The People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester has appointed writer Stephen M Hornby as a playwright in residence.
Hornby will use the museum’s archives to research and write a new play about the human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
A reading of the play will premiere at PHM on 10 February, as part of Outing the Past, a national festival of LGBT+ history.
Central to the narrative of Hornby’s play will be the Bermondsey by-election of 1983, which was marred by homophobic abuse and tabloid smears directed at Tatchell, the Labour Party parliamentary candidate.
Jenny Mabbott, head of collections & engagement at PHM, said: “Stephen’s work demonstrates the opportunity that history gives for learning, progression and reflection. Peter Tatchell’s story is a fascinating and shocking one that should be forever remembered.”
Hornby’s work has begun with a detailed study of the Labour Party Archives, which are held at PHM. The museum also holds the personal papers of Tatchell and those of Michael Foot, leader of the Labour Party at the time of the by-election. Hornby has also carried out a series of extensive interviews with Tatchell in person.
Hornby said of the project: “It’s been an amazing opportunity to have access not just to the original Labour Party papers on the Bermondsey by-election, but also to Peter. He’s been so generous in giving me his time and some fresh revelations about this episode in his life.”
The residency is part of PHM’s 2019 programme of events, which centres on the theme of protest. It will also include the exhibition Disrupt? Peterloo & Protest, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre.
