Q&A: Finding Queer Joy in Myth and Memory with Roann Hassani McCloskey

Myth meets magic, queerness meets joy, and storytelling gets a fabulously bold makeover in Remythed — a high-energy, heartfelt show from Bet’n Lev Theatre that’s currently touring the UK. Co-created and performed by Roann Hassani McCloskey, Remythed takes audiences on a whirlwind journey through reimagined legends, ancient lands, and very modern truths — all while centring queer joy in the spotlight.

We sat down with Roann to talk about reclaiming myths, creating joyful queer worlds, and why Scheherazade definitely deserved a happier ending (spoiler: she gets one).

Can you tell us a bit about Remythed?

Oh my goodness - It is pure joy! Magical storytelling that takes you from ancient Arabia to Soho, Mesopotamia, by way of the garden of Eden and Coventry! What’s not to love? It’s full of heart and a wonderful hour of escape, with lots of laughs! 

Why was it important to centre queer joy — and not just queer struggle?

Joel and I have made shows that centre the queer struggle, I think for our brains and also a shift in what we want to create, we really wanted to centre the joy and magic of queerness! Whilst stories about the pain and trauma that can come with queerness are important, we wanted to offer something else. Heterosexual cis folks get stories with nuance a multitudes, why not us too? We wanted to rewrite history to be closer to what it was - and honestly, it is a pretty dark time to be queer and trans, we wanted to make a show centring joy so that we can smile for an hour and be plunged into the beauty and lols of queerness! We deserve happy endings too. (The story kind, behave!) 

How did you go about choosing which myths and legends to retell or reclaim?

With each of us coming from different cultural backgrounds, we were asked to bring a story or myth that was either told to us as children or one we cherish as adults. We each chose to ‘queer’ our story in our own way. For me, for example, Scheherazade from 1001 Nights—widely regarded as the greatest Arab storyteller of all time—was an obvious choice. I reimagined her as a lesbian, reclaiming the story by making sure she chooses to tell her tales to the king, and crucially, that she doesn’t marry the tyrannical murderer in the end. Instead, she returns happily to her wife!

Has there been a moment with an audience member or community that has stuck with you?

I think we’ve all had our moments. At Edinburgh Fringe last year a young person came with their parent and they were both so moved at the end of it. Another moment is when an audience member came out because of the show. I think when you make something that gives people permission and actually, invites them to live as themselves, there is no better feeling! 

How would you describe the creative dynamic between you and Joel as co-artistic directors?

Haha! We have been making shows together for seven years. We have a trust and know each other inside out, so we have a short hand, edit each other freely and also know the kind of work we want to make. He is sentimental and confronting, I am inviting and overly enthusiastic, we attempt to reign each other in, in places, and give space to roam and grow in others. We love to write, then rip it up, reshape and rip it up again. It is a truly wonderful relationship and we couldn’t make work and run the company any other way. 

If you could “remyth” any story, legend, or historical figure that didn’t make it into this show, who would it be and why?

Ooooh THIS IS SUCH A GOOD QUESTION! I know whichever one I share now I’ll kick myself because there are soooo many!!! My original idea was Sarah and Abraham. I hate that she was barren and had to sacrifice her life by letting him have a baby with the woman next door to prove her love and devotion. I much prefer the idea that she later on in life found a young woman, fell in love and they asked Abraham next door to be their sperm donor… maybe in Remythed 2? 

What's next for Bet’n Lev Theatre once the tour finishes?

Joel and I have written our next play In Another Life, so we’ll be taking it into the development phase. And we’ll be writing our next show after that which will be a very gay musical set in 1600’s.  I can’t wait! We have so much on our slate and sooo much to come, stay tuned for more magic! 

Remythed tours the UK from 2 May to 11 July 2025. Don’t miss this magical, myth-busting hug-in-a-mug of a show. For full tour details, head to www.betnlev.co.uk and follow @betnlevtheatre on social media.