Larry Kramer’s seminal work covering the early days of the AIDS crisis has opened at the National Theatre in a new staging by Dominic Cooke. The Normal Heart, Larry Kramer’s largely-autobiographical play concerning the first few years of the AIDS crisis in New York City, hasn’t been seen in the UK for 35 years.
Following its premiere at New York’s Public Theatre in 1985, it opened at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1986 – it must have been a truly groundbreaking show at the time, reporting from the front line of the crisis while it was still unfolding.
It covers the years 1981 to 1984 and focuses on the life of Ned Weeks (Ben Daniels), based on Larry Kramer, who sets up a community organisation to step in and support the gay men affected by