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Gok Wan To Host Stonewall Awards
TV favourite Gok Wan today said he’s ‘over the moon’ to be hosting the Stonewall Awards at the V&A on Thursday 1 November.
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Stonewall Releases Guide For Gay Students And Jobseekers
Stonewall today releases the eighth edition of Starting Out, Britain’s lesbian, gay and bisexual Careers Guide both online and in print.
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INTERVIEW | Jeremy Reed
Jeremy Reed is a writer with a prolific output who presents a bold contrast to grey mainstream poetry.
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THEATRE REVIEW | The Supreme Fabulettes
When drag is done badly – it’s hilarious, when it’s done well – it’s tremendous, when it’s done like the Supreme Fabulettes it’s phenomenal.
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COLUMN: What Will We Become?
Lewis Fellows ponders the questions about the labels we give ourselves in the LGBT community in his new column Just A Quickie.
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THEATRE REVIEW | 9 To 5, The Musical
A vivacious musical comedy with heart at its core, it is a story of courage, conviction and empowerment; with an exemplar cast to tell its story, 9 to 5 is the must see musical of the year.
The Dolly Parton musical comes alive from the very opening, with its quick-witted phrases, punchy tunes, and an abundance of comic repartee. It has all the ingredients for a great musical, plus that bit extra. Indeed it is as if the theatre has embodied Dolly’s very being, with her character and personality ingrained into every scene and voluminous hairstyle. Certainly, for the older viewers, there will be notions of heartwarming nostalgia.
But the musical is not just a throwaway comedy, it has real substance and a universal relevance which is paramount in today’s society of equals.
As working 9-5 will be familiar to many of us, it manages to put into perspective the motivations for leading a happy and fulfilling work life. Although the story is only 30 odd years old, it is clear to see how far women have come in the work place, and rightly so. Franklin J Hart, superbly played by Ben Richards, is the sexist bigoted boss, who manages to get many of his female employees playing into his hands. (though who would dispute such a good looking boss?). However it is difficult to single out the star in this superb cast; it is an exemplary cast at that, with each delivering their own individuality whilst remaining a solid unit. Every credit to them all.
The clear narration from Dolly Parton on screen introduces each of the characters in turn before the story unfolds, with the famous ‘Working 9-5’ tune pulsating thought the toe-tapping audience. It was refreshing to be part of an audience who wholeheartedly supported the cast rather than the reserved clapping often witnessed in UK theatres; a testament to the show perhaps.
In Act 1, energy and facetiousness is delivered in abundance. This includes the magnificent character, Roz, that Bonnie Langford brought to the show. A clear highlight has to be her infatuated fantasy tango number with boss Franklin (Ben Richards), leaving the audience in stitches long after the moment passed. Both Ben and Bonnie brought their expertise to the stage and delivered it with refreshing boldness.The show reached a pivotal moment in the second half by Judy’s (Natalie Casey) breathtaking performance, ‘Get out and Stay Out’. Her comic genius was left to one side during this solo, showing a sensitivity and pain that overpowered the theatre.
It is difficult to fault the high-quality performances. The only let down is the weak graphic used to promote the show.
The smooth running show grips the audience from start to finish, leaving you wanting more, surpassing my expectation. To be honest, the thought of the show didn’t initially grab my attention, but I urge all of you to go out right away and purchase your tickets for a musical that will leave you overflowing with exhilaration.
All in all, it reawakened my love for musical theatre. This musical deservedly proves why there should be a resurgence back to the theatre.The show is touring the country so check out your nearest show at
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THEATRE REVIEW: What Would Beyonce Do?
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from Luisa Omeilan’s solo show, What Would Beyonce Do’, preferring to go into reviews knowing as little as possible, which tends to give me a fairer overview of the piece and boy was I in for a ride with this show.
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THEATRE: What Would Beyonce Do?
FIVE STAR SMASH HIT EDINBURGH SHOW, COMING TO LONDON’S COMEDY CAFÉ!
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INTERVIEW | Charlie David
Canadian cutie and former star of gothic gay soap opera Dante’s Cove, Charlie David talks to Domenico Sansalone about writing homoerotic paranormal short stories, S/M leather horse masks and hanging out with male strippers.
TGUK: All the best looking guys are Canadian! What was it like growing up in Saskatchewan, Canada?
CD: Cold! And I was the only gay Eskimo… well possibly not. I’ve heard of others coming out of the igloo lately but for a while there it was pretty lonely being the only one adorning my curvaceous snow bedroom walls with posters of Antonio Sabato Jr. rockin’ his Calvins.
