"Grills is a new word I learned yesterday. It's a substitute for girls and I much prefer it."
Step back in time to the 80s, where a vibrant community blossomed at the Camden Lesbian Centre & Black Lesbian Group (CLCBLG). Despite Thatcher’s discriminating regime and public protests, this committed group of lesbians came together to protest, party, and create space to exist as their true selves. In the early 90s, funding became unsustainable and the CLCBLG - a safe haven for so many - had to close its doors.
But why have we never heard of it?!
For starters, the centre’s archives were moved over 400 miles away to Glasgow…
Self-proclaimed queer nerds Vall, Bee, Jaz and Mo delve into the archives of the Camden Lesbian Centre & Black Lesbian Group and take you back to the 80s - to double denim, landlines, and Sony Walkmans.
A textured show, weaving the past & the present, the analogue & the digital, and the joys & frustrations of queer community. GRILLS confronts the parallels of the 80s and 2024: the rise of fascism, the policing of LGBTQIA+ rights, and the continuous closing of essential community spaces.
GRILLS asks:
How do we progress if we struggle to connect with our elders and can’t learn from our past?
Can we imagine a future where LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC voices are truly seen & heard?
And what really happened at ‘Camden Dykes Get Your Claws Out’?
MIRRORBALL Productions would like to welcome past members of the Camden Black Lesbian Group and current members of Black lesbian/queer community to join us to watch the 3pm performance of GRILLS on Sat 15 June. This will be followed by a post-show reception with drinks and nibbles, affording us a moment to come together and connect in a relaxed environment.
Performance: 3pm - 4.15pm | Reception 4.15pm - 6pm
Extant in partnership with Camden People's Theatre presents Enhance. Visually impaired access has been created for GRILLS post-production, devised by an Extant visually impaired facilitator. This is not audio description, but instead an ‘enhanced’ way of providing access that has been tried and tested by Extant.
Visually impaired audiences get £7.50 tickets (half price)! Just book an access ticket to the show using the discount code TOUCHTOUR at the checkout.
We invite visually impaired audiences to come along and experience the programme notes and touch tour at 6pm before the show. The notes encapsulate the visual aspects of the show and are written with access for visually impaired audiences at the core. The Touch Tour offers exploration of set, props and costume: offering an immersive space in which to imagine the work before the show begins. Places on the touch tour are limited so please reserve your spot on the touch tour by booking a free ticket to the 6pm 'Touch Tour Only' event alongside your GRILLS ticket.
‘Very descriptive and it allowed me to create a visual picture in my head.’ Touch Tour Attendee
GRILLS is a Mirrorball and Camden People's Theatre co-production, supported by Camden Council and Art's Council England. It was the inaugural recipient of the 2022 Camden NoW! Commission from CPT and Old Diorama Arts Centre (funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation). Extant Enhance 2023-26 is funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England.
"CPT is a force for good... We as a community need this desperately at this time."
Local resident
