Gay Olympian supports Pride House

Gay Olympian joins Manchester’s To Russia with Love

To Russia With Love will see four of our finest local theatre companies come together to shine a light on LGBT inequality and human rights abuses taking place in Russia, to coincide with the opening weekend of the Sochi Winter Olympics. We’re delighted to announce New Zealand Olympian speed skater Blake Skjellerup’s story will feature as part of the event. 
       
The event will comprise of short new plays about the situation in Russia from Hope Theatre Company, VADA LGBTQ Community Theatre, Working Progress Productions and Chris Hoyle.  They vary from a Russian lesbian love story to a provocative new drama about gay boxers. They’ve been commissioned to both highlight homophobia in Russia and create a night of exciting, comic and empowering new theatre.

Blake’s story will feature as part of Hope Theatre Company’s new piece of verbatim theatre. Artistic Director Adam Zane said “I was thrilled when Blake agreed to be interviewed for the play - he is a huge supporter and now, he is a great character in our play.”  Blake was interviewed during his training in Calgary by actor Matt Connolly, who will play him on stage.  Matt said “I was so nervous to talk to him - Blake is a role model to people across the world and I’m so proud that he is a part of the play.”
 
As Blake waits to hear if he himself will be competing at the Sochi games, he was asked why he wanted to be involved in the project. He said "Awareness and education are what brings about change. To Russia With Love offers solidarity to the people of Russia, and highlights to a local community the situation that these people face daily. Adam, Matt and the team are doing what they know best, using their creative initiative to bring about awareness and education.”

To Russia With Love brings artists, sports and community groups together to shine a light on homophobia in Russia and across the world. The event will start with an alternative athlete’s parade through Manchester’s gay village lead by LGBT sports groups. The grand parade will coincide with the Sochi opening ceremony on Friday 7 February, the theatre piece follows on Saturday 8 February at Contact.

Manchester’s official Pride House at Taurus, Canal Street will be open for the duration of the Winter Olympics. Blake Skjellerup highlighted the importance Pride House can hold for athletes: “I was at the Olympics in Vancouver and I heard about their Pride House and I thought that it’d be pretty cool to go, so I went and saw portraits of different out and proud athletes and I thought why shouldn’t I be one of those people? I should be proud of who I am and I should share my story.”

www.contactmcr.com/torussiawithlove

@contactmcr @hopetc @TRWLManchester  #TRWLManchester

Published: 11-Feb-2014: (2245)