Performance
I perform under the name Shane Gabriel.
I make and perform multidisciplinary theatre and live work rooted in story, embodiment, and transformation. My practice draws on psychophysical theatre, folklore, drag, and ritual-informed approaches, and is shaped by an interest in wonder, play, and the spaces where meaning is made.
Informed by my therapeutic training, it can often be therapeutic in nature, offering space for reflection, resonance, and care for both performers and audiences. It is created for artistic, cultural, and communal contexts.
My work includes solo and collaborative performance, storytelling, and devised theatre. I am open to conversations about performance, collaboration, and creative projects.
Practice
My performance practice draws on psychophysical theatre, classical and contemporary text, drag, and storytelling traditions. I work fluidly across gendered roles and forms, with a long history of devised and autobiographical work.
I am particularly interested in myth, folklore, ritual, and the queer re-imagining of classical texts, using performance as a way of exploring identity, power, vulnerability, and transformation.
Images by @stillsbyKira
Current Projects
Stories woven with care and presence.
The Poitín Makers Child.
Queer Lady M
With 1623 theatre Company
Images and videography by @stillsbyKira
Image by Robert Day
A few Reviews
A must-see for lovers of drag, theatre, cabaret, storytelling… The curious story, gripping storytelling, immersive design of the show allows you to get truly lost within it.
The Left Lion-CJ DeBarra
“Raw, honest and tender. This is what theatre is about. This is what art is for.”
Rikki Beadle-Blair, Team Angelica
The Poitín Maker's Child
"This Show Kept Me Gripped Throughout…It's entertaining, great fun, educational, really different and I loved it."
Kev Castle Reviews
Michaela Butter, Attenborough Arts Centre
“A moving account of what it means to be different, Shane Gabriel gives a fantastic performance.”
Queer Lady M
Recent and selected work includes:
The Poitín Makers — Derby Theatre/ Lakeside Arts Nottingham
Queer Lady M — Shakespeare Playhouse North /National Tour-1623 Theatre
Queer Folio (Imogen/Fidele) —Circus Strong - 1623 Theatre
Flourish — Timber Festival -1623 Theatre
Macbeth (Lady Macbeth) — Tour- 1623 Theatre
Cracked-Derby Theatre
Macbeth (Macduff's son) - National Tour-English Shakespeare Company
Full performance history available on request.
Cabaret/Festival and Drag
Drag performance and Hosting -Various venues including UK, New York and Cyprus
Holly Thorne-Funny Girls follie- Funny Girls -Blackpool
Holly Thorne-Drag Performer-Hot Tin Roof -New York
Holly Thorne-Rainbow nights – Ryans Bar
Holly Thorne-Berlesque at the Dog -Hairydog
Compare-Something to talk about-Derby Festé
Full performance history available on request.
Writing & Directing
Alongside performance, I write and direct devised and autobiographical theatre.
Selected work includes:
The Poitín Makers — Writer, Derby Theatre
Queer Lady M — Writer / Performer
Queer Folio — Writer / Director, 1623 Theatre
Marat/Sade- Director/Derby theatre
Full writing and directing history available on request.
Training
MA Dramatherapy — University of Derby
BA Theatre Arts — University of Derby
Psychophysical Anthroponomic Theatre — Nicolás Núñez / University of Huddersfield
Affiliations
I am an Associate Artist of 1623 Theatre Company, with whom I have developed and performed several devised and text-based works.
Past work has been supported by :
Arts Council England, Derby Theatre, Lakeside Arts Nottingham, In Good Company, Derbyshire LGBTQ+,
Shakespeare Playhouse North, Attingbourgh Arts Centre, Derby Festé, The National Forest, and NHS.