Bonfire is a new piece of theatre exploring the threats young rural LGBTQ+ people faced online for the sake of affection. Bonfire tells Leon’s story – a young man resisting shame and dancing his heart out, flitting between comedy and confession, embarrassment and epiphany – and sheds light on a generation who were not only digital natives, but left to it alone in the wilderness.

The project has had a phase of ACE research and development already and is ready to go even further. We have formed partnerships with LGBT groups in both London and Derby as we look to take a rural story to an urban community whilst sharing a homegrown piece to audiences who see themselves in the production. 

Simon is a very talented playwright, poet and performer from Derbyshire. His work has been shown at the Arcola Theatre, the Bikeshed, Theatre 503 Online and Derby Theatre. Simon is a New Perspectives New Associate, a learning coordinator for Déda in Derby and Producer for Hubbub Theatre. What I love about Simon's work is how he makes the poetic and the political meet to form these stories that are grounded in place and belonging. No matter whether you watch, read or listen, you can really feel every word. 

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I met Simon at Derby Theatre in 2019 and was thrilled to work with him on Bonfire. 

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