THEGAYUK

Category: Entertainment

  • THEATRE REVIEW | WAG! The Musical, Charing Cross Theatre

    I have struggled over writing this review for a full week, primarily because I just couldn’t find the words to describe the excitement, hilarity and fabulousness that went into… oh, no, wait, that was another show. This was just awful.

    Awful.

    Anyone who knows me will know that I champion London theatre as much as possible. I think we are in really exciting times with new challenges and technology bringing a whole new mindset to the stage. However, WAG! is a blemish -a very, very dull blemish – on the London stage, and one I would be happy to see the back of.

    The plot revolves around two female shop assistants, each in an ill-advised relationship (one with a married man; the other with an abuser). All day, they serve the bevy of glamorous WAGs that come through the department store and dream of becoming one of them.

    THE POSITIVES (both of them): Katie Kerr as the fabulous Blow-Jo was a delight every moment she was on the stage. Out of the show’s characters, she was the only one I warmed to even slightly. Alyssa Kyria appeared as her regular character, Ariadne the Greek Wag, who is fairly well-known on the comedy / cabaret circuit. Kyria wrote her scenes herself, and they very much stood out from the tedium.

    Acting-wise, Tim Flavin played Mr Frank well. However, the character was a tired old cliché and not one I enjoyed watching. In fact, I enjoyed watching Lizzie Cundy more, mainly to see if I could spot her apparently-Botoxed face move. On the plus, she is at least the genuine article – a real-life WAG, and definitely looked the part.

    A succession of other, equally forgettable characters “graced” the stage. Another WAG, another bad actress, a camp designer, each as dreary as the last.

    I simply cannot spend another minute thinking about this complete travesty of a show, so I will leave you with the words of Andrzej Lukowski of Time Out, who says: “Wag! sort of blunders on in a dull, well-meaning muddle, two-and-a-half drab, weakly-sung, low-budget hours.”
    Well said, Andrzej. Well said.

    WAG! The Musical is listed at the Charing Cross Theatre until 24 August, although I can’t see it completing the full run. I heard on the grapevine they’re hoping to tour it in 2014 too. Tickets cost… oh, I don’t know. Save your time, money and sanity by not buying one.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Velma Celli, Hippodrome Casino

    The stylishly sophisticated Hippodrome Casino is exactly the right venue for this glamorous, exquisitely fun evening of songs, bendy men and burlesque, hosted by the very fabulous Velma Celli.

    Each of the performers are a delight, but none outshine Velma herself, who sings and dances her way through the evening with a dazzling presence that is captivating and hugely enjoyable. The alter-ego of Ian Stroughair, a well known name on the West End stage in his own right, Velma takes the drag concept to whole new dizzy heights, ably accompanied throughout by Musical Director, Joe Louis Robinson.

    This evening’s guest performer is Jordan Lee Davies, who recently appeared on The Voice. He is a little lost on some of the harder notes of his otherwise beautiful rendition of ‘Just Like A Pill’, but leaves us in no doubt of his vocal capabilities when he performs ‘Suddenly Seymour’ as a duet with Velma Celli. My notes from his performance simply state “Every so often, hits a note that is so perfect it’s f**king scary!”

    Amanda Posner has a voice so smooth it is like melted chocolate and is a genuine privilege to hear. Posner returns in Act 2 as her alter-ego, Mr Fox, who adds a fabulous twist when he duets with Velma. It is a rare treat indeed to see a Drag King and Queen duet performed with such vocal precision. Their ‘Ode to Kerry Katona’ is comedy gold, and sums up what the majority of their audience feel about Katona’s recent casting as Marilyn Monroe in Norma Jeane the Musical.

    An extra dose of glamour, delight and sensuality arrives in the form of Jolie Papillon, who teases us to breathtaking perfection. Everything a burlesque performance should be, Ms Papillon’s routine is sexy, funny, expressive and very, very cheeky. I have long been a fan of burlesque when it is performed well, and this is an absolute pleasure to watch.I mentioned bendy men earlier, and the first of these is Jonathan Finch who is listed simply as a “hand balancer,” which does neither him nor his act any real justice. Finch performs acts of strength, balance and, yes, bending that frankly defy the laws of physics.

