Gwenda’s Garage is a brilliantly funny, heart-warming and powerful musical based on a real story
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE PROVIDED
Are you looking for a bold new musical that celebrates working-class lesbians? Gwenda’s Garage needs to be on your radar. Written by Nicky Hallett with music by Val Regan, the show was created by an all-lesbian team, which draws on the oral histories from the founders of Gwenda’s Garage.
In the 1980s, Gwenda’s Garage was a women-run car repair garage in Sheffield that fought against the male-dominated automotive industry. The garage became a hub for feminist activism, especially against the rise of Section 28, a law which prohibited “promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality”.
Filled with humour and heart, the musical is based on the incredible true story of the garage. Following the story of mechanics Bev, Carol and Terry, their apprentice Dipstick and ally Feona, the musical tracks their fight against Section 28. The cast is packed to the brim with talent, starring Nancy Brabin-Platt as Bev, Sia Kiw as Terry, Eva Scott as Carol and Lucy Mackay as their mechanic apprentice. Georgina Coram and Liz Kitchen will also be joining the cast.
As described by the show itself, this story is “an exuberant call to arms, fired by fun, feminism, friendship, and above all, an affirming belief in the power of collective action. Dismantling the patriarchy one spark plug at a time.”
Gwenda’s Garage is more than a musical. Taking the core values of the show, there is also the You’ve Got The Power outreach programme that runs alongside to help children learn more about creative writing, LGBTQIA+ rights and acting.
Produced by Out Of The Archive Theatre in association with Sheffield Theatres, Gwenda’s Garage is a must-watch show coming to London and Sheffield later this year.
You can see Gwenda’s Garage at the Southwark Playhouse Borough (30 October – 29 November) after revving up at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse at Sheffield Theatres (15 – 25 October). Get your tickets here.
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