Don’t deselect… turn up the volume with us at Louder Cabaret instead!

As more of us feel the pinch and a trip to the theatre becomes even more of a rare treat, Artistic Director of LGBTQ+ theatre company Dibby Theatre and host of The Met’s monthly Loud Cabaret explains why the need for allies in our audiences has never been more urgent.

It’s no secret to those in the industry that the arts is in crisis.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the continued pressure of austerity politics have pushed an already squeezed sector to breaking point.

And when the finances are tight you can be guaranteed of one thing: both arts venues and audiences are prepared to take less risk.

If there’s less money to go around, it makes sense to ensure every pound you spend gives you a good return on investment, right?

The problem for LGBTQ+ creatives (as well as creatives from other historically minoritised communities) is that we are often viewed as more of a ‘risk’ both by venue programmers and audience members.

Our work is seen to have ‘niche’ appeal, a smaller more specific audience base, or themes not relevant to the wider public.

And if you’re an artist at the start of your career with less of a following, then it’s difficult to compete with the financial draw of a high-profile comedian or well-loved musical.

But at Dibby we believe that LGBTQ+ stories and creativity deserve to be in the mainstream – our talent is not just for Pride month or LGBT History Month.

And the stories that we tell, and the array of talented ways we tell them, are full of universal themes of love, loss, heartbreak, struggle and celebration.

In fact, I’d go further and say that the challenges LGBTQ+ people have faced make them some of the smartest, wittiest, most astute performers out there.

As an arts marketer I know that when choosing what to see at the theatre or cinema, many people deselect based on how a show or film is labelled.

LGBTQ+? I’m straight so that’s not for me.

Stories from Black or Asian communities? I’m white so that’s not for me.

Disabled artist? I’m not disabled so that’s not for me.

It’s an unconscious bias we all have, myself included – we are inclined to move towards people and stories that look like us.

But it’s one we have to fight.

Because it limits the possibility of what we could gain.

And because diversity of experience broadens our horizons and enriches our communities.

At Dibby we’re proud to work with venues and partners bucking the trend during this time of austerity, investing time and resource in diverse stories and performers.

Our monthly Loud Cabaret at The Met in Bury is an example of how to be a good ally to minoritised artists.

Since April, the Met, in partnership with the LGBT Foundation, Bury LGBTI Forum, and Dibby have been introducing their audiences to the best LGBTQ+ talent from across the region, whilst paying LGBTQ+ creatives a fair wage for their work.

But we can’t continue to host Loud without the most important element… YOU.

With no core funding for this project, its survival is reliant on lots of you buying a ticket and taking a punt on LGBTQ+ talent.

This November we’re turning up the volume on Loud with Louder Cabaret – a riotous celebration of music, drag, burlesque and comedy from some top northern LGBTQ+ talent.

Hosted by myself the bill includes Divina De Campo (Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, BBC 3), international burlesque star Coco Divine, comedian’s Bethany Black and Soph Galustian (Everyone Else Burns, C4), disco-vocalist Night Thomas, and DJ Shar spinning tunes on the decks.

All profit made from Louder will be put directly back into paying more LGBTQ+ artists to perform at our monthly Loud Cabaret.

So, if you’re a lover of great music, side-splitting comedy, or beautiful burlesque, but have never been to an LGBTQ+ cabaret night before, I encourage you to book you and your mates a ticket… I promise you won’t be disappointed.

And if you’ve never been to The Met in Bury before, don’t deselect.

After all it’s got excellent tram, bus and train links and you might just be pleasantly surprised.

Everybody’s welcome at our party… see you there!

By Nathaniel J Hall

Nathaniel J Hall is Artistic Director of Dibby Theatre, an award-winning playwright and LGBTQ+ and HIV activist from Salford.

www.nathanieljhall.co.uk | @nathanieljhall | @dibbytheatre