The Boys In the Band by Mart Crowley
16 Merivale Lane., Christchurch, Christchurch
Ticket Information
- Additional fees may apply
Restrictions
Website
Listed by
The Boys in the Band is a landmark play about nine gay men who’ve gathered in a New York City apartment for a friend’s birthday party and suddenly see the cracks of their friendship. Filled with romantic yearning, witty banter, and, for some, self-hatred—was considered revolutionary for its time.
Originally scheduled to run for five performances at a small Off-Broadway venue in 1968, the play became an overnight sensation, and -- after transferring to a bigger theatre - ran for over 1,000 performances. The show went on to have an acclaimed run in London and was adapted into a film by William Friedkin in 1970. More recently, was revived recently on Broadway for its 50th anniversary in 2018, and has enjoyed many accolades for the recently released Netflix special feature.
Though The Boys in the Band is what he's known for, Crowley, who has sadly passed last year, never thought the play would be considered an integral part of gay cultural history. “Everybody that knew me, my friends, they all thought I was going around the bend a bit when I'd tell them what I was working on," he recalled of writing it. "I just kept going. I had faith in something, I don't know what it was—myself, I hope. I finally typed ‘The End’ and put it on my arm and came to New York with it.”
The significance of The Boys in the Band cannot be underestimated. Mart Crowley made theatrical history by giving voice to gay men onstage, in this uncompromising, blisteringly honest, and wickedly funny play."
The play is groundbreaking in its exploration of how gay men treated each other and how they were made to feel about themselves. And while some attitudes have thankfully shifted, it's important to be reminded of what has been overcome and how much further there is still have to go.
Cast:
Michael: Mark Darbyshire
Donald: Rob Mattson
Harold: Tam Vosper
Alan: Sam Primrose
Emory: Andrew Challis
Larry: Luke Longworth
Hank: Regan Harding
Bernard: Ezra Sharp
Cowboy: Aaron Harvey
Log in / Sign up
Continuing confirms your acceptance of our terms of service.
Post a comment