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  • THEATRE REVIEW | Blasted, Sheffield Theatres

    Sheffield Theatres opens their Sarah Kane season with Blasted, her first and possibly most controversial play. Ian, a racist, sexist and homophobic middle aged journalist, arrives in a hotel room in Leeds, accompanied by a young girl, Cate, whose youth and naivety is exacerbated by her learning difficulties. As their abusive relationship, characterised by manipulative behaviour and sexual violence, continues; a soldier bursts into the room and, through a series of shocking events, there is a shift in power, control and dependency.

    When considering how to describe this play, three words repeatedly surfaced in my mind – uncompromising, unflinching and unapologetic. Themes of control, dominance, sexual violence, manipulation and dependency are thrown at the audience in a shocking and, at times, difficult to watch play, causing you to shift uneasily in your seats and bullishly charging at your boundaries of acceptability. In line with the initial controversy when the play was first performed (where it was described as a “feast of filth”), it still has the power to not only emotionally gut punch the audience, but to be genuinely upsetting and distressing.

    In this three-hander, Martin Marquez impressed as bigoted and thoroughly unpleasant Ian, carrying a genuine air of menace and nastiness. Mark Stanley, as the soldier, complimented that performance with a restrained portrayal of a man numb from his own hatred; but I was most affected by Jessica Bardon’s performance as Cate, who carried a haunting look of vacancy which bore straight into you and lingered with you long after leaving the theatre.

    Richard Wilson confidently directs with a steady hand, not shying away from extended periods of silence or inconsequential action, but equally not shying away from the visceral and shocking aspects of the play. The set, with its hints of glass surrounding the stage, places you directly in the voyeuristic position of peering in through the hotel room window, watching events unfold; and was both visually impressive and well designed. Crucially, the pivotal moment in the play was accompanied by a jolting and effective transformation of the stage.

    Featuring very adult themes, offensive language, scenes of male and female rape, nudity and strong, bloody violence, this is certainly not a play for everyone, and is a heavy, controversial and hard-hitting piece of theatre, which I have no doubt many people will find offensive and distasteful. It is also surreal at times and contains a number of aspects which are particularly uncomfortable to watch, especially in the confined arena of the Crucible Studio.

    If you are seeking a challenging piece of heavyweight theatre, then this is a quality and technically impressive production which offers that in abundance. But whether you consider the themes explored and the events of the narrative as suitable subjects for entertainment will very much depend on your individual viewpoint. My suggestion is that you read a little about the play before you decide whether it is for you or not.

    Blasted is currently playing at Sheffield Theatres until the 21st February 2015.

    The Sarah Kane season includes all of the playwright’s works over the coming months. Full details can be found at http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/event/blasted-15/

  • That Time Westboro Baptist Church Were Owned By Their Own Logic

    Westboro Baptist Church is infamous for its hateful signs and pernicious picketing. However, when you scratch beneath the surface as to what they are doing, they are themselves hated by god… for being enablers.

    During a Twitter exchange yesterday, Westboro Baptist Church’s entire existence came into call, when THEGAYUK asked weren’t they in fact enablers, if their goal is to stop gay people going to hell?

    Their signs read “God Hates Fag Enablers” and “Fag Enabler In Hell”, so surely by their own logic, god hates them. If in fact god exists and that’s a whole other debate.

    https://twitter.com/WBCVideo/status/565506945818165248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archive.thegayuk.com%2F_snippet%2Fblog%2F4009928388%2F9389882%2FR3y3NdB6560rzim8j8TBnU58M44.html

    The exchange happened after TheGayUK reported that WBC, whose founders and key players are banned from entering the UK, are planning to picket the Barry Manilow concert tonight. When questioned why they’d used #TrueLove as hashtag at the end of their tweet, they told us because they do care, insisting that WBC were the only people who do… And they linked to a video that suggested the reason they carry their colourful signs at pickets and Tweet bile filled hate, is because they’re stopping us falling over a cliff edge (hell); there’s a metaphor there – and it really is clever (for them), however by that very logic, their signs are acting as a calling for us to stop, and therefore be able to enter heaven. So aren’t Westboro Baptist Church themselves ‘fag enablers’?

    When questioned on that fact they replied with, “Nope! Our goal is to preach; its effect is God’s call”. Again with the enabling…

    Damn it WBC stop enabling us…

    We also called them up on their blatant copyright infringement of Barry Manilow’s picture (just for good measure). God hated stealing, it was in his commandments.

