THEGAYUK

Category: Review

  • CAR REVIEW | Audi S1 2.0 TFSI

    CAR REVIEW | Audi S1 2.0 TFSI

    ★★★★☆ | Audi S1 2.0 TFSI 231PS Quattro Competition Nav

     

    What Have We Got 

    Audi’s S1 is the smallest and most affordable end of the S series cars. A brand new S1 starts at £27,745.00 ROTR. The S1 is a great package. 4WD, 6-speed manual gearbox, 230bhp / 370Nm torque from a 2.0L EA888 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine and 155 mph limited top speed. Make no mistake, this isn’t a lukewarm shopping car, this is a real driver’s car, an Audi S series car. I was surprised how much attention it gets you, lots of people complimented my choice of car for a change.

    Driving

    Audi’s S1 is a lot of fun and very capable. Being permanent 4WD, I expected it to push on it corners, understeer spoiling the party, but it seems to have a RWD bias which is great fun.

    Pulling out of a junction or accelerating out of a tight corner, a heavy right foot can prompt the tail to kick out. You have to be particularly aggressive as there’s loads of grip. Standard power from the S1 is 230bhp but with a stage 1 map that jumps to 320bhp, however, I know a couple of these engines running over 500bhp.

    Inside

    It’s fairly unremarkable inside but solid and well built. Leather, shell back bucket seats look very good and do a great job of supporting driver and passenger and the controls are well placed. You certainly feel you are in a driver’s car.

    My only criticism was the size. Obviously, it’s a small car, but for me as a grown-up carrying too many kg’s, it was almost too small. The dash is fairly plain but very nice and the quality is superb.

    Living with it

    As you would expect, the Audi S1 has a host of electronic assists such as; cross-traffic assist rear (which will alert you when vehicles cross your blind spot, and even activate the brakes if necessary). Pre sense front (uses a camera and radar sensors to alert you to approaching hazards and can apply the brakes). Park assist (parks for you), cruise control and more.

    It’s fast, fun, well built and looks great. I’d almost go as far as to say it’s in a class of its own with 230bhp in such a small package.

    The Verdict

    If you’re looking for fun in a small package but want a touch of class and quality. The S1 is right up your street. It looks subtle and classy and is very well built. It’s a bit small for me and there’s not a lot of room in the back but so what, I sit in the front.

    Small enough to park anywhere with ease, safe as any modern car with all of the electronics, it sounds great and has huge tuning potential. I’d like to take one on track and see what it’s like there.

    Love

    Performance

    Handling

    Build quality

    Loathe

    Unremarkable inside

    Too small (for me)

    Manual gearbox only, no DSG.

     

    Lowdown

    Car –  2.0 TFSI 231PS Quattro Competition Nav

    Price – £27,745.00

    MPG – 39.8 (combined)

    0-62 – 5.8s

    Power – 272hp and 330nm torque

    Top Speed – 155.3 mph

    Co2 – 166 (g/km)

     

  • MOTORBIKE REVIEW | Suzuki V-Strom 250 ABS

    MOTORBIKE REVIEW | Suzuki V-Strom 250 ABS

    ★★★★★ | Suzuki V-Strom 250 ABS

    The bike

    The bike we have here is a Suzuki V-Strom 250 which falls perfectly into the A2 licence* class. It’s an adventure bike, with longer travel suspension, upright seating position. Think of it like an SUV. Looks good, rugged, can handle all sorts from off road to motorways so it’s perfect for our crappy roads. It has a 248cc parallel-twin engine and is more road-focussed that off road. 248cc, 25bhp and 23.4 Nm torque doesn’t sound like much, but it’s enough to have fun and do whatever you need to do.

    Riding

    It’s not particularly fast with a top speed of 85 mph which means those faster overtakes need a little planning. With such modest power and a fun chassis, it does mean you can exploit the V-Strom pretty much everywhere without constantly looking over your shoulder for blue lights. You won’t believe how easy the little V-Strom is to ride.

