A Hole in the Fence

A Wilderesque comedy based on a 1919 naval sex scandal, A HOLE IN THE FENCE follows the Navy’s unconventional efforts to clean up “conditions of vice” around the naval base in Newport, Rhode Island. Recruited by the dauntless Mr. Vole, a group of young sailors goes undercover to pick up other sailors and have sex with them. Based on their graphic reports, the other sailors are arrested and court-martialed while the decoys are commended for their “zeal and interest” in carrying out their duties. Only when the investigation snares an Episcopal priest does it explode into scandal. Since Thornton Wilder was staying at the YMCA in Newport around this time, the play uses him to guide us through a gay version of OUR TOWN—supposing your town is full of drag queens and prostitutes.

Published by Oberon Books. Also available at The Drama Book Shop and Amazon. Read an excerpt.

“Captures the spirit of the age with tremendous verve.”
The Stage
“Very entertaining.”
Time Out
“The intense nature of the play’s themes are constantly juxtaposed with a necessary humour… A Hole in the Fence is yet another example of Box of Tricks Theatre’s commitment to producing ambitious new writing.”
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