Brighton Gay Men's Chorus celebrates 300 years of queer resilience with new musical
Brighton Gay Men's Chorus brings 18th-century queer history to life with Mother Clap's Molly House, a joyful celebration of LGBTQ+ resistance.
A celebration of hidden histories
Brighton Gay Men's Chorus is stepping back in time to tell a remarkable story of resilience and joy. Their new Pride performance, Mother Clap's Molly House, shines a light on LGBTQ+ life in 18th-century England, marking the 300th anniversary of a pivotal moment in queer history.
The show imagines life inside one of London's secret gathering places for gay men in 1726, blending popular music with historical narrative. It's a production that acknowledges the serious struggles of the past while celebrating the freedoms and community that queer people have always cherished.
A story of resistance and persistence
John McPherson, Chair of Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, explained the significance of the production: "This year marks the 300th anniversary of the raid on Mother Clap's molly house, which saw many of its patrons arrested, tried and even put to death for sodomy."
Yet rather than dwelling solely on tragedy, the chorus has crafted a performance that is "joyful and celebratory," reminding audiences that queer people have always existed and thrived. McPherson added: "The freedoms enjoyed now are built not just on the work of the 'Stonewall generation,' but on centuries of resistance and persistence. It's a story with a serious history — but we're telling it with warmth, wit and no shortage of glitter."
What to expect
Artistic director Joe Paxton spoke of his excitement for the show: "I'm always thrilled by the audience reaction to our shows, and Mother Clap's promises to be even more special. Of course we'll be bringing our trademark variety of camp hits and heart-touching melodies, but this month we're also really excited to bring the true story of Mother Clap and her rag-tag group of 18th-century gay men to the audiences of Brighton."
The performance will feature the chorus's signature blend of entertainment — expect camp humour alongside touching moments that celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and history.
How to get tickets
Mother Clap's Molly House will be performed on July 24 and 25 at St George's Church in Kemptown. Tickets are available from tickets.brightongmc.org, priced at £20 or £15 for concessions. It's a perfect opportunity for the Brighton and Hove community to celebrate queer history, community, and the enduring spirit of those who came before.
Source: New musical show shines a light on hidden queer history