Beth Watson

About Me

I'm a performer, theatre maker & facilitator.

This page lists my professional experience and training, and is aimed at anyone seeking to book me for work.

For an overview of my creative projects & companies, see my Projects Page.

To listen/read/watch me talking about my work, see my Press Page.

For events or performances coming up, see my Linktree.

Note: If you're working with me, or writing/broadcasting about my work, ask me for a bio (please don't use this to write one!)

Performance & theatre making

I have training and experience in acting, devising, and improvisation.

I work across theatre, comedy, cabaret and drag. Most recently, I debuted my show Hasbian, to excellent reviews.

I also work with other artists as an outside-eye or dramaturg, giving feedback, advice, guidance, and creatively contributing to scripted or devised work in-development.

I love creating work that's political and/or comic, and I enjoy performing in unconventional settings.

I'm interested in performance that positively activates the audience through immersion, interaction, and participation.

I have a strong preference for working collaboratively. As a neurodivergent artist I'm particularly keen to work with others who share my aim to improve access (in the workplace, and for audiences).

Reviews & testimonials

"Watson strikes an expert balance between including the cringeworthy teenage experience we all remember, and creating a unique insight into growing up queer in the 90’s... While the tone of the piece is reflective, Hasbian feels very much like a story for our times" - ★★★★★ A Young(ish) Perspective, on Hasbian (2024)

"An incredibly funny, charismatic performer, who absolutely embraces the silliness of the piece, whilst bringing earnest truth throughout."- ★★★★ West End With Me, on Hasbian (2024)

"Excellent, genuine rapport with the audience."- Audience feedback, on Hasbian

"There's a collective cheer when Dan Load (Beth Watson, in a very entertaining tongue-in-cheek double drag) ... gives us the emotional pay off we all deserve, but often don’t find in a drag show." - LGBTQ Arts Review, on MANdemic (2019)

"Talking to Beth gave me a lot of clarity about what I was trying to achieve - our conversations were the perfect combination of supportive and brutal as we picked through my show and killed my darlings. I am so happy Beth was able to work on my show, and would definitely recommend working with Beth if you're looking for someone to help guide you or re-inspire you in your project." - Cerys Bradley, on Queer Tales For Autistic Folk (2024)

Work includes:

Hasbian (writer/performer) at Omnibus Theatre (2024); Leave Something To Remember (co-writer) at Stanley Arts (2024); Sing-derella (performer) at Omnibus Theatre; Hasbian (writer/performer) at Pleasance and Camden People's Theatre (WIP 2021-2); #BinariesBegone (R&D Devising Performer) with Access All Areas at Old Diorama; MANdemonium (devising performer) at Camden People's Theatre; MANdemic (devising performer) at Omnibus Theatre & VAULT Festival; Hasbian (WIP performances) at The Bunker, Omnibus, The Apple Tree & The Glory; Pecs Drag King Takeover (performer) at The Southbank Centre; Bar Wotever at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern; The Unfortunate Bisexual at Edinburgh Fringe; ORGASM (devising performer) at Camden People's Theatre; Article 10 (devising performer) at Camden Fringe Festival; Heir To The Throne (actor) at Shakespeare In Shoreditch Festival.

Email me to book me as a performer, deviser, or outside-eye.

Hosting & audience engagement

I host live performance events and audience discussion groups, and I've also presented podcasts, for a wide variety of audiences.

I have a well-honed instinct for communicating with groups of people, as:

A compere on cabaret stages
An interviewer & presenter for audio & live panels
A facilitator of public discussions & conversations

My work is driven by my enthusiasm for connecting artists, audiences, and communities, and championing the work and voices of others.

I bring to all my hosting, presenting, and speaking work an upbeat energy, empathetic listening skills, and a keen awareness of how to engage, enliven, and care for audiences and participants.

Reviews & testimonials

"Beth's hosting was amazing, really set everyone at ease and set the tone for everything!" - Feedback from Queer Diary, Manchester (2024)

"The host was fantastic - funny, charismatic and made the space feel very safe." - Feedback from Queer Diary, Durham (2023)

"Beth's instinct as a host added to how well the event flowed" - Feedback from Queer Diary, online (2020)

“Inviting and well-structured – everyone can be heard and the right questions are asked” - Feedback from an audience discussion of 'And The Rest of Me Floats' at The Bush (2019)

"Meticulously organised to be an inclusive and safe space... The host even took time to make sure everyone in the audience had a clear view, these considerations really do have an impact so kudos to them!" - Review, Queer Diary at Rich Mix (2024)

Regular hosting includes:

Queer Diary monthly diary-reading nights across the UK.

Bechdel Theatre audience discussions previously at theatres including The Bush, Camden People's Theatre, The Park Theatre, Theatre503, Wyndham's Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe.

