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The Faggots

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions

Ted Huffman, Philip Venables, Factory International
Thu 13 Jun 2024 20:30 - 22:15
Thu 13 Jun 2024
20:30 - 22:15
  • Thu 13 Jun 2024
    20:30 - 22:15
    Grote Zaal
    Tickets

Program

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions

Credits

Philip Venables music
Ted Huffman direction, text
Yshani Perinpanayagam musical direction
Theo Clinkard choreography, costumes
Rosie Elnile set design
Bertrand Couderc light design
Simon Hendry sound design
Scottee dramaturgy
Kerry Bursey, Jacob Garside, Katherine Goforth, Kit Green, Conor Gricmanis, Deepa Johnny, Mariamielle Lamagat, Eric Lamb, Themba Mvula, Yshani Perinpanayagam, Meriel Price, Collin Shay, Joy Smith, Sally Swanson, Yandass cast

commisioned by Factory International, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Bregenzer Festspiele, Southbank Centre, NYU Skirball in participation with Holland Festival 
production Factory International, Manchester International Festival 
exclusive licence Nightboat Books, New York 
courtesy Nightboat Books, New York

Welcome to this fantastic queer version of world history in which friendships and pleasure are central. The queer community is celebrated here with song and dance, and new myths and fables are born.

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions is a musical theatre piece based on the cult 1977 novel of the same name by Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta. It offers a vision of world history through a queer lens. With a cast of actors, singers, dancers and musicians, this musical version by composer Philip Venables and director Ted Huffman reworks the original text into a kaleidoscopic journey that blends music and storytelling: look forward to re-enacted battles, as well as cheerleading and raves. Venables’ varied music ventures into Elizabethan lute songs, bossa nova, techno, with occasional moments that would not seem out of place in a Disney musical.

The result is an anarchic, satirical celebration of queer experience that is both vulnerable and daring. Sharing deeply personal stories proves both comforting and healing, as the marginalised are here not side-lined but take centre stage. The world they create constitutes a sharp critique of capitalism, assimilation and patriarchy that continues to be relevant today, when radical change remains needed. 

Friends of Philip Venables pointed the novel out to him and Huffman. Venables: ‘The book was all about sex positivity, gender freedom and a self-determined life. For these friends of mine, the book was a kind of bible. I couldn’t get it out of my head.’

'irresistibly, unforgettably compelling' - The Guardian ★★★★

Language: English
Surtitles: Dutch

This concert is excluded from Podiumpas

Part of
The Faggots
The Faggots