The AIDS Plays Project is reviving and republishing the theatrical works of writers whose lives were cut short by HIV/AIDS-related illnesses.
We are releasing their plays from the archive and returning them to the stage in one-off performances starring award-winning actors, writers, and drag artists. Striving for cultural recovery and repair, we seek to mend the connection between these trailblazing writers and a younger generation of artists and audiences in the UK.
Since establishing our project in 2023, we have staged plays by trailblazing writers including Charles Ludlam, Harry Kondoleon, Robert Chesley, James Kirkwood, Colm Ó Clúbhán, Alan Bowne and George Whitmore. From a drag-heavy riff on La Traviata to a tender tragedy about phone sex, a bisexual comedy once booed off Broadway to a searing exploration of queer life in 80s Ireland, we unearth hidden gems from history and return them to the contemporary stage.
Coming Soon
This December, in honour of World AIDS Day, we will be publishing a collection of the seven plays we have performed so far, alongside interviews, biographies, photographs and essays by leading queer writers.
Cover: Tom Joyes
Edited and introduced by Alastair Curtis, the book includes contributions by Amelia Abraham, Michael Bronski, Victor Bumbalo, Charles Busch, Marcelo Dos Santos, Jack Holden, James Ijames, Lauren J. Joseph, Charlie Josephine, Sam Moore, Lola Pashalinski, Margaret Perry and Jordan Tannahill.
Many of these plays went unpublished during their writers’ lifetimes, or have fallen out of print since their deaths, but they will now be available to read, study and perform and worldwide.
Pre-order Now
Each production is accompanied by memories, tributes, and interviews with the writer’s surviving friends, family, and loved ones. Together, we’re building an archive to carry the legacies of these writers forward.
Get In Touch
alastair@theaidsplaysproject.comThe AIDS Plays Project was set up by Alastair Curtis. Our project has worked with: Emily Aboud, Ben Allen, Lucas Aurelio, Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea, Rakie Ayola, Omar Baroud, Matthew Beard, Dickie Beau, Lewis Brown, Connor Byrne, Rory Fleck Byrne, Luca Kamleh Chapman, Cavan Clarke, Jeanie Crystal, Florence Dobson, Liadán Dunlea, Selina Griffiths, Helder Fernandes, Alvaro Flores, Sue Gives A Fuck, Alistair Hall, Nicky Harris, Darragh Hand, Georges Hann, Mariam Haque, Paul Hilton, Dominic Holmes, Luke Hornsby, Safiyya Ingar, Orlando/Holly James Johnston, Lauren John Joseph, Florence Keith-Roach, Katherine Kingsley, Abigail Lawrie, Ms Sharon Le Grand, Júlia Levai, Syrus Lowe, Calum Lynch, Mary Malone, Taylor McClaine, Justine Mitchell, Cyril Nri, Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran, Julian Ovenden, Rachel Pickup, Melissa Saint, Adam Silver, Malcolm Sinclair, Sharon Small, Stuart Thompson, and Alan Turkington.
It was commissioned by London Performance Studios .
Creative production by KIND. Design by Tom Joyes.