THEGAYUK

Category: Entertainment

  • Celeb Big Brother 2018 eye revealed

    All hail the new eye…

    In January 2018, as the nation marks 100 years since women won the right to vote for the very first time, Celebrity Big Brother launches this series with an all-female cast of celebrity housemates in a salute to a centenary of women’s suffrage on Channel 5.

    Presented by Emma Willis, Celebrity Big Brother will initially explore how the all-female housemates interact, from politicians to performing artists, as they enter the house first, ahead of the celebrity male housemates.

    Over the course of the series, as the male counterparts enter the house, the housemates will take part in a series of entertaining tasks and hidden experiments which will test their – and our – assumptions, challenge gender stereotypes and reveal fascinating truths about what it is to be a woman – and man – in the 21st century. See what happens when women hold the power, as Celebrity Big Brother January 2018 is set to be celebratory, surprising and insightful.

    Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On the Side will return weeknights with Rylan Clark-Neal.

  • Where can I watch Will And Grace in The UK?

    So the original cast of Will and Grace have reunited and a British broadcaster has picked up the rights to show it!

    When is Will and Grace being shown in the UK?

    Back in the noughties, Will & Grace was the show that broke the mold for the gay community. Now, ten years since the last episode was filmed a new series has been produced and fans are eagerly awaiting its broadcast in the UK.

    The original series ran from 1998 to 2006 – over 8 series.

    In January 2017 it was announced that a new series would be made – with the backing of the entire original cast – all except one cast member who wouldn’t be returning.

    Sixteen episodes, expanded from an original order of 10, were made by the producers.

    When will Will & Grace be shown in the UK?

    British broadcaster, Channel 5, has now picked up the rights to broadcast the show and UK audiences will be able to watch in January 2018.

    Channel 4 was the original broadcaster for the show in the 00’s and although it remains to be seen if Channel 4 will pick up the show this time around. We will update this when there is confirmation on a UK broadcaster.

    Has Will & Grace been extended to further series?

    Yes, Will and Grace have been picked up for a 10th season.

    Funniest Moments?

  • ‘Family Guy’ Takes A Jab at Kevin Spacey

    Due to licensing this article must be read on our website

    You knew a show like Family Guy—which is run by noted Harvey Weinstein antagonizer Seth McFarlane—was going to hit the Kevin Spacey situation head on. And hit it Family Guy did. On Sunday’s episode … (more…)

  • Celebrity Big Brother shakes things up with an all female celebrity line up

    To celebrate the 100 years since women won the right to vote…

    In January 2018, as the nation marks 100 years since women won the right to vote for the very first time, Celebrity Big Brother launches this series with an all-female cast of celebrity housemates in a salute to a centenary of women’s suffrage on Channel 5.

    Presented by Emma Willis, Celebrity Big Brother will initially explore how the all-female housemates interact, from politicians to performing artists, as they enter the house first, ahead of the celebrity male housemates.

    Over the course of the series, as the male counterparts enter the house,  the housemates will take part in a series of entertaining tasks and hidden experiments which will test their – and our – assumptions, challenge gender stereotypes and reveal fascinating truths about what it is to be a woman – and man – in the 21st century. See what happens when women hold the power, as Celebrity Big Brother January 2018 is set to be celebratory, surprising and insightful.

    Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On the Side will return weeknights with Rylan Clark-Neal.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | La Soiree, Aldwych Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | La Soiree, Aldwych Theatre, London

    La Soiree has garnered quite a reputation on the cabaret scene over the past few years.

    They’ve won a couple of Olivier Awards, headlined the circus field at Glastonbury and globe-trotted around in various Spiegeltents and opera houses. Now they’ve gone all upmarket and are inhabiting the lovely old but freshly repainted Aldwych Theatre. Don’t worry though. They might be in the West End but there’s still plenty of filth and subversion to keep you dirty birdies happy. Or not. If you want to take your nan and your nephew there’s a toned down version sans smut called ‘La Petite Soiree’ (aimed at ages 8 and upwards).

    They’ve re-jigged the theatre to make it look like a cabaret venue with on stage seating and rows of in the round stalls seats. You’ve got to have nerves of steel if you’re planning on sitting on stage, by the way. There’s a distinctly ‘cabaret’ atmosphere (i.e. slightly drunken) and it’s a fast-paced frenetic show with little chance to pause for breath. Unlike a lot of cabaret shows there’s no compere and no filler. It’s just back to back acts. If you’ve seen it before you might be looking forward to the pole dancing city gents and their amazing pecs. Sadly, they’re not here this year but don’t fret. There’s plenty of buff male flesh including a comedic set piece with two chaps barely hiding their two old chaps behind skimpy towels.

