We’ve made no progress on gays, says playwright

The terms of the debate on homosexuality have not advanced in half a century, according to the creators of a new play.

Thomas Hescott, director of The Act, and actor Matthew Baldwin said the debate on gay marriage mirrors the language used when male homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967.

The surprising difference, said Hescott, 35, is how the Church of England backed change in the Sixties — but opposed gay marriage this year. “We haven’t moved on from essentially being very obsessed with gay sex as opposed to gay relationships,” he said.

The men, who are both gay, used their own experiences in their story of a gay civil servant.

The Act runs at the Ovalhouse, Kennington Oval, from October 8-26.