Jonny Wooster aka Jonny Woo is one of the key figures in East London’s burgeoning Alternative Drag Scenes. He’s an actor, writer, producer, drag queen and part owner of the fabulous The Glory one of the queerest pubs in London.
Asides from a stint in NY’s burlesque and cabaret scene in the early 2000’s and running The Glory, Woo. has had residencies at The Soho Theatre, ICA, Bistrotheque and has created events for The Royal Opera House, The Royal National Theatre, London Coliseum and Hackney Empire . He is also responsible for the glorious annual Un Royal Variety Show.
The latest venture of this queer renaissance man is a new play called Silvertown. This is actually the names of a working class district in London and the play is in a pub based on the now-lost pub on Albert Road, ‘The Kent Arms’ . This was well known hangout in the 60s for its LGBTQ+ clientele. The play will explore contemporary themes of sexuality, identity, race, politics, community and ‘safe-spaces’ within the context of 1960s society.
While the storyline to the play is fictitious, the themes, events, characters, place and community will all be based on research on the area at the time. Woo is also conducting interviews with older members of the community where he will look to discover more details about 1960s life in the Royal Docks from those who remember it first-hand.
To celebrate the contribution made by the local community in the creation of this work, the project will also include a socially distanced drag performance in a local pub, to thank the local participants.
Currently the play is a work-in-progress , and here are 6 monologues Woo has made as part of his research.
Written and conceived by Jonny Woo
Directed by Alexis Gregory
Produced by Dan de la Motte
Director of Photography – Maxx Ginnane
Lighting – James Rudd
Sound – Daniel Hawkes
Editor – Arnaud Pitois
Costumes courtesy of Hunky Dory
Hair & Make Up – Bow
Pat – Oliver Byng
Ted – Edd Muruako
Reg – Ian Holmes
Rita – Rachel Wilde
Stella – Lauria Lister
Sally – Rosie Akerman
Community Engagement Coordinator – Emma Crace
Filmed at the Silver Building in the Royal Docks
Commissioned by Join the Docks Festival
