Latest news with #NotaPhase
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sir Ian McKellen to open historic all-trans and nonbinary production of Twelfth Night
Trans What You Will is to launch its debut production with a rehearsed reading of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night next month, entirely directed by and cast with trans and nonbinary performers. The reading will be furthermore opened by Lord of the Rings legend Sir Ian McKellen. What a moment! The production will be staged at The Space Theatre in London on 25 July 2025, on the eve of London Trans Pride, with a global livestream available to audiences everywhere. Directed by Phoebe Kemp (they/them), this celebratory one-night-only performance reimagines one of Shakespeare's most gender-fluid comedies through a trans lens. Any profits will be donated to Not a Phase, a UK-based trans charity. Director Phoebe Kemp said in a statement: 'Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance, it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us. This reading is about joy, solidarity and showing what's possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the centre of the story.' Added a Trans What You Will rep: 'With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity. This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists.' Stage veteran McKellen is known for playing many of Shakespeare's greatest characters, including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III, and, most recently, King Lear. The Oscar-nominee is also known for films such as The Critic and Beauty and the Beast. For in-person tickets, click here. For livestream tickets, click here. The post Sir Ian McKellen to open historic all-trans and nonbinary production of Twelfth Night appeared first on Attitude.
Metro
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sir Ian McKellen to open all trans and non-binary production of iconic play
A brand-new company – Trans What You Will – will make its debut next month with a one-night-only rehearsed reading of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night starring Sir Ian McKellen. Directed entirely by and starring trans and nonbinary performers, the production marks a significant milestone in queer theatre. The event will be staged at The Space Theatre in London on 25 July 2025, on the eve of London Trans Pride, and will be available to watch globally via livestream. In a touch of theatrical royalty, the reading will be opened by none other than Sir Ian McKellen, whose storied career includes some of the most iconic roles in the Shakespearean canon. 'Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance—it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us,' said director Phoebe Kemp (they/them), who leads the production. 'This reading is about joy, solidarity, and showing what's possible when trans and nonbinary artists are at the centre of the story.' As one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, Twelfth Night revolves around mistaken identities, gender disguise, and love that defies expectations – making it a particularly fitting choice for reinterpretation through a trans lens. Viola, the play's protagonist, survives a shipwreck and disguises herself as a man, leading to a cascade of romantic entanglements and revelations. 'With mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and declarations of love across shifting gender roles, Twelfth Night has long explored the complexity of identity,' a Trans What You Will spokesperson noted. 'This production makes that queerness explicit, reclaiming the story through the lived experiences of trans and nonbinary artists.' In a time when the rights and representation of trans people remain under intense scrutiny and political debate, this production is unapologetically celebratory. It's an artistic assertion that trans and nonbinary stories not only belong on stage – they belong at the centre. More Trending All profits from the evening will be donated to Not a Phase, a UK-based charity that supports the lives of trans and gender-diverse people. Sir Ian McKellen's involvement in the production is both symbolic and significant. A longtime LGBTQ+ advocate and one of the most revered Shakespearean actors of his generation, McKellen has portrayed a staggering array of the Bard's greatest roles, from Macbeth to King Lear. Whether in the room at The Space or watching from around the world, audiences will witness a night that promises not just to reimagine Shakespeare, but to reimagine who gets to tell the stories that define us. For in-person tickets, click here. For livestream tickets, click here. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: A stranger questioned my gender – but I'm a biological woman MORE: 'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that' MORE: Iconic actor leaves fans 'in tears' after surprise appearance at Scissor Sisters' London gig
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘A blatant move to take rights away' – Nicola Coughlan slams UK court gender ruling
The Derry Girls and Bridgerton star said it 'really upset me to see people celebrating people's rights being taken away and I think there is something really wrong with that'. Coughlan made the comments as she was awarded the Commitment Prize by French media company Konbini at Palais des Festivals during Canneseries. She was speaking in the wake of the UK Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that women can only be legally defined by biological sex. Coughlan criticised what she described as the 'hypothesized, made-up thing about trans women attacking women in bathrooms', saying it was 'ridiculous because it is not something that is happening'. Coughlan, who said she had taken the decision during the pandemic to use her voice on social media 'for something useful,' called on people to show 'true allyship' and act as a 'buffer' for the trans and non-binary community. 'It's all fun to go to Pride and wave a flag, and watch Drag Race, but are you going to be there when it is awkward and uncomfortable,' she said. 