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Pennethorne’s – At Somerset House

    There is something rather enchanting about Somerset House, and what a lovely setting it makes for Pennethorne’s Café Bar. Just standing in their courtyard you feel removed from the chaos of the city. Situated in the New Wing, Pennethorne’s is adorned in dramatic décor that seems to be ever so in right now. Black walls, brassy tables and dim pendant lights lined in rows. Unsurprisingly the majority of the crowd appear a little bit swanky-socialite.

    The staff are a bubbly bunch (shout out to Phoenix & Paulo for looking after us so well). Speaking of bubbles, their champagne menu is small but comprises of three carefully selected essentials; Brut (£33), Prosecco (£27), and a Cuvee (£66) made in Sussex.

    Seven PM and we appear to be the only guests eating, our waiter confirms most dining trade is over lunch period. Good to know if you prefer a quiet eat in the evenings.

    The menu consists of breads, tinned and potted dishes, salads, meat and cheese selections and items served on toast. Probably why this attracts a lunch-time crowd- but the dishes are sophisticated enough to translate into dinner. As some of the dishes are on the small side it makes good for sharing- just be aware of what and how many of your dishes come with bread as we found ourselves looking like a bakery at full swing.

    The bread was really well made (freshly baked by their in-house baker) and the menu boasts some lovely combos such as; Fig & Apricot, Bacon Brioche, and Walnut & Raisin.

    Kale was on the menu in the form of Crispy Curly Kale & Ham Hock Salad (£6). Of course we felt the need to order the kale, as much as most restaurants feel the fear that their menu without kale on it will deem them as non-foodie-friendly. Although that looks set to change with cauliflower soon to be the new kale, as said by someone as insignificant as this very sentence. A pleasant dish of warm kale, salty ham with small jewels of onion run through it. Bringing a much welcomed lightness amongst the richness of the other dishes.

    Potted Beef (£8). The meat appearing as pulled pork would, but in a cute little pot. Like the best bit of an amazing pie, tender flesh nestled amongst it’s own garlic, black pepper and red wine gravy. Sod the pot, bring me a trough. This was gorgeous.

    Another favourite of mine was from the Mortadella as part of the Selection of Meats (£16). Rosette, Mortadello and Iberico Ham all being of fantastic quality- no yucky plastic textures that a lot of restaurants tend to fob you off with. Both Mortadella and Rosette cuts had great marbling. The Iberico was smooth and melt in the mouth, but my least favourite out of all three.

    The favourite dish of our servers, and apparently a popular choice from diners, was the wild Mushrooms (£5) atop softly toasted bread. A good handful of wild mushrooms that still retained their lovely earthiness but amongst garlic and wine, and with a hint of something almost balsamic. I can see why this is popular as it all works very well together and is served in a perfectly sized portion.

    For those unfamiliar with Nduja – traditionally, is an Italian spicy pork pate and is also set to be one of our food trends for 2015. No doubt it will be popping up on menus everywhere shortly! Pennethorne’s Nduja (£4.75) smells like it will blow your mind, and it will. Expect hot lips. If you like a chilli hit, then this is your dish. We found ourselves going back for more and more of this one- addictive.

    Pennethorne’s have some real gems on their menu, and I really love the fusion of simple British traditions “…On Toast” and the tinned/potted dishes mixed with Italian influences. A bonus for garlic lovers, as Pennethorne’s love it too. The quality of ingredients you receive is great value for money.

    Sad to see no desserts on the evening menu, their breakfast menu does list pastries/muffins/doughnuts/sticky buns/bakes etc; sounds delicious! It could be well received for them to also have these appearing on the evening menu.

    Any fashion freaks visiting Somerset House for London Fashion Week this year, be sure to say hello to Pennethorne’s and go for the Mushrooms on toast, or Potted Beef.

    REVIEWED BY: Jordan Lohan
    ADDRESS: Pennethorne Cafe, New Wing, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
    VENUE PHONE: 020 3751 0570
    PRICE: £££ (explained)
    STAR RATING: ★★★ (explained)
    TIPPING POLICY:

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Gods and Monsters, Southwark Playhouse

    ★★★★★ | Gods and Monsters, Southwark Playhouse

    It’s the late 1950s and ageing Hollywood director, James Whale, best known for his iconic Frankenstein films, is languishing in his Los Angeles house.

    Whale is incapacitated by a series of strokes that have left him frail and prone to crippling headaches, dark moods and memory lapses. In spite of his infirmity, he hasn’t lost any of his impish ways with young men, persuading them to swim in his pool or pose naked for portraits. Old habits die hard. Unashamedly gay in an era of repression, Whale is a singular and striking personality. Enter pneumatically muscular new gardener, Clayton Boone who becomes the object of Whale’s lust and an unlikely player in the final drama of his life.

