Swansong
(Nathan Evans)
A gentleman called Joan lands in a subdued, suburban care home like a colourful, combustible cocktail in a new play written and directed by Nathan Evans, produced by 89th Productions and starring leg-end-ary Lavinia Co-op.
A veteran of Gay Lib, Joan dons battle dress, seeking an ally in the young, gay but disappointingly conventional care assistant Craig for his assault on the heteronormativity of the care system. Then, in this most unlikely of settings, Joan is offered love by a gentleman called Jim…
Nathan says, ‘This a story that’s not been told: we’ve seen stories aplenty of young gay love and stories, recently, of mature straight love, but gay love in the care home…? It’s about bloody time. It’s also a story that’s very now—reflecting our marriage legislation and ageing population—among them those who began the fight for rights decades back and now face battles with infirmity and isolation.’
This bittersweet comedy with an opulent operatic soundtrack is staged site-specifically at the RVT—where Nathan produced the long-running Vauxhallville, a series of pantomimes and shows with David Hoyle—and is followed by a discussion chaired by Ben Walters, with ambassadors from Opening Doors and Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre.
This event is supported using funds from Arts Council England
Image: Justin David
