Love Song To Lavender Menace

by James Ley
directed by Ros Philips

"You want books, I'll give you books!"

Cast your mind back to 1982 - Margaret Thatcher sends the British Fleet to the Falklands, Channel 4 comes to the living room and Prince William is born, but this play has nothing to do with all that. This play is about activism, community and fighting for acceptance with words, music, humour and heart.

On Edinburgh’s Forth Street, two friends Bob and Sigrid are opening their new lesbian, gay and feminist bookshop, ‘Lavender Menace’. A trailblazing venture that will become the beating heart for Edinburgh’s LGBT+ community.

Now on the eve of the shop’s 5th birthday, sales assistants Lewis and Glen take a look back at its origins, its importance, its celebration of queer culture, how things have changed for the better (maybe) ... and straight away, the arguments begin!

Love Song to Lavender Menace is a beautifully funny and moving exploration of the love and passion it takes to make something happen and the loss that is felt when you have to let it go.

An LGBT History Month Scotland Cultural Commission. Script developed with support from Playwrights' Studio, Scotland. Thanks to the support of Edinburgh International Book Festival and Red Bridge Arts.

This play contains some swearing and sexual references.

Guest Authors
Each performance will feature a cameo from a different guest author:

12 October – Janet Smyth             

13 October – Daniel Gray    

14 October (Mat) – Jenny Brown

14 October (Eve)  – Ian Rankin            

17 October  – Harry Giles 

18 October – Luke Pell     

19 October – Pauline Lynch           

20 October  – Sara Sheridan                

21 October (Mat) – Denise Mina

21 October (Eve) - Richard Holloway 

Venue
This production takes place in The Lyceum's Studio situated across the road from the main theatre building, audiences will be asked to gather in the foyer and be led across to the venue by a member of our Front of House team.

Cast and Credits