Feature: The Big Picture - The Charity Art Auction is on September 21 at the Jewish Museum
Published: 8 September, 2011
IT is 75 years since the of the start of the Spanish Civil War and the formation of the International Brigades who made a stand against fascism. The Jewish Museum in Camden Town is marking the anniversary with 1936 Radical Roots, which will include a programme of special events to celebrate the Battle of Cable Street.
In 1936, Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists was portraying Jewish people and immigrants as the cause of the country’s problems. On October 4 that year, Mosley planned a provocative march through London’s East End, which was then home to Britain’s largest Jewish population.
Up to 250,000 people gathered to defend the East End under the Spanish Republican slogan “No Pasaran”. A fierce battle with the police ensued and, with barricades erected on Cable Street, Mosley was forced to abandon his plans.
Next month, on October 27, the museum is staging a new musical – Goodbye Barcelona – by Judith Johnson and K S Lewkowicz, which tells the story of 18-year-old Sam Abramski who has just taken part in the Battle of Cable Street.
Caught up in the political heat of the moment and against his mother’s wishes, he decides to join the Brigadistas.
Goodbye Barcelona is due to be performed at the Arcola Theatre in November.
To the support the show, the Jewish Museum is hosting a Charity Art Auction on September 21 to raise funds.
It will include original works by Matisse, Miro, Chagall, Dali, Jean Cocteau, Henry Moore and many others – including the lino cut Tête d’Homme Barbu (Head of a Bearded Man) by Picasso pictured here.
All donations will be acknowledged in the credits for the musical, and supporters will be given priority booking and VIP invitations to the show and related events.
• 1936: Radical Roots is at The Jewish Museum, Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town, NW1, Open daily 10am-5pm, except Friday – 10am-2pm, 020 7284 7356, www.jewishmuseum.org.uk
• The Charity Art Auction is on September 21 at the Jewish Museum. Details of all lots at www.goodbyebarcelona.com/
• Goodbye Barcelona will be performed at the Jewish Museum on October 27, and will run at the Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, E8, from November 24-December 23. Box office: 020 7503 1646.