PREVIEW: Turn On Fest – annual LGBTQ+ festival online

The marvellous Hope Mill Theatre’s annual partnership with Manchester’s Superbia is an online Queer affair this year.

From 17 to 31 March the LGBTQ+ festival will present Russel T Davies, Divina Da Campo, Green Carnation Theatre and Pose star Ryan Jamaal Swain among others.

Hope Mill’s artistic director Joseph Houston told Scene why the festival was moved from physically staged with audiences to being online  : “We started 2021 having to postpone Turn On Fest.. however it’s important to continue to share stories, create opportunities and engage with audiences, but also in a safe and secure way. We are thrilled we are able to share the amazing line up with everyone “.

Headlining the events will be It’s A Sin creator Russell T Davies, in conversation with Julie Hesmondhalgh on 2o March.

TV’s Pose star Ryan Jamaal Swain will discuss his career as a dancer and writer on 26 March.

And Ru Paul drag star Divina Da Campo will be joined by 2 special guests for 2 performances on 27 March.

Superbia will host 2 events:

Fat Roland: Seven Inch is set in the last ever record shop where Manchester comic Fat Roland re-examines his life.

Make a Scene; Quizabella Rossellini is the star of a Queer game show  which romps through everything camp, testing your Tv, film and internet knowledge .

Manchester-based Green Carnation Theatre will screen four monologue plays made into films – Queer All About It.

Other events include We Kiss In a Shadow – a Gay cabaret with Tony and Olivier-nominated composer/lyricist/orchestrator Jason Carr.

There’ll be online panel discussions and Queer socials throughout the festival.

Full information and tickets –  hopemilltheatre.co.uk