One director on why we need to see more gay female work on stage
Contents:
THE REALI OF BEG A GAY WOMAN WORKG IN THEATRE
In the first half of the 20th century, you uld be arrted for stagg a gay play. Theatr uld be packed and shows sold out, but that wouldn’t stop them om beg shut down for "obscene" ntent. * queer theatre uk *
Essentially, this was to prevent anythg cent, offensive or blasphemo takg place theatr; censorship was particularly strict on homosexualy.
From Bottoms and Problemistas to theatre mps and gay wrtlers, this summer has somethg for everyone — pecially if you're queer. * queer theatre uk *
Attus towards homosexualy showed signs of change when the Wolfenn Report was published 1957, which remend for the crimalisatn of homosexualy.
<p><strong>Michael Billgton: </strong>The gay and lbian theatre movement has changed radilly sce the opprsive days of the 1950s, but uld more wrers rise to the challenge of ntemporary issu?</p> * queer theatre uk *
Ground-breakg many ways, Delaney’s play evad censorship and featured Geof, a gay stunt (played by Murray Melv) who liv wh protagonist Jo and helps her through her illegimate pregnancy.
* queer theatre uk *
This marked a change pictg gay people wh sensivy rather than as a joke or miscreant.
When homosexualy was crimalised England and Wal 1967 (and 1981 Stland, 1982 Northern Ireland), Queer artists were no longer unr the threat of legal persecutn. The 1970s saw the emergence of Gay Sweatshop Theatre Company, whose aim was to unteract the prevailg perceptn mastream theatre of what homosexuals were like.