Published: July 25, 2010
“A few months ago we could not have even dreamt that this issue would be considered a subject of interest for a play in the West End It shows the change there has been. “When a senior High Court judge says these rules are based on prejudice alone, that is quite persuasive. This play will be a timely reminder that a fudge is not really possible.”Duncan Lustig-Prean, a former lieutenant-commander in the Navy, who is one of the four campaigners, says public response to the case has been “staggering”. A Commons select committee will also consider whether to review the ban in time for the proposed Armed Forces Bill next summer.”We regard the ban as an indefensible contravention of human rights that is wrecking lives in a way that is completely unnecessary,” says Ms Mason. “I wanted to write drama for the stage, and the story just happens to be about two men in the Navy who are in love with each other, and how an investigation into the alleged homosexuality of one of them causes his whole life, all his friendships and everything around him, to unravel.”Nevertheless, Angela Mason of the gay rights group Stonewall believes Burning Blue will prove to be “a rallying point” for supporters of a legal campaign being fought by four homosexual former members of the British armed forces.In June the four – three men and one woman – failed to persuade the High Court to overturn the ban on gays in the military, although Lord Justice Simon Brown turned down their request “with hesitation and regret”.If an appeal against the decision fails in October, they plan to take their fight to the European Court of Human Rights, where they are confident of victory. There were huge cheers during preview shows last week when a rampantly heterosexual character admitted he went to gay clubs “because the music is better and the people are more fun”.”I did not write this as a polemic,” says Mr Greer.
It is the semi- autobiographical story of a promising young officer who falls in love with a colleague and is forced to resign after an aggressive and intrusive investigation by Naval Special Intelligence officers.
For all its anger, the play knows its own audience. “It also stops me fighting with the children over who’s going to listen to what,” says Mr Mullen. “I can take the hi-fi remote control with me and that’s it.”. GAY RIGHTS campaigners believe a controversial new West End play could provide fresh impetus for their battle to lift the ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces. Burning Blue, which opens at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, this week is the first play by David Greer, a former US Navy pilot.
The infra-red links can power speakers, meaning that listening to music in the bath no longer means risking electrocution. An average cost might be pounds 1,000, depending on the cameras and wiring used.The system was devised by Total Sound, of Runcorn in Cheshire. Chief executive Peter Temperley said: “We started working on this about three years ago It has created a lot of interest. Builders have been receptive because they are aiming to make houses more secure and make people feel their homes are safe places to live.” So far 27 housebuilders in the county are incorporating the system into new homes.”It’s not a wire fence, but if you’re in bed at midnight and the doorbell goes, you can see who’s there without having to get up,” says Mr Temperley.The same system also means that homeowners can listen to music in different rooms without lugging a hi-fi around.