    Another bendy man comes in the form of Ben Brown, who performs some of the best aerial hoop work I have seen. A visual treat, Brown is stunningly attractive and it is hard not to be mesmerised by the sheer physical perfection of his boxer short-clad body. However, the grace and dexterity he displays with his hoop soon outshine anything else as he twists into seemingly impossible shapes with breathtaking precision.

    All too soon, the evening is over, and I leave the Hippodrome with that wonderful rush that can only be gained from seeing something so exceptionally wonderful. I am left in no doubt that the name on everybody’s lips is, indeed, going to be Velma.

    Velma Celli next performs at the Hippodrome Casino on 22 August. Tickets range from £10-£30 and are available from http://www.hippodromecasino.com/velma-celli-show.

  • 6 of the best Birthday films

    As TheGayUK (TGUK) celebrates its first birthday, we cast a light hearted look over some of the best films which are about birthdays or feature a birthday party, with varying results.

    All of the films would make a great birthday gift for someone or a little treat for you. So sit down, get out your paper hats, light the candles on your cake and enjoy six of the best. Happy Birthday TGUK!

    Sixteen candles – In this John Hughes 1980’s classic, Samantha goes from one disaster to another as everyone forgets her 16th birthday because her sister is getting married the next day. With all the focus on her sister, the birthday girl finds herself ignored by her family, and more importantly, the guy that she has a massive crush on doesn’t seem to want to know. Will any of her family remember her birthday? Will she get the guy of her dreams? Will she get to blow out the candles on her cake? And with the hunky Jake Ryan, do birthday wishes really come true?

    The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Who would have thought that their first birthday would have involved a murderous, bisexual transvestite, cannibalism and a rather half-hearted attempt at singing happy birthday accompanying a celebratory toast out of jam jars and coffee mugs? Rocky, the creation of Frank N Furter, celebrates his special day by having some “alone time” with Janet and dining in the company of a geek, a showgirl and an incestuous brother and sister before rounding off proceedings by eating his organ donor. Happy Birthday Rocky!

    The Birds – Lots can go wrong at a birthday party. Your balloons can pop, your cake get dropped, your presents could be rubbish and that kid from your class turns up anyway, even though you didn’t invite him. But in this Alfred Hitchcock classic, a small town is inexplicably set upon by the birds around them, and for poor Kathy Brenner, her birthday party turns very nasty when her friends and neighbours are subject to a horrific attack by a group of seagulls. Bad luck, Cathy, you should have talked your parents into booking that pink stretch limo for three hours, just like you wanted.

    Parenthood – Who hasn’t been embarrassed by their parents at their birthday party? In this delightful comedy ensemble piece, Parenthood, young Kevin’s birthday is potentially a disaster, when the balloon modelling cowboy turns up drunk (although let’s face it, who hasn’t wished for a tipsy cowboy for their birthday?) So, in steps his father, played by Steve Martin, who, complete with carpet chaps, gives his son a birthday to remember by making balloon models that resemble your lower intestines, and winning over his son and his friends by making an exit to remember. Way to go, Pilgrim!

    The Game – In David Fincher’s dark thriller, Nicholas Van Orton, a wealthy investment banker, played by Michael Douglas, is a man who has everything. He is given a birthday gift by his brother which he would probably rather not have had. The gift is participation in “the game”, a series of staged incidents which intertwine seamlessly with his real life. As the lines between reality and the game become increasingly blurred, a huge conspiracy begins to emerge impacting not only on Van Orton, but on his family, friends and colleagues around him. But are his friends and family in on the game, or is there something more sinister at work out to ruin him? Perhaps a tie and cuff links set would be better received next year.

    The Omen – It’s your 5th birthday. You are a privileged little boy whose father is a powerful politician. You have a lovely house with big grounds and a couple of huge Rottweiler’s as your pets. Your birthday party is going well – balloons, a clown (not too so sure about that to be honest, I would still prefer the tipsy cowboy), and a handful of fairground rides. Your friends are all there and having a lovely time. So what could possibly spoil the day? How about if your nanny were to make a dramatic scene by declaring her love for you and then killing herself in front of all your guests – that would make even the antichrist shuffle in his seat. I bet that the “thank you for coming to my party” cards were a little awkward to write.

