Molly’s Masquerade
In the 18th century, ‘molly’ was a slang word for a homosexual man, or a trans woman. It was also a term for a working-class woman who may have been a sex worker. The Molly Houses were the meeting place for the 18th century queer subculture.
The Molly’s Masquerade was a community arts and heritage project which celebrated our 18th century queer heritage though a year long programme of creative workshops.
Throughout the pandemic Heads Bodies Legs in partnership with St Margaret’s House, delivered participatory workshops which celebrated the history of the 18th century mollies and molly houses.
The year long creative programme culminated in a masquerade ball and walk about experience in the pleasure gardens of St Margaret’s House, Bethnal Green.
“It's been much more than a choir, it's been a really grounding experience in building community and listening to others.”
Anita Tew
The Molly’s Masquerade Ball
In July ‘21 Heads Bodies Legs staged an immersive, promenade performance in Bethnal Green Pleasure Gardens at St Margaret’s House.
“It has literally been life changing”
Zichao Zang
The Workshops
From April 2020 through to September 2021, Heads Bodies Legs delivered 115 online and real life workshops and events, which were attended by 1000 community participants.
Our facilitators created a unique and original programme of workshops and events. These workshops included a community choir, dance workshops, costume making, puppetry, embroidery, kids workshops, mask-making, play-reading, and poetry writing.
All of our facilitators self identified as a ‘molly’ and throughout the global pandemic they provided creative care and support to our community.
Lu Firth's Historical Costume Workshop
Arkem Mark Walton shoot for Cis-tems music video
Nancy Hitzig - Molly Vogue Dancer
Hester & Bugsy in the Molly Choir workshop
Rose modelling in Mother Clap's Art Salon
Mark Glasgow's poster for the Masquerade Ball
Dan de la Motte's Molly House Walking Tour
Milou Stella's Molly Spoon Doll Workshop
D'relle West's Molly Vogue Class
Francisco Zhan burlesque performance
Hester Gallen's Molly Spoon Doll tribute to Sarah Jane Baker
D'relle West's Molly Vogue Class
Ray Malone's Queer Play Reading
Hester Gallen's Molly Spoon Doll tribute to Jonathan Muff
Milou Stella's molly spoon doll tribute to Mother Clap
Ruth Sallon's sketch of Anthony Psaila at the masquerade
Smashlyn's Monroe's burlesque workshop
Molly Vogue performance at the masquerade
Christina O'Sullivan's burlesque performance
Arkem Mark Walton's Molly Spoon Doll of Princess Seraphina
Ruby Rare modelling in Mother Claps Art Salon
Arkem Mark Walton's Sass Class
Alex Etchart's Sex Workers History Walking Tour
“I feel it’s an exciting time, and I wonder, if I was a teenager now, whether I would have identified as he/him or they/them.. I guess that currently, particularly among middle age/older people there is a certain amount of societal stigma towards the transgender /non-binary community. Through these workshops by hearing and working with sex workers and those who are transgender/ non-binary, broke through my own attitude that was slightly sceptical, if I’m honest, to become more aware that, sex work is a real thing, with real workers who should be treated fairly, and that gender identity means a lot to people - that you ought to take is seriously, as well as it being something that opens up more possibilities for creative expression, and it being a political expression - it being a brilliant and joyful thing and a powerful thing.”
Cara Jennings
“These are my people, and it’s not easy to find such an amazing intersection of people: crafters, queers, history nerds, activists. I had so much fun and am sad to see them end. ... I would love to see the work carry on in some form, either with continuing social gatherings/workshops/chats or the results of these be spread around outside the immediate exhibition space to similar venues, reaching more people.”
Stella Südekum
“These are all queer histories that I was never taught in history books or TV growing up, and had quite a profound impact on my youth… So I'm so grateful that these workshops helped shed some light on these for me. It's emboldening.
... It's allowed me to explore my femininity and the edges of that - how they rub up against with race and class variance. I found out a lot about myself, and deepened my understanding of the histories that have shaped those like me, and the culture I grew up in. It's helped me define a voice as a performer I didn't yet know was there..
…I feel overwhelmed with inspiration and newfound confidence and I'm so grateful. Performing at the event, I realised I went way above and beyond what I thought I was capable of! That energy stuck with me for days. It's been quite a journey..”
