Projects

Current Projects

I'm currently working on several projects. I'm on the look out for willing volunteers for an ongoing portraits project. I don't do sanitised, smiley portraits against a blurry white or fuzzy blue background. I definitely draw the line at sepia-tinted, mock-Victorian chav urchins. And I don't charge a fortune for prints, so all in all, I'm a bargain. If you fancy volunteering your face for a project, and you live in Medway (particularly Chatham), just get in touch!


Desolation Row

Work has already begun on Medway Eyes' most ambitious project yet - Desolation Row. The project is in its planning stage and ideas are just bouncing out all over the place. Photographic work is scheduled to commence in March, at which point various Medway artists will be roped in to play their part. There will be an online exhibition to accompany this project and a book to launch at the end of it (see 18+ page for more).


The Theatre Royal

mosaic7631761
1. Theatre Royal no.16: Demolition and Salvage, 2. Theatre Royal no.15: The Posh Saloon Bar, 3. Theatre Royal no.13: The Posh Saloon Bar, 4. Theatre Royal no.11: Ghost Auditorium, 5. Theatre Royal no.5: Support, 6. Theatre Royal no.3: Max Bloody Wall!,  Phil Dillon © All rights reserved.

Having set up a photo shoot at The Theatre Royal, I backed out at the last minute because I was terrified of falling into one of the many holes in the floor. In fact, some of the rooms had no floor at all. You'd walk in the door and find yourself confronted with a massive hole where the floor should be and a tiny ledge around the room. I would have had no hands to take photos because I would've been clinging to the wall for dear life. Luckily, I have a brave husband.

The images above, all taken by Phil Dillon during the demolition of The Theatre Royal in Chatham, capture both the faded glamour and the final hopelessness of this neglected building. It is a sad testament to the local council's obsession with demolition and redevelopment over renovation. The front of the building will remain intact, a seemingly happy facade on Chatham High Street, while the back of the building is reduced to rubble. The front part is, apparently, destined to become a pub - not such a bad idea. Phil suggested that the royal pissoirs be salvaged and used in the new pub. Let's hope they take his advice and save a piece of history, a piece of what was once a grand and glamorous theatre - albeit the smelliest and pissiest piece.

The entire set of Phil's images of The Theatre Royal can be found here.

I am hoping to talk to and photograph anyone who remembers The Theatre Royal in its heyday. If you were a part of the glamour, if you have photos of it that you would like to share with the world (or know someone who does), please contact lisa@sweetfanny.co.uk



Other Stuff

I'm working towards a few other more quirky ideas too. I'll keep you posted.