Long Lost BBC transcript forms basis for play about sexual identity

Salford theatre hosts play based on long-lost BBC documentary on sexual identity

The New Adelphi theatre has hosted a play that is based around a lost BBC transcript from the 1950s about ‘curing homosexuality’.

The play titled ‘The BBC’s First Homosexual’ was a script-in-hand performance but is expected to have a full production happening next year.

It follows the story of the creation of a documentary called ‘The Cure to Homosexuality’, which was written in the 1950s. A heavily redacted version was released in 1957.

The main character in the play ‘The BBC’s First Homosexual’ written by playwright and University of Salford Fellow in Drama & Theatre Practice Dr Stephen Hornby, is a tailor in Scunthorpe who discovers the documentary.

It also looks into the challenges and moral dilemmas the BBC would have faced whilst creating the piece.

lost BBC transcript — Actors appearing in ‘The BBC’s first homosexual’
Credit: Shay Rowan

Dr Hornby, said: “I thought it needed a person in it, a character who is affected.

“An invented character who’s listened to the documentary and has a relationship with the BBC who is discovering their own sexuality and then the documentary has an impact on them in terms of how they see themselves.”

Looking back to when this was first discovered, Dr Hornby said he was approached by Dr Marcus Collins, the national playwright in residence to LGBT History Month.

It was discovered as part of the BBC’s 100 year birthday, which has focused on uncovering old scripts. They were discovered by Doctor Marcus Collins, Loughborough University and BBC Fellow.

A number of different transcripts were discovered but the unknown true story of ‘The Cure to Homosexuality’ instantly appealed Dr Hornby when asked to look through them by Dr Collins.

Although the play is set 70 years ago, there are many parallels between the experiences faced by the main characters and the lives of individuals today.

Dr Hornby explained: “It’s within our grandparents’ memory and they experienced the world very differently now, so I think there is an important value in uncovering hidden histories and connecting it to the struggles that we face now.”