Russell Tovey and co-star Arinze Kene looks HOT as hell in the brand THE PASS.
The Pass is the story of three very different nights over 10 years in the life of a Premier League Footballer. Jason (Russell Tovey) is at the beginning of his career, and on the night before his first big international match he and long-time friend and team-mate Ade (Arinze Kene) share a hotel room, trying to beat the inevitable pre-match tensions with locker-room banter and teenage high-jinks.
Out of nowhere Jason kisses Ade. The emotional repercussions of this pass, and the decisions that follow on and off the pitch, have a major impact on every aspect of the public and private lives of both men across the next decade, in a sporting world where image is everything.
The cast includes Hollyoaks heart-throb Nico Mirallegro and theatre and TV actress Lisa McGrillis. Tovey, McGrillis and Mirallegro all reprise the roles they originally performed on stage.
Do you remember Sanjay Sood-Smith? He was (one of the very few) openly gay contestants on BBC’s Apprentice.
He first appeared in the 2014 series of the show and was the 15th contestant to be “fired” by Lord Sugar. Well he’s been hanging out poolside and he and his friends are looking sexy AF.
He’s been holidaying in Ibiza and has got the poolside look down to a fine art.
Speaking about the lack of LGBT representation on the Apprentice he said in an interview with RUComingout.com in 2014,
“I was very open about my sexuality from my initial application where I referenced the fact that I felt there had been an under representation of gay men on The Apprentice over the years.”
There’s a new report out to show that 36 per cent of new sexually transmitted diseases were attributed to one age demo.
CREDIT: bigstock / Rawpixel.com
Public Health England have warned that too many young people (15-24) are practicing unsafe sex as sexually transmitted diseases in that age group continue to sky rocket. Thirty-six per cent of new infections in 2015 were found in those aged just 15 to 24, with young Londoners at the epicentre of the sexual health crisis.
Since 2011 diagnoses of syphilis and gonorrhoea in 15 to 24 year olds in London have soared 128 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.
In 2015 those aged 15 to 24 living in the capital made up 36% of all new STI diagnoses; with gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis all being diagnosed.
RISES from 2011 to 2015
Syphilis: 128%
Gonorrhoea: 61%
Chlamydia: – 5%
Genital herpes: 4%
Although the number of reported STIs dropped by four per cent from 44,283 in 2011 to 42,457 this was accounted by the drop in new Chlamydia infections – which fell from 24,017 to 22,891.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said,
“These figures show that too many young people in London are continuing to have unsafe sex, putting themselves at unnecessary risk of contracting STIs.
“Young Londoners are one of the groups we know are at increased risk of experiencing poor sexual health, along with men who have sex with men (MSM) and black ethnic minorities.
“Young people tend to have more sexual partners and are more likely to have unsafe sex. These factors mean they are at increased risk of contracting STIs and becoming re-infected.
“Working closely with young Londoners and other at risk groups is vital to deliver effective public health interventions and improve their sexual health outcomes.”
Dr Patrick French, a sexual health specialist and genitourinary medicine consultant at The Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, said,
“Today’s report highlights that too many young people in London continue to be disproportionately affected by STIs.
“To reduce infections among this at-risk group access to good quality preventative, testing and treatment services is vital. They must also be welcoming and open to overcome any worries or embarrassment young age people might have about going to clinic.
“I still regularly see young people in clinic with newly diagnosed STIs, who struggled to find the right service for testing and treatment. Developing and strengthening easily accessible sexual health services for young people in London must be a priority.”
Are you worried about your sexual health but are too afraid to go to the doctor – speak to our expert team, use the box below confidentially. For more details on how we use your information click here.
London is bursting at the seams with theatre and this autumn is looking particularly gay. Here are 5 things that are on my radar for the cooler weather to come.
The Classic One:
“The Boys in the Band” is having a revival at the Park Theatre, London. Mr and Mr, Mark Gatiss and his husband Ian Hallard are appearing in this overdue revival of a classic gay play from 1968. Self-loathing gay man Harold isn’t happy about aging and is in for an interesting birthday night as the drinks flow too freely and one of his close friends has bought him a hot male hooker for the night. The play shocked straight audiences when it first played. It also divided gay audiences with some seeing it as a making headway in the fight for gay rights and others seeing it as a negative portrayal of waspish queens wallowing in self-pity. Not so different from some of the reactions to the way the media presents gay men in the 21st century. See what you think for yourself. This should be a corker.
