Nathan Evans’ London To Do List
Cult cabaret superstar Nathan Evans presents his new show I LOVE YOU BUT WE ONLY HAVE FOURTEEN MINUTES TO SAVE THE EARTH at Soho Theatre from this Wednesday! We asked him for his lowdown on the London he knows and loves.
After selling out previews at Oval House and the Arts Council’s Decibel showcase in Manchester last year, this creative collision of cabaret, live art and film conceived by award-winning director Nathan Evans returns to London for a limited run at Soho Theatre Downstairs before setting off to Suffolk for the Latitude Festival.
Nathan Evans says, “I came up with the idea for this project when I discovered the TED Talks, which challenge the world’s ‘inspired thinkers’ give the ‘talk of their lives’ in eighteen minutes. I was seeking a way to give artists a guiding time frame and concept to produce a performance when Dale Arden’s voice popped into my head hollering ‘Flash! I love you but we only have fourteen hours to save the earth!’ and I had it…” Nathan has been challenged to create his own fourteen minute performance for Latitude and will be creating further performances with other artists as the project develops.
Tell us about your favourite secret/offbeat places in London (food, going out, entertainment, relaxation)?
I live by Portobello. The area was almost decimated by an invading army of estate agents a decade back but, every cloud has a silver lining, they’ve been rained off by the recession, at least for the moment. So you can still find some bargain vinatage outfits in the market, Friday and Sunday are best when it isn’t overrun by tourists taking advantage of said economic crisis. And the Portuguese cafes are great for cheap non-corporate coffee.
What offbeat events are on your To Do List in the next month or so?
Joseph Mercier’s Cruising, Clubbing and Fucking at Soho Theatre (a very talented upcoming queer artist), Penny Arcade at the Arcola Tent (perhaps the Queen of offbeat New York) and The Haircut Before The Party at Latitude (not that I have much hair to cut at the moment, but I’d like to pop in for a light trim and some heavy conversation.)
What are your favourite things to do for free or little money in London?
A smoke by the Thames, particularly at sunset – Waterloo and London bridges are good spots. May cost you your life eventually, but hey. The BFI Southbank Mediatheque has an amazing collection of films (including some of mine) and it’s completely free. And St Martin’s in the Fields have weekly free concerts by upcoming artists.
What’s your ultimate London confession?
That I’ve had affairs with many other cities and thought about leaving on more than one occasion – London is a difficult lover, expensive but rich beyond fiscal measure, fickle but infinitely versatile, beautiful but looking a little rough. I keep coming back because he makes me laugh.
What event or product of your own would you like to pimp on To Do List?
I LOVE YOU BUT WE ONLY HAVE FOURTEEN MINUTES TO SAVE THE EARTH, which I developed and directed and is at Soho Theatre 4-7 July at 7.45pm. It features performances by Avant Guardian Angel David Hoyle, Alternative Miss World Fancy Chance and Eco Worrier Extraordinaire Timberlina, as well as cinematic entr’actes by Theatrical Radical Bette Bourne and Video Anti-Hero Kate Pelling. It’s been described as ‘fast-paced, thought-provoking and extremely entertaining’ by The Erotic Review. So there you go.
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
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