Past hosting & speaking work:

CREW: Rough, Ready & New (performance night host, at Stanley Arts)
Drag To Watch Out For (cabaret night host, at Styx & The Two Brewers)
The Baby Question audience discussion (audience engagement post-show discussion, at Croydonites Festival)
The Great Regeneration Scheme R&D (community sharing discussion facilitator, Shoreditch Town Hall )
Imagining a Freelance Theatre-makers' Utopia at STAMP Connects (presenter & panelist, Shoreditch Town Hall)
Sappho Events poetry night (open-mic night host, at Common Press)
International Women's Day showcase with Fuel Theatre (open-mic night host, at Ovalhouse)
Bechdel Theatre Launch night, comedy night, and cabaret night (host, at The Arts Theatre and Cafe Koha)
The UK's first ever Bi Pride (cabaret stage host, at The Round Chapel)
Verve Festival Feminist Theatre-makers (panelist, The Arts Theatre)
Inspiring Women Symposium (panelist, at Oxford Playhouse)

Hire me to host your performance event, discussion group, or panel.

Book me as a guest speaker for events or podcasts.

Facilitation & education

I have designed and delivered creative workshops, and educational talks, and tours for professionals, community groups, universities, youth clubs and schools on topics including: gender, performance, creativity, self-expression, engaging with art & LGBTQ+ history.

With Bechdel Theatre I've designed and delivered workshops for arts professionals, university students, and the general public since 2016. I've been regularly running Queer Diary creative zine-making workshops in community spaces, arts venues, workplaces, and private events across London and the UK since 2021.

Since 2022, I've worked for Tender Education & Arts facilitating workshops with young people (on healthy relationships and gender equality), and for adults (on domestic abuse awareness). Since 2015, I've worked for The Barbican Centre, including delivering Art Gallery tours for children and young people, and Architecture and Backstage Tours for public and private groups. I also work as a frrlancer

Testimonials

"The exercises are imaginative and suitably challenging. [Students] reflect on their work and practice through open and reflective discussions." - Lee White, Florida State University (London Theatre Academy)

“A strong sense of camaraderie and support” - Participant Feedback, Bechdel Theatre workshop

"[Beth was] welcoming, organised, and really passionate about zine making. [Neurodivergent participant] loved how structured but loose it was. It was great to be able to learn more about everyone in the room through show-and-tell. A unique experience you can’t get anywhere else!" - Participant Feedback, Queer Diary zine-making

Past work includes:

Tender Arts & Education (regular freelance facilitator of workshops for young people since 2022); London's LGBTQ+ Community Centre (facilitator of monthly zine-making workshops for LGBTQ+ adults since 2023); QUEERCIRCLE (Bechdel Theatre Creative Resistance Series 2025/26); Talk Consent; Stanley Arts; Kingswood Arts; Spotlight; Bristol University; Roehampton University; Florida State University; Oregon University; Elon University; The Mono Box; The Pleasance; Ovalhouse; The Old Fire Station, Oxford; The Actors, Brighton; The Barbican Centre (COPA award nomination for inclusivity); City Unscripted; The Science Gallery; Kings College London; Queer Tours of London; LGBT Humanists; The Queerish Bookshop; Artfix Cafe; Art Play London; Wycombe Arts Centre; Prickwillow ArtSpace; L Fest (L Fest award nomination for Best Workshop); Nomadic Youth.

Find out about Bechdel Theatre workshops.

Hire me as a freelance facilitator to deliver, design or support development of workshops for your venue, organisation, or community group.

My qualifications & training

Education includes

Croydon Emerging Writers (CREW) - Playwriting, led by Jennifer Farmer

Soho Theatre - Cabaret & Drag Lab, led by Bourgeois & Maurice

Quiplash - Disability Awareness; Queer Audio Description

The Barbican Centre - Creative Learning tours for schools & families; Public Backstage & Architecture tours.

Clerkinworks/Improbable, Through The Door programme at The Globe - Improvisation

Rubyyy Jones - Queerlesque

Pinecone Performance at Toynbee Studios - Devised Theatre Intensive

Pecs Drag Kings - Drag Camp

Bryony Kimmings - Autobiographical Theatre

James Grieve/The Actors' Guild - Producing for Artists

London School of Dramatic Art - Acting

Goldsmiths University - Drama & English

Other certificates & training

Enhanced DBS check certificate, updated annually.

Mental Health First Aid certificate, 2025.

Personal license holder for the sale & supply of alcohol.

As an experienced bar & venue manager I've worked as a first aider & had training in food hygiene, manual handling & fire safety.

BSL Level 1 (Signature certificate gained via City Lit, 2025)

Level 3 in Developing & Delivering Domestic Abuse Training.

Full CV and references available on request.

Get in touch 💌

Email Beth about freelance work

Email Dan Load about drag

Email Queer Diary about Hasbian or any Queer Diary events

Contact Bechdel Theatre

Notes on first contact:

Please clearly indicate rates of pay/budget if contacting me about a job OR outline your approach to fair exchange, expenses, or tangible benefit (if about an invitation outside the remit of employment).

Please include information relating to access & inclusion for any engagement (or be ready to answer questions on these).

Pronouns: In person/socially I don't mind what pronouns you use for me (any pronouns are fine).

In any material for publication or broadcast, please use 'Beth' instead of a pronoun.

In drag performance, Dan Load is He/Him.

I prefer emails - I'm far more likely to see these at a time when I'm able to respond.

I may miss DMs/WhatsApps, and will probably ask you to to email me if it's work-related.

I often juggle several projects, and I'm neurodivergent. If I don't respond, please nudge me with a follow up email. I appreciate it!

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