7 new short plays spanning the decades from the 1950s to the present day exploring gay lives against a rapidly changing social history from intolerance, violence and hate through to the legalisation of homosexuality and gay marriage.
Outlaws to In-laws
by
Topher Campbell
Matt Harris
Jonathan Harvey
Jonathan Kemp
Joshua Val Martin
Philip Meeks
Patrick Wilde
Directed by Mary Franklin
Outlaws to In-laws, dedicated to the struggles and joys of gay men connecting with each other over the last seven decades.
From the darkest days of criminality to the legalising of gay marriage in the UK, it features seven short plays by leading gay writers that represent each of the decades from the 1950s to the present day.
Outlaws to In-laws, is a fictional exploration of gay men in the throes of love -young love, risky love, secret love... and good old-fashioned romance.
Happy and Glorious by Philip Meeks is set in the 1950s. On the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation, South London lad Dennis follows a young man away from the celebrating crowds to an apartment overlooking Westminster Abbey. He soon discovers a world far away from his own and within a matter of hours he falls in and out of love. As the new monarch is crowned Dennis’ life will never be the same again.
Mister Tuesday by Jonathan Harvey is set in the 60s. In their own little love nest, Peter loves Jimmy and Jimmy loves Peter but only every Tuesday. Peter wants more from Jimmy but Jimmy has a sensitive job, a wife, and baby on the way. Frustrated, Peter makes Jimmy a bleak offer to make sure he won’t flee the nest.
Reward by Jonathan Kemp’s is set in the 70s. It’s the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Donald, a sweet 16 American meets Spike, a skinhead, at a bus stop in a dodgy part of town. The attraction is instant. Except Spike belongs to the National Front and Donald is black. Will their love take them to a place of reward or punishment?
1984 by Patrick Wilde is set in the 80s. The Conservative Party Conference is about to start when Tommy and Allan find themselves under Brighton Pier, but the time for hiding in the shadows should be over. Allan, Margaret Thatcher’s aide, is preparing to help legislate against gay people. Suddenly the political and the personal become a matter of life and death.
Princess Die by Matt Harris is set in the 90s. After a disastrous night out with his boyfriend Shane’s fledgling drag career is in tatters. All seems lost until he finds a gorgeous, half-naked stranger in his flat. Can Calvin help Shane face up to the night before, and will he help Shane find the personal reserves to carry on in time for more bad news?
Brothas by Topher Campbell is set in the noughties. It centres on Dwayne, a muscular, attractive Jamaican immigrant and his overweight, plain university friend, Remi. They are chilling, and chatting... and chatting to guys online but after Dwayne finds a hot date for the night - with benefits he discovers Remi is using a fake profile...
The Last Gay Play by Joshua Val Martin is set in the present. Anyone can get cold feet before getting married but hiding in the chapel belfry isn’t the answer! Will the Father get the groom to the altar or does he care more about the church roof than he does about his son’s happiness?