earned her Masters in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where she was teaching assistant to Prof. Steven Doane, and her Bachelors of Music from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in 2020.
Following her conservatory training, Hannah moved to London to be a part of orchestral fellowship Southbank Sinfonia from 2023-2024. She has since been working as a part of ensembles such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, and Glyndebourne Sinfonia.
She enjoys teaching cello lessons privately and at a music school, and is looking forward to organizing more of her own chamber music projects in 2025.
This is a free open rehearsal - all welcome to come and listen.
Comedy Night at the Woodfield
COMEDY NIGHT AT THE WOODFIELD
As part of the 2025 Wandsworth Arts Festival, join us at The Woodfield Pavilion for two great shows for the price of one!
First, New York City Comedian, Bryan Stoops, presents Celebrity Girlfriend Draft, a clean hour of stand-up that has been seen at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Leicester Comedy Festival and The Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The show is a love letter to Bryan's wife and kids wrapped up in a beautiful bow of observational comedy and obscure movie references.
Second, someone has dropped an atom bomb on Copenhagen. With all-out war looming, an underqualified junior staffer in the British government must somehow stimulate a response from his idiotic superiors. There is just one thing standing in his way: Microsoft Teams. It's Operation Blank, written and performed by George Grant.
As part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe - the Woodfield Pavilion is delighted to host a double-bill comedy evening.
Two laughs are cheaper than one! - get cashback if you book both!!
BRYAN STOOPS - https://bryan-k-stoops.mykajabi.com/bryan-stoops-comedy-homepage
GEORGE GRANT - https://ggwellplayed.co.uk/
BRYAN STOOPS
"I grew up in the eastern Los Angeles County suburbs. I was actually a magician from the ages of seven to twenty-four. I was fairly successful. I earned a Bachelors in theatre. There were some twists and turns and I became an educator (yes, I know in the UK, the phrase "American Educator" is an oxymoron).
I got married and had some kids. When I turned forty, I handled it really well; I didn't overreact at all. I just took my wife and kids and moved them from southern California, where we had spent our entire lives, and moved them to the New York City area. I started going stand-up a few years after moving to NYC.
After six years of living in the East and twenty years of being an educator, I needed a change. In August of 2024, I moved to Portsmouth, Hampshire where I have been teaching secondary literature there since the Autumn. Yes, that's a REAL decision I REALLY made as a man in his forties.
I will be talking about teaching in the UK, but I will also perform Celebrity Girlfriend Draft, an hour of stand-up that's been seen at The Edinburgh Fringe, The Leicester Comedy Festival, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and in such exotic cities as Casablanca, Hollywood and Chichester. It's an hour of comedy that doesn't punch down, and that'll leave you feeling good."
GEORGE GRANT
"When I sat down to write the first draft of Operation Blank, I was at something of a crossroads. Having spent most of my childhood as a stage performer, I had turned my back on the arts in pursuit of life’s true pleasure, Microsoft excel. Five years of study at Edinburgh university, a 1st class in civil engineering and two years at a top London bridge design house later and I came to a surprising revelation: spreadsheets are shit. It had taken me a mere seven years to figure out but, like a penguin discovering the Antarctic was a poor choice of real estate, it had finally dawned on me that everything my life had been building towards was cold and boring.
So what to do about it? It’s a question that would need a fairly good answer if I was to abandon my hard earned tedious 9-to-5. An answer much better than “just become a writer”. I had wanted to write for as long as I could remember, but I hated the idea of becoming a writer. You know the sort; they wear sandals in public and carry Moleskine notepads in their back pockets just in case the creative juices start flowing on the northern line. They make no money, and society resents them for not contributing more to the upkeep of the nation. I had spent seven years running from that, and I wasn’t going to stop now. I’d just need to think of something else.
