After The Act - New Wolsey Theatre
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After The Act

Performed from Tue 29 — Wed 30 Oct

Breach Theatre

Breach Theatre

The artwork for 'After the Act.' A drawing of two people who are both jumping in celebration. Covering their heads is a pink post-it note with black writing on it that reads 'After the Act - a Section 28 musical.'

After the Act

“Queers in classrooms!” “Perverts panicking parents!”
A new, 1980’s-inspired musical about pride, protest… and abseiling lesbians.

Section 28 was the landmark legislation that silenced a generation, offered a global blueprint for LGBTQ+ oppression and ended up galvanising a community. This show is funny, camp and unapologetically queer but also a clear-eyed exposure of the political playbook used to enact repressive laws.

(Almost) every word is taken from first-hand interviews, news articles and speeches. Touching personal narratives emerge from the wider political story as we go from the adolescent anguish of the classroom to the heated debates of Parliament, via impassioned street demonstrations and euphoric celebration.
The joyously exuberant original score, performed live, conjures the music of The Section 28 Years: protest songs, house music, and of course, disco!

Two decades after Section 28’s repeal, multi-award-winning theatre company, Breach (It’s True, It’s True, It’s True) sing and dance on the grave of this watershed moment.

★★★★ ‘Empowering and gut-wrenching... full of righteous anger and euphoric 80s synths’ The Telegraph

★★★★ ‘Heart-rending yet joyful... brilliantly conveys the hysteria and outrage of Section 28’ The Stage

Listed trailer is from 2023 production featuring the original cast.

A Breach production commissioned by New Diorama. Co-produced by Brighton Festival, HOME, New and Warwick Arts Centre.

Age guidance: 14+. Content Advice: This show features references to suicide and child abuse, and uses homophobic language.

Production photography: Ali Wright & Hayley Egan

Director: Billy Barrett (he/ him)
Writers: Billy Barrett (he/ him) and Ellice Stevens (she/ her)
Composer, Orchestrator and Co Music Production: Frew (he/ they)
Choreographer: Sung-Im Her (she/ her)
Designer: Bethany Wells (she/ her)
Creative Sound Designer and Co Music Production: Owen Crouch (he/ him)
Video Designer: Zakk Hein (he/ him)
Lighting Designer: Jodie Underwood (she/ they)
Music Supervisor: Martin Lowe (he/ him)
Sound System Designer: Ed Clarke (he/ him)
Video Design Associate: Hayley Egan (she/ her)
Video Programmer: Lucy Rodgers (she/ her)
Casting Director: Nick Hockaday (he/ him)

Enjoy a 15% DISCOUNT in our Café & Bar by going car-free to the theatre! Simply present your show ticket to a member of the Café & Bar team along with a valid train or bus ticket, pass, or a photo of your bike. For more details, visit our Good Journey page here: https://www.goodjourney.org.uk/attractions/new-wolsey-theatre/

Performance Gallery

Two performers dance during a musical number in 'After the Act.' One bends forward, with their hands on a wooden school bench, whilst the other dances further in the background. They are both wearing vibrant green and pink clothing.
A production image from 'After the Act.' Two performers sit on colourful stools, both wearing vibrant costumes including pink/green blazers trousers. They are both leaning back, with their legs crossed.
An actor raises their right fist into the air whilst. They are wearing a t-shirt that has the words 'Stop The Clause' printed on it.
Multiple performers are pictured, with one standing, one lying down and two in the middle of the stage, one having just thrown a bunch of papers into the air. Across the wooden board at the back is projected text that reads 'Stop the clause - stop Section 28.'
An actor is playing the role of Margaret Thatcher and is dancing whilst wearing a blue dress. Projected on a large wooden frame behind is the Conservative Party logo and the Union Jack flag. In the centre of the stage is a wooden lectern.
Four performers stand together, wearing t-shirts with protest wording on, including 'Stop the Clause.' One of them holds a megaphone into the air, and two are holding up picket signs that read 'Defend lesbians - defend gays.'

Reviews of After The Act

What the press say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - ‘Leaves its audience entertained, educated & enthralled. A vital use of the art of theatre.’

Musical Theatre Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - ‘Entertaining, provocative and important.’

The Arts Desk

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - ‘Groundbreaking.'

All That Dazzles

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