THEGAYUK

Day: 20 February 2019

  • Where’s the best place to watch drag in London?

    Where’s the best place to watch drag in London?

    London has a rich history of drag from the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to the now-shuttered Black Cap, here’s the best place to go to catch some drag in the UK’s capital.

    where to see good drag in London

    Central London

    Admiral Duncan

    If you’re in central London, i.e. Soho, there’s really only one place to find drag every night and that’s at the Admiral Duncan. It’s a friendly traditional pub in the heart of Soho (Old Compton Street). It has regular drag from the likes of Mary Mac, Sandra, Baga Chipz and Cookie Monstar. See what’s going on at their website.

    Halfway II Heaven

    Is another great haunt to see some traditional drag queen shenanigans with queens appearing almost every day of the week, right on the doorstep of Trafalgar Square (where Pride In London is hosted). Whether you’re into karaoke, lip syncing or good old fashion cabaret this venue is a must watch. See what’s going on at their website.

    East London

    The Glory

    The home of East London Drag, the Glory is a highly rated queer space in the heart of East London with events almost every night of the week. See what’s going on at their website.

    South London

    Royal Vauxhall Tavern

    where to see good drag in London

    One of the oldest, if not the oldest venue in London just south of the river in Vaxuhall. With shows from Duckie to David Hoyle the Royal Vauxhall Tavern offers a cool, queer as f**k experience that mustn’t miss if you’re in London town. See what’s going on at their website.

    Two Brewers

    This is a MUST go venue if you’re in south London (Clapham). It’s legendary and it’s drag from wall to wall. It’s also got a great value for money bar and friendly bar staff. See what’s going on at their website.

  • X Factor’s Bradley shares horrific story of homophobic attack

    X Factor’s Bradley shares horrific story of homophobic attack

    Former X Factor singer Bradley Hunt has shared a horrific story and pictures from a homophobic attack he sustained while dancing to Britney Spears in a nightclub.

    Bradley Hunt has hit out at homophobes by sharing horrific pictures from a homophobic attack at a nightclub from a man who took issue with the way he was dancing to Britney Spear’s ‘Toxic’.

    The star spoke about he was left with a black eye and a missing tooth after the vicious attack from a man he said took offence to the way Bradley was dancing.

    The reality star said, “I was dancing in Pop World to Britney Spears, I was flicking my neck, doing my dance moves and this guy came up to me. He said, ‘Can you stop dancing like that?’

    “Now I think he was trying to show off to some girls, something like that, and I’m thinking, ‘babes, the girls are loving my dancing. Like, they ain’t bothered at you trying to put me down, you ain’t gonna get a girl that way. Just saying’.

    “Anyway, I said to him, ‘don’t tell me what to do’, and I thought, you don’t tell somebody what to do, especially in a club – it’s Pop World! You don’t tell someone to stop dancing like that, I’m sorry, if you don’t like it, go somewhere else.

    “The pain absolutely killed”

    “Then came the smash right into the nose, then two of his mates on either side ricocheting, punching, thumping me, I’ve never been hit before and the pain absolutely killed.”

    Getting emotional, he continued “I had an instant headache and I absolutely panicked, I was screaming. I ran to the bar crying, I can feel one of teeth half of it in my hands, blood. I jumped over the bar because I was so scared, ran down to the beer cellar and was on the floor in tears, panicking. Obviously, I was drunk and it just came as a shock to me.

    Arrested

    “I called the police, they came and actually managed to find one of them around the corner and arrested him. And he stayed in the cell for a night but other than that nothing really happened. I did a statement at the police station but what can you do?”

    He added, “Homophobia’s still here. With me, some people recognise me so there’s a level of, they can say a joke, the can stare, they can laugh, that’s fine. I’ve been on the TV, I was the joke act, you can laugh and stare. But when people say ‘batty boy’, ‘queer’ or anything like that, or try and intimidate me, Nah. I don’t tolerate it.”

    Video

    The star added a video to explain the full story

     

     

  • There’s now a seven stripe pride flag

    There’s now a seven stripe pride flag

    The Mayor of Brent showcases a brand new seven stripe rainbow flag – which features a single black stripe.

    There’s been much said on the design of the rainbow flag, originally designed by Gilbert Baker with the flag being redesigned by various third parties to reflect different issues facing various intersections of the LGBT+ community.

    Most famously, in 2017 the city of Philadelphia showcased a new flag which contained black and brown stripes in a bid open up a conversation about racial inclusion in the LGBT+ community.

    However, a new seven stripe flag has been adopted by Brent council in London and it’s a brand new, never seen before design, which features a single black stripe between the blue and purple stripe.

    The Mayor of Brent, Cllr Arshad Mahmood, raised the rainbow flag outside the Brent Civic Centre in honour of LGBT+ History Month, which takes places in the UK in the month of February. He was joined by Councillors and members of the local community.

