Queer Theatre London Unveils Dynamic Summer and Autumn Season

Queer Theatre, London’s award-winning LGBTQIA+ theatre and production company, announces an unmissable Summer and Autumn season of artist development, live performance,  play readings, podcast events and community gatherings across London. Committed to fostering  queer voices and nurturing the next generation of theatre makers, Queer Theatre continues to  create a supportive space where emerging voices and established artists can connect and  develop artistically.

The company continues its adored Queer Play Reading Club in partnership with Nick Hern  Books, celebrating LGBTQIA+ playwriting in a supportive, low-pressure environment. On Tuesday 21st July, award-winning playwright Tabby Lamb will join the session to discuss her  joyful trans rom-com Happy Meal. This Fringe First-winning play that has toured the UK and  performed at the Traverse Theatre is a funny and moving story of transition and identity  spanning the era from dial-up internet to TikTok.

Then on Tuesday 18th August, acclaimed playwright Iman Qureshi joins Andrew to share her  heartfelt story The Funeral Director that premiered at Southwark Playhouse in 2018. Qureshi’s  play explores Ayesha’s life as the director of a Muslim funeral parlour in an incisive story of  sexuality, gender and religion in twenty-first-century Britain. Rounding off this season of Queer  Play Reading Club on Tuesday 15th September is playwright Tom Wells with a special virtual  appearance to discuss his much-loved comedy Jumpers For Goalposts. This heartfelt story of football, friendship and finding your place premiered at Watford Palace Theatre before touring  the UK and a run at Bush Theatre.

The award-winning The Show People Podcast continues its residency at the Two Brewers with a  live recording featuring the beloved actor Cheryl Fergison in conversation with Andrew Keates  on Wednesday 12th August. Best known for her iconic portrayal of Heather Trott in EastEnders,  Cheryl joins the podcast for an in-depth discussion exploring her remarkable life and career  across television, theatre, music and writing. Further guests will be announced across the  Summer.

Alongside its artistic programme, Queer Theatre continues to strengthen its community through  offering a range of social events designed to bring LGBTQIA+ artists and allies together outside  traditional theatre spaces. Following the success of previous community initiatives, the company  will take part in both Pride in London on Saturday 4th July and London Trans+ Pride on Saturday  25th July, celebrating the diversity of voices in London’s community.

Celebrations continue in September as Queer Theatre marks its second birthday with Luvvie:  The Party For Queer People in the Performing Arts on Friday 11th September, bringing together  LGBTQIA+ creatives and allies across the industry to connect, build friendships and dance until  late. For two years, Queer Theatre has built a home for LGBTQIA+ theatre makers in London and  Luvvie offers a night to celebrate all Queer Theatre is proud of.

The company’s hugely popular OutCast Showcase returns on Wednesday 29th July, once again  bringing together performers of all experience levels, from emerging to established, alongside  exciting new writing in an evening celebrating the breadth and brilliance of LGBTQIA+ voices.

This season sees the return of the hugely popular The Big Queer Theatre Variety Night on  Friday 2nd October, an exuberant celebration of outrageous cabaret, drag, standup and much  more. The evening promises a joyful night at the Two Brewers, reaffirming the company’s  commitment to creating spaces where queer voices are celebrated and shared.

As part of the company’s commitment to strengthen connections within the community, Queer  Theatre launches its Summer Picnic and Optional Swim on Hampstead Heath on Saturday 15th August, creating a relaxed event for queer people to spend time together outside in one of  London’s most iconic parks.

Running alongside the events are Queer Theatre’s weekly Acting Classes for LGBTQIA+ people.  Held every Monday at the iconic Two Brewers in Clapham and led by award-winning director  and Queer Theatre Artistic Director Andrew Keates, the classes welcome everyone from  beginners to established professionals to develop their acting and performing skills.

Artistic Director of Queer Theatre, Andrew Keates, comments, It is one of the great privileges of  my life to serve this diverse company of LGBTQIA+ artists, which I founded nearly two years ago.

Every week, Queer Theatre fills LGBTQIA+ venues with emerging, professional and returning  theatre-makers through our Acting Classes for LGBTQIA+ People, Luvvie: The Party for Queer  People in the Performing Arts, and our Queer Play Reading Club, which connects our community  with some of the finest queer writers in the UK. Our showcases and variety nights are already  helping brilliant queer talent in London gain exposure, secure work, find representation and  access new creative opportunities.

And as the temperature continues to rise for LGBTQIA+ people in this country, we continue to  march at Pride events shoulder to shoulder with the friends we have made by choosing to show  up for one another, play together and refuse to be alone.

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