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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.

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...

This is a publicly contributed event and not a council event. If you would like, you can submit your own event and have it appear on our website (subject to review).
Protesters hold a large "Brixton Gays" banner and signs reading "We are proud to be gay" and "Homosexuality is not a defect" on a city street, while a man in a coat walks past.

Date

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Last two Saturdays of July

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Description

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)

If you would like more information about any of the plays, you can have a look here.

This event is organised by Unfinished Histories, as part of the Associate Artists Programme.

How to get there

By bus
→ Manor Grove (0.1 mi to LPS) or Old Kent Road (0.3 mi to LPS)
Please be aware that the P12 is currently on a diversion due to construction work.
By train
→ South Bermondsey (0.3 mi to LPS)
By tube
→ Surrey Quays station / New Cross Gate / Queens Road Peckham / Bermondsey

Accessibility

If you require access information or an access ticket, please get in touch info@londonperformancestudios.com

Location
Address

London Performance Studios
Penarth Centre, Penarth St
London
SE15 1TR
United Kingdom

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