In these uncertain times, you can support Polari’s vital work by buying us a coffee HERE

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POLARI PRIZE 2023

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For more info, see Polari Prize in menu above.

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BACKGROUND

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Founded by author Paul Burston, Polari began in 2007 in a bar in Soho.

 

In 2009, we moved to London’s Southbank Centre.

 

Since 2014, we’ve also toured regularly, funded by Arts Council England.

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We’ve appeared in bars and clubs, at book festivals, libraries, museums and theatres.

 

We also host events online.

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There’s a brief history of Polari on our YouTube channel HERE 

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There’s a history of our touring activities HERE

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There’s a history of The Polari Prize HERE

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For a taste of recent events, you can listen to the Polari podcast HERE

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Writers and performers who’ve appeared at Polari include Adele Anderson, Amrou Al-Kadhi, Jake Arnott, Neil Bartlett, Dustin Lance Black, Sophia Blackwell, John Boyne, Russell T Davies, Juno Dawson, Maureen Duffy, Stella Duffy, Carey Wood-Duffy, Janet Ellis, Cerys Evans, Bernardine Evaristo, Patrick Gale, Rosie Garland, Nikita Gill, Salena Godden, Niven Govinden, Garth Greenwell, Alexis Gregory, Saleem Haddad, Mari Hannah, Philip Hensher, Celia Imrie, Juliet Jacques, Keith Jarrett, Jackie Kay, VG Lee, Kirsty Logan, Adam Lowe, David McAlmont, John McCullough, Val McDermid, Karen McLeod, Andrew McMillan, Paul McVeigh, Charlotte Mendelson, Fiona Mozley, Musa Okwonga, Okechukwu Nzelu, Diriye Osman, Juno Roche, Ali Smith, Diana Souhami, Andrea Stuart, Joelle Taylor, Tracey Thorn, Paula Varjack, Sophie Ward, Sarah Waters and Mohsin Zaidi.

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Polari was named Cultural Event of the Year in the Co-op Respect Loved By You Awards 2013.

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“Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed great night out” – Sarah Waters

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“Lively, funny and inspiring – a gay-themed salon of interest to anyone remotely interested in literature, whatever their sexual bent” – Patrick Gale

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