Synopsis

A bare stage transforms into a kaleidoscope of time and place. Three actors embody a multitude of voices spanning centuries and continents, weaving a complex tapestry of LGBTQ+ experiences in Africa.

In a mere 15 minutes, Churchill’s Pigs and Dogs delivers a powerful exploration of sexuality, colonialism, and cultural identity. The play’s fragmented structure eschews traditional narrative, instead offering a series of rapid-fire vignettes that jump across time and space. Three versatile performers of any gender or race take on multiple roles, from pre-colonial rulers embracing fluid gender identities to modern-day politicians spouting homophobic rhetoric.

Churchill’s razor-sharp dialogue crackles with urgency as she juxtaposes conflicting viewpoints, exposing the complex web of historical, religious, and political forces that shape attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights in Africa. By blurring the lines between characters and periods, the play challenges simplistic narratives about the origins of homophobia in African societies.

Through its kaleidoscopic approach, Pigs and Dogs asks: How do we reconcile traditional cultural values with universal human rights? And in the face of oppression, how do LGBTQ+ individuals find resilience and community across borders and generations?