**************************************************************

From: "Kent ."

Subject: BT Scene-- First Part!

Date: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 15:41:39 PST

OK, then! In the absence of a resounding chorus of "nay's", here's a

little something from the minds of Sandra and Kent (well, I guess to be

fair, I only contributed my usual "half a mind"-- you know, as in "I've

half a mind to..."-- to the enterprise, so let's call it a "mind and a

half"!)

Because it took us a while to get rolling (and to get Jamie and Ste

"rolling around"-- you'll see!), these are the first two parts of the

scene as *we* (take that, David Duncan! :)); but I'm glad you

"delurked", as Sandra cutely phrased it) wrote them. The next post of

the story after these two-- cleverly called BT Scene, Third Part!--

will

be done by Sandra tomorrow, I guess-- right, Sandra?

Last but definitely not least: "Welcome, Donald!"

Kent

Jamie is rubbing his hands on Ste's chest over Ste's

shirt, and then slowing slipping one hand *under* the

shirt, and then his other hand, and then slowly lifting the front of

the

shirt up, and...

 

...Ste's skin has goosebumps and he is trembling.

Jamie starts caressing his sides, his belly. Ste

wriggles in pleasure and he smiles. Jamie smiles, too

and he bends over, closer and closer to Ste's lips

until...

**************************************************************

From: "Kent ."

Subject: BT Scene-- Second Part

Date: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 15:43:02 PST

 

... until he pecks lightly (and tickles Ste on his side at the same

time)! Now they're kissing and Ste's snuggling and laughing and also

squirming a bit from the tickling. Jamie then stops. He looks

deeply

into Ste's eyes. "Ga', I am so happy right now that I--" Jamie is

interrupted by Ste's kissing him again; their lips part... they are

now gentle, now hungry, now made passionate; then they break apart and

smile.

" ... "

 

 

 

"I never thought one day yo..." Ste places his forefinger on Jamie's

lips. "Be quiet, Jamie. Be quiet. Kiss me. Just kiss me.

Again, please, again." He starts caressing Jamie's mouth with his

fingertips, offering his lips with need. Moaning, Jamie bends over

him

and takes his mouth in an earthshattering kiss. Ste wraps his arms

around Jamie's back. His hands slip under his T-shirt longing for his

beloved's skin. Jamie presses his body against Ste's looking for his

warmth like a starving baby. They...

[continued...]

**************************************************************

Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 23:02:51 -0500

From: "Harry

Subject: Gloucester

In regards to the Gloucester, I visited last July on the 27th, the date

that Davie had announced to be a mini BT celebration. Unfortunately there

was only one other BT fan there, from Australia. The staff seemed to be a

bit put out when each of us in turn asked about a BT gathering, sort of

roll of the eyes and 'not again' sort of attitude. They were not at all

welcoming, grudgingly tolerant could be the description. We were there

about 3 hours all told and when nobody else showed called it a day. At

one

point someone (not either of us) selected 'Make Your Own Kind of Music'.

It played about 7.8 seconds before the staff shut it off. Very chilly

atmosphere for BT fans on that day. The day was very warm, sunny. Three

pints and the boys in Greenwich Park in their sporty kit (what little

there

was of it) took the sharp edge off the Gloucester.

- Harry

**************************************************************

From: "Jeff

Subject: Visits to Hallowed Ground

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 09:49:13 -0600

How unfortunate, Harry. However much we want to think the rest of the

world

should "Oooo and Ahhh" over our fascination with BT, alas, we could be

mistaken. Are there *that* many BT fans visiting there that they get

annoyed? If so, I think that's great. But you'd think the mere commercial

value of the Gloucester getting business would mean something.

(I might add that BT has done its bit to contribute to the gross national

product of the United Kingdom this year. My credit cards can attest to

that.)

But, you know, they really didn't do anything special for us when we

visited

in October, either. That's fine. We made our own kind of music. (Sorry,

you had to see that one coming.)

I'm sure it's a similar situation for the the residents of Thamesmead.

Can

you imagine what it must be like to live in the three flats and have

groups

of people show up from time to time, staring at your doors and looking up

at

your balconies? I really think we were pretty unobtrusive during our two

visits (Oct. 11 and 12). Of course, NO ONE was really out the first day.

