Inspired by the queer history of Cooma Gaol and its use as a homosexual prison in the 1950s-60s, Mark Salvestro presents the premiere of The Queen’s City of the South at The Loading Dock Theatre – Qtopia Sydney this October.
Does digging up old secrets do more harm than good? The story follows Ryan, Cooma’s self-proclaimed ‘resident homo’, who is preparing to interview an exciting guest on his nightly program. His friend Maggie is cheering him on before dashing off to campaign for her election as president of the local historical society.
But when their plans are interrupted by an unexpected city slicker investigating his family history, hidden secrets too close to home are revealed. Ryan and Maggie must decide whether to expose the truth or preserve the reputation of their beloved community.
The dark queer history of the Cooma Gaol became international news back in 2022 when The Greatest Menace podcast was released on Audible. Determined to create a contemporary, local response to the revelation of the jail’s history, Mark Salvestro has set his new play in a community radio station in Cooma, in 2017, prior to the release of the podcast.
The 2024 premiere coincides with the 40th anniversary since homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW, and the State Government’s formal apology earlier this year to those convicted under discriminatory laws that criminalised homosexual acts.
The Cooma Gaol was reopened in 1957 as part of an investigation launched by the State Government to examine the ‘causes and treatments’ of homosexuality. As part of the initiative, a committee was launched to oversee the project and was tasked with creating a report on its findings, only for the report to never see the light of day.
“I’m thrilled to be able to premiere The Queen’s City of the South at Qtopia Sydney,” said playwright Mark Salvestro. “Being a play inspired by LGBTQIA+ history, and exploring the incarceration of homosexual men back in the 1950-60s, I couldn’t think of a more poignant place to tell this story.”
“The reclaiming of spaces that played a part in our traumatic past is a powerful way forward for our communities, allowing us to come together and share our stories, and to heal in the process. I can’t wait to share this very personal story with Sydney audiences before taking it back home to Cooma.”
The development of The Queen’s City of the South has been supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Canberra Theatre Centre’s New Works and Sector Development Program.
“Mark Salvestro has created a work of timeless relevance, a reminder of what has been, what was and what sometimes, still is. An absolute must see… an astounding piece of theatre.” – Australian Arts Review (The Will To Be)
Director: Ryan Whitworth-Jones | Featuring: Jack Calver, Kath Gordon, Mark Salvestro | Set and Costume Designer: Elle Fitzgerald | Sound Designer: Madeleine Picard | Lighting Designer: Luna Ng | Digital Content Creator: Bojan Bozic | Stage Manager: Maegan Micola von Furstenrecht | Playwright: Mark Salvestro | Producers: Mark Salvestro, Gavin Roach
The Queen’s City of the South
The Loading Dock – Qtopia Sydney, 301 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst
Season: 8 – 19 October 2024
Information and Bookings: www.humanitix.com
Image: Mark Salvestro – courtesy of Qtopia Sydney