THEGAYUK

Category: Theatre

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Price, Wyndham’s Theatre, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Price, Wyndham’s Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | The Price

    (C) Nobby-Clark

    There is a price to pay for everything in life, and in the new play The Price, this is true.

    Now playing at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End, one of Arthur Miller’s least known plays is a study of two brothers who have not spoken to each other in 16 years yet each has their demons, each have paid a price for decisions they had made in life. Brothers Victor (Brendan Coyle) and Walter Franz (Andrian Lukis) have not seen each other for 16 years since their father passed away. During this time, Victor has kept dozens of his parents pieces of furniture in his attic, and he’s decided to get rid of them. So he asks 89-year old appraiser Gregory Solomon (a wonderful and definite Olivier Award in this role for David Suchet) into the home he shares with his wife Ester (Sara Stewart). Solomon is a Miller character, and Suchet injects his character with such panache, humour and vulnerability that it’s a master class of acting.

    Meanwhile, Walter suddenly shows up, having not returned any, any of Victors’ phone calls over the years. And, yes, there has been a price in not returning those phone calls, and we learn that Victor paid an even bigger price by remaining at home to care for his father when he was getting sicker and sicker. And all Ester wants is to have enough money to be comfortable, and as the going gets rough between the two brothers, Solomon offers a price for the furniture. Is the price a good one? Is there a price for being a responsible son, versus one who flies the coop and becomes successful? All of this drama takes place with the backdrop of the great depression in their past.

    The Price, which was written in 1968, is about estranged brothers facing up to the lasting effect of the Depression on their family three decades on. It’s also about not reaching your dreams, and family conflict. The set, where dozens of pieces of furniture are literally hanging on the side of a wall (by Simon Higlett), is genius. Also genius is the acting. Suchet is superb, and Coyle is at ease as the brother who may or may not have been manipulated by his sick father. Under the direction of Jonathan Church, The Price is worth the price of a ticket.

    The Price is playing at the Wyndham Theatre until Saturday, April 27th.  Book tickets here

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Rip It Up, Garrick Theatre, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Rip It Up, Garrick Theatre, London

    ★★★ | Rip it Up

    The 60s are back in the West End, and add a lot of dancing, throw in a few handsome pop stars, and what you have is an evening of very very light theatre.

    Rip it Up, now playing at the Garrick Theatre, throws into the mix the best songs from the 60’s with beautiful choreography (by Gareth Walker, who is also the Director), and starring four former Strictly Come Dancing Contestants, and heartthrobs.

    Louis Smith MBE (former Olympic gymnast and all around hunk), Aston Merrygold (former member of the X-Factor group JLS), Harry Judd (drummer in the worldwide famous pop group McFly), and last but not least Jan McGuiness (from The Wanted). These men, along with a bevy of young and sexy backup dancers, give it their all with fancy dance moves and upbeat music. But the best part of the show is the amazing singing by Jill Marie Cooper and Ant Brant. Cooper wins the audience over in her renditions of songs from Dionne Warwick to Jefferson Airplane, which lifts this show up a couple notches for without them this would’ve been just another jukebox musical without the jukebox.

    All of the four male leads are fine, but they are not allowed to individually shine that much. Merrygold only gets to sing a couple songs, while we are treated to an all too short gymnastics routine by Smith (though luckily for he spends most of the time in the show either topless or wearing tight clothes). He is also a very graceful dancer. Judd is allowed a one minute drum solo (the audience wanted more), while McGuiness really doesn’t seem to offer much, though he tries his darndest to keep up with the dance moves.

    Emcee Cavin Cornwall does a fine job guiding the audience through the different musical sounds of the 60s, though he wobbles horribly through ‘Heard if Through the Grapevine‘. Videos of Lulu, Tony Blackburn, designer Zandra Rhodes and the indelible Dionne Warwick tell us what is was really like in the 60s – show us don’t tell us! And Lulu actually comes on a few too many times.

