Better Than Not Productions are a newly established queer female led theatre production company.
Pioneering cutting-edge and relevant theatre, Better Than Not create work for everyone, highlighting important controversies within the LGBTQIA+ community. They are bringing their debut piece “Where Are You On The Kinsey Scale?” to the Camden Fringe this August 1st and 2nd at 9.30pm at the Etcetera Theatre.
You can buy your tickets here:
https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/where-are-you-on-the-kinsey-scale/
Their work is relevant to those within and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community given its educational nature about the community and commentary on sexual health.
The play follows three young queer people, debating the big questions: ‘Do labels matter, if so, what are mine?’; ‘Does how you present equal how queer you are?’; ‘Does 23 count as early or mid 20s?’.
We start in Cami and Aura’s flat. They are two proud femme presenting bisexuals. who cannot keep their flat clean. They have been best friends forever. Aura fancies anyone she (or they?) lay/s eyes on. By contrast, Cami is discovering that the little voice in her said screaming “I’m a lesbian” is becoming too loud to ignore.
Because this work was written in 2022 and the company pioneers relevant theatre, they require a third flatmate due to ever-rising bills. Enter Theo, someone who appears to have everything about their gender and sexuality figured out.
We follow these characters through a messy mix of biphobia, love (the friend kind, not all gay people have to be in love with each other!) and acceptance of the self discovery process.
The reason this work is so important is because we open up examples of the harsh reality of controversies between members of the LGBTQIA+ community such as “if you weren’t bullied in school, how dare you say we are the same”.
Importantly, the writers’ aim is not to have answers to all, if any, of the questions about ‘the LGBTQIA+ experience’ with the belief that one or a few experiences cannot encompass everyone’s feelings in their entirety. They hope to make people think, ask and reflect.
Better Than Not Productions have big plans for the next season, with a national tour to places such as Brighton and Manchester, hopes to bring Where Are You On The Kinsey Scale? to the Edinburgh Fringe and to facilitate workshops to further LGBTQIA+ and sex education. They are passionate about increasing in depth non-binary representation.
The creators of the company are Naomi Moylan-Torke and Bea Collett Bell.
Naomi Moylan-Torke (any) is passionate about breaking down barriers in communication, including her work with Icarus Theatre Collective: this is not a party. which discusses the gentrification of North London. She is passionate about intersectionality between class, background and queerness: who has the space to come out. Naomi will be playing Aura.
Bea Collet Bell (she/her) is currently training at Identity School of Acting. Credits also include performing and Assistant Director at the Hackney Empire following work on their Artists in Development and Hackney Village programmes as a Facilitator, enabling young people and focusing on diversity and inclusion within the arts. Currently, Bea’s work focuses on LGBTQIA+ experiences and mental health. Bea will be playing Cami.
Elise Ceri Lambert (they/them) is also training at Identity and writing their first one person play. They are currently co-curating an exhibition around the concept of home, focusing on LGBTQIA+ lived experiences. They are particularly interested in increasing authentic non-binary roles on stage. Elise will be playing Theo.
You can follow their work on Instagram @betterthannotproductions and Twitter @Better_Than_Not.
“Where Are You On The Kinsey Scale?” is at the Camden Fringe. 1-2 August, 9.30pm. The Etcetera Theatre. Above the Oxford Arms, 265 Camden High St, London NW1 7BU, United Kingdom
You can buy your tickets here:
https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/where-are-you-on-the-kinsey-scale/
