This play has concluded its current run
This show has finished its current run Plague over England Plague Over England is based around the controversial 1953 conviction of Sir John Gielgud - for persistently importuning men for immoral purposes in a Chelsea mews. He received a standing ovation at his next stage appearance. Gielgud is a member of the short list of entertainers with the distinction of having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award. Arthur John Gielgud was born in South Kensington in London to a Protestant mother, Kate Terry, and a Catholic father, Frank Gielgud, and was raised a Protestant. More than just a dramatization of a scandalous event in one actor's life, this new play shows how Gielgud's arrest played a small but distinct part in the battle to make homosexuality legal. Plague Over England captures the spirit of Britain in the early 1950s when judges, politicians and the national press were describing homosexuality as a cancer, an epidemic and a threat to national life. It is an extraordinary insight into the dramatic changes in social attitudes to gay life in the last fifty years. Biographer Sheridan Morley wrote that while Gielgud never denied being homosexual, he always tried to be discreet about it and felt humiliated by the ordeal. Some have even speculated that it helped to bring to public attention a crusade to decriminalise homosexuality in England and Wales. |
Plague Over England This show has finished its current run Show Information Booking From: February 11th 2009 To: May 16th 2009 Matinees: Wednesday and Saturday 3:00pm Evenings: Monday to Saturday 7.45pm Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Duchess Theatre Information Duchess Theatre Seating Plan |
Duchess Theatre Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA CLICK HERE FOR ON-LINE STREETMAP Nearest Underground: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) Bus Routes: 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 77A, 91, 176 Nearest Rail: Charing Cross |
Duchess Theatre Directions: Take the Piccadilly Line to Covent Garden and exit into the piazza. The theatre is approximately 10 minutes walk. Disabled toilets Air-conditioned Wheelchair access Infra Red |