  • EDINBURGH FRINGE: Gay Pick Of The Fringe

    Well it’s almost time for the biggest Arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe, to kick off this year. With almost 3000 shows to choose from, we have chosen a selection to get you started. Keep checking our site for updates and reviews for the rest of the month!

    (more…)

  • Gay bars in Leeds dump Russian vodka in time for Leeds pride

    Gay bars in Leeds have boycotted Russian produced Vodka in the build up to Leeds Pride.

    Gay bars across Leeds have joined together in solidarity with the Russian LGBT community by boycotting Russian produced vodkas, a week before Leeds Pride, a statement from gayleeds.com has announced.

    “Although removing the lines of Russian vodka from the gayleeds scene won’t make a massive dint in the Russian economy it will however prove that the LGB&T bars in our city care about the persecution that is going on against the gay community in Russia.” the press release read

    “Knowing which Vodka is produced in Russia is a tricky one as many that originated from Russia no longer have a connection with Russia at all.

    “This is why the bars, clubs and other venues in gayleeds have gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure that only non Russian lines are available in time for pride and beyond”.

    The news comes days after American and London’s Soho Bars started to announce their boycott of Russian vodkas.

    The Leeds bar which have banded together are: Queens Court, Fibre, The Bridge, The New Penny, Blayds and The Viaduct Showbar.

  • NORTH WALES PRIDE: Pride Weekend Back To The Past

    The stars are ready, the weather might be okay, but one thing is for sure, North Wales Pride looks set to be the biggest and best yet.

    This year’s theme is Decades, so you’re invited to step back in time from the 1920s to the 90s. The headliners include X Factor’s Kitty Brucknell and Aled Haydn Jones from Radio 1.

    The events starts today and continues through Saturday and weekender tickets cost just £15, which you can buy at the event.

    The entertainment starts today at 12:30pm – full list of acts below:

    Saturday’s Entertainment

    Comedy duo Roxy Fart and Crystal Bawls will co-host the show and will kick off the event in style in the main room at 12.30. If you want a giggle then we can assure you that these pair will have you doubled up in laughter.

    Bringing RIO to BANGOR is the amazing Batala- a Samba percussion band (click for link)…In true carnival style they promise to lift the roof off Hendre and start us off on a high.

    Meinir Gwilym (click for link) Daytime headline act – Meinir is from Anglesey and has established herself as one of the best selling Welsh language artists ever. Her first release Smôcs, Coffi a Fodca Rhad (Cigarrettes, Coffee and Cheap Vodka) in 2002 met with phenomenal response with her unique voice and punchy lyrics, Celtic/acoustic/folk-rock/pop

    Lowri Mair- brilliantly talented acoustic Welsh artist

    Awen Haf – Local power house vocalist

    Jamie Connolly (click for link) – recently performed at Birmingham Pride 2013 & brought down the house with his Bon Jovi meets Robbie Williams act. Currently number ONE Rock Artist on Reverbnation!!

    – The L Project released an LGBT anti-bullying charity song entitled “It Does Get Better” in 2012 (charted in 4 countries) recorded by 17 of the UK’s most talented lesbian artists. All proceeds and royalties from the song go directly to two chosen charities Stonewall and Diversity Role Models, both work tirelessly to prevent LGBT bullying.

    Sunday’s Entertainment:

    Craig Cavanagh (click link)- singer songwriter from Liverpool. He connects both acoustic soul and power pop into one with a unique vocal style which brings powerful timber and cloudy tones to the ears of the listener.

    We are proud to announce that the controversial X Factor finalist Star Kitty Brucknell is one of the headliners of Saturday night!

    Our main headline act Aled Haydn Jones from Radio 1′s Surgery will be banging out his DJ set from 10pm and putting Bangor back on the map.

    If this isn’t enough for you… we are also excited to announce that Wakestock, Creamfields and resident Embassy DJ Ed Mackie will be taking you through to the early hours.

