THEGAYUK

Category: Entertainment

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Boys In The Band – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Boys In The Band – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

    ★★★★| Set in Brooklyn in the late 1960’s , nine gay men gather in an apartment to celebrate a friends birthday. Michael is an alcoholic shopaholic, Harold is a self-depreciating “Jew Fairy” (as he describes himself), Larry and Hank are a couple trying to make their differing views on monogamy fit together and Emory is as camp as they come. Throw into the mix a rather attractive, but dumb, cowboy hustler, a closeted testosterone filled ex-college roommate and copious amounts of booze and pot, and it’s not long before lives unravel, tempers fray and a cruel party game emerges.

     

    Photo Credit - Darren Bell
    Photo Credit – Darren Bell

    This long overdue revival of Mart Crowley’s classic play is most welcome, and whilst it is no longer as shocking as it was in the late 1960’s, the relevance and impact still resonates today; as, sadly, do the undertones of self-loathing and internalised homophobia. The range of characteristics on show from the main protagonists may seem slightly cliché now, but still manage to reflect a number of the sub groups within the gay community and the issues facing them. The first act is a rather whimsical affair, as the characters arrive and you get to know them, but as the second act progresses, the narrative takes a darker turn, leading to a gripping dénouement.

    The cast is strong all round, with solid performances from the ensemble, particularly Mark Gattis (Sherlock, Doctor Who) puts in an effortless performance as Harold, filled with subtlety and natural aloofness. Ian Hallard (Poirot, Doctors) holds the cast together as Michael, and James Holmes (Miranda, Psychoville) is delightful as Emory, brimming with campery and confidence. And whilst Jack Derges (Andy Flynn in EastEnders) is a vision of physical perfection, he proves he is much more than the token eye candy with an enjoyable performance as the dim witted (and mostly shirtless) cowboy hustler.

    The set is authentic and beautifully detailed, as are the costumes, but even though the fashions and décor have altered, the issues raised have not; and whilst some of the social impact of the play may have lessened with time, the personal impact hasn’t, and the gay audience will recognise aspects of themselves, their peers and their experiences amongst the events of the evening.

    With some sharp one liners, genuine emotion and some top notch performances; don’t miss your last chance to see this this excellent revival before it ends its run. The Boys in the Band is playing at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, until Saturday 19th November 2016. See www.wyp.org.uk for details.

     

  • Wait… were Rylan and Matt simulating oral on the Xtra factor?

    Wait… were Rylan and Matt simulating oral on the Xtra factor?

    We have to admit, this one passed us by, as we had stayed on ITV1 to watch the first episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here… but what exactly were Rylan and Matt doing on the Xtra Factor?

    Rylan and Matt
    CREDIT: ITV/YouTube

    The Mannequin challenge is the craze that’s sweeping the nation – and much better than the ChristmasTreeChallenge, which George Shelley released launched over the weekend. Well, stars and crew of ITV’s Xtra Factor took part in their very own Mannequin Challenge and it was rather brilliant – despite Olly Murs blinking half way through!

    Our only question is what exactly were Rylan Clark-Neal and Matt Edmonson up to?

    As the camera pans round it settles on Rylan and Matt in a rather compromising position, with Matt’s crotch in the face of Rylan. As the action begins, Matt is heard saying,  “It’s just sort of flared-up a bit.”

    Rylan and Matt
    CREDIT: ITV/YouTube

    TMI Matt, TMI

     

  • Joel Dommett’s public support for winning is unprecedented

    Relative newbie, Joel Dommett has certainly made an impression on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, especially after he stripped off to reveal, well a rather dishy bod!

    Although he’s relatively unknown, standup comedian and actor Joel Dommett has certainly captured the public’s interest / or lust after revealing his finely toned body in last night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

    According to Betway Joel’s odds of winning have shortened from 14/1 to 7/2.

    A spokesperson for the Bookie said,

    “There’s been a massive market move for Joel Dommett after Sunday night’s opening episode. The Skins star’s odds plummeted from 14/1 into 7/2 straight after he revealed his torso in the Jungle’s shower.

    “The shortening of Dommett’s odds is the most drastic I can remember in I’m A Celebrity history!

    “Scarlett Moffatt looks a shaky favourite now. We’ve pushed her out from 7/4 to 5/2 and that price could slip further if she fails to grab the public’s attention.”

    So what did people get into a lather about?

