Come into the world of legendary writer Merle Miller, for 90 minutes you’ll laugh, cry and be in awe as he changes history in the ultimate queer fever dream.
"Richard Cant’s performance was brilliant and enthralling." ★★★★★ A Youngish Perspective
"A groundbreaking op-ed becomes vital theatre" ★★★★ Guardian
"Richard Cant gives a mesmeric turn and an electric performance’" ★★★★ Time Out
September 1970. A year after the Stonewall Riots, Harper's Magazine publish the now notorious article 'Homo/hetero: the struggle for sexual identity'. Acclaimed journalist and former editor of Harper’s, Merle Miller reads the article from his home in upstate New York and decides to take a stand.
What It Means is an unexpected, riotous journey through history - some personal, some not - that proves the only way out of the closet is through it. Come and be led into Merle's extraordinary world of writers block, cheesecake and Big Foot and you’ll leave the theatre with your heart lifted, mind opened and spirit soaring, something that is more important than ever right now.
‘There it was, out at last, and if it seems like nothing very much, I can only say that it took a long time to say it, to be able to say it, and none of the journey was easy.’ Merle Miller
Richard Cant plays Merle; he has recently appeared on stage in The Vortex (Chichester Festival Theatre), Orlando (MGC Garrick), and The Normal Heart (National Theatre). His television credits include It’s A Sin, The Crown and Silent Witness. The Lot Productions are delighted to be partnering with Queer Was Always Here (QWAH) in telling the true story behind one of the most impactful pieces of writing ever published in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Founded by actors Sebastian Croft (Heartstopper) and Connor Jessup (Locke and Key) Queer Was Always Here is an organisation dedicated to queer joy, queer art, and queer history.
Watch the video below to find out Who Was Merle Miller from Director Harry Mackrill and Writer James Corley
See inside the What It Means rehearsal room with Actor Richard Cant and Director Harry Mackrill
Captioned performance: Wednesday 18 October
Recommended seats for captioned performance: Stalls K13-16 / J12-16 / H10-15 / G10-16 / F10-16
CAST
Merle - Richard Cant
Boy From Pittsburgh - Cayvan Coates
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM
Director - Harry Mackrill
Writer - James Corley
Set/Costume Designer - Justin Arienti
Lighting Designer - Martha Godfrey
Sound Designer - Beth Duke
Production Manager - Anthony Newton
Company Stage Manager - Lorna Seymour
Assistant Stage Manager - Zeena Avari
Photography: Danny Kaan
PRESS & MARKETING
Kate Morley PR
Tandem Marketing Worldwide
Running time: 90mins, no interval
www.thelotproductions.com
Follow @thelotprods on Twitter and Instagram
Production Manager - Anthony Newton
Company Stage Manager - Lorna Seymour
Assistant Stage Manager - Zeena Avari
Photography: Danny Kaan
PRESS & MARKETING
Kate Morley PR
Tandem Marketing Worldwide
Running time: 90mins, no interval
www.thelotproductions.com
Follow @thelotprods on Twitter and Instagram