The Beat of Our Hearts

The Beat of Our Hearts: Staging New Histories of LGBTQIA+ Loneliness was an ACE- and AHRC-funded project, based at the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health at the University of Exeter and led by researchers Dr Charlotte Jones (PI) and Dr Richard Vytniorgu (PDRA).

The project intended to foreground and reflect on histories and experiences of LGBTQIA+ loneliness in the south west of England.

The project situates lived experiences of loneliness and belonging at its heart, and uses creativity – especially theatre – to amplify the complexities and challenges that LGBTQIA+ people in the South West have faced and continue to face as they seek ways to confront experiences of marginalisation and foster community.

Centre stage & on the page

After a series of creative workshops in partnership with the Intercom Trust, the project culminated in the development of an original performance, written by Natalie McGrath, and staged at Exeter’s Northcott Theatre as part of LGBT+ history month in February 2022 (more information here).

After the hugely successful run at Exeter Northcott, the original performance of The Beat of Our Hearts was made available to stream on demand for free until Thursday 24 March.

The playscript is available for purchase, pubished by Salamander Street and can be ordered from independent bookshop, Bookbag.

Read more about the project and staging at the official project blog!