Following a sell-out premier in London, girl.boy.child is coming to Kingston Lacy, home to William John Bankes, whose story was a major source of inspiration behind this unique performance.
Written and performed by historian and singer songwriter David McAlmont, girl.boy.child emerges from a two year collaboration with Richard Sandell, Professor of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester, as part of a larger project exploring and revealing the numerous LGBTQ connections across the National Trust. The performance is the culmination of research during the National Trust’s 2017 national public programme, Prejudice and Pride, and will shine a light on many of the houses’ LGBTQ heritage.
Together McAlmont and Professor Sandell spent a year visiting Trust properties, meeting with experts, exploring the houses and researching the often lesser-known stories of same sex love and desire and gender diversity they hold.
McAlmont’s unique performance brings to life the extraordinary lives of William John Bankes (Kingston Lacy), Christopher St John (Smallhythe) and Henry Cyril Paget (Plas Newydd); queer pioneers who challenged conventions of sexuality and gender. Told through an emotionally-charged blend of song, image and historical narrative, girl.boy.child invites audiences to reflect on how and why LGBTQ lives have been variously hidden and revealed, suppressed and celebrated and the contemporary social and political significance of greater openness around LGBTQ histories.
Wednesday 27 February 2019 at 6.30pm
Tickets £15 (£12 concession)
Location
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne BH21 4EA