    Whale’s life is told in a series of flashbacks that happen alongside the on-going drama; portraying the story of his childhood in a working-class family in Dudley through his horrific World War One experiences to his Hollywood career.

    The play is based on the 1995 novel Father of Frankenstein written by Christopher Bram. The the same source material was used for the 1998 Oscar-winning film, “Gods And Monsters”, starring Ian McKellen, Lynn Redgrave and Brendan Fraser. The story works as well as a stage play also.

    In terms of script, performance and production values this is a triumphant piece of theatre. Seasoned actor, Ian Gelder is magnificent as Whale. His performance hits a fine balance between comedy and tragedy and is subtly nuanced. The script is tight and in spite of the intensity of the subject matter the play never drags and is filled with finely written comedic moments. Excessively muscled newcomer Will Austin takes on the role of Boone with a surprisingly fine performance. He manages to portray a man with unexpected depths with gentle empathy and sensitivity.

    The intimate space of Southwark Playhouse and the cunning lighting, sound and set design add extra dimensions to the performance also. I must also mention that the play contains male nudity (if the fine acting and script doesn’t grab your attention then three different male nudes might).

    This really is a stand out production in London theatre and a must see.

    Buy tickets here: http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/the-large/gods-and-monsters/

  • Australia To Enter 60th Eurovision Competition

    Although its many thousands of miles away from Europe, Australia will be allowed to participate in this year’s Eurovision competition.

    For the first time in its 60 years, Eurovision will allow Australia to enter the competition – and will a free pass to the final in Vienna, Austria, meaning that it will not have to go through the various heat stages.

    Organisers of Eurovision, the theme for which this year is “Building Bridges”, decided to offer a place to Australia after Jessica Mauboy performed as the interval act at one of heats in last year’s competition. It now has until 16th March to decide whom it’s going to send; already reports of Dame Edna Everage have been put forward to represent the Australian entry.

    Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of the contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said, “It’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move.

    “It’s our way of saying; let’s celebrate this party together!”

    Michael Ebeid, managing director of broadcaster SBS which airs the competition in Australia, said, “We are very excited to have secured this historic opportunity for Australia to be represented on the world’s biggest stage at the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and are honoured that the European Broadcasting Union has supported us to achieve this ambition.

    “SBS has been broadcasting Eurovision for over 30 years and we have seen how Australians’ love of the song contest has grown during those years.”

    If Australia wins the competition the show will remain in Europe.

  • The Queen Is Happy For Us (Queens)

    According to newly-wed STEPHEN FRY who revealed when he was a guest on THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW, Her Majesty is delighted with the fact that we can now get married.

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  • FILM REVIEW | Last Straight Man

    But will he remain one, if Lewis gets his own way?

    It may be every gay man’s dream to sleep with a straight man and it’s even hotter when he happens to be your best friend too. Closeted Lewis has always had a secret crush on his best friend Cooper but has never ever let on until the night before Cooper is about to marry his girlfriend and the two-man have just drunk a wee too much at the stag party and their conversation turns to sex. All the other guys have left and as Lewis and Cooper start to clear up the hotel room where the party had been held, the talk gets dirty and personal. Well-endowed Lewis is keen and Cooper is curious and so the two end up in bed together after discovering that they both love blowjobs.

    Next day Cooper gets up and goes and gets married and lives happily ever after with his wife. Until the same time next year that is, and the two men meet up back in the same hotel room and take up where they left off. This anniversary tryst becomes an annual date in their calendar and for one night a year Lewis, previously self-identified as bi-sexual, transitions into gay, and straight Cooper still refuses to accept that he is anything else even though he lets Lewis penetrate him as he insists that they never kiss.

    What is clear though is over the next 12 years that they are both very much in love. With each other that is. One year Cooper tries to fight his feelings and refuses to show up for their date, claiming he doesn’t want to put his marriage at risk, and then in a later year when he has not only overcome his resistance, is imploring Lewis to f**k him as hard as he can. It just so happens that he may have left it too late as perpetual bachelor Lewis finally has a boyfriend and is anxious not to do anything that may jeopardise his new relationship.

    In this very likeable boy-lit movie it is interesting that although this may have started out as Lewis’s crush, it is, in fact, Cooper who is living out his fantasy. As their relationship develops it makes both men question their feelings and emotions and they learn that they cannot be easily defined in a conventional way as they accept their love for each other. It’s helped with very convincing performances from the two handsome leads Scott Selland Mark Cirillo who look comfortable in and out of the clothes.

