For me, theatre is a constant source of diversity and this week has been no exception. I’ve seen a new adaptation of an old 1970s made-for-television movie and a touring production of a classic 1990s play that became an international hit as a movie. I caught the revival of a 1990s devised musical based on the songs of Louis Jordan and a new production of a play based on a 1990s best seller. I’ve also seen two completely new pieces of work and it was one of these that really caught my attention.
And The Rest Of Me Floats features a cast of trans/non-binary/gay performers addressing how we categorise gender. It was a beautiful piece of devised theatre and definitely worth a look for anyone hanging around Hackney with just over an hour to kill.
The thing is, that for all that I read about the lack of diversity in theatre, it’s fantastic that you can have a week like this. Jack Rosenthal’s The Knowledge at the Charing Cross featured an understandably Jewish sensibility, as does Driving Miss Daisy. I have to say however that the overarching theme of ‘Daisy’ wasn’t so much anti-semitism or racism as much as it was about the process of ageing. Five Guys Named Moe opened at a pop-up theatre in Marble Arch and features an all-black cast in a hugely entertaining music and dance show and Above The Stag staged arguably Australia’s biggest love story Holding The Man. Oh, I almost forgot Deadpan’s play about the afterlife called Gate.
Gays, Jews, the Dead, Trans, Blacks, Australians - my theatre is awash with diversity and that’s a huge reason to celebrate. Of course, the pantomime season will be along soon, and that usually alters the balance - but things are changing.
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