Too cold and rainy. The second day, when Jay, Eric, Robert and I

returned,

it was a gloriously sunny and quiet Sunday. That's when Eric and I

encountered a wonderful resident who shared her observations about the

filming of the movie. "That was about a relationship," she said. How

great

is that? Of course, she lived down the lakeshore, away from the usual

Meccalike area of the flats, The Dance area and The Bench.

I'd still urge BT fans to visit the Gloucester, the Cutty Sark, Thamesmead

and the Woods. The nonbelievers will just have to live with it.

Jeff

**************************************************************

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 08:26:32 -0800 (PST)

From: Rich

Subject: BT Scene

Kent:

That's some pretty steamy writing -- my monitor screen

fogged over -- I can't wait to see Sandra's follow up!

This could prove to be very interesting.

Rich

**************************************************************

From: carl

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 12:13:28 -0500

Subject: Re: screenplay

Hi!! I am Carl. Another lurker. I will come out soon. Really busy

lately. Finally saw the movie and WANT (need!!) a copy!!

**************************************************************

From: Mr Matthew

Subject: Re: Hello and intro stuff......

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 00:09:17 +0000 (GMT)

 

Well, hi!!

This is the first time that I've posted, so I'll give you some

intro stuff about me.....

I'm Matthew, and I come from England - I'm studying in Kent atm!!

The first time I saw BT was on my Birthday!! I was 19, and it was a

real eye opener.....it kind of led to me coming out, because the next

week, I told my friend Cymbeline - and she was the first person that I

told!!!

I saw BT at the Cinema in London (on the 17th June.....cards

presents etc appreciated!!), and it was really touching. It was kind of

my first real experience of Gay life....and it was really romantic, and

a good first picture of how things could be if you come out and

accept who you are........

So, that's my story as far as BT is concerned.....it sounds kind

of corny, but it really did change my life!!

About three weeks after seeing it, I came out to someone I really

fancied too....and, although it ended up as a kind of failure, it was

still a good experience!!

Well, there you go.....that's my intro done!!

 

Matthew

**************************************************************

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 01:44:50 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: BT Scene-- Third Part!

 

... They are so close they feel each other's hearts beating; each

intake of breath presses their chests closer together. They both

sigh,

both moan, at the same time. Jamie now lets his full weight fall on

Ste; Ste holds his arms around Jamie tighter still! He hugs him,

and

then, slowly, moves his hand lower down Jamie's back. His fingers

begin to feel...

 

His fingers begin to feel the slight tremor in his beloved's body.

His

hands caress back and forth, never getting enough of the madly loved

frame. Jamie sighs and looks deeply into Ste's eyes. Ste's hand

strokes his neck, feather-light caresses. "Oh, Jamie!", he moans.

"Ste! I love you!" Jamie cries, his eyes moistering with tears.

Overcome by their infinite love, they embrace desperately. Ste rolls

them over and gets on top of Jamie...

 

[continued...]

**************************************************************

From: Donald

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 20:54:51 EST

Subject: I AM HOOKED

Hey guys,

As if the movie was not good enough, the fans make it even better! I am

not

only hooked on the movie, but also on reading all the interesting mail I

get

from you all. BT puts it into a perspective that allows straight people

to

begin to understand the homosexual plight. For this I am so grateful, I

have

suggested it to many a friends that are homophobic, some have watched and

literally completed a 100% turn around! The power of this movie is simply

immeasurable.

Now, I have a question, does anybody know if the actors have an actual fan

club? Or an address where we can maybe write to them for actual interractio

n?

I would love an autpgraphed picture of the entire cast (yes, especially

Jamie

and Ste)! If something like this exists, could someone please let me

know?

Thanks, and I will keep looking forward to checking my mail.

--

**************************************************************

From: Duncan

Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 22:16:40 EST

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Second Part

WOAH! I'm with Rich! Kent and Sandra, you fogged up my

PC screen right away!

Can't wait to see what the third installment brings! :-)

David

**************************************************************

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 13:55:13 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: Miscellaneous.

Hi everybody!

First of all, Donald and Matthew, welcome!!

Mike, imagine Jamie and Ste ten years older, being introduced to someone:

"Hi, I'm James Gangel and this is my de facto couple, Steven Pearce..."

