Hackney Showroom – Kings Crescent Estate, East London
A staple in London’s creative scene, Hackney Showroom delivers spell binding theatre alongside enriching community building, culminating in a unique excellence that is hard to match.
Co-Directors Sam Curtis Lindsay and Nina Lyndon explain to GAY TIMES what the space means to them.
“We’re unique – we’re a hybrid between an arts organisation that develops and produces live shows and a grassroots community space … the one thing we love the most is the moments when the two strings of our bow sing together. When our experimental, queer and left field artists share their work with our over 60s lunch club or our family audiences, that’s when it feels really exciting.”
With the venue offering community care as well as a space for LGBTQ+ creatives to explore and perfect their craft, we wanted to know if this came with unique challenges when it comes to the impact of the cost of living crisis.
“Our heating bill has gone through the roof and costs for everything have increased,” they explain. “At the same time, competition for funding is more intense than ever, making it hard for us to make ends meet. Part of our remit on Kings Crescent Estate is to provide solutions for local residents and we’ve just launched a Cost of Living Fundraiser allowing those in need on our estate to apply for a £20 shopping voucher this winter.”
Hearing the work that the team do at Hackney Showroom is a breath of fresh air, and a reminder of how integral queer spaces are – not just for LGBTQ+ people – but everybody in the wider community who can benefit from their care.
Looking ahead, Sam and Nina share why LGBTQ+ artists are shaping their programme for 2023.
“We are back in 2023 with three shows by LGBTQ+ artists. Tomorrow Is Already Dead, a subversive, Bond-inspired musical from Ms Sharon Le Grand; The Legends of Them – a new high octane theatre show with music by actor and former reggae legend Sutara Gayle; and our award-winning, groundbreaking show, BURGERZ by Travis Alabanza is returning to the Southbank Centre in March. Our goal is to hit the ground running, producing inclusive, radical, innovative performance while supporting our local community.
Alim Kheraj, author of Queer London, a guide to the city’s LGBTQ+ present and past, shared his thoughts on what the biggest threat currently is to LGBTQ+ spaces across the UK.
“I think currently, the biggest issue is the cost of living crisis. I have spoken to venue owners who have expressed concerns about rising costs, as well as debts left over from the pandemic. I think with that comes a rise in rent, as landlords feel the squeeze when it comes to mortgages,” he says.
On the importance of maintaining our historic LGBTQ+ spaces, Alim shares his personal take on why it’s so integral for the future generations of queer folk.
“The more of these venues that survive, the less that LGBTQ+ lives and history is erased. These historic spaces give us a bridge to our queer past and our continued use of them connects us to our futures, while reminding us that against everything LGBTQ+ people persevere and survive. Spaces like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern contain so much of our history and act as a reminder of where we’ve come from and how far we still need to go.”
He adds: “I would say to the current Government that they need to do more. Without support – both financial and from policy – we risk losing some of the most important and vibrant spaces that many queer people rely on.”