    CAMPING:

    At North Wales Pride you can also come along and pitch a tent and camp for the weekend! For more info visit the official website: http://www.northwalespride.com

    GETTING THERE

    Please find below information on how to get to Hendre Hall for this year’s North Wales PRIDE!

    CAR- Parking is limited at the venue and we encourage car sharing where possible.

    Arriving at Hendre Hall: (postcode for sat nav/route map – LL57 3YP)

    From the east and England:

    Join the A55 for north Wales and follow sings for Conwy and then Bangor. Hendre Hall is 4miles outside Bangor. Turn off at junction 12 signed for Tal-y-Bont and bear right after this turning. At the top of the road turn left and you have arrived at Hendre Hall.

    From the west, south and Bangor.

    Follow A487 (south Gwynedd and Caernarfon) or A55 from Anglesey towards Bangor. Follow signs and continue on A55 for Conwy. Turn right off A55 at junction 12 for Tal-y-Bont. Take first right after junction, head over the bridge and Hendre Hall is on your left.

    TRAIN– The nearest train station is Bangor (Gwynedd). Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin Trains have regular services to Bangor. Typical journey time from Chester is approx. 1 hour. Hackney taxis are aplenty at Bangor train station.

    TAXI FROM BANGOR-

    Local Bangor taxi numbers:

    A5 taxis – 01248 360 360

    Chubbs Cabs – 01248 35 35 35

    Classic Cabs – 01248 370 717

    Glyn’s Taxis- 01248 351 554

    BUS- Arriva buses have regular services that directly pass Hendre Hall. You will need the X5, 5 or 5S services from Caernarfon and /or Bangor for Llandudno. It’s best to take the X5, 5 or 5S service from Llandudno for Bangor. Please visit ‘Traveline Cymru’ website for public transport information.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | A Man Of No Importance

    Sedos is the City of London’s premier amateur company, and, to end their three week season at the Bridewell Theatre, they have ambitiously chosen to do the musical “A Man of No Importance”.

    Based on the 1994 film of the same name, with Albert Finney in the leading role, the musical has a book By Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, the same team responsible for the Tony Award winning “Ragtime”. McNally is of course a successful playwright himself, responsible for such successes as “Love! Valor! Compassion!”, “The Lisbon Traviata”, “Masterclass” and “Corpus Cristi”, and most, though not all, of his work is gay themed or of gay interest. “A Man of No Importance” is no exception, and centres on the character of Alfie Byrne, a softly gentle Irishman, passionate about the work of Oscar Wilde, who lives with his sister in 1964 Dublin. A closeted homosexual, harbouring a secret love for his colleague, Robbie, Alfie throws himself into staging an amateur production of Wilde’s “Salome” at the local church hall, but comes into conflict with the church leadership when they discover the nature of the play. During the course of the show, he struggles with his sexuality and with temptation, faces disapproval from those he considers his friends, and finally enjoys reconciliation, when they accept him for who he is. McNally’s script is, as you would expect, masterful.

    It is a tale with possibly a little too much Oirish charm and whimsy for my taste, but its very gentle lyricism does eventually draw you in. Not especially memorable musically, there is one stand out ballad, (Princess), beautifully sung in this production by Sarah Shepherd, who plays Adele, the new girl who is given the part of Salome. Another high point is the lovely, humorous, but gently moving song, The Cuddles Mary Gave, given a touching performance by Paul Francis as Baldy. However the show is very much an ensemble piece, and it seems invidious to single out single performances, when there really isn’t a weak link in the cast.

    Matt Gould’s direction was clear and efficient, though I thought the choreography of Sarah Evans a little confused, whilst acknowledging the difficulties inherent in moving a large number of people around in a small space. Musical director Inga Davis-Rutter skilfully managed her, presumably, paired down band of players. She also must have spent hours rehearsing the choral numbers, which were cleanly and brilliantly sung.

    All in all, however, the show stands or falls on the performance of the main character, the Man of No Importance, Alfie Byrne. It is not an easy part to play. Playing a quiet, unassuming character never is, and for the first half hour or so I did wonder if James Franey was overdoing the Irish whimsy. By the time he sang his big number,The Man in the Mirror, he was fully engaged in his role and we with him. This was opening night, and his performance can only get stronger as the week goes on.

