THEGAYUK

Category: Entertainment

  • How gay are the music charts?

    Really effing gay it seems that’s for sure

    Madonna
    CREDIT: Denis Makarenko / Bigstock

     

    What do Abba, Kylie, Scissor Sisters, Elton, Jason Donovan, Streisand and Musical Theatre have in common? Read on.

    The official chart company have just published the list of the biggest selling album for each year from 1956 up until today and basically it seems you really have to appeal to the pink pound if you want a really big seller. Abba come up tops three times, Adele twice and loads of other very gay friendly artists are among the chart champs of the last 60 years even Su Bo make the list.

    Unbelievably 11 of the list are from musicals and musical theatre so nothing gay there then. There is no room for any macho rock, hip hop, r&b, rock and roll or homophobic reggae. Basically if you don’t fit with the G-A-Y party Crowd, a pride float, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern dancefloor or on Gaydar radio then you ain’t gonna get those multi-platinum discs.

    Gays just have more spare cash and we LOVE to spend it on our music. Therefore no Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Beyoncé, Rihanna, U2, Dance acts or any closet queer punk rockers.

    1956 Carousel – OST, yep we have no idea either

    1957 The King & I – OST (We could dance all night and year)

    1958 My Fair Lady – OST, Where does it rain

    1959 South Pacific – OST Some truly enchanted twelve months

    1960 South Pacific – OST YEAR TWO (Still with musical theatre – where’s some Cliff?)

    1961 GI Blues – Elvis Presley Soundtrack, Wooden Heart and 10 other poor fillers

    1962 West Side Story – OST altogether “I feel pretty, I feel pre….”

    1963 With The Beatles – Beatles (At last a studio album)

    1964 Beatles For Sale – Beatles, predictable

    1965 The Sound Of Music…It’s the biggest one of all!

    1966 The Sound Of Music…Yeah AGAIN!

    1967 Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – Beatles, enough already buy some Motown

    1968 The Sound Of Music …Still Going stronger than anyone else Four years on.

    1969 Abbey Road – Beatles (Not a tonne of competition in the Sixties)

    1970 Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel, because Clive Dunn never made an LP

    1971 Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel still sailing on silver bird

    1972 20 Dynamic Hits – K-Tel Various Artists (Remember K-Tel records and Ronco!)

    1973 Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player – Elton John back when he was into girls

    1974 Carpenters Singles ’69-’73, How did they beat the Wombles and the Goodies?

    1975 Best Of The Stylistics, bet you didn’t see that coming

    1976 Abba Greatest Hits, My My…..

    1977 Arrival – Abba including Dancing Queen, Money,Money, Knowing Me etc

    1978 Saturday Night Fever – OST and the whole world hit the dance floor.

    1979 Parallel Lines – Blondie….We want more disco…..aagh Freak Out

    1980 Super Trouper – Abba still feeling like number ones

    1981 Kings Of The Wild Frontier – Adam & The Ants, unplug the jukebox

    1982 Love songs – Barbra Streisand, hello…Duran, Soft Cell, Spandau, Wham, Human League?

    1983 Thriller – Michael Jackson….obviously

    1984 Can’t Slow Down – Lionel Richie……Where is Queen?

    1985 Brothers In Arms – Dire Straits……No seriously where is Queen?

    1986 True Blue – Madonna still no Queen but at least our goddess has finally arrived

    1987 Bad – Michael Jackson looking in the mirror, buy some George Michael for chrissake !

    1988 Kylie – Kylie Minogue got lucky over at SAW.

    1989 Ten Good Reasons – Jason Donovan Mr Pete Waterman still unstoppable (# love U Sonia)

    1990 But Seriously – Phil Collins…Never has an album been more accurately titled

    1991 Stars – Simply Red…this is not going to be pretty

    1992 Stars – Simply Red…again, now you are just taking the piss

    1993 Bat Out Of Hell 2 – Meatloaf, what happened to the first Bat?

    1994 Crossroads: Best Of Bon Jovi, the decade of dance and rave ….eh, no!

    1995 Robson & Jerome – Robson & Jerome win the Blur vs Oasis battle

    1996 Jagged Little Pill – Alannis Morrisette now isn’t that Ironic

    1997 Be Here Now – Oasis just goes to show you can fool all the people all the time

    1998 Talk On Corners – The Corrs…..So the store was sold out of Spice Girls CDs?

    1999 Come On Over – Shania Twain, That impresses us

    2000 1/Beatles – How many times can you buy the same old songs?

