Pallant House Gallery in Chichester has announced the acquisition of a series of paintings depicting the first gay kiss and drag ball in British theatre.
The five works by British artist Leonard Rosoman R.A (1913-2012) have been acquired from the estate of the artist’s widow Roxanne Wruble Rosoman (1937-2018) through the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme.The five paintings, created as part of Rosoman’s A Patriot for Me series, are based on John Osborne’s controversial play of the same name, which was first performed at the Royal Court in 1965.
While the play was initially banned by the Lord Chamberlain’s office for its homosexual content, a legal loophole was exploited which turned the theatre into a private club for the play’s duration.