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Latitude Festival: Music & Film Arena, Theatre Arena Updates + More

More announcements have been made concerning this years Latitude Festival. Sonic Dice takes a further look at a few more stages, the Music & Film Arena, the Theatre Arena, and On the Lake.

Music & Film Arena

The Music and Film Arena at this year’s Latitude will once again prove to be one of the most popular spots at the festival. It will feature never before seen collaborations between artists from the areas of film and image and the world of music.

The legendary Future Cinema Live present Mercury and Brit nominees Guillemots. Having recently been announced for the Uncut Arena this year, their incredible array of instruments will be in full flow as they play a set around David Lynch’s classic surreal horror movie: Eraserhead. This mind-blowing show will include performers, short films and installations that will provide a unique live cinematic experience inspired by this cult movie landmark.

Independent filmmaker Chris Waitt attempts to interview his ex-girlfriends to find out why they dumped him. This revealing and humorous documentary sees the slacker filmmaker go on a sexual and emotional odyssey in a desperate quest to solve his innumerable problems. Latitude is proud to present A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures, the first release from Warp Films’ Warp X project which showcases the most exciting young directors in the UK with a series of low budget features. Director Chris Waitt will be in attendance to give us insights into his unique and personal documentary.

Bishi (aka DJ Siren), a 19 year old singer, DJ and musician began singing at the fragile age of two years old. Bishi’s impressive fusion of pop, electro and folk music has an infectious beat that has you starting with a shoulder jig, then before you know it you’re in the centre of the dance floor, arms aloft, with a group of people you don’t know too well. It is little surprise the Bishi rubs shoulders with fellow musical theatro-cat, Patrick Wolf. With a nomination for the Times breakthrough award already under her belt, Bishi also finds the time to DJ at London’s notorious cult nightclub Kash Point. Latitude are delighted to welcome this multi-talented young artist to the Music & Film Arena this year.

Johnny Flynn, dressed in a crumpled plaid shirt, jeans and well-worn tweed jacket, has the air of a young, sensitive academic rather than a pop singer wrapping himself in a strange mixture of English and US roots music carrying himself on a wonderfully sweet melody and traipsing drums. Appearing later on this evening at Latitude, he visits the Music and Film Arena this afternoon with an exclusive artistic early set. We’re not sure what he’s doing yet, but as a poet, artist and musician we’re sure it’ll be fantastic!

Birds Eye View brings to Latitude the silent film The Danger Girl by Clarence G. Badger. The film follows a love triangle between three characters where the vampish Helene uses her charms on Bobbie before Gloria breaks up the pair by disguising herself as a man to seduce Helene. The film will be accompanied by live music from experimental vocal trio Juice who specialise in vibrant, theatrical performances. Inspired by everything from jazz to pop, the trio regularly feature on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

Latitude are pleased to announce London’s finest folk quintet Hey Negrita who will no doubt put on an unforgettable performance at this year’s festival. Wowing audiences both young and old with their energetically charged performances, the group’s Americana/Country crossover has an unmistakable sound and will be the perfect accompaniment to the sunshine. The performance will conclude with a screening of ‘We Dreamed America’, directed by Hey Negrita’s Alex Walker. ‘We Dreamed America’ “a twisted tail of British roots and American music”, features bands such as Alabama 3, Kitty Daisy and Lewis, The Broken Family Band, Matthew Ord and the Barker Band.

Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring is the creation of evil genius, Markus. They make inspirational congregational indie-pop music to sing along to. Think Roy Orbison and Spiritualized crossed with a strong dose of Arcade Fire. They count the BBC’s own Tom Robinson and Huw Stephens amongst their fast growing troupe of fans. Warning: May include audience participation and vast amounts of fresh flowers! Buzzard Buzzard provide a visual extravaganza of cup cakes (for the audience) and even more beautiful flowers.

Recently signed to the legendary Warp Records, Pivot is comprised of Sydney’s Laurence and Richard Pike, plus Perth electronic manipulator Dave Miller. Influenced by synthesizer luminary Vangelis, Warp label mates such as Autechre, and the post-punk new wave of Talking Heads, Pivot are reminiscent of Battles in their combination of electronic and organic elements to create an outstanding groove. They released their first single ‘In The Blood’ on Warp records in May. At Latitude they combine a set alongside a specially commissioned visual extravaganza.

The Exploits Of Elaine are five young men from Nottingham and Leeds make mysterious music that speaks of the past and points to the future. Organic, Kraut-like experiments with elements of folk poking above the noise. Expect chord organ, Jew’s harp, synth, melodica, mandolin, glockenspiel, banjo, wok and other amplified objects. They will accompany Sarah Wood’s film The Book Of Love, a found-footage investigation into the psychosexual landscape of love.

