Christmas is cancelled. What the Dickens…will happen to poor Nelly the Horse?
Nöel Noir: Script
The entire show of Nöel Noir was written in just two weeks two weeks by Urquhart through collaborative workshops with the young homeless and ex-homeless people who made up the cast.
Act One
Scene One – Scenes from La rue Noël Noir
Scene Two – Christmas is cancelled
Scene Three – What the Dickens…will happen to poor Nelly the Horse?
Interval – 15 minutes
Act Two
Scene One – Noël Deluxe
Scene Two – Do you see what I see?
Scene Three – Neige Noir
Scene Four – Beauty meets the Beast
Donald Urquhart
Donald Urquhart is a performer, playwright, poet and artist who draws inspiration from queer culture and the club scene Leigh Bowery epitomised in the 1980s. As a visual artist he gained recognition in the 1990s through his drawings used as flyers, posters and wall decorations for 'The Beautiful Bend', an underground nightclub which the artist co-founded. The club ran from 1993 to 2002 and afterwards, in 2003, the artworks were exhibited at Magnani. Urquhart has since presented solo exhibitions at Jack Hanley, San Francisco; Maureen Paley, London; White Columns, New York and Herald St, London and has participated in group exhibitions at Dulwich Picture Gallery and ICA in London, CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts in San Francisco and The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.
Image: Black and white illustration of a glamorous Dietrich-esque blonde in the snow. Illustration: Donald Urquhart
Chris Robson
Chris Robson is an actor who has worked on stage for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Lyric Hammersmith, on film in Dog Soliders (2002) and in television productions such as Band of Brothers (2001). He also works as a presenter, fronting Eurotrash on German TV. He has organised workshops for young offenders and schoolchildren in understanding Shakespeare and in drama more generally and acted as a specialist exhibition guide for children, creating stories through word and performance, at the Hayward Gallery's exhibition 'Saved! - 100 Years of the National Art Collections Fund' in 2003-4.
Image: Black and white illustration of a grimacing snowman perched on a tree branch as it snows. Illustration: Donald Urquhart
Cardboard Citizens
Cardboard Citizens began in London in 1991 and has since pioneered the use of participatory arts and theatre working in particular with homeless people. Aiming to use participation in the arts to make a real difference in people’s lives, leading to tangible, measurable outcomes in everything from wellbeing to employment, and ultimately providing a real social return on the investment made, Cardboard Citizens has proven that theatre can be a uniquely powerful tool for engaging homeless people in a process of change, and for engaging general audiences to focus on the plight of those at the margins of our society.
The organisations Young Actors Company provided the cast for Nöel Noir, working closely with Donald and Chris to develop and write the show, composing poems and songs in the process that were performed at the Horse Hospital. cardboardcitizens.org.uk
Image: Black and white illustration of a glamorous noir brunette in extravagent fur coat (left): Self portrait of the artist (above). Illustrations: Donald Urquhart
Cast (in order of appearance)
Wayne Young
Marina Haase
Richard Brighton
Mark Durban
David Vickers
Julius Reubengowi
Mick Turner
Marcus Jeffrey
Sue Keen
Katriona Murphy
Production Credits
Written by Donald Urquhart
Director – Chris Robson
Art Director – Donald Urquhart
Sound and image production – Donald Urquhart
Makeup – Martin Thomas
The poem Anyway is written and performed by Wayne Young.
The song I like a good old Christmas is written and performed By David Vickers.
Thanks
We gratefully acknowledge support of the Arts Council England, London, and the Company of Angels. We heartily thank Emily Doherty and Chris Atkinson at Cardboard Citizens; James Hollands and Roger Burton at the Horse Hospital; Mike and Ray at Camden Garden Centre (NW1) for the Christmas tree; Dean Bright, Sue Tilley, Tim Perkins, Sue Keen and Polly Brannan for props and costumes; KJ Ben and Harry Donnison for the sound mix; Sam Collins, Henry Huiting and the Siobhan Davies Dance Company for the lighting; and Simon O’Leary, the after-party DJ. We especially thank Martin, Duncan and all the staff at Central Station (37 Wharfdale Rd, King’s Cross) for giving us the rehearsal space and for their unlimited kindness and support.
Image: Black and white illustration featuring text about Nöel Noir in 2003. Illustration: Donald Urquhart
Who made this possible?
Credits
Nöel Noir was made in collaboration with Cardboard Citizens.
Artangel is generously supported by the Arts Council England, and the private patronage of The Artangel International Circle, Special Angels, Guardian Angels and The Company of Angels.
