Schrödinger's Lesbians brings Sappho back to Camden Fringe at the Cockpit this August

Schrödinger's Lesbians brings Sappho back to Camden Fringe for two performances only

Themis Theatre's irreverent new play about love, lesbians and a history that has tried to erase them runs at the Cockpit on 8 and 9 August. Two performances only. Structured around Sappho's surviving fragments.

Sappho wrote in the 6th century BCE on the island of Lesbos. Less than a tenth of her poems survived the centuries, and historians spent significant energy trying to reframe the same-sex desire in what remained. The words sapphic and lesbian both derive from her name and her island. She is one of the foundational figures in queer culture, which makes her an almost impossibly rich subject for theatre.

Schrödinger's Lesbians, written by Libby Boyd and directed by Bobbie-Jean Henning, structures itself around Sappho's fragments and asks what it means to be part of a lineage that history keeps trying to write out. It follows three characters: Sappho herself, her lover Anactoria and her companion Atthis, played respectively by Charlotte Boyle, Ruby Blue Tansey-Thomas and Boyd. The play is described by Themis Theatre as joyful and irreverent, a deep dive into queer female friendships and the eternal question of whether you can ever be just friends with someone you are into.

Themis Theatre formed in 2021 and made their debut with The Dissent. Their work blends performance with protest and centres mis-represented women. Schrödinger's Lesbians received four-star responses at previous outings at The Glitch and Omnibus Theatre, and was nominated at the Fringe Theatre Awards 2025 for Best New Play, Best Production, Lead Actor and Supporting Actor.

The Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH. Part of Camden Fringe.

8 August at 2:45pm
9 August at 2:45pm

Running time 70 minutes. Age guidance 14 and above.

Tickets from £13 at thecockpit.org.uk.