The Boys in the Band premieres in Cyprus

This December, Alpha Square presents a Pan-Hellenic premiere of a play that pioneered the depiction of gay lives on stage. Mart Crowley’s The Boys in the Band was first performed in 1968 and captured the tumultuous voices of a group of gay men in New York shortly before the historic Stonewall uprising and the wider activism that followed.

The play was staged again in 2018 on Broadway, on its 50th anniversary, with a cast of nine openly gay actors, thus highlighting the evolution in America in the field of acceptance. The show won a Tony Award and a year later, it was followed by its film version, with the same actors, on Netflix.

In Cyprus, on December 9, The Boys in the Band will take be staged, translated and directed by Andreas Araouzos. The premiere will take place at Nicosia’s Theatro Dentro and will continue with weekly performances until December 30. One show will also take place in Limassol, at ETHAL Theatre on December 20. Actors taking part are Panos Makris, Fotis Apostolidis, Thanasis Drakopoulos, Dimitris Antoniou, Andreas Koutsoubas, Grigoris Georgiou, Michalis Kazakas, Evros Vassiliou and the director himself on stage.

The story is set in 1968 and begins with a birthday party Michael throws in his apartment for his best friend, Harold, inviting their famous group. Michael’s college roommate Alan, who is in town, also shows up, sounds upset and wants to drop by to see him. Booze flows and truths begin to unravel. Added to this cocktail of explosive twists is a spicy game with all the guests that is called ‘my big love’.

The Boys in the Band

Pioneering play by Mart Crowley, presented by Alpha Square. Directed by Andreas Arauzou. Theatro Dentro, Nicosia. December 9-18. Saturdays at 8.30pm and Sundays at 6.30pm. December 22-30. Thursdays and Fridays at 8.30pm. ETHAL Theatre, Limassol. December 20. 8.30pm. €15. www.tickethour.com.cy. Tel:  7777-7040