Hello Dear Player! Here we are, swinging into the new season, and what a season it is. Oh, the drama! Allow us to help navigate the cultural treasures, picking out the finest gems from the worlds of art, club, dance, film, music, theatre, and of course those irreverent Wild Cards!

Before we get started, we must highlight a deliciously subversive cabaret night: Screaming Alley Cabaret at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, on Thursday 29 September. It's presented by Lara Clifton who was behind the infamous nights Whoopee, Hip Hip, and The Tournament of Tease. See you there with tassels on!

Among our other tips, we have two excellent ticket competitions. One is to attend Hallyu! The Korean Wave at the V&A (think Squid Game and Parasite). Second up is to see the classic Peter Greenway film, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover at the BFI Southbank Centre.

And now, introducing our Guest Editor, Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Dance Umbrella, London’s resident international dance festival.

Running since 1978, Dance Umbrella has become the most respected annual festival for all things contemporary dance. 

For 2022, Dance Umbrella (7-23 October) presents a hybrid festival of live performances and digital explorations. What's more, this year marks Freddie’s first full festival in the top job. Bringing the world’s most exciting international contemporary talent to stages across London, and online for audiences worldwide.

Highlights include works from Oona Doherty (Northern Ireland), Chiara Bersani (Italy), nora chipaumire (Zimbabwe/USA), Alleyne Dance (UK), Georgia Tegou & Michalis Theophanous (Greece). Plus a digital programme with Hetain Patel, Saburo Teshigawara//KARAS, Wendy Houstoun, and a whole load more.

In Freddie's Run Riot Interview with writer Katie Hagan, they chat about what audiences can expect from this year’s programme, which will focus on platforming intersectional, diverse and innovative female dancemakers from across the world.

Well, dear player, engage how you can, and enjoy yourself! We'll write again soon. Bottoms up! RR x