Queer Play Reading Club
The Pride by Alexi Kaye Campbell: Tuesday 15th July 2025
Queer Theatre invites you to the third session of the Queer Play Reading Club, a monthly event celebrating LGBTQ+ playwriting in a supportive, social space. Held in partnership with Nick Hern Books, each session takes place at The Railway, a Queer-run pub in Clapham.
We begin the evening with an hour 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.
This is followed by a group reading of a full-length published play, with a relaxed discussion and Q&A (sometimes featuring the playwright, director, or cast members), facilitated by Queer Theatre’s Artistic Director, Andrew Keates.
Our July play is The Pride by Alexi Kaye Campbell:
The powerful debut play from Alexi Kaye Campbell, winner of an Olivier Award, the Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, and the John Whiting Award for Best New Play.
Alternating between 1958 and 2008, The Pride examines changing attitudes to sexuality, looking at intimacy, identity and the courage it takes to be who you really are.
The 1958 Philip is in love with Oliver, but married to Sylvia. The 2008 Oliver is addicted to sex with strangers. Sylvia loves them both.
Every ticket includes a copy of the play-text, and attendees will receive exclusive discounts on other Nick Hern Books titles to continue exploring LGBTQ+ stories at home.
Itinerary
Tea, coffee and snacks from 6:30pm
Session starts at 7pm
Finishes approximately 10pm
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