4. Street Theatre and Cabaret

Abstract

Street theatre is another core activity of A39 and has a strong influence on our developing performance style. We use the same material and attitude to develop a cabaret act. Political and satirical songs are interspersed with more avant garde performance pieces. A39’s earnings through street performances are vitally necessary. We have no money and no financial support. Funding officers see A39 as at best an inconvenient irrelevance, at worst a threat to a carefully rationalised status quo. We reject many of their assumptions, including what we perceive as the Thatcherite privileging of production values. Unable to afford a van, we must use props and set that can share Lucy’s car with us. On 3 March 1985, the great Miners’ Strike ends and the miners go back to work without a deal. The winter has been hard. Soon the pit closures will begin, and will continue till there is all but nothing left to close. A39 feels a burning need to avenge; and we carry on working towards the debut of One & All!