    Well, check out this:

     

    Meanwhile, thousands of people flooded THEGAYUK.com last night in an attempt to find out whether Joel is gay or bisexual after he flirted with soap star Adam Thomas.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | An Inspector Calls, The Playhouse Theatre

    THEATRE REVIEW | An Inspector Calls, The Playhouse Theatre

    ★★★★★ | An Inspector Calls, The Playhouse Theatre

    An Inspector Calls
    CREDIT: Mark Mark Douet

    J.B. Priestley’s 1940s play An Inspector Calls had languished somewhat until Stephen Daldry’s (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Hours) landmark 1992 production.

    The piece was much loved by amateur dramatic societies and small regional theatres, in part due to its seven-person cast and one room staging. Daldry’s revival, almost 25 years ago, at The National Theatre, gave the play a fresh lease of life with a radical new staging and a dramatic set design by Ian MacNeil. Now restaged again in London at The Playhouse Theatre, after long-running regional tours, this stylish and evocative revival is still feeling as fresh and pertinent as it did in the 90s.

    In 1912 the wealthy upper middle-class Birling family are celebrating their daughter’s engagement to the son of a prominent family. The evening in their dining room in Bromley is interrupted by the arrival of Inspector Goole who tells them of the death of a young woman by a particularly gruesome suicide. The family are at first irked by the intrusion on their celebrations but gradually come to see that they each had a role in bringing about the woman’s downfall.

    The stage is dominated by a giant dolls’ house raised high above the stage. This has to be one of the most breathtaking stagings of the last few decades. To describe the workings of the set would ruin the surprises but needless to say, it’s a clever design that enhances and doesn’t swamp the play’s message. Even though the smaller stage of The Playhouse feels a little cramped for the production, it’s still powerful and atmospheric. The cast are strong, and special mention must go to the excellent Barbara Marten as the monstrous Sybil. She imbues a touch of high camp without detracting from the horror of her snobbish coldness.

    Can a revival of a play from seventy years ago, about a family from a hundred years ago still speak to today’s audiences? The answer is a resounding yes. The theme is self-interest, prejudice and how people use others weaker than them to get ahead. With recent world events and the scary rise of far right wing politicians, it couldn’t feel fresher. Or more chilling.

    Follow Chris Bridges on Twitter

     

    An Inspector Calls plays at The Playhouse Theatre

  • People think that an Apprentice made a “racist” comment in the last episode

    Social media users have blasted Apprentice hopeful Dillion St. Paul after making a comment about fellow contestant Karthik Nagesan’s business style.

    BBC

    In Thursday’s episode of The Apprentice, some viewers were apparently shocked by a comment made by Irish hopeful Dillon St. Paul. During the challenge, fellow contestant Karthik Nagesan had taken his time over a business deal to obtain a Lehenga at the lowest price. Karthik said that he would take charge in the negotiations because it was his “culture”.

     

    However Dillon was less than impressed with Karthik’s style and in a to-camera interview said,

    “Karthik’s negotiation technique is basically Indian chit chat. There was a lot of time wasted at the start. He should have just asked ‘Where is your lehenga? Can I see it?”

    Some viewers took to social media to vent their disgust.

    According to Yahoo.com

    One wrote: “Indian chit chat”..? This guy is something else #TheApprentice.“

     

    Another commented: “Oh yay. It’s the episode where they bait them into being horrendously racist #TheApprentice”

    Another wrote: “Indian chit-chat…are you actually allowed to say that? #TheApprentice.”

    However, some did back Dillon’s statement, with one woman, Seetal revealing that “Indians take FOREVER to secure a good deal”.

    While another commented that it was all about building a rapport

    https://twitter.com/X_KayaSackey_X/status/796824670679027712

     

    https://twitter.com/naayacaliyo/status/796831508191387648

     

    Of course, Dillon didn’t “set  out to say something derogatory” and apologised if the comment caused offence.

    He said,

    “I would never intentionally set out to say something derogatory. I apologise if my comment caused offence, it was not intended in that manner.”

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Pride and Prejudice, The Birmingham Rep

    ★★★★★ | Pride and Prejudice, The Birmingham Rep

    CREDIT: Johan Persson

    Masterfully personifies Austen’s work of art.

    I remember reading Pride and Prejudice in my early teens, and recall falling in love with characters and the way they came to life on every page. Last night, Simon Reade’s stage adaptation delivered the feeling of nostalgia and I couldn’t help but fall in love again.