 

Well, it turns out that the wedding has brought many comments. The morning

after, members of our Government said it was improper for a TV channel to

broadcast such a wedding (at 00:30, for Christ sake!!) but that they would

consider it... The greatest part came when after their words, they showed

a

survey in the street and everybody who had seen it said it was a very

sweet

wedding, the boys were very cute and that they wholeheartedly supported

them. The best part was when an old lady said that she had a nineteen year

old grandson who was also gay. He had a boyfriend, that they were very

much

in love and that they made the sweetest of couples and that she was very

proud of him.

I'm dying to hear what our Government says now! Since they love to

appear

on TV and make a fool of themselves, I'm really curious...

 

Take care.

 

Sandra.

**************************************************************

From: "Benjo

Subject: Re: Hello and intro stuff......

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 13:35:33 +0000 (GMT)

Matthew,

 

> This is the first time that I've posted, so I'll give you some

> intro stuff about me.....

You finally delurked! :)

Yes everyone I do know Matthew and he is as lovely as he sounds!

;)

Speak to you soon!!

Ben. xxxxx

**************************************************************

From: "Michael

Subject: Australian Stage Premiere in February

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 09:39:30 -0400

Attention: Australian Fans of Beautiful Thing

Make Believe Productions presents the Australian stage premiere of

"Beautiful Thing" by Jonathan Harvey - a 1998 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi

Gras Event.

You've seen the Channel 4 Film, now witness this extraordinary story in

its

orginal form.

Directed by Michael  it features Sydney actors Fiona Harris

("Sandra"),

Simon Corfield ("Jamie"), Andrew Wallace ("Ste"), Charles Kevin ("Tony")

and Natalie Murray ("Leah").

It plays at Studio Theatre, Newtown, 8.00pm Tues - Sat and 5.00pm Sundays

from

10 February through 7 March.

Tickets are $20/$15.

To book, call FirstCall on (02) 9320 9169.

If you would like to book via email, please mail to bgmd@rainbow.net.au

stating

booking name, date, number attending (full and conc) and contact telephone

number. If you seek further information regarding the production feel free

to contact me on the above email address.

I look forward to seeing you there - Michael  (Director).

--

**************************************************************

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 10:01:52 -0800 (PST)

From: painter

Subject: Re: Hello and intro stuff......

Hi Matthew and welcome to the BT list.

It doesn't sound 'corny' to me that BT has changed your life. It changed

mine, too, and I've been 'out' (more or less) for 30 years! I wish I'd

seen

BT when I was 19 (or even younger), I'm sure it would have had the same

kind of impact on my life as it has for you. One of the things we all need

are positive images of what it can mean to be 'gay' -- that it is

possible,

despite adversity, to find self acceptance, love and happiness in our

lives. You're to be congratulated for having the courage and insight to

allow BT and all it represents into your heart!

Best wishes,

Mike

 

Matthew  wrote:

> Well, hi!!

>

> This is the first time that I've posted, so I'll give you some

>intro stuff about me.....

>

> I'm Matthew, and I come from England - I'm studying in Kent atm!!

>The first time I saw BT was on my Birthday!! I was 19, and it was a

>real eye opener.....it kind of led to me coming out, because the next

>week, I told my friend Cymbeline - and she was the first person that I

>told!!!

>

> I saw BT at the Cinema in London (on the 17th June.....cards

>presents etc appreciated!!), and it was really touching. It was kind of

>my first real experience of Gay life....and it was really romantic, and

>a good first picture of how things could be if you come out and

>accept who you are........

>

> So, that's my story as far as BT is concerned.....it sounds kind

>of corny, but it really did change my life!!

>

> About three weeks after seeing it, I came out to someone I really

>fancied too....and, although it ended up as a kind of failure, it was

>still a good experience!!

>

> Well, there you go.....that's my intro done!!

>

>

> Matthew

>

 

Mike

**************************************************************

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 10:04:32 -0800 (PST)

From: painter

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Third Part!

You Guys!!! If you keep this up how am I supposed to concentrate on my

work, hugh?? Steamed monitor, sweaty keyboard, E-Yow ...'be still my

beating heart'.... :-)

MW>

 

 

>... They are so close they feel each other's hearts beating; each

>intake of breath presses their chests closer together. They both sigh,

>both moan, at the same time. Jamie now lets his full weight fall on

>Ste; Ste holds his arms around Jamie tighter still! He hugs him, and

>then, slowly, moves his hand lower down Jamie's back. His fingers

>begin to feel...