The Historical One:
Kenny Morgan returns for a second run at The Arcola in Dalston, London. Mike Poulton based this play around the events that inspired Terrence Rattigan to write his work The Deep Blue Sea. In 1949 Rattigan’s on/off lover, the eponymous Morgan, gassed himself to death after struggling with diminishing success in his acting career and a turbulent love affair. It’s a fascinating glimpse of what life for a gay man might have been like in the post-war period and there’s a stellar turn from Paul Keating as Morgan. TheGayUK saw this first time around and I gave it a thumping good 4 stars.
Run at the Arcola Tuesday 20 September – Saturday 15 October. They also have Pay What You Can Tuesdays (tickets in person from 6pm – limited and subject to availability). The Fringey One:
The tiny Hope Theatre in Islington is perched above a pub on Upper Street and this month has these short morsels on offer, lasting 90 minutes in total. Two Short Plays About Gays are Middle Aged Rent which is about a teenager lost in the maze that was Eighties London, long before mobile phones, social media & Grindr. How he comes out, both literally and figuratively, is the focus of this new piece, specifically written to premiere at The Hope. The Diva Drag is a bittersweet story of love and (possible) reconciliation. Do you go to your homophobic mother’s funeral, or go on stage as her instead?
Sounds like a fascinating hour and a half in an intimate setting. Theatre in this small a venue can be visceral and fierce so here’s hoping for both.
The Eclectic One: And What? is the newest (and only) pan-London Queer Arts Festival on the block, featuring 130+ artists and more than 25 events in 15 venues throughout September and October. Covering the North, South, East and West of the Capital And What? brings you everything from Visual arts to Circus, International drag Superstars to LGBTQI film and Performance Art to Dance.
Expect edgy, scary, hilarious and some just plain wrongness (or you should demand your money back). That’s what a good fringe fest should be all about. I’m drawn to Return to Grey Gardens. I’m a sucker for RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon. Who doesn’t love a narcoleptic Jewish drag queen?
The Immersive One
Tennessee Williams’ plays speak to gay men in an inimitable way. Faded Southern Belles, repressed men and domineering matriarchs and all that passion and desperation? It certainly chimes chords with my past, present and future. Due to the constraints of his times, Tennessee’s plays didn’t feature openly gay men. This play features two and this version is semi-immersive (semi-immersive sounds good to me. It implies voyeurism with no interaction). The audience gets to spend the evening with a bunch of shameless lowlifes in a run down bar. It’s been re-imagined as taking place in a seaside bar in Essex. Sounds genius to me. William’s always gives good value and this one sounds utterly intriguing.
A nation in shock. A country in turmoil. The tears of millions flood the land. Forget Brexit, the nation is gripped by Breadxit! That’s right, by now you all know that Love Productions failed to rise to the occasion and followed the dough and has officially jumped shipped to Channel 4.
After one disaster after another, it looks likely that the next series of The Jump will be Channel 4’s last. That leaves Davina McCall out in the cold. The loveable presenter is a Channel 4 stalwart having found success with the cult classic Streetmate before fronting reality giant Big Brother.
Pros
She’s Davina! Her crazy energy and warmth would make her the perfect candidate for the host gig. She’s got tonnes of reality TV experience and has a strong background in food and baking.
She’s a big name, which is exactly what Channel 4 need to draw interest from disgruntled viewers. Whilst Chris Evans was a hit in the 90s, his return to TV on Top Gear was a dud. Davina has managed to stay currant throughout her decades on the box.
Cons
Davina’s a health nut and fattening cakes and other bakes isn’t exactly in keeping with her brand. In addition, Davina has recently released a cookbook, which is all about cutting sugar out of your life. Something which would no doubt get a frosty reception from Mary Berry.
She’s a distraction. Davina’s loveable energy is a big hit with audiences but the secret to Mel & Sue’s success is that they never draw attention away from the bakers. Davina naturally draws attention from her viewers, so could her presenting be too big for the tent?
Whilst Paul has found his comfort zone with animal documentaries, he still manages to endear the nation. His personality is a pleasant mix of humour and sincerity, which makes him endlessly watchable. Whilst he first won the nation’s heart as Lily Savage, it’s his work on afternoon chat shows and animal documentaries that has won him both awards but also the love of a nation.
