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English and Polari

Synopsis

The opera follows two hustlers named ! (Xclamation or X) and Alphabet who communicate through Polari, a coded queer language developed in the UK when homosexuality was illegal. Warned by an oracle that their language and subculture will soon vanish, they set out to record their adventures, an effort that ultimately fails. A parallel subplot follows time-traveling characters communicating through numeric codes in a future where they search for a home and sense of connection

Composer

Colin Self

Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright

Colin Self, developed in collaboration with the performers (Geo Wyeth, Bully Fae Collins, Dia Dear, Mica Sigourney). A co-writer credit is also given to Bully Fae Collins

Year of composition/publication / premiere

2022

Genre

Opera

LGBTQAI+ category

Queer

Level of centrality

Main character

Characters

! (Xclamation or X); Alphabet; Busy Adams

Voice type

Pronouns

they

Publisher / Rights holder

Where to buy / access the work

Performance rights

For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.