>

>

>His fingers begin to feel the slight tremor in his beloved's body. His

>hands caress back and forth, never getting enough of the madly loved

>frame. Jamie sighs and looks deeply into Ste's eyes. Ste's hand

>strokes his neck, feather-light caresses. "Oh, Jamie!", he moans.

>"Ste! I love you!" Jamie cries, his eyes moistering with tears.

>Overcome by their infinite love, they embrace desperately. Ste rolls

>them over and gets on top of Jamie...

>

>

>[continued...]

>

 

Mike

**************************************************************

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 10:17:28 -0800 (PST)

From: painter

Subject: Images from BT

Yo,

The old timers on this list have already seen the pictures I put up on the

web but, since we obviously have a bunch of new subscribers, I thought I'd

repost the URL to them for anyone who hasn't seen them. These are stills

from the European version (long horizontal format) that I had a friend

capture from the video. I selected them as the 22 most poignant (to me)

shots in the film. The quality isn't the greatest as they'd gone from

analog to digital back to analog (for VHS) to digital again -- but I'm

sure

you'll enjoy them. You can click on the individual thumbnails for a bigger

picture or click on 'slide show' and let it do it's thang.

Note this requires a frames compatible Browser and also note there is no

link to this directory from the heartcircle.com main page. The only reason

for this is my whole vision for heartcircle.com is being re-considered.

 

Enjoy! :-)

Mike

**************************************************************

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 14:17:51 -0500

From: Keith

Subject: Re: Hello and intro stuff......

Matthew,

There is nothing corny about your story at all. In fact, it mirrors my

story almost exactly. (OK, so I'm a little older...) I had seen other

gay themed movies before, but never had I considered coming out after one

of them. And then came BT. Afterward, I just couldn't stop thinking

about it, and the possibility of coming out to a close friend entered my

mind for the first time in 30 years. Fortunately, I had a close friend

who I knew I could tell. His first reaction was to laugh himself silly.

(At least now he knows why I wasn't interested in all the girls he was

trying to hook me up with) But he is so totally cool with it, as is his

new wife (He did mention at his wedding that I could kiss the bride, but

NOT the groom :) oh well...)

I've been active in the list for months now, and follow all the conversatio

ns, but I still can't put my finger on exactly what it is about BT that

made it have such an influence on me.

The points I do notice about BT that make it unique are:

- There is no overt mention of gay bashing, and little of the problems of

being

gay in straight society (it is a fairytale, after all).

- It is not a movie that deals with a "culture" of people, but rather

one

individual - namely Jamie (we never really see Ste's feeling about

coming out - he just does it)

- The pervasive music of the Mamas and Papas. If you ever really listen

to

the words of the songs, it is as if they were written specifically for

this movie! They are all about love and acceptance.

- The way "love" and "sex" are mingled together, and treated as a

whole,

not two separate things, as is often the case. Never for one

second can you picture Jamie or Ste going out for a one night

stand. This is a story about love. Sex just follows naturally, as in

any other relationship.

- The main characters are "real". They're not muscle laden studs with

nothing to do but run around on the beach, play volleyball, and

pick up guys. They are the real people we all live next door to.

I think somewhere in all this is my answer.

Sorry to have rambled on so, but this is my two cents worth...

Keith

>>> Mr Matthew 12/10/97 07:09PM >>>

Well, hi!!

This is the first time that I've posted, so I'll give you some

intro stuff about me.....

I'm Matthew, and I come from England - I'm studying in Kent atm!!

The first time I saw BT was on my Birthday!! I was 19, and it was a

real eye opener.....it kind of led to me coming out, because the next

week, I told my friend Cymbeline - and she was the first person that I

told!!!

**************************************************************

From: "Benjo

Subject: Term draws to a close.

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 21:21:37 +0000 (GMT)

Hello everyone!!

 

OK, my term ends on the 19th but I won't be able to check mail after

the 18th. So get those Happy Christmas messages in soon! :)

I get back from my home in Birmingham on the 19th of January 1998.

So that'll be HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

Don't forget me.

Love you all lots!

Speak to you soon!!

Ben. xxxxx

**************************************************************

Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 00:13:57 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Third Part!

At 10:04 11/12/97 -0800, Mike wrote:

>You Guys!!! If you keep this up how am I supposed to concentrate on my

>work, hugh?? Steamed monitor, sweaty keyboard, E-Yow ...'be still my

>beating heart'.... :-)

>

>MW>

 

Hi Mike, David and all!!

