The BBC's First Homosexual

A lost BBC documentary. A rediscovered transcript. A powerful new stage play.

In 1954, the BBC made its first ever documentary about male homosexuality - so controversial it was banned, shelved for years, and ultimately lost. Only a forgotten transcript survived… until now.

In February 2026, as part of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans History Month UK, Inkbrew Productions brings this extraordinary piece of queer history to life in a powerful new play: The BBC’s First Homosexual, written by multi-award-winning playwright Dr Stephen M Hornby, directed by Oliver Hurst and based on the research of Loughborough University's Prof Marcus Collins.

Blending archive materials, letters, internal BBC memos and a moving fictional narrative, the play invites audiences to step into the lived realities of LGBTQ+ people in the 1950s and confront the lingering impact of conversion therapy that shaped a generation.

This event forms part of Loughborough's LGBT+ History Month and is kindly supported by the EDI Services Fund in collaboration with LU Arts. Performances will be followed by a community forum to discuss the issues tackled in the play, hosted by CJ DeBarra (Tuesday) and Ken Coney (Wednesday).

Evening performance Tuesday 24 February at 7pm and a matinee performance Wednesday 25 February at 2.30pm.