Opening the closet to education through stage

A true account of domestic violence in a same-sex relationship is being staged at Platform Arts in Geelong next week.

Locked in to coincide with this year’s Geelong Rainbow Festival, the one-man show features Russell Vickery, who developed the production alongside Matthew Parsons, manager of LGBTIQ Intimate Partner and Family Violence at Rainbow Health Victoria.

The pair teamed up in the hope of highlighting the little-known reality of violence in same sex and gender diverse (LGBT) relationships.

Performing sell-out seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, the City of Greater Geelong has partnered with My Other Closet – the Cabaret to present it to the region.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the council was proud to promote, support and celebrate diversity and inclusion in the community.

“My Other Closet – the Cabaret is set to be an informative, emotional performance for all, to educate audiences on an issue that unfortunately occurs in all communities,” she said.

The production has been described as “one-part entertainment” and “one part-education and awareness campaign”, with its insights shedding light on the causes of domestic violence, how to seek help and the ways it can be stopped.

This year’s Geelong Rainbow Festival (which is run by Geelong Rainbow Inc.) includes the installation of a rainbow crossing in Little Malop Street to acknowledge Gelong’s LGBTQIA+ community.

My Other Closet will be performed on February 7 and 8 at Platform Arts (60 Little Malop Street, Geelong).

Geelong Rainbow Festival 2020 is on from February 4-9.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to geelongaustralia.com.au.