February is LGBTQ+ History Month and is observed by several countries across the globe.
Content warning: This resource contains references to LGBTQ+ persecution, violence, and Nazism within the world of a play.
As it is LGBTQ+ History month here in the UK, we have been looking back on our history of telling LGBTQ+ stories. This year’s theme, activism and social change brought up conversations about what activism can look like. Activism can be clear, like protest, campaigning, or boycotting. Activism can also be the creation of things, art, music, theatre, and education, particularly in when power systems look to revoke joy and freedom.
Our production of BENT by Martin Sherman, in 2004 stands out as being incredibly prevalent to this particular moment in time. BENT follows the story of Max and his partner Rudy in 1930s Berlin and their attempt to escape persecution by the Nazis.
The play, through fictious characters, depicts the very real horrors inflicted upon the prisoners of the Dachau concentration camp. The play is visceral, violent, and unfortunately accurate to the experiences of the victims of the Nazi Persecution of 1933-1945. In Graeae’s own words, “Bent is a harrowing account of love, hate and prejudice, powerfully capturing and unforgettable chapter in recent history.”
BENT was presented as any Graeae play would be, performed by Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent actors, in an aesthetically accessible style. The creative direction highlighted the intersection of the persecution, and the systematic murders experienced by both the LGBTQ+ community and the Disabled community during Hitler’s reign.
We still exist in a time, where LGBTQ+ rights are precarious at best. Graeae always has, and always will support the LGBTQ+ community in their fight for equality as they have stood with us in the fight for Disability justice. Graeae believes in the power of storytelling and the importance of stories from the LGBTQ+ community being prioritised. While BENT tells a horrific, yet vital piece of queer history, we also believe in the importance of celebrating and platforming queer joy.
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We would also like to highlight some productions and artists that we have worked with that exemplify the theme, activism and social change.
In the late 1980s, Graeae commissioned playwright Tasha Fairbanks to create a new show for the company. In 1987, Graeae presented Fairbanks’ work, A Private View, which follows the story of a lesbian couple staging a heist. At the time, Graeae’s Board was unsure about presenting this narrative, but the creative team felt it was vital to strip-away preconceived notions around Disability and sex. The creative team knew that A Private View demonstrated the importance of Deaf and Disabled individuals being able to make their own decisions about their body and whom they love, so they pushed for it to be produced. The cast featured, Merry Cross, Jenny Sealey, Kaite O’Reilly, and Letty Kaye. A Private View went on to tour throughout the UK, and internationally in Malaysia. This opened up Graeae to be more vocal and proactive in programming LGBTQ+ stories.
In 1992, Graeae produced Indian novelist Firdaus Kanga’s A Kind of Immigrant, which considers the intersections of Disability, sexuality, and identity. Kanga, who is Disabled and Gay, is known for pulling on his own experience of intersectional identities to create challenging, exciting, and often funny narratives that were not being written by others. A Kind of Immigrant stared Jeremy Killick, Shan Stevens, Rashid Karapiet, and Mark Beer, it went on to tour throughout the UK at the end of 1992.
We began this year with our New Writing Festival which featured 12 Letters to My Name, a play by Lettie Precious. Lettie is a Black British writer who explores the world as seen through different perspectives, whether queer, Black, non-binary, and/or from those who are Disabled. 12 Letters to My Name follows Tobi and Jay, two immigrant children growing up in England. The story focuses on their experiences growing up in England, as they try to find a sense of home, and establish their own identity. The cast featured, E.M Williams, Alexandra James, Jamael Westman, Chris Fonseca, and Raymond Shaahu.
The festival also featured My Night with El** Mu**, a short play by Jesse Stone. In their own words, Jesse Stone is a queer crip writer with a lot feelings. Their play followed a Trans sex worker who has the opportunity to challenge the distribution of power and wealth when a new client shows up. Danielle James performed the play.
We are proud to be working with these artists over the years, and really encourage everyone to check out their work.
You can also check out our case study film that follows Amelia Cavallo, a queer, blind, multi-disciplinary practitioner. Graeae has been thrilled to have Amelia feature in productions such as, The Threepenny Opera, and The Garden. You can learn more about their practice via our case study here.
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