THEGAYUK

Author: Alex Da Silva

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Unknown Male

    ★★★★ | Unknown Male

    Unknown Male depicts a tragic story of Heather who has recently got a job as train a conductor. All is very well. Until, after the tunnel, a person jumps off the platform on to her incoming train.

    The story revolves around Heather and her coping mechanisms, or the lack of; Emily, her daughter who has been trying to comfort her mum, but unsuccessful, so she decides to investigate who the victim who was run over by her mum’s train; and Mark, Heather’s boyfriend, who also has trouble relighting Heather’s will to live, and deviates from the house to very familiar territory.

    Unknown Male brings to the Rep Stage a topic that is rarely talked about, and if it is, then the story tends to emphasise the sympathy of the individuals who died under the train. However, Stephanie Ridings ambitiously captivates the audience with the other side of the story: the victim being the person who ran over the individual. Excellently portrayed and greatly realised under the direction of Nick Walker. Both visions equally combine the success in delving deep into the topic and expertly deliver the content where, with a quick glance at the audience, there was evidence of a few tears being shed with many eyes.

    This was also achieved by the brilliant cast that consisted of Lorraine Stanley as Heather; Phoebe Frances-Brown as Emily; and Mark was played by Ged Simmons.

    The three actors conveyed the emotions brilliantly. Particularly, Lorraine’s conveyance of Heather, whose emotion range was a phenomenon. Stanley portrays Heather more than convincingly, to the point of thinking one was sitting in the family’s front room with a feeling of awkwardness as the drama ensued. Ged did a sterling job with Mark, as he evidenced on stage what a person in his position might go through and the ability to explore the dark sides of a man whose world is ripping apart. Finally, Phoebe delights the spectators with her portrayal of a young teenager; the actress, of course is older than Emily, but she shows an innocence and defiance of Emily’s age in a subliminal way.

    Stephanie Ridings does the Birmingham Rep Foundry proud, as she showcases the ability to create a piece of theatre in a way that transports the audience from a seat at The Door, to a seat inside Heather’s flat most magnificently, drawing every person on to the tragedy explored in Unknown Male.

    The set was minimalist, but was used to great effect; especially in the very last scene, as it was converted to a train station platform, to which Emily is found standing over.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Fleabag: Epically Entertaining and Daringly Dirty

    ★★★★★ | Fleabag

    Fleabag is a kind of play where you are unsure of what you will be watching. Especially as the sign on the theatre entrance read: ‘Warning: References to sex’.

    Fleabag is a one-woman sixty-minute show that portrays the life of one young woman in the most hilarious, sympathetic and filthy fashion. Loved it. It starts in an interview setting, and then it trails off to her hot encounters and her needing to take ‘hot’ photos of herself to please her many admirers. ‘Take A Dirty Picture For Me’ comes to mind.

    It all happens in the space of 48 hours, and whilst it is funny in the writing, it shows great depth when the theme of feminism is introduced in an almost caricature way. Maddie Rice played the role master-mindedly. She makes her character appear ‘laddish’ and pertaining to be a player.

    Though many things she did and said were crude and filthy, if a bloke said and did the same things as Maddie, to his ‘blokey’ mates, no one would batter an eyelid. But because it was a female, some audience members cringed with discomfort.

    Maddie Rice plays the unnamed character with utter and sheer brilliance. Her wit and humour were 10/10. It was that funny that I thought I had booked tickets to see a stand-up comedian at ‘Live at the Apollo’ show. Maddie really captured the role as written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, with precision and dedication. It felt as though the role was written for her.

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s writing was a delicious treat to our ears, and a true and daring piece of work that was worthy of the full-house show it received.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Othello, Frantic Assembly, Birmingham REP

    ★★★★★ | Othello, Frantic Assembly, Birmingham REP

    Mesmerising, Otherworldly, Sublime

    Who would have thought that Shakespeare’s “Othello” could be placed in a ‘Chatsworth Estate’ like location, bursting with rawness but, at the same time, realness unlike any other. Frantic Assembly dissects the true essence of the play and transfuses it in to a contemporary setting. Extremely commendable work.

