VADA - In the Beginning
VADA LGBTQ Community Theatre Company emerged from other drama groups in Manchester in the mid 1990’s.
There had been the Pyramid Theatre Group in the early 1990’s, which ran a weekly drama improvisation workshops for people who identified as Lesbian Gay and Bisexual (LGB) and was facilitated by Chris Skyrme and Mike Pacey. Pyramid Theatre Group and Northern Gay writers then set up Rebels Without A Clause which was formally constituted and was organized from Commonword in Newton Street, Manchester. Rebels produced a very successful show called Flush in 1994/5. Some of those involved in Rebels established VADA LGB Community Theatre Company in 1996 and Rose Yates soon became its co-ordinator until early 2009. The company began to run regular workshops on a drop-in basis for LGB people and over time it became LGBTQ to signify its openness. During most of the period to 2008, fortnightly workshops were run on a drop in basis at Chorlton Library meeting room and occasional one night shows were produced based upon improvisation at the workshops, as follows: |
VADA History: 1996 - 2006
1996: The company began with a contribution to the finale of ‘Queer Up North’.
1998: ‘Look’ directed by Mem Morrison at the Shena Simon College Theatre. 1999: A movement piece directed by Mem Morrison at the Dance House. A work in progress piece as part of ‘Community Arts Festival. 2000: (Many Vada members participated in the pantomime directed by Rose Yates called ‘Snow White and the Seven Dubious Stereotypes’ but this was produced by a different company.) 2001: ‘Origins’ directed by Rose Yates at the Zion Arts Centre Theatre. |
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2002: ‘Royal Wee’ directed by Rose Yates as part of Hooligan Group’s Jubilee celebration ‘A Golden Shower’, 50 years of Queens and Queers at the Green Room Theatre. The whole show was hosted by Rosie Lugosi and apart from Vada, starred Chloe Poems, Jonathan Mayor and many others. A Christmas Gay video was produced from a series of workshops, directed by Mark Hill and Rose Yates in collaboration with the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
2003: ‘Vada’s 7th Birthday’, directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill at the Thompson’s Arms.
2004: ‘Common or what?’ directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill and performed at Taurus in Canal Street.
2005: ‘Outside the Box’, directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill performed as part of the Methodist Housing Association’s Diversity Day in Levenshulme and also at a Shelter conference in the City Centre shortly afterwards. (Many Vada members participated in the two nights’ Christmas Show produced by Green T (Dominic Berry, Mark Hill and Hugh Polehampton) and directed by Gerry Potter, called ‘Tales from Bar Handbag’.)
2003: ‘Vada’s 7th Birthday’, directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill at the Thompson’s Arms.
2004: ‘Common or what?’ directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill and performed at Taurus in Canal Street.
2005: ‘Outside the Box’, directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill performed as part of the Methodist Housing Association’s Diversity Day in Levenshulme and also at a Shelter conference in the City Centre shortly afterwards. (Many Vada members participated in the two nights’ Christmas Show produced by Green T (Dominic Berry, Mark Hill and Hugh Polehampton) and directed by Gerry Potter, called ‘Tales from Bar Handbag’.)
VADA History: 2006 - 2012
2006: Vada’s 10th birthday celebration at the Green Room with Vada’s piece ‘Together Again’, directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill and guest slots from Chloe Poems, Dominic Berry, Emma Decent and others. This was completely sold out.
2007: ‘When will Vada be famous?’ directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill at the Zion Centre, Hulme. 2008: A new approach was adopted and significant funding was obtained to undertake a health education initiative on alcohol based on members’ own experiences. ‘Queer ‘n Sloshed…you have a new message’ directed by Rose Yates and Mark Hill, and written by a number of writers was performed four times in different venues in 2008/09 (Zion Centre, Hulme; Manto’s; Taurus and New York New York). Some filmed material was included. |
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2009: For the first time a 12 week workshop programme was developed to focus upon skills development in relation to performing poetry. This was co-ordinated by Dominic Berry with guest volunteer facilitators for each topic. This led to a showcase performance early in the next year: ‘Camp Shorts’, an evening of entertainment directed by Patrick Hollis, was performed at Chorlton library meeting room.