Pros
Paul’s personality is a perfect fit. His teatime chat and time on Blankety Blank managed to dance on the boundary of the inappropriate, so innuendos would still be a-plenty. Paul would manage to keep the light heartedness of the show but still be able to play into the drama.
Paul is a professional with many decades in the business covering different genres. He’s a quick wit with a cool head so he’d easily fit into the Bake Off format without making it seem too different. A new host is in danger of alienating the audience who will be expecting nothing but perfection once Bake Off jumps ship.
Cons
Paul has previously criticised the show stating that he is “not interested in a gang of people in a tent making Swiss rolls”. It wouldn’t be great for his integrity for him to front a show he previously criticised. But, with this £25m a year acquisition, perhaps Paul will be otherwise swayed.
Paul’s previous work has always been quite emotional as works to improve the life of rescue dogs so, when it comes to a burnt cake, he mightn’t be as caring. Mel and Sue always seemed genuinely interested in the show and its contestants but it is likely Paul would not be as emotionally involved and, therefore, may leave the viewers a bit cold.
Likelihood: 3/5
Richard & Judy
Richard and Judy have been off-screen as for some time now but I am sure, for many, it’d be a welcome return. Judy may be hitting our screens as a Loose Woman but it’s certainly not the same without her being talked over. The duo have excellent chemistry (well you’d hope so since they’re married) and their middle class humour is pitch perfect for the show’s audience and pace.
Pros
Richard and Judy are a duo with great chemistry, just like Mel and Sue. They were TV’s Mum and Dad, slowly getting drunk on wine in the front room so it would certainly be a comfort when uncertainty sets in as the show moves to Channel 4. Viewers are used to seeing them together and their welcome return would no doubt show that the channel is willing to put some heavyweight talent behind the move.
Richard and Judy have always been tastemakers. They’ve always promoted the finest food and wine and championed the best books. The viewing public trust them so if they were willing to sign up, it’d certainly add to the legitimacy of the show. Right now the rose tinted glasses of the show have been smashed by the capitalistic move by Love Productions and viewers need to believe that Channel 4’s acquisition is because they care about the format rather than advertising money and ratings.
Cons
Richard and Judy have been off air for some time, could it be difficult to watch them together? Despite their great chemistry, Judy has managed to re-model herself as a clear individual. Will they still gel well together and manage to recreate their magic?
Whilst Judy was always pleasant, Richard is often known for his awkward jokes and gaffes on air including revealing Judy once had a bad time with thrush. Richard may try to attempt to continue Mel and Sue’s famed banter and will most likely fall flat on his face.
Likelihood: 2/5
Jo Brand
– (C) Love Productions – Photographer: Mark Bourdillon
Jo currently hosts Bake Off’s spin off show An Extra Slice so it wouldn’t be completely unusual for her to slip into the main slot. The move would be strikingly similar to Emma Willis taking over from Brian Downling as host of Channel 5’s iteration of Big Brother. Jo is a proven comedic talent who already has a love for the show. I would argue that Jo would be the safest bet for new host.
Pros
Jo is already part of the Bake Off family. With Mel and Sue gone, Paul & Mary will likely follow so it’d be nice to have somebody on the show that could carry the torch for the BBC version. Jo’s love of the show and her knowledge of the audience means she’ll be able to hit the right tone immediately. Hiring Jo would also reassure viewers that Channel 4 aren’t looking to completely re-invent the wheel.
Jo is a huge fan of cakes and baking so her enthusiasm for the baker’s achievements will feel genuine rather than forced. We know she loves the show, we know she appreciates the art so therefore it’ll be more believable and, therefore, enjoyable for us!
Cons
Jo’s persona is very grumpy old woman, which won’t play well in the tent. She has never shown a particular warmth so she may not be as comforting to the contestants and may make interactions seem a little more awkward as a result. Mel & Sue had the perfect split of humour and kindness and Jo would struggle to meet that.
Jo is very BBC and has been a familiar face for many, many years so it may seem a bit strange to watch her on Channel 4. Jo is a BBC stalwart so any move there would be interpreted as a money grab. As a member of the show already, it could do her more damage than good to move with the show as viewers could potentially interpret the move as disloyalty. I imagine if Paul and Mary stay on, they would face similar criticism.
