THEGAYUK

Category: Entertainment

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Blasted, Sheffield Theatres

    Sheffield Theatres opens their Sarah Kane season with Blasted, her first and possibly most controversial play. Ian, a racist, sexist and homophobic middle aged journalist, arrives in a hotel room in Leeds, accompanied by a young girl, Cate, whose youth and naivety is exacerbated by her learning difficulties. As their abusive relationship, characterised by manipulative behaviour and sexual violence, continues; a soldier bursts into the room and, through a series of shocking events, there is a shift in power, control and dependency.

    When considering how to describe this play, three words repeatedly surfaced in my mind – uncompromising, unflinching and unapologetic. Themes of control, dominance, sexual violence, manipulation and dependency are thrown at the audience in a shocking and, at times, difficult to watch play, causing you to shift uneasily in your seats and bullishly charging at your boundaries of acceptability. In line with the initial controversy when the play was first performed (where it was described as a “feast of filth”), it still has the power to not only emotionally gut punch the audience, but to be genuinely upsetting and distressing.

    In this three-hander, Martin Marquez impressed as bigoted and thoroughly unpleasant Ian, carrying a genuine air of menace and nastiness. Mark Stanley, as the soldier, complimented that performance with a restrained portrayal of a man numb from his own hatred; but I was most affected by Jessica Bardon’s performance as Cate, who carried a haunting look of vacancy which bore straight into you and lingered with you long after leaving the theatre.

    Richard Wilson confidently directs with a steady hand, not shying away from extended periods of silence or inconsequential action, but equally not shying away from the visceral and shocking aspects of the play. The set, with its hints of glass surrounding the stage, places you directly in the voyeuristic position of peering in through the hotel room window, watching events unfold; and was both visually impressive and well designed. Crucially, the pivotal moment in the play was accompanied by a jolting and effective transformation of the stage.

    Featuring very adult themes, offensive language, scenes of male and female rape, nudity and strong, bloody violence, this is certainly not a play for everyone, and is a heavy, controversial and hard-hitting piece of theatre, which I have no doubt many people will find offensive and distasteful. It is also surreal at times and contains a number of aspects which are particularly uncomfortable to watch, especially in the confined arena of the Crucible Studio.

    If you are seeking a challenging piece of heavyweight theatre, then this is a quality and technically impressive production which offers that in abundance. But whether you consider the themes explored and the events of the narrative as suitable subjects for entertainment will very much depend on your individual viewpoint. My suggestion is that you read a little about the play before you decide whether it is for you or not.

    Blasted is currently playing at Sheffield Theatres until the 21st February 2015.

    The Sarah Kane season includes all of the playwright’s works over the coming months. Full details can be found at http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/event/blasted-15/

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Gods and Monsters, Southwark Playhouse

    ★★★★★ | Gods and Monsters, Southwark Playhouse

    It’s the late 1950s and ageing Hollywood director, James Whale, best known for his iconic Frankenstein films, is languishing in his Los Angeles house.

    Whale is incapacitated by a series of strokes that have left him frail and prone to crippling headaches, dark moods and memory lapses. In spite of his infirmity, he hasn’t lost any of his impish ways with young men, persuading them to swim in his pool or pose naked for portraits. Old habits die hard. Unashamedly gay in an era of repression, Whale is a singular and striking personality. Enter pneumatically muscular new gardener, Clayton Boone who becomes the object of Whale’s lust and an unlikely player in the final drama of his life.

    Whale’s life is told in a series of flashbacks that happen alongside the on-going drama; portraying the story of his childhood in a working-class family in Dudley through his horrific World War One experiences to his Hollywood career.

    The play is based on the 1995 novel Father of Frankenstein written by Christopher Bram. The the same source material was used for the 1998 Oscar-winning film, “Gods And Monsters”, starring Ian McKellen, Lynn Redgrave and Brendan Fraser. The story works as well as a stage play also.

    In terms of script, performance and production values this is a triumphant piece of theatre. Seasoned actor, Ian Gelder is magnificent as Whale. His performance hits a fine balance between comedy and tragedy and is subtly nuanced. The script is tight and in spite of the intensity of the subject matter the play never drags and is filled with finely written comedic moments. Excessively muscled newcomer Will Austin takes on the role of Boone with a surprisingly fine performance. He manages to portray a man with unexpected depths with gentle empathy and sensitivity.

    The intimate space of Southwark Playhouse and the cunning lighting, sound and set design add extra dimensions to the performance also. I must also mention that the play contains male nudity (if the fine acting and script doesn’t grab your attention then three different male nudes might).

    This really is a stand out production in London theatre and a must see.

