Gielgud factor finally proves a hit for playwright and critic

NICHOLAS de Jongh, formerly one of London’s most waspish theatre critics, thanked a small fringe venue on Monday night for daring to stage his play about the persecution of gays in the 1950s, when others had turned it down.
Mr de Jongh, who lives at the Angel, spoke at an event in the West End to celebrate the publication by Samuel French of Plague Over England.
It tells the true story of the 1953 arrest of actor, the late Sir John Gielgud, in a public toilet, for “importuning male persons for immoral purposes”.
Ex-chief Evening Standard theatre critic Mr de Jongh talked of the difficulty of finding a venue for the play, partly because of his reputation as a critic, until the Finborough theatre in Earl’s Court offered to take it.
The play eventually transferred to the Duchess theatre in February this year, starring Michael Feast as Sir John, and Celia Imrie as his friend Dame Sybil Thorndike.
Mr de Jongh expected to be panned by his own colleagues, but instead received rave reviews. He is currently writing a film script of the play.
The arrest of Sir John sparked a huge wave of moral indignation, which was followed by a backlash of sympathy from the public at a time when homosexuality was banned. It eventually led to gay reform.
Mr de Jongh told how he had been quietly working on the play for about four years. “People were very scared about putting on a play by a critic”, he said. “One theatre wanted £80,000 to put the play on, which we rejected”.
Published by Samuel French, the play is dedicated to Neil McPherson, artistic director of the Finborough, and producer Bill Kenwright, from the Duchess.
“Neil read it overnight and said next day he would do it,” Mr de Jongh added.
The play was performed for three and a half weeks at the Finborough, and was a sell-out.
“Then Bill Kenwright came to see it and decided he wanted to transfer it to the West End. We all knew it was a big risk. I was an unknown author and a theatre critic, and this was predominantly a gay play.”
Did he miss reviewing plays? “Yes. But I’m glad to have stopped after almost 20 years. I still occasionally go to the theatre, but I haven’t seen anything good lately.”
Mr McPherson said he had received the play after it had been with another venue for about two years. “Nicolas emailed it to me and I read it overnight. I loved it.”
PETER GRUNER