    Bars are fairly high and the seat is soft and comfortable, prompting you to sit up straight in a typical adventure bike style.

    It’s big enough to have some road presence and small enough to filter through traffic and it does it all on a thimble full of fuel. This little adventure bike does a staggering 88 mpg which means over 310 miles on a single tank.

    Details

    There’s a 12V DC power outlet for your sat nav or your phone, a very neat reverse-lit full-LCD instrument panel showing; Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, average fuel consumption, fuel gauge, RPM, service indicator, clock, dual trip meters, gear position, coolant temperature and oil pressure. It sounds like a lot of information but it’s very easy to read. There’s a very handy screen in front of you to protect you from the wind too.
    The brakes offer good feel and work well and Bosch ABS is standard. It’s rugged and handsome and doesn’t look like a beginner bike.

    Living with it

    On the road, the bike rides very nicely. The V-Strom turns well and is fun. It’s a very friendly package, helping you to feel safe and confident. If you’re new to bikes or returning, this is a great way to build your confidence. It’s very easy to manoeuvre with good steering lock which makes urban riding simple.  

    Despite its adventure bike looks, it’s a pussycat. With a low seat height, it’s a piece of cake to ride. The upright riding position is very comfortable but it isn’t fast.

    The Verdict

    If you are a new rider or returning to two wheels after a break the V-Strom 250 is great. It looks good, it’s easy to ride, it’s economical and won’t break the bank. It’s not fast so is ideally suited to urban riding and not really ideal for motorway miles.

    There are many benefits to riding a motorcycle. it’s fun, It’s practical and in these times of ever-increasing congestion on our roads, a bike offers a fantastic alternative to sitting in queues of traffic hour after hour. It’s greener too!

    Loves

    Easy to ride & fun

    Uses hardly any fuel

    Rugged, handsome styling

    Loathes

    Not very fast

    A little buzzy when you rev it hard

    Exhaust is quiet

    Lowdown

    Motorcycle –  Suzuki V-Strom 250

    Price – £4.599
    MPG – 88.28 mpg (combined)

    0-62 – 9.3 seconds

    Power – 25bhp and 23.4 Nm torque

    Top Speed – 85 mph
    Co2 – 72 (g/km)

    *if you are over 19 with a full car licence, you can take your CBT (basic test), take your theory test and your practical test (just like a car), then you can ride any bike up to 35kw (47bhp). That’s called an A2 licence.

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/568266/routes-to-your-motorcycle-licence.pdf

  • CAR REVIEW | Honda Civic Type R

    CAR REVIEW | Honda Civic Type R

    ★★★★★ | Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 VTEC Turbo.

     Honda: The Power of SCREAMS!

    Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 VTEC Turbo reviewWhat Have We Got

    In 1985, I was collecting a magazine called The Car. Issue 40 was about the Lamborghini Countach. It was a dream car. A supercar with performance figures that spoke for themselves. 0-60 in 5 seconds and a top speed of 183mph. It also did 11mpg.

    Fast forward 33 years and suddenly I am confronted with a family hatchback that has similar performance figures and wings. This hatchback has 5 doors, will seat the same and carry luggage. This car is the Honda Civic Type R. 

    Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 VTEC Turbo review

    Driving

    A lot has been said about the Civic and you can see why it has won so much admiration. So I decided that I’d turn the tables and write about what this bulging shoulder padded winged road warrior was like to live with as a practical car.

    Well, that all went out of the window when I found a suitable route to use the car’s power one night. To say it covers ground quickly is an understatement. This is amplified by an astonishing amount of grip given from the 245/30 20 Continental tyres. In the big scheme of things, the 245 isn’t that wide. What does help is in the thin 30 section side wall. These tyres do no wobble around and quick directional changes are where the Civic Type R excels. 

