Newsletter: August with Queer Theatre
After the incredible success of July’s OutCast Showcase, now is the perfect time to join us for our 2B: Acting Classes for LGBTQ+ People. With no show to prepare for until October, August offers space to reconnect with your craft, build confidence, and explore queer material in a playful, supportive environment, without the pressure of performance.
We’re also bringing you some truly extraordinary events. We’re thrilled to welcome cabaret icon and musical theatre star Mary Mac to The Show People Podcast for an unmissable evening discussing drag, humour, musical theatre and behind-the-scenes stories. Just one week later, we’re honoured to be joined by Sir Ian McKellen, a living legend of stage, screen, and LGBTQ+ activism, for what promises to be a moving and unforgettable night.
And at our Queer Play Reading Club, we’ll be joined by playwright Michael Dennis as we explore Dark Sublime - a funny, tender and sci-fi-infused exploration of love in later life between women, and what it means to be a fan.
Whether you’re a performer, writer, or someone who just loves queer theatre, there’s something for you this August. And every time you show up, you’re be contributing to helping this community thrive.
The Show People Podcast With Andrew Keates and special guests, JP McCue aka Mary Mac and Sir Ian McKellen
📍 Two Brewers, Clapham
Thursday 7th August | JP McCue aka Mary Mac
Cabaret icon and musical theatre star Mary Mac joins Andrew Keates for an unforgettable evening of drag, storytelling, and behind-the-scenes showbiz tales. From cruise ships to the West End, get ready for laughs, inspiration, and some surprise live moments.
Thursday 14th August | Sir Ian McKellen
A truly historic event. Join us for an intimate live podcast recording with the legendary Sir Ian McKellen, one of the world’s greatest actors and a pioneering voice for LGBTQ+ equality. Hosted by Andrew Keates, this promises to be a moving and unforgettable night.
🎧 Just 100 seats per event – book now to avoid disapointment
Queer Play Reading Club: Dark Sublime with special guest, Michael Dennis
Tuesday 19th August | 6:30pm – 10pm
📍 The Railway, Clapham
A play about joy and heartbreak, quarries and transmat beams.
When Oli arrives at now-forgotten sci-fi icon Marianne's door, he's looking for an autograph – and maybe a friend. Marianne's hoping for the phone to ring, for her best friend to see her differently, for her turn at something more substantial than a half-remembered role on a cult TV show.
As they start to explore each other's worlds, they begin to discover what every good relationship needs: time and space.
Exploring the complexities of connection, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, and the contrast in lived experiences across generations, Dark Sublime is a love-letter to British sci-fi television – those that make it and those that adore it.
Each session includes:
🎭 A space for writers to have their work read aloud and receive feedback.
📚 A free copy of the play to keep, thanks to Nick Hern Books
🧠 A Q&A with playwright, Alexi Kaye Campbell and Queer Theatre Artistic Director, Andrew Keates.
🍰 Free tea, coffee & snacks
🍸 Socialise together afterwards with new friends and fellow queer theatre-makers.
2B: Acting Classes for LGBTQ+ People
Every Monday | 6:30pm – 10pm
📍 Two Brewers, Clapham
London’s most popular weekly acting class created exclusively for LGBTQ+ people.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or trying acting for the very first time, 2B offers a bold, supportive space to explore character, connection, and queer identity through improvisation, storytelling and devised work. This month, we’re collaborating as an ensemble to develop original queer material that’s dynamic, authentic and unapologetically us.
☕ Free tea, coffee and snacks from 6:30pm
🎭 Class runs 7pm–10pm
🍸 Social drinks and drag DJ Amy LaQueefa after class until 2am.
Want to Support Queer Theatre?
Your support helps us tell LGBTQ+ stories, foster queer talent, and create safe spaces for our community.
📧 Get in touch at hello@queertheatre.co.uk
💝 Make a donation at QueerTheatre.co.uk