HumDrum present Larry Kramer’s semi-autobiographical 1985 play The Normal Heart.

Set between 1981 and 1984, the play tells the story of the American authorities’ reactions to the first outbreaks of AIDS and how one man challenges their attitudes to try to raise awareness.

“It certainly pulls no punches”, says director Sam Sampson. “The American government seemed determined to bury their collective head in the sand and it’s down to Ned Weeks, the central character, to rally the forces of the gay community and force some kind of action”.

Unfortunately for Ned, he has little control over his mouth or his temper and alienates rather than rallies the people he most needs on-side. Then one of the people closest to him reveals a shattering secret.

“The advances in medicine mean that, these days, HIV and AIDS are not an automatic death-sentence – but back then, when the virus first surfaced, contracting it meant you were dead. This is the truth that faces Ned and his friend, Dr Emma Brookner who have to find a way to persuade the government to provide money for research and the gay community to change its behaviour”, says Sam.

“It isn’t unrelenting misery and there’s a streak of humour that runs through it” Sam assures us, “and, ultimately, it’s a celebration of the human spirit”.

The play is at The Spring in Havant from Tuesday to Saturday.

Call 023 9247 2700 or visit thespring.co.uk