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  • University of Birmingham Puts LGBT+ Identities at the heart of Its Curriculum

    The University of Birmingham is taking steps to ensure that its curriculum is inclusive towards those with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) identities.

    The new project is innovative within the higher education sector and will draw on current effective practice across the University to develop a guide for colleagues seeking to embed LGBT issues in all of the institution’s academic disciplines.

    From scoping work carried out by the project co-ordinators, the focus of initiatives to tackle inclusivity previously centred around the social and pastoral experiences of LGBT+ students at the University, rather than on the content and delivery of teaching. However, students have reported that interactions in lectures, seminars and laboratories are crucial to their experience. Positive experiences signposted include good staff role models and the use of case studies that acknowledge LGBT+ identities. Nationally, LGBT+ students in higher education experience higher than average rates of drop out, use of student support services, mitigating circumstances (health and social problems) and suicide rates.

    InThe project at the University of Birmingham will explore the experiences of staff and students, through a survey and local-level workshops over two years. These findings will be synthesised with a review of course literature and compared with experience across the education sector internationally.

    Champions across the University and the newly-formed Inclusive Curriculum Working Group will promote best practice recommendations that are tailored to different academic disciplines. These initiatives will support the work the University already undertakes around equality and diversity, with the institution fully committed as a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

    Co-Project Leader Dr Nicola Gale, Lecturer in the Sociology of Health Care, Health Services Management Centre said,
    “For LGBTQ students, coming to university can be a really positive experience socially, with the opportunity to meet new people and, here at Birmingham, join the excellent student LGBTQ Association. However, we would like to ensure that this experience translates into the actual content of their courses.”

    Co-Project Leader Dr Nicki Ward, Lecturer in Social Work, School of Social Policy added,

    “Our project seeks to identify good practice across all the academic disciplines at Birmingham and to offer practical support to lecturers on making their classroom a more LGBTQ-inclusive place.”

    Along with the production of best practice resources and workshops, those involved in the project hope to present their research at the University’s prestigious Teaching and Learning Conference in 2015, as well as publish results in a peer-reviewed journal. Findings from the study will also be shared nationally and internationally amongst colleagues at over research-intensive universities.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Tempest, Waterloo East Theatre

    ★★★ | The Tempest

    The cover of the programme for Waterloo East Theatre’s new production of The Tempest shows Big Ben toppling under a flood of water. As we entered the theatre, Ariel was suspended in a hammock above the audience. Whilst on stage, various detritus that may have been salvaged from a flood was scattered around, Miranda sitting reading in an empty bath, and Prospero, seated on a crate, quietly talking to her. The press release tells us that the year is 2080, but no other allusion to the year or to London was made, and as the text continued to refer to the courts of Milan and Naples, I doubt many would have got the reference anyway.

    The play opened in a burst of energy, with passengers on the ship that is soon to be caught up in the eponymous tempest, dancing and drinking and generally making merry before the storm disperses them on Propero’s island, which is when Prospero starts to have his fun, directing events almost like a puppeteer. Indeed many have sought to find something of Shakespeare himself in the character.

    Sarah Redmond’s production was swift moving, managing seamlessly the transitions from high to low comedy, from darkness to light. I’m not quite sure I understood why Miranda and Ferdinand’s marriage should have been celebrated with a lap dance, and I would have welcomed a little more of “the sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not”, but the score did provide us with “a thousand twangling instruments”. In fact, music was used most effectively throughout.

    Would that the text had been delivered with a deal more musicality too, for poetry was somewhat lacking, except in the performance of Guy Wolf, who gave us a Ferdinand of charm and innocence, bringing out both the humour and the beauty of the poetry. It was there too in Chipo Kureya’s mercurial Ariel, and I will not easily forget the radiant happiness that spread over her countenance when Prospero finally set her free. Rebecca Hazel caught well Miranda’s wonder at a “brave new world”, if a touch too lasciviously at times. Though there is no doubt a venal side to the attraction between Miranda and Ferdinand, it should still have a childlike innocence about it, which is exactly where Wolf was so convincing.

