Opera Beaches by Billy Elliot writer cancelled by British school over gay reference

Bay Primary School in Bridlington has pulled 300 pupils from the a new opera, Beaches, by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall because he refused to remove references to a gay adult character's sexuality.

Mr Hall accused Opera North, which is behind the produc­tion, of "censorship", but the company said it "can appreciate the viewpoint of the school".
     One of the main scenes that the school was unhappy about only involves adults and includes the line: "Of course I'm queer/ That's why I left here / So if you infer / That I prefer / A lad to a lass / And I'm working class / I'd have to concur."
     As a result of the cancellation, it is set to lose £15,000, the commissioning fee for the opera, as well as months of rehearsal time.

Lee Hall had plenty to say about the controversy here.