Dave Semple Brings Music & Memory to the Palace

After decades of artistic creation, Dave Semple is finally putting it all on one stage.

“This has been 40 years in the making, really," he says. "Now I’m putting it all together, all of the things that I do, as opposed to just one at a time."

Blending his many roles as a singer-songwriter, poet, actor, director, and guitar crafter, Dave stages an uplifting and experimental show at the Palace Theatre on Nov. 6. Songs & Stories with Dave Semple, a one-night-only event in Procunier Hall, invites people to enjoy an evening of music, poetry, and storytelling in support of the Palace. 

The night will include eighteen songs, around fifteen poems, and several short stories. However, the show won’t be a solo man onstage performing for a silent, shadowy audience. Instead, it aims to capture the atmosphere of an acoustic house concert and all the magic that arises when people tune into a performance and each other. Attendees will be invited to sing along at times or contribute their own reflections.

“I don't want to be in solitude,” Dave says. “I want to have 62 (at least) people having a conversation with me, having a good time with me, having a good time with each other.”

"Join us for an unforgettable night with Dave Semple....one of London’s most cherished community voices," the Palace Theatre says.

Like many artists, Dave often finds himself offering explanations before sharing his work. This night at the Palace adopts an art-centric approach instead. The poems and stories that pepper the songs will create their own meaning, encouraging the audience to thoughtfully engage with themes of life, art, and community. 

“How good is a poem if you have to explain it? How good is a song if you have to explain it? I'm going to try and avoid that. I want to let the poetry and the lyrics speak for themselves, as opposed to me speaking for them,” Dave says.

Blending this many creative endeavours may sound like a variety show, but make no mistake, the set is carefully constructed. Its four chapters will take the audience on a journey that Dave, true to form given his decades of teaching, likens to the typical story structure. 

The first segment focuses on Dave's father, taking a tone of celebration and appreciation even when addressing difficult topics such as Alzheimer's. Dave describes this part of the night as exposition, a good way for the audience to get to know who he is as a performer by knowing his father first. Chapter two centres on the arts and all of the quirks that come alongside being a creative. Artists in the audience will appreciate pieces like ‘Open Mic,’ which poke fun at the characters that any open mic frequenter recognizes. 

In its third section, the show hits a high note with a half-hour devoted to pure fun. Dave describes the segment as “a bit of a free-for all” that will have the audience singing and laughing along. To close, the night transitions into Autumn, a chapter that celebrates each stage of life and what different generations can learn from one another.

“I'm in the autumn of my life,” Dave says. “It's a nice place to be because you really get to become who you really are when you're out of the workplace and you don't have to wear that persona anymore. You can just kind of be who you are and figure that out. That's glorious.”

The night will be the culmination of Dave’s life and artistic journey so far, and it feels natural to be held in support of The Palace. It’s a place that has given him a space to grow creatively, whether onstage as an actor or offstage as a director and mentor. Earlier this year, Dave led an intensive monologue workshop that fostered aspiring actors and directors. Next, his sights are set on directing Closer, a bold production in Procunier Hall in February. Fundraising for the Palace ensures there is a place for future creatives to find their footing in London.

“I don't want to see community theatre die in London,” Dave insists. “Whether it's the Palace or any of the smaller companies around, I want them to keep going. I want them to have places that are affordable that they can play in.”

The Palace has faced many challenges in recent years, leading to a series of Save the Palace fundraising initiatives this year. Many have been organized by people like Dave, who have found community at the Palace. Urgent funding priorities include repairs to the historic building and security costs.

“I know every city is having the same problems, but I don't live in every city. I live in this one. So what can I do for this one?” Dave says. 

This evening is his answer.

Be a part of a unique night of art, connection, and community on Nov. 6. Admission is pay-what-you-can ($15 suggested), and all are welcome. View the Facebook event page for more details.