Outburst Theatre

“Our director Ros is – words fail me to describe her patience and her calm and her being positive in the midst of all kinds of things going on! She’s a perfectly wonderful director and we’re extremely lucky to have her running this show.” – Rev’d Charles Pickstone, St Laurence Church – “Catford, 1968”, 2018.

About Outburst Theatre

Among many other collaborations, Outburst Theatre worked closely with St Laurence Community (Catford, SE London) for several years. After delivering various physical theatre performances to the local congregation, Outburst Theatre then went on to produce “Catford 1968” – a live, immersive theatre piece to celebrate the true history of Catford and Lewisham, bringing together a large selection of local charities and schools.

“Catford 1968”

Directed by Rosalind Parker, working with Rev’d Canon Charles Pickstone, “Catford 1968” was a large-scale, intergenerational community theatre project, based on the true life stories of elders who had lived and worked in Catford during the ‘60s, performed in promenade style in the spaces throughout the historic buildings of St Laurence Church and Community Centre by children from 12 different local primary schools, along with a supporting chorus of elders.

“Catford 1968” was funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund and Lewisham Arts Festival Fund and involved The Age Exchange (Blackheath), The Diamond Club, Ageing Well in Lewisham, Lewisham Archive, What Next Lewisham, the Catford Reminiscence Group as well as the following schools: Rushey Green, Sandhurst, Kilmorie, Perry Mount, Holy Cross, St. John the Baptist, Grinling Gibbons.

Catford 1968 - A Glimpse Into It

The Making of "Catford 1968" - Part One

The Making of "Catford 1968" - Part Two

The Making of "Catford 1968" - Part Three

Audience Feedback for "Catford 1968"

"I was absolutely blown away - it was really good." (Parent)

"The kids were brilliant. It's great to see them take part in an activity outside the normal school activity and also making new friends. And it's good that all the kids from different schools came together." (Parent)

"I really, really enjoyed the performance - it was very rememberable.... I have to give a very big thank you to all the cast (directors) - Annie, Catherine and Ros, because it was a very great opportunity, not just for me but for everyone." (Malachi Britto - Child Performer)

"It helped young people understand where they're coming from 'cause things have changed over the years and I think it certainly created deeper understanding of what Catford was like and perhaps more of an appreciation of the place they're living in and the different culture and heritages that it has and for young and old to come together - that in itself was hugely beneficial and know some of the old people have met some of the younger people (since the show) and they've been able to say hello! and they perhaps hadn't been able to do that before, so it connects young and old." (Lesley Allen, Diamond Club, Elder Performer)

"It brought people together. It was a brilliant project.” (Kate Middleton, Marleen Lewis, Ageing Well in Lewisham - Elder Performers)