A festival of queer theatre, comedy, art, music and parties
WorldPride 2014 Toronto announced a new partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre that will see two exciting international theatre works come to Toronto as part of North America’s largest arts and culture festival. The festival will be taking place this summer from June 20 – 29, 2014.
First up, on June 22, there will be a reading of the Ugandan playwright ADONG. This particular reading of ADONG is one of Lucy Judith’s vital works titled, Just Me, You and The Silence. The reading will be staged in partnership with Obsidian Theatre and WorldPride 2014 Toronto. Also, a reading of Lady Hamlet – a play by renowned author and activist Sarah Schulman, will follow later that week, on June 25th. Sarah Schulman will be in attendance at the Canadian premiere as well.
The events will also be presented as part of Buddies’ Queer Pride Festival, which runs from May 31 – June 29, 2014. “Since 1979, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre has played an essential role in sharing the stories of our LGBTTIQQ2SA communities through provocative theatre and performance art,” said TK, Arts and Culture Manager, Pride Toronto.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a vital part of Canadian theatre because of their development and presentation of voices that question sexual and cultural norms. Built on the political and social principles of queer liberation, Buddies supports artists and works that reflect and advance these values.
“Buddies has been a key source of arts and culture programming to our community, and we are very excited that this partnership will present international and Canadian works to a global audience coming to Toronto this year,” said TK.
Other highlights of Buddies’ Queer Pride Festival include:
• The celebration of Buddies’ 35th birthday with 35 Years & Counting, a wild night that celebrates the theatre’s incredible history
• PrideCab, a multi-disciplinary cabaret created by members of Buddies’ Queer Youth Arts Program that explores what it means to be young and queer today
• Queer comedy with perennial favorites Bitch Salad and Homo Night in Canada showcasing the talents of Drew Droege, Dawn Whitwell, Lindy Zucker, Katherine Ryan, The Cheeto Girls, Shawn Hitchins, and Elvira Kurt. Toronto sensations Gavin Crawford and Sharron Matthews will also be joining forces on stage for the first time.
“Buddies is thrilled to partner with WorldPride 2014 to present these important international works,” says Brendan Healey, Artistic Director, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. “This partnership is a much-welcomed and significant addition to our festival, and for an entire month, we will see a stellar line-up of Toronto’s most exciting queer entertainers in our theatre.”
