About

On 5th June 1988 at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End a remarkable theatrical celebration took place – Before The Act.

The show was devised by Ian McKellen, Michael Cashman, Sean Mathias, Stephen Oliver and Martin Sherman. Produced by Trina Cornwell and Wendy Martin of 20^th Century Vixen. Directed by Richard Eyre .

It showcased the work of lesbian and gay authors, poets, playwrights and composers and highlighted the harmful impact of Section 28 – a notorious piece of legislation which prohibited the ‘promotion of homosexuality‘.

This website and 3 podcasts are not an official history of Before The Act. They include the memories of some of the women involved and excerpts from the show itself – as gathered by Bev Ayre, stage manager for the show and in 2003 the Development Director at Stonewall just before Section 28 was finally repealed. 

Before The Act was a seminal moment in LGBT history bringing together stars from the worlds of theatre and music with a group of Lesbian and Gay activists. The core group went on to produce a second benefit, a performance of the play Bent, at the Adelphi Theatre in 1989. The proceeds founded Stonewall – the organisation which lobbied for 15 years to repeal the law.

Section 28 prevented libraries and schools from stocking LGBT relevant materials and had a profound effect on teaching in schools. It was the first homophobic law to be passed in the United Kingdom for 100 years and resulted in unhappiness, repression and prejudice. 

The show included performances by an incredible cast including : Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Ian McKellen, Alan Bates, Joan Plowright, Maureen Lipman, Timothy West, DV8, Maria Aitken, Rupert Everett, Richard Griffiths, The Pet Shop Boys, Parker and Klein, Pam St.Clement, Sheila Hancock, John Thaw, Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon, Anthony Sher, Tilda Swinton, The Hot Doris Band, Paul Eddington, Celia Imrie, Simon Rattle, Patricia Hodge, Edna O’Brien, Hugh Quarshie…

Writers and performers also came along to introduce parts of the show such as Alan Bennett, Tom Stoppard, Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Edward Petherbridge, Stephen Fry and Simon Callow.

Before the Act Podcasts were made by:-

With the generous support of Trina Cornwell, Katrina Buchanan, Sayan Kent, Mandy Short, Karen Parker, Angie West of QueerBee Films and Lisa Power. This website and podcast feature images and sound recordings taken by Fiona Cunningham-Reid and Melanie Chaite from the original show.