    But ultimately Rip it Up will only appeal to fans of the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing (of which all four stars have danced in). I can see this show selling out on the UK tour, but for a West End stage, it doesn’t quite feel right.

    Rip it Up plays at The Garrick Theatre until June 2, 2019

  • THEATRE REVIEW | My Dad’s Gap Year, Park Theatre, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | My Dad’s Gap Year, Park Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | My Dad’s Gap Year

    Review of My Dad's Gap Year
    (C) Pamela Raith

    A father and son take an adventure of a lifetime in My Dad’s Gap Year.

    Now playing at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, My Dad’s Gap Year is a hilarious comedy about a father trying to bond with his conservative gay teenage son while going through a mid-life crises. Dave (Adam Lannon), dad of 18-year old William (Alex Britt), feels it’s time for them to sow their wild oats. But uptight William is not so wild, he frowns upon everything his unemployed dad does, which includes lying around the messy house not being productive. Meanwhile, William’s mom and Dave’s ex wife Cath (Michelle Collins), being the sensible one, holds a full-time job while maintaining an arm’s length relationship with Dave. But when Dave, at the very last minute, persuades William to go with him to Thailand for some father and son bonding and fun, them, and Cath, have no idea who sort of adventure, and trouble, Dave and William will get into.

    But once in Thailand, William meets cute architect Matias (Max Percy), while Dave meets beautiful Mae (a lovely Victoria Gigante). While Williams falls head over heals for Matias, Dave does the same for Mae, who works at a bar where all the ‘women there were born boys.’ But Dave’s drinking problem never goes away, while William has his own personal meltdown, leaving Cath to go to Thailand to do damage control.

    My Dad’s Gap Year is a fun show with a great cast. At only 90 minutes, it’s crisply directed (by Rikki Beadle-Blair) with funny dialogue and actors who deliver their lines perfectly. And while the show wraps up a bit too neatly at the end, all the actors are very good throughout. Lannon is very good as the father, Collins gives the show extra spark, but it’s Gigante who is extra special as Mae, a girl who just wants to have a happy life.

    My Dad’s Gap Year plays at the Park Theatre until 23rd Feb 2019. Book Tickets Here

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Kompromat, The Vaults, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Kompromat, The Vaults, London

    The unsolved 2010 murder of Gareth Williams is the focus of a new show called ‘Kompromat’ now playing at The Vaults as part of their Vault Festival 2019.

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    Williams was found dead in his Pimlico flat, naked and stuffed into a red bag. Foul play was the expected cause death as there was no way that he could’ve zipped himself in that bag on his own. Kompromat goes so far as to suggest that Williams, who was suspected of being gay, was targeted by another man, someone he hooked up with at a gay bar, and took him back home, and that this hook-up would be William’s last one. Max Rinehart plays Zac, goodlooking and convincing, enough so that any gay man would be lucky to take him home. Guy Warren-Thomas plays Tom (Gareth), shy, a bit introverted, yet careful who he lets into his life. Zac is very confident, and as we get to learn, he’s been around the block a few times, and as his story unravels, so does the soon to be shortened life of Tom. All of this takes place in the intimacy of The Vaults which has on tap loads of other gay-related stories to tell during the 2 month festival.

    Other offerings include:

    Open

    Two husbands. One hundred lovers. A modern day romance. Join Chris and Tim for an intimate exploration of their love, jealousy and desire for one another…and many, many others.

    23 — 27 Jan 2019

    Juniper and Jules

    Until Juniper, Jules hadn’t realised she liked girls. Falling headlong into a relationship, in a world where monogamy is the norm, they soon discover they want to do things differently.

    23 — 27 Jan 2019

    Yours Sincerely

    Will has accidentally stolen 300 2nd class stamps, but he’s making them count. A queer comedy about the lost art of letter writing. Stamp collecting has never looked so sexy.

    30 Jan — 03 Feb 2019

    Greyscale

    Explore the minefields of dating in a post #metoo era. Who do we have faith in when one party believes it’s sexual misconduct, and the other, simply a bad date?

