Some Other Me: Bisexual and pansexual representation in theatre

LGBT+ History Month / Some Other Me: Bisexual and pansexual representation in theatre

The University of Wolverhampton presents an online talk with Arun Blair-Mangat, Callum Heinrich and Beth Hinton-Lever.

Queer representation is beginning to expand in film and television, with bisexual and pansexual characters beginning to appear shows such as Doctor Who and Schitt's Creek. Arun Blair-Mangat (& Juliet), Callum Heinrich (Mamma Mia) and Beth Hinton-Lever (West Side Story).

Join Dr James Lovelock to discuss their experiences as bisexual and pansexual writers and performers in the theatre industry, focusing on how theatre can expand its range of queer representation in future productions.

Arun Blair-Mangat is a young, professional stage actor who is known for working both on the stage and screen. He graduated with BA in History from the London School of Economics in 2015. Based in London, he is also well-known for his prowess in music and vocal talents.

Callum Heinrich is an actor based in Guildford, London. He trained at Guildford School of Acting and graduated with a BA Honours in Musical Theatre (2016-2019). In the ongoing production of Mamma Mia!, Callum is part of the ensemble, playing understudy Sky, Father Alexander and Bill. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the show’s playing at the Novello Theatre. He became a Featured Ensemble in Drew Baker’s The Pirate Queen at the London Coliseum in 2020.

Beth Hinton-Lever has an MA in Performance (Musical Theatre) from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and a BA in Classical Archaeology and Classical Civilisations from University College London. Her work in theatre includes; Treasure Island at Derby Theatre; West Side Story at Curve Theatre Leicester; Hadestown at the National Theatre; As You Like It at Queen’s Theatre in association with the National Theatre; Reasons to be Cheerful with Graeae and on UK tour; Spring Awakening at Hope Mill; Dancehall and Sleeping Beauty at Cast. Her awards include the National Student Drama Festival Award for Best Choreography.

Dr James Lovelock is a musical theatre academic with a background in improvising and creating musical theatre. He was the original musical director for Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, and his musical Sunshine Guy was premiered at the University of Birmingham in 2013 and subsequently performed at the Landor Theatre in February 2013 as part of the From Page to Stage series. James is the director of Baron Sternlook Productions, which produced two full runs of Baron Sternlook's Improvised Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014 and 2015 and continues to perform regularly in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

James graduated with a PhD from the University of Birmingham in 2017 after submitting his thesis titled 'Not Just For Gays Anymore: Men, Masculinity and Musical Theatre'. He has been involved in a range of LGBTQ initiatives including a concert performance of Soho Cinders as part of LGBT History Month in February 2015 and the establishment of a staff-student LGBTQ* Performing Arts research group at the University of Wolverhampton in 2017. James has over 15 years of teaching experience and has presented papers at both national and international conferences.

LGBT+ History Month 2021

The Louder We Get - An LGBT+ concert-lecture / The influence of Sexuality on Design: Workshop and Discussion / Queer Writing Panel with Finn Anderson, Tania Azevedo and Laura Schein / LGBT+ Equality - Then and Now / The Life of Pierre Seel: Remembering the forgotten LGBT + victims of the holocaust / Pronouns – Top 5 Tips / Some Other Me: Bisexual and pansexual representation in theatre / I'll Cover You: Performing Angel in Rent