Sorry but I'm afraid it's going to get bigger and bigger (metaphoricall

y

speaking, of course!!) I know it: I wrote half of it!!! ;-)

Take care. (An advice: take linden-blossom tea!!) <G>

 

Sandra. (But it'll also get sweeter and sweeter.)

 

P.S. Mike, are you aware of what you said? "If you keep this up..." Talk

about the subconscious mind speaking!! (Alright, alright, I'll shut up)

:))

P.S.2. Don't panic. We only wrote seven *PARTS*. (I'll shut up now,

promise)

P.S.3. I'm really witty today, sorry. BTW, Kent and I just started

another

story. All ages admitted. At least, so far... (...)

P.S.4. (...........................)

**************************************************************

Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 00:31:40 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Third Part!

Errr... Hi!!

Sorry, I meant *EIGHT* parts!!!

 

Take care.

Sandra.

**************************************************************

From: "Kent ."

Subject: BT Scene-- Fourth Part!

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 15:53:08 PST

 

 

Ste weight is fully on Jamie's body. "Now, how 'bout if I touch

*you*,

Jay?" says Ste with a smile. Jamie's response, a warm smile and

slightly quizzical eyes, says "Oh, God please. I am so excited." When

Jamie takes Ste's hand in his own, his response becomes unmistakable.

He puts Ste's hand on his cheek, then Jamie turns his face and kisses

the open palm, then each finger. Ste looks down on Jamie and this act

of caring, love, and adoration, and he smiles more broadly than before.

 

Ste is now sitting up, knees bent, straddling Jamie. Slowly, Ste

takes

his other hand and strokes the side of Jamie's head, gently rubbing all

around his ear. Their eyes see into each other's hearts, each other's

souls. Then, freeing his hand, Ste rubs each thumb along the line of

Jamie's eyebrows, then places his hand on Jamie's cheeks as he bends

down to kiss him once more, slowly, oh-so-tenderly. But Ste's hands

haven't finished their exploration yet. Now, he...

 

[continued...]

**************************************************************

From: "Kent ."

Subject: Matthew's Intro Post

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 16:50:21 PST

 

 

 

Welcome, Matthew! On Thur, Dec 11, you wrote:

> I'm Matthew, and I come from England - I'm studying in Kent atm!!

>The first time I saw BT was on my Birthday!! I was 19, and it was a

>real eye opener.....

The first time *I* saw BT, I was 44, and believe me, it was an

eye-opener for me, too! It was by far the most affirming, engaging,

and uplifting exploration of gay love I have ever viewed, and there's

few gay-themed movies I haven't seen. (Has anyone on this list ever

heard of the 1965 Canadian film about a guy's crush on his college

friend, called "Winter Kept Us Warm?")

> I saw BT at the Cinema in London (on the 17th June.....cards

>presents etc appreciated!!), and it was really touching. It was kind

of

>my first real experience of Gay life....and it was really romantic,

and

>a good first picture of how things could be if you come out and

>accept who you are........

The more people who do come out, I believe, the more the "could be's"

become the "will be's"-- the norms, that is!

> So, that's my story as far as BT is concerned.....it sounds kind

>of corny, but it really did change my life!!

Whether BT made lifechanges directly or in- (I count this List, and the

folks on it, as examples of the great indirect effect of BT on my

life),

you're among a (growing, ever-growing!) number of people who say the

same thing-- whether it sounds corny or not.

> About three weeks after seeing it, I came out to someone I

really

>fancied too....and, although it ended up as a kind of failure, it was

>still a good experience!!

Congratulations for the optimistic way you view even things that are

"kind[s] of failure[s]"-- your successes (and may you have *many*) must

be exhilirating, indeed!

Kent

P.S. Speaking for Sandra and me (I may presume this, I feel), we are

glad people are having fun with our little scene (and don't worry, it

does end-- eventually! Sort of! ;) )

 

**************************************************************

From: DCR

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 22:03:38 EST

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Third Part!

In a message dated 97-12-11 03:49:51 EST, jmcs writes:

<< "Ste! I love you!" Jamie cries, his eyes moistering with tears.

Overcome by their infinite love, they embrace desperately >>

 

OKay, I have to be a spoil sport (and my good friend Duncan/David is going

to

nail for this I'm sure. BTW, notice that he still hasn't sent in and

introduction.. hint, hint.).

