Tá Na Deptford is a performance group inspired by the colourful, carnivalesque craziness of Brazilian street theatre.
In The Pick Me Up Issue headed down South to find out bit more about the wonderfully weird folk behind the extravaganza…
Founded in 2010 by creative director Emma Symes, Tá Na Deptford is making a massive impact south of the river. “People just join in and do it,” Emma explains, “that’s how it works, you just act on impulse.” Emma first discovered the Brazilian theatre group Tá Na Rua whilst walking down a quiet street in Rio. “I heard music coming from a window, snuck in to have a look and saw this amazing performance taking place. I immediately felt a desire to get involved. So I did.” After six months spent learning the techniques of Brazil’s leading street theatre practitioners Augusto Boal and Amir Haddad, Emma returned to the UK determined to set up her own group, choosing the slightly less exotic South London borough of Deptford as her location. With masks, face paints and costumes easily acquired at Deptford’s famous market, the group has staged a number of eye-catching spectacles, from a tongue-in-cheek royal wedding party to various club events and impromptu street performances. Here they are showing i-D online a good time!
Text: Rose Poole
Photography: Marius Hansen
Music: Breakbot feat. Ruckazoid – Fantasy
