BIRDS AND BEES
By Charlie Josephine
An exploration of identity, consent, sex positivity and intersectionality
A co-production with Sheffield Theatres, BIRDS AND BEES opened 25th January 2023 at the Playhouse in Sheffield and toured to theatres and schools nationally until the end of March 2023.
“The whole system needs a reboot, refresh, restart. Revolution’s possible, hear me share from the heart.”
Leilah is wondering if her Instagram is more of a burden than ‘living her best life’. Billy’s queer and proud but ignored by the education system; they’re tired of feeling invisible. Aarron is learning how to be a man online and it’s starting to feel toxic. And Maisy, well Maisy’s not that into sex, thank you very much.
Thrown together, these four confront their differences and realise their power to create change.
Photo by Chris Saunders
A searing exploration of identity, consent, sex positivity and intersectionality, BIRDS AND BEES by Charlie Josephine was originally made as a film and offered free to state schools during the 2020 lockdown. The film was watched by more than 60,000 young people in over 550 schools across the UK. This live premiere of the play was reworked by Charlie with groups of young people before touring to venues and schools in spring 2023.
The spring 2023 tour delivered 18 school performances and 4 workshops in 15 schools, reaching 1735 students. Additionally the production reached young people, school audiences and theatre audiences in Sheffield Theatres, The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Theatre Royal Plymouth, and Hackney Empire.
Read Charlie Josephine’s Biog
Cast
Aarron - Richard Logun (he/him)
Billy - Milo McCarthy (they/them)
Leilah - Dumile Sibanda (she/her)
Maisey - Sandra Belarbi (she/her)
Creatives
Writer - Charlie Josephine (they/them)
Director - Rob Watt (he/him)
Designer - Bethany Wells (she/her)
Sound Designer - Lee Affen (he/him)
Movement Director - Yami Löfvenberg (she/her)
Lighting Designer - Hector Murray (he/him)
Stage Manager - Lizzie Bond (she/her)
Production Manager - Gareth Edwards (he/him)
Artwork - Guy J Sanders (he/him)
Casting Consultant - Becky Paris (she/her)
Creative Associate - Monay Thomas (she/her)
Birds and Bees 2023 Trailer
“Funny, educational and relevant”
“The Breakfast Club for the 21st Century”
“Tackles its issues in such an honest, open and engaging manner that it should be required viewing for any teenager – and their parents”
Show Resources
Booked Birds and Bees in 2023?Access the resources here.
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Videos
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