Credit: Boyan-Georgiev https://boyangeorgiev.com/
By Grace Hatchell
Right, gather round my lovelies — because something absolutely fabulous just dropped into my satchel, and no, it’s not another glitter-covered press release from someone’s over-enthusiastic marketing intern.
Queer Theatre — London’s powerhouse for LGBTQIA+ stories, talent, and all-round theatrical brilliance — has just announced a brand-new patron. And not just any patron. Oh no. We’re talking Pearl Mackie. Yes, that Pearl Mackie. Bill Potts herself, the Doctor’s first openly lesbian companion, breaker of boundaries, smasher of ceilings, and general legend.
She now takes her place beside fellow icons Sir Stephen Fry, Annette Badland, Martin Sherman and Adèle Anderson. Not bad company for a Tuesday, if you ask me.
After winning hearts (and a fair few think-pieces) worldwide as Bill Potts, Pearl’s spent the years since jumping from hit to hit — Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner, the National Theatre’s Ballet Shoes and Grenfell: In the Words of Survivors, and most recently stealing scenes in Netflix’s political juggernaut The Diplomat as Alysse. Basically: if there’s a stage, a camera, or a platform, Pearl’s on it bringing the goods.
And in her own words — straight from my satchel to your screen — Pearl said:
“It is my honour to join Queer Theatre as a patron. It is so important as queer people in the Arts that we are offered safe spaces to express ourselves, nurture our talent and truly share our experiences — and Queer Theatre offers exactly that. What a delight to join and support this wonderful community.”
Honestly? Couldn’t have said it better myself. (Well, I could, but Pearl’s got the gravitas.)
As a patron, Pearl will be helping Queer Theatre continue their mission to lift LGBTQIA+ voices onto stages where they should’ve been all along. We’re talking their 2B: Acting Classes for LGBTQIA+ creatives, the monthly Queer Play Reading Club, the Show People Podcast featuring leading queer theatre artists, and a whole calendar of events where queer creatives can gather, learn, laugh, create, and build the kind of friendships that outlast even the most traumatic dress rehearsal.
Pearl recently joined Artistic Director Andrew Keates for an episode of the Show People Podcast — Queer Theatre’s brilliant deep-dive into stories, struggles, and triumphs from across the industry.
And speaking of Andrew, he said something that genuinely made me stop mid-malted-milk-biscuit:
“When researching Pearl’s career, what struck me most was just how hard she has worked — through difficult experiences at drama school, clawing her way around the South London fringe, and fighting to sustain momentum until finally achieving success both in the West End and, of course, on Doctor Who. She has remained unashamedly herself throughout, providing a beacon to queer women of colour around the globe. To have even a little of that brilliant light shining on our LGBTQIA+ theatremakers is an honour. We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her as our newest Patron.”
Well, there you have it. A glowing endorsement for a glowing woman. And another exciting chapter for Queer Theatre — the brilliant, essential, heart-first company championing stories that need telling.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find more gossip in the bottom of this satchel. It’s like Mary Poppins’ bag — except with more press releases and fewer singing penguins.
— Grace Hatchell
2nd Act Couriers
Delivering theatre gossip straight to your doorstep (and occasionally your soul)
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