Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre have announced new dates for Turn On Fest 2021, an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ theatre makers and performers.
The festival, which was originally meant to take place in January this year, had to be postponed due to the continuation of COVID-19 restrictions across the UK. Organised by Hope Mill Theatre and Superbia, Turn On Fest is now scheduled to take place from 17-28 March.
The organisers have also taken the festival fully online, due to the ongoing lockdown and continued uncertainty regarding the resumption of live stage performances.
In a statement, the Hope Mill Theatre Artistic Director Joseph Houston said “with the support of the companies, artists, partners and venue team we have managed to not only reschedule the festival but also create a fully online festival for our audiences.
“In these difficult times it’s important to continue to share stories, create opportunities and engage with audiences, but also in a safe and secure way, which means that at this time we don’t feel it is possible to plan for any live performances during the festival.”
The festival’s headline event will be an evening in conversation with Russell T. Davies, patron of the Hope Mill Theatre and creator of the Channel 4 TV series It’s A Sin. Turn On Fest 2021 will also host events with Divina De Campo from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and TV star Ryan Jamaal Swain. A full programme of events can be viewed on Hope Mill’s website.
Words by James Hanton.
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Image: Turn On Fest // Hope Mill Theatre