Bren Gosling’s Moment of Grace to run at The Hope Theatre this summer

Bren Gosling’s Moment of Grace will run at The Hope Theatre in London this summer.

The award-winning play tells of Princess Diana’s famous handshake with an AIDS patient.

Following a critically acclaimed showcase at Bloomsbury Festival, the new staging of the arresting one-act play will now be staged at the intimate Hope Theatre from 28 June to 16 July 2022.

Based on personal testimonies, Moment of Grace tells of the famous visit by Diana, Princess of Wales, to Britain’s first AIDS Unit in 1987 and its impact on three people – Andrew, a patient, Jude, a nurse, and Donnie, a fireman estranged from his son.

In a world where even being seen to work on this ward could cost you everything, this act paved the way for a major shift in the public perception of people living with HIV and AIDS. Worldwide interest, news crews and a televised interview followed. To change public misconceptions, would you have risked it?

Addressing an untold but incredibly important part of recent LGBTQ+ and collective history, Moment of Grace will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and open your heart.

James Taylor-Thomas (EastEnders, BBC; Belgravia, ITV; The 39 Steps, Swanage Rep) will play Andrew, Narisha Lawson (Doctors, BBC; The New Worst Witch, ITV; Birds and Bees, Soho Theatre/Theatre Centre) will portray Jude, and Donnie will be brought to life by Richard Costello (Death of England, National Theatre; Guys and Dolls, Donmar Warehouse; Gladiator, Dreamworks/Universal).

For tickets and more information, visit www.thehopetheatre.com/whats-on/

Writer Bren Gosling commented: “I am thrilled that my play Moment of Grace will at last get a proper staged run on the 35th anniversary of the event that inspired it. This piece of theatre brings home the importance of compassion and human touch when all else falls away, something which resonates particularly today in our emergence from the current pandemic.

“AIDS was once taboo, LGBTQ+ people had few civil or legal rights and were often publicly vilified and ridiculed by the press and media alike. In the face of terrible times, society needs both celebrity and private heroes who are willing to make a stand for what is right and to speak out against prejudice and hate.

“Diana Princess of Wales did this, as did countless others, unsung and long forgotten. Moment of Grace brings attention to some of their stories. We have come a long way… This play reminds us of just how far we’ve come, and the debt we owe to those who have gone before us.”

Moment of Grace is created by Backstory Ensemble Productions in association with The National HIV Story Trust, who will jointly host a 45-minute panel Q&A after the matinée performance on Saturday, 9 July.

The Q&A will be chaired by BAFTA-nominated TV and film producer Paul Coleman, Trustee and Founder of NHST. Joining writer Bren Gosling, and cast members James Taylor-Thomas, Narisha Lawson and Richard Costello, will be guest panellists Theresa Burns, who worked as an HIV nurse in London in the 1980s, and Dr Robert Miller, who was present at Diana’s visit to Middlesex Hospital in 1987.