Explore the hidden LGBTQ+ history of the Isle of Wight

Theatre company StoneCrabs Theatre is producing a series of ‘performed walks’ around Isle of Wight locations - Ryde, Freshwater, Newport and Newtown - between July and October to explore the Island's hidden LGBTQ+ history, with a focus on figures associated with the Island’s history, some familiar, some lesser known. During each, an actor will double as a historical character/tour guide to inform and entertain, bringing history to life.

The walks will explore the Isle of Wight’s hidden LGBTQ+ history which links with the LGBTQ+ Trail map, designed by local artist Spike Spondike and available to view on the Out on an Island website and Visit IOW. Each walk has been scripted specially for the project by local writers Katie Daysh, Cody Pevreall, Anmarie Bowler and Jason Watts. 

Katie Daysh says: “It was profoundly interesting to get to know Charlotte Mew, and explore her life with her connections to the Isle of Wight. I found it a rewarding challenge to write with a sense of her voice and her moving poetry.” 

Join 'Oscar Wilde' on 13 July as his spectre haunts Union Street. Curious islanders are invited to walk with the celebrated raconteur and hear about his famous (or infamous) life, including his lecture ‘On Dress’ which was given in Ryde Town Hall in 1884.  

In August, 'Virginia Woolf' will take walkers around Freshwater, returning to her childhood holiday home. In the wake of her separation from Vita Sackville-West, she will reminisce about the women she loved who inspired her work. 

'Charlotte Mew', a poet who is rarely celebrated, will walk around Newport in September, talking of her past on the island and how it inspired her work. Told through the voice of her spirit, the performance will chart her ultimately tragic life and give her poetry the recognition it deserves. 

Finally, in October, a performance in Newtown will remember Ferguson’s Gang. Today, the Gang may be termed ‘influencers’ as they raised and donated significant funds to the National Trust, including to Newtown’s town hall. A century on, their madcap, inclusive antics reveal free spirits who lovingly left behind something lasting. 

Franko Figueiredo, Artistic Director for StoneCrabs, explains: “The walks will be carried out at a leisurely pace, they will last around an hour each and are free for anyone to attend. As we are a micro charity, we are running these on a donations basis.”  

Tickets for the 'Oscar Wilde walk' are now available via Eventbrite. More information about future walks can be found on the StoneCrabs blog page.