New LGBTQ theatre company launched in London
Queer Theatre is the brainchild of Andrew Keates.
Queer Theatre is a new LGBTQ theatre and production company in London.
Founded by Andrew Keates, the company is dedicated to telling LGBTQ stories and nurturing queer talent.
We caught up with Andrew Keates for a behind-the-scenes look at the company.
You're kicking off Queer Theatre with weekly acting classes for LGBTQIA+ performers - why was the provision of acting classes where you initially wanted to focus?
I fear that society is increasingly focused on dissecting the differences within our community by breaking up the L, the G, the B, the T, the Q, and others and making us alien to one another, when I've found it far more beneficial to pay attention to our similarities and what unites us. And the best way to do that is to bring us together in the same room, rather than behind a phone.
I see performers putting more effort into their social media presence than into honing their craft in the acting studio. That's why I wanted to create a safe space in an LGBTQ+ London venue, where queer performers could gather each week to learn about themselves and others through acting and play. A place where they are allowed to fail, grow, and explore their identities, our shared issues, and various characters using the performing arts.
In these modern times and lack of opportunities for performers, these are so much more than just some acting classes. They’re a few hours a week where we can play and grow with our tribe. I couldn’t be more excited for them to start in September.
You're holding the acting classes at The Two Brewers in Clapham - how does the venue for the classes shape the whole experience for participants?
It's a funny thing, isn't it? The idea of having acting classes in a gay club. But The Two Brewers isn't just any club—it's an iconic LGBTQ+ venue with a rich legacy in London's queer community. Established in 1981, it quickly became a beloved hub for LGBTQ+ individuals, offering a safe space for people to express themselves and connect with others during a time when acceptance was far from mainstream. Over the decades, The Two Brewers has gained renown for its vibrant drag performances, cabaret shows, and lively club nights, solidifying its reputation as one of London's premier LGBTQ+ entertainment venues.
The venue's history is deeply intertwined with the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement in the UK. Throughout the years, The Two Brewers has provided more than just entertainment; it's been a cornerstone of community and solidarity, supporting everything from sports clubs and arts organisations to LGBTQ+ activism. It has weathered social and political changes, standing strong as a symbol of inclusivity and resilience. Today, it remains a cultural landmark, celebrated for its commitment to nurturing queer talent and offering a welcoming space for all.
I've been going there since my twenties, and I hope to be quietly sipping a soft drink in a corner for decades to come. I defy any LGBTQIA+ person not to feel gratitude and inspiration from all the generations who have walked through those doors in search of the freedom to be themselves. And frankly, it’s an honour to be a part of its history.
You've opened up about how your past is what inspired you to establishing Queer Theatre. Is that a theme that you'll be exploring within the work supported by Queer Theatre?
My goal is to be of service to others, my community, and the art I create—whether it's on stages or in public spaces.
My life has been shaped by growing up under Section 28, witnessing the inequalities in the age of consent for gay men, and living in the shadow of the AIDS crisis.
I've faced hospitalisation due to homophobia as a teenager and addiction as an adult, endured repeated sexual assaults, received an HIV diagnosis, and stood in front of countless cameras and marches advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
These experiences undeniably shape who I am and the work I create. However, Queer Theatre should never be confined to my personal perspective alone. It must be diverse—celebratory, cautionary, and always striving to uncover our collective truth from our whole community.
While it's not our responsibility to save lives, I believe that stories and events can certainly change them.
Beyond the acting classes, what can we look forward to from Queer Theatre?
There’s so much I want to do. We will be launching LGBTQ+ networking events at an iconic London venue every quarter, a queer scratch night, an LGBTQIA+ playwriting festival next year, our weekly acting lab and we will be bringing some of the most celebrated queer performers to audiences in the form of our podcast, The Show People Podcast as a live show. And that’s just the beginning.
How can people get involved?
For theatremakers, join our mailing list at www.queertheatre.co.uk and follow us on social media by searching for @QueerTheatreUK.
For those who want to support us, please know that we are in the early stages of launching this company for LGBTQ+ performers. The best way to help is by making a donation at https://www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us. Every contribution brings us closer to uniting queer theatre-makers and sharing our stories.
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