“A story about hope, the distances we travel and the lengths we go to when falling in love.
“A love story between two women that spans a hundred years, moves across continents, and occurs in a multitude of languages.”
We’ll meet in MOSCOW is a new piece of performance work created through an artistic collaboration between writer Natalie McGrath (Oxygen, Coasting), choreographer Jane Mason (Life Forces, Singer), designer Sophia Clist (Oxygen, The World at Your Feet), director Nicola Rosewarne (The Enchanted Palace, Third Light), and performers Michelle Ridings and Belinda Chapman.
We’ll meet in MOSCOW is part of a wider project responding to global anti-gay legislation, in particular Gay Pride being banned in Moscow for 100 years.
Alongside the live performance work, the project encompasses participatory engagement platforms for LGBTQ groups and organisations across Devon, including workshops and writing groups.
Integral to the future life of the project is the development of a space to host ‘digital gifts’ – stories about love and pride in these challenging times, an opportunity to share experiences about falling in love and the struggles that can face LGBTQ people when doing so. This wider project is led by LGBTQ writer Natalie McGrath.
This is a unique project for Devon: bringing together an experienced theatre-making team to address challenging global issues through the creation of meaningful, beautiful work; making connections between groups and organisations across the region to ensure that LGBTQ voices are heard.
Actor and Stonewall co-founder, Sir Ian McKellen, hosted the tenth and final Stonewall Awards last night (November 5).
Sir Ian McKellen with Mary Portas and the cast of Hollyoaks
Stonewall, the national LGBT equality charity was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality and works to create a world where everyone can be accepted without exception.
The awards were at the V&A in London and marked achievements over the last decade.
Presenters included Charlie Condou, Jane Hill, Mary Portas, Doctor Ranj and Evan Davis and winner on the night included Lord Alli, Nigel Owens, Liz Mackean and the Guardian.
Other personalities attending the event included Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent, writer and activist Paris Lees, star of Cucumber / Banana Bethany Black, singer and actress Heather Peace, writer Jack Monroe and Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson.
Sir Ian McKellen with Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt and Owen Jones
Broadcast of the Decade was awarded to Hollyoaks for its consistent tackling of difficult issues and integration of LGBT characters.
The newly introduced Trans Media Award was presented to Boy Meets Girl, starring Rebecca Root, for bringing trans issues to British prime time television.
Liz Mackean, was awarded Journalist of the Decade for her magnificent Channel 4 Dispatches documentary Hunted, which focused on violent homophobic ‘hunting’ in Russia.
Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt and Sir Ian McKellen with the cast of Boy Meets Girl
The Guardian’s consistent and sensitive coverage of LGBT issues in Britain and abroad saw the paper receive the Publication of the Decade award.
Nigel Owens was presented the Sports Person of the Decade award for being such a prominent and visible role model in his field, and Sarah Waters collected Writer of the Decade for having such an impact on LGBT readers through her writings.
Lord Alli was named Politician of the Decade for his relentless campaigning around same-sex marriage and for being the first openly gay member of the House of Lords.
Jane Hill, Owen Jones and Sir Ian McKellen
Entertainer of the Year was awarded to Dan Gillespie Sells, the openly gay singer of British group The Feeling, for his open and frank conversations over the last ten years about his own sexual orientation and upbringing.
Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive, Stonewall said:“I’d like to extend a huge congratulations – and thanks – to all of those nominated tonight. And all of those who have been nominated throughout the last ten years of the Stonewall Awards.
“We have come so far for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality – but we still have so much left to do. And to do that, and to be the change we want to see, we must continue to work together to achieve full equality. This year marks the final year for the Stonewall Awards but watch this space for something new next year, which will reflect all our communities and brings people from across those communities together. Acceptance without exception. Where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, in Britain and abroad, can live freely as themselves without fear of persecution.
“So tonight, we celebrate. And of course tomorrow, our work continues.”
Full list of winners and nominees:
Publication of the Decade (presented by Jane Hill):
Guardian – winner
Pink News
The ‘i’
Metro
The Times
Politician of the Decade (presented by Charlie Condou):
Lord Alli – winner
Rt Hon John Bercow MP
Ruth Davidson MSP
Lord Cashman
Baroness Featherstone
Writer of the Decade (presented by Evan Davis):
Sarah Waters – winner
Val McDermid
Stella Duffy
Damian Barr
Alan Hollinghurst
Journalist of the Decade (presented by Dr. Ranj):
Liz MacKean – winner
Miriam Stoppard
Patrick Strudwick
Matthew Todd
Owen Jones
Broadcast of the Decade (presented by Mary Portas):
Hollyoaks – winner
Coronation Street
The World’s Worst Place to be Gay?
Britain’s Got Talent
Marrying Mum & Dad
Entertainer of the Decade (presented by Kevin Jenkins):
Dan Gillespie Sells – winner
Alicya Eyo
Jane Hazlegrove
Sue Perkins
Antony Cotton
Sports Person or Team of the Decade (presented by Lord Alli):
Alongside the live performance work, the project encompasses participatory engagement platforms for LGBTQ groups and organisations across Devon, including workshops and writing groups.
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