What "Queer Spaces: Climate Pride" Scarborough This October

Ever wondered what happens when you mix storytelling, climate change awareness, and a fresh perspective? Something pretty special, it turns out. An exciting event is coming to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre, offering a night of short stories that look at the world, and our future, through a completely different angle – a queer lens. It’s all about dreaming up a better, greener world and figuring out how we can actually get there, together.

A new kind of storytelling

On Wednesday 29 October, an award-winning Yorkshire LGBTQIA theatre company called Roots is bringing together a group of incredible artists. With support from Fern Culture, York Theatre Royal, and the Stephen Joseph Theatre itself, they’ve set a challenge for eight writers from York and Scarborough: create new plays about climate justice. But what is climate justice? Put simply, it’s the idea that the fight against climate change should be fair for everyone, especially for communities that are often overlooked. It’s about making sure that the solutions we come up with don’t leave anyone behind.

This isn't your typical theatre night, though. The performers are actually the writers themselves, sharing their brand-new work for the very first time. It’s a raw, fresh, and immediate way to experience these new ideas. The whole event, called Queer Spaces: Climate Pride, is a chance to see how personal stories and collective experiences can inspire real action and a push for a healthier planet. It's a fantastic showcase of the local arts scene, connecting creative minds from both Scarborough and York.

Who are the artists imagining this future?

The line-up of performers is seriously impressive and wonderfully varied. It’s a mix of different talents and backgrounds, which is what makes this event so unique. Each artist brings their own special flavour to the conversation about our climate.

• Tiana Aitken (she/her): A poet and budding theatre maker from York, Tiana is inspired by nature and folklore. Her work often explores the deep connection between our own lives and the natural world, using beautiful imagery to tell her stories.
• Misha Mond (they/he): From Scarborough, Misha is a non-binary actor, writer, and also a drag king known as Metrosexual Michael. A drag king is typically a female performer who adopts a masculine persona. Misha’s involvement promises a performance that’s both theatrical and thought-provoking.
• Bee Scott (she/they): If you’re a fan of science fiction, Bee is an artist to watch. As an award-winning theatre-maker, Bee specialises in queer sci-fi, exploring futuristic ideas through a queer lens. This is where science and imagination collide.
• Teän (she/her): A theatre student and hula hooper from York, Teän has roots in Cornwall, where her climate activism first began. It's fantastic to see a performer whose passion for activism started at a young age. Yes, a hula hooper! It shows how any art form can be a tool for change.

A blend of science, folklore, and comedy

The other artists bring even more to the table, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives. The stories told on the night will likely be a mix of funny, serious, fantastical, and scientific. It shows there isn't just one way to talk about something as huge as the climate crisis.

Kate Thomson Rahmanian (she/they) is a queer, Persian-Welsh performer who uses sharp comedy and bold physical performance in her storytelling. A touch of comedy can make difficult topics much easier to talk about. Then there’s Suzanne Elvidge (she/her), a queer writer whose work dances between science and the arts. Her stories explore facts, fiction, and all the interesting grey areas in between, which is perfect for a topic as complex as climate change.

And the list goes on. E. Rugg (they/them) is a writer who admits to fearing the Anthropocene. What’s that? It’s just the scientific name for the current period in Earth's history, where human activity has been the main influence on climate and the environment. It’s the age of us, basically. Finally, Joanna Wormald (they/them) is a non-binary writer and artist from Scarborough, bringing another vital local and queer perspective to the stage.

Why queer perspectives on climate matter

So, why is a 'queer lens' so important when talking about the climate? The queer community has a long history of activism, of building strong communities, and of imagining and fighting for a world that’s more inclusive and accepting. These are exactly the skills needed to tackle the climate crisis. It requires us to imagine a different kind of future and work together to build it.

This event isn't just a series of performances; it’s a celebration of that spirit. It's about using the power of the arts – from poetry to comedy, from queer sci-fi to personal stories inspired by nature – to spark conversation. The collection of artists, including a non-binary drag king, a poet inspired by folklore, and a writer focused on science, ensures a wide range of voices. It’s a reminder that everyone, from every walk of life, has a stake in climate justice and a unique story to tell. This is what community activism looks like in the theatre world. For further media information and to understand the depth of this project, exploring the work of Roots theatre company is a great start.

Get your tickets for a night of new ideas

This is a chance to support local artists and be part of a really important conversation. The performances will be happening at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough on Wednesday 29 October, starting from 7pm. It’s a one-night-only event where you can see creativity and activism come together on stage. If you're curious, inspired, or just looking for a different kind of night at the theatre, this is for you.

Tickets are available now. You can get them by calling the box office on 01723 370541 or by visiting the theatre's website at www.sjt.uk.com. Don’t miss out on this night of sparkling new stories.