Slapstick humour meets Beckett head on in a quest for life’s meaning and purpose.
After an exciting few years making and touring shows all over the world, Mercè and Patricia have somehow lost momentum and hit rock bottom. They always knew that making theatre would be difficult, but when they have to dress up as flamingos in a shopping centre to make ends meet, they seriously consider giving up.
Can their shared dream of staging Waiting for Godot get them back on track or will their long held ambition be strangled by red tape? A hilarious and sometimes moving exploration of companionship, co-dependency and what motivates us to keep going, even in the face of failure and bureaucratic brick walls.
Suitable for ages 14+
Content warning: Contains strong language, occasional loud noises and some stylised/staged fighting
Ernie’s Journey is a magical circus theatre adventure for family audiences. The seamless integration of circus, physical theatre, stage magic, poetry and puppetry is a truly dazzling spectacle.
An original live harp score takes the tale from the dreamy realms of distant shores to the most raucous sea shanties!
It felt like nobody really believed in Ernie and sometimes he wondered whether he even believed in himself. He discovers that being himself and following his own dreams can lead to all kinds of wild adventures, but it is the people we love who make it all worth it.
This show has been designed to connect audiences with the waterways around where they live and how they feed into national and international ocean systems. Ernie is a young boy from Haringey who finds an old pirate ship on the banks of the Thames.
Our partnership with Somerset Wildlife trust has informed the content of the show and workshops.
Suitable for ages 4-11
Two shows: 11am and 2pm
60 minutes each!
Brain Fools pride themselves on being an environmentally conscious, family-friendly circus show that you can enjoy as much as your kids do. They are also committed to highlighting issues surrounding homelessness and migration in London through their work — they want everyone to learn, and everyone to be part of the change they want to see in their communities.
The show is called Lucky Pigeons because it’s about how hard it can be for people living on the street, but also because it’s about how much hope there can be for them too. Through physical performance and social commentary, they will take you on a journey through different aspects of life as a person on the outskirts of society—from the challenges they face just trying to fit in and be accepted, all the way through finding love and happiness despite everything else going on around them.
Lucky Pigeons came to Jacksons Lane in October 2021 as a work-in-progress.
Think about a classroom. How is everyone sat? Everyone is sat at their desks, facing the same way. What is left deals with spatial structures that shape human communication culture. We see it in theatres, while waiting to be served at counters, the hierarchy in a courtroom, in school and church, as well as from advertising screens in underground stations. All these spaces not only demand, but also structure the gaze attention of bodies in space.
International award-winning dance and circus company Overhead Project bring their new show What is Left to the UK. Mixing contemporary dance with group acrobatics, the show explores our relationship with different spaces and how they influence our communication.
Reminiscent of a catwalk or military parade, five performers occupy the space and are simultaneously consumed by it. A rhythmic, energetic, sometimes intimate, and exhilarating performance.
Contains: nudity
Think about a classroom. How is everyone sat? Everyone is sat at their desks, facing the same way. What is left deals with spatial structures that shape human communication culture. We see it in theatres, while waiting to be served at counters, the hierarchy in a courtroom, in school and church, as well as from advertising screens in underground stations. All these spaces not only demand, but also structure the gaze attention of bodies in space.
International award-winning dance and circus company Overhead Project bring their new show What is Left to the UK. Mixing contemporary dance with group acrobatics, the show explores our relationship with different spaces and how they influence our communication.
Reminiscent of a catwalk or military parade, five performers occupy the space and are simultaneously consumed by it. A rhythmic, energetic, sometimes intimate, and exhilarating performance.
Contains: nudity
Expect a heady mix of love, drugs and Islam. This unique and complex take on circus, performed on two Chinese poles, is emotionally candid with moments of humour and joy set to a banging soundtrack.
The Chosen Haram deals with themes of sexuality, faith, addiction and connection. The story of two gay men and their chance meeting through a dating app, portraying the highs and lows of their relationship and the barriers they face, social, cultural and personal in seeking happiness and personal fulfilment.
The Chosen Haram is based on a combination of lead artist Sadiq Ali’s personal experience, as well as interviews with members of the LGBTQ+ community who identify as (ex) Muslim. The show is an exploration into the personal struggles faced by many people whose upbringing contradicts their personal truths, and how this can lead to self-destructive behaviour.
Something that is “Haram” is forbidden by Islam.
The Chosen Haram returns to Jacksons Lane following it’s sell out run in February 2022 as part of the London International Mime Festival.
s.o.l.o, which stands for Situations of Ones Life’s Obsessions, is a multimedia, and multi-discipline, circus theatre performance which creates a moment which we all experience together.
Australia-born and Belgium-based performer Simon-James Reynolds initially trained as a gymnast, working towards the Olympics. But in the run up to London 2012, a change in his family’s financial circumstances meant he had to set those dreams aside. Based on Simon-James’ personal experiences, s.o.l.o depicts a life, its struggles, losses and hopes that we must all face: solo.
