QUEER Tales is a series of monologues created from letters written in response to the award winning play ‘Once a Year on Blackpool Sands’.

This series of short tales share real life accounts of queer life.

The cast on Wednesday night was a collective from theatre groups from across Harlow and beyond.

This was a wonderful collection of fourteen monologues.

It was the same set but each character came in and out and used different parts of the set.

There is outright tragedy with “Bluebells” and poignant companion pieces with “Charlie, my Charlie”.

There are some that are in some ways similar but have their own distinct feel. We felt that with Love is Terrible and Not Sure About The Watercress.

Some are about being in and others proud declarations of being out (Had I The Voice).

There is a sadness about some characters (Maybe Tomorrow) and sassy defiance with others (Swishy Earl Jefferson)

But each and every actor brought so much to the role. They didn’t have long but each character had depth and meaning. Actors were also able to create characters out of named references (Lionel as mentioned in Youth is Wasted on the Young).

We jumped decades but the themes were the same. For some the theme of “out/not out” will seem very fresh and for others ancient history.

But then Bluebells leaves a shadow and we think of how far we have come.

This piece hasn’t mentioned the actors but they were all excellent. Joe Bishop set the tone and it went for there. Kate Carthy’s Penny had an element of sourness and sadness. Billy Knowles character Bertie was cheeky and defiant. Eve-Marie Downey’s also hit the right tone as she explored the recurring don’t ask theme.

Carol Parradine’s Linda May and Garry Patrick’s Ineeda took us over to New York and both painted rich pictures of defiance.

Linda Clark’s and Carol Parradine’s piece (Not One To Gossip) was the only two-person piece and was very distinctive. Especially Linda’s withering look at the end.

Clive Weatherley’s Francis was a delightful start to the second half and once again confirmed what a gifted actor he is.

Concetta Clarizio’s Eve probably stole the show in her funeral home and then her bath.

James Grigg’s Morris was another warm character played with tenderness and a sure touch.

Looking back, we can’t help reflect on how different each performance was and how invested you felt in the characters. Michelle Jiminez as Lottie and Susan Graham’s as May stamped their authority on their characters.

Much of the praise has to go to Director Linda Clark and her team. This was a seamless production. Warm and life-affirming. Each act drew you in and in many ways, left you wanting to know more about them.

We really enjoyed Queer Tales.