    Buy tickets here: http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/the-large/gods-and-monsters/

  • Australia To Enter 60th Eurovision Competition

    Although its many thousands of miles away from Europe, Australia will be allowed to participate in this year’s Eurovision competition.

    For the first time in its 60 years, Eurovision will allow Australia to enter the competition – and will a free pass to the final in Vienna, Austria, meaning that it will not have to go through the various heat stages.

    Organisers of Eurovision, the theme for which this year is “Building Bridges”, decided to offer a place to Australia after Jessica Mauboy performed as the interval act at one of heats in last year’s competition. It now has until 16th March to decide whom it’s going to send; already reports of Dame Edna Everage have been put forward to represent the Australian entry.

    Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of the contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said, “It’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move.

    “It’s our way of saying; let’s celebrate this party together!”

    Michael Ebeid, managing director of broadcaster SBS which airs the competition in Australia, said, “We are very excited to have secured this historic opportunity for Australia to be represented on the world’s biggest stage at the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and are honoured that the European Broadcasting Union has supported us to achieve this ambition.

    “SBS has been broadcasting Eurovision for over 30 years and we have seen how Australians’ love of the song contest has grown during those years.”

    If Australia wins the competition the show will remain in Europe.

  • FILM REVIEW | Last Straight Man

    But will he remain one, if Lewis gets his own way?

    It may be every gay man’s dream to sleep with a straight man and it’s even hotter when he happens to be your best friend too. Closeted Lewis has always had a secret crush on his best friend Cooper but has never ever let on until the night before Cooper is about to marry his girlfriend and the two-man have just drunk a wee too much at the stag party and their conversation turns to sex. All the other guys have left and as Lewis and Cooper start to clear up the hotel room where the party had been held, the talk gets dirty and personal. Well-endowed Lewis is keen and Cooper is curious and so the two end up in bed together after discovering that they both love blowjobs.

    Next day Cooper gets up and goes and gets married and lives happily ever after with his wife. Until the same time next year that is, and the two men meet up back in the same hotel room and take up where they left off. This anniversary tryst becomes an annual date in their calendar and for one night a year Lewis, previously self-identified as bi-sexual, transitions into gay, and straight Cooper still refuses to accept that he is anything else even though he lets Lewis penetrate him as he insists that they never kiss.

    What is clear though is over the next 12 years that they are both very much in love. With each other that is. One year Cooper tries to fight his feelings and refuses to show up for their date, claiming he doesn’t want to put his marriage at risk, and then in a later year when he has not only overcome his resistance, is imploring Lewis to f**k him as hard as he can. It just so happens that he may have left it too late as perpetual bachelor Lewis finally has a boyfriend and is anxious not to do anything that may jeopardise his new relationship.

    In this very likeable boy-lit movie it is interesting that although this may have started out as Lewis’s crush, it is, in fact, Cooper who is living out his fantasy. As their relationship develops it makes both men question their feelings and emotions and they learn that they cannot be easily defined in a conventional way as they accept their love for each other. It’s helped with very convincing performances from the two handsome leads Scott Selland Mark Cirillo who look comfortable in and out of the clothes.

    Be warned though before you get to the scenes of these two hunks thrashing around naked, you have to sit through the scary opening moments of the movie when the stag party stripper insists on pushing her mammoth naked breasts way to close to the camera. And I won’t even tell you about her party trick where she can pick a coin up by her … well, you can imagine.

    This cute wee drama is entertaining and amusing, although trust me, Cooper really is anything but ‘the last straight man’.

     

    by Roger Walker-Dack

  • Benidorm will be back for 8th series

    ITV’s award winning comedy Benidorm has been re-commissioned for an eighth series and will film on location in Spain later this year.

    Series 7 which is currently airing on ITV has featured the welcome return of Johnny Vegas and Elsie Kelly as The Oracle (aka Geoff Maltby) and Noreen Maltby. The series has also seen the return of Solana Group CEO Crystal Hennessy-Vass played by Dame Joan Collins.

    The show’s creator Derren Litten will pen all 7 episodes of the new series, which will introduce a brand new family to the Solana.

    Elaine Bedell, ITV’s Director of Comedy & Entertainment says “Benidorm continues its enduring appeal with ITV viewers, and we look forward to discovering what creator Derren Litten has in store for the new holiday season at the Solana resort”.

    Saskia Schuster, ITV’s Comedy Commissioner says “We are absolutely thrilled our audience continues to enjoy the antics of the Solana staff and its holidaymakers. The new series of Benidorm will be introducing a brand new family to our viewers”.

