‘Cowbois
’
After a brilliant run at The RSC we transferred to London’s Royal Court!!! Grateful to both venues for hosting us so well.
‘Cowbois’ is a big queer cowboy show full of everything you’d expect from a western, but our lone ranger is a gender outlaw who fights patriarchy and inspires a queer revolution. Written by me. Co-directed by Sean Holmes and me.
Interviews: Attitude Magazine. The Guardian. The Stage. Gay Times. Diva Magazine. Evening Standard.
Print: Published by Concord Theatricals.
Team: Co-directed by Sean Holmes, and me. Designed by Grace Smart. Assistant Director is Prime Issac. Movement by Jenni Jackson. Fights and Intimacy by Bethan Clark. Lighting Designer is Simeon Miller. Voice by Gary Horner. Music by Mwen and Jim Fortune. MD and musician is Gemma Storr. Dramaturg is Rebecca Latham. Casting is Martin Poile. Stage Management team are Robert Walker, Grace Hans, Cheryl Firth and Roni Neale. Press and PR support Claudia Conway. Dramatherapist is Wabriya King. Photographer Henri T. Supported by Wellbeing In The Arts.
Cast: Sophie Melville. Shaun Dingwall. Vinnie Heaven. Lee Braithwaite. Michael Elcock. Bridgette Amofah. LJ Parkinson. Colm Gormley. Emma Pallant. Julian Moore-Cook. Lucy McCormick. Paul Hunter. And our brilliant off stage cover is G Bruce.
Thank you All About Trans and Gendered Intelligence for your collaboration and support.
Awards: Nominated for Best New Play and Best Costume Design at WhatsOnStage.
I have written some thoughts on making ‘queer’ work in ‘straight’ venues here.
Personal: What was hard: Learning on the job, I’ve never directed something this big. What I’m most proud of: The incredible cast, crew and creative team that grafted hard and were a genuine joy to work with. Such kind collaboration and talent and cheeky swagger and deep care. The backstage culture change work we did with the RSC to make this weird and wonderful bunch of outlaws feel welcome and able to do their best work. I’m really proud of the play itself, it’s the best thing I’ve ever written, and I’m only getting started, a sweaty student of this craft. Putting trans joy and queer love centre stage. Making the art that I needed to see growing up. What I learnt: So much about directing from Sean. He’s a wonderful collaborator, great teacher, and humble enough to learn too.