“Innovative fearless & funny!”……. Trudy Howson, UK LGBT Poet Laureate
Trigger Warning! Contains adult themes and language, nudity, mental health, HIV, DWP Deaths, Lucifer, and poetry, but no Nazis.
Poet, artist and contrary queen, Vince Laws, is bringing his brand new play, A Very Queer Nazi Faust, to Norwich Pride 2017.
“The best theatre production you’ll see all year! Telling the sad story that faces so many of our most vulnerable citizens with fantastic wit and compelling drama.”……..Lewis Martin
The play aims to highlight the plight of disabled humans under the current Tory government and the previous Tory/Lib Dem coalition.
It features the DEAD PEOPLE DON’T CLAIM banner, and a host of local legends, telling ‘The Tragic True Life & Deserved Death of a Benefit Scrounger by Himself, John Faust’.
“I love it John,” exclaims Lucifer, “but I think that title deserves a Dandy tweak?”
Faust’s benefits have been stopped without warning, he’s overdrawn, he can’t pay his rent, the bailiffs are coming, his car needs a new clutch, his dog’s at the vets with blood poisoning, the DWP brown envelopes keep piling up, in despair, Faust throws himself off Beeston Bump, but Lucifer won’t let him drown. “Finish your book John, I love it! But I want a bigger part and a happy ending!”
“Fearless storytelling. The performance in the church, especially, reminded me that theatre began in churches in England . And if ever we needed miracle plays, today is the time. Great writing. Great delivery. And never have chains been worn so stylishly.” …..Dugald Ferguson
Although the controversial title and theme were left out of the printed version of Norwich Pride’s programme, A Very Queer Nazi Faust will be performed in the big tent on Chapelfield Gardens at 4pm on Pride Saturday, July 29, and lasts about an hour.
“Dramatic and hard-hitting. A visual and sensory feast with a strong and topical message.”….. Nick O’Brien, Norwich Pride
“I thought long and hard about the title,” said Vince. “I realise some people find the word queer triggering, and I’m sorry if that upsets anyone on the day, that is not my intention. Context is king. Queer is a more inclusive term, i.e. there are non-LGBT+ people who identify as queer. It can mean strange, different, other, and I think we queers have thoroughly reclaimed it by now.”
“The first people the Nazis killed systematically were the disabled, after demonising people with disabilities as a burden on taxpayers in the press. Sound familiar?” explains Vince.
“Look up Aktion T4. ‘Under the programme certain German physicians were authorized to select patients “deemed incurably sick, after most critical medical examination” and then administer to them a “mercy death”…’ Wikipedia.
“Today, the United Nations has found the current UK Tory government ‘guilty of grave and systematic abuse of disabled people’s human rights’, twice.
“People are dying because of the way the benefit system is being used as a weapon against them. I feel like an enemy of the state because I have disabilities. Fuck that. ‘If the system cripples you, you must cripple the system!’ Oscar Wilde. This play is my way of fighting back.”
“I loved it ❤️ Jan McLachlan [Lucifer] total star ⭐️ well written , totally got it 👍 left me wanting more”
A Very Queer Nazi Faust has been made on a shoestring budget, crowdfunding and enthusiasm.
If you can’t make the show on Pride Saturday, you can see Act 1, 30 minutes, at the launch of the Pride Without Prejudice art show, at St Margaret’s Church of Art, Norwich, NR2 4AQ, on Monday, July 24, at 8pm.
You can see Act 2, 30 minutes, at the closing party for Pride Without Prejudice art show, on Friday, August 4, at 8pm.
All performances are free. Contains adult themes and language.
Everyone is giving their time free, but donations towards props and costumes etc most welcome.
To make a donation, click here:
To highlight Queer Solidarity with People With Disabilities, Vince will be carrying the DEAD PEOPLE DON’T CLAIM banner at Norwich Pride, and anyone who wants to, is welcome to join him.
Vince is also collaborating with artist and activist Lisa Mac to create 100 Triangles of Love, pink/black cardboard triangles to carry on the parade to highlight Queer Solidarity with People With Disabilities, and their shared history of oppression, and the ongoing oppression they face around the world.
If you’d like to carry a Triangle of Love, or make your own and join the, email: vincelaws@gmail.com or contact via Facebook.
Act 1 Monday, July 24 at 8pm at St Margaret’s Church of Art, Norwich, NR2 4AQ, duration 30 minutes, Free.
Act 1 & 2 (whole show) Pride Saturday, July 29 at 4pm in Big Tent on Chapelfield Gardens, duration 60 minutes, Free.
Act 2 Friday, August 4 at 8pm at St Margaret’s Church of Art, Norwich, NR2 4AQ, duration 30 minutes, Free.
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