Get ready to dive into a vibrant and joyous celebration of queer culture at Grin Theatre's annual Queertet festival. This year’s Queertet promises to be a dazzling showcase of short plays that are endearing and refreshing. With four diverse plays, each representing a different colour and aspect of the flag itself, Queertet is set to entertain and engage audiences

Straight Mates kicks off the festival with a perfect blend of drama and comedy. This "dramedy" explores the deep bond between three close male friends and their new female companion. With poignant moments and sharp wit, this play delves into friendship and acceptance, promising laughter and heartfelt emotion. Brought to the stage by Will Cooper, Grin's chief writer, and directed by Jane Rhodes who brings a fresh directorial perspective to this engaging piece, it is performed by four outstanding local actors who will make this a special part of this year’s Queertet festival.

Next up is Pride and Pre-Drinks by James Jarman, directed by Matt Sheils. This modern-day farce with a fabulous gay twist takes the audience on a hilarious journey through the chaos of double dating. Expect plenty of embarrassing moments and unexpected outcomes in this frothy, fun exploration of romantic entanglements. James Jarman, a seasoned writer for Grin Theatre, delivers a playful narrative that will leave you laughing out loud.

Straight Mates kicks off the festival with a perfect blend of drama and comedy. This "dramedy" explores the deep bond between three close male friends and their new female companion. With poignant moments and sharp wit, this play delves into friendship and acceptance, promising laughter and heartfelt emotion. Brought to the stage by Will Cooper, Grin's chief writer, and directed by Jane Rhodes who brings a fresh directorial perspective to this engaging piece, it is performed by four outstanding local actors who will make this a special part of this year’s Queertet festival.

Lollipops by Wes Williams, directed by Jordan Spratt, is the ultimate party play. Grin's artistic director Wes Williams and director Jordan Spratt have crafted a joyous tribute to the power of love and celebration. Zoe and Chrissie are getting married, and it's time to celebrate – but not without a few secrets and surprises along the way. Lollipops is about falling in love all over again and cranking up the music!

Rounding out the festival is By My Name, co-written by Wes Williams and Jensen Parker, and directed by JP Smith. This witty and warm play centers on Jack and his best friend Elsie as they navigate family dynamics, respect, and self-belief. Based on a monologue from Grin Theatre’s last Rainbow Monologues show, this piece delves into themes of self-realisation and transition, offering a heartfelt look at personal growth and acceptance.

Grin Theatre gave us further insight into the festival:

“Queertet is the jewel in Grin Theatre's queer crown and we are thrilled to bring it back to the stage in all its fabulousness. Queertet has a long history- it is almost 13 years old and after a short break (and Covid) we wanted to bring it back because it is even more important these days that our voices can be heard in the wider community.  This year we have embraced all the colours of our rainbow. It’s time to celebrate!

Our inspiration lies at the heart of our LGBTQ+ community. We hope the stories reflect our wider community and also inspire new artists within queer theatre…stories to be told, stories that the audience can relate to, stories with passion.

So, this year we have four short plays with a huge cast of awesome local actors. The plays were chosen because they are upbeat and celebratory. The themes of Queertet cover a vast amount of issues but the main things are a sense of family, of a shared love, of community, a state of knowing who you are and loving you for being you”.

With a total running time of 90 minutes, including a 20-minute interval, Queertet features a range of talented writers, actors, directors, and producers, all bringing these vibrant stories to life. And let’s not forget Rita, the beloved house plant!

Don't miss out on this unforgettable celebration of queer theatre. Tickets are available now at www.likemindedproductions.co.uk/store/backend/queertet.

Covered By, Nadine Jump