    02 Feb — 17 Mar 2019

    Bleach (main photo)

    Tyler sells his body nightly, but his world is about to be turned upside down when life takes a sinister turn. A soul-jolting story of sex, violence and city living.

    06 — 10 Feb 2019

    Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Instagram star Tom Lenk portrays iconic actress Tilda Swinton, imagined as an edgy, modern day Mary Poppins in this LGBTQ hit and Edinburgh Fringe favourite.

    06 — 17 Feb 2019

    Marmite

    Dylan and Eddie have just moved in together. They’re both really happy. Except Dylan isn’t. Between sex parties and roast dinners, ‘Marmite’ explores gay monogamy.

    13 — 17 Feb 2019

    ADMIN

    Pisín moved to London to pursue his dream of becoming socially mobile. Now, he’s having an existential crisis in a Pret A Manger toilet, trying to remember his mindfulness techniques.

    18:1027 — 28 Feb 2019

    Coming Clean: Life As A Naked House Cleaner

    Sex! Fantasies! Voyeurism! Vacuuming! Come inside the world of a naked cleaner as he explores what we want and what stops us from asking for it.

    27 Feb — 03 Mar 2019

    General Erection (a political cabaret)

    COMPILING THE SHARPEST AND MOST OUTRAGEOUS ACTS ON THE CIRCUIT, HERE IS A VARIETY NIGHT THAT CATERS TO BOTH THE 52% AND THE RACISTS WHO VOTED TO LEAVE!

    22:50

    07 Mar 2019

    Gaylords

    “GAYLORD NOUN, PEJORATIVE. Used to describe someone so gay it defies the laws of physics.” A gay hour of comedy from two Gaylords. Work in progress. Breeders welcome.<

    10 Mar 2019

    For tickets to Kompromat, which ends on Feb. 3, please go here:

    https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/kompromat/?spektrix_bounce=true

    Eight weeks of theatre and comedy, immersive experiences, cabaret, live performance and late night parties.

    To see the mega program with all the shows on offer, please go here:
    https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/

  • Tickets for Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 are just £24, here’s where to get them from

    Tickets for Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 are just £24, here’s where to get them from

    It’s the show that has one of Dolly’s enduring songs, at its very heart – and now the tickets are as low as £24, find out where and how you can get them from.

    get tickets for 9 to five the musical

    Fans of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 the musical can now get their hands on some really affordable tickets and those tickets are available to performances right away. The show, which has been touring the UK is opening in London’s West end has now has some tickets at the bargain price of just £24 and from £30 on a Saturday night.

    Based on the 1980 hit movie starring Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 The Musical is coming to London after a UK tour and London Fringe Premiere. With the characters you loved from the film, songs (music and lyrics) by Dolly Parton herself, and a book by Patricia Resnik 9 to 5 tells the story of 3 working women who find their voices and take control.

    Find out more and browse tickets by clicking here

     

    This article contains one or more affiliate links. This means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently but about a subject that we think you, as a reader of THEGAYUK will enjoy, see more details here

  • Tickets for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie are just £24, here’s where to get them from

    Tickets for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie are just £24, here’s where to get them from

    It’s the show that Everybody is talking about – and now the tickets are as low as £24, find out where and how you can get them from.

    Jamie’s fans can now get their hands on some really affordable tickets and those tickets are available to performances right away. The show, which has been running in London since 2018 has now lowered some of its prices to just £24 – even on a Saturday night. The show is just about to be refreshed as it welcomes new cast members including Layton Williams as Jamie New, Shane Richie as Hugo/Loco Channelle, Hayley Tamaddon as Miss Hedge, Sejal Keshwala as Ray and Sabrina Sandhu as Pritti Pasha.

    The show has just celebrated its 500th show in London.

    Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a coming of age story which is more reflective of today’s society than most of the genre. Gone is the stigma of sexuality, and gone is the major struggle for acceptance by his peers. Jamie is embraced by his supportive mother and loved by his friends at school. The story is more about Jamie’s internal struggle and his relationships with family, rather than it being “him against the world”.

    This refreshing approach makes for a more intimate and focussed narrative and one which genuinely pulls you in. It has been a while since audiences get so much behind a show, with cheers of support echoing around the theatre at key points in the story, which can only be a testament to the quality of the production.

    There’s also a tour

    It was also announced that the show is about to embark on a UK wide tour from 2020. Look out for dates which will be announced shortly.

    Find out more and browse tickets by clicking here

     

    This article contains one or more affiliate links. This means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently but about a subject that we think you, as a reader of THEGAYUK will enjoy, see more details here

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Leave to Remain, Lyric Hammersmith, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Leave to Remain, Lyric Hammersmith, London

    ★★★★| Leave to Remain

    Tyrone Huntley (Obi) and Billy Cullum (Alex) in Leave To Remain at the Lyric Hammersmith. Photo credit Helen Maybanks.

    Leave to Remain, now playing at the Lyric Hammersmith, is a modern love story set to a rock score and brilliantly tells the trials and tribulations of a multi-racial same-sex couple dealing with their upcoming marriage.

    Alex (Billy Cullum) and Obi (Tyrone Huntley) met just ten months ago but they’re already in love with each other. But American Alex, you see, is 5 years clean from drugs, and the company that sponsors his work permit is moving to Abu Dhabi. Obi, meanwhile, is a successful advertising executive with a nice loft in a trendy part of town. But Alex is not a British citizen, so if his job relocates to another country Alex has to go back to America. So what could be more simple then for Alex and Obi to get married in order for Alex to remain in the country? Well, it’s a lot more complicated then it sounds.

    The complications aren’t with Alex’ past drug history, nor is it with Obi’s secret meetings with a man named James, but the complications lie with their respective families. Alex’s mom Diane (a wonderful Johanne Murdock) is a non-stop talking busy body hands-on mom with a relatively patient husband Brian (Martin Fisher). Meanwhile, Obi’s father Kenneth (Cornell St. John) never quite accepted his son’s homosexuality, throwing him out of the house when he was just 16, much to the dismay of Obi’s mother Grace (a fantastic Rakie Ayola) and understanding sister Chichi (a great Aretha Ayeh). But with days and even hours, before the wedding, complications arise, and it’s touch and go if the wedding will happen at all, even in the light of a startling announcement from Alex’s parents and the continuing disapproval from Obi’s father. It’s all set to a rock score that’s just as modern and good as anything you’ll see in the West End.

    All the songs that are catchy and memorable and are a very good match for the story. Credit for this goes to writer Matt Jones and writer/composer Kele Okereke (Bloc Party) who somehow seamlessly and superbly set this story in present-day London to fantastic music. There’s a brilliant, and well-choreographed scene, where both families get together for the first time and sit around a dining room table set to a song called ‘To Family’ that is both hilarious and memorable. And while not one single cast member really really stands out, it’s the mothers of both young men (Ayola and Murdock) that will most stay with you. A mother’s love for her son will always remain, no matter what. Leave to Remain, directed by Robby Graham, is a truly wonderful piece of theatre. 

    Leave to Remain plays at the Lyric Hammersmith until the 16th Feb 2019, Book tickets here.



    4 /
    5 stars

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Notre Dame de Paris, London Coliseum, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | Notre Dame de Paris, London Coliseum, London

    ★★★★★| Notre Dame de Paris

    The classic Notre Dame de Paris comes to London for a limited time, and it’s well worth your effort to attend.

