Controversial book inspires a children's play tackling homophobic bullying

A new play comes to Manchester this week based on the controversial Dutch children’s book 'King and King', which explores same sex relationships, diversity and bullying, and is aimed at primary school children.

Back in May, a teacher from Orange County was forced to resign after parents complained that the book had been read by him in a class. This book had already caught the attention of the critically acclaimed Action Transport Theatre, who devised 'Happily Ever After' using the fairy tale format to tell the story of two princes who fall in love and live happily ever after.  

Almost two thirds of young people have experienced direct homophobic bullying in schools according to a recent survey by charity Stonewall. Nine in ten secondary school teachers and more than two in five primary school teachers say homophobic bullying occurs in their school with the word 'gay' often being used as an insult.

The book is by Linda De Haan and Stern Nijland, and now the play, aims to help raise awareness amongst primary school children around homophobia, gender expectations and ‘difference’, promoting respect and understanding, and equipping children, parents and teachers with a vocabulary around same sex relationships. 

Happily Ever After is at Z-Arts on 25 and 26 September