My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

LEATHER Will Be Presented Online By the Finborough Theatre

The Zoom staged reading is the most controversial play presented by Homo Promos.

By:
LEATHER Will Be Presented Online By the Finborough Theatre Image

Following its hugely controversial run at the Finborough Theatre in 1990, Homo Promos presents a Zoom staged reading of Eric Presland's Leather. The reading will be live streamed on Tuesday, 15 June 2021 at 7.00pm, and will then be available from Tuesday, 22 June to Tuesday, 20 July 2021 on the Finborough Theatre YouTube channel, and concurrently with subtitles on Scenesaver.

Phil befriends Gordon, a rape survivor, and they become lovers.

But Gordon finds himself drawn to Phil's best friend, Terry, who is into heavy sadomasochism...

A brave and groundbreaking play about gay domestic abuse, redolent of pain and violence in all its forms, consensual and non-consensual, as physical abuse is paralleled by mental control, and the erosion of any sense of worth.

Two members of the original cast, Matthew Hodson and Keith Bursnall, will be appearing in the Zoom reading, with the author, Peter Scott-Presland, present. The Zoom reading will be followed by a chance to discuss the issues involved with the cast and author.

The most controversial play Homo Promos ever produced, and the one which people keep asking to see again. It played to packed houses at the Finborough Theatre, despite an attempt by Whitbread, the brewery that owned the Finborough Arms building at the time to close it. Section 28, preventing the 'promotion of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship' was also waved at the company.

Male rape was first highlighted by Capital Gay in two 4-page centre spreads after Heaven nightclub used a rape scene as its Halloween 'entertainment' in 1981. Author of Leather, Peter Scott-Presland was one of the journalists who worked on that exposé, and the experience fed into the writing of the play which was completed in 1987, although it took three years to get a company together to stage it. When it was performed it was the first play to deal with the subject within the gay community. Many objected violently to any suggestion that it was a common occurrence. Nowadays male rape and domestic abuse is acknowledged as a major stain on LGBTQ+ life: the latest statistics suggest 18% of gay men have suffered it at some time.

There are now several charities which work to support male survivors of abuse and violence. The Zoom reading will be a benefit for Stay Brave, a volunteer-led charity providing support and advice to survivors.

To donate, please go to: https://www.staybrave.org.uk/donate


BroadwayWorld My Shows

Don't Miss a UK Regional News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Sounds of the 60s with The Zoots at Mowlem Swanage Mon 17th August in UK Regional Sounds of the 60s with The Zoots at Mowlem Swanage Mon 17th August
The Mowlem (8/17-8/17)
Friday Comedy Club London | Covent Garden, July 2026 in UK Regional Friday Comedy Club London | Covent Garden, July 2026
Comedy Carnival Covent Garden (7/31-7/31)
Reuben Solo - Someone In This Crowd Will Betray Me in UK Regional Reuben Solo - Someone In This Crowd Will Betray Me
The Limelight 2 (9/04-9/04)
Extant's Enhance Shows in UK Regional Extant's Enhance Shows
Underbelly (8/17-8/17)
Calendar Girls in UK Regional Calendar Girls
O2 City Hall Newcastle (8/15-8/15)
Burn the Floor: Supernova in UK Regional Burn the Floor: Supernova
M&S Bank Auditorium (7/05-7/05)
Romeo and Juliet in UK Regional Romeo and Juliet
Greenwich Theatre (7/03-8/02)
CYDONIA KNIGHTS: MUSE TRIBUTE at The Underworld - London in UK Regional CYDONIA KNIGHTS: MUSE TRIBUTE at The Underworld - London
The Underworld (9/04-9/04)
Disney''s Frozen the Musical in UK Regional Disney''s Frozen the Musical
Marriott Theater - Lincolnshire IL (11/04-1/03)
Funhouse Comedy Club – New Comedy Night in Shrewsbury July 2026 in UK Regional Funhouse Comedy Club – New Comedy Night in Shrewsbury July 2026
Brooklands (7/30-7/30)