Late at the Library: Fairy Tales and Wonderlands

Join us for cabaret, storytelling, live music, film and things to make and do, as well as plenty of fine food and drink. And don’t miss our Alice in Wonderland Pop-up Shop, overflowing with unique goodies.

Among the entertainments for you to enjoy are:

The Chimera of M and a new surreal animation Beautiful, surreal and strange animation from Sebastian Buerkner, who will be showing a newly commissioned silent story animation, and his The Chimera of M, which takes 3D to an astoundingly colourful and creative level. Screenings for the 3D film take place every half hour throughout the evening.

Chloe Spicer Join artist Chloe Spicer as she leads creative workshops where you can make an edible fairy tale book of your own to read and devour, or a fabulous book art hat, crown or fascinator to prance about in.

Alice and Alice Alice and her mirror image Alice explore their darker sides in this funny and gently disturbing piece by acclaimed performance artists Cocoloco. Poetic and just a little naughty.

The Mad Hatters Tea Party Eat, drink and be merry with the cast of Alice at the table of the Mad Hatter. An amazing troupe of international actors, noted for their street theatre performances across London, bring the greatest of all tea parties to life in flamboyant style.

Betty Steeles Betty Steeles’ music is influenced by strange, beautiful minds as well as ugly and uncompromising situations. Featured in the quirky independent film Malice in Wonderland, she brings her distinctive voice to the evening’s proceedings.

DJ GG DJ GG will be bringing along his 78s and pulling out all the stops as he spins his playlist of swing, oddness and silliness. You will definitely dance to his tune.

Wolf Alice Actress Adjoa Andoh reads Wolf-Alice, a brilliantly gothic, twisted short story by Angela Carter with live illustrations by Gabi Froden.

Literally Fantastical Ark have created an immersive story show around the hidden corners of the Library. Each of the five spaces visited becomes a staging post for tales of the fantastical. Stories on the Friday evening journey include an abstruse rewrite of a fairy tale in the spirit of Lewis Carroll, written and performed with film by Ross Sutherland; an audio story about a pigeon with an unusual fetish by Ellen Wiles; fairy tale inspired songs sung by Maeve Leahy and dance by Rob Hesp amid book art sculpture by Su Blackwell; and a newly commissioned story of a runner’s encounter with a vampire by Emma Jane Unsworth  Finally, a Neil Gaiman story about books, memories and dreams read by Timothy Allsop.

This 45-minute journey around the Library will be repeated three times at 20.20, 20.50 and 21.20. Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis at 19.30. Please register at a special desk just inside the Front Entrance Hall.

Chambord’s Curious Cocktail Bar

Indulge in a selection of curious cocktails fit for the Queen of Hearts.

Always drink responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk  

Alice in Wonderland Pop-up Shop Our Pop-up Shop takes inspiration from the earliest drawings of Alice in Wonderland and her friends. Take a journey down the rabbit hole and enter our Mad Hatter’s tea party. Find the perfect gifts, from stationery to accessories, clothing and homeware.

This event has been co-curated by Ark