    It is quite rare to see a cast where every character, minor or major, stand out equally, and contribute superbly to every scene they are in. This was true of Pride and Prejudice. I was blown away by the humour, the tension, and the vulnerability that every actor was able to portray throughout the production. Matthew Kelly did a sterling job as Mr Bennet, with his on-point comedic timing and powerful voice that rippled through the auditorium. The shining actor was Felicity Montagu who played Mrs Bennet, and what a sensation she was. Felicity was the true embodiment of the role and from minute one she had you in stitches. The dour portrayal of Mr Darcy by Benjamin Dilloway was accomplished and perfect for the character, showing Benjamin’s versatility, for his change of mood when he confesses his love to Elizabeth Bennet was more heartfelt and the audience were drawn in. There were some ‘awwws’ when he professed his true feelings to Elizabeth. Elizabeth Bennet, portrayed by Tafline Steen, was a whirlwind. Headstrong, charismatic, un-lady like, and the Elizabeth I envisioned when I first read the book. This was a typical feeling I had, as every role was expertly crafted to suit the novel, making it a magical experience for the Austen aficionados. Doña Croll’s Lady Catherine De Bourgh was a sensation and the epitome of the high class of the era. Her characterisation was composed, edgy and a little on the dangerous side.

    The set, as well as the props and effects, transported the audience into the early 1800s where ‘things’ were seen of more value than people. Gossip and hearsay were a constant pleasure manifested in the society of the era, and Austen did a brilliant job capturing it. Simon Reade outdid himself by introducing to us the story we cannot help but go weak at the knees at every time.

    I was so impressed by the energy and enthusiasm shown across the production that I want to see it again and again, and haven’t stopped recommending Pride and Prejudice to friends. Perhaps that is why there are scarcely any seats left!

     

    Pride and Prejudice plays at the Birmingham Rep until 12th November

  • FILM REVIEW | Burning Blue

    FILM REVIEW | Burning Blue

    ✮ | Burning Blue

    burningblue_art

    In 1995, I saw a play in the West End called Burning Blue. It was a brilliant telling of a story about the relationship between two gay men in the US Navy in the 1980s. It was brilliant, memorable, and award-winning. A new film version of the play has just been released and it’s quite the opposite.

    The play was written by David Milne Greer and is based on his experiences as a US Navy Aviator in the 1980s. The fictional story is about an investigation into a naval accident that turns into a gay witch hunt and is based on Greer’s knowledge of the treatment of gay men in the US Navy. Two Navy fighter pilots – Daniel (Trent Ford) and Will (Morgan Spector) – live and work aboard a Navy destroyer in very close quarters with other servicemen.

    An accident that involves Will is investigated by the higher ups and puts their unit under intense scrutiny. Complicating things is the arrival of a third pilot Matt (Rob Mayes), and he and Daniel fall in love, causing Matt to leave his wife. But this type of behaviour was not accepted during the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ era; homosexuality in the Navy was just not allowed, and there were serious consequences for out gay men. Needless to say, Daniel and Matt’s relationship can’t endure the Navy’s ant-gay policy, and then suddenly theirs, and Will’s, lives are changed forever when another accident happens.

    You would think a film about this timely subject would expertly crafted and well told. Well, it’s not. The pacing and acting of the movie are just horrible; scenes go on for a longer than they should, the acting (unfortunately), is stiff and wooden, and quite a few of the dramatic scenes are funny. Burning Blue has the look and feel of a Murder She Wrote episode, and it lacks the drama and intensity of the stage play. Burning Blue only gets one star – for tackling the theme of gay love in the military – but it tackles it very badly.

    Now available to watch on digital download on iTunes and  Amazon

  • Four programmes you didn’t know you had to watch on Amazon Prime

    Four programmes you didn’t know you had to watch on Amazon Prime

    Looking for something interesting to watch on Amazon Prime, we’ve found four shows you NEED to be watching this winter.

    These are the four shows you didn’t know you needed to watch… Stat.

     

    Please Like Me

    Three Series available

    Please Like Me
    Please Like Me

    You need to discover this gem of an Australian comedy, created by out actor, writer and comedian Josh Thomas. Follow Josh as he comes out as gay finds his first (second and third) boyfriend and discovers the joy of cooking, dog handling and straight-roommate disciplining. One of the best shows to come out of Australia in years. Fresh and full of heart.

