In partnership with Pride in London, The National Theatre will mark the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales by staging its first Queer Theatre event series from 6th – 10th July 2017.
A group of world-class actors and directors will look at how theatre has charted the LGBT+ experience through a series of rehearsed readings and post-show discussions in the Lyttelton Theatre.
The first in the series of rehearsed readings is Sarah Daniels Neaptide. Directed by Sarah Frankcom, Neaptide was the National Theatre’s first full-length play by a female playwright. It presents a ferocious but funny account of the public and private battles of a lesbian mother in the 1980s, alongside the ancient myth of Demeter & Persephone. Having recently come out to her family, Claire now faces a bitter custody battle and uncertainty over her teaching career.
Neaptide is on stage in the Lyttelton Theatre on 6 July at 7.30pm, cast includes:
Ronke Adekoluejo (Val), Adjoa Andoh (Beatrice), Simon Armstrong (Sid & Cyril), Thomas Arnold (Colin & Roger), Maureen Beattie (Joyce), Morfydd Clark (Poppy & Terri), Karla Crome (Diane), Helena Lymbery (Anette & Marion), Sarah Niles (Linda) and Jessica Raine (Claire).
The reading will be followed by a free discussion with Sarah Daniels and Sarah Frankcom about the play.
Wig Out! Is the second in the series of LGBT+ rehearsed readings at the NT. Written and directed by Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), Wig Out! tells of the fiercest battle in New York as the House Of Light compete with the House Of Diabolique for drag family supremacy at the Cinderella Ball. When Eric meets Wilson, it’s a good old-fashioned boy meets boy fairy tale. However, when Wilson reveals his drag alter-ego Nina, questions of masculinity and gender come to the fore. In the tradition of Paris Is Burning, this big, bold and riotous play looks at gender, drag and fabulousness.
Wig Out! is on stage in the Lyttelton Theatre on July 7 at 7.30pm, cast includes:
Tarell Alvin McCraney (Rey Rey), Arun Blair-Mangat (directions), Tunji Kasim (Eric), Alexia Khadime (Fate), Kadiff Kirwan (Ms Nina), Abiona Omonua (Faith), Jonjo O’Neill (Serena), Tom Rhys-Harries (Loki), Ukweli Roach (Lucian), Cat Simmons (Fay) and Craig Stein (Venus).
The NT’s Queer Theatre event series is hosted in partnership with Pride in London and includes:
Neaptide by Sarah Daniels, directed by Sarah Frankcom, Thursday 6 July, 7.30pm
Wig Out! written and directed by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Friday 7 July, 7.30pm
Certain Young Men written and directed by Peter Gill, Saturday 8 July, 7.30pm
Bent by Martin Sherman, directed by Stephen Daldry, Sunday 9 July, 2.30pm
The Drag by Mae West, directed by Polly Stenham, Monday 10 July, 7.30pm.
Free post show talks (40 mins) will follow each reading exploring the issues in the plays and in a wider context for the LGBT+ community.
