Olivia Dowd, Ishmael Kirby, Jaye Hudson and India Jean-Jacques in Grills [Harry Elletson]

THE headline show in CPT’s Roar Festival, GRILLS (an oft-used substitute for “girls” in the lesbian community of 1980s London) explores the groundbreaking work of the Camden Lesbian Centre and Black Lesbian Group (CLCBLG) which merged in 1987.

The drama, co-created by Chloe Christian (who also directs), Olivia Dowd, and co-writer Afshan D’Souza Lodhi, examines the borough’s role in shaping safe spaces for the lesbian community while the government’s Section 28 legislation was silencing queer voices.

Repeated cuts in funding led to the centre’s closure in 1995.

The story follows four characters, played by Dowd, Ishmael Kirby, India Jean-Jacques and Jaye Hudson, as they riffle through the centre’s archives, held 400 miles away in the Glasgow Women’s Library. Vall, Bee, Jaz and Mo delve into the stories of the founders (switching between roles) and take us on a journey back to 80s London.

Tensions arise when members of the centre are forced to compete for resources and make decisions about its purpose and activities. Christian and Dowd met with members of the CLCBLG to hear their experiences first-hand and this verbatim theatre strand works well.

We track back and forth in time, as the play explores racism and homophobia (past and present) the importance of having a safe space, and the enduring power of community. With 60 per cent of queer spaces closing in the past decade, GRILLS is particularly timely.

On the preview I attended, Christian’s staging could have been tighter and the performances were a little self-conscious, but hopefully this will settle during the run – the passion and energy of the cast is admirable. There’s music and laughter too.

This is essential viewing for anyone interested in the centre’s history and its trailblazing approach, encouraging lesbians of all ethnicities and ages to come together for support, camaraderie, culture and protest.

Until June 22
cptheatre.co.uk/