2008: City slickers Donald and Jim are celebrating their civil partnership. 1868: Wealthy young cross-dressers Ernest (Stella) and Fred (Fanny) are celebrating Stella's 'marriage' to Lord Arthur Clinton MP. Weaving these stories together, this powerful and funny play dramatises the farcical trial that gripped the nation 25 years before the downfall of Oscar Wilde.

We caught up with Lewton to find out more the play, sex and Victorian porn.

Tell me a little about Lord Arthur’s Bed. What can we expect?
The play tells the extraordinary story of Victorian transvestites Fanny and Stella and Stella’s “marriage” to Lord Arthur Clinton MP, seen through the eyes of two modern men in a civil partnership.

What was it that inspired you to write the play?
I came across the story by chance and was totally gripped by it.

What does the title refer to?
The two guys telling the story get interested in it because they find they’ve bought an apartment that was once Lord Arthur’s Bedroom.

I believe that many of the incidents in the play based on fact. How much research did you do?
All the incidents in the play are based on historical fact, some of it published and some on the net. Of course at the centre of it all was a trial in Central Hall Westminster, the records of which still exist.

The play links a modern day gay couple with two cross dressers from the past. What were you trying to achieve with the play?
Two things really, getting this amazing piece of gay history into the public domain, but also using the story as a vehicle to look at some of the issues gay men face today.

What was it that was so farcical about the trial that gripped the nation 25 years before the downfall of Oscar Wilde?
One example: The police surgeon attempted to prove that Stella was a sodomite on the grounds that he had unusually large private parts!

Unlike Wilde, why has history decided not to keep their story alive?
There are many areas of gay history that are only now being written and talked about. This is just one of the more astonishing.

The play has a warning message on it –“contains nudity and adult content”. So what are we talking about!
The nudity is very much integral to the story: Fanny and Stella were subjected to an anal examination at Bow Street Police Station, but there are also some very funny excerpts from Victorian porn which are, to say the least, explicit!

I like the suggestive poster for the show of a naked youth. Where did the image come from and what did you want it to suggest?
I found the image on Facebook. It’s by a guy called Leo Browski. I liked it because it seemed to be both old and new and the play is about then and now.

Sex – particularly in gay plays – is often used to get bums on seats. Does that bother you or please you?
Sex is used to sell everything, but in this case it is a play about sex. It’s the story people come out talking about not the rudeness.

What did you make of the fact that the play was denounced in the Brighton Argus for being performed in a church?
I was surprised that they were so predictable but their critic came and gave us a great review

As a writer, is there a particular queer author who’s inspired you?
I’ve read a lot of Neil Bartlett and he has actually written about Fanny and Stella.

What are you personal dos and don’ts in life?
Get on with life, it’s much too short and have as much safe sex as you can.

What do you think of the state of ‘gay theatre’ at the moment?
There’s a lot of good work being done, I hope I can add to that.

And finally, what’s next for Martin Lewton?
I’m planning to do a lot more with this amazing story. I’m writing a new play and I’m missing acting: hope to do some more next year.

Lord Arthur’s Bed, by Martin Lewton
The Drill Hall
16 Chenies Street
London, WC1E 7EX
020 7307 5060 / www.drillhall.co.uk

21 October-2 November 2008 at 8pm (3pm Sundays)

Interested in queer drama? Then get Out on the Stage: Lesbian and Gay Theatre in the Twentieth Century online and save some money to out towards Something for the Boys: Musical Theatre and Gay Culture.