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THEATRE REVIEW | The White Feather
A New British Musical written by Ross Clark and directed by Andrew Keates ★★★★★
Union Theatre is a poky, spit-and-sawdust kinda playhouse. Once you’ve walked through the patio, you’ll be drawn into a small but amply sized bar with a piano nestled in the corner, bare brick walls, basement-jazz low lighting and a sort of smell that evolves from years of fermenting damp, old stone and no doubt decades of booze spillage. Utterly charming – even it you’ve no intention of watching a production you must pop by for a swift one or a caffeine fix.
Award winning journalist Ross Clark’s story highlights that allied soldiers were executed for cowardice, by British soldiers during the First World War, focusing on an underage recruit and some homosexual turmoil. Director Andrew Keates, also a trophy holder, breathes life into Ross’s quillings with emotion-elevating lyrics and compelling numbers that are implemented by nine talented actors.
Set in a village in Suffolk the performance confronts class hierarchy, a strong sibling bond, a sexuality struggle, and the injustice of how young men with no real political views were brainwashed to fight. A head stirrer with core-fondling harmonies.
Emma Cardinall (played by Cameron Leigh) brought a slight element of Downton Abbey meets Are You Being Served to her segments while Edith (Katie Brennan) could easily have walked in off the streets of an East Anglian village she was so lifelike. But the shiniest bauble on The White Feather’s theatrical tree is Georgina Briggs (Abigail Matthews) – pitch perfect. Abigail, buy your ticket to Hollywood and don’t forget to pack a red carpet number.
To learn what occurs in the Union Theatre trenches, and to see how the many layers of The White Feather unfold, no military tactics, tanks or weapons needed – just hop on a tube to SE1.
Union Theatre, 204 Union Street, London SE1 0LX – Wednesday 16th September – Saturday 17th October 2015Tickets are available starting at £15 from the Union Theatre Box Office and www.uniontheatre.biz – 020 7261 9876
by Thabian Sutherland -
Azealia Banks Hurls Homophobic Abuse At Flight Attendant
Working her way up to most homophobic celeb ever, Azealia Banks was caught on camera hurling abuse at a Delta flight attendant after not being allowed to deplane.
Fouled mouthed Azealia Banks called a male Delta flight attendant a ‘Fing Fot’ on a flight from New York to Los Angeles. TMZ who has the story says that the outspoken rapper had a scuffle with some fellow passengers whilst trying to deplane. When a flight attendant stepped in and told her to calm down, she calls him the vile anti-gay slur.
According to the gossip site, the police caught up with Ms Banks in the airport, but no charges have been pressed.
Ms Banks is known to use the gay slur, often using it on social media and is well known for her spats with Perez Hilton
She tweeted that she was on another flight “waiting for another bitch ass flight attendant to try me.”
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Ben Mitchell And Paul Coker Get Caught In The Act
Major awks ahead for Ben Mitchell in Eastenders as he and Paul Coker are caught in the act by his pa Phil.
It seems the pair have a thing for risky places to make whoopie, the last time they were at it, the frisky pair were in a room with a corpse, in a funeral parlour. The amorous scene landed the Beeb in trouble when concerned members of the public made official complaints.This time Phil Mitchell catches Ben and Paul in the middle of the act. Up until now Ben’s sexuality has been kept under wraps from his family. Fair to say, Phil is stunned to have stumbled in on the pair.A shocked Phil takes in the scene as the love birds sheepishly put their clothes back on.. But we’ll have to wait to see how Walford’s hard man reacts to the revelation that his son is gay. -
Austin Armacost: Janice Dickinson Is A C**T
Yep, that’s twice now CBB’s Austin has dropped the C bomb on Janice.
Austin Armacost is not Janice Dickinson’s fan, not by a long stretch, after calling the “world’s first supermodel” a c**t twice in 48 hours.
Austin’s rant at Janice happened after a week of arguments, which came to a boiling point after Janice nominated Austin not to receive a letter from home after she screwed up the task to enable housemates to get a letter from a loved one. In a show of solidarity, Janice threw her letter away but was given it to read by Big Brother later on.
In tonight’s episode, Austin’s anger at the mother of two seemed to have gotten the better of him after going on a rampage.
He said,
“You are a terrible example of a women and a mother, your children would be so embarrassed, you’re f**king the worst excuse for a women ever.”
To which Janice sticks her fingers up at Austin and tells him to “kiss my a*s.”
Austin responds,
“You’re such a good mother to throw your middle fingers up on National Television, you f**king embarrassment of a mother, you should be ashamed.”
At this point Janice hides under the covers, while Austin lands the blow,
“That’s right, I didn’t think you had anything to say, you stupid c**t.”
He then criticises her lifestyle and job by saying,
“What an embarrassment to society, run around with your tits out and you’re spreading your legs. You’re just such a nasty excuse for a woman…miserable…who has to pop from reality show to reality show like you do to f**king get a pay cheque. Get a job, learn a trade, get some education, you stupid f**king b*tch.”
