Stage review: The Boys in the Band

There was no gay movement and of course no gay marriage or openly gay public figures. And though times have changed and society is more tolerant we still have a long way to go and a lot to learn.

Mart Crowley’s play about nine men (eight openly gay) at a birthday party in 1960s New York does not have the same impact as it undoubtedly did in 1968 but it still has the power to make the audience think and reevaluate what it is to be gay.

And although there are plenty of laughs as the stereotypical characters ham it up, the dialogue in parts is dark and depressing.

The first half is lighter as the friends reconnect while waiting for the late-arrival of birthday boy Harold, bickering and name-calling good-naturedly and teasing the bare-chested Cowboy who has been booked as a kissogram treat for Harold.

Everything changes when Alan, a married lawyer and former college roommate of Michael’s turns up. Alan has problems of his own and, as Michael and the other guests try unsuccessfully to hide their sexuality, the atmosphere turns spiteful and nasty and a fight breaks out.

The whole company put on a fine performance, but Ian Hallard as party host Michael stands out as he runs through a gamut of emotions, also Mark Gatiss as the louche Harold who stalks about the stage tossing aside pithy one-liners with haughty disdain.

At West Yorkshire Playhouse until November 19.