The King’s Head Theatre today announces the full line-up for its 2018 Queer Season. Established in 2015, the Queer Season is a celebration of the most interesting and innovative LGBTQI+ theatre being created in modern Britain, with transfers to and from some of the UK’s largest arts festivals alongside world premieres.
The European premiere of For Reasons That Remain Unclear… by the author of the groundbreaking gay comedy-drama, The Boys in the Band, is to headline the season. Directed by Jessica Lazar (East, Life According to Saki), the play is a thrilling two-hander that examines complex questions of power and fidelity. Other highlights include Tennessee Williams’ And Tell Sad Stories of the Deaths of Queens, a fascinating and touching play about the life of a New Orleans drag queen, never performed in Williams’ lifetime because of its openly gay characters; Alexis Gregory’s verbatim exploration of the lives of three prominent Queer activists, directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair; a queer murder mystery, The Cluedo Club Killings, which transfers after an acclaimed sell-out run at the Arcola Theatre and the Minerva Collective’s Sacrament, which explores the challenges of a coming out as a lesbian in Catholic Ireland.
The King’s Head Theatre’s Artistic Director, Adam Spreadbury-Maher, says ‘Queer work is a vital aspect of our programme; we’re committed to being a space where queer lives are explored, and queer artists have a voice. I’m delighted to host this season of fantastic theatre, which places work by celebrated playwrights and directors such as Mart Crowley, Tennessee Williams and Rikki Beadle-Blair alongside exciting, emerging writers and to celebrate the range of contexts, experiences and stories that the queer world has to offer.’
The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about championing ethically produced fringe theatre, we are known for our challenging work and support of young artists. Last year 116,151 audience members saw a show of ours: 44,607 at our 110-seater home on Upper Street and 71,544 elsewhere. At our home in Islington we had 774 performances last year of 95 different shows. We are committed to fighting prejudice through the work we stage, the artists and staff we work with and by producing work for minority audience groups. We believe in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work; work we are passionate about. Last year we announced the theatre is on the move. Subject to a fundraising campaign, the King’s Head Theatre will move into a custom-built space in the heart of Islington Square, directly behind its current home securing the future of the venue for generations to come.
