Inkandescent and QX Magazine are thrilled to reveal the cover of Martin Sherman’s On the Boardwalk — his deeply personal, long-awaited memoir. Sherman now turns his storytelling inward, reflecting on a life shaped by art, activism, and identity.
The cover, a striking black-and-white photograph, features Martin as a baby on the beach near the Atlantic City boardwalk—where he spent his early years. It’s a poignant image, evoking both innocence and the passage of time, as Sherman traces his journey from that shore to the heights of international theatre.
On the Boardwalk promises an intimate exploration of the resilience that defines both a writer and a generation. Rich with history, humour, and the unmistakable voice that made Sherman a queer icon, this memoir is set to be an essential read.
For fans of queer history, theatre lovers, and anyone who has ever been moved by Sherman’s words, this memoir is a must-read. On the Boardwalk is a testament to survival, love, and the ever-evolving fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Stay tuned for exclusive excerpts, interviews, and launch events. This is one book you won’t want to miss. Pre-order your copy now, here: https://www.inkandescent.co.uk/on-the-boardwalk and sign up to the mailing list https://www.inkandescent.co.uk/sign-up
About On The Boardwalk
Acclaimed playwright Martin Sherman takes us on a journey from 1930s New Jersey, where he was born into a Jewish immigrant family, to 1970s Broadway—for the premier of his seminal play Bent starring Richard Gere.
En route, we stop off in Woodstock, Los Angeles and London—a city Martin would make home—and encounter celebrities including Meryl Streep, Bee Gees and Joan Baez, but the scene-stealing character is his father—a charismatic narcissist who might have given Trump a run for his money.
Sherman is a constantly delightful companion, sharing his struggles—under the shadow of an inheritable disease that killed his mother tragically early, with his sexuality, and to make it in theatre—with candour and self-deprecating humour.
About Martin Sherman
Martin Sherman was born in Philadelphia, raised in New Jersey and educated at Boston University. He has lived in London for over forty years. His plays have been produced in over sixty countries and include Passing By, Cracks, Rio Grande, Bent, Messiah, When She Danced, A Mad House in Goa, Some Sunny Day, Rose, Onassis and Gently Down the Stream. His stage adaptations include E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India, and he wrote the Broadway musical The Boy From Oz. Martin’s screenplays include The Clothes in the Wardrobe, Alive and Kicking, Bent, Callas Forever, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone and Mrs Henderson Presents. He has been nominated for two Tonys, two BAFTAS and two Oliviers.
All images supplied.