Francisco Zhan
“I've pushed myself out of my comfort zone and as a result have such a broad understanding of the mollies history. But more importantly queer history, its censorship and unsung heroes. I am re-learning the patriarchal narrative through her-story not just history! I feel blessed to have gone on this journey with you guys and hope it keeps going and going."
Heidi Mehta
“I have just applied for Uni to study Art! So just wanna say thanks for the workshop reminders that I love to create.”
Hester Gallen
“I am particularly impressed that the rich cultural life of London is being made accessible in a way that is relevant and inspiring for children. There are so many stories that describe the way that ordinary people can transcend and be empowered in adverse circumstances and this can help children to learn about their own potential for resilience.
To expand the diversity and stories that are told is a wonderful project and although I know quite a bit about London history - there are always new perspectives and resonances to be gained. Thank you very much. Keep exploring the history books and archives and bringing the diverse stories to families please. Very grateful for the work you have all done so far..”
Sally Davies
"Arkem is a brilliant facilitator - respectful, funny, ingenious, resourceful and informative. It was a real joy. Arkem is good at getting parent’s involved as well as the children and recognising the importance of play for families.
…It is great for families to be involved in exploring London’s rich and diverse history and especially the stories of groups who have been and continue to be discriminated against. I hope this work can get into the school curriculum.”
Karaca Mestci
“Molly’s Masquerade was queer in its dramaturgy; its inception, content, and delivery as it reclaimed past narratives and breathed life into elements of historical queer subculture.
… As a queer project, radical joy and hope were present in every meeting. As a community project, collectivity was in the fabric of every workshop.”
Tilly Woodhouse — Assistant Director of the Masquerade & CSSD MA placement student
Credits
Creative Director
Ray Malone
Co-Director of Molly’s Masquerade and Deputy CEO of St Margaret’s House
Stuart Cox
Musical Director & Choir Leader
Alex Etchart
Pianist & performer
Porscha Present
Songwriter and Songwriting Facilitator
Dan McBride
Sex Poetry Writing Facilitator
Sophie Cameron
Smutty Letter Writing Facilitator
Rosy Pendlebaby
Molly Costume Facilitator
Lu Firth
Puppetry Facilitator
Sian Kidd
Molly Burlesque Facilitator
Smashlyn Monroe
House of Molly Voguers
D’relle West
Sass Class - Mini Mollies Families Facilitator & Performer
Arkem Mark Walton
Molly Spoons Facilitator
Milou Stella
Masks and Wigs Facilitator
Helene Corr
Mother’s Clap’s Art Salon - Life Drawing
Revolting Arts Club
Theatre of the Oppressed Facilitator
Nina Scott
Assistant Director of the Masquerade Ball
Tilly Woodhouse
Events and Stage Manager
George Paris
Masquerade Ball Compere
Dan de la Motte
Actors - Masquerade Ball
Jessica James, Rosie Jones, Milla Harding, Dan de la Motte, Rosy Pendlebaby, Steffi Walker, Arkem Mark Walton, Charmaine Wombwell
Actors - Spring Gathering
Joseph Clowser, Jon Hague, Jessica James, Rosie Jones, Siobhan Knox, Milla Harding, Dan de la Motte, Charmaine Wombwell, Steffi Walker, D’relle West
Queer Tours of London Guides
Dan de la Motte, Sarah Jane Baker, Yvonne Baker, Alex Etchart
Beautiful Trouble Facilitators
Dan Glass and Lyndsay Burtonshaw
Mother Clap’s Art Salon Models
Roman Ackley, Drucilla Von Burrell, Magdalene Celeste and Ruby Rare
Set Design
Atelier Rococo
Masquerade Video
Flying Capybara
Photography
Ray Malone, Alan Powdrill, Flying Capybara
Poster Designer
Mark Glasgow
MA placements students from Central School of Speech and Drama
Sam Bettridge, Tilly Woodhouse, Mary Condon O’Connor, Nieta Irons
Special thanks to the writers for the Spring Gathering play readings:
Travis Alabanza, April de Angelis, Vivienne Franzmann, Tabby Lamb and Mark Ravenhill
The Molly’s Masquerade ran from April 2020 until July 2021 and was supported by the Heritage Lottery and Arts Council England.
Thank you to all our partner organisations: Sex Worker’s Opera, House of West, Revolting Arts Club, Atelier Rococo, Queer Tours of London, Act Up London, Tower Hamlets Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, Positively UK, East London Out Project, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and London School of Economics.
