Tory Boyz is a bold and acerbic political comedy drama that shines a light on the hidden faces behind the Conservative Party.

Peopled by young, exciting men and women who don’t exactly fit with the stereotype, the play confronts a variety of questions and, of course, with ambiguity and fanciful speculation swirling around Edward Heath, is it possible that the party which passed Section 28 maybe, just maybe, also elected Britain’s first ever gay prime minister?

Tory Boyz, by Pearson Award winning playwright James Graham, will give a voice to and explore a generation disillusioned by the lofty policy making of Westminster, who are more likely to vote in The X Factor and Big Brother than the next general election.

We caught up with James to find out more.

Tell us a little about Tory Boyz, what can we expect?
Even though it's about politics and, yes, about the Conservative Party, it comes at it from an angle of the young gay people within that world, and because it's populated by a cast of exciting young actors, it's actually quite funny and cool. It follows the journey of Sam - a parliamentary researcher - who, despite being northern, working class and gay, is a Tory - which is not that strange, odd as it might seem!

What was it that inspired you to write the play?
I was commissioned to take a look at ex-PM Ted Heath after the resurgence of rumours surrounding his sexuality. Could we really have had a gay prime minister? That said, what interested me was less the question 'was he gay?', as opposed to 'does it matter?' I wanted to see how far the party had progressed from then to now.

How much of the play is based on your own experiences?
That play isn't autobiographical by any stretch - but I think all writing comes from your experiences and of those around you. Growing up in a former mining village, politics, socialism and conservatism were issues and debates embedded in me from an early age. Also, both my research and my personal life has brought me into contact with young people struggling to come to terms with their preferences, whether sexual or political.

So have you achieved everything you wanted with it?
Yeah, I think so. What I wanted to achieve was a play that allowed a younger cast and a younger audience to engage with these things and be excited about them in a way that young people often aren't, whether it be politics, theatre and so on.

What’s it been like working with the NYT?
Brilliant - these actors haven't been corrupted yet by ego or greed or reputation. They just embrace the work. Apparently - I'm told - the issues we're addressing are quite contentious, raising eyebrows, all that. The young actors don't necessarily see that - they're so open minded.

"Both my research and my personal life has brought me into contact with young people struggling to come to terms with their preferences, whether sexual or political."

Do you think the youth of today are as hung up about sexuality as their peers?
I think it is still a huge part of life and always will be - but 'hung up?' Don't know. The world has changed so much since the more repressive days of old, but I'm sure the choices people have to make are just as meaningful and difficult now as they were then.

More people are likely to vote in the X-Factor and Big Brother than for the next general election. Why do you think this is?
A number of reasons - one I think is because, to some younger people, there doesn't appear to be a choice. So what's the point? In the 70s and 80s there was a real distinction between left and right. For those under 21, all they've ever really known is Labour.

I think another reason is the immediacy of television votes. It is beamed into your home, or you can watch online, you text or email in, and a decision is made in front of your eyes. Young people are saturated with that culture, in magazines, online, television. Westminster struggles to penetrate their world.
 
So would an X-Factor style approach to politics be your vision of heaven or hell?
Oh God, probably hell. I'm never in favour of style over substance. And any attempt by politicians to be 'down with the kids' usually fails. I think working harder to present an image of honesty, integrity, accessibility and openness would be a start.

Politics has seemingly become more media obsessed. Do you think they should reject the celebrity and concentrate on running the country?
That's a tough one. I think Blair changed everything in that regard - and that's maybe why Brown is struggling. Politics has been replaced by personality. I think a compromise is needed - a leader needs to communicate his message effectively, but there must be substance behind it. People are clever and will see through you.
 
What can be done to change the lofty policy making of Westminster?
Decentralisation and more power, independence and identity to local communities. To kids in Bradford or Leeds or Dunstaple, Westminster is a building far far away. That said - and I may be wrong - I genuinely don't think that Westminster is all that lofty and removed. I just think it's presented that way, by the images you see, by constant negative media coverage and, yes, by the politicians themselves who aren't always the best representative for a system that, essentially, belongs to us.

The people behind the scenes who actually run the show, people I've met, are not lofty or dowdy or evil, but human and passionate. I think the media has just as much responsibility to get that across as Westminster itself.

What would you like audiences to take with them after seeing Tory Boyz?
Optimism - towards young people because they are getting a tough rap at the moment, sexual diversity, the power of theatre, and ownership over our political system.

"Politics has been replaced by personality. I think a compromise is needed - a leader needs to communicate his message effectively, but there must be substance behind it. People are clever and will see through you."

So are you trying to educate as well as entertain?
Always entertain, first and foremost. I never presume to know enough to educate an audience, although with this play, as it might attract a younger audience than usual, I wanted the information to be accessible.
 
Do you think the Tory party have changed since the dark days of Section 28?
Yes. Although it's a question of degrees. Some think they've only changed a little, that it's just window dressing. Others think that there is genuine, serious progress. I hope it's the latter.

Many in the gay community still see them as intrinsically homophobic. Do you think this will ever change?
You can't judge them for having that view - it's based on past record. I think, though, that the Conservative Party in 10 years, just like the 'New Labour' movement, will be all but unrecognisable from the party of old.

Much was made of Brian Paddick’s sexuality when he stood for London Major. Does someone’s sexuality matter in politics?
We vote for the person as much as - if not, sometimes, more than - the policies. So I guess, for some voters, it is a consideration - but hopefully only ever in a positive way, such as that you feel you can associate with them in some way. If the question is should it matter, then no. Of course it shouldn't. In an ideal world.

The title of your play is Tory Boyz, so which Tory boy do you have a secret crush on?
I don't I'm afraid. Sorry. Objective at all times, all that!
 
If a Hollywood film were made of Tory Boyz, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Wow, cool question. As Sam, the young researcher, maybe Jake Gyllenhaall or someone like that. And as Ted Heath - oh, I don't know. Lets say Will Ferrell. Just to see.
 
And finally, what’s next for James Graham?
I have another play opening in September at the Finborough Theatre, Earls Court, called Sons Of York - a family drama set during the Winter of Discontent. I have an ITV1 drama on this year starring Connie Fisher. Adapting a novel for a theatre tour and also working on a youth drama series for BBC3. After that, sleep probably.

Read our review of Tory Boyz.

Tory Boyz, by James Graham
Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street
London W1D 3NE
0207 478 0100 / www.sohotheatre.com

15 August-13 September 2008 in repertory. Performances on 15, 16, 18, 29, 30 August and 12 and 13 September 2008.

Interested in queer drama? Then get Out on the Stage: Lesbian and Gay Theatre in the Twentieth Century online and save some money to out towards Something for the Boys: Musical Theatre and Gay Culture.