    “Othello” is my favourite play by William Shakespeare, but as underrated as it may be to many, it cannot hide the fervour of overcharged emotions that play from minute one. It tells the story of a Venetian moor who is the general of the armies in Venice that marries the daughter of a Venetian Senator, figure of which disapproves of the union. The theme of this play is jealousy, and Iago speaks of this as: “It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.” Iago is jealous of many things, but in particular Michael Cassio’s promotion to Left Lieutenant by Othello, when Iago has been his long serving ‘slave’. Iago sets about on a mission to deem Desdemona ‘false’ and unworthy of Othello’s love. Iago proceeds in planting the seed of doubt in to Othello’s mind that Cassio and Desdemona are, essentially, at it. It all goes downhill from there, culminating in Othello killing his wife due to the paranoia.

    Some say there may be a sub-jealousy theme going on: Iago is jealous of Desdemona being married to Othello, when Iago envisions himself in her place. There is one sequence in Frantic, on the pool table, Iago is standing over Desdemona, and then the table rotates as Iago walks along it and his crotch level with Othello’s head. Read between the lines yourself.

    The ensemble of Frantic Assembly was subliminally phenomenal. Each actor played a key part to the show’s success. Every actor was strong in movement but eloquent in speech, which is a hard thing to do. Especially when, in one moment, one is being flung around a pool table and in the next reciting a speech in perfect iambic pentameter. Under the electric and elegant direction and choreography of Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett with Eddie Kay, “Othello” simmers into a beautiful crescendo of emotions and physical energy.

    The actor that stood out most ferociously was Steven Miller, who you might recognise as playing Lenny Lyons in Casualty, with his relentless energetic flair and passionate speaking, in verse. His monologues were heart-felt and sincerely understood.

    The set, for me, played a fundamental part in the atmosphere witnessed by the audience. The way the concertina flats moved effortlessly around the stage, and the way the pool table zoomed in and out, almost like a feather, was only short of genius. My favourite scene was when Cassio (Ryan Fletcher) is drunk and he portrays being drunk most convincingly, and the set aided to this with the ‘walls’ literally moving as Fletcher zig-zagged alongside it portraying the drunk effect we all know, very well, “the room is spinning”.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | MY PERFECT MIND, The Rep – Birmingham

    ★★★★★ | MY PERFECT MIND, The Rep – Birmingham
    Epically Humorous and Uncompromisingly Sincere

    Told by An Idiot’s “My Perfect Mind” stuns The Door of The Birmingham Rep, with its simplistic yet meaningful set and with its mastermind-like quality of acting. This astonishing play is an account of the actor Edward Petherbridge suffering from a stroke and his recovery, with help of a friend, Paul Hunter who does everything in his power to accommodate Edward’s imagination and fantasy.

    “My Perfect Mind” draws inspiration from the story of Edward Petherbridge’s second rehearsal of King Lear, where he suffered a severe stroke, which left him almost paralysed. Upon recovery, Edward comes to an enlightening discovery. Though his mobility had suffered from this event, all the lines for his part, King Lear, lived in his memory still.

    King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic and profound plays starting off with this 80 something King abdicating his land and rule by splitting it into three parts to give to his three daughters: Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. He asks of them, as an exchange for this gift, their expression of love to him. Goneril and Regan obey, but Cordelia upon being asked what she feels about her father, she merely says: “nothing”, which makes the old king banish her. Later on, in the play Lear loses his rule, goes insane and is banished. Shakespeare loved happy endings.

    The 90-minute play was filled with powerful energy and with a plethora of characters coming from one actor – Paul Hunter. Hunter had an incredible ability to multipart with astonishing speed, parts of which seemed to give Edward the Wonderland of Lear. Every time a new character emerged they asked Edward what he was doing? To which he always replied with “I am performing King Lear”, then Hunter, in character, acted impressed and amazed every time. Hunter blew the audience away with his gift of shape shifting between characters and with his unrivalled ability to seduce the crowd with laughter, particularly when he switched from David to Carol.

    Petherbridge’s story shone brightly on stage, as he played himself and the situation so vividly, it appeared we were witnessing the event real-time. His roaring delivery of speeches and then his sweet old-man like voice provided us with an emotional journey of discovery and recovery. We were left wishing we could hear Edward perform “King Lear” for real. The dramatic device Edward used with splashing paint over the wall was epic, as he belted Lear’s storms speech.

