Coming Out: special screening brings Russia’s LGBT stories to London

A film of one of Russia’s most powerful theatre productions focusing on LGBT rights is set to screen at a special discussion event in London.

Anastasia Patlai’s documentary play, Coming Out, includes interviews with LGBT people who have come out in Russia. It explores both how the experience has shaped them and also their relationships with their families.

The play premiered in 2016 at Moscow’s leading independent theatre venue, Teatr.doc, and was staged despite growing government pressure on artists and activists exploring LGBT issues.

A filmed version of the performance will be shown at a special screening at Birkbeck School of Arts on 2 February with English-language subtitles. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Patlai herself and Irina Roldugina, a historian of gender and sexuality in Russia.

The event is free of charge, but visitors are encouraged to book in advance. For more information, click here.