    The London Borough of Brent is home to a large BAME community, with around 63 percent of residents identifying as non-white. Although it’s not clear if the inclusion of the black stripe is to represent race within the LGBT+ community.

    A spokesperson for the council told THEGAYUK, “This particular rainbow flag has been a part of our celebration of the LGBT community in Brent for over 10 years. It is the spectrum which gives the flag its special symbolism, rather than the individual colours, but we’re pleased that it has opened up new conversations about the intersections between the LGBT community and BAME groups.”

     

  • Adam Lambert will be performing at the Oscars

    Adam Lambert will be performing at the Oscars

    It’s official: Adam Lambert will be performing alongside Queen at the Oscars.

    Adam Lambert
    CREDIT: kathclick-bigstock

    One of American Idol’s most successful singers, Adam Lambert is to make Glambert history when he performs at the Oscars live on the 24th of February 2019.

    Of course, the film, Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic on the rise and rise of Freddie Mercury and Queen is up for numerous awards.

    Taking to Twitter The Academy Awards announced that the iconic band and 2009 American Idol runner-up would perform together on the show.

    “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? We welcome @QueenWillRock and @adamlambert to this year’s #Oscars,” the Tweet read.

    The song which the band and Adam will perform hasn’t been announced but it is thought that they will play the song from which the film gets its name, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Mousetrap – National Tour, 2019

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Mousetrap – National Tour, 2019

    ★★★☆☆ | The Mousetrap, National Tour

    After a murder in London, and with the snow falling heavily outside, Monkswell Manor, a guest house, opens its doors to welcome its first five seemingly unconnected, guests, some of whom are expected, some of whom aren’t. But the night is interrupted by a phone call and the arrival of the police warning that there is a killer on the loose and that there more murders expected in the isolated house. But who is the murderer, who are the victims and who will survive?

    The Mousetrap is the longest running show in the West End and when I first saw it in 2013, having not read or seen any Agatha Christie and with a curiosity to see what made this theatrical legend so special, I found it suitably engaging, and seeing it again on this new tour was just as enjoyable.

    As one would expect with Agatha Christie, the story is one of a mixed bunch of characters; including the grumpy old woman, the retired army general and the delightfully camp young bachelor; and the intelligent writing had you casting doubt on each of the characters in turn, as their secrets slowly surface. But the fun comes in the last twenty minutes or so, as the killer’s identity is revealed and you can see whether you were right in your deductions.

    On this tour, there are high spec production values, with a sturdy and detailed set and an ambient sound and lighting design; and there are good central performances from Geoff Arnold as Sergeant Trotter, Gwyneth Strong as Mrs Boyle; and in particular, Lewis Chandler standing out from the crowd as  Christopher Wren.

    Despite the show being somewhat of its time and harbouring a terribly twee closing scene, The Mousetrap retains its ability to engage the audience without flashy visuals or an over the top production, and simply allows some good performances and classic story writing to shine through in a night of old fashioned entertainment.

    The Mousetrap is on national tour and details can be found at the show’s website.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | Come From Away

    come from away theatre review

    Before September 11, 2001, no one had ever heard of the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland. But on that horrible, horrible day, the townspeople (no more than 10,000 people) welcomed in and took in thousands of people who were on Westbound planes that were diverted to this place in the middle of nowhere.

    This story is told in the musical Come from Away. Winning many awards in its Washington D.C. and Broadway runs, this popular show has arrived into London with much anticipation. And the show surely lives up to it.

    Gander has a small airport, where the nearest Starbucks in four hours away, and where there are a total of 550 hotel rooms. But on 9/11, 6,579 people were grounded in Gander. And it was the townspeople who opened up their homes, and hospitality, to these passengers who at the time at arrival had no idea as to what was happening (this was before everyone had mobile phones).

    The characters in this show are based on (and is most cases share names of) real Gander residents and the passengers on these planes. The actors play both the passengers and citizens, switching roles every now and then. While it does get a bit confusing in the beginning, as the show rolls on and the music starts to kick in, Come from Away gets more uplifting, until it, and the residents of Gander, have really won us over.

    Beautiful songs such as ‘I Am Here’, beautifully sung by Cat Simmons, whose son was a firefighter in NYC, ‘Stop the World,’ sung by Robert Hands and Helen Hobson who were passengers and ended up falling in love, and ’Something’s Missing,’ sung by the entire company after the 9/11 passengers all left Gander – show us how the human spirit was alive and well the week the world changed. With incredible book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and sharp direction by Christopher Ashley, Come From Away may not only bring you to tears, but it will also lift up your spirits.

    It had been announced that there will be a feature film adaptation of Come from Away, with Sankoff and Hein writing the script and Christopher Ashley as director. I’m really looking forward to seeing the movie version of this moving and cathartic musical. 