    One conclusion I can draw from this experience and it is somewhat ironic. King Lear goes through the play receding in his mental capacity and suffering bitterly, yet Edward used King Lear as a form of recovery. The fact that he still remembered the part, post-stroke, gave him a great sensation and by fate, he falls into the delightful direction of Kathryn Hunter and on the tour of “My Perfect Mind” depicting his story so magnificently.

    04 – 08 November 2014

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Solomon and Marion, The Rep, Birmingham

    ★★★★ – Witty, Endearing, Unforgettable

    “Solomon and Marion” hits the studio theatre of The Rep with an edgy bang. Lara Foot’s play is set in the post-apartheid period, and the essence of her story transports us back twenty years. It does not seem too long ago, when racial differences were a hot topic in the Western World, but more so in South Africa.

    “Solomon and Marion” delivers a perspective from both sides: Solomon represents a poor black boy, whose family have died, and who is, on a daily basis, fighting for survival. Marion is a white and middle-class lady who, throughout the play, is writing to her daughter Annie who is living in Australia with “a very good accountant.” – She reminds us… constantly.

    For some time, Marion has felt a presence lurking in around her house. One day, Marion is rudely disturbed by a black boy, whom she claims has never met, but walks into her living room, uninvited. It turns out that she used to let him play in her pond as a young child, as she was good friends with his grandmother. A delightful and an endearing connection between them ensues with terms as: ‘My boy’ and ‘Ms Marion’ that make the audience smile with delight.

    Lara Foot created a masterpiece, where she assembles humour with anger; a melancholy and monumental revelation. When Marion sees Solomon wearing her deceased son’s yellow shirt, her reaction is heart-wrenching. She cries and says to Solomon: “You’ve ruined it.” Which may cause some controversy with subtext analysis: was Marion showing a racist streak? She very quickly recovers and begs Solomon to keep it.

    Dame Janet Suzman, who you might recall from watching The Singing Detective, delivers an astonishing and memorable performance. The way Janet embodies Marion with extremely well-thought of physicality and with an emotion that was as if Suzman had gone through the grief and isolation portrayed herself. Janet shines particularly at the end when she breaks down after finding out the truth of her son’s death.

    Khayalethu Anthony breaths a true embodiment of what it would have felt like to live in those harsh times. Anthony is an unexperienced actor by background, but on stage his talent matches the Dame’s, especially when enacting live the murder scene of Marion’s son. His method of talking in mother-tongue gave the play an element of outstanding sincerity.

    The lighting was an effective drama tool, as it aided with the transition between happy daytime, to lonely darkness where Marion would spend all night staring at nothing. The excellent way in which the light shone through the window and when it climbed the walls as the sun was rising. The set was a masterpiece, in naturalistic terms but also it managed to create a nostalgic place for Marion to reminisce the whole life she had spent, and the one she wants to die in.

    “Solomon and Marion” is at The Rep until 1st of November.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Blood Brothers, Birmingham Hippodrome

    ★★★★★ | Blood Brothers, Birmingham Hippodrome
    Sensational, Tear-Jerking and Nostalgic

    “Blood Brothers” celebrates its ninth visit to the Birmingham Hippodrome. Willy Russell’s dramatic yet effervescent musical marks twenty-nine years of existence, and its energy and emotion is still true to the performance today.

    I was heavily drawn to Maureen Nolan’s portrayal of Mrs Johnstone. Nolan conjured feelings within the audience that were so unique and precious that led to the well-deserved standing ovation at the very end. Maureen stands out for her tremendous ability in showcasing a wide range of emotions, especially with the way she talks of her children; contrasting with the unpleasant discourses with Mrs Lyons (Mother of Eddie), but most sincerely for the nostalgic effect that she summoned in the audience. The motherly manner in which she coated Mrs Johnstone and the tangible affection she had with her children drove a good few to memory lane.

    Another actor who created some ripples in the audience was Kristofer Harding, as the Narrator. It was one of those roles that, when present, an atmosphere is formed, atmosphere of which helped sew the emotion together. Harding’s voice resonated danger and mystery, which left audience members on the edge of their seats with anticipation.

    The most astonishing acting witnessed in the whole show was of Sean Jones, Mickey. His incredible imagination in portraying a seven-year-old to then later taking on the same role but as an adult, fascinating! His playfulness as a child was endearing and it felt as though the audience did not want him to grow up. The story is a little like Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” but instead of love, it is a friendship that is denied to them.

