Category: Entertainment

THEATRE REVIEW | Party

★★★★ | Party at Above The Stag

CREDIT: PBGStudios

There’s a party going on in Vauxhall and you’re all invited!

Party, a play at the Above the Stag theatre, is about seven gay men who get together one evening to hang out, chat, be together, and basically talk about sex, as gay men do! And what a party it is! It involves alcohol, lots of alcohol, where seven handsome and hunky guys pretty much up for anything, play a game called Fact or Fantasy, a bit like Truth or Date, which involves, of course, male nudity – all taking place in a cozy living room.

Party, written by David Dillon in 1992, originally ran in Chicago before moving to New York, and has even been produced internationally.

For this version, directed by Gene David Kirk, the party, and action, takes place in a British man’s living room, with references to British culture, news, and the requisite British accents! It’s the home of Kevin (Nic Kyle), who is letting out his extra bedroom to Peter (Stefan Gough). In attendance at the party are dancer Brian (Jamie Firth), teacher Ray (Ben Kavanagh), Philip (Lucas Livesy), James (Sam Goodchild) and young and innocent Andy (Tom Leach). They’re all friends, good friends, but when they decide to play Fact or Fiction, a game where one man is to tell the truth, lie, or act out someone else’s fantasy, secrets are revealed, as well as skin, lots of skin, in a game where being shy is not an option! And it’s Ray who steals the show with best lines – he actually berates Andy for not knowing who ‘Barbra’ is or how to tell the difference between a cast album and a soundtrack. Peter reveals, during the game, that he’s got a secret crush with one of the men, while Brian is sexy and he knows it, and is the first to strip off. It’s a party in this intimate theatre where the audience feels like they’re right in the middle.

Party is 100 minutes of very funny jokes, lively atmosphere, and laugh out loud comedy. It’s play which celebrates gay men who enjoy the company of other gay men, sexual attraction or not. And all the actors deserve praise, and courage, for baring it all – it’s exciting and done in good taste. This is one party you definitely don’t want to miss.

Party plays at Above The Stag until October 30th

14th September 2016
Channel 4 paid HOW MUCH for Bake Off

As the dust settles and the news sinks in that GBBO will have a new home next year we’ve just found out how much Channel 4 apparently paid for the show.

BBCBake

So Channel 4 is going to be the new home for the Great British Bake Off – and well Twitter has had a meltdown about it. Mel and Sue apparently aren’t coming along for the Channel 4 ride and word is out on Mary Berry.

Well we’ve just read how much Channel 4 has apparently paid for the rights to the GBBO and it’s staggering… wait for it.

ALSO READ: The gayest BAKE OFF innuendos

So the BBC apparently pays £6m per series of the show to Love Productions the makers of Bake Off – Channel 4 have topped that and are allegedly stumping up £75m for three series – that’s £25,000,000 big ones – a cool £19 mil more per series. That’s a lot of dough… sorry couldn’t help it.

HUH? – and wait there’s more – ITV and Netflix reportedly offered more than C4 – but the programme makers thought there was more creative synergy with the Born Risky channel.

Do you think it’s worth it?

13th September 2016
RuPaul just won an EMMY

Can we get an AMEMMY?
© s_bukley Depositphotos

RuPaul – queen of Drag queens just landed himself an EMMY for Outstanding Host in his show RuPaul’s Drag Race, beating out the stiff competition from Ryan Seacrest, Jane Lynch, Steve Harvey and Heidi Klum.

Totally taken aback by his win, RuPaul said to E! News ,”I’m in a state of shock right now. I really did not expect this!”

The show RuPaul’s Drag Race has been broadcasting since 2009 – and has just been green-lit for it’s 9TH SERIES and has become one of the world’s most visible LGBT programmes.

12th September 2016
Film Review | Theo & Hugo – sexually charged and romantic

★★★★ | Theo & Hugo

Two men meet at one of Paris’ most popular, and notorious, gay sex clubs, and then embark on an evening with lots of twist and turns, in the new film Theo & Hugo.

You might think you’re watching a gay porn film as the first 20 minutes of Theo & Hugo is full-on man-to-man action – erections and anal sex are all on full display, filmed at L’Impact – a naked gay sex club in the Marais district in Paris. Theo & Hugo, In French, with English subtitles, is shot in real-time, and it’s in that club where Theo and Hugo meet, at exactly 4:27 a.m., amongst the writhing and moaning group of men who are all enjoying each others’ company.

While there, Theo and Hugo connect sexually, intimately, and emotionally. They then decide to leave the club together to carry on their night with each other. But what wasn’t discussed while they were having unsafe sex at the club was the use of a condom to prevent HIV transmission, as Hugo (Francois Nambot) tells Theo (Geoffrey Couët) that he is HIV+.

What transpires after is a rollercoaster of a night for both of them, when Theo goes to the hospital to get PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis), a medication that should kill any traces of the virus that might be in his system.

