Benjamin Shelley
Ben is a PhD researcher attached to the Pantomime in Scotland project. The title of his AHRC-funded research is 'Exploring the Coding of Queerness in Theatrical Productions of Peter Pan'.
Ben’s research project is concerned with reading the codings of Queerness in theatrical productions of "Peter Pan". By using Queer theory as a critical frame, he is examining the visual cultures of various productions that project issues such as Queer pirates, camp aesthetism, gender performance and drag, the concept of "boyhood" and the presence of childhood sexuality. This is merged with an analysis of contemporary readings of "Peter Pan" and also an exploration of popular theatre forms that influence these productions, such as puppetry, Victorian shadow play and pantomime.