British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday told former colonies anti-gay laws once imposed by her country “were wrong then, and they are wrong now”. The premier raised discriminatory legislation affecting same-sex couples, women and girls, in an address to Commonwealth leaders in London. (more…)
A Canadian landscaper accused of serial killings targeting Toronto’s gay community was charged Monday with an eighth murder after police identified the victim from a photograph seemingly taken after his death.
Art centres on a picture. A picture of some white lines. Some white lines on a white background. A picture which costs Serge £200,000. But is it art? His friend, Marc doesn’t think so, but Marc is a traditionalist and not a fan of modern art. Their friend, Yvan, is fairly indifferent, but is too busy focusing on his pending marriage and doesn’t want to offend either of them by agreeing or disagreeing. But over the course of an evening, the debate rages, and the three of them bicker, fall out and deliver some home truths; as the painting proves to me more of a talking point than they expected.
Mark Thompson’s stage design is deceptively simple. The blank walls, the clean lines and the minimalist furniture all reflect the canvas in question, but looking closer, the set also reflects the three main characters, with three differently styled chairs reflecting each of their tastes.
With so little on stage, Art heavily relies on its script and performances to hold the audience’s attention over the play’s 90-minute runtime. Yasmin Reza’s script (translated by Christopher Hampton) is wordy, fast-paced and remains sharp and witty, with some nice comedic elements and a satisfying pay off. Nigel Havers is well cast as Serge, carrying an air of superiority and condescension; Denis Lawson satisfies as Marc who favours the traditional over the modern; whilst Stephen Tompkinson upstages both of them, with a surprisingly impressive turn as Yvan, bringing laughter, pathos and emotion to the stage as the piggy-in-the-middle of the bickering group.
Over 20 years since it landed in the West End, Art remains an enjoyable piece which in itself provokes debate as to whether its real intention is a serious point about the appreciation of art from an individual perspective, whether it is poking fun at the pretentiousness of the superiority that can accompany a highbrow point of view, or whether, Like Yvan, it sits somewhere in the middle.
Art is at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk) until Saturday 21st April 2018 before continuing on its national tour. Visit www.arttheplay.com for full details.
*This review was taken from the Leeds Grand Theatre review*
Northern Ballet return with their third new ballet this year, The Little Mermaid. Based on the much loved fairy-tale, the ballet tells the story of Marilla, the little mermaid who dreams of life above the waves, and who falls in love with Prince Adir after she saves him from drowning. But her love is unrequited; as the Prince falls in love with another young woman who he mistakenly believes saved him. Exchanging her tail for legs, and with her voice lost, Marilla sets about trying to win his heart.
David Nixon’s choreography is well conceived, and executed, with a keen eye for detail and a style that lends itself well to the underwater setting. The nuances of the choreography are impressive, with a real fluidity of movement in the underwater setting, reflecting life beneath the ocean and the gentle swaying of the current. Nothing stays still underwater, whether it is the beautifully designed flowing costumes, the mermaids held aloft as they weave and bob across the stage, or the ever-active limbs of the ensemble cast, with the sequential movement of the dancers accurately depicting the ebb and flow of the tide. But perhaps the crowning glory to this is Nixon’s use of the ensemble cast at one entity – the sea – and using these multiple bodies as one to form the ocean into a character in itself.
The original score, which has been composed by Sally Beamish, flits between the primarily light and playful to the romantic and finally to the dramatic, feeling cinematic and engaging. The costumes work very well, with long flowing skirts that accentuate the gesticulation and mobility of the cast. Joseph Taylor was engaging and charismatic as Prince Adair, whilst Abigail Prudames enchanted as the titular character and the delicate movements of the cast as a whole was technically well executed.
The ballet itself appears deceptively simple. The demarcation between land and sea seems to be little more than a lighting change, and two large concave structures are used to good effect to set each location; thrusting the narrative to the forefront and portraying that with ease and clarity. The narrative is decidedly darker than the familiar saccharine Disney version, adhering more closely to the source material, but is all the better for it. What the audience is left with is a production which requires very little thought as a viewer, allowing you to simply be able to be swept away by the music and movement on stage.
