Dumbledore Is So Gay returns for limited run at The Pleasance this September

Dumbledore Is So Gay is to return to The Pleasance Theatre for a limited run.

The VAULT Festival sell out, Dumbledore Is So Gay will be back to serve Harry Potter nostalgia at The Pleasance Theatre this autumn.

Written by Robert Holtom (The Quest and The Cluedo Club Killings, Arcola Theatre) and directed by Tom Wright (My Dad’s Gap Year, Park Theatre; Undetectable, King’s Head Theatre), the production is an homage to coming out and coming of age in the 2000s.

The piece will run at The Pleasance Theatre between Tuesday 21 and Sunday 26 September 2021. Tickets are on sale online now here.

Life is far from straight for Jack: he’s in love with his best friend, he dodges bullies worse than Crabbe and Goyle and, according to the official online quiz, he’s a Hufflepuff. On a mission to get the guy, with a trusty Time Turner in his hand, Jack has the chance to turn back time and re-write history in his favour.

An optimistic celebration of love and resilience, Dumbledore Is So Gay was a critically acclaimed hit at VAULT Festival. The play shines a light on the struggle of coming out when ‘gay’ was a playground insult. While Jack’s story deals with tragic teenage isolation, what emerges is the importance of self-love and friendship to face the toughest of trials.

The acclaimed original cast of Dumbledore Is So Gay will reprise their roles with Alex Britt (Love’s Labour’s Lost and My Dad’s Gap Year, The Park Theatre; EastEnders, BBC), Max Percy (My Dad’s Gap Year, The Park Theatre; Peter Pan, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Charlotte Dowding (Girl Scout vs Aliens, Escapade Productions; Eat Your Heart Out, Tightrope Productions).

Writer Robert Holtom commented: “I’m over the moon the original cast are back. They made magic in 2020 and I can’t wait to see them do it all over again. Alex, Charlotte and Max bring
such skill and depth to their roles, switching between sincerity and humour on a dime. We were all so keen to keep the show going and it’s such a privilege to have the team reunited.”

The creative team features Movement Director Rachael Nanyojo, Set and Costume Designer Natalie Johnson, Lighting Designer Rory Beaton, Composer and Sound Designer Peter Wilson, General Manager Grace Dickson and Production Marketeer Charlie Mackellar.

Producer Hannah Elsy commented: “The demand from audiences to see Dumbledore Is So Gay have a future life after VAULT Festival was extraordinary, and a testament to the compelling production Robert Holtom and Tom Wright presented in February 2020. I was moved to tears of allyship at the end of the performance. I’m proud to bring this sell-out, joyous feat to a new venue this autumn.

“We all need some magic in our lives right now, so we welcome you to come to celebrate life, love and Harry Potter with us!”

Picture: Dumbledore Is So Gay – VAULT 2020 (credit – Gabriel Mokake)