Gender and sexual identity issues are being put centre stage in a new season of events led by Norwich Theatre Royal.
The city theatre's Stage Two building will present a mix of performances, installations and activities around these themes for the debut Creative Matters season in September.
Stephen Crocker, Norwich Theatre Royal chief executive, said: 'The Creative Matters seasons are about providing a platform and safe space in the heart of our city for people of all ages to explore and engage with key issues through the power of creativity. We have purposefully chosen gender and sexual identity as the inspiration for our first season. This is an issue that touches us all, is still hugely relevant in society today and has been the stimulus for some incredible and profound artistic work.'
The season will begin with Our Voices, a two-day exhibition on September 8 and 9 which will see Sewgay display a patchwork quilt which documents LGBTQ history, the Sing With Pride choir performing at various times over the two days, and a presentation by Out140, a project which invites people to tell their coming out stories in 140 characters or less.
Classic movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert - about drag queen Anthony, cross-dresser Adam and transsexual Bernadette - will be screened on September 13.
The play Rubber Ring takes to the stage on September 15 to tell the story of sexually confused 16-year-old Jimmy from Sheringham who heads to London to find his hero Morrissey and himself. The semi-autobiographical play is by playwright James McDermott who will also star in it.
He said: 'I wrote Rubber Ring to help me and rural LGBTQ audiences feel less invisible and better understand our lives and to help non-rural non-LGBTQ audiences better understand rural LGBTQ life.'
The movie The Danish Girl, the story of transgender pioneer Lili Elbe, will be screened on September 24, meanwhile theatre company Rhum and Clay is presenting the show Testosterone, described as an exploration of masculine identity, on September 27.
There are also plans for a new piece of drama to be cast and produced locally for the Creative Matters season.
For more information, visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
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