I've wrestled with this for months. Can Jamie say this to Ste at this

point?

I can certainly see it in the interlude in the woods after the Gloucester.

But here?

Consider: Ste asks Jamie in the scene at the party if he is gay. This

implies that "the night" could have appeared more like teenage

experimentation, at least to Ste. (That's probably what Ste has told

himself,

at any rate). Jamie's response "I'm happy when I'm with you" seems to be

the

first indication of genuine romantic affection for Ste expressed to Ste's

face, but I'll accept that it could be a reinforcer of whatever was said

"that

night."

I see the first night as laying the groundwork for the consummation after

the

Gloucester. I do believe Jamie and Ste went quite far in Jamie's room,

but

the woods is where they would have been both equal and fully seeking one

another physically and emotionally. Any comments, proposed revisions?

I know, Iknow. Everyone is a critic. I'm enjoying the submissions,

though!!

Dirk

--

**************************************************************

From: "Benjo

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Third Part!

Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 10:39:16 +0000 (GMT)

> Sandra. (But it*ll also get sweeter and sweeter.)

Your both totally out of control! (I like it!)

Speak to you soon!!

Ben. xxxxx

**************************************************************

From: "Michael

Subject: REHEARSAL UPDATE #1

Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 12:54:11 -0400

Hi there BT fans

Rehearsals for the Australian stage premiere production of "Beautiful

Thing" are now into their third week. It's a long rehearsal process before

opening night on 10 February. But we do break fro Christmas and New Year

in

preparation for the serious rehearsal period in January.

This week we have been rehearsing the bedroom scenes with Jamie (Simon

Corfield) and Ste (Andrew Wallace). The entire process of developing the

two characters has involved a lot of hard work. A part of that process has

meant exploring the characters' pasts and life experiences. The actors

have

also improvised scenes that are not in the film: such as when Sandra met

Tony at the supermarket; Christmas at Sandra's, and; when Jamie and Ste

first met.

While the actors have developed their own ideas, I am interested to know

what others believe are the answers to these questions:

1. What happened to Ste's mother?

2. How long have Jamie/Sandra, Ste and Leah been living in Thamesmead?

3. Why hasn't Sandra had a boyfriend in five years?

4. Why is Tony attracted to Sandra?

5. Why is Sandra attracted to Tony?

As you could imagine, creating "Beautiful Thing" is an incredible

experience. It has proven to me, even further, just what a sensational

piece it is.

Anyway, I'll keep updating you all as the rehearsals continue and next

week

I'll include a jpeg of the full cast.

Kind regards

MICHAEL

Director

******************

PLAY YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC

Make Believe Productions presents the Australian premiere of

BEAUTIFUL THING by Jonathan Harvey

20th Anniversary 1998 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

Studio Theatre, Newman Street, Newtown, Sydney.

10 Feb - 7 Mar

8.00pm Tues-Sat, 5.00pm Sunday

Tickets: $20/$15

Telephone FirstCall: (02) 9320 9169

******************

--

**************************************************************

Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 11:13:44 -0600

From: Gary

Subject: Re: Term draws to a close.

Benjo . wrote:

> Hello everyone!!

>

> OK, my term ends on the 19th but I won't be able to check mail after

> the 18th. So get those Happy Christmas messages in soon! :)

> I get back from my home in Birmingham on the 19th of January 1998.

> So that'll be HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

>

> Don't forget me.

How could we? <G>

Lambuth University finished up finals on Wednesday, I finished

grading yesterday and today I'm just doing laundry and housecleaning.

(In the words of Ren and Stimpy, "Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy" <G>)

I'll be flying home to Rochester, NY for a week on the 23rd, then

back on the 30th. Then spring semester starts up January 5. Thinking

further ahead, the semester ends on April 26, then there's May term for

three weeks, then I get a week at the beach on the Gulf of Mexico the

end of May. (You see now where I'm heading with this. <G>)

So I'll be around here a bit but it's not to early to wish all a

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

This Christmas visit home to Rochester will actually be sort of a BT

anniversary. It was one year ago while at home that I went to the Little

Theater on my last night in town and saw BT for the very first time. I

didn't tell my folks what BT was about, just that it was a "British

film." Since last Christmas, I've come out to them (very successfully),

gotten involved with the local PFLAG chapter (even designed their new

web site: http://members.aol.com/pflagjtn ), and gotten a paper

accepted for a national conference to be held next April at Disney World

- an academic paper _about_ BT! Oh, and now my folks know that BT was

a "British film" indeed, but also "a British film about two teenage boys

who fall in love - with each other." :)

Gary

**************************************************************

From: "Warwick

Date: 12 Dec 97 20:21:05 +0000

Subject: Re: Hello and intro stuff......

