Pride 1981 show sells out to fantastic reviews

“The Day The World Came To Huddersfield” projects celebrates Pride 1981, the first time a Pride was held anywhere outside London. The performance exploring the characters and events of that Pride has been a huge critical and audience success, selling out all the performances.

London Pride organisers decided to move the march to Huddersfield that year in protest against the police’s repeated raids on a local gay bar, The Gemini. The Gemini was the North of England’s best loved gay club and people would travel from miles around to the Huddersfield venue. Back before there was much of a night life for the LGBTQ+ community in nearby cities of Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester, Huddersfield was the place to be.

Inkbrew Productions have commissioned the 10 monologues to capture the story of the Pride 1981 march based on the startling characters and compelling histories that they’ve unearthed, many for the first time. The monologues were written by award-winning playwrights Stephen M Hornby, Abi Hynes, Peter Scott-Presland (who was on the original Pride 1981 march) and Hayden Sugden.

“The Day The World Came To Huddersfield” was staged at the Lawrence Batley Cellar Theatre, Huddersfield and the Kings Arms Theatre, Salford from 1st-3rd July 2022. The performances were funded by the Arts Council of England, Kirklees Council and Schools Out/LGBT+ History Month UK.

“I cannot remember the last show I saw with a large cast in which every single actor shone. Although the actors were brilliant, praise for this must also go to the writers; such captivating tales with a common theme but so different in tone. We were taken on an emotional journey and were so invested in every character, the true mark of good writing.” – Reviewer No 9

Every character in the performance was perfect…This is a must see.” Ancoats Plus

“I can't remember when such an equally strong cast, 10 in all, performed to such a high standard …Bravo to everyone involved in this production.” – Canal-St Media

“An immersive theatrical experience that deserves to be treasured.” – North-West End