GDIF 2024 | London’s free, annual outdoor performing arts festival 23 August-8 September 2024
A Ballad of Thamesmead
6 & 7 September 2024 | 8.30pm | Thamesmead Clocktower, 15 Joyce Dawson Way, London, SE28 8RA
Duration: 45 minutes
This Event Has Passed.
Book Tickets Here
Free tickets are available for Royal Borough of Greenwich and Thamesmead Residents.
1986. The restored Nelson’s Clock is hauled onto a barge in Deptford and sailed down the Thames – a gift to a new town centre at the vibrant focal point of Thamesmead.
2024. A baby coot nestles in her canal nest in the shadow of the clocktower. Three kids scuttle up and down the steps playing families. And a woman sits looking up at the hands tick-tick-ticking away, pondering the ebbs and flows of home.
Created by award-winning site-specific theatre company Dante or Die, A Ballad of Thamesmead gently peeks into how the world around us impacts how we feel about our home. Live folk songs by Abbey Wood native Marie Bashiru alongside Thamesmead Community Choir interweave with a soaring sound design that includes local peoples’ voices, culminating in the clocktower illuminated like never before.
A Ballad of Thamesmead is supported by Peabody, The Royal Borough of Greenwich, Royal Greenwich Festivals and Arts Council England.
Creative Team
A Ballad of Thamesmead
A Dante or Die Production
Creative Director: Terry O’Donovan
Directed by Arti Prashar
Original Music Created & Performed by Marie Bashiru
Performed and devised by Jasmine Chiu, Jordan Ajidi & Simon Rice
Set & Costume Design by Stewart J. Charlesworth
Lighting Design by Jo Palmer
Stage Management by Stella Kalides & Ellen Swailes
Movement Director: Ayse Tashkiran
Movement Assistant Placement: Elize Layton
Creative Facilitation by Nicole Acquah, Charlie Hendren & Fiona Watson
Choir: Thamesmead Community Choir
Featuring the voices of Thamesmead: Chris, Jecoliah, Adam, Vernon, Tony, Billy-Jo, Emma, Mum’s Aid, Sofia, Dhruva, Shreeja.
More information
Promotional photography will take place at this event.
If you do not wish to be featured in our content, please ask one of our volunteers (easily noticeable, in their pink t-shirts) for a no photography sticker.
Site Access
Booking required.
Assistance Dogs Welcome.
Level Access
Level access on hard standing.
Access Viewing Areas
An access viewing area for disabled audience members will be marked with a sign or flag at each event. Space for wheelchair users, companions and seating with and without arms will be available.
Accessible Toilets
Morrisons nearby has accessible toilets. Ask customer services for a radar key.
Blue badge parking
Morrisons Car Park
Drop-off point
Morrisons Car Park outside Iceland
Contact
For Access questions, contact [email protected] // 07899 893 935
Show Access
BSL Interpreted and Live Audio Described and Captioned Fri 6th Sept 8.30pm (Touch Tour 8pm)
Easy read guide -coming soon.

Where to find it
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