Having dusted down rusty old tins of 35 and 16 mm film discovered in the depths of national archives, The Smoking Cabinet presents a selection of films, which aim to exhibit and explore the early moving image and its relationship with other forms of live entertainment popular before 1933, and a panel discussion with two of the cabaret & burlesque scenes most delightful talents. Amy Lame, host and co-founder of seminal cabaret night Duckie, and acclaimed performer Marisa Carnesky. The discussion will cover the topic of women in burlesque & cabaret and the notion of empowerment vs. titillation. The discussion will be followed by a screening of rarely screened short films that epitomise the flair, humour and eroticism of cabaret and burlesque inspired early cinema. The films screened will celebrate popular entertainment in the belle époque to the Weimar Republic and includes work by Ernist Lubitsch (So This is Paris 1926) Percy Smith (Birth of a Flower 1910) and Thomas Edison (Trapeze Disrobing Act 1902) as well as featuring turn of the century music hall stars, circus performers, early erotica and performing animals.

English Language [With English Subtitles] is a tenderly offbeat comedy about love and communication, or the lack thereof. Written and directed by actor Tim Plester, and featuring sparkling music by singer/songwriter Barbarossa. Meet Mulligan, a typically English man, Esther, his Scandinavian girlfriend, and the on-screen subtitles that find themselves along for the ride.

Brian Cano brings his short film Rubberheart to the Latitude Music and Film Arena. This US romantic comedy treads similar ground to the recent cinema hit Lars & The Real Girl, as we follow a lonely man’s quest for love. He finally finds the right girl, but she has to face a few other ladies after his heart.

Sweet, a short film by James Pilkington and staring The Mighty Boosh is defiantly a treat that will be well received in the Music and Film arena. Noel Fielding plays Pete Sweet, who works on a record stall, owns a scooter and two puppies, has a best friend called Stitch played by Julian Barratt and is currently dating a short, dumpy ginger girl called Poppy. Who is imaginary. She was originally imagined by Pete’s mate Dave’s Mum, who had always wanted a girl. Does that explain it for you?

Theatre Arena

Latitude brings the most highly regarded theatre companies and the very best contemporary playwrights to the same place for one weekend. Some of it hard hitting, sometimes controversial and always thought provoking, the Theatre Arena will stimulate and challenge.

The stage itself will be the greenest around as the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered festival stage in association with the Arcola Theatre. The Theatre Arena brings some of the biggest names in contemporary, physical, classical, performance and local theatre to the Suffolk coast packed full of passion, emotion, laughter and entertainment. Featuring some performances and productions exclusive to the festival the Theatre Arena boasts a wealth of creative talents and inspirational performances that you won’t find anywhere else.

The National Theatre bring to the Theatre Arena, ‘Fugee’ by the multi award winning playwright, Abi Morgan, who has an astounding eight BAFTAs to her name. The play will be performed by the young and talented performers at the Brewery Youth Theatre who have been invited to perform by National Theatre New Connections. ‘Fugee’ tells the story of a group of young refugees struggling to adjust to life in the UK, attempting to reconcile their pasts and find pleasure in the present. ‘Fugee’ expresses the reality of slipping through the net in a style which is sound and image driven. Latitude is thrilled to have this touching play performed at this year’s festival.

Established 15 years ago in response to a widespread demand for challenging new plays for young people to perform, the National Theatre New Connections commissions 10 new plays every year, penned by some of the hottest talent in world theatre.

Probably the most famous classical theatre company in the world, the Royal Shakespeare Company, brings to Latitude a selection of specially commissioned mini epic plays. These new works take the form of a series of 5 minute works of concentrated energy, passion and vibrancy.

One of the writers will be the critically acclaimed Anthony Nielson whose dark and distinctive writing style has pumped new life into the playwriting scene and opened the minds of critics and theatre managers alike. Nielson, currently the Literary Associate at the RSC, has prised open the imaginations of critics and theatre managers alike with such plays as ‘The Wonderful World of Dissocia. His powerful writing style is simply unforgettable and utterly distinctive. He will be joined by Adriano Shaplin, the international writer in Residence at the RSC. Shaplin is a big hit with critics and fellow writers alike, becoming one of the most important writers of his generation. Nominated for a clutch of awards and described as “a playwright set to join Arthur Miller and David Mamet in the pantheon of great modern American dramatists”, this will be a rare opportunity to see the work of one of the greats in such an intimate setting.

This new commission is an enlightening introduction to anyone who thought the RSC was only about preserving Shakespeare. Be prepared to be very surprised!

Also at Latitude are The Lyric Hammersmith to the Theatre Arena. They bring with them the dazzling Cartoon de Salvo who create a new improvised adventure at every show! They will be performing ‘Hard Hearted Hannah’ and other stories which incorporate an improvisational style rarely seen on these shores. The audience are asked to come up with a title and the Salvo do the rest with live music, script defying improv and spontaneous storytelling of the highest order. With previous efforts including ‘The Ghost in the Tower’ and ‘Alien Robots Take Over the World’, the audience are in for a rollercoaster ride of quite brilliant theatre that had The Observer saying “you would be hard pushed to find more charm or expressive versatility anywhere”.

The Lyric Hammersmith also bring to Latitude Lyric Firsts – showcasing new writers and artists currently working in Theatre. Writers Lisa Asagi whose writing explores the spaces between poetry, film, fiction and documentary, the comic and uncanny Stacy Makishi and Jack Russell have created ‘Lifted’ – an experimental work in progress focusing on the relationships in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and ‘Lassie Come Home’ which hopes to reveal the bewitching brutalities that lie beneath the petticoats of convention.

