By David Hoyle. A Queer Contact 2017 Commission.
Diamond explores LGBT history spanning the 60-year period from 1957 to 2017 through the personal biography of David Hoyle. Weaving together intimate personal accounts and landmark events Diamond charts David’s rise from gay adolescent in Blackpool in the north of England, to famous Channel 4 anti-drag queen cult phenomena.
2017 is an important year in British LGBT history as its marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of the Wolfenden Report in 1957 that recommended that homosexual activity should no longer be a criminal offence. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Revisiting landmark events such as the Wolfenden Report, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the repeal of Section 28 and the lives of prominent gay figures such as Alan Turing, and more recent LGBT political activists, Diamond offers moments of reflection and insights into this history and on-going struggle for equality.
Diamond is a piece of theatre that navigates counter-cultures, queer gender and sexuality, and British attitudes, and will appeal to all with liberation in their heart.
CREATIVE TEAM
Written and performed by David Hoyle, in collaboration with The LipSinkers and The House Ghetto, Manchester’s Vogue House.
Director: Mark Whitelaw
Producer: Jayne Compton
Choreography: Darren Pritchard
CREDITS
Commissioned by Contact. With Support from Arts Council England and Superbia.