Sur Mesure is a collective of musicians, instrument makers, woodworkers and circus performers. Together they work on new creations. The collective consists of making performances, but they also have a wood workshop where all kinds of furniture are made.
Guerrilla Gardening
Events 2023
Sat 22nd April: 2:30-4pm: Meet at Jacksons Lane Community Centre, N6 5AA
to help with their garden (EARTH DAY EVENT)
Mon 8th May (bank holiday): 2:30-4pm: Meet outside 10A South Grove, N6 6BS to garden in Pond Square
(BIG HELP OUT EVENT)
July, September, October and November events: Details to be confirmed. We
are happy to assist other groups in starting up clean-up events in their local
areas of Highgate, as we did last year. Please let us know!
We will provide rubbish bags and a limited number of gardening tools.
Please bring protective gloves, secateurs and forks if you have these.
From the peaceful pleasures of Ratty’s beloved river bank to the fearful frights and wicked weasels of the Wild Wood, join Mole and Ratty on their marvellous adventures, along with gruff old Badger and magnificent Mr. Toad.
“Their beautifully crafted micro-shows are like collector’s items.” The Stage
A beautiful new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic by award winning theatre company Box Tale Soup, featuring wonderful puppetry, innovative theatre and a charming original score.
“They are wonderful.” The Times
Suitable for ages 4+
Two shows: 11 am and 2pm
When Belle is feeling down she slips into her grandfather’s basement and discovers his old dusty instruments. But far from being junk, the Instrumentals are pure funk, and they teach Belle to ‘get down’ in a whole new way. Bursting to life with brilliant puppetry and bold music, The Instrumentals is full of love and laughter, about the memories we hold and how we celebrate life.
This is a show for all children with characters, story and inspiration from the African-Caribbean diaspora. It’s full of uplifting original music with soulful sounds and seventies grooves. Combined with innovative puppetry and lots of comedy, this fun musical journey will have audiences dancing in the aisles!
Suitable for ages 4+
Two shows at 11 am and 2 pm.
Guest speaker: Dan Carrier
Journalist for the Camden New Journal
and previously for the Guardian and
Evening Standard. He is author of Untold
London: Stories from Time Trodden
Streets, Doctor Zipp’s Amazing
Octo-Com and his recent book Locks,
Bolts and Bars – a Life Inside. In his
spare time he is a DJ for Boogaloo Radio.
Doors open at 6.45pm and the meeting will commence at 7pm
ADMISSION FREE
Members and non-members welcome
Jacksons Lane,
269a Archway Road, London N6 5AA
One to one help with computers tablets and phones!
Save the date for this wonderful event.
One to one help with computers tablets and phones!
One to one help with computers tablets and phones!
Three generations of gutsy circus women recast their narrative. This multi award-winning show is feminist and funny. The three women cast off the stereotypes that bind them while performing some downright dangerous acrobatics, talking politics as they balance precariously and support one another.
Three generations of gutsy circus women recast their narrative. This multi award-winning show is feminist and funny. The three women cast off the stereotypes that bind them while performing some downright dangerous acrobatics, talking politics as they balance precariously and support one another.
It’s a sticky situation. A kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music combine to tell the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together to rebuild their hive after being destroyed by a bushfire. But things never quite go to plan. Join the bees in their buzzy adventure.
Suitable for ages 3+
Performances at 11am & 2pm
Inspired by aerial rope artist Heather Parkin’s recovery from a car crash and traumatic brain injury, Epic Minds is a hilarious and disturbing romp through the world of psychosis, mental health diagnosis and recovery, combining aerial rope, juggling, song, dance and physical theatre.
Inspired by aerial rope artist Heather Parkin’s recovery from a car crash and traumatic brain injury, Epic Minds is a hilarious and disturbing romp through the world of psychosis, mental health diagnosis and recovery, combining aerial rope, juggling, song, dance and physical theatre.
A secret organisation known as the Ancient Guild of TaleTenders are on a mission to save stories – and they need your help. Develop creative and literacy skills through performance, games, and creative play, while exploring Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories, including The BFG and The Twits along the way.
Suitable for ages 5+
Performances at 11am & 2pm
High Steaks is a show about labia-shaming and body lovin’. Through live conversations with her mum and recorded interviews with labia-owners, High Steaks is a call for increased visibility of varied vulvas and a celebration of vulvas of all shapes and sizes.
Suitable for ages 18+
High Steaks is a show about labia-shaming and body lovin’. Through live conversations with her mum and recorded interviews with labia-owners, High Steaks is a call for increased visibility of varied vulvas and a celebration of vulvas of all shapes and sizes.
