Love Song to Lavender Menace

Book excerpt: In 1982, two friends Bob and Sigrid opened their new radical lesbian, gay and feminist bookshop, 'Lavender Menace' on Edinburgh's Forth Street. On the eve of the shop's 5th birthday, sales assistants Paul and David take a look back at its origins, in this funny, moving play. Cast your mind back to 1982 - Margaret Thatcher sends the British Fleet to the Falklands, Channel 4 comes to the living room and Prince William is born. But this play has nothing to do with all that. This play is about activism, community and fighting for acceptance with words, music, humour and heart. The play looks back at 1982, as Bob and Sigrid open their shop. A trailblazing venture that began life in the cloakroom of a gay club, the shop will become the beating heart of Edinburgh's LGBT+ community. Now, on the final night of the shop's existence, sales assistants Lewis and Glen look back at its origins, its importance, its celebration of queer culture, how things have changed for the better (maybe)...And straight away the arguments begin! Love Song to Lavender Menace is a beautifully funny and moving exploration of the love and passion it takes to make something happen and the loss that is felt when you have to let it go. "Ley's script achieves a deft and sophisticated balance of subjects and registers, shedding light on queer experience with humour, warmth, passion and complexity." (The Scotsman)