A Gentleman of My Own Making is based on the true story of Michael Dillon, born Laura Maud Dillon. Laura could not rest within the female body, beginning by experimenting with hormones and eventually giving herself over for the very first experimental gender re-assignment surgery in order that her appearance would represent the man she knew she was. Michael Dillon. A remarkable individual, whose personal change changed the world we live in today.
LAURA AND MICHAEL DILLON
We now live in a world where we are encouraged to express ourselves, to be who we want to be, to embrace our differences and express ourselves through our clothing, our hair and make-up and ink on our skin. We have made such strides in equality in the UK (with still so far to go) that we wave our flags at Gay Pride and beautiful drag queens strut down the Strand in glittered chaps to the screaming adoration of the crowds.
A Gentleman of My Own Making, the Story of Michael Dillon
For those who find themselves the T in LGBT the struggle to match the mind with the body can cause such torment that everyday activity is impossible – they cannot embrace their difference, at war with their own bodies. We have only very recently begun to acknowledge how isolating a life trapped in the wrong body must be. But for Laura Dillon not only could she not live with the body she was born with but there was no word to describe her condition, no support network and no medical understanding.
Laura Dillon could not rest within the female body, beginning by experimenting with hormones and eventually giving herself over for the very first experimental gender re-assignment surgery in order that her appearance would represent the man she knew she was. Michael Dillon. A remarkable individual, whose personal change changed the world we live in today. Faye Hughes
A Gentleman of My Own Making
A Gentleman of My Own Making was recorded live at The Pleasance King Dome as part of Wireless Theatre’s ‘Couples Who Changed The World’ season for The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2014.
Starring: James Parkes, Nina Millns, Morag Sims, Ishia Osborne and Adam Hall
Directed by: David Beck
Music by: Jaky Fong
Sound by: Malcolm Thorp and Gareth Brown
Editing by: Malcolm Thorp