For over a decade, Grin Theatre has been a driving force in LGBTQ+ representation within Merseyside’s theatre scene. Founded in 2011, the company has provided a powerful platform for queer creatives through its dynamic productions, workshops, and mentorships. From the beloved annual Queertet festival to thought-provoking plays that challenge audiences, Grin continues to evolve, collaborating with theatre companies across the North West to amplify LGBTQ+ voices.
In this interview, we speak with Wes Williams, the creator of Grin Theatre and writer of Orton: Fallen Angel, a gripping new production that explores the intense and complex relationship between playwright Joe Orton and his partner Kenneth Halliwell. Wes shares insights into Grin’s mission, its impact on Liverpool’s theatre landscape, and what audiences can expect from their latest show.
Liverpool Noise: Grin Theatre has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in theatre since 2011. How do you see the company’s role evolving in the local and national theatre landscape?
Wes Williams: Grin Theatre’s mission is to maintain, promote and support queer creatives on Merseyside through theatre and performance. We also continue to evolve throughout our journey with dynamic writing and working with other theatre companies around the Northwest, including our Manchester buddies at QweerDog. Grin is proud of the change that we have made to the fringe theatre community. We have given our artistes and more importantly our community a vibrant and important voice.
Liverpool Noise: The annual Queertet production gives a platform to LGBTQ+ voices—what impact has this had on the theatre community?
WW: One of the jewels in our crown has been Queertet, an annual festival of LGBTQ short plays that explores many issues that affect our community. We make the festival (which coincides with Liverpool Pride) a celebration and definitely on the upbeat. The festival gives a chance for local writers (queer or allies) the opportunity to get their work on the stage. Since its inception in 2012, it has been a tremendously popular part of the theatre calendar here in Liverpool and on Merseyside. We’re heading towards this year’s festival with great excitement and we cannot wait to get the celebrations start in July.
Liverpool Noise: Grin also runs workshops and mentorships for writers and actors. Can you share more about these initiatives and their impact?
WW: In conjunction with Make It Write and other companies around the North West, we run playwriting courses for local writers, and we have acting workshops which are on-going. We have a great team of dynamic young directors who help facilitate all our courses and we offer a mentorship to with our actors if they any kind of support in their chosen careers
Liverpool Noise: What advice would you give to emerging LGBTQ+ creatives looking to break into theatre?
WW: Come and join us here at Grin Theatre. We can offer the support and real guidance to forward your career in queer theatre.
Liverpool Noise: What drew Grin Theatre to this story about Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell?
WW: The intensity of the story, the destruction of love which is replaced by dark passions. It was written a few years back but it’s since had a full make over and we are absolutely thrilled to be bringing it back to the stage
Liverpool Noise: The play explores their relationship in a space between life and death—how does this setting enhance the storytelling?
WW: We wanted to have our actors almost in isolation on the stage, keeping it dark and quite visceral in context. Other characters appear on stage to bring flesh to Joe and Kenneth’s story. The play is set in a timeless place where the two men must play out their madness and their passion for each other.
Liverpool Noise: What do you hope audiences take away from this production?
WW: We hope that the audience will question the two main characters and what was really going on in this power play. Who was right? Who was wrong? The audience can decide. It leaves a lot of things unanswered, but this was the intention of the writer. The audience will hopefully be able to debate what they have witnessed and come to their own assessments. We also want the audience to see how far the queer community has come – look at the then and celebrate the now!
Orton: Fallen Angel is on at the Shakespeare North Playhouse, 30 & 31 May 2025.
Find out more about Grin Theatre via their Instagram @grintheatrecompany.
