Brixton To Get A New Theatre: Brixton Empire

My beloved Brixton has many great things going for it - concert venues large (O2 Academy) and small (Electric Brixton), a great cinema (Ritzy), clubs (Plan B, Mass, Brixton Clubhouse Terrace & Bar and Jamm to name just a few); and more bars, cafe's and restaurants than I have the time to list. 


Throw in the wonderful markets, Brockwell Park and the Lido and it really has everything. Well nearly everything; what its lacked is a great theatre space. Until now that is.

St Matthews Church

I am very excited that Brixton is now to get its very own theatre space. Opening in October, Brixton Empire will be situated in the vast St Matthews Church building - which also hosts clubs Mass and Babalou as well as being the venue for the brilliant Samba classes run by Paraiso.

Brixton Empire, will have a capacity of between 150 to 200 people, with plans for a cafe and bar and even an extension into a bigger studio (with a 400 capacity) if all goes well. 


Brixton Empire is the brainchild of Daljinder Singh, who directs the opening play 'when the chickens came home to roost', a play about Malcolm X, set in the 1960's and written by Laurence Holder. It featured Denzel Washington as Malcolm X long before he played the role in the Spike Lee film of the same name. 

The play is a taste of what is to come from the Brixton Empire it seems. Speaking to 'The Stage' magazine, Singh said; "We're not going to be programming very traditional work - for instance period pieces, Chekhov or Shakespeare. There are fantastic companies out there that do that work superbly, so we're looking at other kinds of work that have that unique edge to it that symbolised the spirit of Brixton. We chose this play because we thought it was a fantastic play and despite being set in the Sixties it very much reverberates into the present - there are many parallels with the issues that are coming up today."


The theatre is currently looking for front of house volunteers, who will benefit from getting to see plays for free. If you are interested in volunteering check out the theatre's Facebook page.


'When the chickens came home to roost' is on from October 5 to November 4. Details can be found here. Tickets can be bought here. Get out and support this new local theatre!


Brixton Empire
St Matthews, Brixton Hill, SW2 1JF


I'll be reviewing the the theatre space and the play here on Mr Musing soon.

Nicola Roberts Bares Her Soul: 'Sticks and Stones'

Tear Jerker Alert! Nicola Roberts bares her soul in a powerful track called 'Sticks and Stone's; a deeply personal song, which talks about the bullying and taunts she has faced since hitting the big time with Girls Aloud, after appearing on Popstars: The Rivals.

The song, has a sort of chilling, child's nursery rhyme feel to it and the video is simple but effective, really drawing the atention to the lyrics. It's like reading her personal diary.


This is Nicola's 'Beautiful' (one of Christina Aguilera's biggest hits) and judging by the comments it's already got on Youtube, the song could become an anthem for those who have ever been told they are ugly.

Chris Moyles, the radio DJ who Nicola accused of bullying a few years back should make this his song of the week! I am not sure if this is going to be released as a single but it will appear on 'Cinderella's Eyes' her album which is out soon.


Also check out 'Fix Me' - the B Side to 'Lucky Day'...

Professor Green feat. Emeli Sande: Read All About It

I've just heard the new Professor Green song 'Read All About It', which features the brilliant Emeli Sande and I love it. I think this could this be the British 'Love The Way You Lie', it's got the same epic feel to it, a haunting female vocal on the chorus which contrasts with Pro Green's angry verses. 





It's hard not to compare Pro Green to eminem - yes he's white, yes he raps but it's actually the tone of his voice, when he goes angry sounding, that for me is really similar to Eminem.


Emeli Sande missed out on a number one last time, with her single heaven but I am sure this song will get her there, whilst also giving Professor Green his first number one single. It's out on 23rd October.


What do you think of it?

Ms Dynamite Covers Wretch 32's 'Don't Go'

OMG I LOVE THIS COVER! Ms Dynamite (one of my favourite artists) covered Wretch 32's 'Don't Go' (one of my favourite songs) on Radio 1 Xtra's Live Lounge earlier this week. 


There is not much I can really say about this one. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! Check it out below. What do you think of it?