    The Man of No Importance runs until the end of the week at the Bridewell Theatre just off Fleet Street and, though maybe not of the calibre of a professionally staged production in London’s West End, it is at least the next best thing. Congratulations to all involved.

  • Kerry Katona to play gay icon in new musical

    Kerry Katona is set to play gay icon Marilyn Monroe in a new musical about the blonde bombshell.

    The new musical about the life of the Some Like It Hot actress is due to open with Atomic Kitten singer turned reality star Kerry Katona.

    The news was broken by Norma Jeane: The Musical’s Twtter feed, which announced:

    “Its official Kerry Katona ‪@KerryKatona7 will be Marilyn Monroe in ‘Norma Jeane The Musical”

    The show’s writer Belvedere Pashun, who previously wrote Wag – The Musical said of Katona:

    “I needed an actor of huge talent, personality and experience – Kerry was at the top of my list.

    This show will change the shape of people’s perceptions of Marilyn Monroe, and we expect to announce a new star of drama on stage and screen with Kerry’s performance.”
    Kerry said:

    ‘I’m thrilled to have been given this opportunity to play one of the world’s biggest female icons and can’t wait to get to work. A successful career in drama has always been a main goal of mine and this role is a challenge but one I’m going to grab with both hands.’

    The show is due to open sometime after the end of September 2013.

    Marilyn Monroe was voted a gay icon by the writers of TheGayUK in May

  • BOOK REVIEW | Speed Demons by Gun Brooke

    Speed Demons by Gun Brooke is quite essentially a lesbian love story that was kindly sent to me by Publishers Group UK.

    Evie is a NASCAR Racing Driver that has had a crash and is planning a come back. Blythe is a Professional Photographer and was snapping the day of the crash. Blythe has heard about Evie’s comeback and wants to document her journey back to the racetrack in the form of a photography book.

    Blythe convinces Evie to agree to the photography book idea and a relationship starts to develop – far to quickly to be believable to the reader. Along with the waves of closeness between Evie & Blythe they both help one another to overcome the current challenges in their lives.

    For Evie the challenge is apparent: her recovery and return to the racetrack. In order for Evie to achieve her goal she must undertake her physical training and find a way of dealing with her post-traumatic stress disorder. Blythe’s challenge is to deal with her lost family connection and her feelings about it. Blythe feels that her family indirectly blame her for the attack on her brother many years ago.
    Evie & Blythe’s characters are well developed with good backstories. Brooke‘s use of character perspectives and of Evie & Blythe psychoanalysing one another makes the reader care about them.
    Brooke‘s description was sparse at times and the reader would have benefited from more detail. The are a few sex scenes; it was strange that Brooke used the word ‘sex’ to describe lady-parts in one part of the book and yet later on used the word ‘clit’ quite blatantly.

    The storyline was fair but somewhat predictable. Blythe’s family challenge felt like an after thought, being thrown in towards the end of the book. The ending felt rushed and not thought out. It had a few loose ends – such as Evie’s family approval and a resolution of Blythe’s family issues. The most unsatisfying part of the ending was Blythe’s seemingly sacrificing her life for Evie’s.

    Yet despite the criticisms it was a reasonable piece of lesbian literature. Speed Demons by Gun Brooke is available to buy on Amazon.

  • 6 gay things to do for a birthday celebration

    The Gay UK is officially a year old this month. It’s amazing to think that in that time we’ve grown to a dedicated readership of 150,000 gay people per month, not just from the UK but internationally. With birthdays in mind, we thought about ways to celebrate a birthday other than the traditional alcohol-fueled night out or throwing of a party.

    If you’re lucky enough to share a birthday with The Gay UK, why not try something new? Here are some of our ideas:

    1. Dinner and a Show
    They say there’s nothing more social than the breaking of bread. Go to dinner, somewhere with delicious food and with those special to you.

    After dinner go to the Theatre, see a fantastic show and complete celebration of another birthday. Our writers regularly watch shows and write reviews. Take a look at our Theatre Reviews section to find a show you’ll love on in a Theatre near you.

