Category Archives: History

Off the Wall extravaganza

Aberration, Events, History, LGBT, ,

Off the Wall

An Aberration Extravaganza

Thursday 12 February 2026, 6.30pm drinks for 7pm start
National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

For LGBTQ+ History Month 2026, Aberration presents a night of inspiring queer joy and performance inspired by the Portrait & Power exhibition
Jan Morris portrait by Michael Tomlinson; Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales
Jan Morris portrait by Michael Tomlinson; Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales
A fabulous Aberration takeover of the gallery after hours!

Noson arbennig! Off the Wall is a playful, fun, creative and celebratory evening of spoken word and performance to an audience of LGBTI+ people and allies. Inspired by the Portrait & Power exhibition, bringing the portraits ‘off the wall’, and asking ‘How do we want to be seen?’

So come along as YOU have always wished to be seen – a living self-portrait. Interpret it however you like: alter ego, future self or shadow self, femme, fairy, butch or bear, dressy or drag, fluid or fixed, or all of the above… or bring an object that’s important to you. Ending in a grand parade! (Wallflowers always welcome too!)

Aberration’s Out of the Frame evening at National Library, July 2025 (Anthony Pugh)
Draft Programme

Thurs 12 Feb, National Library of Wales: 6.30pm Gather for drinks and snacks, then lead into the Gregynog Gallery around 7pm for pop-up talks and performances from artists and our workshop group, followed by grand parade, instant portraits and more. A chance to look round the whole Portrait & Power exhibition at the end. Finish around 9pm. Event mainly in English with some Cymraeg. Ticket link coming soon.

Includes new writing from group workshops – why not join the workshops too?

Off the Wall workshops

Sat 31 January & Sat 7 Feb 10.30am to 1.30pm: Two inspiring linked workshops for LGBTQ+ adults where we will respond to the portrait exhibition with new writing and performance. Click to see details and sign up >>

About Aberration

Aberration is a series of exciting events with an LGBTQ+ theme. We aim for a friendly community space. Everyone is welcome at our public events including open-minded straight friends and allies. (Some smaller group workshops are specifically for those who are / think they might be LGBTQ+) Events are very much trans-inclusive as well as highlighting lesbian, gay and bi lives and culture, and other queer identities – all under one rainbow! Your friendly hosts are Jane Hoy, Ruth Fowler and Helen Sandler. For Off the Wall we are joined by talented creative practitioner Cath Rigler.

DEWCH I YMUNO Â NI!

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Zine-making workshops: Ladies of Llangollen

Aberration, Archive, History, LGBT, Women, , , ,

The Ladies of Llangollen Appreciation Society

Get creative in this fun workshop where we’ll make a ‘zine’ (little magazine) inspired by admirers of the Ladies of Llangollen!

TWO DATES:

Sat 14 June 12 noon to 2pm, Machspace, Machynlleth – find venue here >>
Queer Tales from Wales run our new zine-making workshop for the first time ever on the theme of ‘The Ladies of Llangollen Appreciation Society’. Part of the Open Day at Machspace (community crafting and makers’ space). Places are limited to 10. Just turn up. https://machspace.org/open-day-zine-making/

And the following weekend, a similar session in Llangollen…

{Sun 22 June 11am to 1pm, Plas Newydd, Llangollen – cancelled by venue}

Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler ran away from Ireland in the 1780s and made their home together at Plas Newydd in Llangollen. They lived together until the end of their lives, becoming known as the Ladies of Llangollen, and had many admirers through the ages.

Never heard of them? Don’t worry, all will become clear in the workshop!

We’ll use words, photos, illustrations and collage to explore some of the themes in the Ladies’ life such as gardening, stitching, love and friendship.

No special skills or experience are needed and all materials are provided.

Run by two friendly workshop leaders, Jane Hoy and Helen ‘Aitch’ Sandler of Queer Tales from Wales, with (in Machynlleth) Ruth Gordon of Machspace.

Queer Tales performed their show about the Ladies for Machynlleth Pride last year. Their next performance is at Plas Newydd, Llangollen, on 21 June.

All welcome, adults and young people 14+

Queer Tales from Wales: https://www.aberration.org.uk/queer-tales-from-wales/

Queer Tales at Mach Pride

Aberration, Archive, History, LGBT, Women, , , , , ,

— PAST EVENT —

Queer Tales from Wales present

A LIFE OF SURPRISES

The True Story of a Remarkable Victorian Sapphic Couple

PART OF BALCHDER MACH PRIDE WEEKEND!

Friday 16 May 7pm, Old Pizzeria, Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth, Powys

TICKETS >>

What happens when a stroppy Irish feminist writer falls for a quiet Welsh woman sculptor in Bella Roma?

Find out in this delightful show about Frances Power Cobbe and her ‘wifie’ Mary Charlotte Lloyd of Llanelltyd – and their amazing friends; Ours is the old, old story of every uprising race or class or order.

