> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Queer Theatre Highlights: from outrageous drag panto to a rollicking queer western and iconic gay code-breaker Alan Turing
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-theatre-highlights-from-outrageous-drag-panto-to-a-rollicking-queer-western-and-iconic-gay-code-breaker-alan-turing/
- Published: 2023-12-21T16:00:14.000Z
- Updated: 2023-12-21T15:20:37.000Z
- Description: Brian Butler looks at New Year queer theatre offerings
- Author: Brian Butler
- Tags: Arts, Previews, Theatre, Alan Turing, James Seabright, King’s Head Theatre, Louis Cyfer, Southwark Playhouse

There’s plenty of queer theatre to enchant as 2024 starts but first, from the creators of ***Death Drop***, this year’s Drag pantomime is *Sleeping Beauty*. Princess Aurora is under a spell to sleep for 100 years, or is she just hungover? Will the evil Carabosse be victorious or will the ever-so-horny Prince Charming save the day?

The show stars, among others, drag royalty in the shape of **Kitty Scott-Claus**, **LoUis CYfer**, **Yshee Black**, **Kemah Bob**, **Victoria Scone**, **Ophelia Love** and **Kate Butch**.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/6529461748cfd5d9d4da2657_sleepingbeauty_title2_1920x1080-e1703171267292.jpg)

Written by drag legend **Miss Moppe** and staged by *Death Drop*’s producer **Chris Clegg**, it runs at the **Harold Pinter Theatre** in London’s West End from **28-31 December**. Tickets [HERE](http://haroldpintertheatre.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

London’s first-ever all-female circus show by the **Revel Puck Circus Company**, is ***The Ruckus: Everyone’s Invited***. Expect an iconic drag king, incredible acrobatics, hot pink human-size balloons, all re-telling the myths of London. It features contortionist and drag king **Ruby Gaskell**, aerialist **Zoe Schubert**, strong woman **Helga Ehrenbrusch**, acrobat **Lola Latham**, Master of the Cyr wheel and hula hoop **Laura Hogg** and hair hanging and aerial hooping **Tara Talland**.

The show is at **Fellowship Square**, Waltham Forest Town Hall, London from now until **1 January**. Tickets [HERE](https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/revelpucks?ref=scenemag.co.uk).

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/image1-6-e1703171482276.jpg)

There have been many plays, films and musicals about gay code-breaker **Alan Turing**, and now there’s another one – ***Alan Turing: A Musical Biography***, being staged at Hammersmith’s **Riverside Studios** from **8-27 January.** With music by **Joel Goodman** and a book by **Joan Greening** – and starring **Joe Bishop** as Turing – it takes us on a journey through Turing’s life from code breaking at **Bletchley Park** to his scandalous treatment as a gay man at the hands of the authorities. Tickets [HERE](http://riversidestudios.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/exhibitionists-kht_1920-x-1080-e1703171526529.jpg)

The modern gay romantic comedy ***Exhibitionists*** has been chosen to open the new **King’s Head Theatre** in Islington, immediately behind the old iconic venue of the same name. Running from **5 January – 10 February**, it’s set in San Francisco’s art world. When ex-partners collide at an exhibition, sparks fly and their new boyfriends are caught in the blast, igniting a series of comic crises and a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway.

The show, written by **Shaun McKenna**, whose credits include *Lord of The Rings*, *Ladies in Lavender* and the forthcoming *The Forsyte Saga*, is co-produced by **James Seabright** who is also chair of the trustees at the King’s Head, which now boasts 200 and 50-seat spaces. The venue is focussed on creating work with, by and for the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets [HERE](http://kingsheadtheatre.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk).

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/362013_cowbois-production-photos_-2023_-shoot-2_2023_web-use-e1703171582741.jpg)

After a successful run at the **Royal Shakespeare Company**, ***Cowbois*** transfers to London’s **Royal Court**. *Cowbois* is a rollicking queer western. In a sleepy town in the Wild West, the women drift through their days like tumbleweed, whose husbands, swept up in the gold rush, have been missing almost a year.

Handsome bandit Jack Cameron swaggers into town, hiding from bounty hunters. What follows is a gender revolution. It runs **11 January – 10 February**. **LoUis CYfer**, in their alter ego **L J Parkinson**, features in this show too. Tickets [HERE](http://royalcourttheatre.com/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/afterglow-highresimage-scaled-e1700830279253.jpg)

And finally, ***Afterglow***, which had a great run at the **Southwark Playhouse**, and later globally, returns from **12 January – 10 February**. Written and directed by **S. Asher Gelman**, *Afterglow* is billed as “the climax is just the beginning” and it stars **Peter McPherson**, **James Nicholson** and **Victor Hugo**.

It’s a raw, funny and sensual exploration of polyamory, commitment and modern love. It’s the story of Josh and Alex, a married couple in an open relationship, who invite Darius to share their bed for the night. Relationships are challenged, and futures are shaken, as all three re-adjust. I saw its original incarnation and gave it five stars for its hot, engrossing drama. Tickets [HERE](http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)