OUTBOX theatre’s new production of GROOVE is a performance embracing what it means to be queer, then, now, and in the future. Groove is based on real stories and testimonies of LGBTQIA+ people across generations. QX interviews Ben Buratta Artistic Director of Outbox, and director of GROOVE
Tell us about your production of GROOVE.
GROOVE is a brand-new production that shows the liberation, power and protest that our community can feel on the dance floor. We are making the show with performers from across generations to explore the importance of our LGBTQIA+ spaces, how we discover our histories and how we form our queer identities. Expect a lot of dancing, extraordinary visuals and lights, and beats that will take you right back from your first days of queer clubbing through to the future of what our dancefloors might look like.
How are rehearsals going so far?
We are in the first week of rehearsals and having an absolute blast. A day of rehearsal might consist of anything from sharing stories of our experiences, dancing to our favourite gay anthems, creating characters that exist in the club, writing and performing scenes and text, creating a brand-new dance track, and playing with lights, costume, and disco balls. It’s all in a day’s work! We need to keep rehearsals light and fun in order to complete the serious business of making a show. Getting to know each other is such a huge part of making this piece and everyone’s identity will be reflected in the final production.
Tell us why the dancefloor as a space is so important to you?
The dancefloor was the space that I really discovered who I was. For queer people, the dancefloor (and that can mean any LGBTQIA+ space), becomes our church, our community centre, our place to meet and find connection. I first went to a gay club in the late 90s in my hometown of Swindon before I had come out. I walked into a space that was full of dry ice, beaming lights and podiums. Obviously, I must have looked terrified as an older lesbian came over, put her arm around me and guided me over to her friends. In that small, regional queer space, all ages and genders were hanging out together. It taught me that dancefloors weren’t just about pulling (although obviously that’s a huge part of it!); this was the first place I could authentically be myself – or whoever else I wanted to be! The space provided safety, connection and community. That club doesn’t exist anymore and many of our queer spaces have been closed, which is why it felt important to create a piece that celebrates our culture and our stories.
Why was it important to bring together an inter-generational cast for this production?
As queer people, we very rarely grow up in queer families or form friendships with older people from our community to share experiences and to learn our histories. I have noticed a real lack of intergenerational spaces and I wanted to create a space and a show that highlights how much we can learn from each other. This process is about exchange between the generations, rather than just about younger people learning from their elders. Having spoken with many LGBTQIA+ people of all ages and backgrounds, it was clear that they felt there is division amongst the queer community. There is a culture war happening, particularly around trans lives; this show highlights that trans and gender non-conforming people have paved the way for all of our community and fought for the rights that many now enjoy. We want to show that there is space for all of us and that with solidarity comes joy and liberation. Our company members also want to say that just because you might be older, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t cool, sexy and relevant!
What is it like working with a group of people with such varied skillsets and backgrounds – from drag performers, clowning, contemporary dancers and actors?
There is so much skill and vibrancy in this show. Of course, all of the performers are storytellers, but having such a diverse range of skills means that we can find the most dynamic ways of sharing. Mzz Kimberley is a cabaret icon and the former hostess and face of club, Heaven; A. de Castro is a world-famous theatre clown and self-professed butch; Jacob Seelochan is a theatre and film maker as well as an actor and works the bar at the Glory; Lavinia Co-Op is, quite simply, a drag icon – but you may not know that she’s also an incredible dancer and movement practitioner; Fraser Buchanan is a multi-disciplinary dance artist who also produces nights like ‘Mind Ur Head’ and events for Raze Collective; and this is Sky Frances’ first job out of RADA – they are an incredible writer as well as an actor. This collection of artists makes for a multi-faceted, constantly moving and layered show – and there’s certainly never a dull moment!
Why should audiences book tickets for GROOVE?
GROOVE will be like nothing you’ve seen on stage before – part theatre, part dance, part pop concert, part nightclub. It will make you feel nostalgic, but at the same time make you want to go out and dance. It’s also so rare to see these people, bodies and experiences all in the same space moving together. Let’s create the dancefloor that we want to move on – no matter what your age, look, experience or background you’re all welcome. Well, apart from Tories and TERFs! Also, we’re a small queer theatre company working with communities across the UK – give Netflix a night off and come and support us so that LGBTQIA+ theatre can keep thriving. See you on the dancefloor…
Tickets £17, £14 concessions
Box Office: www.shoreditchtownhall.com/whats-on/groove / 020 7739 6175
Groove runs from Tuesday 20 September – Saturday 1 October 2022 at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6HG
