After success at the Edinburgh Fringe and a UK tour, Ned Blackburn’s award-winning two-hander An Adequate Abridgment of Boarding School Life as a Homo transfers to London’s Riverside Studios for a limited run.
A reminder that, amidst gay narratives, there is a heart that beats and breaks just like the rest.
Meet Johnny. 18-years-old and in his final year at an all-boys boarding school. A member of the 7ths rugby team, Britney Spears mega fan and a flaming homosexual, Johnny fails miserably to fit into the school’s (rather rigid) mould.
Enter Harry, the confident, charming and really fit 1st team rugby captain. To save a lot of time and trepidation, Johnny and Harry shag… they shag all the time.
An Adequate Abridgment of Boarding School Life as a Homo follows Johnny as he ambles through daily life, from awkward PSHE lessons, Grindr rendezvous and hook ups in the English block loos. This isn’t a coming out story, or a gay tragedy. It is life through the lens of a young queer man, stuck in an institution rife with hyper masculinity and shame.
This acclaimed new play is written by Ned Blackburn, who also stars with Harvey Weed. It’s directed by Josh Stainer and Meg Bowron for Choir Boys Productions.
★★★★★ “Taut, funny, emotional & searingly honest” – Scots Gay Arts
★★★★ “Hits back at the boys-club mentality and toxic masculinity that continues unchecked into adulthood” – The Stage
★★★★ “Comic, candid & truly memorable, this production is a must-see” – Culture Fix
Following the 60-minute performance at 4.15pm on Sunday 3 May 2026, I’ll talk to An Adequate Abridgment of Boarding School Life as a Homo‘s company about the show’s themes and journey to date. Any questions? Join us! (Recommended age: 14+)