    I’ll admit that I often have a bit of a problem with Shakespeare’s mechanicals and The Tempest is no different from any of his other plays in that respect. Here their scenes were managed as well as they can be, I suppose, ably led by Matthew Harper’s boorishly bullish Caliban, but still nobody was rolling in the aisles, as presumably they would have been in Shakespeare’s time.

    Over all presides the problematic figure of Prospero, and for me the performance of Tom Keller revealed a major problem at the heart of the play. Admittedly, there is not much to like about Prospero for the first half. He is cruel to both Ariel and Caliban, and to Ferdinand, at times dismissive of his daughter. This makes him a difficult character to like, though he redeems himself in the last two acts. Prospero does have a good deal to be angry about, but to succeed in the part, the actor needs to bring out his benevolence as soon as possible. Tom Keller was pretty irascible from the word go, and remained in a pretty bad mood throughout, his delivery of the text unmusical and perfunctory.

    The Tempest plays at Waterloo East Theatre until October 26th.

  • FASHION | Harris Tweed Messenger Bag

    FASHION | Harris Tweed Messenger Bag

    Looking for a winter bag? Fancy hopping onto the Harris Tweed trend? Next have the answer, with a range of bags for all occasions that include a Harris Tweed detail, showcasing the individual colour combinations that this label is famous for.

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  • First British Muslim Drag Queen Has Eurovision Hopes

    Britain’s first Muslim drag queen Asifa Lahore releases her self-penned debut single ‘You And I’.

    According to the UK’s first Muslim Drag Queen Asifa Lahore, what differentiates this project from her other songs is that for the first time, she releases original material with a strong focus on thoughtful contemporary lyrics and stunning vocals.

    ‘You may have seen me trying to discuss the topic of faith and sexual identity on the BBC Three show ‘Free Speech’ earlier this year, and subsequently in the press. Since then I have appearing on BBC World News with leading Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly and an array of British Asian community channels talking openly about LGBT issues.

    ‘I have also spent the summer recording an EP in the UK, America and Sweden.’ says Ms. Lahore

    The first single from the EP is ‘You And I’ has been submitted as a potential Eurovision entry for the United Kingdom after the success of Conchita Wurst at the Eurovision in May 2014.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Damn Yankees, The Landor Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | Damn Yankees, The Landor Theatre, London

    Perpetual losers, The Washington Senators, are failing to win at baseball yet again and fanatic Joe Boyd is tempted into a Faustian pact when he sells his soul to the devilish Mr Applegate in return for a series win. Joe soon realises what he’s leaving behind and is torn between the wife he’s left behind versus the chance to take his team to victory and the distraction of the devil’s sidekick, beautiful and vampy Lola.

    Adler and Ross’s multi-award winning musical may have one of the silliest plots around but that doesn’t matter at all. Coming straight after their success with The Pyjama Game and a string of chart hits, Damn Yankees was well received and was even made into a film starring Tab Hunter and Gwen Verdon. Sadly, at the height of their success, Ross died aged 29 from complications of lung disease.

    This production has already been nominated for an Off West End award for Best Choreographer for Robbie O’Reilly. It’s not hard to see why. The dance routines are breath taking. The production values of the show are up to the standards of a West End production and tickets are a fraction of the price. O.K., The Landor is a fringe venue and has fewer frills in terms of special effects and scenery but is well worth a trip to Clapham North. The lighting, set and costumes are all well put together especially given the constraints of a smaller venue.

    The cast are especially strong with wholesome and handsome Alex Lodge putting in a stellar lead performance as Joe Hardy, showing dazzling dance moves and a powerful voice, which considering that he’s a recent graduate shows a considerable talent. He’s definitely one to watch and not simply because of his boyish good looks. Poppy Tierney and Jonathan D Ellis are both hilariously camp as Mr Applegate and his sidekick Lola and give well polished performances. Ellis’s cabaret turn in Act Two was especially waspish and funny and Tierney gives a good rendition of “Whatever Lola Wants”.