Visit Northern Ballet’s Website for details.
David Buckel, one of the most renowned and nationally acclaimed champions for gay rights, was found dead in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York, after he set himself on fire early Saturday morning. Before he self-immolated, Buckel clarified he was committing the act as a protest against the use of fossil fuels. (more…)
Exeter’s pride is celebrating its 10th year in 2018 and here’s everything you need to know about the pride event which will take place on the 12th May 2018.
The Pride’s chair, Adam Rank said,”There will be a real celebration feel this year, being our 10th anniversary, it is the perfect time to consider how far we have come since Exeter Pride began.
“We work closely with a range of partners to stage the event, including Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and local businesses.
“It would not be possible without generous donations or sponsorship from local and national businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts and assistance of many volunteers. We are currently welcoming approaches from those who would like to get involved as volunteers, have a stall or be a partner or sponsor. In addition, we are running our usual wristband scheme which offers year-long discounts at restaurants/shops etc, which makes them very desirable.”
This year the pride is Celebration.
Exeter Pride officially opens with a parade from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens. The highlight will be a 50-metre rainbow flag carried by volunteers from Exeter Pride. The time is yet to be announced.
This year’s parade will involve thousands of people including: roller skaters, Street Heat samba band, a fire engine, an ambulance, Morris dancers, police officers, representatives from community groups and organisations, and volunteers carrying an incredible 50-metre rainbow flag.
Exeter Pride takes place in Northernhay Gardens, but there is also a parade to watch. It will run from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens.
Exeter Pride is a FREE event for all of the community to enjoy, however, you can buy a wristband (£10) which helps support the pride – and you can get discounts at a variety of business across the city until 2019.
Yes, the full programme will be announced at the end of April.
Absolutely. You can view all thing Exeter Pride HERE and buy your wristbands to support the pride.
We’ve created a list of Pride survival ideas. Take a look – but don’t forget to bring sunscreen, money and fully charged phone!
Whipping in public is a common punishment for a variety of crimes, including being gay, but officials in Aceh, the Muslim-Majority province of Indonesia, have decided to stop the cruel punishment from being done in public AFP reports. Instead, the punishment will be handed out behind prison walls.
The ultra-religious area, the only place in Indonesia that follows Islamic law, has attracted international criticism after people accused of being gay or having same-sex relationships were lashed in public. Now, those found guilty of the crime of being gay, will be whipped, behind closed doors.
Only journalists and adults will be able to watch the punishment, and it will be against regulations for the penalty to be filmed.
In 2014, same-sex sexual activity can attract a punishment of 100 lashes.
ALSO READ: Is Indonesia a safe place for gay people to travel?
Hundreds of men, accused of being gay have been arrested in Indonesia, in what some have termed, an “anti-gay crackdown”.
In May last year, two men were lashed 83 times after being found in bed together. Earlier this year, 12 transgender women were detained in Aceh. They were “forced to strip off their shirts and cut their hair in public to coach them into becoming ‘real men.’”
Other crimes which have been punished by public floggings have included, playing an arcade game, gambling and drinking alcohol.
The regulation was passed on Thursday, but it’s not clear when the new ruling will be enforced.
Speaking to THEGAYUK.com a few years ago, RuPaul has some sage advice for those who are thinking about becoming a Drag Queen – and it’s real people. Real Estate.
For those of us in the UK – that means being an Estate Agent.
When asked what advice he would give, RuPaul said, “get your real estate licence” – because it’s not likely you’ll be making enough for your rent, at least in the beginning.
ALSO READ: 10 most shocking moments from RuPaul’s Drag Race
RuPaul, who has been a drag queen since the 80s, has a career that spans films, music, podcasts and, of course, one of the world’s most popular reality TV shows, RuPaul’s Drag Race.
RuPaul went on to say that show business is a “hard business” and that you shouldn’t lose your head if you get a glimpse of fame. She told us, “Show business is a hard business. Most people see all the glamour and their names in the paper but that’s just such a small part of what it takes to maintain a career.