2010: ‘Vada Poets’, directed by Dominic Berry at Chorlton Library meeting room, a showcase of writing and performing from the previous autumn’s workshops. ‘Camp Comedy preview’, a rehearsed reading at Chorlton Library meeting room directed by Julie Guard assisted by Maggie Turner. ‘Camp Classics’ directed by Julie Guard and Hugh Polehampton two nights (at Chorlton Library meeting room, AXM theatre in Canal Street). ‘Camp Classic clips’ at Earth Café.
2011: ‘Ecovada’ written and directed by Patrick Hollis, two nights (Chorlton Library meeting room and Nexus Art Café). For the first time this included substantial filmed material. ‘Sex and the Century’, directed by Stephen Hornby, three nights (Chorlton Library meeting room and the Castle Hotel, Oldham Street). This included two short films (Picnics and Lesbo Boot Camp). ‘Families not pretending’ directed by Stephen Hornby at TV 21.
2012: ‘Short and Sweet’, two minute plays, a rehearsed reading, directed by Stephen Hornby, compered by Dominic Berry; accompanied by ‘Am I a True Gay’ performed by Rod Tame, one night at Polari, Canal Street. ‘Short and Sweet’ was also performed at the Open Mind evening at TV 21. ‘Macy’s shoes’ a promotional film directed by Stephen Hornby and Richard Brady. ‘Two Minute Queers’ 30 two minute plays, directed by Stephen Hornby, three nights (Polari and the Castle Hotel, Oldham Street) Writing, performing and filming of a short film called “Tales of a Pretty Policeman”.
More information about VADA's Recent Shows in 2013 and 2014 can be found here.
2015: A project to create new LGBTQ radio plays culminating in “Queer in Your Ear VADA comedy sketch show” performed twice and directed by Alan Beck.
2016/17: An intermission.
2010: ‘Vada Poets’, directed by Dominic Berry at Chorlton Library meeting room, a showcase of writing and performing from the previous autumn’s workshops. ‘Camp Comedy preview’, a rehearsed reading at Chorlton Library meeting room directed by Julie Guard assisted by Maggie Turner. ‘Camp Classics’ directed by Julie Guard and Hugh Polehampton two nights (at Chorlton Library meeting room, AXM theatre in Canal Street). ‘Camp Classic clips’ at Earth Café.
2011: ‘Ecovada’ written and directed by Patrick Hollis, two nights (Chorlton Library meeting room and Nexus Art Café). For the first time this included substantial filmed material. ‘Sex and the Century’, directed by Stephen Hornby, three nights (Chorlton Library meeting room and the Castle Hotel, Oldham Street). This included two short films (Picnics and Lesbo Boot Camp). ‘Families not pretending’ directed by Stephen Hornby at TV 21.
2012: ‘Short and Sweet’, two minute plays, a rehearsed reading, directed by Stephen Hornby, compered by Dominic Berry; accompanied by ‘Am I a True Gay’ performed by Rod Tame, one night at Polari, Canal Street. ‘Short and Sweet’ was also performed at the Open Mind evening at TV 21. ‘Macy’s shoes’ a promotional film directed by Stephen Hornby and Richard Brady. ‘Two Minute Queers’ 30 two minute plays, directed by Stephen Hornby, three nights (Polari and the Castle Hotel, Oldham Street) Writing, performing and filming of a short film called “Tales of a Pretty Policeman”.
More information about VADA's Recent Shows in 2013 and 2014 can be found here.
2015: A project to create new LGBTQ radio plays culminating in “Queer in Your Ear VADA comedy sketch show” performed twice and directed by Alan Beck.
2016/17: An intermission.
Find out more about VADA
This presentation explains VADA's philosophy and asks the question: is VADA the Gay Sweatshop of the North?