New Theatre Production Uncovers Queer Suffragette History

A New theatre production is being brought to the West which uncovers queer suffragette history.

Ladyfriends is on tour from March 2023, with venues including Bristol’s Loco Klub, Gloucester Guildhall and Shakespeare North Playhouse.

After sold-out work-in-progress sharings at Camden People’s Theatre and Hope Mill Theatre, Ladyfriends will premiere at Bristol’s Loco Klub this March. The Ladyfriends’ run in Bristol will include a post-show disco hosted by WNB Disco Collective: the queer nightlife pioneers behind Misscoteque.

Ladyfriends tells the untold stories of Annie Kenney and Christabel Pankhurst, drawing on archival materials written by fellow suffragettes.

Alongside the tour, the team behind Ladyfriends are running a programme of workshops, mixers and open rehearsals – with partners including the University of Bristol, Contact Theatre, Gloucestershire Archives, and The Proud Trust.

Ladyfriends is produced by Sarah Allen who comes originally from Somerset, and currently based in London. Her work focuses on expanding the practice of producing, with an emphasis on wellbeing, collaboration, and transparency. In 2020, she graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama with an MA (Distinction) in Creative Producing, and has recently worked on projects at Soho Theatre, Theatre 503, Battersea Arts Centre, and The Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

Cast includes Ellie Mejía (The Velveteen Rabbit) as Christabel, Lucy Mackay (Rage Room) as Annie, and Christina Holmbek (Mustard Doesn’t Go With Girls) as Onstage Camera Operator.

The tour itinery includes performances in Bristol at Loco Klub from 15th – 17th March, and Gloucester’s Guildhall on 21st March, and is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Tickets are available from each venue, and also online .