An Eternity of Pride from Darlinghurst Theatre
Image: Gender Euphoria presented by Darlinghurst Theatre Company Pride program. Image: supplied
Darlinghurst Theatre Company (DTC) is rolling out the rainbow carpet for Sydney WorldPride with an eclectic yet highly targeted Pride program. Four shows have been specially curated to represent and appeal to distinct and diverse segments of the LGBTQI+ community across a spectrum of age, identity, and taste.
Officially part of Pride Amplified, the DTC program reflects the company’s long history of providing arts and accessibility to the LGBTQI+ community.
“Darlo [DTC] has been presenting a work for the Mardi Gras festival for at least 20 years… That’s always been part of the core values of the organisation,” says Artistic Director of DTC, Amylia Harris. “For this particular festival I thought it was really important to honour the location of our venue, The Eternity Playhouse, in what is really the ‘Queer Mecca’ of Sydney… it’s a central area for the queer community and has been for many decades.”
Eternity Playhouse, DTC’s home, is a block down from Oxford Street and a short strut from Taylor Square, so it really is in the epicentre of LGBTQI+ territory.
To ensure the Pride program truly represented the needs and desires of the community, Harris spoke at length with Sydney WorldPride creative directors, Daniel Clark and Ben Graetz. Their advice and further consultation with community members helped inform the ultimate selection of works.
“The four different productions that we ended up curating have four very specific communities and audiences, and really four different age groups, which is really quite exciting,” explains Harris.
The Rainbow Tree is DTC’s first foray into family-style entertainment. It’s a mixed-bag of a show created by two self-described super queer aunties from Victoria – Sarah Ward and Bec Matthews – collectively known as Fat Fruit.
Created through collaboration with Rainbow family children, The Rainbow Tree is a delightful, crazy, inclusive exploration of identity, family and community through musical storytelling.
Harris describes The Rainbow Tree as a really beautiful, joyful show that’s just a little bit silly.
“It’s something that Rainbow families and allies can come to so their kids can be within like-minded communities and know that they are completely safe and normal,” she says. “I think that’s very important because we don’t have very many opportunities for Rainbow families to take their children and feel culturally safe.”
At the other end of the age demographic is All The Sex I’ve Ever Had, a unique show created by Canadian group, Mammalian Diving Reflex and presented all over the world. The concept is to gather six interesting people aged 65 and over, who are willing to speak frankly about their sex lives in front of an audience.
This Sydney show will be the first version that involves all queer participants. Among the elders they’ve gathered are four 78ers and the notorious Troughman, Barry Charles. They will share their stories in an informal panel style presentation which will include a few dance breaks. Because it’s unscripted, each show will be slightly different.
“Because they are all older queer people, almost all of them have been activists for many decades, and most still protest to this day,” says Harris. “I think it’s important for young people to remember the shoulders on which we stand, and to have gratitude for those who have participated in the activism that allows us to have the freedoms that we do.”
Gender Euphoria: Mighty Real is a cabaret/variety style show created by Mama Alto and Maude Davey from Melbourne. They have gathered a troupe of 15 trans and gender diverse artists, each with a unique talent. It is the largest ensemble of its kind to perform on an Australian main stage.
“That’s more a classic cabaret night at the theatre – a bit Spiegeltent-like in terms of the different acts that are presented. More importantly, it celebrates trans joy,” says Harris.
The entire venue will be a welcoming, inclusive space for trans and gender-diverse people: the bathrooms are gender neutral and all the staff have received training.
Finally, viral TikTok sensation, Rainbow History Class will present its first live show as part of DTC’s Pride program. Led by queer historians, Rudy Jean Rigg and Hannah McElhinney, Rainbow History Class provides fun and informative lessons about our past, deciphering language and behaviour that has formed the basis of queer culture.
“What they do on TikTok is retell important queer history, so they answer questions like ‘why do lesbians wear carabiners on their jeans?’” explains Harris.
Being a TikTok phenomenon, the show should appeal to Gen-Zedders but also anyone curious about the origins of queer culture.
For Harris, putting together this program meant sifting through countless submissions. The number of queer artists and works on offer is heartening.
“What’s really exciting now is that we’ve moved beyond just sort of trauma stories and into joyful stories and that’s so exciting.”
As well as presenting the four shows, Eternity Playhouse will be an unofficial hub for Priders to chill and mingle, with DJs, drinks, and snacks available in the downstairs bar.
