Created and Performed by Alexis Gregory
Directed by Rikki Beadle- Blair
A poignant, compelling revival of a pivotal moment in history…
Following a successful run on the West End, Riot Act is spreading its wings across the UK, with live shows and a digital reimagining to widen its reach.
Creator and performer, Alexis Gregory interviewed three people from the LGBTQ+ Rights movement: Michael-Anthony Nozzi, a survivor of the Stonewall riots; Lavinia Co-op, an alternative ‘70s drag artist; and Paul Burston, a ‘90s AIDS activist, to gain true life experience of gay rights spanning six decades: the drive to get the message out there, to tell their story and relive the sacrifices made on the way to get to where we are today.
We journey back through time to 1969, the year of the Stonewall Riots; a key moment in gay history; a point when the repressed would no longer suffer the injustice that society dealt out. It was time to fight back.
En pointe delivery from Gregory, with humour and characterisation off to a tee, we bear witness to police brutality at its worst at The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar with no running water and an old juke box, a place where the gay community could hang out and not be challenged. Except when there was a raid. For the police ‘It was just a sport’ they would come and steal money from the cash register and beat up the customers. What could they do? The final straw was on June 28th 1969 when many had gathered to watch Judy Garland in ‘A Star is Born’ and the police attempted to steal the projector. This was the beginning of the gay rights movement; a catalyst for change. From the perspective of Michael- a seventeen year old gay country boy, we feel like a fly on the wall as he gets stuck in, helping the people who were refused medical help and were left to bleed out. Even there in the midst of the riots and bloodbath that followed he was more at home and free than he’d felt back home.
We meet Lavinia an alternative 70s drag queen, who thought being gay was an illness. Even at school they felt isolated for being different. They told how many revelled in breaking the rules set by society, how could a piece of material define you? Still drag may have been accepted on stage but going out on a daily basis would still take its toll and when someone confronts you shouting ‘Faggot! Fight!’ it is bound to unnerve you.
Easing flawlessly into the final character 56 year old Aid activist ‘Paul’, Alexis relays a moving emotionally charged tale of his friend Ewan, who he lost to Aids at the age of 23. This triggered him into action- demonstrating, raising awareness- catapulting condoms over prison walls, blocking traffic. Aids caused a divide in the gay community ‘good gay, bad gay’.
Throughout the piece, multi camera angles, mood lighting and great use of theatre spaces, means we get the most out of Gregory’s facial expressions and movement as these captivating backgrounds unfold. Costume is just right, enhancing the characters and adding attention to detail.
We are presented with three very different stories, people from diverse backgrounds, each with connecting motifs of violence, abuse and the loss of so many friends to Aids. Gregory’s portrayal of these real life characters is phenomenal. A physical presence to be commended.
A tour de force performance, I would recommend seeing for sure. It is an entertaining, rollercoaster of emotions carrying an important message for the younger generation. As my Nan would say ‘You don’t know you’re born these days.’ and those who went before us and fought for a just society, should always be remembered.
Where can you see this show?
Thursday 9th June York Theatre Royal, St Leonard’s Place, York, YO1 7HD
Saturday 2nd July Reconnect Regal Theatre, 24-34 North Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 4PS
https://reconnectregaltheatre.com
Thursday 7th July Studio, Curve Theatre, 60 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB
Monday 22nd – Sunday 28th August Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff, CF24 4YE (digital screening on website) (on sale June)
Monday 22nd – Sunday 28th August The Lowry, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ (digital screening on website) (on sale 29th April)
Further dates to be announced.
3
Running Time 60 minutes (stage version), 75 minutes (digital version)
Ages Recommended for ages 16+. Contains some adult themes and adult language
Website For further information on Alexis Gregory and his work, please see: https://www.alexisgregory.co.uk/
Social Media #RiotActOnline #RiotAct @lexigregory @RikkiBB @EmmersonWard