    Derren Litten, Pete Thornton and Sophie Clarke Jervoise will serve as Executive Producers for the new series.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Sound Of Music, National Tour 2015

    ★★★★ | The Sound Of Music

    Let’s be honest, The Sound of Music needs no introduction. The story of Maria, who is sent from the Abbey to look after the Von Trapp family, is one that is known to most. This classic musical is crammed full of songs that you cannot help but know the words to, such is their foothold in popular culture. “Climb Every Mountain”, “My Favourite Things”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and, of course, “The Sound of Music” are all in there, but the question is, with a show which has been performed so frequently over so many years, what can a new version bring to the stage?

    Firstly, this production brings a very good cast. Danielle Hope, who made her professional debut as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, following winning the BBC’s Over the Rainbow program, was very impressive. Her singing voice was beautiful and effortless and her stage presence could be felt. Staying on the right side of twee, she made a very good Maria and had won me over by the conclusion of her first number. Jan Hartley utterly blew the audience away with her goose pimple-inducing rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” and Grace Chapman was equally impressive and perfectly natural in her role as Liesl. Most surprisingly for me though, was the incredible talent of the youngsters playing the Von Trapp children.

    This production also brings with it a remarkable set. Appearing grand in scale (especially for a touring production), detailed and effective, it lifts the production and makes it feel fresh.The lighting and direction were of a high standard and the addition of a live orchestra only enhanced the experience. The sound in the theatre was perfect with a superb balance of music and lyrics and the performers delivered perfect diction in every line allowing the words to be heard clearly. Technically, it was a well-put together show.
    Where the production faltered slightly was in the overly camp portrayal of (Uncle) Max Detweiler and that sometimes, especially during the party scenes, the number of people in the touring cast didn’t quite fill the stage. However, I wouldn’t necessarily hold these very trivial quibbles against such a broadly enjoyable production.

    Having seen the Sound of Music undertaken by numerous professional companies over the years I have to say that this is perhaps the best version I’ve seen. Of course it’s camp, of course it’s kitsch, but therein lays the fun and the enduring appeal of this show. This touring production seems to really revitalise the show as a whole, so iron your wimple, polish your sailors whistle and catch this production on national tour.

    The Sound of Music plays at the Sheffield Lyceum until 14 February 2015 (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk) before continuing on its national tour (http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=1440)

    By Paul Szabo

    Also playing at:
    Kings Theatre, Glasgow
    Sands Theatre, Carlisle
    New Theatre, Cardiff
    Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon
    New Theatre, Hull
    Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes
    New Victoria Theatre, Woking
    Hippodrome Theatre, Bristol
    Congress Theatre Eastbourne
    Grand Theatre, Leeds
    Grand Opera House, Belfast
    Bord Gais Theatre, Dublin
    The Lowry, Salford

  • FILM REVIEW | The Rewrite

    ★★★★ | The Rewrite

    I have a confession to make – I’m a sucker for a good old-fashioned rom-com. Cary Grant? Yes please! Doris Day? Just my cup of tea! Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan? I’m in heaven!

    Give me star-crossed lovers and a little “will they, won’t they” and I’m a happy bunny.

    And this vehicle for Hugh Grant gives you just that. It’s not earth-shattering, it’s not life-changing, it doesn’t answer the meaning of life but it is funny, it is warm and it is actually a good story.

    Hugh Grant plays a once successful Hollywood screenwriter, one who seemingly had it all, wife, son, glittering career, wit and charm to boot, but then, as these things will, they fade.

    The career stalls, film work dries up, the wife moves on to someone more successful and takes the son with her, and the charm and wit only go so far when your fast approaching fifty and broke.

    This is where his wise-cracking agent comes in, offering work at a small college on a screenwriting course, and off Hugh goes.

    A little far fetched, but this is a Hollywood movie, not real life. Stick with it as we watch Hugh go through the ups and downs of campus life, and also through a student or two…

    He finds his mojo for writing amongst his students, but learns quickly that the film industry is still as fickle and maybe, just maybe his future lies elsewhere.

    Hugh Grant gives his usually good performance, where he basically plays himself, Marisa Tomei plays one of his older students and puts in a solid performance playing her elfin self, and Allison Janney gives a poker face performance as a gargoylesque Jane Austin fanatic faculty member.

    I liked this film a lot, I didn’t love it and here’s why. There was something slightly creepy about a 50-year-old sleeping with students, and at times, you look at Hugh and think, is this it? What else can you do? He is starting to look out of place in this type of film, too old to be running after 18-year-olds.

    But until something else comes along, I do still enjoy him in these roles, and can’t wait to see where he goes next as he has mentioned in interviews that he wants to direct – but none of this detracts from this film, I’d see it again, and give it 4 stars!

  • Kavana Out Of Big Brother

    Kavana is out of the Big Brother house, becoming the 6th celebrity to be evicted.

