Tory Boyz

I just remember, even as a, as a young . . . man, not even man, just a boy . . . when nothing makes sense, and you're not sure who you are . . . the idea of - the strength of the person that stands alone, carves their own path . . . of it not being who you are or where you're from but what you do.

Sam, a working-class northern lad, is a Tory researcher working in the office of an education minister. His colleagues know that he's gay, but aware of his career prospects as a possible future MP, he prefers to keep it under wraps, much to the dismay of his Labour opposite number, James, who is trying to keen to have a relationship with him. Has Sam got any chance of rising through the Tory ranks if he comes out of the closet completely?

Discovering that he is working in the same office in which Ted Heath originally began his career inspires Sam to research the man and the rumours about his sexuality.

Through juxtaposing two careers - Ted Heath's and that of the young, modern Tory researcher - Graham questions whether sexuality matters in today's political world and, if it does, then why.

Tory Boyz was first performed by the National Youth Theatre Company at Soho Theatre, London, on 21 July 2008. This edition contains the updated script from 2013 as well as an introduction by Anthony Banks, director and Associate Director for National Theatre Learning.

James Graham won the Catherine Johnson Award for the Best Play 2007 for Eden’s Empire. His previous plays include Albert’s Boy, Little Madam, Tory Boy, The Man, The Whisky Taster, Sons of York, suddenlossofdignity.com and This House. James is writer-in-residence at the Finborough Theatre and also writes for TV and film.