Praise for Elephant and Castle inspired play

Elephant 21, directed and produced by the Mayhem Theatre Company, is based on 50 interviews with Elephant and Castle residents.  

Councillor Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and the Olympics at Southwark Council, praised the play following its performance in the lobby of the council's offices in Tooley Street. 

Earlier the play had had a successful sold out run at the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre in July, which coincided with the signing of a regeneration agreement to transform the Elephant and Castle in a £1.5bn pound project.  

The interviews that made up the narrative of the play were conducted by a team of young people and members of the community, in a bid to engage the community in the huge changes that happening to the area. The stories were woven together to produce a show described as being about "four generation of Valentines in a play about war, Sarsparilla, Knickerbocker glories, more war, suicide, jiving, and unrequited love."  

It has a cast of 30 professional and non professional actors from 1 to 81 years of age.

Timeout described it as: "Great fun, a lively, visually-accomplished romp...and crackling with life."  

Following its run at the shopping centre, it was brought back for what the company said was a special performance for an audience of people connected with the Elephant and Castle regeneration, community representatives and Southwark staff.  

Councillor Veronica Ward said: "The performance was a fitting celebration of the planned regeneration of Elephant and Castle. The way this play involved local people, both as performers and through their stories, was a really creative expression of how this place has changed, and how it is set to change over the next few years."  

Ben May, artistic director at the Mayhem Company, said: "Right from the start we decided we wanted to get across a story that shone a light on the lives of local people in this constantly changing area. And by involving local people so much in the making of this play - from incorporating their own memories to using local actors - I think we've done just that, and I'd like to thank all the organisations and individuals who made this possible."  

More information 

The project was made possible due to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and working in partnership with SE1 United, The Cuming Museum, The Blackfriars Settlement, New Deal of the Mind and South London Press.  

The play was followed by a Q and A on how the project developed.  

Find out more information on the Elephant and Castle regeneration.