THEGAYUK

Category: Entertainment

  • FILM REVIEW | Those People

    FILM REVIEW | Those People

    ★★★★ | Those People

    Those People

    Spoiled rich kids on Manhattan’s Upper East side have lots to deal with, including lack of parental guidance, and secret crushes on each other in the gay romance film Those People.

    But it’s Charlie’s story. Played by Jonathan Gordon, Charlie, a painter, is one of five people in his very very tight knit group of friends, which includes two women and two other guys. One of the guys – Sebastian (Jason Ralph) – is who the group revolves around. Every emotion, laugh, anger that is emitted from Charlie has effects on the rest of the group. He’s at the center of everyone’s attention because his hedge fund father has just been sent to prison for swindling money, and it’s up to the gang to rally around Sebastian to make sure he’s protected from the media spotlight (and to perhaps help spend some of his money). And Charlie is at Sebastian’s every beck and call 24 hour seven days a week. When Sebastian asks Charlie to move in with him in his big empty house (poor him!), Charlie does so right away. You see, Charlie, for the past 15 years, has been carrying a torch for Sebastian, and Sebastian has known this but has never let on that he knows. Sebastian gets a kick out of it, without reciprocating back. But when Charlie meets successful pianist Tim (Haaz Sleiman) and slowly starts to fall in love with him is when Sebastian realizes that he might be losing Charlie to Tim. It gets all the more complicated after Sebastian’s father kills himself in prison, and Tim announces that he wants to take Charlie with him to San Francisco where he’s offered a great job. It’s a move that will make Charlie chose between his love for Tim or his loyalty and friendship and more for Sebastian.

    Those People shows us what a group of young, rich, and goodlooking upper east side kids get up to. It’s a life of parties, drama, drinking and secret crushes. It’s a sophisticated, beautifully debut film brought to us by Director, writer and Producer Joey Kuhn. It’s a world he seems to know (he was born and raised in NYC), as he captures the lives of these upper crust young adults very well. And the cast are all respectable and fine. It’s a classy movie without being too snobby.

    AWARD WINNER
    Audience Award, Best Narrative Feature, NewFest, New York LGBT Film Festival
    Best Actor, Jonathan Gordon, Atlanta Out on Film
    Audience Award – Best U.S First Feature, Outfest Film Festival
    Jury Award, Best Feature Film, Kansas City LGBT Film Festival

    Those People is now available on DVD/VOD

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Karugula

    ★★★ | Karugula

    What is “Karugula” and what is this play about? I’m not sure that you’ll leave this play with a definitive answer and you may well not even care but it’s an epic journey in this dark imagining of a dystopian world. Prom kings and queens are ritually shot dead, strange cults rule and a twisted version of the Kennedy assassination is a legend that has influenced society as the grassy knoll is reverentially mentioned. This is a sprawling and pleasantly confusing play with non-linear storytelling and a cast of seventy characters played by nine actors in a constantly changing set.

    Philip Ridley has been knocking audiences sideways and winning multiple awards for his ‘in-yer-face’ plays since The Pitchfork Disney in 1991. He’s elicited wide ranging critical responses and there are fables of fainting audience members and people stalking out of theatres in disgust. However, to look at his plays as ‘shock’ pieces would be to misunderstand and cheapen his work. His worlds are violent and terrifying but his skill is in integrating horror with the everyday world that we know. His work draws you in politely and then grabs you with an icy hand and refuses to let go. He’s also witty and wise, with a wry sense of the state of the world. Karagula is no exception. Ridley fans have learnt to never know what to expect from each new play. Here he’s crafted a fable reflecting modern society and the world’s political tensions but has set it the framework of an apocalyptic science fiction story. Much like Alistair McDowell’s ‘X’ and Anne Washburn’s ‘Mr Burns’ that both recently divided critical opinion; this is an unusual theatrical foray into an infrequently explored genre.

    Cheerleaders chant about assassinations, 1950’s housewives brag of murders in pink kitchens and milkshake parlours aren’t places you’d really want to be. Figures in white clothing inhabit starkly lit interrogation boxes and talk of concentration camps whilst Mad Max style renegades pick over ruins. It’s tongue in cheek and thankfully self-mocking throughout. There are insane touches reminiscent of a 1970’s Doctor Who episode intercut with David Lynch style eeriness. The science fiction references are frequent. Extremism, jingoism and patriotism abound. It’s a mad, mad world but one not far removed from our own. The dialogue is perplexing, odd and hilarious. Ridley’s hallmark style of slowly imbuing the innocuous and banal with sinister overtones works well here.

