Mr Loverman: The 60-Year Gay Love Story Heading to the National Theatre
Bernardine Evaristo's Mr Loverman becomes a major National Theatre production about a married gay man and the love he has hidden for decades.
Bernardine Evaristo's acclaimed novel Mr Loverman is coming to the National Theatre in a new stage adaptation about a 74-year-old gay man who has spent decades hiding the most important relationship of his life.
Barrington Walker, known as Barry, is a charismatic husband, father and grandfather who has built a respected life in his Hackney community. He is also carrying a secret that has shaped almost his entire adult life: he has been in a relationship with his best friend Morris for 60 years.
Barry's life is therefore divided between the family and social world everyone knows and the love he has kept hidden. As the truth begins to emerge, he has to confront what years of secrecy have cost him, Morris and the people closest to him.
A love story spanning six decades
The story stretches from Antigua to modern-day London, following Barry as he considers what it would mean to finally live honestly.
His marriage to Carmel is central to the conflict because Barry's decision cannot affect only himself. The play explores the complicated consequences of a man trying to change his life after decades of living according to expectations placed upon him.
That makes Mr Loverman more than a conventional coming-out story. It is about love, family, identity and the possibility of choosing a different future even after most of your life has already been lived.
Natasha Gordon has adapted Evaristo's novel for the stage, with Paulette Randall directing. Danny Sapani plays Barry, while Gary Beadle plays Morris and Jo Martin plays Carmel.
When is Mr Loverman at the National Theatre?
The production opens at the Lyttelton Theatre on 25 February 2027 and runs until 17 April.
It marks the first stage adaptation of Evaristo's novel and brings a major LGBTQ+ story to one of Britain's most prominent theatres.
