Pride in Trafford 2023
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Exploring and celebrating LGBTQ+ arts, we’re thrilled that Pride in Trafford is back for 2023. Packed with comedy, storytelling and performance alongside visual arts and physical theatre – the festival is now in its fifth year and brings an exciting blend of performers and artists to the borough of Trafford.
Running for four days this May and hosted by our friends at Waterside, all of the events take place in venues and spaces around Sale town centre.
At the heart of the festival is the Bi-Topia, a performance world premiere created and performed by Sam Danson and directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair. Billed as “hilarious, honest and raw”, Bi-Topia is a semi-autobiographical show that shines a light on the bisexual experience, as well as exploring maleness and mental health.
Also happening on the opening night, The Chosen Haram is one of our top performance picks of the festival. Blending physical theatre and circus, this highly-visual show explores the tensions of a young Muslim man torn between his faith and his sexuality.
Laugh Riot returns with an evening of the best alternative comedy too. Hosted by Waterside favourite Jonathan Mayor, the impressive line-up includes award-winning comedian, presenter, actor and writer Stephen Bailey; Marie Goulbourne, who muses authentically about her life as an autistic person in the modern world, and Rosie Wilby, comedian and creator of the global hit podcast and book The Breakup Monologues.
Similarly, comedy is also the key ingredient in Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me by the award-winning playwright Philip Stokes. This co-production by Lawrence Batley Theatre and Ketchup Productions is a darkly comic show exploring family dynamics, who our idols are and how hard life can be when you’re a little bit different.
Pride in Trafford also offers some wonderful performance events for families and younger members of the LGBTQ+ community on Saturday 20 May. Alongside creative activities and storytelling with Curious Arts, there will be two free outdoor performances by the vibrant Eleni Edipidi’s Levantes Dance Theatre. In a captivating blend of circus and dance, the popular Canape Art Twins will dance and perform on the Waterside Plaza. Expect sparkly cakes, visually arresting costumes and theatrical capers in this sweet explosion of colour and silliness.