    2001 No Angel – Dido, sorry I fell asleep

    2002 Escapology – Robbie….love him especially naked…?

    2003 Life After Rent – Dido, yep she really was that big….we raise the White Flag

    2004 Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters, now what happened to them?

    2005 Back To Bedlam – James Blunt….music’s loss is the army’s gain

    2006 Eyes Open – Snow Patrol….alternatively you could have just bought the Chasing Cars single

    2007 Back To Black – Amy Winehouse. Pass the hairspray

    2008 Rockferry – Duffy, come on Beyoncé, GaGa and RiRi you must try harder

    2009 I Dreamed A Dream – Susan Boyle, gay guys love their mum’s

    2010 Progress – Take That, a man band to masturbate too

    2011 21 – Adele, thank god I survived that patchy first album

    2012 Our Version Of Events – Emeli Sande well we were a bit busy with the Olympics

    2013 Midnight Memories – One Direction… yep still wanking to hot boy bands

    2014 X – Ed Sheeran so talented…

    2015 25 – Adele just beating sales wise those difficult second albums by PSY and Conchita Wurst.

  • Who wants to see Culture Club?

    Who wants to see Culture Club?

    The legendary 80s group, Culture Club are making a return to the stage as Boy George reunites with his band mates.

    Boy George
    CREDIT: PR Provided

    One of the biggest bands of the ‘80s is back AND with the original line-up, playing their only UK show this year on Wednesday, December 14th, at The SSE Arena Wembley, London, with special guests, in their only UK performance, Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

    The overwhelming excitement and outstanding rave reviews garnered on their world tour have driven the group to announce a homecoming show in London where the band will perform favourites from their albums including Kissing to Be Clever and Colour By Numbers, as well as their latest album Tribes.

    Known for dominating the charts worldwide with their classic hits including “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”. There is not a country in the world that doesn’t know the names of Boy George and Culture Club.  The Grammy Award winners have sold in excess of 100 million singles and over 50 million albums, and were one of the biggest pop bands of the 1980s.

    They achieved seven straight Top 10 hits in the UK, nine Top 10 singles in the USA and nine Top 20 singles in Australia.  They had number 1 singles in over a dozen countries and multiplatinum album sales across the world, and were the first group since The Beatles to have three Top Ten hits in America from a debut album.  They were also the first group in music history to have an album certified diamond in Canada.

    The original band line-up is Mike Craig (bass guitar), Roy Hay (guitar and keyboards), Jon Moss (drums and percussion) and flamboyant front-man Boy George (lead vocals).

     

  • Mary Berry is leaving Bake Off and the internet is not happy

    So Mary, Mel and Sue have all quit – so really it’s just Paul Hollywood’s show now?

    BBC / Love Productions

    With the news that Mary Berry will not be signing up for Channel 4’s incarnation of The Great British Bake Off, the internet has sad weepy face today.

    Where does Mary’s snub put Channel 4’s £75 million investment?

    Thousands of people took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

     

    https://twitter.com/chinnyhill10/status/778895425709432832

    https://twitter.com/FernRiddell/status/778895976559943680

    https://twitter.com/DavidAllenGreen/status/778892893620690944

     

     

  • Red Dwarf Returns Tonight

    Red Dwarf Returns Tonight

    One of scifi’s slashiest shows returns tonight

    Red Dwarf XI
    Red Dwarf XI

    Tonight marks the return of Red Dwarf on Dave and here are the reasons why every reader of THEGAYUK should watch it.

