By James Hadley in London

There are so many performing arts venues in London that you keep discovering more and more to return to. Of those I've recently visited for the first time, the Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden has impressed me the most. I had expected somewhere elegant and just a bit snooty because of its location at the opera house, but instead found a very modern foyer filled with stylishly dressed 20 and 30-somethings. The atmosphere was of a sophisticated cafe/bar, with a humming atmosphere thanks to pre and post-show live music by talented artists.By James Hadley in London

There are so many performing arts venues in London that you keep discovering more and more to return to. Of those I've recently visited for the first time, the Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden has impressed me the most. I had expected somewhere elegant and just a bit snooty because of its location at the opera house, but instead found a very modern foyer filled with stylishly dressed 20 and 30-somethings. The atmosphere was of a sophisticated cafe/bar, with a humming atmosphere thanks to pre and post-show live music by talented artists.Too often, theatre foyers are uninviting, or seem owned by an intimidating clique of culture vultures. This relatively new venue had a good approach for making a newcomer want to identify with the space because it was so lively and happening, and full of people having a great time. The venue is branded 'ROH2' and has clearly tried to position itself in order to attract and groom the opera audiences of tomorrow; those who may shun expensive opera productions in the main opera house as something more relevant to their grandparents' generation. And it seems to be working.

I was there to view Firsts 2008, a showcase of performing artists new to the Royal Opera House trying out new ideas. There are three different weekend showcases each winter - and the programme is now in its sixth year. There isn't a particular bias towards opera. Instead it's billed as a mix of film, dance, music and theatre.

This was definitely the case with the excellent programme of work I saw on the third and final week of this year's season. It began with some dynamic hip hop dance by a duo called Impact Dance. Unfortunately I was late to the performance so only saw this piece via the TV monitor in the foyer. So all I can say is it looked pretty exciting on the small screen. Certainly they were very popular with the audience.

Next up was a performance by dancer Claire Cunningham called 'evolution'. To a voiceover describing the challenges of wearing leg braces through her childhood, this inspiring performer used four crutches in all sorts of inventive ways to dance around the stage. I'm not sure what the physical impairment is that restricts her use of her legs, but she defiantly demonstrates that it's not a disability. The piece culminated in a routine choreographed to 'Singing in the Rain'. Taken on face value, the choreography was less impressive than that which Gene Kelly danced in the film. But taken in context, this was far more impressive. You got a strong sense that every move was the result of a long journey, which had overcome various boundaries, usually to do with other people's limited perceptions. It's humbling to watch what's possible with such determination.

The final presentation of the evening was a complete crowd pleaser. The band Modified Toy Orchestra are a genius act comprising six middle aged guys in black suits who plaly on instruments made of early 1980s toys, rewired as musical instruments. It's just genius. Taking '80s electronica as their model, the use of toys like 'Speak'n'Spell', space rockets which do a countdown to takeoff, and Barbie-like dolls with electric attachments is developed into pop fantasies, accompanied in performance with tacky Japanese pop culture graphics on the big screen. They had the audience wild with delight, as there was something wholly in synch with the zeitgeist about this geeky cool band. Their instrumental accompanying a video of a wind-up toy chicken and wind-up toy elephant who travel a great distance to find each other, then dance together by the Eiffel Tower was genius. And if you have the technical knowhow, it's possible to download it from this link.

Leaving the First showcase, you felt like you'd been introduced to three of the most exciting emerging acts around. No wonder the audience was so full of the sort of stylish individuals who like to be in on a new trend ahead of their peers. How wonderful when live performance can generate that sort of buzz!

Read previous Sets and the City blogs

Feel free to get in touch with any questions (or if you're planning a London visit and want some theatre recommendations) to jamesstuarthadley@gmail.com

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01/12/08

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