The work of elevation must be wrought by ourselves or not at all.’ Frances Power Cobbe, The Duties of Women (1882). From the duo who brought you the Ladies of Llangollen: Jane Hoy and Helen Sandler of Queer Tales From Wales

What the audience said about previous shows:

‘Such a treat! Such a polished performance and wonderful script… I feel enriched by having had the opportunity to watch this.’
‘A deeply moving and funny animation of these inspiring women’s stories. Hope many others have the chance to see/ hear this.’
‘Forgotten women resurrected – wonderful.’

Tickets £8 plus booking fee, or pay what you can: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/…/queer-tales…/e-ajzmax 

A warm welcome for all! Croeso cynnes i bawb!

Written, researched and performed by Jane Hoy with Helen Sandler and friends

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Crossing the Line: LGBTQ+ History Month 28/2/25

Aberration, Archive, History, LGBT, , , , , , ,

We are delighted to bring Aberration back to the magnificent Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth with ‘Crossing the Line’, programmed especially for LGBTQ+ History Month.

We’ve put together an amazing evening of stories and film, facts and fabulousness for you all. Programme below. Edrych ymlaen!

Aberration presents Crossing The Line

An evening for LGBTQ+ History Month, Friday 28 February, Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth. Doors open 6.30pm, starts 7pm. Tickets: £8 early bird (plus booking fee) or £10 on the door.

Early bird tickets from Outsavvy: link.outsavvy.com/crossing

Aberration will be taking a journey around Ceredigion and beyond, including queer and trans Celtic history and mythology and some of the characters and events on our Ceredigion LGBTQ+ timeline. We are also proud to be hosting the Wales launch of a new book, 3000 Lesbians Go to York, about a much-loved national arts festival. The evening ends with a new film celebrating Aberration’s own contribution to Welsh LBGTQ+ culture and arts over more than ten years.

PROGRAMME

6.30    Doors open: Come and have a look at the Ceredigion Timeline and add your stories.

RAFFLE: Bring cash for raffle tickets in aid of All Out – lots of great prizes from local businesses and friends of Aberration including Bottle & Barrel, Medina cafe-bar, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, and our authors!

7pm Welcome from your Aberration hosts, Helen Sandler, Jane Hoy and Ruth Fowler

Cheryl Morgan: In Search of Trans Celts

Cheryl will look at evidence from archaeology, Roman writers, and Arthurian legend, to see what we can tell about how our ancestors saw gender.

7.30pm   Queering the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi: power, resistance, and desire

This talk by Colin Audigé-Soutter, based on his MA thesis, illuminates the potential queer undercurrents pulsing through one of Celtic literature’s most enigmatic narratives.

8pm  INTERVAL  Refreshments and Bar, Raffle for All Out with amazing prizes, and another opportunity to add your story to the Ceredigion Timeline.

8.30   The Ceredigion Timeline: an interactive journey

Jane (L) and Norena

Norena Shopland describes the background to the Timeline – a project to record the LGBTQ+ history of every county in Cymru. Jane Hoy introduces some of Ceredigion’s queer characters and events, with friends of Aberration reading their words.

9pm   3000 Lesbians Go To York

Jane Traies will launch her lavishly illustrated new book, 3000 Lesbians Go to York (Tollington, 2025) about the arts festivals that drew massive crowds in the Noughties. Aberration’s own Helen Sandler, publisher of the book, will introduce Jane’s talk about the legendary weekender.

9.30    Aberration: a celebration

FILM PREMIERE! Ruth, Helen and Jane of Aberration will screen Amy Daniel’s new short film about Aberration’s fabulous first decade.

10pm (approx) Ends

Early bird tickets from Outsavvy: link.outsavvy.com/crossing

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The Land of Might Have Been 16/10/24

Aberration, Archive, History, LGBT, , ,

[PAST EVENT]

Wednesday 16 October 2024 at Aberystwyth Arts Centre ~ Music Theatre Wales in association with Aberration present:

Bwystfilod Aflan / Unclean Beasts
+ The Land of Might Have Been

CYMRAEG >>

ENGLISH: New performances mark the centenary of Edward Prosser Rhys winning the 1924 Eisteddfod Crown – and the backlash against his poem, ‘Atgof’, which depicted desire for both women and men.

Tickets

TICKETS from Aberystwyth Arts Centre here >>
Discount if you select ‘Aberration Member’ from price list, after choosing your seats. Yes, if you are reading this you are an honorary Aberration member!

10% off food in cafe with your ticket. Special 1920s-themed martinis and gins in bar.

