Mart Crowley’s 1968 play The Boys in the Band has rarely been far from controversy. As one of the first plays to unapologetically place a group of gay men at its centre, the original stage production struggled at first to find a US theatre willing to put it on, or actors happy to play its characters.
In 1970, it was made into an equally contentious film – but as time passed and gay representation became more commonplace, The Boys in the Band attracted criticism for its characters, perceived as shallow and self-pitying.
To mark its 50th anniversary, the play was revived on Broadway in 2018 with a cast of entirely out gay actors – including The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons and Magic Mike’s Matt Bomer – all of whom have returned for this Netflix film version, produced by the prolific Ryan Murphy.
REAPPRAISAL
This story is from the September 26, 2020 edition of TV & Satellite Week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 26, 2020 edition of TV & Satellite Week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Reef encounters
Liz Bonnin an and Steve Backshall on the race to save the planet's precious Coral reefs
Gunman grandpa
Nicolas Cage is a washed-up assassin forced to protect his family
SPOOK squad
Two teenage ghosts and their psychic friend tackle mysteries from beyond the grave
Never say goodbye
Rock band Bon Jovi look back on a glittering 40-year career and consider the next chapter
Golder opportunities
Alesha Dixon on what to expect as Britain’s Got Talent returns...
Headline hunters
Roving reporters Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar are back in the newsroom
SECRET Society
A dedicated cop searches for a missing teenager on a sinister pagan island
Flight risk
Richard Armitage and Jing Lusi are caught up in a dark conspiracy aboard a plane bound for Beijing
Back on the road
Sir Michael Palin embarks on an epic adventure across Nigeria – at the age of 80
REBELS RETURN
Kora and her motley crew are back for an epic rematch in a sci-fi sequel