The BBC's First Homosexual
The BBC's First Homosexual is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Assembly George Square. It has 12 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 13:00 to Sun 16 Aug, 13:00. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
In 1954, the BBC made its first-ever documentary about male homosexuality. At the time, the topic was so taboo that the finished radio programme was promptly banned. It sat on the shelves for three years until a heavily edited version was broadcast in 1957. Then it was lost. All that survived was a forgotten transcript of the original recording, remarkably rediscovered after seventy years. With special agreement from the BBC, it is brought to life by award-winning writer Stephen M Hornby in a newly expanded dramatisation, directed by award-winning director Oli Hurst.
Details
- Venue: Assembly George Square
- Space: The Crate
- Genre: THEATRE, LGBTQ+, Historical
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - ENGLAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Ed Fringe Guide rating: Wild Cards
- Room size: about 74 seats (The Crate) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 12, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: level
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Wheelchair access type:Level Access Stairs: None Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 10 published reviews and 20 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
There have been many plays, movies, and television series about the gay experience before Stonewall and what it was like to live in a more closeted society.
The BBC’s First Homosexual will absorb you for an hour, digging into how homosexuality was discussed, distorted and controlled in 1950s Britain. Historical theatre that feels uncomfortably relevant today.
Directed by Oliver Hurst, The BBC’s First Homosexual is a compelling and thoughtfully crafted exploration of queer history.
— Theatre Weekly (4 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £9.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £9.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 13:00 — Already performed — £14.00