Gay decriminalisation to be marked with two nights of gay film and theatre in Manchester
By Will Stroude
A series of short LGBT films, theatre and artwork will be shown at a special event in Manchester next month marking 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.
OUT/STAGE/US will see queer voices and stories from Manchester take centre stage at the city’s Hope Mill Theatre over the course of two nights in August, each with a different theme.
The events will also feature the premiere of a variety of LGBT+ short films, including DUSK starring Hollyoaks actor and former Blue singer Duncan James.
The first night, entitled ‘Out and About’ and set to take place on Monday 7 August, is billed as “a night celebrating Manchester’s gay village and LGBTQ nightlife, from the cobbles of Canal Street to the late night chill out.”
It will include the stage adaptation of Neil Ely’s BAFTA accredited short film Mirrors starring former Shameless actor Ciaran Griffiths and the new comedy Party Train from filmmaker Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, which follows a gaggle of friends as they head for a night on Canal Street.
Adam Zane’s LGBT play Jock Night, set on the night of Eagle Bar’s underwear and sportswear club night ‘JOCK’, will also be staged on the first night.
The second night, to take place a day later on Tuesday 8 August and entitled ‘Out and Loud’, will include a queer response to the recent Manchester bombing as part of a “night of strength and defiance exploring LGBTQ themes from our city and across the globe.”
It will include the Manchester premiere of the multi-award-winning Oh-be-Joyful starring Benidorm’s Sheila Reid and Kayleigh Llewellyn, as well as a musical lesbian take on Beauty and the Beast! and the Manchester premiere of DUSK.
OUT/STAGE/US is at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre on 7-8 August. For tickets click here