The BBC's First Homosexual
- Alan Hulme
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The BBC’s first radio documentary on the subject of homosexuality was so controversial it was banned and shelved for three years - and when it finally aired in 1957 (10 years before homosexual acts in private finally became legally permitted), only a heavily-edited version was broadcast. The original recording was subsequently lost.
But a forgotten transcript was recently rediscovered and this document is being brought to life on stage by award-winning writer Stephen M Hornby and Manchester-based new writing company Inkbrew.
Known for creating plays from archive material and currently Playwright in Residence for LGBT+
History Month, Stephen was granted access to BBC archive material including the original transcript, internal memos and letters from the public in response to the programme.
He said: “I’ve woven fragments from the BBC archive with the fictional story of Tom, a young man exploring his life. Through him, audiences see what life was like being gay in the 1950s and the
impact the documentary has upon him.
"Several so-called ‘experts’ in the programme supported conversion therapy, and its influence on British society is still felt today. I suspect this partly explains why we are still campaigning to ban such practices.”
The historical research for the play was carried out by Marcus Collins, Professor in Contemporary History at Loughborough University, who said: “This play illustrates the dilemmas LGBTQ+ issues created for the BBC in the 1950s.
"The broadcaster had to overcome its aversion to discussing anything to do with sex, while navigating pressures from gay activists, religious groups and the public. The compromise it reached, though imperfect, helped shape how lesbian, gay and trans people saw themselves and how they were seen by the wider British public.”
The cast includes Mitchell Wilson as Tom; Max Lohan (The A List; FBI International and currently Callum in Emmerdale), with a third actor, still to be cast.
The BBC’s First Homosexual will premiere at the New Adelphi Theatre at the University of Salford on February 4-5. The play can also be seen at Liverpool's Hope Street Theatre on February 17-18.