Romantically, and responsibly, Hugo joins him there. They then wander the streets of Paris, on a night that could turn out to be either very romantic or very tragic, with the ramifications of HIV staring them right in the face, and the possibility that their encounter could be more than just an encounter.

Is Theo & Hugo a porn film or is it a film with an important message? This is something that you will have to decide, but nonetheless, it’s guerrilla and gay filmmaking at its finest. And Kudos go to the actors for ‘baring it all’ in scenes that are relevant to the message of the film, and to writers and directors Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau for bravely, and successfully, having the balls to make this controversial, yet romantic and engaging film.

11th September 2016
THEATRE REVIEW | Punkplay

★★★ | Punkplay

CREDIT: Helen Murray

“…there are no actual rules except the ones we choose to live under. You need to eat, drink water, sleep now and then. The rest is negotiable.”

There’s a celebration of punk this year in London. But what exactly is ‘punk”? A 40 year-old music genre, a lifestyle choice or a way of thinking? Commerce would have you believe it’s a look that you can emulate by spending cash on the high street. It’s way more complex than any of those definitions. “punkplay” relates Punk to the lives of two teenage boys who are feeling conflicted and struggling to see how they fit into 1980’s American society.

Duck’s father wants him to enlist in the army to learn discipline and awkward and ungainly Mickey wants to find where he fits into the scheme of things and snog the face off schoolmate Sue Giki. He’s also keen to learn about sex from Duck. The boys linger in Mickey’s bedroom, making up band names, calling each other faggots and surrendering to feelings of disaffected rage. They’re on roller-skates too, all the way through the play. Don’t ponder this one too much. It makes sense by the end. They fight over a girl, insult each other and French kiss: usual teenage boy stuff.

It’s hard to capture the anarchic and chaotic feel of punk without resorting to clichés but the mostly novice team here have managed to do this with verve and a resounding freshness. It’s uncomfortable viewing, claustrophobic and raucous with bursts of comedy. Naturally, there are blasts of music as the boys riff on an electric guitar and hammer at drums.

This isn’t a play that will suit everyone but it has a soul and a message and it’s one that grabs the viewer. It’s one of those plays that gains something from being reflected upon and the ending redeems everything that went before. There’s a peculiar beauty to the piece and it has a witty symmetry. The play left me thinking of how “punk” relates to “queerness” and gay identity. Lack of rules and negotiable norms? I’ll take some of that.

Punkplay runs at the Southwark Playhouse until the 1st October

Follow Chris Bridges on Twitter

11th September 2016
These instagram boyfriends are giving us serious relationship goals

We’ve been stumbling around Instagram – looking for hot mens – as you do – when we discovered the hashtag #GayBoyfriends…
CREDIT: Kit Williamson

It’s changed our lives.

These guys are giving us serious boyfriend goals. There’s nothing cuter than see two guys show their affection for each other. TBH we just don’t see enough of it – so here you go – get your fill lads.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKMlMj0Axja/?tagged=gayboyfriends&hl=en

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11th September 2016
11 totally gay moments from James Franco’s newest film GOAT

So the trailer is out for GOAT, James Franco and Nick Jonas’s brand new hazing movie – and well judging by the trailer it’s going to be pretty homoerotic.

Just from the trailer, we’ve managed to determine at least eleven totally gay moments

Enjoy

Cold shower anyone?

Being whipped by tight white T-shirts, seemed pretty homoerotic to us

Lots of shouting topless men… gay

Doing the jerk off motion…

Then James Franco strips off and demands that some student hits him in the stomach…

He gets totally into it.

No really.

That’s actually spit. We need say no more.

FFS there’s a dude locked in a cage there.

Pretty sure we’ve seen this in an Andrew Christian video.

9th September 2016
The best gay innuendos from Great British Bake Off

So GBBO is cooking on full steam and the innuendos are coming in thick and fast. We take a look at our favourite slightly camp, very gay double entrendres.

It’s all good clean fun. That is until you add a glass of white and cackling brood of gay guys and then all bets are off.

“Some of them have got a good forking”

BBC

“Your crack is nice and most”

BBC

“Right bakers time to reveal your cracks”

BBC

“Oh no, you have some irregular-shaped balls”

BBC

“Now let’s turnover and see what’s happening at the back”

BBC

“It’s all in the wrist action”

BBC

“It’s about half the size it was when it went in”

BBC

“I’ll eat a bit of carpet”

BBC

“I like the flavour of a cox”

BBC

“He loves his buns”

BBC

“Go on Mary, give it a good slapping”

BBC

“Get those lady fingers soggy”

BBC

“Fill your horns right to the bottom so you can enjoy it to the last the mouthful”

BBC

“Put your purple ring where I can see it.”

Great British Bake Off is on BBC One on the 11th September

9th September 2016
THEATRE REVIEW | Vanities: The Musical

★★★★ | Vanities: The Musical

Imagine an afternoon Channel 5 film full of ‘women’s issues’. Or one of those novels that you take on holiday, read, instantly forget and then leave in the hotel room when it’s over. Syrupy sweet and wholesome but emotionally stirring on some levels. Predictable yet mildly intriguing and easy to digest but enjoyable nonetheless. That’s “Vanities” in summary. Oh, I almost forgot to mention: it’s also tremendous fun.

