In Association with Pleasance Theatre Trust & Supported by Arts Council England Project Grants.
Rapture blends text-based, physical and multi-media theatre to authentically tell stories of gender non-conforming identities, exploring the politics of polyamory and the intersections between queerness and mental health.
The debut show from Pink Sky, an emerging collective of LGBTQIA+ artists taking an interdisciplinary approach to making queer theatre, Rapture was originally written under the mentorship of Tabby Lamb.
Rosy, Tommy and Kit are clued-up, kinky and queer as f*ck - until safe spaces fracture and identities start to shift. As events in the present bring past traumas to the surface, the bonds within this chosen family must shudder and transform if they are to survive. A vibrant portrait of community, power and healing set in contemporary queer London in all its forms, Rapture pulls at the boundaries of mainstream queer theatre in its safe representation of kink and sensitive take on the role of chem sex in the queer community. The piece speaks to the LGBTQIA+ and d/Deaf communities, those in Recovery and sexual assault Survivors, actively developing artists and audiences from counter-cultural drag, burlesque, kinky and sober spaces.
Rapture was initially a solo show created during the Queer Theatremakers Handbook course 2020. It had a scratch sharing in May 2021 at The Glory as part of club performance producer Xanthony’s Werk in Progress evenings, before evolving into its current three-character multi-disciplinary form during an R&D Residency at London Performance Studios.
Sophie Leydon (she/her) is a theatremaker whose practice centres staging LGBTQIA+ experience through interdisciplinary forms. She is the recipient of a Developing Your Creative Practice Grant and has participated in Mountview’s inaugural Director’s Studio. Their work has previously been supported by funding from Arts Council England and Thrive London and has been nominated for the Sit Up Awards for ‘groundbreaking work that platforms social issues’.
Created by James Henderson with music composed by Ellie Isherwood.
"Rapture is a hilariously and painfully relatable play showcasing the highs, lows, and everything in between of the queer experience. The actors' emotions are infectious; when they hurt, you hurt, and when they are joyful, you're joyful."
- LOST IN THEATRELAND
"Eloquent and exciting dissection of the queer urban family experience."
- THE STAGE
"The conception of a brillaintly exciting theatre company, Rapture is a fresh and exhilarating play that colourfully encapsulates queer relationships in London. A detailed mosaic is pieced together with beautiful movement...a compelling narrative charges through the play."
- EVERYTHING THEATRE
- THE REVIEWS HUB
- BOYZ MAGAZINE
- A YOUNG(ISH) PERSPECTIVE
Photo credit: Evelina Polyakov
Sophie is a theatremaker whose practice centres on staging LGBTQIA+ experiences through interdisciplinary forms. She is the recipient of a Developing Your Creative Practice Grant and has participated in Mountview’s inaugural Director’s Studio. Their work has previously been supported by funding from Arts Council England and Thrive London
Sophie is a theatremaker whose practice centres on staging LGBTQIA+ experiences through interdisciplinary forms. She is the recipient of a Developing Your Creative Practice Grant and has participated in Mountview’s inaugural Director’s Studio. Their work has previously been supported by funding from Arts Council England and Thrive London and has been nominated for the Sit Up Awards for ‘groundbreaking work that platforms social issues’.
Sam graduated from LAMDA in 2020. Their professional theatre debut was Living Newspaper at the Royal Court Theatre, followed shortly after by the role of Jase in ONCE BEFORE I GO at The Gate Theatre Dublin.
They are excited to be working on Rapture because of its focus on found family and the beauty of queer relationships in all their forms.
Izzy graduated from Rose Bruford's actor-musicianship course in 2020. She is proud to be making her London stage debut in a piece of LGBTQIA+ theatre.
Credits include: Blue Jean, dir. Georgia Oakley (BFI & BBC films). Beauty and the Beast (Theatr Clwyd), Little Bits of Light (National Theatre), Spring Awakening (Rose Bruford), All About My Mother (Rose Bruford).
Bryan trained at LAMDA. His theatre credits include Kindred Spirits (Jack Studio Theatre), The Milkman's on His Way (Brighton Fringe), Lady Windermere's Fan (Theatrical Niche, UK/ Ireland Tour) and Mysterious Skin (King's Head Theatre). Screen work includes The Wonder (Netflix/ Element Pictures) and Almost Never (CBBC).
Bryan is excited t
Bryan trained at LAMDA. His theatre credits include Kindred Spirits (Jack Studio Theatre), The Milkman's on His Way (Brighton Fringe), Lady Windermere's Fan (Theatrical Niche, UK/ Ireland Tour) and Mysterious Skin (King's Head Theatre). Screen work includes The Wonder (Netflix/ Element Pictures) and Almost Never (CBBC).
Bryan is excited to be working with Pink Sky on a piece of new, contemporary queer theatre.
Verity is a queer theatre designer, who graduated from Wimbledon College of Art in 2016 and since then has taken work to New York, Edinburgh and Dublin. As well as taking on the role of an associate designer at NST in 2019.
They are thrilled to be creating an lgbtq+, sex positive space as part of the Rapture team.
Ros is a London-based Lighting Designer alongside her Theatre Technology degree at Guildhall. Ros is interested in theatre as a form of education, inspiration and amplification for the voices of underrepresented communities, especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Ros' designs have been described as 'vivid and symbolic', usin
Ros is a London-based Lighting Designer alongside her Theatre Technology degree at Guildhall. Ros is interested in theatre as a form of education, inspiration and amplification for the voices of underrepresented communities, especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Ros' designs have been described as 'vivid and symbolic', using colour and intensity as a subtle way to portray messages.
Ellie Isherwood is a London-based sound designer, composer, actor/musician and electronic music producer (aka BYFYN). Her previous work spans a vast array of media and form including, site specific theatre, binaural audio tours, film, podcasts, musicals and VR amusement rides.
Ellie can't wait to bring the sonic world of this much needed queer story to life!
Finlay is a theatre maker and producer specialising in work with queer/ecological themes. He is a producer on LAVENDER, a play by Holly Fitzpatrick, and runs a musical theatre company called Scatter.
Finlay is excited to work with Pink Sky and Bloom to develop work about LGBTQIA+ experiences and engage new audiences.
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