    It’s the usual mix of comedy, acrobatics, hoola-hooping, puppetry and plain weirdness (a woman spinning around in an aerial display, suspended by her hair? I rest my case M’lud). Perfect for a Christmas night out or for raising you out of a case of the New Year doldrums.

    La Soiree plays until 3rd Feb 2018

  • Production stops on Bryan Singer’s Queen biopic

    “A personal health matter.”

    CREDIT: ©-S-Buckley-Depositphotos

    Production of the Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody has halted after director,  Bryan Singer took leave to deal with a”health matter”.

    Singer’s spokesperson said that the producer and director had taken leave for  “a personal health matter concerning Bryan and his family”.

    Speaking to the BBC, the film’s studio, 20th Century Fox said, “Twentieth Century Fox Film has temporarily halted production on Bohemian Rhapsody due to the unexpected unavailability of Bryan Singer.”

    Bryan Singer also appears to have taken his Twitter account offline.

    The film has been in production in the UK with Mr Robot actor Rami Malek as the late Freddie Mercury and is due for release in December 2018

    *This article was updated to reflect that the film is a biopic on the band, Queen not just Freddie Mercury.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | ELF: The Musical, Lowry Theatre, Salford

    ★★★★★ | ELF: The Musical

    Tuesday Night was a star-studded affair as the North West’s celebs walked down the red carpet at The Lowry Theatre adorned with a large red sleigh. Everyone from Corrie’s Kym Marsh and Brooke Vincent, Real Housewives of Cheshire Lauren Simon and even X Factor star-turned-gay pin-up Lloyd Daniels (yes, he’s just as gorgeous up close) were in attendance. The reason? ELF: The Musical.

    To sum it up in one word would be an injustice but if had to do it’d be: transcendent. I entered the theatre with slight apprehension that one of my favourite Christmas films would be turned into a mushy pantomime but I am thrilled to say I was wrong. A script scattered with hilarious jokes (though some more New York-based one-liners didn’t quite resonate with a Salford audience) about everything from Donald Trump to the recent news headlines about certain “physical misconduct” were paired with amazing feats of physical comedy.

    The show’s star, Ben Forster, is a tour de force channelling his inner Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. Everything from his mannerisms to his body movements had all the audience members in hysterics and you couldn’t help but feel his pure joy. Ben remained high energy throughout, hitting you even harder during his low points. Joe McGann is divine as Walter Hobbs, Buddy’s Dad, a workaholic who has no time for Christmas nor his family and is backed up ably by the fantastic Jessica Martin as wife Emily and a confident turn by the young Lochlan White as his son Michael. A personal highlight for me was Liz McClarnon in the role of Jovie, Buddy’s girlfriend. The ex-Atomic Kitten star sounded amazing and watching her turn from jaded New Yorker to a Believer was thrilling at every turn.

    I could also write endlessly about the extremely talented supporting cast and the high energy and very game ensemble but I have to single out Lori Haley Fox as Deb, Walter’s hapless secretary. Rare have I seen such amazing comedy timing. Reminiscent of Julie Walters, Lori’s slapstick movements and characterisation remained high-energy throughout the entire show and was pure comedy from the start. Every appearance she made was met with pure joy from the audience and, deservedly, received huge applause at the end. I felt, in that moment, I was watching a star.

    The songs themselves were not particularly memorable but I enjoyed every single one. Unlike many other musicals, Elf doesn’t seek to impart any larger metaphorical wisdom with its songs instead allowing every number to play a vital part in moving the story along. Highlights include ‘World’s Greatest Dad’ where we get a feel for Buddy’s enthusiasm and desire to have a present and caring Father which makes it even more crushing during the reprise, when Buddy begins to lose hope. Then there’s the call-to-Christmas-arms barnstormer ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’ (complete with impossible-to-imitate hand-ography). ‘A Christmas Song’ invites us all to simply sing to get into the Christmas Spirit whilst Act Two’s ‘Never Fall In Love With An Elf’ is a hilarious listicle of why dating an Elf may be a bad idea. However, as much as the choreography and energy of each number was comparable to the best and brightest of Music Theatre, the songs themselves failed to provide any sort of earworm. Shows like Wicked have their anchor numbers like ‘Defying Gravity‘, Elf was missing that big song you can’t get out of your head.

    The show went all out and the investment was clear. The entire cast acted and sang with all their heart and their hard work showed on the stage. It was a balls-to-the-wall feast of glee. The lighting and special effects were world class, complete with in-theatre snow and a flying sleigh. Elf did not leave you feeling that it was missing anything and I defy anyone to watch the show and not be excited for Christmas. The show is also very inclusive, with a diverse ensemble which included two gay characters, one of whom is told by Buddy that you can “never have too many boyfriends”.

