GLASGAY
S ince its inception in 1993, Glasgay! has reflected the city’s changing relationship with LGBT communities. Beginning at a time when ‘promotion’ of homosexuality was forbidden by section 28 (a piece of Conservative legislation that claimed to protect family values), and weathering years of limited funding, it has established itself both as an annual celebration of Scottish talent and an inclusive festival that reaches out beyond its expected audiences.
Although it has contracted and expanded in size during the past 20 years, there has been a consistency with its commitment to multiple art forms. Film, theatre, dance, comedy and music have all been represented and many Scottish artists have found it a crucial platform: from playwright Martin O’Connor (collaborating this year with Donna Rutherford) to musician David Paul Jones, Glasgay! commissions and supports original Scottish performance. Steven Thomson, the festival’s artistic director, is very aware of Glasgay!’s continued importance. ‘Where I started was looking at that very first festival and thinking about the sparkling names that made Glasgay! so special,’ he says. Early plans to invite the original performers were scuppered by the artists’ subsequently stellar careers. ‘The names – the likes of Ian McKellen – are so famous these days, it became obvious right away we had to look at it another way!’
Going on to consider ‘the over-use of the word legacy’, Thomson considered the nature of the festival’s engagement with particular artists. ‘Glasgay!’s legacy is about the people who have contributed to the festival,’ says Thomson. ‘One thing that occurred to me was, “who were the emerging artists in 1993?” And there, tucked away in the corner of the programme was a poetry reading with Jackie Kay.’ The author would later write the first version of The Maw Broon Monologues for Glasgay! ‘So we went to Jackie and asked if she wanted to freshen up the Monologues, and she was absolutely keen as there’s loads Maw Broon wants to say. Let’s have a go at seeing what we can say about contemporary times.’ Thomson’s line-up includes new names to the event as well as some friendly and familiar faces – comedian Craig Hill makes his annual appearance: this year he’s Tartan About! – and states that Glasgay! has been important for supporting Scottish artists. ‘It’s a way of looking back without being too reverential and cloying,’ he affirms. Certainly, the range of events on offer both establishes the diversity of contemporary LGBT art, and reflects on Glasgay!’s own contribution to Scotland’s artistic culture.
1 FILM: THE WIZARD OF OZ Yes, yes, we know. The Wizard of Oz is as camp as a bag of hats – but this is much more than an over-indulgent kitsch-fest, as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra will be performing the original score live. ■ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 19 Oct.
2 PLAY: THE MONOLOGUES
MAW BROON
As her first Maw Broon Monologues proved, Jackie Kay never disappoints. This Glasgay!- commissioned show features all-new content and songs, considering Maw Broon’s stance on reality TV, the class system, and – of course – Scottish independence. ■ Tron Theatre, Wed 30 Oct–Sat 9 Nov.
3 EXHIBITION: ALAN CRUMLISH: RETRO Things have certainly changed for LGBT people since the 1980s and 90s. But, asks Alan Crumlish, is it always for the better? His dramatic photos provide an overview of queer Scottish life, from the 80s club scene to performances by LGBT artists during the 1990s. In a beautiful full-circle move, the exhibition also features images from the first ever Glasgay! festival. ■ Tron Theatre, Wed 9 Oct–Sat 9 Nov.
4 FILM: BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR Based on the graphic novel by French writer Julie Maroh, this film has already made headlines for its sexual content. Both lead actresses have reportedly refused to work with director Abdellatif Kechiche again, after he refused to let them ‘fake’ a fight scene. Lesbian romance films are often markedly lacking in passion, so it will be interesting to see whether Kechiche’s working methods succeed where others have failed. ■ Glasgow Film Theatre, Wed 6 Nov.
5 CLUB: MENERGY A double celebration here for the Glasgay! closing party and Menergy’s fourth birthday. It’ll certainly be drag-tastic, with RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Raja headlining. Defining yourself as LGBT isn’t always easy, so all the more reason to don your gladdest rags and have a party. ■ AXM, Sat 9 Nov.
6 FILM: MAN FOR A DAY
Katrina Peter’s documentary follows Scottish legend Diane Torr in Berlin. Torr has been playing with gender identity for 30 years and brings the drag king out into the streets. ■ CCA, Sun 27 Oct.
7 TALKS: WHAT’S NEXT FOR QUEER PERFORMANCE?
As LGBT rights move into a new era, how will queer performance evolve? Glasgay!’s own legacy offers clues to the future of art intended to provoke and entertain. ■ Gilmorehill Centre, Wed 16 Oct.
8 MUSICAL: THE GATES Rachel Jury continues her exploration of musical theatre with a look behind the green door of a famous Chelsea members’ club. ■ Classic Grand, Wed 23 –Sat 26 Oct.
9 THEATRE: HANDEL’S CROSS Theatre North examine the sublimated desire that inspired Handel, through the fantasies of two men in a fetish dungeon. ■ CCA, Tue 15 & Wed 16 Oct.
10 THEATRE: KILLING ME SOFTLY Revival of the 1987 play which shows that loneliness can build a connection capable of crossing gender and sexual boundaries. ■ Scottish Youth Theatre, Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct.
19 Sep–17 Oct 2013 THE LIST 27