Opening Doors London – the UKs largest charity providing information and support services for older LGBT+ people – host an afternoon of performance at The Oscar Wilde Temple. This special event features two unique performances bringing LGBTQ+ figures from history to life.

“An Extraordinary Female Affection – The Life and Love of The Ladies of Llangollen” is the tale of Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler. In 1778, these two upper class Irish women eloped from Ireland and soon became known as ‘The Ladies of Llangollen’, famous for their romantic friendship. Together, they built a home at Plas Newydd in Llangollen, which became something of a tourist attraction.All Sarah and Eleanor wanted was a peaceful and untroubled existence.

The performance by Jane Hoy and Helen Sandler from ‘Living Histories Cymru’, will be followed by a Q&A.

“Hut 8” is an exploration of Alan Turing's life and loves through dance, choreographed by Mark Smith. Smith’s piece has turned Turing’s poetry into movement and sign language.

Alan Turing (1912-1954) an English mathematician who is considered the father of computer science. He helped crack the Nazi Enigma Machine during the Second World War and was a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence.

Turing was also an openly gay man. In January of 1952, he was convicted of Gross Indecency by the British government under the 1885 Labouchere Amendment. Turing was forces to undergo chemical castration, and ultimately committed suicide in June of 1954.

The "Alan Turing law" is an informal term for the law in the United Kingdom which serves as an amnesty law to pardon men who were cautioned or convicted under historical legislation that outlawed homosexual acts. Oscar Wilde was amongst the 50,000 convicted gay men granted posthumous pardons in 2017.

Tea and coffee will be served. All welcome.

Suggested Donation: £5 to benefit Opening Doors London.

About the contributors:

Jane Hoy is a latin and ballroom dancer and is involved in community theatre. Helen Sandler is a writer and event manager and runs Tollington Press. They live in Wales where they help to organise Aberration, an LGBTQ arts night in Aberystwyth.

Mark Smith trained at Royal Ballet School and London Studio Centre. His choreography credits include the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, London in 2012. His professional work includes Blood Wedding, Peter Pan, Just So and As You Like It.

This event forms part of The Oscar Wilde Temple Events Programme.

The Oscar Wilde Temple by McDermott & McGough, at Studio Voltaire in Clapham – is a wholly immersive work of art and secular space honouring one of the earliest forebears of gay liberation whilst commemorating contemporary LGBTQ+ martyrs and those lost to the AIDS crisis.

The Oscar Wilde Temple is a space of sanctuary and celebration. A central concern of the artists, was that the space be used by LGBTQ+ communities for ceremonies, reading groups, community meetings and other special events.

In response to the artists’ intention, Studio Voltaire issued a simple invitation to London–wide LGBTQ+ organisations, charities and individuals – to come and activate the temple. Thus far, we have collaborated with 20 organisations, charities and individuals to host over 30 events: from ceremonies, to coffee mornings and tours.

The breadth of events has included: The Day of the Dead drumming circle with the Radical Faeries of Albion; a “Queer New Year” letter writing workshop with Kingston LGBT Forum; a youth social with 16-25 year old LGBTQ+ people who are currently homeless or living in a hostile environment; a faith gathering for the LGBTQ+ POC community with the House of Rainbow; and a eulogy ceremony with artist Salote Tawale. The Oscar Wilde Temple has been particularly celebrated and utilised by the over 50+ LGBTQ+ local communities of Clapham, Wandsworth and Brixton.

A wide– reaching engagement programme in partnership with national LGBT youth homelessness charity The Albert Kennedy Trust, runs alongside this programme, as well as regular hosted visits, reading groups and tours with local schools and education partners.

Read more about The Oscar Wilde Temple here: https://www.studiovoltaire.org/exhibitions/

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