    All through the 1990s Red Dwarf was one of the slashiest (the viewer knowing two same sex people might be more than friends even though the writer never makes it explicit) Sci Fi Shows around. Go figure: The last two men in the universe (Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer and Craig Charles as Dave Lister) who bitched and bickered day in day out but also shared a bedroom together; (looking back they were like a prototype of the gay couple in Vicious in so many ways.) There were often hints at a deeper relationship between the duo that gave rise to some very hot Rimmer and Lister slash on “Archive of their Own”.

    Besides the undercurrents there was also quick witted dialogue, a gay kiss and Chris Barrie’s torso on display on several occasions.
    If that isn’t enough you will also be treated to a very vain Cat human (Danny John-Jules) and a very camp housework obsessed android (Robert Llewellyn as Kryten).

    Red Dwarf XI / DAVE TV ©Grant Naylor Productions

    Of course slash isn’t the only reason why you should watch this show. There is also brilliant comedy and deep pathos. The reason why Red Dwarf resonates with an LGBT audience is how it plays with the feeling of being different and alienation. Rimmer for example: who has been conditioned to act like his parents wanted and can never escape his self hate. The Cat and Kryten who are unafraid of acting feminine. And Lister who knits and cries at movies is open minded about everything and everyone he meets. A mixed bunch of people who have learned to accept each other, despite their differences.

    ©Grant Naylor Productions
    ©Grant Naylor Productions

    Even though the cast is older now the new series has all these elements while also feeling remarkably fresh and current. Tonight’s new episode is as fast passed and witty as any episode of Doctor Who or Sherlock. Watch out for the sassy guest role by Lucie Pohl she has “new Doctor Companion” written all over!

    As a further treat Dave also broadcasts two of the series best early episodes straight after the premiere. Marooned especially is a triumph.

    Red Dwarf returns tonight on Dave at 9pm

  • FILM REVIEW | Set the Thames on Fire

    FILM REVIEW | Set the Thames on Fire

    ★★★★ | Set The Thames On Fire

    London is slowly being engulfed by water while two young men attempt to survive in a society that’s gone a bit loony in the new film Set the Thames on Fire.

    Set The Thames On Fire
    CREDIT: Multitudemedia

    Billed as ‘an agony in 3 acts,’ this dystopian fantasy slash black comedy is set in the future where the London we know of today is gone, and there’s water everywhere because the Thames has overflowed, with Monument almost covered half way up in water. There are two levels of society, the rich and the poor, and Art (Michael Winder) and Sal (Max Bennett) fall in the later category. They meet at a cocktail party for the rich – Art is hired to play the piano while Sal, who has just escaped from a psychiatric hospital, gets by on his very good looks.

    The men form a bond, and Art invites Sal to stay with him in his dilapidated flat. The landlord, Mrs. Hortense (Sadie Frost) wants the rent from Art but is satisfied when Sal pays her in sexual favors. The men dream of one day leaving for Egypt, escaping the cruel city that London has become, and even more so to escape the evil and ugly Impresario (Gerard McDermott) who now rules over the kingdom. But they encounter many eccentrics and weirdos in the pocket of the city in which they live; a fortune teller (Sally Phillips) who expresses disbelief in her daughter’s stupidity; a mad transvestite (the excellent and scary Noel Fielding) who is quite deranged and who expects both men to perform sexual acts on him; a magician (David Hoyle); and masked policemen who roam the city and kill on the spot – no questions asked.

    Set the Thames on Fire is a buddy movie where two young men try to survive, and attempt to leave, a city that’s pretty much no longer habitable, with the Thames rearing it’s ugly head. It’s first time director Ben Charles Edwards who brings us a film that’s both different yet compelling. Great turns by both leads and a great supporting cast make this film reminiscent of one of Terry Gilliam’s films (Brazil) where society is not what it is today.

    Set the Thames on Fire is in cinemas from 16 September, on demand from 19 September and on DVD from 26 September

     

  • James Arthur to resign with Simon’s label?

    James Arthur to resign with Simon’s label?

    Has James Arthur resigned to Simon Cowell’s label?

    James Arthur

    It’s been two years since James Arthur was dropped from Simon Cowell’s label following a number of issues which led to a career nose-dive however with his current single “Say You Won’t Let Go” doing so well it looks as though a reunion with Cowell’s label could be on the table.