    Did I mention the boys? I haven’t seen so much bare male flesh in a musical in quite some time. As well as being a stage presence due to their singing and dancing, their abs and pectorals are worthy of some kind of award, surely? The supporting female cast are equally good but with less flesh on show.

    This is definitely worth checking out for an entertaining few hours.

    Damn Yankees runs until the 8th of November 2014

    Buy tickets here: http://www.landortheatre.co.uk/index.php/booking-office/musicals/damn-yankees-90/

  • How To Introduce Sex Toys To The Bedroom

    How To Introduce Sex Toys To The Bedroom

    Reckon bringing up a problem child, or even bringing up a campylobacter-riddled cactus curry, would be less tough than bringing up the topic of saucy gadgets with your boyf?! Here are some easy tips to get the conversation started while sidestepping the awks, choose a suitable toy once you’ve had the talks, then use it together so successfully that your gent will soon be a proud loyalty cardholder at Toys ‘R’ Ass.

    BRINGING UP THE SUBJECT

    Take him down the aisle: Durex lubricants are stocked in most of the larger supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s, where they can be found in the healthcare and bathroom section. Some branches also sell Durex sex accessories, such as the Little Devil Vibrating Cock Ring. When grabbing groceries with your chap, steer him towards the soaps and shower gels, and engineer a casual encounter with the slippery stuff, saying something like “I saw Durex sex toys being sold at the supermarket the other day – amazing what you can pick up with your bacon and baked beans these days! Mind you, I suppose stuff that’s a bit of fun like that is pretty normal for most people these days…”

    Depending on your bloke’s reaction, the chat may lead to you conveniently chucking a little something in the trolley there and then, to “give it a whirl for a giggle”. However, if you don’t sense he feels comfortable nattering about nookie in public, you can bring the topic back up once you’re at home, knowing that 1) You’ve shown him that a well known, safe, reputable brand like Durex makes sex toys – a name he’ll be reassuringly familiar with; and 2) You’ve warmed him to the idea of sex toys being normal, non-freaky things that are so commonly used and accepted that they can even be bought in Asda.

    If you guys do your food shopping online, try adding a toy to the basket ‘by accident’. When it happens to ‘mistakenly’ rock up in your delivery, you may as well see if it gets your rocks off, right..?

    Open sesame: Alternatively, you could open a discussion by mentioning that you saw an advert for toys on the telly; watched a programme where they were mentioned; or read a related piece in a magazine or online. If you don’t want to put your gent on the spot, you could email him a link to a blog, quiz, website or article asking “What do you reckon to this? Could be interesting to try?”, then talk about things in more detail later once he’s had time to mull over his thoughts and is prepared for the conversation.

    Re-ass-sure his ass!: Many lads worry about their partners wanting to try toys because they presume it means there’s something wrong or substandard about their sexual technique, that they’re not sufficiently pleasing their partner ‘without help’, or that they’re about to be somehow replaced by a piece of plastic or play second fiddle to a rubbery ring.

    Reassure your fella that you want to enhance your relationship, and add an extra layer of enjoyment to the great raunchiness you’re both already revelling in. Try saying something along the lines of “I feel really confident and relaxed with you, and we gel so well together… so maybe you’d fancy trying something new with me?”, which frames the suggestion of experimentation as a privilege he should be flattered by, and a sign of trust. Be clear that you think playing with toys together will be an intimate experience you’ll share as a couple, rather than a situation in which he’ll lose your attention because you’re fixated on the feeling you’re getting from a gadget. Try presenting it as an adventure that can up his pleasure, not just yours – for example, by saying “I get the feeling you really like it when we X, so I was wondering if you might like me to treat you to Y toy to try with me?”

