After a successful UK tour FIT, Rikki Beadle-Blair’s controversial play for young people tackling homophobic bullying in schools, is back in London for one night only on 15 November.

Tegs and Jordan are best friends, an odd couple at the centre of everyone's gossip. Ryan and Isaac are preoccupied with who's gay and what's 'gay' - and it certainly ain't them. Lee and Carmel are feisty girls with a few secrets of their own

FIT is a bold play about attempting to fit in and trying to stand out in a culture where everything from not liking sport to wearing the wrong trainers is 'gay'.

We spoke to Stephen Hoo, who plays Ryan in the show, to find out more about the play, homophobic bullying, sex and eating crackers in bed.

Tell me a little about your character in FIT.
My character is called Ryan. I’m a bully. I’m best friends with Isaac and we are a sort of terrible twosome. I bully the character Tegsy and use a lot of homophobic phrases and am generally a very immature, offensive kid. What we come to realize is that my character is actually gay and uses homophobic bullying to protect himself, stay cool with his best mate and deflect the fact that he is gay himself onto someone else.

How similar are you to him?
Very. At primary school I bullied two kids by insinuating that they were gay lovers. I would point my two fingers together and tell them that it didn’t work that way. I did it knowing full well that I was gay myself. I did it to make myself feel powerful because I was insecure.

What are the main themes of FIT?
Homophobic bullying, peer pressure, conformism, sexuality and youth.

What does the title refer to?
FIT is a great word to call the play. Young people know the word ‘fit’ to mean attractive. It can also refer to how the characters in the play ‘fit’ into the environment they live in. It could mean both these things. I prefer the latter because although the actors that play the characters are all pretty fit (if I may say so myself), fitting in at school is a struggle everyone understands and has had to go through in some form or another. At school I would do absolutely anything to fit in and endear myself to my peers.

So, how fit do you think you are?
I wouldn’t chuck myself out of bed for eating crackers!

"At primary school I bullied two kids by insinuating that they were gay lovers... I did it knowing full well that I was gay myself. I did it to make myself feel powerful because I was insecure."

Which comes first for you: sex or love?
At the moment, for me, in this stage of my life… sex. But I know that as I get older that will change.

Do you believe in monogamy?
Yes

Who do you currently have a secret crush on?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but it ain’t no secret!

What’s on your bedside table?
Magazines, mobile phone and a ruler.

What is your most diva-like demand?
Cranberry juice, cheese fondue and bubble wrap!

What are you guilty pleasures?
Kit Kat Chunky (peanut).

Who would play you in a film of your life?
Keanu Reeves

Are you seeing anyone at the moment?
Nope.

What style of underwear do you prefer on yourself and a partner?
Joking aside, I actually love really plain Y-fronts. Plain briefs really do it for me and flashy brand names don’t.

What do you go to sleep in?
In the buff.

"This play is important. We have been touring schools up and down the country hoping that this play can help enlighten school kids on how their actions affect each other."

When did you come out?
I came out to a friend when I was about 15. I remember physically shaking uncontrollably and feelings sick.

What does your gay utopia look like?
A sunny beach with every variation and type you could imagine. Tall, short, well built, skinny, blonde, dark, every race, all wearing plain white briefs!

When and where was the last gay bar/club you went to?
Last night I went to Ghetto and had a wicked time!

Give us the big sell. Why should we come to see you in FIT?
This play is important. We have been touring schools up and down the country hoping that this play can help enlighten school kids on how their actions affect each other. There’s dancing too and although the subject matter is serious the play deals with it in a fast, funny and cool way.

Read Our Rikki Beadle-Blair Interview »
Click to find out how the author aims to change the homophobic attitudes of young people?

FIT, by by Rikki Beadle-Blair
Drill Hall 1
16 Chenies Street
London, WC1E 7EX
020 7307 5060 / www.drillhall.co.uk/fit

Saturday 15 November 2008 at 7.30pm

Find out more about Gay Britain buy getting Gay History of Britain: Love and Sex Between Men Since the Middle Ages. Buy it online and save yourself some money to put towards Queer London: Perils and Pleasures in the Sexual Metropolis, 1918-1957.