    A great effect, which I thoroughly enjoyed, was the actor doubling. Two actors that doubled throughout and stood out were Graham Martin and Daniel Taylor. Graham’s wit and creativity shone at the Birmingham Hippodrome: he brought the house down with laughter, as the teacher and as the judge. Daniel’s interpretation of Sammy was a treat. Not only did he capture the older sibling so perfectly well, he became a symbol of the time. Daniel demonstrated energy like no other, and though Sammy was not the lead role, he played every second of that stage with a spirit of a protagonist.

    The set was otherworldly. The houses were as real as the one I am sat in now. The effortless changes between scenes were an effect in their own right. The artwork on the back wall of the stage was something extraordinary; it made it look as though we were peering out of a window with the view to Liverpool.

    There is a reason why “Blood Brothers” has been running short of thirty years. I was ready to watch it again, but they asked me to put my wine down and leave.

    “Blood Brothers” is at Birmingham Hippodrome until the 25th of November.

  • OPEN LETTER | South Molton News, Alex Da Silva

    Following an article published in South Molton News, reader and writer for  THEGAYK Alex DaSilva writes an open letter to the editor, Paul Henderson.

    Hi South Molton News,

    I don’t know where to begin really: astonishment or anger.

    ‘The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions’. – This does not connect with the articgfle’s content.
    Allow me to correct you:

    ‘The Road of South Molton News is Paved with Bigotry and Ignorance.’

    I am so happy for you that you have never needed to have an “aggressive” pride movement. I am thrilled that you have, not once, felt ostracised, marginalised or made to feel like a second class citizen.

    Let me educate you on this raging pride. Pride means that no matter how much hatred comes in one’s direction, love and care that others feel for one another will be celebrated and proclaimed as a symbol of hope.

    A reminder that organisations: “Stonewall (and such like)” have gone through sacrifice and indefatigable knock backs, knock backs of which that have been caused by the likes of columnists of the South Molton News.

    It’s in not just a Gay Pride.. It is now a Human British Pride, for thousands and thousands are fighting our corner, against bigots (and such like) that reside in establishments such as yours.

    Have a ‘happy’ day.

    Alex DaSilva

    if you have an open letter to send Paul Henderson, please email it newsdesk@thegayuk.com

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • OPINION | Selective Love

    2014 has been remarkably record-breaking for the LGBT+ community. However, our strength unsettles certain masses. These seem to be the oldest offenders… The Religious. Are they clutching at straws in order to try and demonise homosexual presence?

    The huge advantage of the, almost, daily technology advancement in the world, is that we witness the most outrageous stories and news that forces us to stop our phone screens, dead in their tracks. In between a ‘Tag a mate’ photo and a funny-as-hell ‘eGreeting’, you will observe, for instance, extremist pastors unashamedly brainwashing communities, whose kids are forced to hold placards that write: “God Hates Fag Enablers”; “Homosexuality is Sin. Christ Can Set You Free”; or the eerie: “Fags Die God Laughs”.

    Are some churches or religious collectives scared that their foundations are crumbling; which are leading them to extreme actions having to justify their own existence?

    If we travel down to Uganda, pastor Martin Ssempa goes so far as corrupting citizens minds, again particularly with children, on how gay men have sex. He destroys the image of two men being able to love one another and replaces it with the illustration of content that ignorantly suggests gay men have sex via way of “Eat Da Poo Poo”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjnrLt3VuSM,

    According to this monster, gay men ‘lick poo like ice cream’, and they need to take drugs in order to be able to endure the agony of performing the act of ‘fisting’. It is anger-summoning as well as pitiful, that men like these are lurking in schools and community halls, spreading such innocuous untruths.

    These extremists are polluting the mind of children, at an early age, planting the seed of gay hate. Sometimes the harshest culprits are parents, whose ignorance destroys lives of children.

    Fortunately, in America, there is a heart-warming story of a boy named Zach who, bravely came out, on Facebook, to his friends. His mother saw it and wrote the most touching letter:

    “Zach,
    I was surprised by your Facebook post where you came out. I want you to know that I love you unconditionally. I love you with my actions, not just my words. I’m so proud of you. You are the bravest person I know. I’ll fight for you always. Your sexual orientation does not define you. You are still the boy who forever won my heart. The only thing that concerns me is the number of empty soda cups and tea bottles in your room. Throw them away before ants come inside.

