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# BBC’s lost first documentary on homosexuality rediscovered and transformed into stage play
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/bbcs-lost-first-documentary-on-homosexuality-rediscovered-and-transformed-into-stage-play/
- Published: 2025-12-18T11:11:05.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-18T11:11:05.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Culture

***The BBC’s First Homosexual***, a new play by Dr **Stephen M Hornby**, will be showing at **Lantern Theatre** in Brighton as part of **LGBT+ History Month** in February 2026\. 

In 1954, the BBC produced its first ever documentary on male homosexuality - a groundbreaking radio programme that was so controversial it was banned and shelved for three years. When it finally aired in 1957, only a heavily edited version was broadcast, and the original recording was subsequently lost. All that remained was a forgotten transcript, recently rediscovered after more than seventy years.

With the BBC’s permission, this historic document has now been brought to life on stage by multiple-award-winning writer Dr Stephen M Hornby. Originally commissioned for the BBC 100 celebrations, **Inkbrew Productions** will present the newly expanded *The BBC’s First Homosexual* national tour at the Lantern Theatre in Brighton on **Saturday 7** and **Sunday, 8 February** 2026, as part of its national tour as part of LGBT+ History Month.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2025/12/Writer---Dr-Stephen-M-Hornby.jpg)

Dr Stephen M Hornby

Known for creating plays from archive material and currently Playwright in Residence for LGBT+ History Month, Dr Stephen M Hornby was granted unique access to BBC archive materials including the original transcript, internal memos, and letters from the public in response to the programme. 

He said: “I’ve woven fragments from the BBC’s archive with the fictional story of a young man exploring his own life. Through him, audiences see what life was like being gay in the 1950s and the impact the documentary has upon him. 

"Several so-called ‘experts’ in the programme supported conversion therapy, and its influence on British society is still felt today. I suspect this partly explains why we are still campaigning to ban such practices.” 

## Tickets [HERE](https://lanterntheatrebrighton.co.uk/listings-new/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)