Lemon Lounge is a new six-part series of curated talks presented by Lemon House Theatre’s Co-Artistic Directors Jennifer Cerys and Samia Djilli.
Whilst doors are closed, Jennifer and Samia are taking a more indepth look at the UK theatre industry, on stage and off. In these conversations, they’ll be chatting to Queer artists and artists from the MENA diaspora about their experiences, and the ways in which the theatre industry needs to change so that, when doors re-open, there’s still a space for our stories.
The first part of the series will cover topics such as the future of queer theatre and why queer characters are often experiencing trauma.
The second part of the series will explore areas including the visibility of MENA artists on stages in the UK.
These talks are taking place as part of St. Margaret’s House’s REACH Online project to support the development of Lemon House Theatre’s plays Willow and an upcoming Untitled project. Alongside these talks, you’ll hear extracts from these works-in-progress, which are responding to the kind of questions raised by the artists in each episode.
Get in touch with us at lemonhousetheatre@gmail.com (mailto:lemonhousetheatre@gmail.com) or @lemonhousetc on Twitter.
Building a career as a MENA artist with Hannah Khalil
"I'm Palestinian-Irish and I'm not quiet about that and that reflects in the things I write."
In this week’s episode, Samia Djilli, one of the Artistic Directors of Lemon House Theatre, chats to writer Hannah Khalil about her experiences of working in the industry as an MENA artist. Hannah shares advice to aspiring creatives, and speaks on the value of building a community in the theatre industry.
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The extracts from Different Sand in this episode were directed by Janisè Sadik, with Iman Boujel playing Linda. The episode was edited by Brigitte Adela.
The music was composed by HALI.
Find out more about Lemon Lounge here: lemonhousetheatre.com/lemon-lounge
20 Aug 2020
Taking up space as a MENA artist with Layla Madanat and Janisè Sadik
"I've had this sense that if you make it in as a brown woman, you have to defend your spot – there's only space for one of us... That's just how deeply we've been conditioned."
In this week’s episode, Samia Djilli, one of the Artistic Directors of Lemon House Theatre, chats to directors Layla Madanat and Janisè Sadik about MENA artists being able to ‘take up space’ in the UK theatre industry. They discuss how far the industry has come and what more it could do to support MENA stories being told on stage, as well as MENA artists being supported off stage. They also chat about the complexities of Arab heritage and how that plays a part in how they as Arab artists tell our stories.
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The extracts from Different Sand in this episode were directed by Janisè Sadik, with Iman Boujel playing Linda. The episode was edited by Brigitte Adela.
The music was composed by HALI.
Find out more about Lemon Lounge here: lemonhousetheatre.com/lemon-lounge
13 Aug 2020
Visibility of North African artists on stage with Iman Boujel and Roann McCloskey
"Make space for young, emerging MENA artists. I don't think it's hard. I think they just need to want to help.”
In this week’s episode, Samia Djilli, one of the Artistic Directors of Lemon House Theatre, chats to artists Iman Boujel and Roann McCloskey about the visibility of the North African artist on UK stages, with a focus on second generation Algerians. They talk about what it means to be a creative whilst embracing their Algerian identity and what compromises have been made whilst doing so. They also discuss the lack of visibility of Algerian and North African artists/stories on UK stages. Finally they share their experiences of being part of the Algerian diaspora in the UK.
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The extracts from Different Sand in this episode were directed by Janisè Sadik, with Iman Boujel playing Linda. The episode was edited by Brigitte Adela. The music was composed by HALI.
Find out more about Lemon Lounge here: lemonhousetheatre.com/lemon-lounge
23 Jul 2020
The future of queer theatre with Daisy Hale and Salome Wagaine
“Because the arts is a generally liberal place, there’s still this idea that we don’t mind that you’re queer… rather than being like, ‘What can we actually do to support and affirm you?’ ”
In this week’s episode, Jennifer Cerys, one of the Artistic Directors of Lemon House Theatre, chats to independent theatre & combined arts producer Daisy Hale, and writer and producer Salome Wagaine about the future of queer theatre. They discuss where the queer community can go while doors to theatre, comedy and cabaret shows are closed, and the importance of investing in smaller venues. Finally, they share what they hope queer theatre will look like in 5, 10, 20 years time.
We did have some technical issues with this episode as we adapt to recording online. Thank you for continuing to support this series and creating a space for underrepresented voices. We've also got you covered with the transcript of the audio, which you can view on our website: lemonhousetheatre.com/lemon-lounge
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The extracts from Willow in this episode were directed by Abigail Sewell, with Jennifer Dixon playing Gabi and Sophia O'Donohue playing Lottie. The episode was edited by Brigitte Adela. The music was composed by HALI.
Find out more about Lemon Lounge here: lemonhousetheatre.com/lemon-lounge
15 Jul 2020
Telling queer stories with Hannah Hauer-King and Sita Thomas
“It’s about creating new work so we can be part of that LGBT+ canon and keep making change.”
In this week’s episode, Jennifer Cerys, one of the Artistic Directors of Lemon House Theatre, chats to director Sita Thomas and Artistic Director of Damsel Productions Hannah Hauer-King about why we need a range of LGBTQ+ stories told on stage. They discuss why queer characters are often experiencing trauma, and seeking out LGBTQ+ plays that explore queer narratives in a different way. Finally, they share how we can reach out to LGBTQ+ audiences.
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The extracts from Willow in this episode were directed by Abigail Sewell, with Jennifer Dixon playing Gabi, Sophia O'Donohue playing Lottie, and Emilio Di Salvo as the Game Show Host. The episode was edited by Brigitte Adela. The music was composed by HALI.
Find out more about Lemon Lounge here: lemonhousetheatre.com/lemon-lounge
7 Jul 2020
Finding your queer community with Jennifer Dixon, Teddy Lamb and Sophia O’Donohue
“It’s finding places that fit your queerness, and your experience, and your world.”
In this week’s episode, Jennifer Cerys, one of the Artistic Directors of Lemon House Theatre, chats to performers Jennifer Dixon, Teddy Lamb and Sophia O’Donohue about finding a community within theatre. They talk about their experiences of being LGBTQ+ people working in theatre, including what it’s like working with other LGBTQ+ artists and finding a space they feel comfortable in. Finally, they share the advice they’d give for other LGBTQ+ artists coming into the theatre industry.
The extracts from Willow in this episode were directed by Abigail Sewell, with Jennifer Dixon playing Gabi and Sophia O'Donohue playing Lottie. The episode was edited by Brigitte Adela. The music was composed by HALI.
Find out more about Lemon Lounge: lemonhousetheatre.com/lemon-lounge
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