Newsletter: September with Queer Theatre

We welcome Cassidy Janson and a host of incredible queer artists and prizes for our second birthday and Luvvie, our party for queer people in the arts. Tom Wells and Ryan Atkin join us for Queer Play Reading Club, Star Trek’s Michael Dorn comes to The Show People Podcast LIVE (now SOLD OUT), our Acting Classes for LGBTQIA+ People welcome a wave of new members and a new loyalty pass to get a whole month’s worth of classes for our cheapest rate and no booking fees, and we’re looking for performers for the next Queer Theatre Variety Night on 2 October.

Meanwhile, Queer Theatre members can be seen working across the UK, from film sets and the Edinburgh Fringe to cabaret stages and major theatres.

So, whether you’ve been away for a while or you’ve been meaning to come along for the first time, here are all the ways to get involved, develop your work and find a sense of belonging at Queer Theatre.

Cassidy Janson and more at Luvvie: The Party for Queer People in the Arts
Celebrating 2 Years of Queer Theatre
Friday 11 September | Two Brewers

Queer Theatre turns two this month, and we’re celebrating with the second edition of Luvvie: The Party for Queer People in The Arts.

We created Luvvie for LGBTQIA+ people and allies working and studying across theatre, film, television, cabaret, live performance and the wider creative industries. There are plenty of industry events where everyone stands around wondering who they are supposed to talk to. We wanted to make something warmer, more enjoyable and unmistakably queer.

Expect a room full of artists and creatives, West End cabaret, and an Industry Auction and Raffle packed with prizes that are genuinely useful, from theatre tickets and creative opportunities to career support, books, experiences and more. Prizes and support have been donated by friends of Queer Theatre including Sir Stephen Fry, Andrew Keates, Cheryl Fergison, Gay’s The Word, Stonewall, Cosy Hair Salon and the Two Brewers, with more still to be announced.

There will be plenty of time to meet people, catch up with old friends, make new connections and then stay on for a DJ until 4am.

We’re delighted to announce our first special cabaret guest, Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson, who will be performing live, with more artists still to be announced.

If you work in the arts, are studying to work in the arts, or simply want to meet more queer creative people, come and celebrate with us.

And if you’ve been part of Queer Theatre over the past two years, we especially want you there.

Tickets available from only £10 | Pay What You Can | Cabaret Tables and More.

Queer Play Reading Club
Jumpers for Goalposts with Tom Wells & Ryan Atkin
Tuesday 15th September | The Railway

This month, Queer Play Reading Club turns to Tom Wells’ Jumpers For Goalposts, a funny and deeply affectionate queer play about football, friendship and finding your way.

The evening begins with an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ writers to bring in a short piece of new work and hear it read aloud by actors in the room. We then read the published play together before discussing it as a group.

This month we are delighted to welcome two special guests.

Tom Wells will join us by video to talk about Jumpers For Goalposts, his writing and the world of the play, and to answer questions from the room. We will also be joined by Ryan Atkin, one of the first openly gay referees in professional football, a Stonewall Sports Champion and Football Director for the International Gay & Lesbian Football Association. Ryan will bring his own experience of LGBTQIA+ life within football to our discussion of the play and its themes.

We will also read Tom Wells’ short play Jonesy.

The Queer Play Reading Club is deliberately informal. You do not need to prepare anything and nobody is required to read. Some people come because they are actors, some because they write, some because they want to understand plays better, and others simply enjoy sitting around a table with a group of queer people talking seriously about theatre.

Every ticket also includes a copy of the play-text to take home.

Star Trek’s Michael Dorn on The Show People Podcast LIVE
Saturday 26th September | Two Brewers

Our live recording of The Show People Podcastwith Michael Dorn has now completely sold out!

Andrew Keates will be talking to Michael about his extraordinary career, from playing Worf across Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, the feature films and Picard, to his work as a director, voice artist, producer and pilot.

Thank you to everybody who booked. We are expecting a very special night.

If you missed this one, keep an eye on Queer Theatre and The Show People Podcast. We have more guests to announce later in the year. And you can listen and watch past episodes with notable Star Trek alumni, including Marina Sirtis, Dominic Keating, Terry Farrell, Gary Graham and more here.

And thank you to everyone who has been watching and listening to Queer Theatre’s work on YouTube. We have just passed 2.6 MILLION VIEWS!

Acting Classes for LGBTQIA+ People
Every Monday | Two Brewers

Our weekly Acting Classes for LGBTQIA+ People continue to grow with many new members and returning faces throughout September, led by Queer Theatre’s Artistic Director, Andrew Keates.

The classes are open to actors at every stage, including professional performers, people in training, experienced amateurs and complete beginners.

Each week is different. We work on acting technique, improvisation, scenes, monologues, new writing, devising and queer material, with a focus on keeping actors active, developing their craft and giving them the confidence to take risks in a supportive room.

Regular members of the classes can also become involved in Queer Theatre’s wider work, including our OutCast showcases, readings, workshops and other performance opportunities, plus new initiatives which will be announced next month!

September Loyalty Pass

The deadline to book our September Loyalty Pass is 7 September. The pass allows you to attend all our classes throughout September for only £25 per class, with no booking fees. Don’t miss the deadline!

Queer Theatre Variety Night
Friday 2 October | Two Brewers

Passionate about variety? Do you have an act you’d love to try in front of an audience?

We’re looking for LGBTQIA+ singers, drag artists, comedians, musicians, magicians, cabaret performers, impressionists, spoken-word artists and unexpected acts for our next Queer Theatre Variety Night.

The evening brings together established performers and emerging artists, and we are particularly interested in people who have something they want to test, develop or put in front of an audience for the first time.

If you would like to be considered, send us an example of your work and a little information about yourself at info@queertheatre.co.uk.

Or book now for a fabulous night out of queer talent!

Help us tell queer stories and nurture theatre-makers.

If you can make a difference by making a donation, or you can think of any other ways of helping us, please CLICK HERE to visit our support page.

Our Patrons: Sir Stephen Fry | Martin Sherman | Pearl Mackie | Annette Badland | Adèle Anderson