Queer artist Scottee gears up for bold new performance at London’s Roundhouse
By Will Stroude
Promotional
In the lead up to the this summer’s Brexit vote, award-winning artist Scottee travelled across England to interview LGBTQI people angered by mainstream politics – and the queer British artist is ready to explore his findings in a bold new show which kicks off at London’s Roundhouse later this month.
Billed as “a lip-sync marathon that’s messy, in more ways than one” Putting Words in Your Mouth kicks off on 22 November, and is set to explore the notions of belonging, identity, the legacy of Thatcherism, and take a hard look at what happens when communities are left behind. Challenging what it means to be British and queer in 2016, Scottee shines a light on a divided society, where those we think we identify with can shock and surprise us.
“I wanted to do something that made us have a conversation as a queer community about what happens when people don’t feel like they belong” Scottee, who was named Time Out’s Performer of the Year in 2010 told Run Riot in a recent interview.
Performer Travis Alabanza, who is set to star in the show alongside fellow rising queer artists Lasana Shabazz and Jamal Gerald, says of the show: “I’m excited about the subject matter. Outside of this show I create and make work about my experiences as a queer Black person, I create political art that is made to bring about change – and it is just really exciting to be in a room of artists that also share this goal within their practice.”
Two post-show conversations have also been announced for two days of the run, with award-winning artist Le Gateau Chocolat set to appear on 24 November to talk about political and sexual awakenings in a discussion that will be live streamed on You Tube, while the show’s stars will discuss the project with LGBT leader Lady Phyll Opoku on 29 November.
‘Putting Words in Your Mouth’ at the Roundhouse runs from 22 November to 3 December 2016 followed by dates at Home, Manchester as part of a regional and international tour in 2017. F
For tickets and more information visit roundhouse.org.uk.
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