On Sunday, February 15 2015, the Arcola Theatre in Hackney, London, is hosting Homosexual Acts, a gala benefit to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening of the first gay theatre season in Britain.
The evening also aims to raise funds for Unfinished Histories, a charity organisation which records the history of alternative theatre in the UK from 1968 to 1998.
Opening on February 17 1975, the original season, also entitled Homosexual Acts, consisted of seven shows at the Almost Free Theatre in Rupert Street, Soho. The season was a major breakthrough for the newly-formed theatre company, Gay Sweatshop, which was a partner in the event.
The evening will consist of staged readings from some of the key sweatshop plays over the years, plus archive recordings and projections celebrating the breakthrough week and its legacy.
Those taking part include Simon Callow, Alan Wakeman, Martin Sherman and Philip Osment, with the evening recalling work by Jill Posener, Noel Greig, Jackie Kay, Robert Patrick and others.
The gala will conclude with a performance by Siren women’s band.
The event is accompanied by a foyer exhibition of posters and flyers from Gay Sweatshop and other LGBT companies of the period.
The foyer exhibition is free of charge and runs from February 1 to 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Event: Homosexual Acts
Where: Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL
When: February 17, 2015
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Tickets: £20
For more information and to purchase tickets online, click here:
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