TGUK: Where are you based now?CD: I currently live in Montréal, Québec which has no shortage of gays. Unfortunately they also have no shortage of snow in winter.
TGUK: Did you always want to be an actor?
CD: Absolutely, I was always the family entertainer, story-teller, and living room turned dance hall choreographer. The producer began early in me as well. I always delegated one of my brothers or sisters to be ticket-taker.
TGUK: Tell us about your time working on LGBT horror series Dante’s Cove?
CD: There were a lot of ridiculously good looking people running around in underwear or swimsuits with a ridiculous amount of oil spread on their bodies while saying ridiculous nonsensical lines and trudging our way through only comprehensible if drunk plot lines. It was a gong show and I have no regrets.
TGUK: It has a cult following in the UK. Do you ever get over here for appearances?CD: I’ve never been to the UK for appearances but often travel for pleasure. I’ve shopped, dined, drank and played football in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin. The rubber duck in my tub is from Harrod’s and the entrance mat to my house is the Union Jack. You could say I’m a bit of a Britophile. No don’t say that… it sounds dirty.
TGUK: Do you keep in touch with the rest of the cast?CD: I’m very good friends with Jon Fleming, Nadine Heimann, Gregory Michael, Tracy Scoggins and Thea Gill. While I see Jonny regularly I chat with the others at least a few times a year to catch up.
TGUK: How did the writing thing happen?CD: I’ve always really enjoyed writing – it’s therapeutic for me. I started in high school and it’s very much a hobby. I’ve written a few films, a play and three novels now. I’m not one of these actors who can just sit around. When I’m not working on camera on a show I’m producing, directing or writing. I’ve always found all elements of TV/Film fascinating.
TGUK: Tell us about you’re your homoerotic book of paranormal stories, Shadowlands?CD: Based on my writing so far I’m most proud of Shadowlands. It’s honest, it was scary to write because I thought I was revealing myself too much but that’s also proven to be what my readers want. They want to know the real me and that includes my dark side.
TGUK: What was your favourite story to write and why?CD: The opening story Pygmalion Revisited still makes my heart ache when I read it. It’s tragic because the protagonist suffers the loss of his love not once but twice. I’m fascinated by the idea of a perfect love because our world was formed in polarity. Nothing is perfect forever and I guess I’m a bit intoxicated with the rollercoaster of it all.
TGUK: You seem drawn to the supernatural, would you say you have a dark side?CD: Absolutely. We all do. It’s not that we’re either good or bad or dark or light. We’re human. It’s our nature to have shadowlands dwelling within us.
TGUK: Do you like Halloween?
CD: For sure!!
TGUK: What are you dressing up as this year?CD: I had this S/M leather horse mask made for a film I’m directing and then didn’t end up using it. But I think I’ll be putting it to good use this Halloween. Not sure what to wear from the neck down though…
TGUK: Tell us something nobody knows about Charlie David?CD: I’ve never been to an orgy but I’ve seen them on TV in this show Dante’s Cove.
TGUK: Most of our readers comment on how hot you are! Do you spend a lot of time at the gym?CD: I’m changing my workout. Less weights, more yoga, more running. We seem to be at a place of glorifying steroid use in the gay community and I don’t think it’s healthy. I’m going for a natural, real look. I think my internal organs will thank me in the long run. 😉 And I happen to think bull balls look good on a man. Grapes belong in a fruit salad.
TGUK: We think it’s great that you not only act but you also direct documentaries. Tell us about your documentary Positive Youth?CD: Positive Youth follows the challenges, hopes, fears, stigma, and relationships of four HIV+ youth. When I read about the rapid rise in new transmissions in young people I wanted to know why this was happening and what we could do to put out a message of education and prevention.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NU7tPa7CUA
TGUK: You also host a travel show called Bump. What’s been your favourite destination so far?CD: I LOVE Africa. I spent six months in S. Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana and was transformed by the wildlife, the people, and the spirit there. I’ve really never felt more alive than in my time in Africa.
TGUK: What’s your dream destination?
CD: I’m planning a backpacking trip through Colombia in January. I’ve never backpacked and never been to Colombia so it’s the next adventure.
TGUK: What upcoming projects do you have?CD: I’m currently finishing a documentary film I directed titled I’m a Stripper. It’s essentially a real life Magic Mike. It will be out Spring 2013. I essentially follow my curiosity with my writing and directing. I make films with topics that interest me. I just had a burning desire to spend a few months with some beautiful naked men and decided to call it ‘work’.