Likelihood: 5/5
Anna Richardson
CREDIT: Channel 4
Anna is one of Channel 4’s loyal hosts, having fronted many shows for the broadcaster. Anna has presented lots of factual entertainment from Secret Eaters to Supersize v Superskinny so viewers are likely familiar with her work. She has a laid-back approach to dealing with people, which would work well within the tent. She also has a strong production background, which would make her a sensible choice for the show. In addition to this, Anna has managed to show both her serious and funny sides in shows such as The Sex Education Show and Naked Attraction. However, her current partner is current Bake Off host Sue Perkins so Anna hosting may make things a little awkward.
Pros
Anna’s personality is a mix of serious and cheeky which is another good blend for the show. Her journalistic instincts will get her to root out the secrets behind the bakers and her light heartedness will cut through any tension.
Anna has dealt with many topics on TV but has steadfastly covered food and the psychology of food. She would be wholly believable as a host and, as her work on Secret Eaters has shown, she cares deeply for others. She has a natural rapport with people even in awkward situations i.e. them being stark bollock naked so Anna would be able to interact easily with bakers and judges alike.
Cons
Anna is known more recently for Naked Attraction so she may not be seen as a suitable host for such a mild mannered show. It’s quite the jump to go from dicks and tits to pies and cakes.
Anna’s worth is deeply rooted in the meaning of things and, whilst that might add a fun element to the show, it could also result in her trying to think too deep about things. The Bake Off is successful because it’s easy-going so nobody wants to know what happened in a baker’s childhood to make them want to add chilli to their chocolate cake. Likelihood: 4/5
Outside Chances (Likelihood between 1/5 to 2/5)
Myleen Klass, Julian Clary, Eric Lanlard, Kirstie Allsop, Ella Woodward, Jonathan Ross, Fern Britton, Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, John Snow and Kirstie Gallacher
Set in 14th century Verona, the rivalries between two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are intensified when Romeo and Juliet fall for each other. But coming from rival families means that their love faces insurmountable odds, and when the conflict escalates after a street fight ends in bloodshed, with Romeo killing Juliet’s brother, a chain of tragic events is set in motion, as the lovers try to escape the confines of their family loyalties.
Photo Credit – Andy Ross
Departing from their signature style, Northern Ballet presents a piece which is stripped back to the absolute minimum. Set against a purely white backdrop of linear shaped screens, splashed only with the occasional coloured lighting wash, the minimalist presentation and lack of any real set, props or backdrops only served to focus the audience’s attention to the frenetic, visceral and energetic choreography and performances. With no smoke and mirrors to hide behind, choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot lays his work bare on the stage, and this move pays off, providing an incredibly fresh and thoroughly contemporary piece of dance. The choreography encompasses the romantic, the dramatic and the passionate; and the whole thing is dotted with the occasional pieces of humour, which helps to provide respite from the dramatic mood slightly. The costumes, with a hint of John Paul Gautier running through them, stand out from the white background to easily define the family loyalty of each character, and the use of a contrasting colour palette (predominantly cream and black) mirrors the themes which underpin the story; love and rivalry; comedy and tragedy; life and death.
Most notable amongst the slew of energetic performances was Javier Torres as Tybalt, who portrayed his character with a bullish arrogance. There was also a noteworthy and incredibly supple performance from Mlindi Kulashe as the priest tortured by his own guilt. The cast’s performances were tightly in unison and technically impressive, in particular, the Dance of the Knights, which was an exciting set piece performed with precision moves and breakneck speed.
Romeo and Juliet is wholly reliant on its performances and choreography, which does not disappoint. Overall, the show has more of a feeling of modern dance than traditional ballet, but this does not detract from the skill of the performers or from the sheer spectacle of the edgy, angular and visually striking set pieces which are juxtaposed against the traditional score by Prokofiev in a clash of modern and traditional.
Romeo & Juliet is currently playing at Sheffield Lyceum (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk) until Saturday 17th September, before continuing its national tour. Northern Ballet will be continuing to tour throughout the UK this year with a variety of productions, including Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights and Beauty and the Beast. Visit the company’s website at www.northernballet.com for full details.