    The “I Can Make You Feel Good” singer, Kavana was the 6th celebrity be to evicted from the Big Brother house, narrowly missing out the opportunity to be in Friday’s live final. Speaking to Emma in his exit interview the openly gay singer said that he ‘knew he was going today.’ His exit along with Perez Hilton’s in tonight’s show leaves, Michelle Visage, Katie Hopkins, Katie Price, Keith Chegwin and Calum Best to win the show.

    Calling the house a ‘lunatic asylum’ Kavana looked relieved to be out of the house. He also joked with the audience about his drinking, which is why he now has a lovely paunch. In his time in the house drinking did get the better of him, which led to him declaring that Keith Chegwin was an enemy.

    During his time on the Big Reunion, Kavana had an explosive row with Adam Rickett, speaking about his outburst to TheGayUK Kavana said, “What they didn’t show on that particular day is that I had received some pretty bad news, my mum is poorly with Alzheimer’s. I had a very weak moment. I just hit the bottle, obviously, it was right in the middle of rehearsals and on camera.

    “My mum’s in a care home. It’s pretty tough because I can’t call her because it confuses her. So I’ve gone from speaking to my mum everyday to just not speaking to her – maybe once a month, because it gets her very confused. She doesn’t understand who I am. It’s kind of hard, but it is what it is. When I do see her I make sure we have quality time.

    “I have a tendency to self-sabotage, if something good is about to happen a part of me tries to sabotage it.”

  • MICHELLE VISAGE: Perez Cut Me With Representation Comment

    Following her confrontation with Perez Hilton yesterday Michelle Visage has spoken about how Perez Hilton ‘wounded’ her.

    Speaking to to Big Brother in the diary room, Michelle Visage tells Big Brother that Perez “said something to me last night to hurt me personally, to cut me…he was just trying to be mean and he wouldn’t own it. That was a mean thing to say to me because, and I’ll explain, he had nothing to gain from saying that. The only thing he could gain from that was wounding me. Of course, I’m not going to allow it to…” She goes on to talk about the work she does and maintains that she is part of the community adding, “Don’t fuc*ing tell me I’m not because I’m not a gay woman! That’s bullsh*t. He meant to hurt me. That’s really what it comes down to. That’s not a good person.”

    Yesterday In a heated exchange between Perez and the entire house, he slams Michelle telling her that she does not represent him.

    During Big Brother’s Bit On Side, journalist and Buzzfeed LGBT editor Patrick Strudwick said that Perez was a stain on the gay community after drawing a parallel between his ostracisation from the group and being “diagnosed with AIDS in the early 80s”

     

     

  • Manchester Gay Village Bar Shuts

    Eden Bar in Manchester has closed its doors for the final time on Manchester’s famous gay village.

    The bar which opened in 2002 shuttered its doors for the last time resulting in the loss of 18 jobs, the Manchester Evening News is reporting.

    Insolvency practitioner Steven Wiseglass, of Inquesta, has been appointed a liquidator of SDB Bars.

    A statement on the bar’s website, which is still running, reads “Since opening in 2002 we have earned a reputation for combining quality food, exceptional service and a fantastic atmosphere to create an often unforgettable night out.”

    The last communication from Eden Bar on Twitter hinted that the bar was closing, but only for a facelift, saying,

    “Well folks Eden Manchester is off for a facelift. We will be closed until the beginning of February whilst the old girl has a spruce up. Try not to miss us too much and don’t worry I’m sure you’ll be seeing some familiar faces. Watch this space!!”

    The news comes amidst a number of other gay bar closures in 2015, with Manbar and Green Carnation in London announcing their closures.

  • PEREZ Tells Michelle Visage – You Do Not Represent Me

    In a heated exchange between Perez and the entire house, he slams Michelle telling her that she does not represent him.

    In an argument between Perez and Callum where he tells Calum “I said you were a good person, but that doesn’t mean I have to like you…I don’t care about you”, RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle observes “’I don’t like you’ are not nice words to say to people.” Perez responds, that he doesn’t need friends in the House and admits that “in my universe” it’s all about him.

    He went on to slam Michelle’s supportive stance of the LGBT community saying, “As a member of the LGBT community, you do not represent me”.

    Michelle maintains that she would not want to represent him but will always be supportive of the LGBT community.

    Michelle Visage, who is a strong supporter of the LGBT community had said that Perez was setting back the gay community fifty years because of his behaviour in the house.

    Last night during Big Brother’s Bit On Side, journalist and Buzzfeed LGBT editor Patrick Strudwick said that Perez was a stain on the gay community after drawing a parallel between his ostracisation from the group and being “diagnosed with AIDS in the early 80s”