Queer Take On The Minotaur In BULLISH At Camden People's Theatre

By: Marianka Swain Jul. 04, 2017

Following two Edinburgh runs and the UK tour of JOAN, Milk Presents launch their brand new show BULLISH at the Camden People's Theatre. Co-created between Lucy J Skilbeck and an ensemble of queer, trans and drag performers, BULLISH uses the myth of the Minotaur to explore contemporary identity and our fear of otherness, through the lens of mythology's hottest queer character.

BULLISH is the story of Theseus and the Minotaur re-molded and transformed by Milk Presents. A gender fierce ensemble of hopers and renegades pass, pack and blag their way out of the Labyrinth, re-defining the myths that shape our identity. The Minotaur, a creature who is half-man and half-bull, lives alone within a complex and cavernous Labyrinth. Feared by society they are used as a threat against the enemies of Crete and are left to their solitary existence. That is until Theseus arrives, a young warrior set on killing the minotaur at all costs. A tale of treachery, power and love, hell bent on not taming the minotaur within.

Skilbeck is the Genesis Future Director 2017 at the Young Vic where they directed Chekov's The Bear/The Proposal. Skilbeck was the BBC Performing Arts Fellow for Derby Theatre 2013 and the recipient of the BBC Legacy Fund 2015. Directing credits for Milk Presents include Milk Presents Self Service, A Real Man's Guide to Sainthood, Bluebeard: A Fairytale for Adults and JOAN (their debut play as writer).

Milk Presents are Ruby Glaskin, Adam Robertson and Lucy J Skilbeck. The company's work often explores gender using stories from history that show us that extraordinary ideas about who we are, are nothing new. They are an associate company at Derby Theatre and the Bush Theatre in London. Their drag king play about Joan of Arc - JOAN, won a Scotsman Fringe First Award, The Stage Award and Spirit of the Fringe Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016 and is currently touring the UK.

Speaking about the production, Lucy J Skilbeck said, "Our stories teach us, define us and build us as people - be that fairytales, mythology or an article penned online. I'm fascinated between the blurring of mythology, history and identity, and crafting our own versions of these for our own times. The minotaur fantastically embodies two beings in one, and as a non-binary person, this seemed to tempting not to touch."

Speaking about the production, Co-company director Adam Robertson said "As a company we continue to develop the way we talk about gender on stage and working on BULLISH has opened up new avenues for us. We've been developing a photography exhibition with our cast that celebrates the plurality of gender which will be displayed in CPT's shop windows which we hope will bring a new level of engagement for our audiences but also passers by."

@milkpresents | #Bullishplay | www.milkpresents.com

Running Time: 60 minutes | Suitable for ages 14+ | Content: Some bad language and scenes of a sexual nature


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