'Sometimes, you'll be mega-attacked online, but you have to ask, 'Do I care about that or do I care more about the people who are suffering' and weigh it up.' The actress recently matched any donations to the UK's Not a Phase trans and non-binary charity that campaigns to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people. It had been in danger of collapsing after losing most of its corporate sponsors, but Coughlan's campaign raised £60,000, which she matched. "I feel like the rights of queer people have been chipped away for the last few years and this is a blatant move to take rights away from people," she added. "The ruling means trans women won't be able to use the women's bathroom, and the idea of trans women attacking women in bathrooms. The only time I have ever been made to feel scared has been by cis men. I have never been scared by a trans woman in my life." Speaking about her fundraising, she said Not a Phase was going to have to close and cease their support of thousands of people due to the loss of corporate sponsorships, a result of "not [being] trendy to support trans people anymore." "Because of the donations they received, they can keep supporting people," she added, thanking those in the room who might have contributed to her crowdfunding. Earlier this month, Coughlan slammed the Harry Potter TV reboot, writing on social media: 'Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn't touch it with a 10ft pole', after JK Rowling, a vocal critic of trans rights, celebrated the Supreme Court ruling on social media. Coughlan, who has also raised for money for children caught up in the violence in Palestine, was asked whether she felt pressure to stay quieter on the advice of people within the entertainment industry. '[With] any actor speaking on any cause, there's a certain sense that it's better if you say nothing, and that's why most actors don't say anything,' she said. 'I get that: It is our job to entertain you and be in a show, film or play and do the thing, so I totally see how it can be difficult and why people advise not to do these things.' She pointed out that her late father had been in the Irish Army as a peacekeeper and spent time in Jerusalem and Syria. "There is a factor of 'it's better if you say nothing' because our job is to entertain you," said the actor when asked about speaking in support of Palestine. "My dad was in the Irish Army, which is a peacekeeping force. My family lived in Jerusalem and Syria in the 70s, so it's something that is in my bones. "We are talking about right or wrong, about children being bombed in their beds. I wouldn't accept that anywhere in the world." The actor, who was bestowed the award for being a "talent actively making a change well beyond television," continued by highlighting how there has "always been a connection between Palestine and Ireland," and that the two countries have "shared ideals and struggles'. "Any country in the world that was facing this, I would talk about it. It's not difficult. For me, the killing of innocent people is never right,' she added. Coughlan also talked about her roles in Derry Girls, Bridgerton and Channel 4 drama Bad Mood.
Sunday World
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Nicola Coughlan slams trans court ruling saying only time she felt scared ‘was by cis men'
'REALLY WRONG' | The Derry Girls and Bridgerton star said it 'really upset me to see people celebrating people's rights being taken away and I think there is something really wrong with that' Nicola Coughlan The Derry Girls and Bridgerton star said it 'really upset me to see people celebrating people's rights being taken away and I think there is something really wrong with that'. Coughlan made the comments as she was awarded the Commitment Prize by French media company Konbini at Palais des Festivals during Canneseries. She was speaking in the wake of the UK Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that women can only be legally defined by biological sex. Coughlan criticised what she described as the 'hypothesized, made-up thing about trans women attacking women in bathrooms', saying it was 'ridiculous because it is not something that is happening'. Coughlan, who said she had taken the decision during the pandemic to use her voice on social media 'for something useful,' called on people to show 'true allyship' and act as a 'buffer' for the trans and non-binary community. 'It's all fun to go to Pride and wave a flag, and watch Drag Race, but are you going to be there when it is awkward and uncomfortable,' she demanded. 'Sometimes, you'll be mega-attacked online, but you have to ask, 'Do I care about that or do I care more about the people who are suffering' and weigh it up.' The actress recently matched any donations to the UK's Not a Phase trans and non-binary charity that campaigns to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people. It had been in danger of collapsing after losing most of its corporate sponsors, but Coughlan's campaign raised £60,000, which she matched. "I feel like the rights of queer people have been chipped away for the last few years and this is a blatant move to take rights away from people," she added. "The ruling means trans women won't be able to use the women's bathroom, and the idea of trans women attacking women in bathrooms. The only time I have ever been made to feel scared has been by cis men. I have never been scared by a trans woman in my life." Speaking about her fundraising, she said Not a Phase was going to have to close and cease their support of thousands of people due to the loss of corporate sponsorships, a result of "not [being] trendy to support trans people anymore." Read more "Because of the donations they received, they can keep supporting people," she added, thanking those in the room who might have contributed to her crowdfunding. Earlier this month, Coughlan slammed the Harry Potter TV reboot, writing on social media: 'Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn't touch it with a 10ft pole', after JK Rowling, a vocal critic of trans rights, celebrated the Supreme Court ruling on social media. Coughlan, who has also raised for money for children caught up in the violence in Palestine, was asked whether she felt pressure to stay quieter on the advice of people within the entertainment industry. '[With] any actor speaking on any cause, there's a certain sense that it's better if you say nothing, and that's why most actors don't say anything,' she said. 'I get that: It is our job to entertain you and be in a show, film or play and do the thing, so I totally see how it can be difficult and why people advise not to do these things.' She pointed out that her late father had been in the Irish Army as a peacekeeper and spent time in Jerusalem and Syria. "There is a factor of 'it's better if you say nothing' because our job is to entertain you," said the actor when asked about speaking in support of Palestine. "My dad was in the Irish Army, which is a peacekeeping force. My family lived in Jerusalem and Syria in the 70s, so it's something that is in my bones. We are talking about right or wrong, about children being bombed in their beds. I wouldn't accept that anywhere in the world." The actor, who was bestowed the award for being a "talent actively making a change well beyond television," continued by highlighting how there has "always been a connection between Palestine and Ireland," and that the two countries have "shared ideals and struggles. "Any country in the world that was facing this, I would talk about it. It's not difficult. For me, the killing of innocent people is never right." Coughlan also talked about her roles in Derry Girls, Bridgerton and Channel 4 drama Bad Mood.