He goes to Big Brother to calm down and speaks about his family including about his mother’s arrest and jail time has affected him.
“I have done nothing but be honest and truthful with everybody in this House and that is why from the start I wanted to share about my brother and my mom, because I’m f**king p*ssed off. I had to bury my brother and then send my mom to prison. I saw my mom for a week before I came to London and I come back to Huddersfield and see this amazing family that my husband has and that p*sses me off because my family is self-destructive.”
Austin’s mother, Karen Armacost was sentenced to six years in jail for theft. She pleaded guilty to stealing $681,000 over four years from her former employee.
After speaking to Big Brother he goes back into the house and says,
“That was bang out of order to say those things. I’m not going to make excuses, it was f**ked up and inappropriate by any means that is an understatement. It’s absolutely the last things that should have come out my mouth.”
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THEATRE REVIEW | Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre, London
★★★ | Kinky Boots, London
It’s a huge hit on Broadway and it’s now finally opened in London. ‘Kinky Boots’ is in the house!
If the name rings a bell, it’s because Kinky Boots was a 2005 film about a struggling shoe factory about to go out of business until they change their product line and start making boots that are sexy, and, literally, not worn by the everyday woman. The musical version of Kinky Boots follows the same story, but it’s got a book by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy and La Cage Aux Folles – books he also wrote), music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper (“Girls Just Want to Have Fun”), and choreography by Jerry Mitchell (The Full Monty and Hairspray). That’s a lot of power and muscle behind a show, and it works, to a degree. (The show won six Tony Awards).
Killian Donnelly (the breakout star of The Commitments and co-star of Memphis) easily and comfortably plays Charlie Price, whose late father leaves him his shoe factory in Northhampton. It’s losing money, and Price might be forced to close it down, something that would make his London-bound fiancee Nicola (Amy Ross) happy. By chance, he comes to the aid of a drag queen who is being beaten up in a park. The Drag queen, Lola, played very ably and loudly by Matt Henry, is grateful to Price for saving him. But their meeting turns into a business relationship where Lola plants the idea into Price’s head to have his factory make Kinky Boots – boots for him and his fellow drag queens – boots that are big, flashy and preferably red! And eventually, Lola gives up her life (and leaves her fellow drag queens) in London to go up north to help in the factory to lead in the design of some Kinky Boots. But he’s not too accepted in a town and factory where no drag queen has walked in heels before. Even though he’s dressed as a man, some of the other workers make fun of him, especially Don (Jamie Braughan), who challenges Lola to a boxing match. Of course, conflict and arguments take place between Price and Lola, and Lola decides that she’s had enough of the northerners and heads back down to London. Meanwhile, Price is being wooed by one his employees – Lauren (Amy Lennox – wonderful) But it’s bad timing as Price is about to show his latest models of shoes at a Milan fashion show – he’s got no Lola, no models, and tons of shoes that need to be worn.
And you can only guess what will happen next. To say this show is predictable is an understatement.
While there are no surprises in the plot, it’s the music that raises the show up a notch or two. Lauper has injected her personality into songs that only she can write – when all the actors sing “Everybody Say Yeah” – it’s a song that will stick in your head for the rest of the night – in a good way. And of course each actor has their own song moment – Donnelly sings his heart out in “Soul of a Man” while Lola is given “Hold Me In Your Heart”- a song that highlights his very deep baritone voice in a soulful way (it sounds a bit like the song in Dreamgirls – “And I am Telling you I’m not Going”. If there’s one person who steals the show it’s Lennox – she’s hysterical in the role of Price’s colleague who pines for him while he’s focused on keeping the business afloat.
Production values are fine – the set morphs from factory to the fashion show. For me it’s the drag queens that make this show good – their sparkling clothing and sass and attitude and sequins are just right – for without them Kinky Boots wouldn’t be so Kinky at all.
At the Adelphi Theatre 020 3725 7068 | http://www.kinkybootsthemusical.co.uk/tickets.php
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ADVICE | Can I Get HIV From Sharing A Bath?
One reader asks our sexual health expert Jose Perez De La Cruz, whether he is at risk of getting HIV from sharing a bath.
Dear TGUK,
I recently stayed at someone’s house in the morning I had a bath before I left. I didn’t know at the time (nor did he), but the lad has since told me that he’s been tested HIV positive and it was likely that he caught it before our meet up.
The hook up we had was pretty safe. We used condoms and I’ve heard that you can’t get HIV from blowjobs, so I’m assuming I’m okay.
I’m worried about the bath. can I catch HIV or any other infection from using the same bathtub as someone else?
I was in there for a good 30 minutes. Plenty of time for an infection to get in me.
Pls, Help.
Hi Tom,
Relax. There is absolutely no chance you can catch HIV from a bath. HIV is a very fragile virus and would be dead within seconds even in normal air so such an environment would probably make this even quicker.