    No race-ready road car would be complete if it didn’t have an engine that could deliver. That 320PS arrives at high up the rev range at 6500rpm but it’s the 400Nm of torque are there at the max from 2500-4500. From 1500rpm the engine sings and its ability to spin to its maximum is rapid. This equals a lot of fun and an ability to get to legal speeds and beyond very quickly. 

    All cars come with traction control and there are times when switching it off can throw some cars into all sorts of shapes like your father dancing at a wedding. The Civic becomes a hoot to drive. It throws in drama to its already dramatic ways but remains safe.

    Inside

    Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 VTEC Turbo review

    It’s all very much similar to the standard Civic that we tested recently. It’s roomy, has seats and the confusing heater controls. 

    Where the Type R stands out is in the bucket seats. They aren’t the easiest to get out of but they are far more supportive and comfortable than they look. 

    Living with it

    You need to have a serious talking to yourself before you buy one because you need to ask yourself if you could handle the seduction of its power. It’s an intoxicating frivolity that never tires. You see the hard riding Civic isn’t actually that harsh at all. 

    There are three settings, comfort, sport and R. ‘R’ as you can imagine is where the magic happens. That said, the magic also happens in comfort mode albeit a little more leisurely. ‘Comfort’ mode is noticeably softer and in the day-to-day running around, more than acceptable. 

    The Civic’s other settings are firmer in two stages and yet not internal organ jolting. Put it this way, apart from your stomach coming up in your throat when you first try a 0-60 pull away and your brain smashing around the inside of your skull from the G-forces, the ride won’t alter the locations of kidneys or the liver. 

    Your eyes might fall out of their sockets when you require the assistance of the Brembo brakes but that’s another matter. And I wear glasses so my eyes are never fell far from the sockets!

    Is it any good

    I say it is. Compared with the Golf R, the Civic isn’t perfect. It’s also not subtle in any way. While the Golf is good and doesn’t shout about its power, the Civic does. And when you are talking £30k plus for a fast hatchback, you want something that makes a statement. 

    Civic Type R makes a statement. 

    Love

    Handling

    Fun x 100
    Ability to cruise comfortably 

    Loathe

    Curb loving rims

    Heating controls

    Small fuel tank

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 VTEC Turbo

    Cost – £33,525

    MPG – 36.7mpg (combined)

    Power – 320ps

    0-62mph – 5.8 seconds

    Top Speed –  169mph

    Co2 – 176 (g/km)

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Keith Kat Klub – Phoenix Artist Club – London

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Keith Kat Klub – Phoenix Artist Club – London

    ★★★★★ | The Keith Kat Klub –The Phoenix Artist Club

    Keith Ramsey is just fantastic in his new one-man show ‘The Keith Kat Club.’

    Now playing at The Phoenix Artist Club, London’s ‘most loved late night local,’ Ramsey is Keith Kat in a show that will razzle and dazzle you (while the musical Chicago plays upstairs at The Phoenix Theatre and is no match for Keith!). In perhaps the most entertaining and best 90 minute show currently playing in the West End, Keith will take you to his own version of Berlin’s Kit Kat Club where he sings songs from the greats, reminiscent of a combination of Joel Grey and Liza Minelli in the film Cabaret.

    Keith completely takes control of his evening and entertains the audience with his winning smile and amazing voice, and convincingly sings songs with the voices of Cher, Bette Davis, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and many many more. But he wows his fans by singing Stephen Sondheim’s ‘The Ladies Who Lunch’ and he saves the best for last, including stunning interpretation of Edith Piaf’s ‘Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.’

    It’s a show that ends too soon and we are left wanting more and more. Keith Ramsey in The Keith Kat Club is just the best. Enjoy being whisked back in time by the wonderful voice of Ramsey and his superb talents.

    Upcoming show dates are: 12th, 19th, 26th September

    To book, please visit this link:

    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-keith-kat-klub-tickets-49000396505
  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | The Allegory, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | The Allegory, London

    ★★★★| The Allegory, London

    If you like your boozy brunches, then you’re going to love The Allegory.

