Film & Theatre
To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine
Sun 7 Jul 2013, 19.30
Was he “one of the most brilliant minds in human history” or merely a “filthy little atheist”? He was certainly one of the most misunderstood men in American history.
Thomas Paine is a man largely forgotten and greatly misunderstood yet his ideas about democracy, equality, slavery, social programs and morality were truly revolutionary. He changed the world, only to have the world he changed turn its back on him. He ignited revolutions but died largely ignored and distained, yet when he was writing he was at the epicenter of world events and literally transforming nations through his words.
The one-man show “To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine” written with a COLA Fellowship, leaps from the stage and captures the living essence of our nation’s brilliant, fiery and most radical Founding Father. It brings to life the wit, contradictions and contrariness of a man whose intellect and words shaped our national character, inspiring us always to be our better selves.
His pen sparked the American Revolution,
defined the French Revolution and championed the Age of Reason. He went from hero on the streets of Philadelphia to prisoner in Paris awaiting the guillotine. His books were the biggest best sellers in history and at his funeral… there were six mourners. Ten years later his bones were dug up and brought to England to raise money for a giant bronze statue. No money was raised and the bones…disappeared. This play takes you on an extraordinary journey of revolutions and of a world shedding its old skin and looking to ideas of freedom and democracy and above all, justice and equality! Today there is the Occupy movement, back then there was Thomas Paine.
“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion”
- Thomas Paine
Tickets Advance: £10 (plus booking fee), Concs. £5
Admission £15/£7 on the door.
Doors 18.30. Start 19.30
Ian Ruskin (writer/actor) trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. He has performed his other one man play From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks about labor leader Harry Bridges well over 200 times. The film version, directed by Haskell Wexler, has aired in America on PBS for the past 4 years. This is the London premiere of To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine which has been performed just over 30 times in the past two years.
Event Page
Earthy - An Ecosexual Adventure
Wed 24 Jul 2013, 19.30
Earthy - An Ecosexual Adventure
by Annie Sprinkle & Elizabeth Stephens
When two queer San Francisco women join the environmental movement and try to make it more sexy, fun and diverse in order to help save the planet, drama and humour ensue.
They shift the metaphor from Earth as mother, to Earth as lover, fight corporate greed - and get real dirty.
Legendary queer performers Sprinkle and Stephens in the European premiere of their new show. In London for one performance only at Conway Hall.
Very limited seating so early booking advisable.
Part of the European-wide First International Ecosex Symposium.
Produced by Luke Dixon
Directed by Patty Gallagher
Tickets £15 (plus booking fee)
