Erasure • Features • Private Ear

For three weeks, HP Produktions presented "The Night We Buried Judy Garland", with a different person playing Garland each week. Andy Bell was starring in the role for the final week.

Set in the "Stonewall Inn" , it was an adaptation of the play "Street Theatre" about the Stonewall riots of June 1969.

The writer Doric Wilson used Judy Garland, whose death coincided with these events, as a "reference point to help us back into the period & into the celebratory spirit of this London production."

The effect this achieved was amazing. Much of the play really had to be seen to be believed. There were many varied characters, from drag queens on rollerskates to hippies selling daisies. These people were allowed in the Stonewall Inn and represented the non-conformists of society.

Group Photo

Andy performed seven Judy Garland songs and the best reception was unsurprisingly for "Over The Rainbow", which many of us have seen him perform before on tour. This time, though, the ruby red slippers were on a drag queen rather than on Andy!

The Night We Buried Judy Garland Despite being a play full of comedy, there was also an important central message: that prejudice against homosexuals is still as apparent as it was in the 1960s, not only in the US and many other countries, but also right here in the UK.

The actors surrounding Andy gave us the facts about the inequality that exists for homosexuals in our society. This message was emphasised by him singing amoving but optimistic song " ...we're heading across the river, wash your sings away in the tide, it's all so peaceful on the other side..." ("Get Happy")

Well, let's hope the future will be more peaceful. This play contained an amazing cast and unforgettable singing by Andy.

I saw the play three times, and each time the audience was visibly entertained and moved by the performances.

Once again, Andy has shown that his talent really does know no limits! Here's to Gay Pride 1994!

Louise Aitken

Andy sang: "The Man That Got Away" (Gershwin/ Arlen), "I Happen To Like New York" (Cole Porter), "The Man I Love", "Over The Rainbow" (Harburg/ Arlen), "Bewitched Bothered & Bewildered", "Get Happy" (Koehler/ Arlen), "Almost Like Being In Love" (Lemer /Loewe)