Queer Play Reading Club:
Jumpers For Goalposts by Tom Wells

Tuesday 15th September 2026
The Railway, Clapham

The Queer Play Reading Club is a monthly event, produced by Queer Theatre, held in partnership with Nick Hern Books, celebrating LGBTQIA+ playwriting in a supportive, low-pressure, queer-run, social space.

Each session begins with us reading out loud our own new queer writing, helping writers see how differently their work is from page to the mouths of actors and supportive feedback can be given. We then table-read a published LGBTQIA+ full-length play from Nick Hern Books, with everyone in the room reading various roles, followed by relaxed discussion and Q&A with the playwright themselves, and often with members of the Nick Hern Books team, facilitated by Queer Theatre’s Artistic Director, Andrew Keates. And finally, we share a drink together in the queer-run pub, The Railway. And everyone gets to take home their copy of the play-text too!

This month’s play: Jumpers For Goalposts by Tom Wells

“Meant to be a laugh isn’t it? I thought? Sort of, comedy team names – we’re called Barely Athletic – nothing too, just, banter, jumpers for, for goalposts. Six weeks, four teams, play each other twice. Sunday afternoon fun.”

A hilarious and heart-warming comedy about football, friendship and finding your way.

Luke wants Danny, but Danny's got a secret. Joe's happy in goal, but Geoff wants a headline gig. Viv just wants to beat the lesbians to the league title. Game on.

Tom Wells' play Jumpers for Goalposts premiered at Watford Palace Theatre in 2013, before touring the UK, including a run at the Bush Theatre, London.

We will also read Tom Wells' short play, Jonesy, the underdog story of an asthmatic teen who dreams of making a name for himself as a'Netball Maverick' and earning the respect of the lads from GCSE PE.

Special Guest Announcement

We are delighted to announce, Tom Wells will be joining us for this session via video to discuss the play and answer your questions.

Tom Wells is a playwright whose work includes: Big Big Sky (Hampstead Theatre, 2021); Stuff(National Theatre Connections Festival, 2019); Drip, with music composed by Matthew Robins (Boundless Theatre, 2017/8); Broken Biscuits (Live Theatre/Paines Plough UK tour, 2016); Folk(Birmingham Rep & tour, 2016); Jumpers for Goalposts (Watford Palace Theatre, 2013); The Kitchen Sink (Bush Theatre, 2011) and Me, As A Penguin (Arcola Theatre, 2010).

Itinerary

Tea, coffee and snacks from 6:30pm
Session starts at 7pm (sharing new writing with the group and receiving supportive feedback)
Then We read the play together.
Q&A with Tom Wells and Andrew Keates
Drinks and socialising until 11pm

Getting There

The Railway, Clapham
18 Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UR

By Tube: A 1-minute walk from Clapham North (Northern line) and 5 minutes from Clapham Common.
By Overground: Clapham High Street Station is directly opposite the venue.
By Bus: Served by routes 50, 88, 155, 322, and 345.
By Train: Clapham Junction is a short bus ride away, with connections across London and the South East.

Accessibility

The event takes place in an upstairs space accessible only by stairs. If you have access needs or questions, please contact us in advance so we can support your visit as best we can.

Important Information

This is not a performance but an informal exploration of the play’s text. Scenes will be read aloud by members of the group who wish to participate. Roles may therefore be read in ways that differ from their original casting intentions, including across gender, race, age, sexuality, and lived experience. We actively welcome this openness while also encouraging those with lived experience reflecting the characters to volunteer where appropriate.

If you are a writer wishing to have your own work shared aloud in the opening section, please bring an excerpt of no more than five minutes to allow space for others. We may not have time to include everyone’s work on the night. If you need excerpts printed, please email us.

This event forms part of Queer Theatre’s commitment to ensuring LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers always have somewhere to go each week to connect, grow and express themselves – alongside our Acting Classes For LGBTQIA+ People, OutCast showcases, Queer Variety Night, theatre trips, social events, workshops, parties and more.

By attending, you consent to Queer Theatre taking and using photography and video from the event for archive, press, marketing, website and social media purposes.

Find out more at www.queertheatre.co.uk/whats-on