Unearthed Theatre bring their new show, The Lesbians of Forest Gate, to Camden Fringe this month.
“The Lesbians of Forest Gate is a radical new play derived from interviews with lesbian, queer, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and nonbinary people living in Forest Gate over the past 60 years.
The piece explores the development of the lesbian identity, the friendships and relationships that built a community, and how these lived experiences are interwoven into the tapestry of Forest Gate today.
Unyielding, vibrant, and honest, The Lesbians of Forest Gate proves documenting stories of women loving women is an act of resistance and queer joy is revolutionary.”
Where: Canal Café Theatre
When: 16 – 17 Aug
Ticket link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/the-lesbians-of-forest-gate/
Emily Wollenberg (creator of the show) and Valerie Mo (director) tell us more.
What’s your show about and what inspired it?
Emily: The Lesbians of Forest Gate is a heartfelt and often hilarious new play derived from interviews with lesbian, queer, bisexual, asexual, transgender, and non-binary people living in Forest Gate over the past six decades.
Set in 1995, the play delves into the complexities of the lesbian identity, community, and resilience—touching on the hardships of the era while celebrating moments of defiance, solidarity, and queer joy.
Through sharp humour and raw honesty, TLOFG explores how friendships, love, and activism shaped a community, and remains woven into the tapestry of Forest Gate to this day.
From behind the bar at Forest Tavern, queer creator Emily Wollenberg witnesses the daily lives of queer women, their lovers, friends, and families, and was inspired to document their stories.
Using oral histories, archival research, sapphic love letters, poems, and art, Wollenberg and Unearthed Theatre Company have created a piece that brings light to a group so often written out of history.
Why should someone come to see your show and what might they expect?
Valerie: All eight characters in this show are based on real-life people who have helped shape the lesbian and queer community in Forest Gate.
In the play their lives are often messy and chaotic, but they also touch upon important issues surrounding identity and belonging that are still incredibly relevant at present times.
We want the audience to walk out of the theatre feeling like they’ve just had a wild and unforgettable night out with eight bold, funny, and fearless lesbians, and understanding more about what it takes to build and sustain a community.
How did you make a start in the business?
Valerie: As a director, my journey started from going to drama school and doing scratch night/fringe shows with likeminded peers.
I think it’s important to always be on the lookout for people you want to collaborate with in different fields(acting, design, dramaturgy…) and share different life experience with you.
And who knows, one day you might end up forming a company with them!
Do you have a favourite type of venue to work in?
Valerie: I like Rosemary Branch Theatre a lot even though I haven’t had a chance to do a show in that venue!
It has a decent size of black-box space, a small backstage and very cozy-looking audience seats.
It has the intimacy of a fringe theatre but also the potential to stage something slightly bigger and more ambitious.
What’s next for the show?
Emily: The show will next premiere at Newham Heritage Month at the end of September!