Homotopia celebrates #Liberation50

Homotopia is back – and the UK’s leading festival of LGBT+ arts will mark 50 years since the Sexual Offences Act with more than 50 events over a month in the city.

The 14th annual festival – called #Libreration50 - features new shows and the return of Homotopia favourites including David Hoyle and Carry On actress Fenella Fielding in a programme that includes theatre, performance, dance, film, visual arts, cabaret, readings, talks and debates.

Rent Party, being staged at the Unity on October 31, is a new musical commissioned by Homotopia about being black, gay and poor. After Liverpool it will go to the Sheffield Crucible and then will return to Liverpool for the 15th annual Homotopia in 2018.

Fenella Fielding will read excerpts from her recently released audio book of memoirs ‘Do You Mind If I Smoke? at the Unity Theatre on November 4.

Diamond, performed by David Hoyle at the Unity on November 11, is described as an unforgiving queer performance of sexuality and British culture exploring LGBT history from 1957 to 2017 through the avant garde performer’s personal history.

Meanwhile the Hope Place theatre also plays host to a number of other Homotopia events, including The Vaudevillians (Nov 3), You’ve Changed (Nov 7) and The Butch Monologues (Nov 11).

Artist Maggi Hambling will be ‘in conversation’ at Tate Liverpool on November 8, and the Albert Dock gallery will also act as a stage for other Homotopia events, as will Waterstones, Invisible Wind Factory, The Gallery, The Royal Standard and Picturehouse at FACT.

Festival director Gary Everett says: “The festival is themed ‘Liberation 50’ and has been expanded to celebrate, explore and reclaim our shared histories past, present and in the future. Homotopia ‘Liberation 50’ shines a light on creative resistance and rebellion and the power of art in creating social change.

“It’s a great privilege to be producing the festival in Liverpool as part of the anniversary celebrations giving audiences and artists alike an opportunity to explore, reclaim and present our shared histories.”

Homotopia runs from October 30 to December 1. More details and tickets via the website HERE.