New play about trans bus driver Wilma Creith

New play about trans bus driver Wilma Creith to be performed on vintage bus at Belfast Castle

A new play inspired by a pioneering trans woman who drove a bus from Bangor to Belfast in the late 70’s will be performed onboard a vintage Ulsterbus at Belfast Castle

‘Suspect Device’, inspired by the life of trailblazing Wilma Creith, will be performed by Kabosh as part of the annual Outburst Queer Arts Festival from November 19 to December 1 2024, and forms part of Belfast City Council’s Belfast 2024 celebration of creativity.

The 1980’s bus, which has been fitted with an integrated audio visual lighting and sound design, will create an immersive theatrical experience for audiences at its location parked at Belfast Castle.

Paula McFetridge, Artistic Director of Kabosh, who is directing the play, said: “When we heard about Wilma we thought this is a story that has to be told. It is one of incredible courage and determination during the height of the conflict. Wilma was a warm, kind person who wanted to be true to herself.”

The play, written by transgender Jordanian playwright Raphael Amahl Khouri marks a collaboration between Kabosh, Outburst Arts, and queer bookshop Paperxclips as part of the Are You on the Bus?  project commissioned by Belfast 2024 for Belfast City Council, and supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

“Suspect Device really reflects one of the core themes of our Belfast 2024 programme – our people - and the contributions individuals like Wilma have made to our city’s development,” said Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray.

“She was way ahead of her time in her response to the hardships she faced, particularly living through a time of great social and political upheaval, and her journey is inspirational to a community that continues to face struggles and challenges today. I’m very much looking forward to learning more about Wilma’s life and her personality from this fantastic production by Kabosh.”

Khouri’s play is a witty, beautifully poetic evocation of an irrepressible spirit. He imagines Wilma as the eternal bus driver, driving the souls of the recently departed on a voyage to their final resting place.  Along the way, the audience accompanies them on a journey of personal discovery, as they come to terms with the unresolved baggage of their lives.

During the action, Wilma transitions through different stages of her life as she drives the bus. In 1980, she died aged 47 of a pulmonary embolism that was likely preventable, just three days after having a successful gender reassignment operation in Leeds. At that time, it was not known that high levels of estrogen could increase the risk of blood clots.

Robyn Archer, Director at Belfast Trans Resource Centre, who supported the play’s development said: “Wilma is an iconic figure in Belfast's trans story.  We still have a long way to go to achieve trans acceptance in Northern Ireland, so it is vital to remember that our past is full of vibrant trans lives, including Wilma’s. Giving voice to trans narratives from our past helps folks understand that we've always been here, and always will be.”

The play highlights the many challenges Wilma faced and addresses the exclusion of trans people from society. Other characters on the bus include Pamela, a straight woman who died of breast cancer and Janice, a recently deceased young lesbian who may or not make it to heaven. There is lots of lively banter as they discuss the battle of the sexes, male toxicity and hypocrisy.  The fun stops when a Reverend from the women’s past crashes the party, with a firebrand speech denouncing diversity.

Reflecting on the process of creating the script, playwright Raphael Khouri said: “Finding out about Wilma’s life was difficult. So much of trans history has been erased or lost - Wilma’s life story is no exception. I really felt Wilma’s spirit guiding me throughout, sending me very kind, generous people who shared their experiences of her. Because of these conversations, I learnt she had previously worked as an electrician, and also uncovered photography and articles about her that the wider queer community had previously been unaware of.”

Well known Belfast hairdresser Paul Meekin was amongst those who spoke with Raphael.  He knew Wilma well and, as a young trainee, helped her with her hair and make-up. Paul has been assisting costume designer Enda Kenny and will style Wilma’s hair one last time.   He remembers an extremely brave, forthright woman with a warm personality: “Wilma just wanted to be happy, blend in and be Wilma. She had a good soul and a good heart.”

‘Suspect Device’ will be performed as part of Outburst Queer Arts Festival from November 19 to December 1.

For more information on how to book tickets go to: www.kabosh.net

For more information on Outburst Queer Arts Festival, visit outburstarts.com

This project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players and is part of Belfast 2024's Our Future Heritage portfolio of projects which help us all enjoy and understand Belfast's heritage.