A few years ago I had the privilege of seeing Martin Sherman’s “Bent” in the Helix as part of the Dublin Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival. Few plays have ever affected me as much and I have spent years telling everyone who would listen that they simply must see this play. So I was thrilled to see that another production of it is currently running in Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre.

Last Sunday I went to see this production and wasn’t disappointed. It was just as moving as the first one I’d seen and again I can’t stop singing it’s praises to anyone who will listen. The theatre itself is very small but I found that lent itself to the intimacy of the story. The actors were amazing and kept the audience riveted to the spot. We all laughed and cried as the narrative was unfolding before us.

The drama itself is based on a character called Max who is sent to Dachau in the 1930’s. He is willing to do anything to stay alive and so finds a way to be given a Star of David rather than a pink triangle as he is told this will put him in a better position within the camp.

While there he meets Horst, a gay man who proudly wears his pink triangle and can not understand Max’s refusal to do so. The interaction between Max and Horst is the backbone of the piece and it is so brilliantly woven that you can not help but be drawn into it.

Max is transformed from someone who thinks he can scheme his way out of anything into someone who realises the importance of caring for another human being.

When this play was written, in 1979, there was little or no historical research into the persecution of homosexuals by the Third Reich. I would imagine that the success of this moving piece of historical drama had a positive affect on educating the world to the plight of gays in Nazi Germany.

I can not rate this production highly enough and would encourage anyone and everyone to see it whenever they get a chance.

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