Written and performed by Joshua Val Martin
Photos by Craige Barker
The premier of Joshua Val Martin’s new solo show, about the time a neighbourly dispute about the bins led to receiving a homophobic death threat, that asks big questions about making peace in the face of injustice.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
They say ‘only the dead have seen the end of war’ -
My war started with the bins.
The note read: “Dear Mr. Gay, if you move my bin again, I will get an ex-mercenary to destroy you... from flat 2.”
Do you have a story about a run-in with a neighbour?
Most people seem to –
And they’re usually only resolved when one party moves out -
Or moves on all together...
There must be a way of making peace?
There must be.
Surely...
Not wanting to let my bin difficulties get out of hand,
I sought informed advice on conflict resolution
From schoolteachers, historians,
A middle east peace negotiator,
A dog trainer,
And my auntie Clare...
ABOUT THE MAKERS:
WITH LOVE MR GAY sees the continued collaboratin of writer/performer Joshua Val Martin (SKY Television, Bruntwood Prize 2017, National Theatre Studio) and the visual artist Jez Dolan (British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Schwules Museum)
Their work is rooted in their shared experience as working class gay men from the north of England, and is inspired by their difference of generation and artistic background.
Previously, they have produced a Queer art exhibitin in Iceland, toured Val Martin’s firat two solo shows, and with support from Heritage Lottery over 2023 they created a series of works and aural histories responding to the 1967 Sexual Offence Act.
