Pride In Trafford double premiere

Hunter King in A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny

This year’s Pride In Trafford programme (Waterside Arts in Sale, Manchester, May 13-18) features premieres by trans artist Hunter King, aka Wolfy, and I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar by Holly Redford Jones.

Manchester-based Hunter debuts his new “uplifting queer parody musical”, A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny. Commissioned by Waterside Arts in Trafford and inspired by Hunter’s personal story, the show follows the tale of a milkmaid who dares to wish upon a star...

Hunter said: “I have been producing queer work for cabaret for over a decade but have finally managed to break into musical theatre with the help of Waterside Arts.

“My story is about trans hope and joy, internal struggle and the differences in humanity that make us beautiful. I have now also received additional funding to take the show to the Edinburgh Fringe festival and tour the UK. I feel so incredibly proud to be able to share my story; I can't thank Waterside Arts enough for the support they have shown.”

Holly Redford Jones in I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar

The second premiere, I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar, by Holly Redford Jones - also developed with Waterside Arts and Creative Industries Trafford - celebrates queer women of the past, present and future.

Taking a cue from the iconic Jonathan Richman song, Redford-Jones asks: where have all the lesbian bars gone?, and how do you know when you’re in one?

She said “I’m a huge Jonathan Richman fan: I’ve been a professional musician for 10 years and the song I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar has long been an encore at gigs. I love that it’s such a powerful song about dancing in a space where you can be yourself.

“The idea for this show came from performing the song at a bar in my home town, Chesterfield, and watching the space transform into a temporary lesbian bar.”

Festival curator Darren Adams said: “Waterside has a track record of building meaningful connections with artists, ensuring that bold new work created here in Trafford is shared nationally. Both Hunter and Holly have powerful stories to share.”

More info and tickets here