Summer is approaching, and so is the fantastic 96 Festival! This year marks ten years of fun, laughter, and creativity. Prepare for an incredible lineup with comedy, dance, new writing, and works in progress. Don’t miss out—check out the full lineup below!
The 96 Festival, now in its 10th year, is an extravaganza celebrating theatre, comedy, cabaret, music, art, and activism. It was conceived to commemorate the iconic Pride party on Clapham Common in 1996.
Trans Performativity, 21 June.
This is an ongoing project that seeks to translate trans experiences into contemporary practices that merge audiovisual elements with the creation of collective performances. Trans Performativity is a groundbreaking project created by trans individuals for all. It aims to diversify and decolonise the artistic and cultural landscape with the dedicated support of the artistic and technical team, partner organisations, and the audience.
Life Learnings Of A Non Sensical Human, 22 June.
This is an ode to friendship, queerness, and raving, a celebration of the kindness of strangers, the heartbreak of loss, and the ability to find joy again amidst grief. It serves as a love letter to the people we meet along the way and the sticky floors we have danced on over the years.
Engine Room – Next Page, 24 – 27 June.
As part of this year’s 96 Festival, Omnibus Theatre will host a week-long series of rehearsed readings in the style of its Next Page Season, featuring works solely by LGBTQIA+ writers. The lineup will be announced shortly.
Dysbiosis (work-in-progress), 25 June.
This is the first public presentation of an exciting multimedia theatrical performance and accompanying exhibition. Led by queer artists and involving various community groups, Dysbiosis intertwines diverse creative practices, perspectives, and voices to explore the complex connections between queerness, nature, place, and environmental justice.
Hell Yeah!, 26 June.
We’re Here, We’re Queer, We’re Improvised! A supHer group of London’s hottest queer improv talent. Fun, femxle-centered, fearless and completely improvised.
Places I Never Think About, 30 June – 2 July.
“funny, strange and quietly beautiful”
Everything Theatre
Places I Never Think About follows the journeys of three folkloric heroes from Eastern Europe. This queer reclamation of myth is inspired by themes of migration and belonging. The show guides the audience through three fantastical adventures brought to life through live music, polyphonic singing, puppetry, and dance.
Get Happy, 1 – 12 July.
“Tens, tens, tens across the board!”
Lost in Theatreland
When his best friend gets engaged, Adam decides that he wants to be truly happy as well. Nothing is going to stop him. Get Happy is an award-winning debut show by Joseph Aldous, presenting a one-person explosion of themes, including a sentient Alexa, temporary jobs, queer happiness, and a celebration of Ke$ha.
Schrödinger’s Lesbians 4 & 5 July.
It’s the 6th century BCE, and Sappho is back and single. Inspired by Sappho’s fragments, Schrödinger’s Lesbians is a joyful and irreverent new play from Themis Theatre that explores themes of love, lesbian identity, and the struggle to cope with a history that has marginalised these experiences.
96 Festival runs from 1 June – 12 July 2025 at Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 0QW, United Kingdom.
All images supplied.
