Queer Play Reading Club
Adam by Frances Poet: Tuesday 20th May
Queer Theatre invites you to the launch of the Queer Play Reading Club, a brand-new monthly event celebrating LGBTQ+ playwriting in a supportive, social space. In partnership with Nick Hern Books, each session takes place at The Railway, a queer-run pub in Clapham.
We begin the evening with 20–30 minutes of brand-new queer writing, giving emerging LGBTQ+ playwrights the chance to share short scenes or monologues and receive supportive feedback from fellow theatre-makers. We read a full-length published play aloud, followed by a relaxed discussion and Q&A (sometimes with the playwright. director or members of the original or previous cast), facilitated by Queer Theatre artistic director, Andrew Keates.
Our opening play is Adam by Frances Poet, based on the extraordinary true story of Adam Kashmiry, a young trans man who fled Egypt to seek asylum in the UK. This bold, moving piece explores gender, identity, and freedom through a powerfully theatrical lens, with two actors sharing the role of Adam to tell a story that is both deeply personal and universally human.
Every ticket includes a copy of the play-text, and attendees will receive exclusive discounts on other Nick Hern Books titles to continue exploring queer stories at home.
Itinerary
Tea, coffee and snacks from 6:30pm
Session starts at 7pm
Finishes approximately 9:30pm
Drinks and socialising until late
Getting There: The Railway, Clapham
18 Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UR
- By Tube: The venue is a 1-minute walk from Clapham North (Northern line) and just 5 minutes from Clapham Common.
- By Overground: Clapham High Street Station is directly opposite the venue.
- By Bus: The venue is served by multiple routes including the 50, 88, 155, 322, and 345.
- By Train: Clapham Junction is a short bus ride away, with connections across London and the South East.
Accessibility
The event takes place in an upstairs space which is accessible only by stairs. If you have access needs or questions, please contact us in advance so we can support your visit as best we can.
Important Information
This is not a performance, but an informal exploration of the play’s text. Scenes will be read aloud by members of the group who wish to participate. As such, roles may be read in ways that differ from their original casting intentions – including across gender, race, age, sexuality, and lived experience. We actively welcome this openness, while also encouraging those with lived experience that reflects the characters to volunteer for roles where appropriate.
If you are a writer wishing to have your own work shared aloud during the opening section, please bring an excerpt of no more than five minutes in length to allow space for other writers to share as well. Please note we may not have time to include everyone’s work on the night.
This event is part of Queer Theatre’s commitment to ensuring LGBTQ+ theatre-makers always have somewhere to go each week to connect, create, and be inspired, alongside our 2B: Acting Classes, OutCast showcases, theatre trips, parties, social events, masterclasses and shows.
Find out more by visiting queertheatre.co.uk/whats-on