    CHOOSING TOYS

    Perform an ex-orcism: You might already own sex toys. But start your collection afresh with your man. Not only does this allow you to choose items that specifically suit you both, but it removes the icky idea that you might have used existing toys with a previous partner. No-one wants to play with a haunted haul that was once covered with an ex’s ectoplasm!

    Start small: Word to the wise – if your chap is nervy about trying toys, presenting him with a butt plug the size of a garden gnome may have him running for the hills and away from thrills! For beginners, look for non-intimidating, classy-looking items that don’t have dimensions usually used by estate agents describing mansion gardens.

    He’s got that vibe: The most obvious toys for gay guys to use are butt plugs and anal beads – for rear-ly good stimulation, and cock rings like: Durex Play ULTRA Pleasure Ring (£7.99) which help fellas gain and maintain stronger erections, and can also vibrate thrillingly against the wearer’s scrotum and/or a partner’s body during penetration. However, don’t automatically discount the idea of a little bullet vibrator like Durex Play Delight Vibrating Bullet (£9.99) or even a slightly larger, ergonomically shaped vibe such as Durex Play Dream Sensual Massager (£37.99). Not only do they feel amazing humming against the dick, ball-sack, and perineum, but they’re also fantastic for body massage.

    Smooth some scented oil or lube over your lover’s back, and tease out the knots in their shoulders and neck. This is a superbly chilled out, laid back, delicious way to take your babe to toyland for the first time; move the buzz down down down to XXX Town only once they’re happily acquainted with the sensation.

    Make a wishlist: Try setting up a private wishlist at an online erotic store, sending your partner an e-invite to join it, and taking it in turn to add items. This is a great way of learning about what your lover might like to sample, and gives him a chance to peruse the offerings in his own quiet time.

    The nose knows: Alternatively, if you’d rather go to a store together to choose a plaything, which can be as hilarious, seductive or subtle a trip as you both want it to be – testing vibrators against your nose is a good indicator of how strong they will feel down below. You might look like a clown, but that can help break any tension – and it is certainly better than splashing your cash on some super-powered dick drill you later discover you need a hard hat, earplugs, and steel toe-capped boots to operate.

    USING TOYS

    Use a dom:… a condom, that is. If you’re inserting any toys inside one another, pop a rubber over the top first for convenient cleanup. Fear of mess can cause distress, but French letters plus lotsa lube can take that worry away. Make sure you change the Johnny in between uses if you’re both sharing the same gadget to avoid any cross-contamination issues with butt bacteria.

    Bum note: Don’t pop anything up anyone’s bum-ba-lao that you’re not absolutely certain you can get out again – a trip to A&E to fish a pocket rocket out of your partner’s southerly sex socket is not going to endear him to the concept of playthings! Make sure any anal toys you use have a flared base or a sturdy handle to make sure they’re not going to barge their way too far up the anal canal.

    Give it a rest: Make sure you mix a few “All Boy, No Toy” sex sessions into your repertoire. Even if you and your beau are both really getting off on your new gizmos, leave the bits ‘n’ bobs in the box now and again to regularly prove to him that he still blows your socks off and takes your quivering legs with ‘em all on his own.

    Follow Alix on Twitter for sauciness, silliness, sexiness and naughty natterings: @AlixFox

     

  • HIV Exhibit Opens At The Museum Of Liverpool

    On Friday 10 October, a new multi-media display Now + then: Three Decades of HIV in Merseyside will open at the Museum of Liverpool. The display forms part of the 2014 Homotopia festival.

    Now + then uncovers how local people and communities have responded to the challenges of HIV from the 1980s to the present day. The display will include a new powerful short film, interviews, photography and objects, all exploring people’s own remarkable stories and experiences.

    Located in The People’s Republic gallery, the display highlights an important chapter in Merseyside’s history of activism. Merseyside’s communities were among the first nationally to respond to the 1980s crisis of ‘AIDS’. Liverpool’s pioneering drug harm reduction and needle exchange schemes became internationally renowned as the Mersey Model.

