The Other Palace shows are for theatre goers, LGBTQ+ community activists, filmmakers, artists, gardeners, writers and people who are interested in Derek Jarman and / or Quentin Crisp as queer historical figures and want to find out more. (Quentin Crisp Naked Hope is also running at the White Bear Theatre on 10 & 11 November).
THT Fundraiser
Funds are being raised for the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) after every performance of Jarman. The total currently stands at £7.5k.
Who was Quentin Crisp?
Quentin Crisp was a legendary wit, raconteur, hero of “The Naked Civil Servant”, fearlessly himself no matter what they said, and ready to offer you an urgent message of hope.
★★★★★ “A masterclass”
Broadway Baby
★★★★ “An uncanny feat of resurrection. Farrelly’s mastery of his audience is total”
Time Out
Who was Derek Jarman?
Derek Jarman was a director, writer, painter, gardener of Prospect Cottage in Dungeness, rebel and gay rights activist. His message? Be astonishing.
★★★★ “a gripping solo show”
The Stage
“Both captivating shows. A wonderful performer”
Sir Matthew Bourne, August 2022
Quentin Crisp and Derek Jarman run on 1 and 2 October at 8 pm at The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street, London SW1 5JA, United Kingdom.
Tickets £20 / £15 each if bought as a pair
Qentin Crisp Naked Hope is also running at the White Bear Theatre 10 & 11 November 2024.
https://www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk//whatson/quentin-crisp%3A-naked-hope
The Mark Farrelly Interview
This is not the first time Mark Farrelly played both shows back to back. QX had a quick chat with Mark Farrelly back in 2022. As you can imagine, he’s rather busy, so we’ve reproduced it here for your enjoyment!
QX: Hi Mark, who are you playing?
Mark Farrelly: I’m playing Quentin Crisp in Quentin Crisp : Naked Hope and Derek Jarman in Jarman.
QX: Introduce us to your characters.
Mark Farrelly: Quentin Crisp is a complete one-off, openly gay as far back as the 1930s, later an Englishman in New York, always utterly himself. Jarman is a painter, writer, gardener, film-maker, proprietor of Prospect Cottage in Dungeness, gay-rights activist, force of nature.
QX: What was your inspiration?
Mark Farrelly: To share Quentin’s empowering message of hope and selfhood and his fabulous wit. My inspiration for Jarman was the audacious beauty of his diaries, when he was dying of AIDS. I wanted to share the hope that can be found in the darkest places. And the fun of the man.
QX: Can you sum up the show in one word?
Mark Farrelly: Hope and courage.
QX: It’s just you on stage in a one-man show – any pre-show rituals?
Mark Farrelly: A prayer. A few OCD adjustments of costume. Then a remembrance of how lucky I am to be doing this. Solo shows are like a bungee jump. You have to let go and trust.
