LONDON, January 23, 2007  –  An evening of play readings is to be staged by the Croydon Area Gay Society (CAGS) to celebrate 50 years of progress in gay rights during LGBT History Month in February.

This year is the 50^th anniversary of the publication of the Wolfenden Report – a best-seller that sold all 5,000 copies within three hours on its publication day September 4, 1957.  The report found the homosexual behaviour between consenting adults should no longer be a criminal offence.

The evening will comprise two short pieces, showing how the situation of gay people in this country has improved greatly over the years, and is presented in association with LGBT[1] History Month, a national celebration throughout February of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender history.

Rid England of this Plague is taken from Rex Batten’s autobiographical novel of the same name about life in the 1950s – a period when a Home Secretary had promised to rid England of the “plague” of homosexuality.

A visit from the police has a devastating affect on two young men, who just wanted to live quietly together.

Rex Batten himself will read the prologue and answer questions.  Copies of the book will also be on sale.

The second piece will be an extract from Beautiful Thing, the acclaimed play by Jonathan Harvey which went on to become one of the best “gay” films ever made.  It is the heart-warming story about two young men coming to grips with their sexuality and the effect it has on their lives.

By the 1990s official persecution of gay people has long since come to an end, but young gay men still face difficulties with coming out to their families and the risk of bullying at school.

The CAGS event will be held at the Warehouse Theatre, Dingwall Road, Croydon at 8pm on Monday the February 5, and is open to the public (no charge, but there will be a collection in aid of the Warehouse Theatre, which is threatened with closure).

Members of CAGS and their friends will be taking the various parts, and the evening will be directed by David Page, chair of CAGS, who is well known for his involvement in local amateur dramatics.

Mr. Page said: “We’re very excited about the play reading: this is a new venture for CAGS, but fits in well with our commitment to support the LGBT Community.”

Ross Burgess, secretary of CAGS, said the Metropolitan Police is interested in using Rid England of this Plague as an example of “the bad old days” of police attitudes to gay people in their diversity training.

“We’re grateful to the Warehouse Theatre for allowing us to put on this event, and to Rex Batten for coming and support us in person,” he added.