9.49°C Fringe festivals have become a vital space for LGBTQ+ work, and Colchester is no exception. From powerful plays, comedy, drag and music, there is a wealth of queer talent on display. Everyone is welcome! As always, check the full programme at Colchester Fringe and book for Mercury Theatre shows via their website.
Love Is a Bruise (Mercury Studio)
Please forgive another shameless plug for my play. What connects Dougie, Nick and Ray? Three men, one room. The most menacing game of I Spy you will ever see. Let the games commence. Read my interview here: Interview with Paul T. Davies about Love Is a Bruise – Keep Colchester Cool.
The Chai Queens (Headgate Theatre)
After winning multiple awards at the Prague Fringe, this portrait of life for queer women in India is certain to be essential viewing. Societal expectations clash with personal truth and desire, tradition dominates these women, and I think we are in for a moving experience.
Who the Hell Is Climbing My Family Tree? (Dragonfly Lounge)
Last year Lee Kurkandaal Barrett stunned us with Black Swann, an award-winning black history lesson. Now, an Ancestry DNA kit reveals stunning results for him. He is black. His parents are black. Why are his ancestors white?
Bruce Ryan Costella: Spooky and Gay (Three Wise Monkeys)
From Orlando, queer horror storytelling and stand up told entirely in the dark. It even plays on Halloween, enough to put the willies up you!
¡Horario Estelar! (Dragonfly Lounge)
The telenovela is brought to life. Expect high camp and hysteria. From Canada comes this spoof of Latin America’s cultural phenomenon, and it is totally improvised.
Beating (Off) Superheroes (Three Wise Monkeys)
This queer spoof of a few superhero universes promises to be “a kink saturated queer comedy (of sorts)”. Given the popularity of superhero blockbusters, this promises an alternative look.
Waiting for Julieta (Headgate)
From Mexico comes this radical and gorgeous sounding interpretation of the Shakespeare classic. “I was born a man in a shitty and sexist country… but today I get to play her.” Immersive, incorporating cabaret and Mexican culture, expect the unexpected.
Drag and Cabaret
Shar Cooterie’s Tales to Worsen Your Day (Dragonfly Lounge)
Colchester’s queen presents a new show of brand new songs, enlivened by a healthy dose of sarcasm, in her trademark style of slightly shambolic but great vocals.
Tales of a Pork Chop (Colchester Arts Centre)
It is not easy being the first eliminated from Drag Race UK, but Just May, star of 22 and a half minutes of the show, shapes that experience into a Geri Halliwell singalong triumph.
String Awakening! (Colchester Arts Centre)
Aria Close and Frankie Heartless are back, following their triumphant gigs last year. Electronic violin, hits from the musicals and more, they are terrific.
COLLIDESCOPE Cabaret (Various Venues)
Poetry, drag, music, dance and much more as local LGBTQ+, global majority and disabled artists share their creativity. It is a changing cast, so every show will be different.
The Enchanted Emporium (Colchester Arts Centre)
Queer lenses are projected onto this cabaret delight, created by a local queer artist. We are promised decadent seduction in a sultry circus of tease. What is not to love?
Book your tickets
Colchester Fringe runs across multiple venues from 25th October to 3rd November 2025. Check the full programme and book tickets at colchesterfringe.co.uk and support the brilliant mix of local and international LGBTQ+ artists bringing their work to the city.
Paul T. Davies
Image: Waiting for Julieta, Cía. Gorguz Teatro & Casa Teatro Reynosa, Monterrey-Reynosa, MEXICO
