Ian Hallard chats to Canal St Online

Hot on the heels of its complete sell out in London, this Mart Crowley masterpiece arrives soon at The Lowry.

There’s a party about to commence when nine men gather in a New York apartment for a birthday celebration. Harold, a self-confessed ‘Jew fairy’, receives a surprise birthday gift - a beautiful male hustler dubbed 'Cowboy'. Meanwhile, party host Michael gets an unwanted surprise of his own in the shape of a figure from his past. As the booze is drunk and the dope smoked, the mood swings from hilarity to heart-break.

And there is so much more to follow..

From the producers of the critically acclaimed revivals of Beautiful Thing, Our Boys and Another Country and the forthcoming stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, comes this eagerly anticipated revival of Mart Crowley’s seminal piece, The Boys in the Band which premiered in 1968 just before the Stonewall riots.

Listen to what the stars thought about it recently.

In 1968 “The Boys In The Band” was the first play to feature all gay characters. Written by Mart Crowley, a film followed in 1970 and now a new touring production is heading for The Lowry. Drew Tosh spoke to one of the show's stars Ian Hallard.

Almost 50 years on so much has changed for the LGBT community. Is there a danger the play will feel like a time piece ?

'It's been really interesting charting what's changed but also what hasn’t. We're no longer cowering in flats worrying about police raids and arrests. We're now in an unbelievable political situation which, even 15 years ago, you wouldn’t have believed the time would come when it wouldn't be politically viable for any major party to be against gay equality and marriage anymore.'

So has the view of the gay community almost come full circle ?

'Possibly. For the first time in 40 years we're now in a place where the dominant discussion about gay men is no longer about HIV and aids. That was the topic of every gay themed drama that was written in the 80s and 90s. This piece was a pre HIV play and now HIV is a chronic but treatable illness so it’s a similar kind of time, particularly in terms of the hedonism that's going on.

It's been interesting having a few of the straight critics question whether the play is dated or still relevant. There's that view of 'Oh you've got gay marriage now so why are you still banging on that drum?' and you just think 'God, if only you knew…’

How has the reaction been so far?

'We've had an amazing audience response and it really underpins just how much the piece still resonates. You just swap barbituates and booze for modern types of drugs. The play features addiction levels, issues of monogamy, open relationships, racism and effeminacy within the gay community - all things we still deal with today. It's also been really touching seeing younger audiences recognise themselves and their friends within the characters.'

Is it difficult to present a gay character without people thinking it represents ALL gay people?

'This is something gay themed drama comes up against time after time. Russell T Davies still gets flack from people about “Cucumber” not being representative. They complain that they don’t know anyone like those characters but of course there's so many different types of people these are just particular examples. You're not TRYING to encapsulate the whole gay community. You wouldn’t to do that with a straight role and you never get people complaining to a writer about a female character being a certain way therefore all women are like that. It's incredibly patronising to assume you'd even try to do that.'

It's a dark, blackly funny piece about 9 friends with various disfunctions – should we be alarmed if we recognise ourselves in any of the characters?

'Not at all ! If you're only familiar with the film you'll know that it's very dark and bleak but what they original play has is the humour. There's lots of gritty, funny, quotable lines. It's actually a farce and full of laughs, many getting a round of applause most nights. Yes it can be dark but people laugh a lot more than they expect – it isn’t a tortuous two hours of angst and self loathing with bitter old queens screaming at each other. They have issues with each other and argue but at its heart, it's about a group of friends who care about each other and are there for each other. That's what underpins the whole piece.'

Your character Michael is described as a bitter, drunken, neurotic host. What's that like to play?

'Huge fun! He's got so many things going on. He's been on the wagon for five weeks, he's never had a long term relationship, he's a lapsed catholic with huge issues and conflicting views about religion and he's got issues with his parents so he's carrying a fair bit of weight on his shoulders. It's great to play a complex character because there's a real gamut of emotions, from when he's sober to when he becomes the bad drunk that we know all too well.'

You're starring alongside your husband (Mark Gatiss) for the first time. How's that working out? 

'It's been lovely. We haven’t seen much of each other this year so touring together and being able to take the dog with us is fantastic. We've collaborated on scripts and writing for years so that’s always been in place but this has been great.'

Perhaps you could become the new Pauline Collins & John Alderton?

'Ha, yeah. I recall Pauline Collins being interviewed and asked how they'd managed to have such a long, successful showbiz marriage. Her answer was separate holidays!' 

It's a very strong cast you're touring with as well isn't it?

'They're brilliant, there's no weak link and we've all gotten on like a house on fire. They're a rather attractive bunch as well. You see people looking at the poster as they leave deciding which one they'd most like to take home with them.'

Perhaps you should make that a special competition?

'Good idea, though the results might be a bit depressing for some of us.'

So what's next?

'After this tour I have a week off then I'm giving my Widow Twankey in panto – talk about the sublime to the ridiculous. Though now that I've got Michael in my repertoire I might make my Twankey pop pills and have an emotional breakdown, sobbing on stage. It could revolutionise panto!'

The Boys In The Band runs at The Lowry from 3 to 6 November

By Drew Tosh for Canal St Online.

Published: 27-Oct-2016: (3956)