    Based on the acclaimed 1831 novel Notre-Dame de Paris (and also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame) by Victor Hugo, Notre Dame de Paris features an international ensemble of singers, dancers and acrobats and tells the tale of the hunchbacked cathedral bell-ringer, Quasimodo, and his desperate love for the gypsy, Esmeralda. The show, which is in London for 7 performances only, culminates with the 5,000th performance of the show. Playing at the London Coliseum in Covent Garden, this production is the original French production. Composed byRichard Cocciantewith lyrics byLuc Plamondon, directed byGilles Maheu and choreographed byMartino Müller, this production stars Angelo Del Vecchio (Quasimodo), Hiba Tawaji (Esmeralda), Daniel Lavoie (Frollo), Richard Charest (Gringoire), and Martin Giroux (Phoebus), among others, and all members of the principal cast in the current world tour. The singers are accompanied by the stunning English National Opera (ENO) Orchestra with Matthew Brind conducting.

    Del Vecchio is a wonder playing Quasimodo. Italian born, he is the only singer in the world to have performed the show in three languages. When he sings he is passionate, and you can feel his love for Esmeralda through his voice. Meanwhile, Tawaji is wonderful as the beautiful and mesmerizing Esmeralda, a role she has played all over the world since 2016. Esmeralda can have any man she wants, but after being kidnapped by Quasimodo, over time she starts falling in love with him. Think Beauty and the Beast and this is what you’ve got – but operatic style. But Notre Dame de Paris is not just opera, it’s grand opera. And in the amazingly beautiful confines of the London Coliseum, it makes for a grand grand show on a grand grand stage in a grand grand auditorium.

    Lavoie is also amazing in the role as Frollo – a priest who also has a dirty hand in the abduction and imprisonment of Esmeralda – only because he loves her but she won’t let him have her. Charest as Gringoire is our poet, and commentator, and guides us through this spellbinding production, while Giroux takes to heart his leading man status, and good looks as Phoebus, who woos not just Esmeralda but any pretty woman in sight. And besides the main actors and their amazing singing, acrobatics and break dancers are interspersed with the story. The cast of about a dozen or so jump, climb, twist, turn – it’s all very mesmerizing and choreographed spectacularly, especially when they climb the walls and dive underneath baricades and perform somersalts. It’s all very energetic and sexy.

    And Notre Dame de Paris is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Having sold out performances across 16 countries and been translated into nine different languages, Notre Dame de Paris originallydebuted at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, 1998. Following its opening, the production was commended in the Guinness Book of World Records 2000 for its record success for a musical during its first year.

    Director Maheu and choreographer Müller have created an opera that’s spell-binding in almost every way possible, while the lush music, by Plamondon and Cocciante, is perfect. Notre Dame de Paris is just like the city it’s named after. It’s romantic, beautiful, tragic, and very memorable. Notre Dame de Paris is a must see.

    Notre Dame de Paris plays at the London Coliseum until 27th January 2019. Book tickets here

  • Theatre Review | Benidorm Live – Sheffield Lyceum and National Tour

    ★★★★☆ | Benidorm Live

    Based on the hit TV show, Benidorm Live brings the Solana Hotel, its staff and guests to life in this raucous comedy.  Picking up from the end of the most recent series, The Solana is at risk of takeover from a large hotel chain, and corporate inspectors are rumoured to be masquerading as guests. Intending to bribe the inspectors, the staff to scurry round trying to butter up the seemingly out of place couple who have just arrived at the hotel; as mistaken identities, unrequited love and a cringe-worthy cabaret all combine to try and keep the hotel open.

    Stealing every scene with a deadpan delivery of her innuendo filled lines was Janine Duvitski, as elderly swinger Jaqueline, eliciting the largest laughs with double ententres which would make a sailor blush and a cocktail menu which may put you off drink for life. Tony Maudsley ramps up the camp as Kenneth, “tasteful” t-shirt wearer and the manager of the Blow and Go hair salon, who is hotly and relentlessly pursued by Gay Derek (an excellent Damien Williams). Added into the mix are TV regulars Adam Gillen (Liam), Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple Savage), Shelly Longworth (Sam) and Jake Canuso as the resident lothario barman, Mateo.