    The play is overlong at over three hours and is by no means perfect with uneven tones and scenes that feel extraneous. Emotion is rarely poignant or moving (with the exception of a beautiful scene surrounding a mother who’s daughter was taken from her). It’s housed in a disused ambulance station in Tottenham Hale. The production is shaky at times and Shawn Soh’s constantly changing set and the script’s moving focuses of action although impressive, are too distracting. Regardless of any flaws, the acting is skilled and Jethro Cooke’s throbbing ambient soundtrack is a suitable accompaniment.

    Overall it’s an intriguing play but feels less accessible and immediately beguiling than some of Ridley’s prior work.

    Karugula plays at the Styx Theatre until the 9th of July 2016

    Follow Chris Bridges on Twitter

  • Big Brother housemate Andrew Tate removed after homophobic and racist tweets discovered

    Big Brother housemate Andrew Tate removed after homophobic and racist tweets discovered

    Big Brother housemate Andrew Tate was removed after the discovery of homophobic and racist tweets on his social media accounts.

    Channel 5
    Andrew

    Contestant Andrew Tate was removed from the Big Brother house after homophobic and racist tweets were found on his twitter timeline.

    The tweets were sent several years ago before he entered the BB compound. However producers of show eluded that his removal was due to “new information” – and not necessarily because of the offensive tweets on his social media account.

    In one tweet on Tate’s timeline LGBT education in schools was criticised.

    “They are teaching gay issues to 7-yr old kids. BY LAW. A pure homosexual cannot reproduce, so they need your children for new partners. OK.”

    Racist comments posted on Tate’s timeline suggest that Cheryl Fernadez Versini was a “w*g socket” referring to her marriage to Ashley Cole and another racially offensive tweet read, “I wanted to see black people running id just threaten them with jobs [sic].”

  • Les Miserables Forced To Cut Gay Kiss Scene In Singapore

    The popular musical Les Miserables faces action after a gay kiss caused complaints from the theatre goers.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The kiss happened during the song Beggars at the Feast, which was actually a short peck on the lips between two male actors. Organisers of the show said the moment had been added for comical value, yet the Media Development Authority (MDA) said it would take action as the scene hadn’t been included during the classification process.

    The show has since pulled the “kiss” following complaints. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships are not recognised in Singapore. It is illegal for men to have sex with men which is punishable with up to 2 years imprisonment. Although this isn’t often enforced, legalisation has often been upheld in the courts. The LGBT community can’t adopt children nor do they have any anti-discrimination protections.

  • London Gay Village To Stand With Orlando Victims Tonight

    Tonight the community of Soho and London, both straight and gay people shall be gathering to respect and show support at 7pm for the victims and families of the Pulse nightclub shootings in Orlando.

    CREDIT: © nito103 /Depositphotos

    Hundreds are expected to be gathering at Old Compton Street, Soho, to pay respect for the 50 people killed and over 53 hospitalised in a terrorist attack on the LGBT+ community of Orlando.

    At 7pm tonight, 13th June, everyone is invited to come out onto the street to hold hands. Local bars and businesses shall stop serving during this time.

    You can keep up-to-date on the official FaceBook page for more information.

    Volunteers are being asked for from 6pm to help with what is expected to be a large turnout.

  • THEATRE REVIEW: This Much (or An Act of Violence Towards the Institution of Marriage)

    “A wedding is just paying lots of money so that your friends will treat you like a famous person for a day” ★★★

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  • Theatre Review | Into The Woods – West Yorkshire Playhouse

    ★★★★ | Into The Woods (National Tour)

    A baker and his wife long for a child, but a curse placed on their family many years ago prevent them from having their hearts desire.  But when the Witch who cursed them offers to lift her spell over the family in exchange for them bringing her four specific items; the two of them set out into the woods on a quest which interweaves four very familiar stories.

    Photo Credit : Manuel Harlan

     

     

     

     

     

    Stephen Sondheim’s darkly comic fairy tale mash up is a curious beast. The first act is a charming, comical and whimsical look at the intertwining tales of four familiar stories, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. The familiarity of the stories and the light comic moments wash over you with a feeling of warm nostalgia, bringing the first act to a close with a happy ending, as all good musicals (and indeed, as all good fairy tales) should. The second act, however, takes a much darker tone, reflected in the subject matter, the musical numbers and the presentation, as Sondheim bleakly examines the impact adults have on their children and how death affects us all. Jack is raised by a single mother, Rapunzel and the witch have a dysfunctional mother / daughter relationship, Cinderella pines for her dead mother and the Baker has his own issues with his absent father. Sondheim certainly pulls no punches as to how parents influence their offspring.

