A joyful, defiant celebration of LGBTQIA+ voices, identities and artistry takes over Oxford Playhouse for a week of bold performances, workshops, and community engagement. From explosive solo shows and queer comedies to deeply personal explorations of identity and history, the festival promises a week of unforgettable performances, presented in partnership with Pegasus Theatre. The festival will play across the two theatres from Monday 16th to Saturday 21th June.
For this year’s festival, Oxford Playhouse has partnered with Gary Clarke Company, ahead of their new theatrical production DETENTION, which will play at the Oxford venue this Autumn. The eagerly anticipated dance theatre show explores the controversial 1988 UK Local Government Act, widely known as Section 28, and the devastating impact it had on LGBTQIA+ communities nationwide.
As part of Queer Fest, The Playhouse and Gary Clark Company are looking for members of the local LGBTQIA+ community, aged 40+, to join their exceptional cast of performers live on stage. To start the week, choreographer Gary Clarke will lead a taster session on the Main Stage, offering potential participants a chance to learn more about the role and try out ideas. The company will also host a community roadshow, providing rare insight into the show’s development – sharing Clarke’s research, source material, and creating a space for personal stories and reflections on a now largely hidden piece of legislation.
After major success last year, the hugely popular Scratch Night returns to open the run of queer new writing in the Burton Taylor Studio at Oxford Playhouse. This electrifying evening is a chance for audiences to experience extracts of work by emerging LGBTQIA+ artists – live and on stage for the very first time. In Spin Cycle, two ex-lovers unknowingly reconnect in a launderette, revealing forgotten love through absurd, bittersweet twists (pictured above).
Kieran the Estate Agent is a sharp, comic portrait of a desperate salesman spiralling out of control. La Vie En Rose introduces Liza Bien, a flamboyant embodiment of lesbian history and seduction (pictured below). The Porter reimagines 1605 Oxford in this queer coming-of-age comedy, poking fun at modern-day attitudes towards gender, class and race, while Jennie and the Cockroach sees a trans woman cling to legacy as the world ends. Bold, funny, and moving—Scratch Night is queer theatre at its freshest.
Direct from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival comes Kathrine Payne’s surreal and darkly funny exploration of queer relationships gone bad, plewds. Winner of Summerhall’s Mary Dick Award, the show blends clowning, drag and is a subversive take on the trauma-parading solo show.
Oxford-based theatre company Everybody Panic returns to Queer Fest with All of Them, Dead. Originally featured in last year’s Scratch Night under the title Wisbech Meat Shower, the piece is now in development as part of the company’s attachment to Pegasus Theatre, supported by Arts Council England. A work-in-progress sharing will be hosted at Pegasus, offering audiences an early glimpse into this bold new production.
On announcing the festival, Artistic Director and CEO of Oxford Playhouse, Mike Tweddle said. “At Oxford Playhouse, we strive to be a supportive platform and champion of LGBTQIA+ artists and stories. We’re therefore thrilled to announce this lineup of new work from some of the UK’s most exciting queer voices, and many local ones too. With opportunities to participate, explore and learn with these artists, as well as to watch their work, at Queer Fest 2025 there is something for every adventurous mind!”
The festival is directed by Lauren Carter and produced by Leah O’Grady. “We are so excited by the lineup this year, the strength of applications was incredibly strong, and we feel that these seven represent a fantastic cross section of perspectives and media. We hope you can join us for what promises to be another vibrant and joyous festival.” Now in its second year, this edition of Queer Fest will take place across Oxford Playhouse, its Burton Taylor Studio and Pegasus Theatre. Tickets for Queer Fest are now on sale. The full programme of events can be found on the Oxford Playhouse website.
