Radical Rediscovery II
LGBTQ+ Play Reading Marathon
London Performance Studios and Unfinished Histories are pleased to present the Play Reading Marathon, 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. Whether you want to read a role, listen from the audience, or join the conversations that follow each piece, all are welcome.
This isn't just about looking back, attendees will have the chance to apply for a grant to create new work inspired by these plays, continuing the conversation between past and present.
This year, Fifty Years of the Fight for Inclusion marks half a century since Britain's first Gay Theatre Festival, staged at Inter-Action's Almost Free Theatre in 1975 by Gay Sweatshop.
But the Play Reading Marathons reach beyond to uncover other early voices from the LGBTQ+ theatre history, including the pioneering work by 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.
Each day-long marathon introduces at least four plays, most never published, never restaged, but essential to understanding how LGBTQ+ voices fought for space on British stages.
Saturday 19 July 2025
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)
Saturday 26 July 2025
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)
This workshop is organised by Unfinished Histories, as part of the Associate Artists Programme.
19/07
26/07