Synopsis

A black and white recording of a drama night with Half Moon Theatre, held in 1976 in East London for the Tower Hamlets Arts Project (THAP). It is the third night of THAP’s big show. Maggie Pinhorn facilitates the filming as part of the Basement Project. The footage is very dark and blurry footage, occasionally out of focus with mostly inaudible dialogue.

The Tower Hamlets Arts Project (THAP) was formed in 1976 out of protest to the Thames Television ‘Eyesights’ scheme which commissioned professional artists to create posters for display in the borough, rather than investing in local arts projects. A crowded public meeting in February 1975 called for an alternative, bolder plan, bringing together existing and fledgling arts activities under a coordinating body to be called the Tower Hamlets Arts Project (THAP). The purpose was to create opportunities for everyone to participate in community art. THAP celebrated their achievements with a month-long ‘Big Show’ at the Whitechapel Art Gallery.