     

    Web Therapy

    Four Series available

    Lisa Kudrow Web Therapy
    CREDIT: Is or Isn’t Entertainment

    If you loved (the often over-looked) The Comeback with Lisa Kudrow you are going to LOVE Web Therapy. Follow Fiona Wallace (Lisa Kudrow) set up her own therapy firm on the Internet. She’s truly terrible as a therapist, her husband’s (Victor Garber) gone gay and her mother (Lily Tomlin) is an absolute biatch. Watch out for the all-star cameo cast including: Courteney Cox, Meryl Streep, Alan Cumming, Rosie O’Donnell and David Schwimmer.

     

    Halt and Catch Fire

    Three Series available

    Halt and catch fire
    CREDIT: James Minchin III/AMC

    It’s the early 80s and we’re at the start of the modern tech boom and the world of personal computer is for the taking. A fascinating period drama which follows the lives of three tech geeks and a marketing maverick on their journey to take on the big players who all of whom feel very familiar. Also has a brilliant, understated and rare bisexual storyline for a lead character.

     

    Braindead

    Braindead
    ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

    One Series available

    Flesh-eating bugs are taking over Washington DC in this comedy with an edge. Film and directed with all the seriousness of House Of Cards with a very strange undertone and comic moments. Very funny, very thrilling.

     

    Haven’t got an Amazon Prime account – get a 30-day free try here.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The HIV Monologues

    THEATRE REVIEW | The HIV Monologues

    ★★★★★ | The HIV Monologues

    The HIV monologues review
    CREDIT: Dionysis Livanis

    From AIDS to PrEP: Love, Sex & HIV

    If you met a moreish specimen of a man on Grindr, in Rupert St Bar or at a friend’s gatherette and there was immediate trouser-twitching, shimmies to the heart department and your thoughts turned towards naming your first pair French bulldogs – but then, after some time into this meet, said hottie informs you he’s HIV positive – do you know how you’d react?

    Marking twenty years since life-saving HIV medication was introduced to the UK, Patrick Cash has penned a very real production that will send sparks to your neurons, pricking your nervous system: a trio of scenarios that are entwined together touching on the effects of HIV in the 80s up until the current day.

    Alex (Denholm Spurr) – a Labrador puppy intermixed with a male cheerleader with obtuse understanding of the immune-attacking virus – struggles with the idea of being close to someone who’s positive, and barely has enough shrapnel to buy even the smallest tube of lube.  The out-of-work actor gets himself into a sticky situation with the truth.

    Lack of knowledge inflames fear, but understanding can provoke the guardian in all of us.  Irene’s (Charly Flyte) journey nursing AIDS patients is moving and compelling.  Barney (Jonathan Blake – one of the first people to have been diagnosed with AIDS in the UK) learns to live with the deficient insight with HIV in the 80s – a convincing performance.

    A Thunder Looper of emotions: stigma, humour, shame and love – some well-directed tandem acting by Luke Davies – a challenging subject to cover – executed well.

    Two new dates at the King’s Head Theatre as part of their World AIDS Day weekend 20th and 21st November.

  • FILM REVIEW | Jack Reacher Never Go Back

    FILM REVIEW | Jack Reacher Never Go Back

    JACK REACHER NEVER GO BACK – Tom Cruise is back as the loner ex-military guy in the second Reacher film adapted from the 18th book in the hugely successful literary series.

    Jack Reacher review
    CREDIT: Paramount

    Nutshell – Jack Reacher, the ultimate loner with skills, has to go on the run with a female military officer as they are both in the frame for some murders in a Government conspiracy. Jack finds out he has had a daughter all along, and then all hell breaks lose from Washington to New Orleans and the body count goes up.

    Running Time – 118 minutes; Certificate – 12A

    Tagline – ‘Never Give In, Never Give Up, Never Go Back.’

    The Gay UK Factor – Patrick Heusinger is an out and out f***able stud muffin. This Florida-born hunk would not be kicked out of bed by any gay man anywhere in the World, but he does not show as much flesh here as he did in Oscar-winning Black Swan… shame.

    Cast – Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders who if we were straight would be our ideal woman, Aldis Hodge reprising from Jack Reacher One and Heusinger who has shot to poll position in our crowded wank bank.

    Key Player – Lee Child who writes these books and delivers fully on the intrigue with regular doses of believable action and dialogue that would put Tarantino to shame. He even has a cameo here in the airport scene.

