Seven Dials Playhouse has announced its inaugural Pride Season, with a programme of new and returning shows all led by LGBTQIA+ artists set to open this June.
Highlights include the first London run of Bi-topia, a coming-of-age solo show exploring bisexuality, masculinity and mental health, written and performed by Sam Danson and directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair.
There is clown-cum-cowboy chaos in Lil Wenker’s Bangtail, fusing British and American clowning in a riotous showdown. Queer Planet, a nature documentary cabaret from drag king Bi-Curious George, blends stand-up, songs and science in a wild exploration of queerness across the animal kingdom.
Meanwhile, drag vocalist Moira Less takes on Celine Dion in My Heart Will Go On, a celebration of the icon’s greatest hits. Jock Night – a bold, high-energy five-hander produced by Hive North and written by Queer as Folk’s Adam Zane – returns following a sell-out run in 2023.
Check out full details of the shows here:
Jock Night
The House, June 3 – 15
The ultimate after-party set in Manchester’s hottest club night, Jock.
Meet Ben, a 40-something Victoria Wood fan looking for love, but surrounded by party boys who’ve never even heard of Mrs Overall. Kam, a self-proclaimed ‘fabulous and undetectable’ hiding his struggles with addiction but being the life and soul of the party. Russ, has thousands of Instagram followers but would rather be following Kam. And Antony. At just 19 years old, just off the bus from Bury, thrown headfirst into a night he’ll never forget.
Bi-topia
The House, June 17-22
The first London run of the hit show directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair and written/performed by Northern theatre maker Sam Danson.
A coming-of-age story, exploring the highs and lows of the bisexual experience, bravely delving into under-represented links between poor mental health, sexuality and masculinity. Join Sam, a self-confessed people-pleaser on the battlefield as he embarks on his biggest mission yet. Shame is coming in from the west and gay thoughts are sailing in from the east…this is War!
Queer Planet
The House, Saturday, June 21
Queer Planet combines stand-up comedy, parody songs and drag in the form of a nature documentary. Featuring dolphin orgies, intersex snails, gay giraffes; this is a romp through the animal kingdom, the queerest kingdom of them all. Drag king and London’s loveable nature boy Bi-Curious George invites you into a raucous celebration of queerness and the animal kingdom.
Moira Less: My Heart Will Go On – A Drag Celebration of Celine Dion
The House, June 19-20
London’s drag singing sensation Moira Less acts as your guide through Celine Dion’s discography including hits such as It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, The Power of Love and My Heart Will Go On. With a voice that rivals even the original diva herself, Moira will leave you breathless and take you on a rollercoaster of emotions; her disarming charm and quick wit will leave you laughing one minute and cheering at the top of your lungs the next.
Lil Wenker: Bangtail
The Pen, June 12
Baddest. Cowboy. Texas. These are just a few words to describe the Baddest Cowboy in Texas. Join Bangtail as he roots ‘n toots from the mightiest mountains to the sauciest saloons. But what happens when a badder cowboy-er Texas-er rides into town and steals his title?
Pride season at the Seven Dials Playhouse runs from June 3-22. Tickets: https://www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk/
Top image: Bi-topia, Queer Planet, Moira Less, Bangtail (all images supplied)