    2. Visiting the Zoo
    When was the last time you got up and close with nature? All sorts of animals in all stripes and sizes from across the world can be seen at your local zoo. Homosexuality has been found in thousands of species of animals, so you might just see a gay zebra, penguin, lion or other animal. Just look for the animals that show a particular interest in others of the same sex.

    3. Visiting a Theme Park
    Feel the exhilarating rush that comes from a day of riding roller coasters. Release your inner child and visit a theme park. There’s something life affirming about your body being flooded with adrenaline as you’re scared out of your wits.

    Many theme parks do gay days – specific dates aimed at attracting the local gay community. So if you’re single you might end up sat on a ride next to your ideal man. Just don’t let him hear you scream!

    4. A Day at the Beach
    Imagine seeing the beautiful horizon as you feel the sand under your feet. You taste of the salty air and hear the relaxing sound of the ocean. Well this can all be yours – if you choose to have a day out at the beach to celebrate your birthday.
    This activity is dependent upon the weather, but if it’s nice make a day out of it by taking a picnic. If this is what you’ve decided to do see our 5 Picnic Basket Essentials Feature.

    5. A City Break
    Take a short break to visit another city. It can be a city in the UK or even a European city. Flights to Europe have never been cheaper.
    Not sure what to do when you get to the city? If you’re planning a trip to a UK city you can see our City Listings/Guides for ideas.

    6. A Holiday
    If it’s an extra special birthday, contemplate splashing out on a holiday. Everyone has individual likes on holiday; for me it would be: sun, sea, sand and sangria. But you may prefer an adventure holiday.

    Whatever sort of holidays you like, you’ll be able to find a reasonably priced one – as long as you don’t look at booking when school children are off school.
    Got other Birthday Celebration Ideas?

    Post a comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

  • 8 Celebrities who share their birthday with THEGAYUK

    As you may have noticed TheGayUK is celebrating its first birthday this month and we’re very proud of this! Who else will be blowing the candles out on a cake this month?

    Lindsay Lohan- former child star, former mean girl, former girlfriend of DJ Samantha Ronson and current tabloid darling thanks to her very public meltdowns.

    Julian Assange- the  Wikileaks founder and international tourist. Assange is currently living in London at the Ecuadorean Embassy under political asylum, to prevent his deportation back to Sweden and the United States. As such he is unlikely to be tucking into a rainbow coloured cupcake this year.

    Tom Hanks- Hollywood’s go to nice guy. Way back in 1993, Tom Hanks starred in the film “Philadelphia” portraying a gay man with AIDS fighting an unfair dismissal case against his former employers. This was considered ground-breaking at the time as it was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to tackle Aids/HIV and Homophobia. It was for this role that Tom Hanks collected his first Oscar.

    Matthew fox- everybody’s favourite “Lost” boy and male grooming promoter. There’s no other reason to why he is include on this list other than for some eye candy.

    Jane lynch – Everybody’s favourite Glee Villain, Jane Lynch portrays cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in the popular musical comedy which has brought her multiple awards. Lynch lives as an openly gay woman and frequently appears on lists of influential out celebrities. Unfortunately, earlier this year she announced her divorce from wife.

    The Hoff- the Man the Icon, David Hasselhoff has huge gay appeal, from the camp talking car to the tight red lifeguard shorts and the dodgy pop career. He counts Radio One DJ Scott Mills as a friend and a fan.

    Daniel Radcliffe- Free from the days of his bespectacled wand waver, Daniel has embarked on many different dramatic roles. In the upcoming film “Kill Your Darlings” he plays Beat poet Alan Ginsberg. Role. The film is already being discussed in terms of the graphic gay sex scenes featuring Radcliffe and I’m sure that it will be the biggest gay audience since “Magic Mike”

    JK Rowling- Author and philanthropist. The only person to have ever bumped themselves from the top of rich list by giving too much to charity. Earlier this month, JK was “outed” as a crime writer Robert Galbraith. This ensured a surge in sales for the novel meaning that Rowling had more money for balloons!