Theatre: From Russia with Love

Date: Sunday 27th October 2013 @6.00pm 
Where: Marylebone Gardens, 35 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4QA 
Nearest Tubes: Regents Park, Baker Street 
Tickets: £20. 
Available: from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/44289 
**This a promenade performance. If you require a seat please email  in advance.

A one-off theatre show raising money for groups combating homophobia in Russia. When Jennifer Lunn, Artistic Director of Culturcated Theatre Company, had the idea for “From Russia For Love”, she had no idea whether anyone would be interested. “But we put the call out there, and suddenly, we were overwhelmed with people wanting to help and get involved”, said Jennifer. “The response has been just amazing”. 

Over 17 theatre companies are now involved, and those performing on the night include actresses from ITV hit show, Broadchurch - Simone McAullay (who played hotel owner Becca Fisher) and Carolyn Pickles (Maggie Radcliffe, Editor of the Broadchurch Echo). 

“It’s gonna be great,” says Simone. “We get into the venue on the day having already rehearsed our scenes, and then we literally do the show, and get out again. Rough and ready, Pussy Riot-style guerrilla theatre!” 

Says Carolyn, “I couldn’t wait to get involved. It just feels like such an important cause”. 

Jennifer describes the show: “We are working with two theatre companies who have taken over this old BBC building in Marylebone, and now use it for performances. On the night, our companies will be performing in different rooms, doing love scenes from Russian plays, poems and monologues, all recast with same sex couples. The audience can wander at will, and find different scenes happening simultaneously. A bit like Punchdrunk meets Chekov, with a party vibe going on at the same time”. 

She continues: “It has been one of those, ‘sod it, lets just do it’ kind of things. From start to finish, we’ll have had 5 weeks to pull it all together, so it is real seat-of-your-pants, exciting stuff”. 

All the money raised will go to Stonewall and the Russian LGBT Network, who work with groups on the ground in Russia. Since the Russian parliament passed a law that outlaws the ‘propaganda of homosexuality’, the difficulties for the LGBT community, and acts of violence against them have been well documented. 

Stonewall are working with the UK Foreign Office to lobby for equality in Russia, and are welcoming the event. Jasmine O’Connor, Stonewall Senior International Officer said: ‘We’re really grateful that this event is supporting our international work. We’re using our established lobbying skills to make sure the UK Government and European Union do all they can through their diplomacy and international aid programmes to support gay equality globally.’ 

“Stonewall have been really supportive,” says Jen. “I guess we’ve got the same core message: same sex = same love. And when it is that simple, people just say yes”.