Durang Durang is 7 short plays by the famed American playwright Christopher Durang, all of which have met huge critical acclaim proving to be a sell out run of shows at Edinburgh Festival in 2004. Durang brings to Latitude his collection of hysterically dark tongue-in-cheek plays including the hilarious ‘1-900-Desperate’, ‘Canker Sores and Other Distractions’ and ‘Naomi in the Living Room’, all of which have rarely been performed outside of the USA. Durang’s previous work includes the Tony Award nominated ‘A History of the American Film’ and the Obie Award winning ‘Explains It All For You’. With a fantastically talented cast and critics calling Durang “one of the funniest playwrights alive” (The New Yorker), this is a production you simply must see.

They join a quite phenomenal list of writers including Mark Ravenhill and theatre companies including the Royal Court Theatre, Nabokov, Paines Plough, The Bush, Pick Of Pleasance, and Operating Theatre Company who will be at the Theatre Arena this year.

On The Lake

Latitude’s stunning floating stage on the site’s beautiful winding lake will be the home to some of the country’s most exciting and thrilling dances and performances. Featuring everything from flamenco dancing to a 12-strong orchestra, On The Lake is an exciting new addition to Latitude’s already wide spectrum of art.

Latitude is delighted to announce the wonderfully varied and ground breaking performances Sadler’s Wells will be bringing to this year’s festival. For the first time Sadler’s Wells will be presenting three acts on a specially designed stage at sunset On The Lake at Latitude. In keeping with the range of work currently flowing through the theatre’s programme, the mixed line up includes European hip hop, classical Indian Kathak, and UK contemporary dance in a rare slice of modern choreographic life.

The multi award-winning Wayne McGregor who is notorious for his ground-breaking collaborations and breathtaking choreography, provides a rare must see treat with ‘Entity’, his first production in two years. After the success of Olivier Award winning show ‘Chroma’ that was created for the Royal Ballet in 2006, McGregor returns with a diptych of two contrasting works performed by ten dancers. ‘Entity’ is sure to be a dazzling spectacle with the performance accompanied by live music in the shape of the impossibly talented and contrasting composers Nico Muhly and Jon Hopkins, performed against a multi-screen set.

Boy Blue is reaching an ever expanding audience fascinated with hip hop culture and dance in general. Established in 2001 by dancer/choreographer Kenrick “H2O” Sandy and music producer Michael Asante, Boy Blue has gone from strength to strength, performing at every Breakin’ Convention since it was launched by Jonzi D in 2003, and recently being awarded an Olivier Award for their production of ‘Pied Piper’. They are creating a piece especially for Latitude, featuring their trade-mark ensemble energy and dynamism, overlaid with a deceptively easy and fluid technique.

‘Waqt – Time’, a dance production choreographed and directed by Gauri Sharma Tripathi is partly inspired by Javed Akhtar’s poem of the same name, which explores the rich resonance of the classical Indian style Kathak in its most raw forms. The performance features not only the mesmerising Gauri Sharma Tripathi herself, but two formidable fellow performers Seema Patel and Payal Patel with a musical score by Niraj Chag. Tripathi’s choreographic style is distinguished by its complexity and grace, steeped in the rich traditions of the Indian musical language and it’s relationship to dance. Other recent works include choreographing the acclaimed solo-piece for Akram Kahan in Sacred Monsters in 2006 and Sadler’s Well’s Mahabarata written by Olivier Award winning Stephen Clark and composed by Nitin Sawhney.

Speaking about Sadler’s Wells presentation of dance On The Lake at Latitude, Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director and Chief Executive says: “I am really delighted for Sadler’s Wells to be able to take a leap out of the theatre and into the wild outdoors at Latitude. It’s absolutely the right time for these dynamic dance artists to be part of such a rich festival, especially in such a setting. All the dancers will have swimming proficiency badges….’

An incredible fusion of contemporary dance, comedy and rock / pop music is what The Blank Album is all about. With energy levels at an all time high these performers burst onto the stage not only playing their instruments but dancing with them too. The show features live guitars, fiddle, cello, percussion, voice and a cast of talented dance musicians all brought together with the experience of music director Quee MacArthur and choreographer Natasha Gilmore. Combining the imagery of elaborate air guitar with a fast paced comedy dance theatre piece has created a distinctive and utterly unique experience and when placed on Latitude’s stage On The Lake this July it promises to be quite the spectacle.

Also On The Lake will be, the hot sultry flamenco of Rafael Amargo, strong lines of contemporary dance drawn by Riccardo Meneghini, the theatrical and moving Helix Dance and the orchestral brilliance of The Irrepressibles.

Ticket Information

Weekend tickets £130 plus booking fees. Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £55 plus booking fee. Weekend tickets prices include car parking and camping. Days include car parking only.

C/Card line 0870 060 3775

Or online at www.festivalrepublic.com, www.seetickets.com, www.latitudefestival.co.uk

For a full list of National and Regional outlets please visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk

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