Festivals / Bristol Pride 2024
Wide programme of live performance, theatre and comedy to feature as part of 2024 Bristol Pride
Bristol Pride begins on June 28 and will run until July 13. This year, there will be over 40 events taking place over the two-week celebration across the city, culminating in the ‘Pride Day’ parade and festival on The Downs.
2024 marks 15 years since the award-winning core organising team have been delivering the event. Outside of festival planning, they work all year round “to challenge homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia and promote equality and diversity, for all, through various events, school visits, consultation services and lobbying”.
Alongside their major film festival, Queer Vision, Bristol Pride have curated an eclectic mix of live performance, including theatre, comedy, spoken word, improv, drag, circus and storytelling, to enhance this year’s Pride offer. Bristol24/7 takes a look at some of the highlights.
is needed now More than ever
Murder, He Didn’t Write, The Wardrobe Theatre, July 1-5
Bristol’s very own improv troupe Degrees of Error restage their Fringe-smash Murder, She Didn’t Write, with a gender-swap twist, for a week-long Pride fundraiser.
The actors will be creating an all-new improvised murder mystery live on stage every night, based on audience suggestions.
Degrees of Error in Murder, He Didn’t Write
Section 28 and Me, Watershed, July 3-4
Bristol live artist Tom Marshman explores the impact of growing up under the “forced silence” of Section 28 (the UK legislation that was in place from 1988-2003 and prevented the experience from being represented in schools).
Candid, warm, and profound, Marshman draws on his own personal and family history, as well as amplifying the voices of many others in asking ‘what is your Section 28 story?’
Tom Marshman in ‘Section 28 and Me’
Wreckage, The Wardrobe Theatre, July 9-10
Tom Ratcliffe’s emotional play about queer grief is set in the mind of its central character, Sam, as he loses his partner in a car accident. First making waves at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, where it won the Lustram Award, the play has also been adapted for audiences in Germany, where it has been shortlisted for the prestigious Theatrepreis Hamburg 2024.
For Ratcliffe, despite its subject matter, the story represents some of his most hopeful work, and in performing the role of Sam, there is genuine catharsis. “Ultimately, it’s an exploration of how our love for someone stays with us for the rest of our lives,” he reflects.
(l-r) Tom Ratcliffe and Michael Walters in Wreckage
Bristol Pride Comedy Night, Bristol Old Vic, July 11
Back by popular demand, the fundraising spectacular welcomes back Bristol’s own Jayde Adams as host, with a carefully curated bill featuring Laura Davis, Chloe Petts, James Barr and Celya AB.
(l-r) Jayde Adams, Chloe Petts, James Barr, Celya AB, Laura Davis
To Read – A Night of Black Queer Literature, RWA, July 18
Organised by Kiki Bristol, who provide space for Queer, Trans, Intersex, Black People & People of Colour (QTIBPOC), their friends and allies to join together, this is a night celebrating literature and connection.
Dr Myles-Jay Linton will host readings and discussion with Dr Okechukwu Nzelu, Travis Alabanza, and Jackson King, with Kiki co-founder DJ Devolicious soundtracking the post-event socialising.
(l-r) Dr Okechukwu Nzelu, Travis Alabanza and Jackson King
Bristol Pride runs from June 28-July 13. For more information about the programme, festival wristbands and tickets to all shows, visit www.bristolpride.co.uk or follow @bristolpride.
All photos: Bristol Pride
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
