Queer theatre in the 19th century was a place of codes, cross-dressing and blackmail

By David Coates, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Warwick

In today’s theatre industry, you don’t have to look far to find queer representation. Although the theatre has long been seen as an accepting place for LGBTQ+ people, in the 19th century, examples of queer lives from the stage profession are difficult to find.

I’m a theatre historian at the University of Warwick, and for queer history month in February, I worked on retrieving histories of LGBTQ+ men.

The best-known queer icon from the theatre prior to the 20th century is Oscar Wilde. Details of his arrest in 1895 for gross indecency, the notorious trials that followed and…

Read complete article

~	Ice baths are popular for exercise recovery and general wellness. But what does the science say?

~	DR Congo: Rwanda-Backed M23 Target Journalists, Activists

~	Philippines: Duterte Arrested on ICC Warrant

~	Post-election demonstrations in Mozambique inspire protests against socioeconomic crisis in Angola

~	‘Shoot it like Steph’: why young athletes shouldn’t try to copy the world’s best

~	Arrest of ex-president Duterte will shake up dynastic politics in the Philippines – and hand initiative to rival Marcos family

~	Devastating landslides have hit Milford Sound in the past – if it happened today, the impact would dwarf Whakaari/White Island

~	New play The Robot Dog reminds us there are some knowledges we hold that AI will never have

~	Australia – like everyone else – fails to win exemption from Trump’s tariffs on aluminium and steel

~	Does conflict with friends make you squirm? Doing it right might make the relationship stronger