Mama G Interview with Greenwich libraries to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month

I was producing the pantomime Mother Goose at the Brighton Fringe. Promoting shows at any fringe festival is always difficult, because so many other shows are vying for the same space - so I decided to think outside the box. As well as being the star of her very own pantomime, Mother Goose is also, traditionally, a storyteller; and panto is all about storytelling - thus Mama G - a cooler version of Mother Goose - was born.

The pantomime story of Mother Goose is all about being the best version of yourself, and I've always believed the panto has the possibility to have a direct and positive influence on its audience. That's why I decided to tell stories about being who you want and loving who you are. Mama G and her stories really broke through all the noise at the fringe and became popular very quickly, so I knew I was doing the right thing.

If you look at pictures of Mama G from 2018 you'll see that the look has evolved, but the heart of what Mama G does and who she is has stayed the same. 

I grew up in the shadow of something called Section 28. In fact, I was at school the entire time it was in force. Section 28 was a law that stopped people teaching about LGBTQIA+ lives. It didn't bother me at the time (I knew nothing about it!) but as an adult I am dealing with the repercussions of never being spoken about or given a voice, at a vital point in my growth. As a result of that, I don't want any child to become an adult who feels like they're not a valid member of society - because everyone is. 

I think it's also especially important to discuss this with parents - because many of them experienced the same thing that I did. It's heartbreaking to see the number of adults who are only now just discovering that they are loved and valued for who they are. I want everyone to know that they are celebrated and a vital part of any community they are in. 

There's a really simple answer to this one: we live in a diverse world. It's one of the things that makes our planet so wonderful. Therefore, not only does everyone deserve to see themselves represented, everyone deserves to see everyone else represented too! 

In the USA, at the moment, there is a drive to take diversity out of education and public life. It's impossible that this will make the country a better place. What it will do is instil more fear in society and give more control to the people who already have control. 

Teaching people about all identities, takes fear of difference out of the equation, and nurtures love. When you respect and love other people is when you can understand that love and respect that you deserve and should show to yourself. 

As a pantomime dame, I'm very lucky to have chosen a profession and a way of communicating that is ingrained in British culture and loved by most! However, I have faced some backlash from people who don't agree that everyone has the right to love who they are and be who they want. I've been trolled many times online and have even experienced in-person protests. However, there's nothing anyone can say or do to make me believe that my message is wrong. In fact, when I have these experiences they give me power! They fuel me to keep working to make the world a kinder and fairer place for everyone. 

That said, the positives of my career far outweigh the negatives! I'm a published author, I've performed all over the world (including in New York, Off-Broadway), I've shared stories at some of the most highly respected literature festivals in the country - the list of things I'm proud of is endless. But, I think the thing I'm truly proudest of, is every time I can tell I'm changing someone's life. Whether it's allowing them to feel proud of who they are, seeing their shoulders relax as they realise they're not alone, or spotting a parent watch their child and know that everything is going to be alright.Those are my proudest and most precious moments. 

I always encourage parents to sit with their children and share the storytelling experience together, so it's hard to pick a specific memory. The thing that always amazes me is how many different families value and appreciate these stories. It's just shows that it doesn't matter what your background is, everyone can appreciate the value of being told they're wonderful! 

I think the first step is to educate yourself. Due to things such as Section 28 a lot of parents haven't been taught about the LGBTQ+ community, and consequently don't have the vocabulary or context to discuss the matter.  Even if you're an inclusive parent, this lack of knowledge can make the prospect of educating your children daunting; so - start with you. Talk to friends, watch tv shows, films with LGBT characters, listen to podcasts, come to a Mama G show (everyone is welcome!) 

When it comes to supporting your children to be allies: be representative of what you want them to be. Enjoy other cultures. Find the answers to their questions together. Try new things together. Show them that there's nothing to be afraid of.

Most importantly, help them see the fun and joy in sharing who they are; then they will understand the pleasure in learning about others.

The world is constantly learning from itself, and I strongly believe that to make the world better we need to understand the past: what went wrong and what went right. Consequently, LGBTQIA+ History Month is a great opportunity to explore how we got to where we are now and how we can move forward. 

I think that as people we are learning all the time and so our history infuses my work, and my stories are a way of passing that history on. 

I'm always touring my show The Magic Bookmark around the country and I'll be visiting lots of libraries, theatres, nurseries, schools and festivals too. You can keep up to date with my activities on all the socials

You can see Mama G perform across Greenwich libraries this February for LGBTQ+ month.
25th February 10.30am, Woolwich Centre Library
25th February 2pm, Greenwich Centre Library
27th February, 11am, Eltham Centre Library
27th February, 2pm, Blackheath Library