    For 2 hours, (and £40 per person), you can drink four different types of alcoholic drinks while being served various sorts of brunchy type foods (nibbles are more like it) all in the confines of a cool trendy setting in a venue where staff are more than happy to continue to pour the alcohol before your two hours are up, when the time is up the alcohol stops.

    The Allegory is in the section between the City (the very top of Bishopsgate) and Shoreditch in an area that used to be a sort of no man’s land (where now a 50-story residential tower is being constructed). It’s a part of town that used to be a bit lost, but you won’t be lost trying to decide what to have from The Allegory’s Garden Brunch menu because you get it all!

    First, let’s start with the booze. Your choices are Pornstar Spritz (refreshing and beautifully presented), Bloody Mary (with a tomato, celery stick with a lemon inside and watercress), Peroni Nastro Azzurro beer (330ml) and Rosato Spumante (125ml) (served in a classy champagne glass). 

    And for the food? Does it really matter? You’re not really there for the food anyway! But for your FYI, the first course is a Grilled pink grapefruit with créme fraiche & Pistachios, and Greek yoghurt with honey-baked granola. The Granola was fine and served in a small oval shaped glass – a very healthy dish, but the grapefruit was very hard to eat as it was not precut by the kitchen – so in trying to eat it the pulp flew all over the place, including in my lunch companions face!

    The second course was much easier to eat – Eggs Benedict and Eggs Florentine – classic dishes that need no explanation.

    After the second or third booze round, (or was it the fourth – whose counting?), a small bench was placed on our table that would be the plate holder for the next and final course, but not really a course but more like a harang of nibbles. Buttermilk chicken, bacon & maple syrup with avocado, and fruit & honey – all served in small sandwich style, tiny but tasty, and adequate. We also received a bowl of Breaded mushrooms & halloumi. This is the type of food that lines the stomach, but it’s not necessarily gourmet nor fine dining. But as mentioned before, you are not here for the food, it’s all about the alcohol, and there will be plenty of it,  and you will definitely get your money’s worth if this is your thing.

    The Allegory

    1a Principal Place, Worship Street, EC2A 2BA

    OPENING HOURS:
    Monday to Wednesday: 7.30am till 11pm

    Thursday and Friday: 7.30am till late

    Saturday: 10am till 00.30am

    Sunday: available for private hire

  • CABARET REVIEW | Black Cat: Bohemia

    ★★☆☆☆ | Black Cat: Bohemia

    The Black Cat cabaret has been slinking its way round the London circuit for a good few years and frankly, it’s starting to look a bit mangey round the haunches. This autumn’s incarnation is themed around Bohemia with an attempt at a demi-monde atmosphere but which has about as much relation to the bohemian style as an afternoon sipping Sherry and nibbling on Bourbon biscuits with your auntie Pam from Dagenham.

    The problem lies, not in the acts but in the overall show which is lacking in edge. If you’ve seen cabaret before you’ll also have seen it all before and it’ll either have been similar, better or worse in quality than you witness here, which isn’t the problem.

    There’s the usual acrobatics, fire-eating and hoop work and all of it’s pretty much faultless. However, the seven performers feel like a backdrop to the talents of compere Laura Corcoran (a.k.a. Frisky). She banters with the audience, makes jokes, sings a medley of uninspired musical choices (and at times unwise ones such as the choice of trying to cover ‘Wow’ by Kate Bush (who’d even try that?)

    There’s nothing wrong with her work. She’s archly funny and generally fun but there’s just too much of her. Way too much. It feels like the cabaret performers get a brief chance to pop on, do a turn and pop off again and then she’s off again. On the rare occasions that there’s an atmosphere building up or the remotest hint of thrill then she quickly re-appears and the mood returns to bawdy comedic chit chat, dashing any hope of anything that feels cohesive or novel.

    If you’re a huge fan of Miss Frisky then knock yourself out. This is her night and she’s largely only briefly interrupted in owning the stage. If you’re after something darker and more edgy and with some variety then there’s plenty more cabaret shows on the circuit.

