After the success of Radical Rediscovery: Feminist Theatre in Britain, 1969–1992 in 2024, Dr Susan Croft continues her work of uncovering overlooked but vital histories of British theatre: the LGBTQ+ theatre and performances. Of course, we are not just simply talking about Inheritance or Angels in America, although they are both of indispensable importance. What Homosexual Acts and Beyond focuses on, are those theatremakers whose lives and contribute shaped the fringe and radical alternative theatre by and for the LGBTQ+ community across the UK.
One example is Kate Owen (1952–2024), a prolific theatre designer whose work made a lasting contribution to alternative theatre. Owen collaborated with companies including Blood Group, Double Exposure, Theatre Centre and Extemporary Dance, and had a particularly enduring association with The Albany in Deptford. The exhibition features several of her meticulously crafted set models, including her 1994 design for Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane at Birmingham Rep, which was reimagined at the Young Vic recently, and a set also used for Orton’s Loot.
Compared to Feminist Theatre in Britain which mainly focused on posters and flyers, Homosexual Acts and Beyond is notably more multifaceted. Alongside Owen’s models, the exhibition presents props, costumes and installation material from Bloolips, one of the most groundbreaking queer and drag performance groups founded in London in the 70s.
There is also another interactive room where people can bring flyers and posters from any LGBTQ+ show they have seen or even involved in. Here, you may see something more recent and contemporary: The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs at the Kiln, Clive at the Arcola, and Back in the Pink Weekender across Bradford. From conventional play to musical theatre, from cabaret to live art, the LGBTQ+ exploration of theatrical genre and form has always been inseparable from the contents and stories it seeks to express.
Beyond the works themselves, the exhibition highlights how venues and gay theatre companies support one another. For instance, the iconic nightclub Heaven has ever hosted theatrical events, which is relatively rare. It is equally sad to see some theatre venue, like the Theatre Space on King William IV Street, disappears in this journey of rediscovery. From the posters listed, we could clearly see how it dedicated its support to LGBTQ+ theatre.
Across these decades, the socio-political climate has drastically changed. In the 1970s, even Radclyffe Hall could be deemed “too radical.” Now, we have the over commercialised pride each year. As with Dr Croft’s previous exhibition on women’s theatre, this archive reminds us that these histories are living memory, and the threads between past and present remain active and felt.
Tickets and info can be found here: https://www.londonperformancestudios.com/radical-rediscovery-ii-homosexual-acts-and-beyond