An interview with a camp vamp, a harrowing story of post-war Germany, revelations of being gay in the South African army, and a look back at Eurovision hits tells us just how varied the current queer theatre scene is.
But first, after 12 years performing as both himself and his alter ego damaged cabaret star Miss Hope Springs, Ty Jeffries is calling it a day as a regular performer with two shows in London. As himself, he will play at the Crazy Coqs cabaret room in Piccadilly’s Brasserie Zedel on 27 April (tickets), and then at the prestigious Wigmore Hall on 7 June (tickets).
Hear historic hits live and vote for your favourite at Tim McArthur’s totally camp creation Eurovision – Your Decision, which returns at the King’s Head, London from 29 April – 11 May.
The Camden Fringe comes to the King’s Head too this summer. The Pink List is set in 1957 West Germany. The battle against the Nazis may have ended 12 years ago, but the war against injustice goes on. While most laws have been de-nazified, the law persecuting homosexuals remains in force. Karl is a gay concentration camp survivor, who goes on trial for the ‘crime’ of loving another man. It runs on 16 June, 5 August and 11 & 12 August.
Sell-out queer comedy cabaret night Comedy Fit For A King is hosted at the same venue by Pedro Leandro on 5 & 25 May with acts including Katie Norris, Rohan Sharma, Mudfish, Liv Ello and Lil Wenker.
Daddy, which runs from 17 – 19 May, is a new show where Brent Thorpe – described as the biggest poof in Australia – takes us on a wild ride to discover what life is like as a Daddy and to see how much fun getting older is.
Klub Obskura returns on 1 June as a showcase for alternative drag and cabaret artists who struggle to find a venue.
Rounding off at the King’s Head is Two Come Home from 14-18 August. Ten years after a crime tore them apart, two lovers re-unite at the worst time. Guilt, rage and love collide in this new play featuring a live band. It explores being gay in an impoverished rural community. Tickets for all King’s Head shows HERE
Riverside Studios presents Moffie – a stage adaptation of Andre Carl Van De Merwe’s autobiographical novel about his time as a conscript in South Africa’s apartheid-era military.
It’s staged as a monologue by rising star Kai Luke Brummer. We’re in 1979 and the play tells of Nicholas a recruit who is terrified of being outed and labelled as a ‘moffie’ – a derogatory term for being gay. It runs 5-30 June. Tickets HERE
And finally in this selection: international cabaret star and lyricist Dr Adam Perchard and Oliver-winning composer Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer: The Opera!), perform Interview With The Vamp at the Soho Theatre from 10-13 July.
Adam is an old vamp, with one hell of a back story and Richard is here to get the scoop. Adam is billed as an icon of the East London queer scene, so there’s bound to be fun in store for its audience. Tickets HERE
