FIFTY YEARS young this year, The Boys In The Band is still, arguably, one of the most important gay-themed plays in theatre. It is frank, funny and often painful to watch. That five decades later, a play that puts gay life centre stage is still rare, says much about its continuing relevance.
When The Boys In The Band premiered off Broadway in New York in 1968, it titillated and shocked mainstream theatregoers with its brutal portrayal of a small group of gay friends. Gay men flocked to the show, finally seeing an honest depiction of their lives on stage.