Details

It's not just about gold medals, it's about human rights. Imagine that you are suddenly in danger of being arrested in the street because of kissing or holding hands with your partner. Or because you wear a particular hairstyle or clothes in public. Losing your job because you work with young people. Being beaten up, tortured and in danger of being murdered by thugs while the police do nothing. Being prosecuted simply for showing up at a march or rally. Having your children in danger of being taken away. This is the everyday life of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Russia after Putin's recent anti-gay legislation (Law on Propaganda of Non-Traditional Sexual Relations). London's first rapid-response protest piece against the laws, by experienced verbatim playwright Tess Berry-Hart, has now been developed into a full-length play which additionally explores the historical and political background of widespread homophobia in Russia. Coupled with visceral and affecting verbatim testimony from Russian LGBT people, gay activists and media commentators in advance of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi 2014 provides an invaluable opportunity to focus the eyes of the world on Russia's hardline attitude towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and suggest solutions that will continue long after the Olympics are over. What can the countries of the world do about this? What can we ourselves do? What will happen if we do nothing?

Cast/Performers

Stephanie Beattie, Alex Gatehouse, Shelley Lang, Jim Scott, Adam Venus

Creatives/Company

Author: Tess Berry-Hart
Presented by: The Hope Theatre
Director: David Mercatali
Design: Christopher Hone
Costume: Christopher Hone
Lighting: Seth Rook Williams