House Proud

A poet reading surrounded by an audience inside a highly decorated room at Hatchlands Park — Poet and writer, Keith Jarrett performing at House Proud | © Arnhel de Serra

Expect the unexpected at a series of special events across the South East this autumn celebrating LGBTQ+ history and Pride season in stunning historical settings.

House Proud at Fenton House, London

Friday 22 November, 6.30-9.30pm

We’re rolling out the pink carpet for one fun and immersive evening, where everyone is welcome. Taking place at Fenton House in Hampstead, House Proud will bring LGBTQ+ culture and history to life through music, song and spoken word.

Using items from the collection at Fenton House and the histories of LGBTQ+ communities local to Hampstead, drag king, Don One and other performers including, drag king and museum mansplainer Eugene Delacroissant, Maxim Melton and Alexander Luttley from Queer Stories as well as poet Keith Jarrett, promise a spectacular evening to remember.

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Sheldon Goodman, historian, in front of fireplace in house at House Proud event Hatchlands Park Surrey — Sheldon Goodman at House Proud event Hatchlands Park Surrey | © Sheldon Goodman

House Proud at Hatchlands Park, Surrey

Saturday 19 October 2024, 6.30pm - 10.00pm

We have rolled out the pink carpet to bring the LGBTQ+ history of this National Trust property to life, for one fun and immersive evening, where everyone is welcome.

This year’s ‘Haunted’ House Proud will be hosted by the award-winning Son of a Tutu, and local drag legend Tiana Biscuit, and featuring the return of the Surrey Rainbow Choir. We’ll also have LGBTQ+ themed tarot with Klaus Piechocki, a mock Victorian séance with Sheldon Goodman, who will try to convince you we’re talking to the spirits from Hatchlands’ queer past, and Sacha Coward will delve into the rainbow-tinted background of some of our favourite spooky mythology, from his new book Queer as Folklore. Last but not least, we will be joined by Eugène Delacroissant, a museum mansplaining drag king who cannot help but queer any heritage site he finds himself in via song, dance and the occasional sword fight.

We're looking forward to a fabulous evening, sharing some fascinating stories in beautiful surroundings. With talks and performances happening at different times in different parts of the house throughout the evening, you'll be free to explore the opulent showrooms and join in with the bits that most interest you.

Expect magic, mythology and a whole lot of camp - a full timetable will be available on the night to help you plan your evening.

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I’m really excited to hopefully bring some new audiences to Hatchlands, and share some stories that might otherwise have been forgotten about. Growing up in the era of Section 28, I had no real concept that people like me existed throughout history, so I think it’s really important that we’re able to explore aspects of our past that were previously brushed under the carpet.