You Can Now Listen to Groundbreaking Queer Audio Drama “Stripped”

Stripped, South Africa’s first feature-length (and queer) audio drama podcast, is now live on all major podcast platforms. The podcast was officially launched at an event in Centurion on 22 September.

This gripping story of defiance, faith, and identity, based on the life of Thomas Budge, explores a young gay man’s brave resistance to apartheid military conscription in 1971.

Thomas’s powerful declaration, “I stand here stripped naked in front of you because I’m not an enlisted member of the South African Defence Force. Neither Sergeant Vermaak, the Corporal, nor any other officer has jurisdiction over me,” captures the essence of his struggle—defying an oppressive system and standing firm in his beliefs.

His principled stance led to imprisonment in the now-demolished Military Detention Barracks (DB) in Voortrekkerhoogte (Thaba Tshwane) in Pretoria, where he spent most of his sentence in solitary confinement.

“This story is perfectly suited to the audio drama format,” says writer and director Hendrik Baird.

“The power of sound immerses you deeply into Thomas’s world, allowing the emotional weight of his journey to resonate in a way that only audio can achieve. With incredible acting talent and the use of a world-class studio, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created. I believe the story will move listeners as much as it moved me when I first encountered it.”

Stripped confronts several themes, including blind faith and its consequences, the influence of religious cults on individuals, familial bonds strained by religious doctrine, and the ramifications of exposing a person’s sexuality against their will.

The production includes a number of out LGBTQ+ actors, with the pivotal role of Thomas portrayed by the versatile Bruce J Little, known for his work as an actor, playwright, and writer. He is joined by Tessa Jubber as his mother Yvonne and John Herbert as Erith, his father.

Produced by Baird Media, Stripped marks a milestone as South Africa’s first feature-length audio drama podcast, breaking new ground in the local podcasting landscape.

This significant achievement not only brings untold South African stories to life but also opens up a new genre, paving the way for more audio dramas in the country’s growing podcast industry.

You can listen to Stripped now on the the official website at https://startlivingmy.life/stripped and on all major podcast platforms. The website also include historical material, behind-the-scenes podcasts, cast photos, and biographies.