Suitable for ages 18+
Meet the unlikely duckling hero, and hear the story of a duck who was different! This much-loved classic tale has been adapted by Sandal Sticks Theatre into an interactive storytelling performance, featuring song and puppetry. A heart-warming tale for all the family.
Suitable for ages 3+
Performances at 11am & 2:30pm
A double bill of contradictions. First an acrobatic presentation, complete with graphs, about the state of the world in 60% Banana, followed by a mime and acrobat duo, life-long friends who are polar opposites but joined in their need to be ready for anything.
Craftsmanship meets circus in a spellbinding exploration of the human desire to create. On a custom-built stage, obsessed characters discover and transform their space and themselves as they take the audience into a unique DIY experience. Silly, surreal and completely captivating.
In this capricious game between two acrobats, nothing is fixed. Feel welcome to take a seat on one of the rolling stools and be an actor in this moving composition. The performance invites to make contact, to touch, to be part of and to influence. Or none of this, you can stay invisible in the group.
Performances at 11am, 1pm & 3pm.
The stage is a mess. Laundry spans floor to ceiling. Out of the chaos rises the aerial silk. In this highly physical solo show about motherhood, circus, theatre and spoken word combine to unravel the mysteries of the mother trees which hold the forest together.
Anything is possible with the incredible power of the collective. Build a human tower, catch one another with precision and perform jaw-dropping acrobatics, all accompanied by original music performed live on stage. Teamwork makes light work of the most challenging feats.
Constrained to one square metre of space, follow Matt Pasquet’s struggle from birth to consciousness through a maze of shape shifting surroundings to the edge and beyond. With an immersive foley soundscape, a dash of acrobatics, a sprinkle of clown and a fist full of Kung Fu.
A fun interactive family concert of songs from hit musicals and films featuring West End singers. Sing and dance along to songs from shows like Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, The Little Mermaid, Frozen, while enjoying bubbles, puppets and fun dance moves.
Open to all ages.
Performances at 11am & 2pm
Welcome to Cirque Taboo, the sexiest circus in town. Out of the woodwork creeps the naughtiest bunch of beautiful freaks. They guarantee to delight your night with a cabaret jam packed with cheeky circus acts, delicious drag, bizarre burlesque and even a little bit of shocking sideshow.
Suitable for ages 18+
Using puppetry, imaginative design and music, audiences are invited to join Nora as she explores the garden, discovering dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you (and your toy giraffe) whole, a polar bear that likes fishing and maybe, just maybe, a tiger in the garden.
Suitable for ages 3+
Performances at 11am & 2pm
Using puppetry, imaginative design and music, audiences are invited to join Nora as she explores the garden, discovering dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you (and your toy giraffe) whole, a polar bear that likes fishing and maybe, just maybe, a tiger in the garden.
Suitable for ages 3+
Performances at 11am & 2pm
Using puppetry, imaginative design and music, audiences are invited to join Nora as she explores the garden, discovering dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you (and your toy giraffe) whole, a polar bear that likes fishing and maybe, just maybe, a tiger in the garden.
Suitable for ages 3+
Performances at 11am & 2pm
Using puppetry, imaginative design and music, audiences are invited to join Nora as she explores the garden, discovering dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you (and your toy giraffe) whole, a polar bear that likes fishing and maybe, just maybe, a tiger in the garden.
Suitable for ages 3+
Performances at 11am & 2pm
Using puppetry, imaginative design and music, audiences are invited to join Nora as she explores the garden, discovering dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you (and your toy giraffe) whole, a polar bear that likes fishing and maybe, just maybe, a tiger in the garden.
Suitable for ages 3+
Performances at 11am & 2pm
Laura Murphy returns to Jacksons Lane with her critical and cheeky signature mix of autobiography, lip-sync, video and aerial rope. Her new show is a bold, cinematic, acrobatic odyssey through the frontiers of mental health, queerness, rage and the 21st Century space race.
Victoria Melody has turned to Plan B: stand-up comedy. Problem is, Victoria has always struggled with communication and words. Using wearable technology and working with a neuroscientist they make a revolutionary discovery that might be a natural cure for ADHD. 
Come and join our Musical Theatre Choir! A fun, low pressured choir focusing on songs from musicals, and older pop songs. We rehearse on Thursday evenings, 8-9.30pm at Jackson’s Lane, opposite Highgate tube station.
Throughout the year, we will cover repertoire from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, to Les Mis, to Sondheim, to West Side Story, to Wicked, and everything in between. Older pop songs will include songs by the Carpenters, the Beatles, and many more. This term, we will also be looking at some Christmas songs.
Any standard welcome, and no need to read music as the songs will be taught line by line. The choir is run by Rachel Dussek, a singer, singing teacher, and choir leader who trained in classical singing and then in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Please get in touch by email or phone to book a taster session.
racheldussek@aol.com
£54 for a 6 week half term, working out as £9 per session. Half term dates are Thursday 2nd November – Thursday 7th December.