Director Andrew Keates has launched Queer Theatre, a London-based queer theatre and production company dedicated to telling LGBTQIA+ stories and nurturing queer talent. The company has plans for a queer playwriting festival, scratch nights, artist showcases, comedy nights, and LGBTQIA+ networking events. Profits from these events will be used to produce and develop new plays and musicals based on LGBTQIA+ stories.
Beginning in September 2024, Queer Theatre will be launching 2B: Acting Classes every Monday evening at The Two Brewers, the LGBTQI+ venue in Clapham. The acting classes will serve as a queer acting lab, providing a safe space for queer performers of all abilities and experiences to explore queer material, develop characters, and learn new techniques to enhance their careers alongside fellow queer artists. The classes aim to foster community and personal growth for LGBTQI+ people in the performing arts and will be facilitated by Keates and special industry guests. Those interested can sign up for the classes on the website and find more ways to support the company.
This company’s launch partly follows a series of significant personal challenges faced by its Artistic Director. After a devastating sexual assault, Keates wanted to support other queer people through his new company. His extensive background in directing queer plays and musicals, as well as his acclaimed collaborations with notable queer playwrights and artists such as Martin Sherman, Matthew Todd, William M. Hoffman, Mark Gerrard, and Michael Dennis, underpin this crucial cultural initiative.
Andrew shared with QX a powerful personal story, recalling a time when he faced a harrowing experience that led him to seek help and embark on a journey of recovery. He described waking up after being sexually assaulted, heavily drugged and covered in injuries, and how his past struggles with sex, drugs, alcohol, and trauma, compounded by his identity as an LGBTQI+ individual working in the performing arts, had contributed to such perilous situations. Out of desperation and with humility, Andrew reached out for support and found solace in LGBTQI+ support groups focused on sobriety.
“I am now nearly a year sober and have learned what makes me happy is helping and working with queer people and creating theatre that tells our truth. I see my experiences and scars as powerful lessons I will use to lead a queer theatre company with authenticity and kindness.”
Andrew Keates
Queer Theatre builds on the legacy of Keates’ production company Arion Productions, established in 2012, and which has now been rebranded as Queer Theatre. The company presented highly praised productions, including the London revival of As Is by William M. Hoffman, Passing By by Martin Sherman, the European premiere of Dessa Rose featuring Cassidy Janson and Cynthia Erivo. They also produced Howard Goodall’s A Winter’s Tale. Queer Theatre as well as the award-winning Show People Podcast, which will return later in 2024.
