Celebrating the inanimate stars of Stan’s Cafe.
Recycling has been a feature of Stan’s Cafe’s work since the very early days. Initially picking up items from the streets and skips of Balsall Heath combined with scouring second hand and charity shops to provide cheap set and props for shows. This led to the company developing a recycled aesthetic. These objects bring something of their previous lives with them to the stage – we like to think they have more depth or resonance than something purchased brand new. Now recycling is recongised as an ethical imperative as well as an aesthetic and economic one. It is important that the shiny and the new are not seen as indicators of quality.
#1 The Black Table
The Table was bought in a second hand office furniture store for The Carrier Frequency and had braces welded to it’s legs. It returned in 1999 for Good And True (2000). Performed office functions until when it was in 24 Hour Scalextric (2009) and then a minor role in Twilightofthefreakingods (2013). It was centre stage in Time Critical (original production and regional tour 2016-17). It was also central to All Our Money (2021 & 2023) and was used in (No such thing as a) Civil War. Most recently it has been part of Community Service playing multiple roles including a living room table, police desk, a bar, a bed, a wall, a front door, half a car, half a mini-bus, a barbecue and a riot shield. A more ‘amusing’ version of this text can be fond here.
#2 The Brown Coats
Brown ‘house coats’ were chosen as the functional, slightly nostalgic uniform for Of All The People In All The World. Since then they have become a ‘signature look’ for the company, something to where when a neutral but semi official look is required. They were used in Small People With Big Feet – a spin off from Of All The People In All The World, they appeared in The Cleansing Of Constance Brown. ‘The Machinists’ wore them in Twilightofthefreakingods. They have also been borrowed by numerous other companies for similar purposes.
#3 The Plastic Chairs
45 plastic chairs were bought the audience of The Cleansing Of Constance Brown. They then served for a decade as venue chairs at @AE Harris. Two appeared in Home Of The Wriggler, four appeared in Community Service and they were central to The Capital. They are now serving us again as venue chairs at Our Facility.
#4 The High Table
High table was one of two donated to Stan’s Cafe by BE Festival (possibly fabricated for them by The REP’s workshop). It originally served as part of a bar for them and stayed on in our venue fulfilling the same role. Subsequently it has toured with its partner as part of Of All The People In All The World – its height saving performers from back ache when standing and working at it for hours on end. Finally the table got the call to be in a proper theatre show, performing the role of High Desk in The Many Lives Of PET #1.
