Queertet 2012 -- theatre with Pride!
Liverpool Pride launched in style last night with a booze cruise across the Mersey – a rather snazzy first for the annual LGBT event. And here’s another -- Queertet 2012, four short, original LGBT themed plays by local writers produced especially for Pride. The brainchild of Grin Productions, the plays will be performed at the Lantern Theatre across two evenings a week before the main event, with hosts Lewis and Drew from Channel 4’s My Transsexual Summer (pictured above). Simon James of Grin says: “We’re thrilled to be hosting this event as part of Liverpool Pride’s cultural offering at this year’s pride festival. Pride has become a highlight of the year in Liverpool and has proved to be a huge success and we love the inclusivity of the festival which ensures that all members of the community can get involved. We hope with Queertet we can offer something extra to people wanting to join in the fun. We also couldn’t be happier to have Lew and Drew on board.” Liverpool Pride chair Zoran Blackie said: “Liverpool Pride is delighted to have Queertet as its first ever live theatre event as part of our ‘chill out’ cultural programme. Pride is all about celebrating and raising awareness of the diversity of our LGBT community and the issues that affect it, and Queertet is shining an amusing and touching light on them for 2012.” Who could resist ? Described as “a sparkling and sizzling theatrical celebration”, Queertet promises “an exciting evening of fun, frothy and naughty frolics”. Ooer. The first of our ‘queertet’ is Madam Reprobate, written by Patrick Maguire and directed by Natasia Hodge: It's always a fraught time introducing the new man in your life to your mother but John has good reason to feel the way that he does in this sparkling and warm hearted comedy. Then there's Linda and Sue, written by Chris Christou and directed by Michelle Taylor: Linda loves Sue, Sue loves Linda, complicated? Could be. Chris has developed a nice study of love and the ways to a woman's heart. Followed by Sweats, written and directed by Wes Williams: Picture this, two mates in a gay sauna, loads of truth, loads of stories, loads of filth and a dash of romance maybe? Based on the hugely successful Grin production "Baked" from 2011. Finally, Half a Bottle Gone is written by Ian Walker and directed by Rachael White. Three friends, one night, bottles of wine and a few shared secrets... Queertet takes place at the Lantern on July 27 and 28. Tickets are £7.50 / £6.00 from the box office on 0151 703 0000 or www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk.