CREDIT: Pamela Raith

The story follows the friendship between three women through being High School cheerleaders in 1963 (yes, it’s American. Very American), living together in a sorority house at university in Dallas, reuniting in their late twenties in New York and finally meeting again as they are hitting 40 back in Texas. Joanne is traditional and wants to be a wife and mother, Kathy is driven and organised and wants a career as a sports teacher and Mary just wants adventure (a.k.a. sex and travel). There we have it in three handy female stereotypes: earth mother, career woman and bitch/whore. Naturally. There’s infidelity, hurt, alcoholism and nervous breakdowns plus the odd abortion, betrayal and blazing row. It’s soapy, light and watchable.

There are, however, various qualities that elevate Vanities above this form. Firstly, the songs: they’re almost a parody, aping the girl groups of the 60s and 70s with tones of Bacharach, The Supremes and The Shangri-Las. Kirschenbaum’s lyrics are witty and amusing and although they’re not the most memorable riffs, they’re easy to listen to, raise a smile and work well in the context. Racky Plews’ choreography echoes the styling of the music and there are some moves worthy of a lip-syncing runner-up in RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Secondly: the cast. Lizzy Connolly, Ashleigh Gray (a previous Elpheba in the Wicked U.K. tour) and the lovely Lauren Samuels (who was award nominated for ‘Bend It Like Beckham’) are all equally strong and carry the show with ease.

Thirdly, the staging: the tiny space of Trafalgar Studios 2 is transformed into a shifting, overtly feminine space full of the cluttered paraphernalia of girlhood. The show works well at such close quarters, given the minuscule cast and scrutinised emotion.

A 2009 sickly saccharine musical that was based on a 1974 Broadway comedy and that has never managed to hit this side of the pond? It may not sound like the best proposition for a good night out. Sit back, relax and this hollering, dancing all female group will show you just how wrong that assumption would be. Just don’t take your straight male friends. I’m not entirely sure that they’re going to ‘get’ this one. School of Rock or Groundhog Day, anyone?

Vanities: The Musical plays at the Trafalgar Studios until 1st October 2016

Follow Chris Bridges on Twitter

9th September 2016
Muriel’s Wedding To Be Made Into Stage Show

That’s right folks, “You can’t stop progress” as Muriel’s Wedding is to be made into a new musical stage show adapted to stage by, “What a coincidence”, it’s the original film’s writer and director PJ Hogan.

© Sydney Theatre Company / Global Creatures

The show will feature all those much loved ABBA numbers whilst both the script and Muriel herself will be re-set in 2017. Will marriage be easier to find in this new world of social media and app dating?

Speaking to AussieTheatre.com.au PJ Hogan said, “I’ve been asked many times to put Muriel’s Wedding on stage and I’ve always said no – mainly because the film seemed to do what I wanted it to do, and has somehow resisted the obscurity that time and changing fashions are apt to visit upon everything and everyone. So why tempt fate and invite Muriel (and a singing Muriel, at that) to cavort in 2017?

“Back in 1994 Muriel had a problem that seemed peculiar to her… how do you become famous (that is loved/admired/envied by all) when you have no discernible talent, no achievements, and when no one believes in you except you? The new millennium has provided the tools for dreamers afflicted by obscurity: Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, You Tube, not to mention that Hogwarts for the irrelevant, Reality TV.

“Muriel was born to be a Millennial. So a Millennial she has become. Who sings.”

Sadly the tickets prices may be a little ‘sky-high’ for us Brits as the world premier takes place at the Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney, Australia. Though fingers are crossed for a speedy export to the UK.

If you are travelling out there next year from the 20th Nov – 30th Dec 2017, then you can pre-book tickets at: SydneyTheatre.com.au

8th September 2016
Gay bar in Indianapolis is to close

The ever popular 501 Eagle bar in Indianapolis is to close.
CREDIT: Google Maps 2016

The owners of one of Indianapolis’s busiest gay bars, 501 Eagle has released a statement revealing their plans to close the popular bar in October.

The owners have told patrons that after twenty-two years of running the venue they’ve made the decision to “retire”.

“It’s time for my wife, Margie, and I to retire. The 501 Eagle (Tavern) will close forever Oct 15, 2016. Until then we will be open 7 days a week doing blue lite specials on all drinks. It’s been a great 22 year run. Thanks for all your business. Tom n Margie”

The venue which is focused on serving the bear, leather and pups community of Indianapolis will be closing permanently on the 15th October.

It is not known whether another owner will take on the bar and continue running the venue as an LGBT establishment.

ALSO READ: Gay bars that have closed since 2000 in London

Fans of the bar have shared their sorrow for the closure of the venue but wished Tom and Margie well, adding that the couple had been “a shining light in the Indianapolis gay community”and that they would be sorely missed.

8th September 2016