Southwark Playhouse's CASA VALENTINA to Host Stonewall Gala Night

The producers of Casa Valentina today announce a gala for Stonewall which campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people across Britain. The gala will be on the evening of Thursday 24th September and will be hosted by Anthony Davis from Smooth Radio. After the performance, there will be a Q&A with Ayaz Manj and Peter Mercer from Stonewall along with the cast and producers. Casa Valentina is set in 1962 in the picturesque Catskills mountains of New York where a group of heterosexual men escape from the City to spend their weekend dressed as women. Included in the price of each ticket to the gala performance will be a donation to support the charitable works of Stonewall.

Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina has been critically acclaimed, receiving 4 stars from The Stage, Time Out and What's On Stage. Time Out described the production as 'a bright and engaging production about a politically conflicted transvestite colony' and The Stage called Casa Valentina 'witty and gritty, warm-hearted and tough'.

In this cross dressing colony they leave their families, friends and city jobs behind to safely inhabit their female alter egos and release their inner woman. However when given the choice to share their secret lives with the world, the group have to decide whether the freedom gained by the openness is worth the personal risk. Based on real-life events, this delightfully insightful and hilariously entertaining piece gives us a glimpse in to the life of these "self-made women" as they search for acceptance and happiness in a high heel.

Producers Paul Taylor-Mills and Amy Anzel said today "We are delighted to announce this gala supporting Stonewall. We are very proud of this production and the subject matter feels particularly relevant and part of wider cultural conversation around sex and gender that is very current. We are thrilled that we are able to support the important work of Stonewall with this gala."

Luke Sheppard directs Tamsin Carroll (Rita), Ben Deery (Jonathan/Miranda), Charlie Hayes (Eleanor), Bruce Montague (Theodore/ Terry), Robert Morgan (The Judge/Amy), Matt Rixon (Albert/Bessie), Ashley Robinson (Michael/Gloria), Gareth Snook (Charlotte/Isadore) and Edward Wolstenholme (George/Valentina). The production runs until 10 October.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who had been active in the struggle against Section 28 of the Local Government Act. Section 28 was an offensive piece of legislation designed to prevent the so-called 'promotion' of homosexuality in schools; as well as stigmatising lesbian, gay and bi people it galvanised the LGBT community. The aim from the outset was to create a professional lobbying group that would prevent such attacks on lesbians, gay and bi people from ever occurring again. Stonewall has subsequently put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda by winning support within all the main political parties and now has offices in England, Scotland and Wales.

In 2015, and following a six month consultation with trans communities, Stonewall became trans inclusive. You can learn more about Stonewall and trans by reading our report 'Trans People and Stonewall' here http://www.stonewall.org.uk/campaign/campaigning-trans-equality-0

Stonewall receives no core government funding and funds are instead raised in a variety of ways including donations, sponsorship and fundraising events.

Photo Credit: Robert Workman

To post a comment, you must register and login.