But there wasn’t something else, there was just more spreadsheets. So, to that crossroads: leave your job and be hated by society, or stay and hate yourself. Anyone will tell you that not making a decision is a pretty big one, and in my case, it meant a daily dose of all the things that made me feel hollow. One night, whilst a bit drunk on a late train, I decided to channel this feeling into a script. I gave a character an incomprehensible problem and demanded that he figure out a solution ASAP. I then made sure he had to do it all on Microsoft teams because fuck him. By the time I was home, Operation Blank was born and I had made my decision. I’m sure there’s something poetic to be read into the script about my indecisiveness being the catalyst for my change, but I’m not a poet. I am a writer, and that feels quite nice to say. Now, someone bring me my sandals."
Join us at The Woodfield Pavilion for one or both of these shows this coming Saturday. Use the link here and get your tickets, now:
https://www.thewoodfield.org/whatson-1/comedy-night-at-the-woodfield
How to Spin Enchantment
Stories from the 17th century ‘Pentamerone’
Collected by Giambattista Basile.
Adapted and told by Tim Ralphs.
Food and drink available on the day.
Storytelling Masterclass
Want to develop your storytelling skills?
Join Tim Ralph exploring and testing out the craft of storytelling in a focused and engaged atmosphere.
Food and drink available on the day.
Swing Driven Thing
As part of our Postcard Fundraiser, The Swing Driven Thing will be playing a selection of songs from 2pm in the Woodfield Pavilion.
Please come and enjoy this free show!
See their website for more info.
The Vincent Burke Band
As part of the Woodfield Pavilion Postcard Fundraiser, we’re delighted to introduce…
The Vincent Burke Band
This amazing duet
Vincent - guitar and Voice
Paul Southern - Double-bass
will be playing a selection of Vincent’s beautiful songs from 2pm in the Woodfield Pavilion. Please come and enjoy this free show.
Postcards for the fundraiser will be on sale the whole time for only £10 each, and refreshments will be available from the kitchen.
More from Vincent Burke can be found HERE
For a chance to listen beforehand, or hear more after their gig - please find Vincent at https://www.vincentburke.co.uk/
Amaia Quartet Present ‘Spring & Serioso’ Recital
AMAIA QUARTET
The Woodfield Pavilion are delighted to have the Amaia Quartet back at the Woodfield Pavilion
“We warmly welcome you to an early evening String Quartet recital at the Woodfield Pavilion, in the heart of Tooting Common. We will perform Shostakovich’s very first String Quartet, to which the composer said he had “visualized childhood scenes, somewhat naïve and bright moods associated with spring”. We will pair this with Beethoven’s fiery and brilliant String Quartet No.11 Op.95, often referred to as ‘Serioso’.”
Under 12s and Students go free!
Amaia Quartet - playing for the Woodfield Pavilion fundraiser May 2024
Beowulf - Storytelling evening
South London Storytellers presents…
Beowulf
Bernadette Russel on the 25th April will be telling her adaptation of the Anglo Saxon Poem ‘Beowulf’.
Bernadatte is a consummate storyteller, author, workshop facilitator and theatre maker. https://www.bernadetterussell.com
In this re-telling of the ancient story she explores the concepts of hero, monster and revenge with passion, intelligence and wit.
£12 Tickets - OTD or secure your seat HERE
Delicious food and drinks available.
Words @ the Woodfield
Spoken Word and Acoustic Music Evening on the edge of Tooting Common
Doors open at 6:30pm | Show Starts at 7pm
"SOLSTICE SPECIAL"
On March 20th, we shall cast poetic light and generate warmth with a cauldron of creative expression, good food and community embrace.
All are most welcome, whether you wish to perform or just enjoy the words as an audience member.
Pre-booking on Eventbrite here: TICKET
Alternatively, you can chance your luck on the door :) but message beforehand if you so wish to share.
BYOB - there is no bar but tea and coff on sale.
Food available! Delicious veggie food is provided as per for a small donation.
Get your Performer Tickets in advance and guarantee your spot - or it's £5.00 on the door and take your chance!
