Preview: Revival Festival @ Marylebone Gardens

Rachel Holdsworth
By Rachel Holdsworth Last edited 140 months ago
Preview: Revival Festival @ Marylebone Gardens

Theatre Delicatessen turn the old BBC offices in Marylebone into a pleasure garden this summer, creating an astroturfed bar to relax in before catching one of the great performances they've got lined up. The bar is open from midday so while the weather's crappy, the indoor garden is perfect for kicking back with a G&T.

They're calling it the Revival Festival, which might refer to the name they've given their temporary home: Marylebone Gardens. They're a bit further south than the original Marylebone pleasure gardens, site of fun, frolics and concerts in the 18th century, but we can imagine the louche atmosphere they're aiming for.

It all starts this Thursday with fabulous performance poet Luke Wright (hear him read the poem he wrote specially for us) and Cat Brogan – book both shows together and they're a tenner. There's a mix of cabaret, comedy and spoken word: our highlights include Helen Arney headlining two triple bills (with Kate Smurthwaite and Gemma Arrowsmith, and Mae Martin and Alison Thea-Skot), Mat Ricardo previewing his new show Vaudeville Schmuck, Ophelia Bitz and puppetry from Boris and Sergey.

Revival Festival runs 5-28 July at 35 Marylebone High Street. Tickets are £7 / £8 or £10 for some double bills. For more information see the Marylebone Gardens website. Photo by Lorna Palmer.

Last Updated 02 July 2012