Worcester Theatres has been granted funding for its LGBTQ+ arts programme, helping to fund one year of events, workshops and mentoring.
Worcester Theatres' arts programme is called Saucy: Queer Performance Worcester Style and the funding is from the Arts Council.
It is a year-long programme of activity that will include the inaugural Vesta Tilley Festival in May 2022 as well as performances and events by and for the LGBTQ+ community, through to March 2023.
Daniel Somerville, Saucy programmer for Worcester Theatres, said: “We are thrilled that, with this funding, we will be able to continue to present work in this popular variety format across the year.
"Not only does this create sustainable opportunities for queer artists locally but also regular events for those looking for something a bit counter-culture and subversive.
"Everyone is welcome to experience the friendly, informal, lovingly crafted chaos of a Saucy event and it’s a safe place for LGBTQ+ people and their friends and allies to meet and enjoy art together.”
Owen Harper, Creative Producer and Young Rep Company Artistic Director, said: "Our Community and Participation work is at the heart of Worcester Theatres' ethos and vision, and to be able to play a role in a project like this is an honour.
"Community producing is all about uplifting a community to be more visible and have their voice heard by as many people as possible.
"We're so excited to support and amplify the LGBTQ+ community in Worcester – Saucy is here to make its artistic mark on our city and the region."
The Vesta Tilley festival is a tribute to Worcester’s very own Vesta Tilley, renowned male impersonator of the Music Hall era and will be held at the Vesta Tilley Studio at the Swan Theatre in May, the month of Vesta Tilley’s birth.
The festival is a celebration of the art of male impersonation with an emphasis on how it manifests today, through the artistry of Drag Kings and through gender diverse performance of identity.
Saucy has been running evenings of performance since July 2021.
Variety style events with cabaret, theatre, performance, spoken word, comedy and music acts with a distinctly irreverent queer flavour that has gained a loyal following.
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