PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS
Donna & Kebab are Martha & Eve – A Celebration!
2 LONDON PREVIEW’S
Dates and times: 29 July 7:30pm & 30 July 4pm
Venue: Theatro Technis, 26 Crowndale Road NW1. 1TT
EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
Dates: 4-14th August (exc 9th).
Time: 8:45-9:45pm.
Venue: Gilded Balloon – Teviot
Edinburgh Brochure Theatro Technis Martha & Eve Website
The Show
“soaring vocals, exhilarating rhythms and a satisfying stew of melody and mirth” (Guardian)
Martha D. Lewis and Eve Polycarpou made their first television appearance together in 1987. These trailblazing British-born Cypriot legends, described as “witty, wicked, Mediterranean madams” (Evening Standard) – also award-winners within their individual music and acting careers – join forces and return to the Fringe once again, to celebrate their distinguished careers in this brand-new show.
The Background
Eve Polycarpou’s weekly national television exposure on the talent show, ‘New Faces’ (and subsequent acting and cabaret career) and Martha Lewis’ performance at the Eurovision Song Contest to 500 million audience (and subsequent music career) led their paths to cross, when they were both hired as solo singers at Eve’s uncle’s Greek night club. A performance residency began and Martha and Eve would increasingly choose to sing together, sharing the spotlight and creating a fiery dynamic music performance.
There, among the smashed plates (and often smashed chairs) in the drunken brawls of the nightclub, these two young British Born Cypriot women, exchanged stories of their resistance to family pressure and the cultural predestined path and transition from good-greek-girls, to good-greek-wives, then good-greek-mothers. The nightclub characters and Cypriot community was to be the foundation for their show Donna & Kebab.
The duo struck lucky when their first Edinburgh festival performance, in 1987, was picked up by television programme ‘0-1 for London’. This TV exposure gave them the attention that spurned theatre shows, tours, album releases, TV and radio work and over three decades of a creative partnership and friendship.
With “sparkling wit and outstanding musical performances” (The Standard), Martha and Eve’s duo, Donna & Kebab, carved out their own distinctive place in the field of alternative comedy in the late 1980’s – even before ethnically – themed comedy sketch shows like ‘The Real Mccoy’ and ‘Goodness Gracious Me’. Their full-length theatre shows highlighted the story of the bi-cultural young person dealing with family pressures, subtle racist assumptions and stereotypes, and challenging sexual politics of the time.
In 1996, the duo focussed their attention on their song writing and began releasing records and touring in music festivals nationally and internationally, taking with them their personality driven performances and spontaneous humour.
Their new Edinburgh Festival show, Donna & Kebab are Martha and Eve – A Celebration! Is a nod to their past successes and stories, whilst bringing us up to the present day, with all that they are as writers, musicians and performers.
Credits and Reviews (in brief)
“Internationally renowned Martha and Eve balance the influences of their parent culture with their own urban experience.”. Peter Paphides The Guardian
Awards: Time Out – ‘Best Newcomer’ Award; ‘Lifetime Achievement ‘Award LGR; ‘Outstanding Support’ Award as Patrons of Leukaemia Cancer Society.
Touring highlights include: Anti-Clause 28 concert Manchester Town Hall, British Council Tours to Syria and Cyprus; Numerous National and International Festivals including Glastonbury, Brighton and Edinburgh (inc a number of performances in the late 1980’s / 90’s at the Gilded Balloon and Assembly Rooms), Cyprus, Dublin; Womens’ and multi-cultural Festivals in Wales, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Discography: Debut album released on cassette in 1993 at Gilded Balloon!, Three CD releases (in 1996,2000,2006); DVD Live at The Hackney Empire by TVS ; Leukaemia Cancer Society Charity single release ‘Thank You For Today’; 12-inch single release ‘Je T’aime’, supporting the campaign for safe sex.
TV includes: ‘01 for London’, BBC Pebble Mill At One, BBC Alan Titchmarsh show, Sky TV Frank Bough Show, Channel 4 ‘Out On Tuesday’, Sky TV ‘My Greek Kitchen’, BBC2 ‘Edinburgh Nights’, Channel 4 ‘Mid-life Rap’, Carlton TV ‘Village London’, BBC2 ‘Hidden Strengths’, Central TV ‘Here and Now’.
Radio includes: BBC Woman’s Hour, BBC World Service, BBC Radio London, Tony Blackburn, Sandi Toksvig, DJ Ritu’s ‘A World In London’ and numerous regional, national and International stations.
“ Martha and Eve combine talent, charm and the friendliest charisma with spine-tingling vocals, stunning songs, impeccable harmonies and infectious humour”. The Observer
“This fiery twosome ad – lib a treat… Electric!” Jack Mazerick The Evening Standard
For more info please visit;
for press / PR enquiries:
