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Gay Times Festival Discussion

Archive type: Video
Archive ID: lcva_46382
Date: 1978
Location: London
Chroma: B/W
Duration: 00:40:00
Format: U-matic
Credits: View

A black and white video of a discussion between different groups and individuals about the future of the Gay Times festival and its sustainability, a widening of scope for future festivals, the bias of Gay Sweatshop, the joy of gay community, the CHE (Campaign for Homosexual Equality), Gay News publicity, a gay community centre and what the festival space can offer.

The Gay Times Festival was the first gay festival held in London. It was organized by the men of Gay Sweatshop who were influenced by the success of the Women’s Festival. Action Space at The Drill Hall invited them to create their own event. They managed to put the whole festival together in just two weeks. The festival ran for three weeks, with each week focused on a different theme that matched the three parts of the play As Time Goes By, written by Drew Griffiths and Noël Greig. Every week, the group rehearsed and performed a new cabaret show, and daytime workshops were led by Philip Timmins.

Credits

Group: Gay Sweatshop
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