A genuine classic of gay theatre - groundbreaking in its subject matter at the time,
and with a clear influence on later writers' work - Mart Crowley's
The Boys in
the Band gets revived by Adam Penford for the Park Theatre. A look at gay life
in 1968 New York, its characters have found a subculture they feel reasonably safe
in, but their sexuality is still something they need to keep behind closed doors.
Michael (Ian Hallard) is hosting a birthday party for Harold (Mark Gatiss) who, as
always, is expected to show up late. An early arrival is Donald (Daniel Boys,)
Michael's on-off lover and a neurotic who's had to move out of the city as can't
handle it full-time. The rest of the invited guests all soon turn up, as does an
unexpected one - Michael's college roommate Alan (John Hopkins,) who hasn't been
told about his friend's sexuality.