ALSO READ: 10 UK queens who would slay in RuPaul’s Drag Race
“You have to be very resilient, you have to know thyself and you have to have an understanding of what is being asked of you by the public.”
Finally, RuPaul has this final piece of advice, “What is it they get from you? What your value is?”
Drag is a business baby – what’s your USP?
Based on the best-selling books by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why follows teenager Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) as he returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch.
Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who tragically committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Will Clay be one of them? If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, 13 Reasons Why weaves an intricate and heart-wrenching story of teenage life that will deeply affect viewers.
The cast of 13 Reasons Why gather on set. (Left to Right) Selena Gomez, Tommy Dorfman, Steven Silver, Michele Ang, and Dylan Minnette
Newcomer Katherine Langford talks with Director Tom McCarthy who directed two episodes of the first series.
Star Dylan Minnette is directed by Tom McCarty.
Katherine talks character with Tom McCarthy.
Tom McCarthy directs Dylan and Ajiona Alexus in the hallway of the school. The shoot happened in the halls of a real school in northern California until the end of holidays. When a replica was created on a soundstage.
Tom McCarthy talks to Alisha Boe and Brandon Flynn. Brandon came out shortly after the TV series debuted on Netflix.
Director Tom McCarthy talks with Dylan Minnette. Some of the shoots were conducted in the dead of night in order to get as much done as possible. Actors from the show have spoken about having 4 AM shoots.
The show also used female directors too. Here Director Helen Shaver talks to Dylan Minnette.
Miles Heizer shoots in the hallways in episode 3. Every scene takes hours to shoot. Directors will want to get action from many different angles including long shots as well as closer more intimate mid and close shots.
Director Kyle Patrick Alvarez talks with Dylan Minnette and Ajiona Alexus.
Christian Navarro in episode 5.
Director Gregg Araki and Steven Silver.
Katherine Langford, Ross Butler
Tommy Dorfman, who also came out during the production of 13 Reasons Why, being shot by the crew.
Shooting out in the open, brings its own pressures and problems, here in Episode 10 Dylan Minnette and Miles Heizer is directed by Carl Franklin. During outdoor shoots, shadows and lighting conditions are constantly changing so a crew must work quickly to get the scene for continuity’s sake.
The crew of episode 10, directed by Carl Franklin overlook the production.
Derek Luke in Episode 11.
In a timely revival, Northern Ballet celebrates one of the great literary heroines of all time, Jane Eyre, a fiercely strong and independent woman who moves from the unloving care of her Aunt to the strictness of the Lowood Institution; and subsequently on to Thornfield, the home of her employer and subsequently her true love.
Cathy Marston’s choreography nestles neatly between traditional and contemporary ballet, and is set to a score which moves between being playfully uplifting and darkly dramatic. The Northern Ballet Sinfonia was on point with their performance, having swelled their numbers from the previous tour of this production. The set is deliberately sparse, primarily comprising of screens and curtains which are used to focus the attention on particular areas of the stage and its simplicity compliments to complexity of the narrative and provides for a workable dance space; whilst the costumes give a flavour of the bleakness of the Yorkshire Moors which are occasionally peppered with bold colour
Dreda Blow charms as the titular character, whilst Javier Torres gives a brooding and charismatic performance as Rochester; and Victoria Mason breathes life and insanity into the role of Rochester’s wife. In a company which danced with technical precision across the board, Mlindi Kulashe and Kevin Poeung both stood out from the ensemble and their consistency of performance and development from ballet to ballet continue to impress.
Given the rich story and the numerous events depicted in the book, there is a lot for Marston to fit into the ballet’s two hour run time, and whilst the key plot points are hit; the narrative is not always as clear as it could be. Those familiar with Bronte’s work will find much to enjoy within this production, whilst others may find the programme notes useful in keeping track.
That aside, Jane Eyre is a ballet which contains a flowing visual style, rich characterisations and a faithful adaptation of a timeless story which manages to maintain a feeling of freshness and originality in a frequently told tale.
Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre is at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk) until 14th April 201, moving to Cardiff New Theatre, London Sadlers Wells and The Lowry, Manchester. Visit www.northernballet.com for details.