About this event
In the decades before decriminalisation, gay men spoke ‘Polari’ - a secret gay slang which was a patchwork language of Italian, Romany, Yiddish, Cockney Rhyming Slang, backslang and acronyms.
By speaking Polari gay men could ‘hide in plain sight’ - socialising, cottaging and cruising without fear of arrest or attack.
Polari is a playful, mischievous and sexy language, but also one that was spoken out of necessity. In this workshop learn the ‘rules’ of the language, decipher words and phrases, and make up your own sentences and mini-scenes for others to work out.
About the organiser
Dan de la Motte (he/him) is a performer, curator, producer, host and tour-guide specialising in queer comedic performance and heritage. Recent visual and performance art work includes: Live To Tell: (A Proposal For) The Madonna Jukebox Musical; GLF AT 50: THE ART OF PROTEST; Carry on Cottaging (with Jonny Woo); World Pride Copenhagen, On Railton Road