  • CAR REVIEW | Peugeot 308GTi

    ★★★★★ | Peugeot 308GTi

    What Have We Got
    Hot hatches use to roam the land, hunting their prey. Then, they just disappeared, killed off by ever increasing insurance premiums. But, thankfully, now they’re back with a vengeance. This is Peugeot’s 308GTi. It’s Peugeot new wild child and has a lot to live up to. Peugeot has a strong hot hatch heritage, often credited with starting the hot hatch genre in the first place. It’s priced from £28,950 but with the few extras, there are (pretty much anything you can think of is standard equipment) ours was more like £31,500.

    Driving


    The 308 packs 272hp and 330nm torque into a beautifully understated package.
    It’s a true dark horse. There’s a close ratio 6 speed, manual gearbox, no flappy paddles or automatic option on the GTi, just a pleasantly analogue driving experience. This thing is wild. In normal mode, it’s just your average, fast, elegant hot hatch. Press the sports button and the 308GTi goes into beast mode. The steering and throttle response sharpens, the engine noise is amplified in the cockpit and the dash glows red. All you need to do then is hang on.

    Inside


    Once you’ve settled into the supportive, Alcantara and leather bucket seats, the Peugeot won’t take you 20 minutes to change settings and program in your preferences before you can start your journey, just jump in and go. As you would expect from a modern car, there are a host of electronic safety aides to help you and keep you safe. Features include automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, speed limit recognition, smartbeam LED headlights, reversing camera, city park/ self-park, Lane keep technology, driver attention alert and loads more. It’s very well put together.

    Living with it
    The 308GTi is really fast. On a damp road, accelerating hard, Peugeot’s wild child struggled for grip, spinning its huge 19” wheels through the first 3 gears, clawing at the tarmac, trying to find grip for the 235/35/19 tyres.

    The close ratio, 6 speed, manual gearbox is strong with perfectly spaced gears. Clip the rev limiter, throw in another gear and you’re right on boost, accelerating hard again. I saw 150mph, still accelerating before we ran out of road. Peugeot says 0-62mph in 6 seconds but I’ll eat my hat if it’s not faster than that.

    The Verdict


    It’s really fast, the handling is another level, the brakes are outrageously good and the interior is sporty and classy. It’s a great package all around. The 308GTi isn’t gaudy or obvious like a Ford Focus RS or Honda Civic type R, it’s a fast hot hatch for grown-ups. What I particularly like was the simplicity of it. Lots of modern cars have adjustable everything and take 20 mins just to set up all the electronics before you start. With the 308GTi you just slide into the leather and Alcantara sports seat and drive.

    Love
    Performance
    Handling
    Build quality

    Loathe
    Fake engine noise through the speakers in sport mode
    Stealth looks. Is it too subtle?
    Giving It back to Peugeot

    Lowdown
    Car – Peugeot 308GTi
    Price – Starting £29.050. Ours was £31,500.
    MPG – 47.1 mpg (combined)
    0-62 – 6 seconds
    Power – 272hp and 330nm torque
    Top Speed – 154.7 mph
    Co2 – 139 (g/km)

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, The Birmingham Rep

    ★★★★★ | The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, The Birmingham Rep

     

    Mischief Theatre did it again! Masters of comedy and experts in dropping jaws, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery was another side-splitting hit.

Set in Summer 1958, Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted with a priceless diamond. An escaped convict is dead set on pocketing the gem with the help of his sidekick who has a crush on him, his con girlfriend, and her con lover. A recipe for hilarious disaster.



    Liam Jeavons, Sean Carey, and Julia Frith did a sterling job at multi-role playing while showcasing dexterity in movement, voice and perfect comedic timing. Particularly stealing the show was Julia as Caprice whose constant tricking of lovers and the incessant charade playing to get out of sticky situations uplifted the very already funny production. Sean as Sam was a mastermind in roleplaying, switching from characters in a matter of minutes and fast changes of costume while never giving up the ‘act’ doing everything for his love, even spanking her boyfriend while they make love – it’s hard to explain; you have to watch it to see what I mean.