Doors open at 6:30pm | Show Starts at 7pm Thursday 20th March - All done by 9pm
Woodfield Pavilion is on the edge of Tooting Common - There's a path between 16 and 18 Abbotswood Rd SW16 1AP
If you've never been before it's wonderful - but don't be shy... ASK FOR DIRECTIONS BEFORE YOU SET OUT!!! Any questions email Janet on pavilion@thewoodfield.org or call 07593008882
Free Family Singing Workshop
FREE FAMILY SINGING WORKSHOP AT WOODFIELD PAVILION!
Always singing? Never sung in a choir before but want to try something new? Would you like to have some FREE half term fun together as a family? Everyone is welcome to London Youth Choirs Family Come & Sing event at Woodfield Pavillion, on Friday 21st February from 10.30am-12.00pm.The songs we will learn are suitable for children aged 6-11yrs but younger siblings are welcome, accompanied by their grown-ups. The session will be really friendly and all levels of experience can take part, including complete beginners! FREE SNACKS PROVIDED.
Sign up!
Sign up for the free LYC family Come & Sing event at Woodfield Pavilion on the website and complete our quick online form. The LYC team is looking forward to meeting you!
SIGN UP AT THIS LINK
Any questions?
Email engagement@londonyouthchoirs.com or text/call us on 07549 435 102
Thank you!
South London Storytelling Club
VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL
Join us upstairs at the Woodfield on Feb 14th for an Alternative Valentine's Day.
Bring a story or anecdote to tell - a tale of revenge perhaps, curse of the lovelorn or the cynic.
All stories welcome - or if you like, just come to listen.
BYO drinks and we’ll provide the snacks. Tickets £5 on the door covers room hire.
Look forward to seeing you there!
For further information email HERE
Words @ the Woodfield
Spoken Word and Acoustic Music Evening on the edge of Tooting Common
Doors open at 6:30pm | Show Starts at 7pm
"January"
On January 31st, we shall cast poetic light and generate warmth with a cauldron of creative expression, good food and community embrace.
All are most welcome, whether you wish to perform or just enjoy the words as an audience member.
Pre-booking on Eventbrite here:
Alternatively, you can chance your luck on the door :) but message beforehand if you so wish to share.
BYOB - there is no bar but tea and coff on sale.
Food available! Delicious veggie food is provided as per for a small donation.
Get your Performer Tickets in advance and guarantee your spot - or it's £5.00 on the door and take your chance!
Doors open at 6:30pm | Show Starts at 7pm Friday the 31st January - All done by 9pm
Woodfield Pavilion is on the edge of Tooting Common - There's a path between 16 and 18 Abbotswood Rd SW16 1AP
If you've never been before it's wonderful - but don't be shy... ASK FOR DIRECTIONS BEFORE YOU SET OUT!!! Any questions email Janet on pavilion@thewoodfield.org or call 07593008882
Words @ the Woodfield - Yuletide Special
Mulled Wine and Mince Pies
(And a veggie curry too!)
Booking early (especially for performers) is recommended via Eventbrite here:
Alternatively, you can chance your luck on the door :)
Bar and veggie food available as per.
Looking forward to seeing you all again, amongst the tall trees of Tooting Common, for good vibes and poetic resonance 🧿
Yuletide special!
Tell a Tale, Sing a Song, Share a Story, Perform a Piece, Practice a Poem.
The stage will be set, and your voice is needed on it.
Please join us for a lovely evening - whether as audience or a performer.
There's delicious veggie food will be available for a small donation.
get Performer Tickets in advance and guarantee your spot - or it's £5.00 on the door and take your chance!
Friday 13th December
Doors open at 6:30pm Show Starts at 7pm
All done by 9pm
Woodfield Pavilion is on the edge of Tooting Common - There’s a path between 16 and 18 Abbotswood Rd SW16 1AP
If you've never been before it's wonderful - but don't be shy... ASK FOR DIRECTIONS BEFORE YOU SET OUT!!! Phone 07593008882 if you’re lost.
Words at the Woodfield
Oral Tradition - A filthy rant from an Ancient Ulster
South London Storytelling Club presents…
LARA McCLURE - ORAL TRADITION
A filthy rant from ancient Ulster
Darkly hilarious storytelling with gnarly traditional roots.
Lara McClure never fails to entertain.