    A source told The Sun,

    “Over the last few years James has kept in touch with Simon.

    “Simon has always thought James is a real talent but as soon as he heard the record he made up his mind to re-sign him.

    “James has grown up a lot and realises he made mistakes in the past. Simon knows this.”

    Arthur’s popularity plummeted after a homophobic rap was released.  He failed to impress X Factor audiences with his apology, after releasing a ‘diss rap’ to an unknown troll on Twitter – which used anti-gay language.

    In 2014  Simon Cowell hit out at Arthur saying he should have just shut up and he was dropped from the Syco label – which homes only the most coveted of X Factor stars.

    A few weeks later the former X Factor winner was owned by Paul Potts, after he chastised his PR people for promoting him in the wrong way.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Briefs

    THEATRE REVIEW | Briefs

    ★★★★ | Briefs

    PR Supplied
    PR Supplied

    There are seven men who strip down to their briefs every night on the Southbank – in a show called ‘Briefs!’

    At the London Wonderground right near the London Eye, ‘Briefs’ is one of the world’s hottest all-male boylesque extravaganzas. For the fourth straight year, these men are packing in audiences, and packing it in their briefs, to perform their stunts and magic tricks whilst leaving very little to the imagination! This Australian sixtet (plus one New Yorker) is led by the glamorous and vivacious and sarcastic hostess Shivannah. She is our guide throughout the show, with multiple outfit changes that outsparkle the spotlights!

    And her boys put on quite a show! For starters, we get Louis Biggs who has a thing for unscrambling a Rubick’s cube in his briefs, to Evil Hate Monkey (yes, that’s his name in the program) who does acrobatics that take him up and down, legs spread in the air, and another who does yo yo tricks that are a bit too close to his bits for comfort. And the best for last is the finale where heavily tattooed Mark ‘Captain Kidd’ Winmill splashes all about in a large champagne glass, and, just a word of caution – don’t sit in the first two rows!

    ‘Briefs’ is a show of glitter, flesh, high heals, very naughty jokes, and undressed men put in compromising positions, all for the benefit of their audience. It’s circus, physical theatre, showmanship and fun, lots of it, and it’s burlesque – with balls! The men have spent the last year touring the world and they’re fame is ever increasing, so now’s your chance to go see them. It’s a limited run that’s ending on September 24th – so get tickets now! ‘Brief’s’ is oh so sexy!

    Briefs plays at the Southbank until the 24th September

  • Russell Tovey is HOT in the new trail for his gay football film, The Pass

    Russell Tovey is HOT in the new trail for his gay football film, The Pass

    Russell Tovey and co-star Arinze Kene looks HOT as hell in the brand THE PASS.

    Rusell Tovey The Pass Russell Tovey 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.

     

    https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online/

  • GAY THEATRE: The five shows you need to watch this Autumn

    GAY THEATRE: The five shows you need to watch this Autumn

    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.

    Boys In The Band
    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.

    Previews: 28 Sep 2016. Runs from 4th Oct 2016 (7:00pm) until: 30 Oct 2016

    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.

    Runs at The Hope until 24th of September

    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.

    Catch it at The Southwark Playhouse from the 5th to the 29th of October.

    Follow Chris Bridges on Twitter

  • CAKE EXPECTATIONS: Who is going to be the next presenters of Bake Off?

    CAKE EXPECTATIONS: Who is going to be the next presenters of Bake Off?

    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.

    The news leaked faster than Iain’s melted Baked Alaska and it was soon revealed that Mel & Sue have decided to step down as hosts. Whilst I am sure nobody can do it batter than these two, here is a list of likely hosts that could potentially be the cherry on top of Channel 4’s cake.

    Davina McCall

    CREDIT: 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?

    Likelihood: 4/5

    Paul O’Grady

    Paul O'grady
    © Battersea Dogs Home

    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

    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

    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

     

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  • Theatre Review | Northern Ballet’s Romeo And Juliet – National Tour

    Theatre Review | Northern Ballet’s Romeo And Juliet – National Tour

    ★★★★ | Northern Ballet’s Romeo And Juliet

    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
    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.