What happens when you see something you shouldn’t? What responsibility do you carry?

Lilac Wine is very loosely inspired by the time writer/director Sarah Chew witnessed a revolution, by accident. It is an unreliable memoir exploring time she spent in Tehran in the aftermath of the Green Uprising in early 2010, and her subsequent experience of PTSD.

Oh, and it’s also a drag show. Because that’s what Sarah’s life in London was mostly about. And even if you go away and see something life changing, the life you go back to stays the same… doesn’t it?

The show fuses theatre, drag, vaudeville, lip synch, boylesque and a recipe for rosewater sorbet, to explore ideas of conscience, activism, interculture, feminism, friendship, and how Elkie Brooks can save your life.

As the threat of ISIS looms large over the Middle East, British-Iranian relations are a historic point, with the possibility of a reopening of diplomatic relations after five years, and the end of years of sanctions and punitive anti-trade agreements. It is a prescient time to be exploring cultural relations between the two countries.

Writer/director Sarah Chew has directed classical and contemporary opera in Europe and in South East and theatre, predominantly new writing, in the UK, including the West End and on tour. The piece will be performed by Lizzie Hopley (Roaring Girls Season, RSC; Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Cheek by Jowl) and Nick Blackburn (ENO, Wooster Group, performance director for David Hoyle), and choreographed by alt-burlesque star Rubyyy Jones.

The show will be followed by a short Q and A with Sarah Chew and invited guests on the issues of the play, and then a cabaret afterparty “For Pete’s Sake! A cabaret afterparty hosted by Reuben Kaye.

The show and cabaret are dedicated to the memory of Pete Davison.

Ticketing:

£25 includes free drink, reserve seat, Show, Q & A plus after club.

£15 Show/Q & A and after club.

£5 Club ticket from 9.45pm

Supported by Arts Council England