Hasbian (has-bee-un) noun: A former lesbian.

Beth Watson’s real teenage diary comes to life in the animated world of Hasbian: A queer coming-of-age comedy set to a soundtrack of y2k pop classics (S Club, B*Witched, Destiny’s Child) and indie angst anthems (Placebo, Weezer, Garbage)

How did Beth go from a childhood dreaming of The Wizard of Oz, to cringey Cruel Intentions-obsessed adolescence? From proudly identifying as a teenage lesbian, to discovering that boys are also appealing?

Using animated magazine cut-outs of iconic teen movie stars, an all-star 00’s fantasy cast steps in to “play” Beth’s friends (and crushes), who are re-imagined as the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Natasha Lyonne and Ashton Kutcher, Hasbian tells the true story of growing up queer in Brighton (the UK’s Gay Capital) under Section 28 (1988-2003 law prohibiting teaching “homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”).

Dripping in equal measures with heartfelt earnestness, sharp irony, and humour that bubbles up in the place between youthful confidence and pubescent self-doubt, Hasbian fills audiences with buzzy nostalgia, while exposing prejudice in the most liberal of cities.

Hasbian Team Credits (2024)

Writer/Performer - Beth Watson 

Creative Producer - Josephine Shipp

Director - P Burton-Morgan 

Projection & Creative Caption Designer - Edalia Day 

Lighting Designer - Rachel Sampley 

Sound Designer - Beth Duke

Dramaturg - Koko Brown 

Additional Dramaturgy support - Sojo McKenzie 

Assistant Director - Chloe Morley 

Assistant Producer/Production Manager - Jenny Samuels 

Technical Stage Manager - Rori Endersby 

Assistant Stage Manager - Sé Carr 

Video Programmer - Austin Yang 

Audio Description Creative Consultant - Quiplash UK/Amelia Lander-Cavallo 

Creative Captioning Consultant - Ben Glover 

Creative Captioning Consultant - Mia Ward 

Creative Team Wellbeing Consultant - Dre Spisto 

Voiceover Recording Support - Holly Mallet

Set Builder - Conrad Sharp

Hasbian was developed with funding from Arts Council England.

Hasbian was previously directed by Chloe Kennedy (Camden People's Theatre & Pleasance WIP performances, 2021/2)

Special Thanks to: 

Our team of access workers, especially Carla Rudgyard and Lot Couldrick who supported Beth during Hasbian production and rehearsals in 2024.

For their vital feedback at our captioning sharing: Elliot Douglas, Lara Steward, Taha Hassan, Jean St Clair & Jacob Casselden. And Sophie Allen & Rachael Merry for interpreting at the captioning sharings.

Creatives who've worked on and supported early versions of Hasbian, including: Kristina Kapilin, Amelia Hawkes, Harvey Nowak-Green, Christianna Mason, Joana Nastari, Jeanie Barnsley, and Sophie 'Solo' London.

All the organisations and people who supported, programmed and platformed WIP, scratch, and short performances of the material that evolved into Hasbian, including: Camden People's Theatre, The Pleasance, NDT, Stanley Arts, VAULT Festival, The Bunker, The Glory, The Apple Tree, The Common Press, Bi Pride UK, Hatch at Platform Southwark, Kathleen Price, Cerys Bradley, Vinnie Heaven and Debbie Hannan. And especially Helen Black, the creator of 'Dear Diary' - whose early encouragement to read this diary on stage planted the first seed for Hasbian.

All the friends and family who've contributed the development of this show by providing emotional support, sage advice, and unofficial (yet essential) feedback over post-show pints and WhatsApp chats - especially Tim Faulkner, Pippa Sa, The Famous Five, CREW, TFJ, and QAF. 

All the teachers, parents, youth workers, and kids who resisted Section 28 (especially those who put up with me as an angsty teen). 

And Craig - wherever you are!

Hasbian promo photos by Holly Revell