For The Gay Stage

Previous surveys of the gay theatrical repertoire have concentrated on plays produced on Broadway or in London's West End. This comprehensive guide goes well beyond these earlier studies by introducing productions from Off Broadway, from regional theaters in the U.S. and U.K., and from Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Also included are Puerto Rican, Indian and Filipino plays written in English, as well as translations from other languages. Well over half of the works discussed here appear for the first time in such a study.

This intriguing, authoritative book tracks stage representations of lesbians and gay men from Oscar Wilde to the present day and examines scores of British and American plays and playwrights, including works by Wilde, Maugham, Coward, Hellman, O'Neill, Le Roi Jones, and Joe Orton.

Recovers the hidden history of theater professionals who transgressed the gendered expectations of their time

"This is the first book to chart the history of lesbian and gay representation on the stage from the beginnings of drama in English until the nineteenth century. Carl Miller's wide-ranging survey uncovers a hidden heritage of romantic heroines, depraved villains, noble martyrs and hysterical queens. Voices of characters unheard for centuries are brought back to life in rare, rediscovered texts, alongside bold reassessments of classic plays. Offstage, the book investigates theatrical records, memoirs, history and erotica to reconstruct what went on in the dressing rooms and bedrooms of British theatres leading players. With provocative detail and contemporary insights, Stages of Desire demonstrates that Shakespeare cannot have been heterosexual; that David Garrick's fear of outing made him betray his friends; and that touring gay agitprop began in the reign of Henry VIII. It investigates sex scandals involving Nicholas Udall, Christopher Marlowe, Charlotte Charke, Samuel Foote, Isaac Bickerstaffe, Lord Byron and Oscar Wilde. Why, this book asks, why was arse-play a feature of fourteenth-century Christian drama? How did Elizabeth I enjoy lesbian romances? What dangers were involved in criticizing the King's boyfriend on stage? Who were Georgian London's lesbian stars? Why do theatre-goers applaud homosexuals on stage, yet persecute them in the street?"--Back cover.

Argues that critics have misunderstood the relationship between male playwrights and women's roles because they have neglected the interpretive skills of the actresses playing those roles. Analyzes hypothetical as well as historical performances to demonstrate how women have invented acting styles to portray women created by playwrights from Ibsen to Beckett. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Convinced he should have died in the accident that killed his parents and sister, sixteen-year-old Drew lives in a hospital, hiding from employees and his past, until Rusty, set on fire for being gay, turns his life around. Includes excerpts from the superhero comic Drew creates.

The Gay Grimoire is written for the gay man coming out of the closet to the end of his years, and composed of spells, rituals, and recommendations that cater to gay pagan men. There are spells for love, career, finances, gay rights and the golden years.

Before the Parade traces the beginnings of Halifax's gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. Journalist and activist Rebecca Rose melds insights and perspectives from the people at the forefront with a thoroughly researched, narrative history. Rose brings her queer femme, feminist perspective to this compelling--and never before told--history of Halifax's early LGB community.