First Two Plays of New Trilogy Comes to the Alma Tavern Theatre This November
The critically acclaimed Pup Play runs alongside brand new thriller DARK ROOM
“Intensely controversial” is how the concept of theatre show Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of sorts) has been received by some people – usually down to homophobia, the show’s creator says.
Live theatre is one of the the best ways to bring content that challenges audiences and amplify voices on stage in stories that are less frequently heard. Pup Play is one in a trilogy by queer activist and artist Dr. Noah Alfred Pantano which does this. The first two shows in the trilogy comes to Bristol this autumn.
Pup Play has experienced a lot of homophobia from people who have not seen it. Posters advertising the show have been torn down and Pantano has received death threats and angry emails. He was even warned at one point not to flyer on the street because of the “high potential” for hate crimes.
Such censorship has only “fueled” Pantano’s determination to continue staging the production.
“The play demands we all do more for our community, to include all queer voices, and be unapologetically visible,” he says.
“Neither show is designed to shock, its just meant to be unapologetically true.”
On tour, the play has so far raised over £1000 for LGBTQ+ charities. This includes the WR1 Foundation, the Center of Orlando, LGBT+ Health and Wellbeing Scotland and the University of Essex’s LGBTQ+ Students Union.
It was at the University of Essex where Pantano achieved his Ph.D. Theatre Studies (Playwriting) under the supervision of Sean Seeger and Jonathan Lichtenstein. Pup Play was developed as part of his doctorate, with focused research on how to stage polyqueerness.
Pantano performs both one-man plays – Pup Play and DARK ROOM – which are running at the Alma Tavern Theatre in the same week.
In Pup Play, he performs as Professor Handler David, teaching the audience about the kink of pup play.
Initially it’s performed as a traditional lecture that turns into show characterised by audience participation, multimedia visuals and homonormative puppets. There’s a background of original punk music by Jake and the Nowhere, Alan Xtra, and Tungsten Lungs.
The show has swept up six awards and four nominations, including the “Edge” Award, Best of Venue, and Best of Show (Runner-Up) at Tampa Fringe and the George Wallace Scholarship at Orlando Fringe.
At Colchester Fringe, he won Spirit of the Fringe in conjunction with Theatre Group Gumbo from Japan. He also picked up Best Comedy and Fringe of the Fringe for his roles in Gumbo’s Forest of Truth and Re:Re: Reincarnation.
The two runner-up awards were at the UK’s National Queer Student Awards for Activist and Community Initiative of the Year.
The second show in the trilogy coming to the Alma Tavern this November is DARK ROOM. The 18+ age rating suggests the show is also likely to court some controversy.
(a play in a) DARK ROOM was also developed as part of Pantano’s Theatre Studies PhD and forms the second story in the thematically linked and planned trilogy. The third and eventual final piece will explore queer connection through the lens of 80’s fetish magazines. This will be through the character of Dave the Editor, maintaining a link between Pup Play’s Professor Handler David and DARK ROOM’s Davis the Janitor
DARK ROOM is a psychological thriller that is still partially in development and brand new to the stage. When it arrives in Bristol, it will be for its third ever performance in front of a live audience.
It’s described as a very ‘in-yer-face’ style of theatre, but with underlying queer empathy and hope. It’s told through autotheory, movement, multimedia visuals and an original electronic score.
In a sensory-driven storyline, Davis the Janitor works a night job in a dark room. He must clean up all kinds of bodily fluids associated with this – none of which gross Davis out. However, a traumatic incident forces him to face the only stain he cannot clean.
It aims to challenge respectability politics, confront trauma and ultimately, find hope.
The shows will be running at the Stockholm Fringe in Sweden before heading to the Alma Tavern Theatre in Clifton.
Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of sorts) will be at the Alma Tavern Theatre 03 – 05 November 2026
For more information and to book, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/2360628
(a play in a) DARK ROOM will be at the Alma Tavern Theatre 04 November 2026
For more information and to book, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/2360656
Featured Image: Theatre Group GUMBO – Orlando Fringe
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