1927 is a London-based performance company that specializes in combining performance and live music with animation and film. The company was founded in 2005 by writer, performer, and director Suzanne Andrade and animator and illustrator Paul Barritt.  It now includes performer and costume designer Esme Appleton; performer, composer, and musician Lillian Henley; and producer Jo Crowley.

1927’s first show, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2007.  The show sold out several extensions and won five industry awards, including the Herald Angel and a Fringe First Award.  1927 toured the show for four years, both across the UK (including two sold-out runs in London) and around the world: to the Dublin Festival, Hanover Festival (Germany), Mladi Levi Festival (Slovenia), Spoleto Festival and Under the Radar (USA), Sydney Opera House and the Perth Festival (Australia), the New Zealand Festival, Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival (Korea), Singapore Festival, and the Macau Festival (China), among others.  Their international tour garnered them two New York Drama Desk Nominations and the Peter Brook Empty Space Award for Best Ensemble in 2008. 

In 2010, they premiered The Animals and Children Took to the Streets in Australia at the Sydney Opera House and the Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne.  Over the last two years, The Animals and Children Took to the Streets has been presented across the United Kingdom (including the Edinburgh Festival and London’s National Theatre) and around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, France, and China.  It won an Off West End Award in 2011 and was nominated for two Evening Standard Awards.

(As of June 2012)

Suzanne Andrade plays Mrs. E. Villycar, a leopard print lady, and the Caretaker. Suzanne writes and directs 1927’s work. Before forming 1927, she was commissioned by the BBC to write a play for the West Yorkshire Playhouse. The results were not particularly good, which encouraged Suzanne to turn away from traditional script writing and try her hand at comedy and poetry. She won several small-scale stand-up comedy competitions before moving to London and establishing herself as a performance poet. After appearing on Radio 3 (Mixing It, The Verb), Suzanne met Paul Barritt. The pair created several small shows involving her poetry and his projections. They gained a small but loyal following, and formed 1927 in 2005. Suzanne is mainly consumed by 1927 but occasionally pops up at the odd storytelling gig, and is currently involved in a circus sideshow project and planning and choreographing an opera.

(As of June 2012)

Suzanne Andrade plays Mrs.E.Villycar, a leopard print lady, and the Caretaker. Suzanne writes and directs 1927’s work. Before forming 1927, she was commissioned by the BBC to write a play for the West Yorkshire Playhouse. The results were not particularly good, which encouraged Suzanne to turn away from traditional script writing and try her hand at comedy and poetry. She won several small-scale stand-up comedy competitions before moving to London and establishing herself as a performance poet. After appearing on Radio 3 (Mixing It, The Verb), Suzanne met Paul Barritt. The pair created several small shows involving her poetry and his projections. They gained a small but loyal following, and formed 1927 in 2005. Suzanne is mainly consumed by 1927 but occasionally pops up at the odd storytelling gig, and is currently involved in a circus sideshow project and planning and choreographing an opera.

(As of June 2012)

Esme Appleton plays Agnes Eaves and Zelda. In addition to performing the leads in each 1927 show, Esme’s work with the company includes: conceiving of ideas, brutally editing scripts, neatening scenes, adding interactive moments, liaising with Suzanne on initial scripts and Paul on aesthetic ideas, and assistant directing. Indeed, many of the interactive motifs that have become 1927’s trademark stem from Esme, who has an uncanny ability to think in terms of both live action and animation. Currently in demand to appear in many a film project, Esme’s other interests include playing the musical saw and guitar, pixilation, voice training, and perfecting her own peculiar brand of naturalism.

(As of June 2012)

Lillian Henley created the music for The Animals and Children Took to the Streets and performs in the show. Lillian’s rather unique skill lies in being able to translate sketchy thoughts and rough ideas into catchy melodies. Her piano scores hold 1927’s shows together, and range in sound from classic silent film to Kurt Weil. Lillian composes the scores and performs in 1927’s shows—at times singing, playing piano, and changing costumes all at once. Outside of 1927, Lillian is currently composing an album and is a core performer of Ragroof Theatre’s tea dances. You should see her rhumba. She has scored a number of silent films for the Barbican, Hoxton Hall, and independent filmmakers and is making quite a name for herself as a silent film pianist.

(As of June 2012)

Paul Barritt illustrated and animated The Animals and Children Took to the Streets. Before forming 1927, Paul worked as a freelance illustrator and animator. He has exhibited his artwork in various galleries. His films are distributed internationally, and have appeared in film festivals throughout the UK and Europe. He won an award at the Darklight Film Festival for his short film “Shed”. Paul is also a Lecturer in Animation and Illustration at Middlesex University.

(As of June 2012)

Lillian Henley created the music for The Animals and Children Took to the Streets and performs in the show. Lillian’s rather unique skill lies in being able to translate sketchy thoughts and rough ideas into catchy melodies. Her piano scores hold 1927’s shows together, and range in sound from classic silent film to Kurt Weil. Lillian composes the scores and performs in 1927’s shows—at times singing, playing piano, and changing costumes all at once. Outside of 1927, Lillian is currently composing an album and is a core performer of Ragroof Theatre’s tea dances. You should see her rhumba. She has scored a number of silent films for the Barbican, Hoxton Hall, and independent filmmakers and is making quite a name for herself as a silent film pianist.

(As of June 2012)

Sarah Munro designed some of the costumes in The Animals and Children Took to the Streets, and helped construct others. She co-founded and runs the internationally renowned variety show The Insect Circus Society, with whom she designs and performs as Lady Bonnie Berkeley. Sarah’s specialty is an earwig. 

(As of June 2012)

Esme Appleton plays Agnes Eaves and Zelda. In addition to performing the leads in each 1927 show, Esme’s work with the company includes: conceiving of ideas, brutally editing scripts, neatening scenes, adding interactive moments, liaising with Suzanne on initial scripts and Paul on aesthetic ideas, and assistant directing. Indeed, many of the interactive motifs that have become 1927’s trademark stem from Esme, who has an uncanny ability to think in terms of both live action and animation. Currently in demand to appear in many a film project, Esme’s other interests include playing the musical saw and guitar, pixilation, voice training, and perfecting her own peculiar brand of naturalism.

(As of June 2012)

Jo Crowley produced The Animals and Children Took to the Streets. She came on board 1927 after Edinburgh 2007 and has become indispensable to the company. Jo deals with new shows, touring, press, promotion, finances, funding, control of creative collaborations, and the oversight of every aspect of 1927’s work. She is, simply put, a bit of a legend. She’s also a bit of a ballerina. Outside of 1927, Jo also produces the work of Ridiculusmus Theatre Company, artist Kazuko Hohki, and Australian performance trio The Suitcase Royale. She also advises and supports a number of independent artists, companies, and emerging producers.

(As of June 2012)

Derek Andrade assisted Paul Barritt with animating Zelda’s gang, as well as providing valuable criticism and encouraging words throughout the process. Derek is a stop-frame animator and filmmaker who has made music videos for Emmy the Great and worked for RSA films and Future Shorts.