Premium Content:

On This Gay Day | 'Beautiful Thing' made its theatrical debut

In 1993 Jonathan Harvey’s ‘Beautiful Thing’ was performed for the first time

In 1993 Jonathan Harvey’s play Beautiful Thing was performed for the first time. Telling the story of two teenage boys, living on a council estate, who fall in love.

- Advertisement -

The original production opened at the Bush Theatre in London and was directed by Hettie MacDonald. It featured Patricia Kerrigan, Mark Letheren, Jonny Lee Miller, Sophie Stanton and Philip Glenister.

The play tells the story of London teenager Jamie who is infatuated with his classmate Ste. Ste lives with his drug taking brother and alcoholic father. When he is badly beaten by his father, Jamie’s Mum insists he stay at their flat. There’s no extra bed, and he has to share with his mate.

Beautiful Thing

In March 1994 the show was restaged at the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden. While Letheren and Stanton (pictured above) reprised their roles, Amelda Brown, Shaun Dingwell, and Hugh Bonneville joined the cast.

A third staging came just a few months later at the Duke Of York Theatre in the West End, Amelda Brown was joined by Zubin Varla, Richard Dormer, Diane Parish and Rhys Ifans.

The success of the play saw it commissioned as a TV movie, with Hettie McDonald still directing. Producers were so pleased with the results it was released to cinemas, where it quickly found a global audience who fell in love with the story.

Since it’s debut Beautiful Thing has been performed regularly around the world.  It was on in Sydney in 2021 as part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and there was a Perth production the followng year.

OIP Staff

Latest

The Stella Prize shortlist is a great way to find a great book to read

Six remarkable books are in contentio nfor the award.

Catch ‘The Wedding Banquet’ this week at Luna Leederville

The film has been getting great reviews.

On This Gay Day | Blues singer Ma Rainey was born

Blues singer Ma Rainey is remembered for her groundbreaking references to same-sex relationships.

Eartha Kitt’s 80’s dance hit gets a new lease of life

Producer Joe T Vannelli has given the classic track a refresh.

Newsletter

Don't miss

The Stella Prize shortlist is a great way to find a great book to read

Six remarkable books are in contentio nfor the award.

Catch ‘The Wedding Banquet’ this week at Luna Leederville

The film has been getting great reviews.

On This Gay Day | Blues singer Ma Rainey was born

Blues singer Ma Rainey is remembered for her groundbreaking references to same-sex relationships.

Eartha Kitt’s 80’s dance hit gets a new lease of life

Producer Joe T Vannelli has given the classic track a refresh.

The Stella Prize shortlist is a great way to find a great book to read

Six remarkable books are in contentio nfor the award.

Catch ‘The Wedding Banquet’ this week at Luna Leederville

The film has been getting great reviews.

On This Gay Day | Blues singer Ma Rainey was born

Blues singer Ma Rainey is remembered for her groundbreaking references to same-sex relationships.