    Come From Away plays at the Phoenix Theatre until 19th September 2019. Book tickets here.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Rocky Horror Show – National Tour 2019

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Rocky Horror Show – National Tour 2019

    ★★★★★ | The Rocky Horror Show

    Nearly 45 years on from its debut, Richard O’Brien’s cult musical needs very little introduction. The show follows Brad and Janet, two 50’s Americana sweethearts who stumble upon the castle of Frank-N-Furter; a cross dressing scientist cum force of nature, on the evening that he is to bring his Frankenstein-esque playmate to life.

    As a musical it remains larger than life; and like Frank’s creation himself, the show has taken on a life of its own. With its affectionate nod to the B-Movie science fiction genre of the 50’s, it’s cult following is unparalleled and its fans amongst the most fiercely loyal you will find.

    The role of Frank-N-Furter is so iconic, that you need a larger than life personality to fill the fishnets, and Stephen Webb does a great job blending Frank’s camptastic alluring persona whilst maintaining an underlying gruffness to his vocal performance, along with Philip Franks as the narrator, brilliantly trading quips with the audience. But to be fair, you would be hard pressed to find a weak link within the cast in this top-notch production.

    Rocky Horror is presented here in all its gloriously loud, brash, colourful, neon day-glo garishness, with a set which looks luxurious and holds an almost cartoon-like feel to it; all accompanied by an excellent lighting design by Nick Richings which flooded the stage in reds, greens and purples, and some steady direction by Christopher Luscombe.

    Rocky Horror is a phenomenon, and the atmosphere at any Rocky Horror performance is one which has to be experienced. This production provides a fresh feel to a classic show and one which engages the audience like no other. So pull on your fishnet stockings, warm up your vocal cords, leave your inhibitions in the foyer and go and “give yourself over to absolute pleasure”.

    Rocky Horror is at the Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 23rd February 2019, before continuing on its national tour. For details visit the show’s official website.

  • Brands are receiving backlash over healthy eating social posts

    Brands are being warned over the posts they publish on social media, particularly over the subject of healthy eating.

    CREDIT: ©-belchonock-Depositphotos

    Topics covered over social media in 2019 cover a variety of subjects, the one surrouding healthy eating can cause a Twitter storm if not handled in the right way warns industry experts, which came with the warning “For brands venturing into this topic, it is essential to consider planning in advance and staying away from political and divisive subjects”.

    The latest immediate future report, using data analysed from Brandwatch, looks at the rising ‘healthy eating’ and ‘healthy food’ conversations on social media in the UK. Whilst most posts are positive, there is a significant number of passionately angry and disgruntled ones. The backlash spikes around those organisations pushing the healthy eating agenda such as brands, government and celebrity chefs.

    Anger drives social sharing.

    Katy Howell, CEO at immediate future, says, “Shares, accounting for almost 40% of social posts, are driven by two core behaviours: anger (and some pretty spicy language), at the affordability and cost of eating healthy food; and the making of healthy foods, from recipes and planning, to food origins.”

    Social data analysed using social intelligence tool, Brandwatch, shows that 39% of posts around cost, mention the issue of affordability of healthy food options and 30% declare eating well is expensive. And it’s the 42% men on social, talking healthy eating, that tend to rant the most!

    Rising year on year healthy eating is predicted to continue an upward trend on social. The conversations don’t just spike in January, they run through the year as UK consumers are increasingly conscious of, and educated about, what they eat. For relevant brands this is an opportunity to raise awareness and engage with consumers in a shopping category that is burgeoning.

    Katy continues, “Joining the healthy food trends is perfect for food, fitness and weight-loss brands. However, companies must plan. Awareness of the topics that both spark debate and anger should form part of your brand’s approach. Transparency and authenticity are key if you don’t want to be battling negativity on social.”

    The report, reviews a year’s worth of social data, looking at posts that mention healthy eating and healthy foods and it’s available for free at http://po.st/eatwell

  • What is deadnaming?

    What is deadnaming?

    When a person refers to someone by a previous, given or birth name, it is called deadnaming. Deadnaming can be done with malice or by accident.

    It mostly affects transgender people who have changed their name during their transition.

    For instance, if a trans woman’s birth or given name was Martin, but she changed it to Sarah during her transition, calling her Martin or referring to her as Martin would be deadnaming her.

    However, deadnaming could happen to people who have divorced and have changed their surnames (for instance Cheryl being called Cheryl Cole) or even people who have decided to change their legal name for their own reasons. Being referred to a previous name can be traumatic regardless of the reasons it was changed.

    It is often seen as painful as it can trigger memories of a life from which the person feels totally disconnected now.

    Some transgender people, however, are comfortable talking about their previous name and some wish it to remain in history, but you should accept the name you are given by any transgender person, just as you would is the person you are interacting with is cisgender or cisnormative.

    Can you ask trans people what their previous identity or name was?

    You really shouldn’t ask people what their birth name was, unless that information is offered willing to you.

    It is very similar to misgendering but focuses more on someone’s name rather than gender pronouns.

    Can you expand this definition? Use the comments below and your answer could be used to expand or define this glossary entry.

    Check out more definitions in our Big Gay Glossary