    Ruth was another shining gem, playing the mother of Sam, with an angelic voice and superb acting ability full of foxiness. Her energy was effervescent and though was not a key role, she always enhanced the scenes with her character. A very agile performance was seen by George Hannigan who played Caprice’s three lovers – in one scene, it was just George on stage portraying the three men at the same time, changing between each character with such fluidity that each one was clearly distinct.

    All other actors were subliminal too, for instance Damian Lynch who played Bank owner Robin Freeboys had a true command of each scene with intelligent comedic timing. His sidekick Warren Slax played by Jon Trenchard was a formidable entertainer too grabbing the audience by the heartstrings as he was always butt end of a joke or something going wrong.

    What was a real marvel was the set design which contained versatile/multipurpose sets mesmerising the audience. One piece was so jaw-dropping, which speaking to my plus one – thought the same, was the scene on the wall, where Jon and Damian were suspended from the ceiling and acted as if they were grounded! This just shows that Mischief Theatre continues to be bold, unique and dangerous! I hope they are writing the next one!

  • HOTEL REVIEW | VidaMar Resort Madeira

    ★★★★★ | VidaMar Resort Madeira

    Get yourself onto a sun-lounger, because the VidaMar Resort in Madeira is a sun seeker’s dream. This exclusive resort features a large sea platform and direct ocean access, and is surrounded by gardens with tropical plants and palm trees to shade you while you take breakfast on the veranda.

    The hotel has a contemporary style with elegant décor throughout and spacious modern rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean and panoramic views over the bay of Funchal.

    The Location

    VidaMar Resort Hotel is nestled in the heart of Funchal, and is surrounded by several other high end resorts. However, the area doesn’t come across as crowded or touristy. I mean it is touristy, but feels more relaxed and welcoming than anything else.

    Located right on the ocean, VidaMar is idyllic for sunbathers, swimmers, or those that want to stroll along the seaside. The Lido Promenade is a walking trail that stretches along the coastline, giving you easy access to restaurants, cafés, and leisure areas such as parks and public swimming pools.

    The Room

    I don’t know about you, but when I get into a hotel room I like to sprawl. I’m talking clothes on every surface and shoes all over the place. It makes a hotel room feel like home. With a separate lounge area, I could scatter my crap to my heart’s content and still have room to swan around without tripping over my things. The spacious Ocean View Room I was staying in included a king-size bed, sofa, dining table, Plasma TV and free Wi Fi.

    Image source: VidaMar Resorts

    I love a room with a view, and the VidaMar Resort totally delivered, with full-length French windows opening up to your own private balcony that overlooks the gardens, pool, and that piercing blue ocean. As an early-riser, it was a rare treat to sit out on the balcony with a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise over the ocean.

    Image source: VidaMar Resorts

    Perfect!

    The Gay Scene

    Sorry guys, there isn’t really much of a gay scene. However, switch on your Grindr and you’ll find locals and other tourists all within reach. The island is fairly small and the collection of resorts means you’ll find plenty of other travellers just a few scant metres away.

    Our Verdict

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! The big selling point of the VidaMar has to be its swimming pools and sun lounge area, which, even in the middle of summer, was never crowded. There were always plenty of spots, and NO CHILDREN! Even those that are of the ginger persuasion (myself included) can enjoy a gloriously relaxing escape to the sun here. I can’t wait to go back.

    Check out room rates on Booking.com

  • When is a cheap helmet not a cheap helmet?

    Don’t rule out a cheaper helmet.

    A few years ago, after an unexpected off (aren’t they all unexpected?) I needed a new helmet.

