George's Play

In the most recent Shift magazine, I discussed making common day buildings more playful - giving adults, just as we do for children, a chance to learn and grow through play. To do so we can learn not only from playgrounds but also nightclubs and bars - the adult jungle gyms we retreat to when the sun sets. George's Play is a bar/club on Church Street specializing in events such as drag queen shows and dance nights. Upon recommendation, a friend and I decided to explore this unique place.

The façade of the building is relatively unremarkable and un-telling – drab in colour and holding the potential to be merely a regular pub inside. But this it was not. Upon entering I found myself in a much happier, friendlier world than the one outside. What is it that made this place so comfortable and so good at making me dance with ease to the Latinfever-Abba-I will survive-Top-forty mix? I decided that a great part of it was the playful and eclectic interior décor/design.

Sometimes kitsch can be a good thing – especially when it’s in a place for play. Between the classical portico shelf holding liquor bottles above the bar, shirtless male torso statue, the Georgian (coincidence?) mirrors along the wall, the circus themed mural behind the stage, and the vintage (slightly suggestive) ads above the functional bar stools and tables – all mixed with rainbow neon lights and disco balls - there was no room to not fit in. It made me realise how strongly we generate an assumption about a place when it has a specific uniform décor, often with the aim of including a certain type of person, and excluding another. George’s Play has overcome this rigidity and has created a heaven of a playground that does not discriminate.

For more info: http://www.playonchurch.com/

-- Natalia Z.