Meet the rising LGBT stars of the National Youth Theatre: Tom Bovington

This month, Attitude shines the spotlight firmly on the National Youth Theatre, celebrating the company’s 60th anniversary with a look back at its history and a look towards its future as we meet their best and boldest LGBT rising stars.

The first youth theatre in the world which has been inspiring and nurturing new talent since it first opened its doors in 1956, former members including Orlando Bloom, Daniel Craig and Helen Mirren, meaning these fresh young things have some big shoes to fill.

Tom Bovington is just one of seven aspiring actors we meet. He tells us: “I went to quite an academic school and theatre was always a secondary subject. So to be at the National Youth Theatre, around people who all want to do the same thing and industry professionals who all knew what they were talking about, confirmed that theatre was what I wanted to do.”

The 25-year-old continues: “In terms of performance opportunities and exposure to the industry, NYT has given me more than drama school. I still have a fear that being out could affect my acting career although I’ve never got to a point where it’s been an issue. But even before doing this interview I rang my agent and said ‘is this okay?’ and she was like, ‘just do it’.”

He adds: “Especially in America, it’s a concern. But I can’t not be me. I think the industry is changing in terms of LGBT+ acceptance and that theatre’s always been ahead. It’s a safe space.”

Read more stories from the rising LGBT stars of the National Youth Theatre in Attitude’s October issue available to download now from pocketmags.com/attitude.

The print edition is in stores now and also available to order from newsstand.co.uk.

Also in Attitude’s October issue, alongside all your usual news, reviews, fitness & travel:

• Former Game of Thrones star Gethin Anthony talks playing gay in Westeros and his new role as infamous – and sexually ambiguous – criminal Charles Manson.
• Fear the Walking Dead‘s Colman Domingo tells us all about life playing one of the hit zombie series’ most electrifying gay characters.
• We catch up with fabulous pop females AlunaGeorge and Rebecca Ferguson as they prepare to release new music.
• Eurovision winner Jamala she reflects on life for Ukraine’s LGBT+ community as she looks ahead to next year’s competition.
• Syrian refugee and LGBT+ activist Subhi Nahas shares his uplifting story of strength and strife in the fact of war and oppression.
• As Black History Month gets underway, we examine the new generation of black LGBT+ role models inspiring today’s young people.
• Iconic ’80s star and friend of Boy George Marilyn shares the lessons learnt from a life well-lived.
• We chat to French actor Geoffrey Couët, one of the two stars of new romantic gay drama film Theo & Hugo.
• Male model Oliver Cheshire talks us through his favourite trends for Autumn/Winter 2016.
• We catch up with RuPaul’s Drag Race All Star Alyssa Edwards (and attempt to finally find out her secret) in new monthly feature ‘Big in a Wig’.

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