Synopsis

The play is performed by three actors of any gender or race, each taking on multiple roles throughout the seven sections of the play. Through a series of vignettes, the actors embody various figures, from contemporary African leaders to historical rulers, colonial missionaries to present-day lovers. By eschewing named characters, Churchill emphasises the collective experience of LGBTQ+ individuals across time and space, as well as the complex web of cultural, political, and religious forces that shape attitudes towards gender and sexuality.

The fragmented, non-linear structure of the play allows Churchill to juxtapose contrasting perspectives and highlight the hypocrisy and contradictions inherent in the debate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Africa. In one moment, an actor may portray a homophobic politician denouncing homosexuality as a Western import; in the next, they may embody a precolonial ruler embracing gender fluidity and same-sex relationships.

While Pigs and Dogs paints a bleak picture of the current state of LGBTQ+ rights in many African countries, Churchill also offers moments of hope and resilience. By giving voice to a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, Churchill creates a complex and nuanced portrait of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in Africa and beyond.