In 1934 Berlin on the eve of the Nazi incursion, Max, a grifter and his lover Rudy are recovering from a night of debauchery with a SA trooper. Two soldiers burst into the apartment and slit their guest's throat, beginning a nightmare odyssey through Nazi Germany. Ranked lower on the human scale than Jews, the men as awoved homosexuals, flee. Desperate and on the run, Max asks his own "discreetly" homosexual Uncle Freddie for help as the older man offers little more than suggestions on how to live, as he does, practicing homosexuality on the side. Attempting their escape, Rudy is beaten to death as Horst, another homosexual prisoner, warns Max to deny his lover. Taken to a death camp at Dachau, Max and Horst branded with the "pink triangle", hope to survive with each other for comfort and courage but it is not to be. Richard Gere created the role of Max on Broadway.

"Powerful and provocative." - The New York Times

"Brilliant...an explosive, overpowering experience." - Women's Wear Daily

Bent was first presented at the Royal Court Theatre in London, England, on May 3, 1979. It was directed by Robrt Chetwyn. The play subsequently transferred to London's West End at the Criterion Theatre on July 4, 1979. The play premiered on Broadway at the New Apollo Theatre in New York City on December 2, 1979. It was directed by Robert Allan Ackerman.

MAX - 34, homosexual "wheeler dealer" who leads a dissolute life of drink, drugs, and sporadic sex until the horrors of Nazi Germany intervene and effectively put an end to his hedonistic alcoholic life style; a tormented individual, tortured by the memory of his reprehensible actions, but never loses his basic humanity; not at all a coward, but rather a pragmatist
HOSRT - 20s, relatively muscular physique and a kind nature; a "pink triangle," incarcerated in the death camps of Dacheu because of his homosexuality; a sensitive man, strongly affected by Max's torment
RUDY - 30, bespectacled, homosexual dancer; rather gushy, effusive, homebody type who has a great love for Max and his precious household plants; tends to become a trifle hysterical at times
GRETA - late 30s, a man dressed as a woman in a silver dress, top hat, and cane; presents an appearance that is at once elegant and bizarre; tough, practical proprietor of a gay nightclub who entertains patrons by singing in a smoky seductive voice; Nazis' rise to power sends him back to his wife and kids
UNCLE FREDDIE - early 50s, aristocratic, well-dressed; Max's uncle, a "closet fluff"
5 GERMAN SOLDIERS - late 40s, rough menancing, intense features