    Kay Jones, Curator of Community History at National Museums Liverpool said: “It has been incredibly rewarding to work closely with Sahir House to help reveal this untold part of our history. We hope that the display will educate and raise awareness of HIV, which could affect anyone in our local community”.

    Andrew has been living with HIV for 30 years and lost many people to late stage HIV, previously known as ‘AIDS’. He said: “Back in the 80s if you didn’t see someone for a few weeks you would assume the worst. I remember funerals happening every week. Although much has changed since then, the film included in the display shows the impact that an HIV diagnosis can have on a person’s life whether it was 30 years ago, 30 months or 30 days.”

    Now + then was created by Sahir House – Merseyside and North Cheshire’s HIV charity – in collaboration with Soft Octopus Design Studio and Thinking Film, as part of the Museum of Liverpool’s partnership programme Our City, Our Stories. The display is the culmination of a wider two-year project, funded by the Heritage Lottery.

    The idea for the project came from service users and volunteers at Sahir House who felt it was important to record people’s own stories about HIV and Merseyside before they were lost forever.

    In 2012 the Museum of Liverpool hosted a community meeting to develop ideas for the project. Following this Sahir House successfully bid for £76,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Since the first community meeting, the Museum of Liverpool has provided a base for Now + then public events.

    Early supporters of the project were Liverpool Archives and the North West Sound Archive, as the oral testimonies and archive materials collected during the project will form two new nationally significant archive collections.

  • Scottish Government Launches Next Phase Of Bowel Cancer Campaign

    Bowel cancer can be beaten – if detected early. This was the message Scots were told today as the Scottish Government launched the second phase of its bowel cancer awareness campaign.

    In a bid to encourage more Scots aged 50-74 to take part in the life-saving national bowel screening programme, the new campaign carries the powerful message that early stage bowel cancer can often be cured.

    The campaign shows the real value of completing the home screening kit, which is the best way to find bowel cancer early.

    Picking up where the first campaign left off, the next phase wants to increase the 57 per cent of bowel cancers detected at the earliest stages, by asking more people to return their completed kits.

    Last year’s public awareness campaign resulted in a large increase in calls to the national bowel screening centre and the latest statistics shows that uptake of the programme has gone up from 54 to 56 percent in two years.

    Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “We know that nine out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer if it is detected early. Completing and returning the home test is the simplest way to get checked – giving yourself the best possible chance of survival.

    “However, only just over half of those eligible have taken the opportunity to get tested. Bowel cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, especially when it’s caught early, and taking the test helps us to do exactly that.

    “We want to encourage even more people to take up the services on offer and help further increase the rate of bowel cancers detected at the earliest stage, when people are least likely to need invasive treatment and most likely to survive.

    “An important part of this is ensuring everyone who is eligible takes the time to complete their home test kit. Having done the test myself I know how simple it is to do and the results could make a difference to your life. My message is clear, bowel cancer can be beaten if its caught early. Don’t get scared, take the test.”

    The campaign, which goes live today, is supported by 70-year-old Sheena Edgar who is one of Scotland’s growing number of cancer survivors thanks to screening.

    Sheena, from Lanarkshire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer after completing a routine bowel screening test three years ago.

    Highlighting the importance of the returning the screening kit Sheena said: “I had no symptoms at all but I sent away my test anyway. Just a few days later I had a letter asking me to get in touch with the hospital to arrange a colonoscopy. They told me they found three polyps which were then sent away for testing.

    These tests, which would not have been done if Sheena hadn’t returned her kit, showed that she did indeed need treatment.

    Sheena explained: “I then had an operation, but was home three days later and felt like I was back to normal. It was all really quick. The staff that helped look after me were absolutely brilliant. It was over before I realised that anything had even happened.