Programme

The evening will be presented in two parts (with interval) and across two spaces:

6.30pm to 7.30pm Great Hall – The Land of Might Have Been

Presented by Aberration, the Mid Wales LGBTQ+ arts company. Come with us through the portal into the mysterious Land of Might Have Been. It’s the 1920s: a time of inverts and androgyny, flirtation and endless possibilities. What wisdom might our queer Welsh ancestors have passed on to Edward Prosser Rhys and his intimate circle of friends? The answers wing in through words, music and a touch of star-gazing. Performed mainly in English

Cast: Colin Audigé-Soutter, Jane Hoy, Simon Robson, Helen Sandler Musician: Ruth Gordon
Butler: Ruth Fowler Design & Production: Jenny Pearce Written, researched & directed
by Jane Hoy with Helen Sandler

Diolch yn fawr: Becky Mitchell (TFTS), Mike Parker, Music Theatre Wales, Music @ Aber, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wynnstay Machynlleth

8pm to 9pm Theatr y Werin – 
Bwystfilod Aflan / Unclean Beasts

Presented by Music Theatre Wales, Bwystfilod Aflan / Unclean Beasts challenges societal norms through music, dance and film, spotlighting the clash between tradition and the need for change. Eddie Ladd offers her own interpretation of the original poem through movement, followed by a new operatic monologue by Conor Mitchell, performed by tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas. Created and directed by Jac Ifan Moore, this is a National Eisteddfod commission with Music Theatre Wales and Aberystwyth University Music Centre, performed with Sinfonia Cymru.

‘A little gem of a show’ – Barn magazine

Performed in Welsh with captions in English

Get your tickets now for this unique double bill >>

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Ladies of Llangollen play at Plas Newydd

Aberration, Archive, History, LGBT, Women, ,

Saturday 3 August 3.30pm Plas Newydd, Llangollen: Queer Tales from Wales present ‘An Extraordinary Female Affection: The life and love of the Ladies of Llangollen’. An entertaining promenade performance in the grounds of the very house where the ladies lived two hundred years ago. Performed in English.

Tickets are £22.50 (plus booking fee), to include tea and cake with the Ladies and entry to the House during the day.

Book your tickets on Eventbrite >>

Poster text:

[CYMRAEG] Dydd Sadwrn 3ydd Awst, 3:30 PM

Perfformiad chwareus lle mae Sarah Ponsonby ac Eleanor Butler yn mynd â chi ar daith o
diroedd eu cartref, Plas Newydd. Atgynhyrchiad bywiog o’u 50 mlynedd gyda’i gilydd, gyda help y gynulleidfa, gwartheg anwes, hel straeon enllibus ac ymweliadau gan ferched sy’n eu hedmygu, gan gynnwys Anne Lister. Wedi’i gyflwyno gan Jane Hoy a Helen Sandler mewn hetiau befar.

Pris tocynnau yw £22.50, gan gynnwys te a chacen gyda’r Merched a mynediad i’r Tŷ yn ystod y dydd.

Tocynnau >>

[ENGLISH] Saturday 3rd August, 3:30 PM

A playful promenade performance in which Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler take you on a tour of the grounds of their home Plas Newydd. A lively re-imagining of their 50 years together helped along by the audience, pet cows, scurrilous gossip and visits from their women admirers including Anne Lister. Presented by Jane Hoy and Helen Sandler in beaver hats.

Tickets are £22.50, to include tea and cake with the Ladies and entry to the House during the day.

Book your tickets on Eventbrite >>

‘Double Lives’ – LGBTQ+ History Month 24/02/24

Aberration, Archive, History, LGBT, ,

Saturday 24 February 2024
Aberystwyth Arts Centre

For LGBTQ+ History Month UK, Aberration presents ‘Double Lives’ – an evening of talks and live performances. Plus afternoon tea party about Section 28 [sold out], and a chance to eat together in the cafe between events.

5.30pm Dinner break

Eat together in the Arts Centre Café. Pay as you go – just turn up!

EVENING PROGRAMME

Double Lives

Cymraeg>>

Performance Studio (Round Room) Aberystwyth Arts Centre 7pm to 10pm £10 / £8

**WEDI GWERTHU ALLAN / SOLD OUT!**

Our evening of lively talks and performances includes the groundbreaking writer-performer Tom Marshman (pictured) who returns to Aberration to present painful, beautiful and hilarious anecdotes from his new theatre piece about Section 28, ‘The Show of Shows’.

Jane Hoy (left) and Norena Shopland are collaborating to present a new performance piece about the life of Katherine Philips, the 17C Anglo-Welsh poet and translator also known as the Welsh Sappho and the Matchless Orinda (and now our poster girl for Double Lives – see top image).

Alis Hawkins, author of A Bitter Remedy – a new historical crime novel with a feisty Welsh
heroine and a queer twist – will be in conversation with host Helen Sandler.

Alessandro Ceccarelli presents an illustrated talk on ‘Queering Archaeology and Heritage: a visual story of desire, love and identities from prehistory to modern day through Welsh collections.’

+ surprise guest just announced! The fabulous Rhys Slade-Jones @boparhys

PLUS: Bookstall from Gayberystwyth Books, and raffle for AllOut.

More about Speakers & Performers >>

**WEDI GWERTHU ALLAN / SOLD OUT!** Arts Centre link >>

SPONSOR

Aberration is generously supported by Aberystwyth University.

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