    Performance wise, the co-production between West Yorkshire Playhouse and Opera North is a visual and aural treat. Colin Richmond’s set design starts as a faithful recreation of a primary school classroom, which transforms with remarkable versatility as the tale unfolds, and the staging of the play within a school setting reinforces the themes of parental influence in the second act. The forest of playground swings added eerie gravitas to the set which was enhanced by the digital projections at the rear of the stage. Puppetry further laid on the childhood charm and there is a ‘giant’ character as the second act opens which is enough to induce both laughter and reawaken childhood fears simultaneously.

    The cast sang remarkably, as one would expect, and it was a genuine pleasure to see a musical where absolutely every cast member could sing beautifully; providing expression, emotion and perfect diction in every line.  Claire Pascoe excelled as The Witch both in acting and singing, whilst Ross McInroy had velvet voice which I could have happily listened to all evening.

    Sondheim can often be quite heavy going, and the second act certainly felt very dark (and perhaps just a tad long), as it became increasingly bleak in its portrayal of what happens “after happily ever after”. But despite this, you can’t help but leave the theatre feeling that you have been on a journey, as the show itself presents as somewhat of a metaphor for the woods themselves – the more you journey into it, the darker it becomes.

    Into The Woods is a co-production between Opera North (www.operanorth.co.uk) and West Yorkshire Playhouse (www.wyp.org.uk) and is playing until 25th June 2016. For details or to book tickets visit their websites or call the theatre on 0113 213 7700

     

  • Everything You Need To Know About Gloucester Pride

    Everything You Need To Know About Gloucester Pride

    Gloucester Pride happens this weekend and thousands of people will be filling up the city to celebrate LGBTI life.

    Glospride Logo

    Gloucester Pride is held on the 11th June this year, taking over the city with it’s extended parade route, followed by a party in the park.

    Where does Gloucester Pride Parade Begin?


    The Gloucester Pride parade starts off at Shire Hall at 11.30am on Saturday 11th June.

    What Route will the Gloucester Pride Parade Take?

    Leaving Shire Hall, the parade will travel around town making it’s way to the main event in Gloucester Park.

    The Festival

    The Pride festival kicks off from 12:00pm until 7:00pm with entertainment from the Main Stage, Cabaret Tent and Dance Tent. PLUS there’s lots of stalls including THEGAYUK stall, where you can buy some Pride Jewellery to help support Pride. Then afterwards the evening entertainment continues at The Station Hotel.

    The day event is Free – Tickets are available for the after party on the day for just £10.

    Who’s Performing At Gloucester Pride?

    Main Stage: Sonia, Lloyd Daniels, Tom Barnwell – The Voice, Ryan Jagger, Feryl, Heather Porter, Charlie Baxter, CC Quinn, Misty Monqiue, Dr Bev, Emily Samways, Kian Taylor-Jackson, Amanda Henderson.

    Cabaret Stage: Sandra, Miss Penny, Monica Tension, Ruby Slippers, Me Myself & Jon, Stephanie Von Clitz, Amy Slade, Stefan, James Negus, Miss Demeanor, Gracie G, Eva Fliction, Pandora LaRoux.

    Dance Tent: Ted O’Shay – DJ

    After Party – Nicki French, Lloyd Daniels, Miss Demeanor, Sisters Of Sass, Speeches, Surprise, Dr Bev, Ryan Jagger, Miss Penny, Gracie G, Last Orders.

    Visit the official Gloucester Pride Website HERE

  • FILM REVIEW | Holding The Man

    FILM REVIEW | Holding The Man

    ★★★★★ | Holding The Man

    A moving and very emotional film about a gay couple during the height of the AIDS crises is beautifully told in the new film Holding the Man.

    CREDIT: PeccaPics
    CREDIT: PeccaPics

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  • THEATRE REVIEW | Chicago – Lyceum Theatre & National Tour

    THEATRE REVIEW | Chicago – Lyceum Theatre & National Tour

    Set in the prohibition era, Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, who shoots her lover and finds herself of death row; alongside Vaudeville star Velma Kelly. Enter slick lawyer and media manipulator, Billy Flynn, who takes on Roxie’s case and simultaneously pushes Velma out of the headlines. As the two women catfight for the spotlight, the dirty tricks and rivalry escalate as each try to ensure that they make the front page. ★★★★

    Photo Credit - Catherine Ashmore
    Photo Credit – Catherine Ashore

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  • TOP 10: Offensive Or Controversial LGBT Cartoon Characters

    TOP 10: Offensive Or Controversial LGBT Cartoon Characters

    Some are overt, some are more subtle, but for this list, I want to focus on the LGBT characters in cartoons that were either downright offensive in their depictions, or that caused controversy at the time when it was revealed they were LGBT.

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