    Having never seen an episode of Benidorm, it was with some trepidation that I approached the stage show, thinking that I would be a lone island in a sea of people who were “in on the joke”, but that certainly wasn’t the case. Benidorm Live will utterly delight fans of the TV series, and will certainly win over some new ones.

    With with a feel good factor as warm as the Benidorm sun itself, close to the bone comedy which had me giggling like a schoolboy one minute and laughing out loud the next and a smattering of (intentionally cheesy) musical numbers, Benidorm proved to be the perfect, and incredibly funny, antidote to the January blues.

    Benidorm Live is at Sheffield Theatres until 26th January 2019 before continuing on its national tour.

  • John Barrowman is coming to Edinburgh on tour, here’s how you can see him

    John Barrowman is coming to Edinburgh on tour, here’s how you can see him

    I’m a Celebrity Star, John Barrowman will be stopping in Edinburgh on his “Fabulous” tour and you can grab your tickets now.

    John Barrowman will be taking his show to Edinburgh, Scotland this summer.

    Barrowman is a singer, actor, dancer, presenter, judge and author. Most recently, UK audiences delighted in supporting him as he made the final three in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2018.

    Speaking about the tour he said: “I can’t believe it’s been 30 years from my West End debut in Anything Goes to my Australian jungle adventures in I’m A Celebrity, and there’s been lots of fabulousness in between.

    “I’m thrilled to celebrate this amazing milestone with my FABULOUS tour. I’m looking forward to meeting fans and sharing some of my favourite moments with you all.”

    The tour opens at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End on Sunday, June 16, but will be stopping off at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on the 19th June and then will play the following dates:

    • Tues 18 June Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
    • Weds 19 June Edinburgh, Usher Hall
    • Thurs 20 June Newcastle, City Hall
    • Sat 22 June Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
    • Mon 24 June Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
    • Weds 26 June Norwich, The Theatre Royal
    • Thurs 27 June Brighton, Dome Concert Hall
    • Fri 28 June Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
    • Sun 30 June Birmingham, Symphony Hall
    • Mon 1 July Salford, The Lowry (Lyric Theatre)
    • Tues 2 July Cardiff, St David’s Hall

    Tickets will be available to buy from the 23rd January, unless you are an O2 customer, or are elligble for presale tickets. For the Edinburgh date click here.

  • John Barrowman is coming to Glasgow on tour, here’s how you can see him

    John Barrowman is coming to Glasgow on tour, here’s how you can see him

    I’m a Celebrity Star, John Barrowman will be stopping in Glasgow on his “Fabulous” tour and you can grab your tickets now.

    John Barrowman will be taking his show to Glasgow, Scotland this summer.

    Barrowman is a singer, actor, dancer, presenter, judge and author. Most recently, UK audiences delighted in supporting him as he made the final three in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2018.

    Speaking about the tour he said: “I can’t believe it’s been 30 years from my West End debut in Anything Goes to my Australian jungle adventures in I’m A Celebrity, and there’s been lots of fabulousness in between.

    “I’m thrilled to celebrate this amazing milestone with my FABULOUS tour. I’m looking forward to meeting fans and sharing some of my favourite moments with you all.”

    The tour opens at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End on Sunday, June 16, but will be stopping off at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on the 18th June and then in Edinburgh on the 19th June 2019 and then will play the following dates:

    • Tues 18 June Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
    • Weds 19 June Edinburgh, Usher Hall
    • Thurs 20 June Newcastle, City Hall
    • Sat 22 June Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
    • Mon 24 June Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
    • Weds 26 June Norwich, The Theatre Royal
    • Thurs 27 June Brighton, Dome Concert Hall
    • Fri 28 June Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
    • Sun 30 June Birmingham, Symphony Hall
    • Mon 1 July Salford, The Lowry (Lyric Theatre)
    • Tues 2 July Cardiff, St David’s Hall

    Tickets will be available to buy from the 23rd January, unless you are an O2 customer, or are elligble for presale tickets. For the Glasgow date click here.