Worcester Theatres announce Arts Council England Funding for Saucy and the Vesta Tilley Festival
30 March 2022
Worcester Theatres is proud to announce Arts Council England’s support for its LGBTQ+ arts programme called Saucy: Queer Performance Worcester Style. A year long programme of activity that will include the inaugural Vesta Tilley Festival in May 2022 as well as performances and events by and for the LGBTQ+ community, through to March 2023.
The Vesta Tilley festival is a tribute to Worcester’s very own Vesta Tilley, renowned male impersonator of the Music Hall era and will be held at the Vesta Tilley Studio (Swan Studio) in May, the month of Vesta Tilley’s birth.
The festival is a celebration of the art of male impersonation with an emphasis on how it manifests today, through the artistry of Drag Kings and through gender diverse performance of identity.
Saucy has been running evenings of performance since July 2021. Variety style events with cabaret, theatre, performance, spoken word, comedy and music acts with a distinctly irreverent queer flavour that has gained a loyal following.
“We are thrilled that, with this funding, we will be able to continue to present work in this popular variety format across the year. Not only does this create sustainable opportunities for queer artists locally but also regular events for those looking for something a bit counter-culture and subversive. Everyone is welcome to experience the friendly, informal, lovingly crafted chaos of a Saucy event and it’s a safe place for LGBTQ+ people and their friends and allies to meet and enjoy art together.”
- Daniel Somerville, Saucy programmer for Worcester Theatres
The Arts Council England funding will also enable Worcester Theatres to hold workshops, provide mentoring and a scratch night performance for up and coming local artists, development of information and training within the organisation, and a second Out Saucy Community Get2tegether event for LGBTQ+ History Month in 2023 working with Out2Gether, a day of events that last time included music, poetry, talks, workshops and stalls provided by local organisations and service providers for the LGBTQ+ community.
"Our Community and Participation work is at the heart of Worcester Theatres ethos and vision, and to be able to play a role in a project like this is an honour. Community producing is all about uplifting a community to be more visible and have their voice heard by as many people as possible. We're so excited to support and amplify the LGBTQ+ community in Worcester – Saucy is here to make its artistic mark on our City and the region."
- Owen Harper, Creative Producer and Young Rep Company Artistic Director.