Feature: Theatre - A Rude Awakening at New End Theatre on 3 February

Published: 3 February, 2011
by GERALD ISAAMAN

Dr Barry Peters’ debut play explores issues of sexuality and intolerance in an American future 

SEXUALITY has certainly been hogging the headlines of late, so much so that you can hardly escape the tentacles of what Dr Barry Peters describes as an unfortunate part the “basic human condition”.

We have been deluged with the row over the Sky sports presenters and their sexist comments; the recent audacious claim that homosexuals are the new McCarthy­ites trying to brainwash children; and that horrific story of the public school­girl jailed last week for stampingon – and killing – a gay civil servant in Trafalgar Square.

To add compelling grist to that revolving mill we have the premiere tonight (Thursday) of A Rude Awakening at the New End Theatre, Hampstead, in what can only be considered a remarkable transcendental debut as a playwright by 56-year-old Dr Peters.

As an consultant physician at Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital, where he does research and teaching on HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, Dr Peters knows intimately about the subject and its manifestations, on which he has written extensively in the academic world.

As a 12-year-old child actor he performed alongside Alastair Sim and Wendy Craig at the Scala Theatre, and he retains a passion for the theatre and writing, which has expressed itself in his first play plus a book, yet to be published.

“Writing is a passion that I thankfully have been unable to contain,” he admits disarmingly, hardly recognising his imaginative approach to the effects of the perversity of sexual taboos and questions of deviance. Indeed, he has set his sex saga not only in the American Deep South but in the future – 150 years on, when the frozen car crash bodies of homophobic politician Tom Holdsworth and his gay campaign manager Bobby suddenly find themselves in a very different society. It is one where hetero­sexuality is legally illicit and raises the fascinating question of how far does this rude awakening takes us from the corruptions of the world around us today.

“It is not death and disease that inspired me to write the play,” insists Dr Peters, who has cared for people living with HIV and Aids for some 23 years. “As a doctor, there is nothing new in that.

“It was the hypocrisy and mental cruelty I saw visited on patients simply because of their sexuality. This is not a play about gay rights. I have no axe to grind, and, for what it is worth, I am heterosexual.

“The play uses this forum to show the destructiveness of the ‘herd instinct’ towards prevailing views and against minorities of whatever beliefs. It is a basic human condition in my view that we must rise above.”

He deliberately set the play in the American south because of the polarised views that already exist there, and explains: “I don’t think the polarisation is the same in the UK. This a play about hypocrisy and extreme attitudes, which uses sexual orientation as one example of how man condemns his fellow man – and acts as a pack animal. It applies to people of all different beliefs and orientations.”

He is not convinced that today’s younger generation in the UK are more sympathetic to gender change. “There are enclaves of liberalism,” he says. 

“But the world, some countries, some religions, are driving ahead with their views of ‘normality’ and are hostile to those outside of this.”

While Dr Peters hopes his play will provide better understanding, his concern remains with “the absurdity of people reacting so blindly to a person because of their prevailing and, to them, natural behaviour”.

Meanwhile, he has enjoyed “some wonderment” but also some frustration watching his play come to life in rehearsals in the tiny New End Theatre, itself once the mortuary for New End Hospital opposite, now converted into flats.

“There is also a feeling of sheer excite­ment,” he exclaims. “I love writing and my juices have really flowed with the whole process. And working with a good director, actors and a team is itself a marvellous thing.”

Will he be hiding in the back row on opening night? “Absolutely,” he replies, “but more observing the audience than hiding though.”

If anyone faints, at least there will be a doctor in the house.

Top name at New End

The cast of eight for Rude Awakening, directed by former practicing lawyer Olivia Rowe, is lead by the American actor Jonathan Woodward, 37, famously known for the role of Holden Webster in Buffy  the Vampire Slayer and Angel, who provides a new light in British-American cross culture and gender politics in the role of the gay campaign manager Bobby.

How did New End attract such a top name? “It was a unique idea, with the challenging concepts of the play,” says Olivia. “New End has managed to punch above its weight and propel many an actor and script to dizzy heights. I had a few chats with Jonathan and he was intrigued with the whole idea.”

• A Rude Awakening runs at the New End Theatre, 27 New End, Hampstead, NW3, until March 6. Tickets £18, concessions £16. Box office 0870 033 273