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Writer's pictureJasper Dommett

Disorderly House for Buxton International Festival

I’m excited to announce my latest opera project, Disorderly House, commissioned for the Buxton International Festival's 2025 programme as part of an innovative initiative called Shorts. This project, spearheaded by Adrian Kelly, aims to explore the future of opera by engaging new audiences and nurturing emerging talent.


Disorderly House takes inspiration from true events that unfolded in December 1927 at a basement flat on Fitzroy Square, London. The story centres on Bobby, a flamboyant dancer, and his friend Constance, who hosted clandestine gatherings in their home. These gatherings provided a rare opportunity for queer individuals to gather freely, allowing them to express their identities in a time when homosexual acts were criminalised and widely socially unacceptable.


As the guests entered through a red-lit door, they found a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, laughter, and the camaraderie of fellow attendees, risking everything to simply be themselves. However, this sanctuary was not without its dangers. The police conducted extensive surveillance on these gatherings, culminating in a raid that would change the lives of those involved forever.


The police observed intimate activities and conversations, noting the attendees’ unconventional expressions of gender and sexuality. During the raid, Bobby was charged with keeping a “disorderly house,” and the court case that followed raised significant questions about the nature of private versus public spaces and the definition of morality at the time. Ultimately, Bobby received a sentence of 15 months' hard labour, while his companions faced lesser sentences.


The opera, with a libretto by Jessica Walker, will delve into themes of love, defiance, and the struggle for queer identity within the constraints of society. As we work through the creative process, I am keen to reflect on the emotional and historical significance of these gatherings while also celebrating the resilience and spirit of those who dared to challenge societal norms.


I look forward to sharing more updates on Disorderly House as we continue the development process with the Shorts initiative. This opera represents an important step in my ongoing mission to tell queer stories on stage, and I hope it resonates with audiences as much as the original gatherings did for those who attended.

 

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