    Budget – $60 Million which is cheap for a Cruise movie and a sequel at that, so it was in profit after just the first week and racing over the $100 million mark, so on with Jack Reacher 3. That is if Tom can be arsed to do it as he is not big on sequels this being the only one he has ever done outside of the Mission Impossibles.

    Best Bit – 0.01 mins; So don’t be late as the opening unconnected set-up scene has such great dialogue it will settle you perfectly into a fun night at the flicks. You may have already seen this diner scene as it is one of the trailers put out for the movie.

    Worst Bit – 1.38 mins; The big Afghanistan reveal is pretty predictable with some serious bloopers, but what is worse it is largely underwhelming. Next time let’s have a bigger back plot or story, please.

    Little Secret – Cobie Smulders spent eight weeks learning several new martial arts so as she could and did do all her stunts in the film; she is one real feisty bitch. Cruise who always claims to do all his own stunts didn’t here, so that’s one for the girls. In the books, Reacher is 6.5″ of pure man muscle Tom Cruise is 5’7″ on a good day so nearer to a Hobbit than a US military tough guy and in his 50s too.

    Further Viewing – Jack Reacher 1, The A-Team, Incredible Hulk, Dirty Harry, Law Abiding Citizen, Man on Fire, Deathwish’s 1 to 5 and basically anything featuring lone vigilantes a true Hollywood staple.

    Any Good – This is so much better than the first film which we can hardly remember tbh, and there is a great prison escape scene which is pure Ethan Hunt . A lot is squeezed in here and there are a few scenes that are wasted we just wished the baddies’ story and plot could have been a bit bigger but it was made up for by casting such a f*ckable chief bad guy with hot henchmen too – we bet they get it on balls deep down the thug gym.

    Rating – 66 %

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Little Shop of Horrors – Sheffield Theatres and National Tour

    ★★★★| Life isn’t so great at the Mushnik Flower shop down on Skid Row. Mr Mushnik is on the verge of closing his shop, Audrey is dating a semi-sadist dentist and Seymour’s crush on Audrey is going nowhere. But with the arrival of a strange and interesting new plant, things start to change, especially when Seymour realises that the plant, Audrey II, has a taste for human blood. As things start to look up at the flower shop, Audrey II gets bigger and bigger, as does the list of missing people.

    Photo Credit – Matt Martin Photography

    Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the songwriting partnership behind some of the biggest Disney films, including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors crams in the musical numbers, including “Somewhere That’s Green”, “Suddenly Seymour” and the title track “Little Shop of Horrors”. With a flavour of do-wop, funk and Motown running through it (even including a down on their luck version of The Supremes); and a bouncy and animated feel to the whole thing, this show is tremendous, kooky fun.

    Sam Lupton excelled as Seymour, with a strong, natural vocal performance and a geeky clumsiness; as did Stephanie Clift as Audrey, bringing out the optimistic side of her character whilst maintain her vulnerability. The two leads gel together perfectly, especially with their show-stopping rendition of “Suddenly Seymour” and they are an absolute delight to watch. Romantic leads as good as these two are few and far between. Rounding off the main cast was Rhydian, who played the “slightly” manic dentist, Orin, with enough gusto to keep it his performance just on the right side of caricature, and with his strong operatic voice lending itself to his big number very well. However, the star of the show was Audrey II, the giant plant, who grows and grows and becomes more animated as the story progresses.

    This touring production boasts a thoroughly detailed and well-designed set, with a cartoonish feel and an eye for detail. Add to that some clear, crisp and perfectly balanced audio, an effective lighting design and an all-round top notch cast and you have an impressive show which is highly polished.

    Little Shop of Horrors has gained a cult following over the years and it is easy to see why. At the heart of it is a love story about a guy who will do anything to get the girl of his dreams. The songs are catchy and feel instantly familiar, the story is undemanding, and the script has plenty of moments to make you laugh.

    With a healthy nod to 1950’s B-Movies and a musical mish-mash of styles with everything from Motown to Yiddish Folk Music thrown in there, Little Shop of Horrors is a cracking musical comedy which is pure escapist fun.

    Little Shop of Horrors is currently on national tour and details can be found on their website at www.littleshopuktour.com. The show was reviewed at Sheffield Theatres, whose upcoming production of Everyone’s Talking About Jamie opens soon (https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/everybodystalking-jamie)