In July, Curious Festival 2022 presents a series of brand-new performances by emerging LGBTQIA+ artists at Northern Stage, supported as part of QueerChange and QueerCore.
The Queer Change Showcase on 14 and 15 July includes Joy Cruickshank’s How to be a Hot Mess – an exciting, fast paced show challenging traditional storytelling and gender norms that blurs stand up, spoken word, drag artistry and theatre. Ambivalence by Farrell Cox is the autobiographical story of a woman’s journey using stunning aerial acrobatics and movement. Artists Jade Sweeting and Jenni Mac present I’m a Cliché – a performance and exhibition about their durational project Hip Reading, taking on cliches and toying with queer culture stereotypes and trends. Mo Svendson’s Tits to Tats explores the process and obstacles of transitioning, with a specific focus on the trans-masculine experience. Nite Life from Flood Theatre is a verbatim spoken word piece exploring bisexuality and its place in the queer club scene. Live artist Alex Billingham asks how do you be yourself when you don’t know what that is in Milk and Honey. All performances on Thursday will be BSL interpreted.
Northern Stage Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive Natalie Ibu (she/her) says, “We’re so proud to welcome early career LGBTQIA+ artists to showcase brand new work at Northern Stage. Curious Arts have created a community of artists, creatives and young people to be visible, represented and celebrated and we’re delighted to host some of the most exciting queer work the region has to offer this summer.”
Founded in 2016, Curious Festival explores and celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + culture through the arts. Working in partnership with arts and community organisations across the region, Curious Festival’s exciting programme of events provides a safe space for LGBTQIA+ communities and allies to be Curious.
Curious Festival Founder Phil Douglas (he/him) says, “It has been a joy to be introduced to this talented group of early career LGBTQIA+ artists through our partnerships with Homotopia and Milk Presents. Having the support of Northern Stage to platform their exciting new performances feels particularly vital in our efforts to increase understanding, respect and safety for LGBTQIA+ communities. Each sharing their unique experiences of queer life, get your tickets and be Curious with us this July!”
Queer Showcase Artist Alex Billingham (she/they), says, “Curious Arts have been amazingly supportive of me, giving me space to leap from Live art to theatre and develop this show [Milk & Honey]. Making space for Othered voices within Othered communities is vitally important. Being able to support audience members to not feel as alone with this as I once did.”
Queer Change Showcase is supported by Homotopia, Curious Arts, Milk Presents and Arts Council England as part of Queer Change, an artist development programme championing LGBTQIA+ artists from across the North East, North West and Midlands.
Tickets for the Queer Change Showcase are £5 and £10; for more details and full listings visit northernstage.co.uk
