Sir John Geilgud's 1953 arrest for cruising public toilets, when the newly knighted British actor was charged with "persistently importuning men for immoral purposes," is the basis for a new play to be presented in London. Geilgud's career was almost ruined, but the resulting publicity is believed to have brought Britain closer to decriminalising homosexuality, which finally happened in 1967. Geilgud never discussed his homosexuality publicly, although in 1988 he acknowledged his long-term relationship with lover Martin Hensler. The author of Plague over England, veteran theatre critic Nicholas de Jongh, says Geilgud's strength through the public orderal was incredible and he hopes the play will convey the strength of anti-gay sentiment in the 1950s, when it was compared with drug addiction or cancer. When Geilgud returned to the theatre after his conviction he was greeted with a standing ovation. He died in 2000 of cancer, after earning worldwide acclaim for his stage, film and television roles. Ref: Observer
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 14th February 2008 - 2:54pm