    I can not recommend this show enough. Whilst the ticket pricing is a little steep if you’re a larger family, it is worth going if you can or I fear you will risk missing possibly the best musical to come to Manchester to date.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Boys in the Buff, Kings Head Theatre, London

    ★★★ | Boys in the Buff

    The Full Monty. Naked Boys Singing. And put Boys in the Buff in that category.

    Yes, these are shows where the male cast take their clothes off and sing and act (a bit) for the audience. Of course, The Full Monty was the biggest of the bunch (biggest I mean most popular – ahem). Naked Boys Singing was the gayest, and Boys in the Buff is in a category all by itself – the campiest!

    Four good-looking young men and a voluptuous compere entertain us with their flare, razzle-dazzle, and their bits (well not the compere – who is female!) in a show with witty and cute songs and dialogue but perhaps lacking in good taste, and in a couple of cases, passable acting! But singing, and acting, is not what this show is all about – we’re left in anticipation of waiting, and wanting, for the boys to take their clothes off. In the meanwhile, we are treated to really fun songs like ’Size Doesn’t Matter,’ ‘Does My Bum Look Big in This,’ and ‘Let it All Hang Out,’ and dreadful ones that include ‘Dancing in the Semi-Nude’ and ‘My Foreskin and Me.’ There’s also audience participation much to the delight (not) of the audience. But in the intimate confines of the Kings Head Theatre, where the first two rows are so close to the stage it’s almost a crime, the boys really pour out their hearts, and display their bits, for us soldieringly. Adam Mroz is so cute and sexy; you just want to take him home and put him on your bookshelf! Hunky Adam O’Shea, who was in the original production at the Lost Theatre this past summer, brings his muscles with him, – he’s certainly got pecs-appeal! Daniel Timoney is along for the ride, as is Eli Caldwell. But Shani Cantor is just fab fab fab as the hostess with the mostest! All in all, it’s one hour of fun!!!

    Boys in the Buff plays at The Kings Head Theatre until Dec 9th, 2017

     

  • FIRST LOOK: Love, Simon

    Here’s your first look at the LGBT+ film of 2018, Love, Simon

    it’s the first LGBT+ film to be released on a major film studio since 2015’s The Danish Girl and Carol…. and we can’t wait.

    You might not know this, but the film is based on the 2015 book, Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda – which we absolutely loved!

  • FILM REVIEW | Beach Rats

    ★★★★ |  Beach Rats

    A young man plays it very cool with his friends while he hides his true sexuality in the new film Beach Rats.

    19-year old Frankie (Harris Dickinson) lives with his mother and dying father in Brooklyn, New York. His mother constantly nags him to get a job but he spends his days doing drugs and hanging out with his gang of homeboys. They are all very macho and straight and while away the hours hanging out on the boardwalk and chatting up local girls. But what they don’t know about Frankie is that he secretly spends his time on gay hookup sites and meets other men at a local cruising spot for sex.

    There is one girl, however, from the neighbourhood (Madeline Weinstein) who he hooks up with – he really likes her and she really likes him, but expectedly it doesn’t go anywhere. And when he gets involved in an incident with his friends that involves a gay man his life suddenly takes a turn.

    UK born Dickinson is very good as Frankie. He nails down the accent and the attitude almost perfectly. With no previous film credits, he’s a natural and very compelling to watch on the big screen (and boy is he sexy)! Director Eliza Hittman gets almost everything right in this film, with the exception of the last 20 minutes that gets a bit too unbelievable. But it’s Dickinson you’ll remember when the screen credits go up. He’s on to bigger and better things.

  • Has there ever been a gay or LGBT winner of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here?

    There have been 16 winners of I’m A Celeb so far – has there ever been a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender winner of the popular ITV show?

    Has there ever been a gay or LGBT winner of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here?

    Since the show started in 2002, it has been won by six women and ten men. There is only one winner who publicly identifies as part of the LGBT+ community, namely Christopher Biggins. Biggins won the show who won the show in its seventh series in 2007.

    A full list of the winners are:

    Series 1, 2002: Tony Blackburn
    Series 2, 2003: Phil Tufnell
    Series 3, Early 2004: Kerry Katona
    Series 4, Late 2004: Joe Pasquale
    Series 5, 2005: Carol Thatcher
    Series 6, 2006: Matt Willis
    Series 7, 2007: Christopher Biggins
    Series 8, 2008: Joe Swash
    Series 9, 2009: Italy Gino D’Acampo
    Series 10, 2010: Stacey Solomon
    Series 11, 2011: Dougie Poynter
    Series 12, 2012: Charlie Brooks
    Series 13, 2013: Republic of Ireland Kian Egan
    Series 14, 2014: Carl “Foggy” Fogarty
    Series 15, 2015: Vicky Pattison
    Series 16, 2016: Scarlett Moffatt
    Series 17, 2017: Current series