Ben said " Yes everyone I do know Matthew and he is as lovely as he

sounds!"

I think all you students studying in Kent sound lovely, but I'm

concerned that a pattern is developing or is ther something in the

water,

I'm seriously concidering moving if down your way if more closet doors

are flung open on this list

Remember Channel4 10pm Wednesday!

 

Warwick

**************************************************************

From: mermatt

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 06:25:26 -0500

Subject: Rewriting Ste and Jamie

I suppose it is fun imagining a sexual encounter between Ste and Jamie

-- but I find that totally out of character with the sweet and painful

tone of the original story. They are both innocent and virgins. To play

out some sort of heated sexual scene between them sours the whole idea

of the freshness which the movie conveys. That's my opinion. Thanks.

MATT

**************************************************************

From: "Benjo

Subject: Re: Hello and intro stuff......

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 12:15:20 +0000 (GMT)

Hello all!

> Ben said " Yes everyone I do know Matthew and he is as lovely as he

> sounds!"

I wrote this without realising what was happening. :)

> I think all you students studying in Kent sound lovely, but I'm

> concerned that a pattern is developing or is ther something in the

> water,

> I'm seriously concidering moving if down your way if more closet doors

> are flung open on this list

Do move this way, we're a happy bunch of people. Aren't we Chris,

Mat??!! :P (I won't tell them if you don't want me to!) :)

> Remember Channel4 10pm Wednesday!

I'll be there watching! :) Remember I have yet to see the film. I've

only read the play! :) So expect a gushing mail about how great I think

it is.

WHEN WILL OUR LEADER ADDRESS US??

(That's to Chris!) :P

Speak to you soon!!

Ben. xxxxx

**************************************************************

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 23:58:16 +1100

From: Andrew

Subject: Re: Australian Stage Premiere in February

Hi all,

I just arrived back from 3 hot nights in Melbourne with my 'mate'. (I'm

talking weather here...although the Laneway Sauna was quite steamy ;)).

After months of searching overseas (not worth looking for in Tasmania), I

finally found a copy of the BT screenplay at a book shop Melbourne.

However, still no luck at finding the video for sale yet.

On Thursday, Michael  wrote:

>Attention: Australian Fans of Beautiful Thing

>

>Make Believe Productions presents the Australian stage premiere of

>"Beautiful Thing" by Jonathan Harvey - a 1998 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi

>Gras Event.

>

Hey wow, I will be in Sydney then...for Mardi Gras, of course. This will

be

my first Mardi Gras I've attended...and making sure I get to see the play

too, I will never forgive myself if I don't.

Michael, I hope this all goes well for you. Can't wait to see it.

Andy.

**************************************************************

From: "Kent ."

Subject: Re: Rewriting Ste and Jamie

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 05:34:28 PST

 

 

Matt wrote:

>

>I suppose it is fun imagining a sexual encounter between Ste and Jamie

Who said this scene would necessarily include them having sex?

>-- but I find that totally out of character with the sweet and painful

>tone of the original story. They are both innocent and virgins. To play

>out some sort of heated sexual scene between them sours the whole idea

>of the freshness which the movie conveys. That's my opinion. Thanks.

>MATT

Please excuse any inadvertent souring from our bit of froth, Matt;