    Be warned though before you get to the scenes of these two hunks thrashing around naked, you have to sit through the scary opening moments of the movie when the stag party stripper insists on pushing her mammoth naked breasts way to close to the camera. And I won’t even tell you about her party trick where she can pick a coin up by her … well, you can imagine.

    This cute wee drama is entertaining and amusing, although trust me, Cooper really is anything but ‘the last straight man’.

     

    by Roger Walker-Dack

  • The Week In Cars – Ferrari or Porsche?

    Porsche have shown us the hottest Cayman yet, the GT4. As suggested by spy shots, it gains a much more aggressive body kit with a fixed rear wing along with 20 inch wheels.

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  • No Hard Feelings From Sam Smith’s Old Label

    Even though Ditto Music no longer represents Sam Smith, there were no hard feelings as the new prince of pop picked up four Grammys on Sunday’s celebrations. Ditto has expressed their delight and support for Sam Smith, who first released his music in 2008.

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  • THEATRE REVIEW | Between, Kings Head Theatre

    ★★★ | Between, Kings Head Theatre

    Like the majority of plays featuring gay men – this one too has nudity… SURPRISED?

    BETWEEN opened recently at the King Head Theatre Pub and can be seen as a 55-minute monologue adapted to fit the six characters that are played by two male actors. Loosely directed however vividly acted BETWEEN invites us to experience snippets from the portrayed lives of two childhood friends (exploring sexual activity), a couple in a relationship (suffering from sexual dysfunction) and an actor and tutor (where the actor falls for his tutor).

    The three stories are relevant to each other and it’s not that difficult to figure out the outcomes, especially when it feels as though some of the stories have not been fleshed out or evenly concentrated on.

    This short play has a few twinkling moments that these committed actors shine in nicely and I fear that these moments are not being received with the attention it deserves (as I look around the space and see the first three rows of men beaming at the boy’s semi-naked bodies).

    Constant transformations into the different characters demand the actors to change and take their shirts on and off and not tautly done this can be quite distracting; however, it has to be done as the director chose this manoeuvre. To make this play more gripping and to compliment the small performance space perhaps the capable actors should have been allowed to show an emotional change in each character rather than displayed through a physical item (t-shirt).

    May not be off the hook funny, emotional, surprising or unique but intelligence made an appearance when the impressive sonnets did – definitely a highlight and something to look out for.
    I had to go and see BETWEEN after reading the rave reviews and feel this play has so much going for it that you never stop hoping that it will get better.

    BETWEEN
    Directed by: Geoffrey Hyland
    Performed by: Nicholas Campbell and Oskar Brown
    Kings Head Theatre
    until 14th March 2015
    http://www.kingsheadtheatre.com

  • Grindr Refuses To Answer Refund Question For £1 Per Minute Malware

    Users of the gay hook-up app Grindr probably won’t be able to get refunds after Grindr refuses to be drawn into a conversation about compensation.

    ◉ One user was charged £2.50 for an 8-second call, one user was reportedly billed £65.
    ◉ Users have reported that a premium number was dialled without permission after opening Grindr
    ◉ Grindr refuses to talk about refunds for customers affected.

    Some users of the Grindr app are facing phone bills of up to £65 after a third-party malware advert caused user’s phones to autodial a £1 PER MINUTE premium phone number, without their permission. Even if users acted quickly they were still stung by a connection fee.

    TheGayUK approached Grindr for comment, who refused to answer whether users could claim a refund on the calls made by the ad served by their app.

    The malware ads, which have now been withdrawn, caused mobile phones to automatically dial premium rate numbers when users opened the Grindr app.

    A spokesperson for the tech company said, “Thanks for reaching out. Grindr has no additional comment beyond the statement that we also provided”.

    When clarification on the matter of refunds, communications with the app were suspended.

    Speaking to TheRegister.co.uk One user said, that even if you tried to cancel the call you were still charged the connection fee. Some users have reportedly been stung with bills of up to £65, for calls they didn’t know were being placed by their handsets.

    User Tom said, “The iOS version has recently started dialling (without any user choice, input or confirmation) a premium rate number – 0913 666 0010 – which carries a hefty connection charge and per minute rate, and even if you cancel it quickly you still get hit with the connection charge,”

    “I’m not sure whether it’s malware within the app or their advertising partners – but either way Grindr has refused to respond or even acknowledge messages from users via twitter or email,” he added.

    A user recently contacted to say that he had fallen victim to the malware, he was reportedly charged £2.50 a call that lasted just 8 seconds.

    Another user and reader of TheGayUK, Nick, wrote to us to let us know he had been charged £2.53 for another call that lasted 8 seconds. He said that his phone provider 02, had refunded the charge as a gesture of goodwill.

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