Features / queer cabaret
Femme and Queer Cabaret to Celebrate International Women’s Day
International Woman’s Day is a worldwide celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Various events around Bristol mark this important day celebrating and platforming women.
The Femmes De La Rébellion cabaret began last year, in 2025. Started by the Broken Archetype Cabaret, the show platforms femme-identifying cabaret performers. Promising to leave you wanting more are co-creators, Bee Kirkwood and Bethany Button.
Cabaret performers display a range of circus skills, here Bethany Button performs an aerial act at last year’s Femmes de la Rébellion show
The cabaret show will be on International Women’s Day, Sunday the 8th of March 2026, at the Loco Klub, by Bristol Temple Meads. Tickets can be purchased here.
Platforming femme-identifying performers
Broken Archetype is a circus theatre company co-founded in 2024 by Bee and Bethany. They explained that the cabaret came from a desire for the pair to work and create a cabaret together.
“It’s an international women’s cabaret, we had a cast last year that were all AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth). The company is queer and female-led, so we want the cabaret to reflect that. Femmes De La Rébellion celebrates all femme-identifying people, and gives them a space to celebrate International Women’s Day. That’s inclusive of trans, non-binary, and all of those who identify as femme,” explained Bee.
The 2025 Femmes de la Rébellion featured AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) performers showcasing the formidable cabaret skills that female performers possess
Bee continued that when they ran the cabaret last year, it was created from observing the erosion of women’s, trans, and queer rights globally. To counter this, they wanted to create a space to celebrate these groups. The cabaret supports the growth and expansion of the community, in a space everyone can come to enjoy.
Having performed for years, Bee said it is fulfilling to be able to give other performers a platform. “We’ve been in the Bristol Circus Scene a long time, we all support each other, and go to each other’s shows. With this show, we saw people we’ve never met before. It’s good to see that audiences want to come and see a show like Femmes De La Rébellion,” said Bee.
Combining fun and a political voice
It can be hard for women to have a voice in certain situations, explained Beth. She had been doing a lot of work for other people. Until she realised they could put on their own work, and platform the voices they wanted to. This was her motivation to start Femmes De La Rébellion alongside Bee.
The tunnels of the Loco Klub provide a dramatic backdrop for the Cabaret
“It’s an empowering show. It’s silly, and fun, but it’s also political and aware. Last year, our host, Alexa, gave a beautiful speech. It was about the difficulties our community had faced in 2025. It’s about coming together, showing solidarity, and supporting each other. There was an amazing vibe in the room last year,” said Beth.
Both Bee and Beth explained that it is easy to feel isolated at this time of year, and with the current political climate. Femmes De La Rébellion offers an opportunity to gather, celebrate each other, and enjoy a night of being silly, and being together, they said. “It’s a safer space for everyone. Come and dress up in a space that feels supportive. You also get to watch some really talented, gorgeous people do cabaret!” said Beth.
The Femmes De La Rébellion cabaret show will be on International Women’s Day, Sunday the 8th of March 2026, at the Loco Klub, by Bristol Temple Meads. Tickets can be purchased here.
All Images: LK Reed
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