To catch HIV requires exposure to blood, semen, vaginal fluid, prostatic fluid (pre-cum) or contaminated breast milk. Even without allowing for the aforementioned fragility of the virus if one of these fluids, by some unlikely chance, had made its way into the bath water it would be so diluted that it would be unable to infect you.
The same applies to most other infections, bath water is not a very good medium for the growth of sexually transmitted pathogens.
There is a very small risk you can catch HIV from blowjobs, the risk being slightly higher if you are giving the blowjob and the person ejaculates in your mouth.
As standard advice only, if you have any concerns about any sexual contact you have had I would recommend you attend your nearest sexual health clinic for a sexual health screen.
Did you know you can order an at-home HIV test online? Click here to buy one
INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR BY JOSE PEREZ DE LA CRUZ
The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
The advice given in this article is for guidance only and you should always seek your own independent, professional medical advice from your own GP if you are concerned about your health.
OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE
Got a problem you’d like advice on?
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End Of The Bromance As CBB James Nominates Austin Armacost
It’s all over. The CBB bromance between Austin and James Hill is officially over.
Done. Dusted. Finished. The great CBB bromance between Austin Armacost and former Apprentice star James Hill is officially over after James nominates Austin for eviction. We’re imagining Austin’s husband Jake is very happy about this news.
On his nomination of Austin, James said,
“the way he goes off and how he is treating people is very hard for me because you know I have to make the right decision and as much as I love him you know he is wrong and how he is behaving is wrong, it makes it very hard for me because he is my best friend in here.”
Talking about his nomination to Bobby Davro, James says, “that was very hard for me mate.”
The housemates facing eviction tomorrow night (Tuesday 22 September) are JANICE, BOBBY, JENNA and AUSTIN. Austin and Jenna are shocked to discover that they have been nominated by their friend, James, leading to a big row breaking out between Austin and the rest of the Housemates. Ooo errrr big dramz.
CBB continues tonight on Channel Five from 9PM -
Patti Labelle Goes Diva On Fan And Calls Him A Bitch
It’s quite a sight to see, but Soul Diva Patti LaBelle went kray kray on a fan after he unbuttoned his shirt on her stage.
Having been invited up on stage by the Lady Marmalade diva, the man, unbuttoned his shirt and was dancing to Ms. Labelle’s set, when she halted proceedings.
It’s fair to say she was not happy.
“I am 71 years young. I am not Nicki Minaj or that little Miley,
The unnamed man then started getting provocative towards the singer and pushed his bootie out at Ms. LaBelle, whose reaction shows why you don’t mess with Ms. LaBelle… whoever you are.
“Don’t your dare. Not on my stage. No, thank you. Let me say something.”
She then seemingly barged at the man and called him a bitch before her security roughly removed the fan from the stage. She yelled after them to make sure he left the building.
She then apologised to the audience for the showdown, saying,
“He’s a rude American, or whoever, whatever he is… don’t ever, come in my face again… NEXT!”
TMZ has the full video, watch what went down here.
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Transparent Wins Big At The Emmys
Transparent, the brand new Amazon comedy-drama has picked up two Emmys at yesterday’s award ceremony.
The show’s star Jeffrey Tambor and its director won an Emmy each at yesterday’s ceremony for their roles in Amazon’s hit show Transparent, which follows the lives of a family after their father reveals that he is trans. Transparent also won best guest actor in a comedy for the former West Wing star Bradley Whitford.
The Emmy win follows on from Jeffrey’s win at the Golden Globes in JanuaryIn his acceptance speech at the Emmys Tambor said,“I had a teacher who used to say, you know, ‘When you act, you have to act as if your life depends on it.’ And now I’ve been given the opportunity to act because people’s lives depend on it.
“I’d like to dedicate my performance and this award to the transgender community. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your stories. Thank you for our inspiration. Thank you for letting us be part of the change. God bless.”
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Homophobic Doctor Told Sue Perkins “You can’t have kids” Because She Is Lesbian
Popular Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins, spoke about a horrific homophobic remark from a doctor about her ability to have children after learning she was gay.
Sue Perkins, 45, was recounting how she was told that due to her having a brain tumour that she would be unable to have children and it would be “easier” for her because of her sexuality. The presenter is who currently presenting this series of GBBO has been living with the benign tumour for eight years.
The growth of the tumour in her pituitary gland means that the presenter will be unable to give birth to a child. Upon being told about the tumour, her Consultant asked if she had a husband or boyfriend and after learning that Perkins was gay apparently said,
“Oh, OK. Well, that makes it easier. You’re infertile. You can’t have kids.”
Talking about her treatment in her memoir, Perkins replies:
“Does not a lesbian have a fallopian tube? Am I not human, and [am] I not somebody who could be a lovely, wonderful mother?”
Sue Perkins was outted by her former girlfriend Rhona Cameron in 2002 during a series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. In 2014 Perkins and TV presenter Anna Richardson announced that they were in a relationship.Perkins talks about the horrific moment in her memoir, Spectacles, published in the Sunday Times.Sue Perkins’ book is available to buy on Amazon