Bechdel Circle

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Bechdel Circle is a pre-show meet-up and post-show facilitated conversation, hosted by us, in theatre bars/cafes.

For anyone who wants to connect with others, through watching and talking about theatre & performance.

Think: Your fave queer feminist book group,

but it's about theatre (so no reading required!)

We created these events as an informal alternative to expert panels and Q&As, where people often apologise for saying

“not a question, but more of a comment”. More comments please!

Bechdel Circles take place in theatre bars, cafes, stages, and online.

We facilitate a relaxed and sociable chat about interesting queer and/or feminist shows by people of marginalised genders.

The conversation is open to anyone who wants to discuss themes raised by a show, in a relaxed and sociable space, where audience responses are centred.

The show's creative team are welcome to listen, if they want, but if they attend, they're not expected to answer questions about the show.

We often arrange discount codes with theatres, to make it more affordable to see the shows we’re talking about.

Bechdel Circle conversations are always free and open for all ticket holders to join.

Sign up to our newsletter & follow us to keep updated on the next Bechdel Circle.

Contact us to book us to host a Bechdel Circle for your show!

Upcoming events

Past Bechdel Circles

A group of 7 smiling people standing and kneeling with the Bechdel sign in the foyer of Camden People's Theatre. They're in front of a yellow wall with a string of multiculoured bulb lights and a poster for the show 'Melonade'.

A group of 7 smiling people standing and kneeling with the Bechdel sign in The Pleasance thatre London. They’re in front of a black door which says “Welcome to Harlem, USA”, which is part of the set for the show Year of The Rooster Monk.

A group of 8 smiling people standing around the Bechdel sign in the bar at Oval House in London. Two of the people sitting bottom right aren’t looking at the camera and appear to be having an expressive conversation.

A group of 6 people gathered around the Bechdel Theatre sign in the bar at Camden People’s Theatre. They are all smiling widely. Above them, a string of multi-coloured lights hangs from the white wall.

Beth and Pippa standing either side of the Bechdel sign making faces and hand gestures to indicate 'roaring', alongside Beth is the head from a bear costume hung on top of a post with a red light inside causing the bears eyes and mouth to glow red.

A group of 10 people in their 20s and 30s, wearing casual clothing and smiling as they surround a Bechel Theatre roller banner sign. They’re standing, sitting, and crouching in front of a white wall and blue curtain. The group is made up of predominantly women and non-binary people, with one cis man. Most of the people are of South or East Asian heritage, with two white people. The photo was taken following a Bechdel Circle audience discussion after the play Coconut by Guleraana Mir at Ovalhouse Theatre in 2018.

“It was amazing having space to chat through the show so deeply”

Audience member, Camden People’s Theatre 2018

“Inviting and well structured – everyone can be heard and the right questions are asked”

And The Rest Of Me Floats company member, Bush Theatre 2019

“Thanks @BechdelTheatre for an awesome post-show discussion tonight.

Learned some great stuff about gender identity, labeling, drag, and more!”

@kshen (twitter)

Bechdel Circle

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