Radical Rediscovery II: LGBTQ+ Playreading Marathon
London Performance Studios and Unfinished Histories are pleased to present two day long playreading sessions exploring works by pioneering voices of early out gay theatre from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Each day-long marathon introduces at least four plays, most never published, never restaged, but essential to understand and engage on how LGBTQ+ voices fought for space on British stages.
Date
London Performance Studios and Unfinished Histories are pleased to present two day long playreading sessions exploring works by pioneering voices of early out gay theatre from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Join us for two days of theatrical history that shaped a community. Attendees are invited to join to read a role, listen from the audience, or join the conversations that follow each piece, all are welcome. Each day-long marathon will introduce at least four plays, most never published or restaged, but essential to understanding how LGBTQ+ voices fought for space on British stages. Both days will be led by Dr Susan Croft alongside co-facilitators and performance makers Alexander Gallimore and Rachel Mars.
Material covered over the two days will include the work of lesbian playwright Maureen Duffy, groundbreaking productions from Bradford's community theatre company The General Will (performing as The One-Off Company), and vital contributions from Brixton Faeries alongside lesbian feminist companies including Character Ladies, Hard Corps, Parker and Klein, and other mixed companies.
This event is the first of year two of Fifty Years of The Fight For Inclusion (FYFFI), a multi-year project celebrating key milestones in the fight for inclusion in British theatre, led by Unfinished Histories. Following on from last year’s celebrations of the first women’s theatre festival, 2025 marks half a century since Britain's first Gay Theatre Festival, staged at Inter-Action's Almost Free Theatre in 1975 by Gay Sweatshop.
Those attending will have the chance to apply for a microgrant to create new work inspired by these plays, building on the conversation between past and present.
This event is open to all and free to attend, with light refreshments provided. Space is limited, so advance booking is required. If you require access information or an access ticket, please get in touch info@londonperformancestudios.com
Saturday 19 July 2025 / Co-hosted by Alexander Gallimore & Dr. Susan Croft
Mister X by Roger Baker and Drew Griffiths (1976)
Men by Noel Greig and Don Milligan (1976)
Gents by Brixton Faeries (1980)
Minehead Revised or The Warts That Dared to Speak Their Name by Brixton Faeries (1979)
All Het Up by Noel Greig and Bradford Gay Liberation Front Theatre Group (1975)
Teatrolley by Peter Scott-Presland (1981)
Where to Now? by Martin Patrick (1988)
Saturday 26 July 2025 / Co-hosted by Rachel Mars & Dr. Susan Croft
Rites by Maureen Duffy (1969)
Washouse: a masque by Maureen Duffy (1973)
Son of a Gun by Sidewalk Theatre (1979)
Devilry by Debby Klein (1985)
John by Adele Saleem (1985)
Ladies of the Vale by Sandra Freeman (1988)
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How to get there
Please be aware that the P12 is currently on a diversion due to construction work.
Accessibility
London Performance Studios is located in the Penarth Centre, an industrial building in South Bermondsey.
The Penarth Centre does not currently have an operational lift, but we are fundraising to repair this. Many of our performances are held in Studio 1, which does not have step-free access. Many of our performances, exhibitions and other events also take place in Studio 3, which is at street-level with step-free access.
All our toilets are gender-neutral. We have an accessible toilet located downstairs.
For studio hires, please give us an email or call to discuss any of your access needs which we will do our best to accommodate.
→ Performances, Exhibitions & Events
Our access requirements (including content warnings, seating plans, lighting and sound) vary for each performance or event, so please get in touch for more information. Large font versions of programmes and press releases are available upon request.
→ Tickets
We offer concessionary rates for accessible tickets, which includes a free ticket for a companion. Please send us an email or call if you would like to book these tickets.
→ Travel
We are located in South Bermondsey, local to several bus stops and train stations including Queens Road Peckham and South Bermondsey. We are able to send out detailed travel specs with mileage to these transport links upon request.
For any more information on our building (including numbers of steps and measurements) please get in touch.
Unit 33, Penarth Centre, Penarth Street
LONDON
SE15 1TR
United Kingdom