    I love you always –
    Mom”
    (http://www.upworthy.com/a-boy-came-out-on-facebook-his-mother-found-out-and-decided-to-write-him-this-letter)

    Zach needs not to worry any longer with such unconditional love and support being shown in his home. In fact, the only worry he has is getting ‘ants in his pants’, it appears.

    Bringing it back to some sadder news: Some of these bigots are going as far as travelling to other countries/continents to spread this hate. However, this is where our strength is surely noticed.

    There is an American pastor called Lou Engle, whose infamy for anti-gay campaigns echoes the globe. His religious ideology is so extremist; it elevates Uganda’s atrocious homosexuality view on to a high pedestal. He believes that the Ugandan Church is a Divine prophesy that should be worshipped and forced upon.

    Engle had plans to fly from America to Geneva to attend an event called TheCall which aimed at titling Geneva as the ‘city of righteous influence’, via way of fasting, prayer and purification of the mind, as this, he claims, is what God wants for humanity; this is, of course, another way of brainwashing people in to adopting his controversial beliefs. He wanted to spread his repressive idealism to this city. I use the past tense for a reason.

    Thanks to AllOut and the LGBT+ supporters coming together and protesting, Lou Engle pulled out of the event, and cancelled the visit, altogether. We are acquiring a relentless strength and courage, as well as shaking ancient pedagogies by standing up and fighting back.

    There may be fewer of us, but together our love and compassion will overthrow hate. Religious preaching is guilty of the biggest irony of them all.

    Selective Love.

    By this I mean, humans can let themselves be influenced by ideologies, such as the need for love and acceptance for one another, yet to these same people it appears normal to stone, imprison, humiliate or kill a person for loving someone of the same sex?

    Correct me if I am wrong, but does it not say in the Bible: Mark 12:31: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”?

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • OPINION | Rise Like A Mockingjay

    Has Austria given the world a new symbol of hope? Like, I don’t know, Katniss Everdeen? I too felt like raising my three middle fingers in support of Conchita Wurst.

    Like most of the world, I am sure you were in awe at Austria’s entry of the Eurovision Song Contest. It sent shivers as well as butterflies through one’s body. The powerful voice of Conchita filled our ears with delicious harmony, as well as lyrically astounding us.

    There is one thing about her journey that struck me sideways. Despite criticism and idiocy from close-minded bigots, Conchita triggers thoughts of a familiar struggle that, at one point in every gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender’s life, they have gone through and therefore can relate to. For those Hunger Games fanatics and acquaintances, this struggle resonates Katniss’s turmoil when defending her own kind who had been, for seventy five years, ostracised, marginalised and made to live their lives as sacrificial, by the Capitol. The Capitol has a lot to answer for, as they do not want to change, in fact what they want to do is to boycott and silence these protests.

    Is that ringing any bells?

    What were Russia, Belarus and Ukraine trying to do during the Eurovision week?

    I will leave that rhetorical. As I can hear the pennies dropping in your minds.

    Watching the Final was mesmerising and ethereal. I was expecting Conchita’s dress to turn in to ‘Flame’ and her nodding to, a Cinna like person, in the audience as confirmation of the rebellious movement. What really got me were the fire-like wings behind her, on the screen, as Conchita Wurst beautifully bursts in to the last Rise Like A Phoenix chorus.

    The victory was not just about the song and the artist, but it was another triumph for LGBT community’s voice being heard and expressed. It makes me wonder if this same song was played five years ago, would it have had the same effect? Or was it the fact that the world’s views have strengthened in relation to LGBT rights?

    2014 has been a year of so many firsts:
    29th March: Gay Weddings, making it a live broadcast for all to see and celebrate with the happy couple. United Nations advances its stand on Gay Rights with Bollywood style music video depicting a welcoming of a homosexual couple to one’s family.
    Conchita Wurst creates a storm within East Europe and the World with her sheer confidence and ambition. Where to end? This is the beginning.

    As many countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, have views that are eerily intensifying, there is a pleasing air of acceptance around the communities in the Western Culture where it feels okay to hold a hand or kiss someone of the same sex, or even to tell your Mum or Dad who you really are.

    Thank you Conchita Wurst for the emancipation of LGBT presence. We all raise our three fingers to you.

    Keep that Bird Rising!

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.