A celebration of new LGBTQIA+ writers and theatremakers, the second instalment of Queerfest returns to the Oxford Playhouse this week for six days of scratch nights, taster sessions and fully devised performances; we spoke with festival producer Leah O'Grady about what to look out for from this talented lineup.
Daily Info: What is Queer Fest?
Leah O'Grady: Now in its second year, Queer Fest is a festival of new writing and performance, produced by Oxford Playhouse in partnership with Pegasus Theatre. We invited applications from queer artists across the country to perform their pieces, and we selected seven to comprise this year’s lineup! In addition, we offer a selection of free events that anyone is invited to join!
DI: How has the process of producing the festival evolved in its second year?
L O'G: We received almost double the number of applications, which was really energising! A major difference between the applications year-to-year was the variety in media that we’ve seen this time around, which is reflected in the shows we've programmed. During this year's application process, in response to feedback from various artists since Queer Fest 2024, we were very keen to stress that Queer Fest is open to pieces that may not have a formal script, such as dance or movement pieces, but also devised work and pieces in very early stages of development.
Among our programmed work, we have drag, clowning, and movement pieces, as well as traditional plays!
We have also been able to introduce more events, including a Community Cast Taster Session for DETENTION, the highly anticipated theatre dance piece from Gary Clarke Company (Coal, Wasteland), coming to The Playhouse this autumn. They are looking for LGBTQIA+ individuals aged 40 and over with lived experience of Section 28 to join their exceptional cast of performers on stage. A fantastic opportunity to make a unique contribution to this story, we couldn’t be more excited to be working with them!
We have also just announced a new addition to Queer Fest this year! Come to The Playhouse on Saturday for a free drag workshop led by Vita Peach - one of our Scratch Night performers - who will present anIntroduction to Drag and Gender Performance!
DI: What themes can viewers expect to find in the shows?
L O'G: There are far too many to count! But here’s a glimpse into just a few…
Direct from a hugely successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performer Kathrine Payne stages plewds. The show explores a queer relationship gone wrong through the lens of cultural representations of sapphic relationships. I find it fascinating how they have managed to interweave these archetypes so fluently into a narrative. The result is punchy and hilarious.
All of Them, Dead - previously titled Wisbech Meat Shower - was part of our Scratch Night last year and is now presenting a longer sharing at Pegasus Theatre. The story follows two boys surviving the apocalypse together. It was heart-wrenching even in its embryonic stages last year; I’m so excited to see how it has developed.
The Freak is our final full-length piece, a rehearsed reading, which follows Kit, an ‘explosion of mad queer chaos, who has the choice to live a healthier life or risk losing everything’. I think this is a question fundamental to human survival, queer or not, and the script explores it with such depth and sensitivity.
DI: Do you have any favourite works of queer/LGBTQIA+ theatre?
L O'G: Perhaps not explicitly so, but VL that came to Summerhall last year – a piece about two teenage boys obsessed with the idea of ‘virginity’ - was heartbreaking and gorgeous.
DI: Are there any other Pride events you're excited about this June?
L O'G: The Oxford Pride parade was a beautiful display of unity and perseverance (especially given the weather!). Also, seeing small symbols of solidarity in the form of flags and messages while walking around the city is a really fantastic thing about June.
DI: Describe Queer Fest in 3 words.
L O'G: Joyful, Mold-Breaking, Mad!
Queerfest runs from Mon 16th - Sat 21st Jun - all times and locations can be found on the festival's webpage.