⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

( A good example of theatre — one to watch 

Solid, thoughtful work. If it fits your day, you’ll have a rewarding hour.) 

The BBC’s First Homosexual – preview, 6-8-26

The time is mid 50’s when even whispering the word homosexual in the hallowed halls of the BBC was fiercely frowned on. Never mind broadcasting the word to wireless sets where you hear the Queen on Christmas Day. 

Two BBC producers discuss the need for a radio program highlighting the love that dare not speak it’s name, however staying BBC neutral.

We hear from the likes of Mary Whitehouse who professed homosexuality is like Acne, and conversion therapy can cure the illness.

This is all mingled with the true story of Tom a 19 year old boy who works in Burtons. We hear of his sexual discovery with handsome colleagues, and customers who want to dress like Cary Grant.

Finding the joys of cottages and backroom bars where Pansy’s, Nancy Boys and Guardsmen hang out and speak polari.

This is a wonderful Fringe show it’s played by three actors, Jolyon Benson as Tom who craves loves amongst his meet ups.

Max Lohan who adopts most of the charming men Tom meets.

And the tremendous Andrew Pollard who takes on the older characters including a barn storming Mary Whitehouse and Back-Bar-Betty.

Writer Stephen M Hornby has managed to educate on the life of gay men in the 50’s with arrests, fines, prison and life altering shame, with a script laced with humour, and ultimately the desire of love.

This, although historical needs to be seen today, with the rise of Farage and his far right, the freedoms won by gay men may just find themselves as whispered conversation and back bars might just become the only safe place to be free.