How to Build a Hope Machine

Things don’t have to be shit. But utopia ain’t gonna build itself. Join Dr Duckie – aka Ben Walters – for a call to arms, based on his doctoral research with queer performance collective Duckie. It’s about the neoliberal wobble, the technology of queer fun, and doing family differently.

It’s about the power of homemade mutant hope machines – ways of thinking, feeling and acting that let people without clout build better worlds – right here, right now – one day, one show, one dance at a time.
It’s an hour-long talk with a glamorous assistant and a bit of back-and-forth. It’s full of ideas inspired by Duckie’s work with young LGBTQ+ performers, homeless people and older people, and it’s relevant
to anyone wanting to crack on with utopia.

“Inspirational … wonderful to see glimmers of light in these dark times” – Lois Keidan, Director, Live Art Development Agency

“Uses theory in a seriously fun, informative and inspirational way. A must see” – Professor Ben Campkin, Co-Director, University College London Urban Laboratory

Ben Walters is one of And What’s fave Queer crushes, popping up in the festival on numerous occasions over the years as co-creator of David Hoyle’s ‘The Prime of Ms David Hoyle’ and as a host for the Bruce LaBruce film shorts Q+A.

For more info on Dr Duckie click HERE