Playwright, Performer, Author, FIlm-Maker, Podcaster,Singer, Musician, Producer, Historian and Activist
‘Not Wanted On Voyage’
A one-act play by Rose Collis
More than 60 years ago, Nancy Spain and Gilbert Harding, two of that era’s most famous British TV and radio personalities, unwittingly found themselves at the centre of a celebrity gossip story that had the tabloids vying with each other in a feeding frenzy more befitting of contemporary media.
And their names became inextricably linked.
Gilbert Harding was a guilt-ridden and unhappy gay man who loathed his fame. Nancy Spain was at ease with her sexuality and her celebrity status. And yet they cared deeply for each other, despite their differences.
Both were kind, generous, witty, literate — and refreshingly frank. Dubbed ‘The Rudest Man on Television’, Brian Masters said his friend Harding was ‘truly the first ever Television Personality – a man celebrated for being himself.’
But the irony was that these two famous public figures, known for their unflinching outspokenness, both harboured whopping great secrets in their private lives that could have destroyed their careers overnight.
The play takes as its starting point a boat journey to Jamaica, but its route leads to it exploring other themes: the nature of celebrity — how it’s changed and how it hasn’t. The risks faced by famous gay personalities in those pre-liberation days — especially men, who faced ruin and imprisonment if their sexuality became known to the public. And how the truth could be hidden ‘in plain sight’, if you were part of ‘The Establishment’. Most importantly, it is a rare portrayal and celebration of the friendship between a gay man and a gay woman.
Not Wanted On Voyage was funded by Grants for the Arts, supported by the Arts Council England and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation.
Collaborative partners for the project included Shelley Silas, Kinny Gardner, Thea Bennett, Keith Drinkel, the Marlborough Theatre (Brighton), Bread and Roses Theatre (London) and the youth-led Sussex young people’s organisation, Blueprint 22. The Research & Development project culminated in two ‘script-in-hand’ performances in February 2015 at the Marlborough Theatre and Bread & Roses Theatre, to which industry professionals and other interested groups and individuals were invited. Both shows attracted near-capacity audiences, including representatives from companies, venues and the media − and, most importantly, members of Blueprint 22, for whom theatre-going was a new cultural experience.
This feedback included the following comments:
‘I learnt a lot from the play and they [the actors] worked well together!’
‘I really enjoyed the reading yesterday, which was extremely informative as well as great entertainment.’
‘All in all, an excellent play – it was a most enjoyable experience.’
‘Your writing is sharp and detailed, and you have brought two characters back from the grave is a colourful and vibrant way. I think what you said about showing a relationship between a gay man and gay woman is very pertinent and right – we NEVER see that relationship written in a loving way.’
‘Beautifully written. I thought it was a riveting combination of humour and pathos – and the mannered exchanges were reminiscent of Noel Coward, which was very appropriate. It deserves a proper production.’
‘Entertaining, fills in a gap in our historical knowledge, witty, very much taken from real life and full of surprises.’
‘…intelligent, witty, information-packed, a moment in time recreated for today’s audience.’
‘What came across strongly was how society viewed lesbians and gay men not that long ago, within my lifetime.’
‘…, the material includes so much well phrased dialogue.’
‘I really enjoyed it and am so excited to see it taking shape in such a witty and entertaining form.’
‘Thanks so much for bringing these wonderful characters to life.’
Maureen Chadwick and Kath Gotts, Big Broad Productions: ‘We found it very informative & entertaining, and congratulate you & your team for getting it to this stage – it’s a fascinating insight into these two personalities & their period.’
A film of the Brighton rehearsed reading, shot by Chloe Muncey of Blueprint 22, can now be seen in four parts on YouTube. It features a brief interview with Rose Collis, some footage from the rehearsals and the post-performance audience Q&A:
PDF copies of the script and a tech spec are available on request. Contact: [email protected]
The Research & Development project culminated in two ‘script-in-hand’ performances in February 2015 at the Marlborough Theatre and Bread & Roses Theatre, to which industry professionals and other interested groups and individuals were invited. Both shows attracted near-capacity audiences, including representatives from companies, venues and the media − and, most importantly, members of Blueprint 22, for whom theatre-going was a new cultural experience.