    Funds were low so so I opted for a Nitro helmet for less than £100. It was a decision I regretted straight away, it was so noisy, uncomfortable and poorly built. I’ve been off bikes for a while so upon my return to two wheels I found myself on the hunt for a new helmet again.

    One thing that hadn’t changed was my financial situation so I was looking at a budget helmet again. In the few years I’ve been away from motorcycles, things have changed. A budget helmet used to be a pretty poor relation to the big money race replica lids you see but these days they are so much better.

    There are a huge number of budget helmets out there. From as little as £50 you can buy a full face helmet these days and I had no idea how to tell good from bad so I read the reviews and then spoke to the team at GetGeared. They have a big range and talked me through them. It turns out that our heads are all different shapes so some helmets fit some of us better than others. There are lots of helmet retailers out there, don’t be afraid of end of line deals either.

    Long story short, I went for a MT Helmets Mugello Vapour in yellow. It’s very yellow which is good, as it might help the half-asleep car drivers see me.

    Unboxing was a treat. It’s a world away from my old Nitro. The MT feels plush, well built and feels as if it’s worth a lot more money. It was only £60, reduced from £80 and was purchased online, delivered in a couple of days. It even comes with a helmet bag… behave.

    It’s a four-star helmet which means in the Sharpe test (industry standard helmet tests, a bit line NCAP for cars) it did well.

    If this is what budget helmets are like, manufacturers at the top end of the market should look out. My new lid fits really well, is comfortable and has useful features like the breath deflector which sits in front of your nose and stops the visor misting up, and the chin curtain, a stretchy band around the bottom of the helmet that stops the wind getting in, really help. It’s got a removable, washable liner and a really useful quick release buckle. Both are welcome features. Trying to undo a sweaty lid with a gloved hand is a pain.

    There are loads of features but I won’t bore you. Put simply I’ve done hours and hours in it now and it’s great. I’ve done a race school in a single seat race car, a motorcycle track day and many, many road miles in rain, sun, more sun, so much sun and wind. No complaints at all, it’s proved to be an excellent buy, quiet, comfortable, easy to wear. I can’t believe you can buy a helmet like this for so little money.

    Give the team at GetGeared a shout or better still call in and try a few helmets on, they have hundreds.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Play That Goes Wrong, Theatre Royal Brighton

    ★★★☆☆ | The Play That Goes Wrong

    The Play That Goes Wrong, Theatre Royal Brighton

    There is an old saying in theatre that “the show must go on” and nowhere is that old adage put more to the test than in The Play That Goes Wrong, a comedy of errors which collates every actor’s worst nightmare and throws them at the cast who are determined to carry on regardless.

    Borrowing heavily from The Mousetrap, The Play That Goes Wrong is a scattergun comedy set around the fictitious Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, who is performing The Murder at Haversham Manor, a murder mystery set in the roaring twenties. Despite the best endeavours of the cast, nothing quite goes right for them, as scenery collapses, actors are knocked unconscious, props break and unprepared understudies stand in.

    With a varied blend of visual gags, slapstick, farce, wordplay, one-liners, missed cues and a rather more animated corpse than one would expect, the gags come thick and fast; some hitting the bullseye and others missing the target; but the whole thing is so fast-paced, that there is always another gag heading your way imminently. Garnering some genuine laugh out loud moments, the show has a sensible one hour forty minute runtime meaning that even if a few of the gags begin to outstay their welcome, the show does not.

    Whilst there is plenty of fun to be found and a lot of chuckles, guffaws and belly-laughs to be had, the ending of the show descends into a rather shouty and chaotic handful of closing scenes which, unfortunately, slightly takes the edge off of what has come before. But that said, the cast is delightful, in particular, Kazeem Tosin Amore; and there is some excellent split second comedic timing and plenty of physical dexterity on offer as the fictional cast try desperately to keep their faces straight, their upper lips stiff and prevent the performance collapsing into a catastrophe.

    *This review was taken from the Sheffield production*

    Book tickets for Theatre Royal Brighton through our ticketing partner ATG Tickets