Martin Lewton’s book Out on Stage: How to Make Queer Theatre is an inspirational and challenging handbook full of “queer ideas, queer questions, and queer inspiration”.
It builds on ideas and influences from leading queer theatre makers, as well as offering creative activities to allow budding creators to focus their thinking and explore their stories.
Starting with the identification of what it is you want to say in your show, and moving through to the mechanics of putting on a show, this feels like an essential text for those exploring their own route into queer spaces.
Whether you have an original idea, are mining queer stories from history, or queering existing material, Lewton and his interviewees will guide you to your end goal.
Through seven sequential chapters, Out on Stage starts with a definition of ‘queer theatre’, its forms and approaches, and finishes with how to perform in the space, staging and selling the show.
The political element is not overlooked, nor should it be. As the feminist movement stated, “the personal is political”, and at a time where queer communities are facing considerable pressure, that cannot always be ignored.
Other key focuses in Out on Stage include the role of close collaborators, the history of drag, the importance of self-promotion, and the need to be brave and true to yourself and your vision.
Coded language, subtext, and the body in performance can all contribute to a successful show, whether you want one of wide appeal or one that simply connects with the rainbow alphabet.
Perhaps there is nothing strictly new in theatre performance, but a queer creator brings their own unique slant on their show. How daring should theatre be? Where is it best to put it on? Who are the best contacts to make?
Out on Stage is a comprehensive guide book and supportive hand-holder, allowing a space to experiment and even fail. It includes success stories and insight from Nathaniel J Hall, Iman Qureshi, Travis Albanza and Ursula Martinez.
Should you experiment as you perform a show, or lock it in, fully-formed? These are decisions only you can make, but Out on Stage helps to get you well on the way.
Out on Stage: How to Make Queer Theatre by Martin Lewton is published by Nick Hern Books.