not

our intent, I assure you! :) I agree that the view one takes on the

"did they or didn't they" affects one's whole interpretation of the

characters and the story. But that is why this is only a "what if"--

in this case, what if the boys did "something" besides fall asleep in

each other's arms, which is virtually all the movie shows (be aware

that

Sandra's original opinion was that *very* little happened, as she has

previously posted to this list-- I simply, in our game, made that

eventuality impossible once I added my parts, which, as noted, were

done

just in fun-- the complications of "dual authorship! :)). IMHO, to

assume two fellas that age could get together and not have sex is no

*more* plausible than to assume they did. Certainly, not everyone at

that age would "go all the way"; certainly, many *do* and I don't

feel

a loss of innocence is an automatic result of sex (although ya can't

argue that they wouldn't be virgins any more, obviously! :))-- not the

first time they do it. Innocence as an attribute *can* express itself

sexually, I feel. An innocence (about love, f'rinstance) doesn't

automatically get shattered once sex has taken place. But I never got

the impression that Ste was a virgin (which is just my own feeling, of

course). As to the matter of the use of the endearments, actually, I

agree that it seems Jamie and Ste's later conversation at the party

would make less sense (Jamie having to blurt out: "I'm happy when I'm

with you. There, said it now. Go on, piss yourself.") if they've

both been saying how much they love each other a week earlier. (Unless

Jamie hadn't heard from Ste, and felt in the interim Ste had had second

thoughts about what they had said and done in bed-- but this is just

*more* wild speculation on my part!)

Maybe if we said this artificial scene happened sometime *after* the

slow dance? :)

Kent

thanks for your indulgence, all!

**************************************************************

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 16:38:16 +0100

From: jmcs

Subject: Re: BT Scene-- Third Part!

At 22:03 11/12/97 EST, Dirk wrote:

><< "Ste! I love you!" Jamie cries, his eyes moistering with tears.

> Overcome by their infinite love, they embrace desperately >>

 

>I've wrestled with this for months. Can Jamie say this to Ste at this

point?

>I can certainly see it in the interlude in the woods after the Gloucester.

>But here?

Hi everybody!!

First of all, I want to say I'm sorry if any of you is offended by what

Kent

and I are writing. I'll get back to that later.

Dirk, I absolutely agree with you about it, whatever happened that night,

I'm positive that neither Jamie nor Ste were ready to say such things

("I

love you, my darling!!) to one another. Those of you who've known me

for

several months now know that I'm in the group of "They didn't do it".

I'm

sorry but I can't picture Jamie and Ste doing something even remotely

sexual

that night. Ste's too confused and shaken about what's going on to

engage

even in the slightest of sexual contacts. Yes, they get naked but to me,

it

doesn't mean they did something; the same way that when you see a man

holding a knife to another man's back it doesn't mean he stabbed him

(as

anyone who's seen 'North by Northwest' knows).

What Kent and I were doing was, as we stated just before start sending

these

posts, writing about what we would have liked to see in an Alternate

Universe BT, where they could show their emotions and feelings freely to

one

another and revel in the closeness and love they feel. It has nothing to

do

with the film, it's just a parallel scene in a 'wishful thinking' BT.

It

was just a game about what we both would have liked to see them say and

do.

Matt, I also agree with you. In fact, Kent and I never got to make them do

anything. We stopped at that point. Even in this Alternate Universe story,

I

couldn't picture them that way. Kent knows the conflict I had about it.

It's infinitely more romantic and satisfying for me to have them embrace

and

caress and kiss and whisper endearments to one another for hours and then

falling sleep cuddled in each other's arms than 'going for it'.

But we must also remember that they are young and passionate and healthy

boys, therefore sooner or later they'll end up making love. If not

sometime

during the film, sometime after the dance in the street and the end of the

movie, they will do it.

Believe it or not, I've been writing another BT story for months now.

It's

another alternate story that starts with the peppermint foot lotion scene

and then has nothing to do with the rest of the film. I wrote it my way,

i.e. lots of hugging and kissing and touching and endearments, but no sex.

I

don't know why, but I couldn't write it. It took me months to finally

write

such a scene and even then it wasn't a sex scene, so to speak. Yes, they

were doing it, but I merely wrote about their feelings, sensations and

thoughts while doing it. How they caressed each other, how they cried at

the

beauty of it, how they looked into each other's eyes and smiled at the

perfection of their love. I wrote a sex scene with no sex whatsoever.

Matt, I apologize if you thought we were belittling Jamie and Ste. Far

from

us to make you think that way. I could never do that to them. They mean

too

much to me, you have no idea. Jamie and Ste are part of me. In a way, I

think they ARE me, they are in me. I consider them real people, not just

characters; they're so believable. From the first time I saw BT, they

got

under my skin and I'll never say or write something that will belittle

them

or make them appear out-of-character.

I apologize again if any other of the members of the list also thought we

were doing wrong.

 

Take care.

 

Sandra.