    Sheena is sharing her story as part of the new campaign because she recognises how it saved her life – a message she wants others to know.

    She said: “I’m very grateful for the screening service. Don’t be put off doing the test – it’s so simple and could save your life. You might not like the thought of it, but it’s easy and you can do it in private, in your own home.

    “It doesn’t bear thinking about how long I might have had to wait before finding out I had bowel cancer, without the screening programme. It could have been much further down the line, when it was more advanced – I could have been facing a very different outcome all together.

    “I was so lucky it was caught early, thank goodness for the screening service.”

    Applauding the new campaign Emma Anderson, Scottish Operations Manager, Bowel Cancer UK said:

    “Bowel Cancer UK welcomes the next phase of the Detect Cancer Early bowel cancer campaign.

    “We have seen the uptake rate of the bowel screening test increase since the campaign began but there are still too many people not completing and returning their kit. Everyone who is eligible should do the test – it could save their life.”

    Terence O’Kelly, the Scottish Government’s Senior Medical Officer and Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary said:

    “If a tumour is present, just in the bowel wall, it can be cured.

    “I know of many patients who have completed the home screening test, had a positive result, and have gone on to have polyps removed before they develop any further. These individuals have then enjoyed completely normal lives.

    “Clearly not everyone has the same journey or outcome. However, what is clear, is that if detected early, bowel cancer is a form of disease that can be cured.”

    Currently the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme invites all men and women in Scotland aged 50 – 74 to participate in screening every two years.

    The programme was extended in April 2013, so that those over the age of 74 can self-refer every two years by requesting a screening kit through the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline.

    For information on the screening programme, contact the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833 or visit www.bowelscreeningtest.org.

  • £90,000 Raised To Support People Living With HIV

    A host of celebrities including, Nigella Lawson, Jim Broadbent, Jemima Khan and Harry Enfield, were among dinner party guests who took part in HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust’s ‘The Supper Club’ fundraiser last night.

    The THT event, which is in its 14th year raised more than £90,000 to support people living with and affected by HIV. On the night guests attended 50 dinner parties at some of London’s most iconic restaurants, including Roast, Wilton’s, Polpo, Aqua Shard, and Scott’s, which all donated a meal in support of the charity.

    Afterwards guests where whisked away to a star studded after party at the Underglobe where they enjoyed entertainment by British singer-song writer Chloe Howl, Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist La Voix and boylesque troop Briefs. Guests were also treated to cocktails by 6 O’Clock Gin and took part in ‘The Supper Club’ silent auction, which boasted an array of bespoke foodie prizes, including a chocolate making master class with acclaimed chocolatier Paul A Young, dinner at home catered by Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett, and the chance to create a bespoke brownie flavour with Bad Brownie.
    Sonya Trivedy, Director of Fundraising at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Thank you to everyone who has once again made ‘The Supper Club’ such a huge success and another night to remember. Each year our supporters came out in full force to help us raise awareness for the work that we do – and this year was no different. We are really lucky to have support from such exceptional people, who once again have helped us raise a phenomenal amount for people living with and affected by HIV in the UK ”

  • WATCH | Tyra Shuts Down Homophobic Reaction In ANTM

    And the winner of Ally of the day goes to Tyra Banks as she shuts down latent homophobia.

    Tyra Bank is known for being a brilliant Ally to the LGBT+ community and has shown her support again today in a new video that has surfaced from the latest season of Americas Next Top Model.

    The show, which is in its 21st cycle (season), also features male models.

    Shiz went down when a former American football player Denzel Wells made comments about losing out to a man who wore heals.

    The man wearing the heels was out contestant Will Jardell, 23.

    Although Wells said he didn’t have a problem with gay people, he was uncomfortable that he would have to go home and explain to his friends that he lost to a man in heels.

    During a discussion with Banks, she called him out on his behaviour saying, ‘This is an industry that is predominately female. So when you step into an industry that is predominately a certain sex, you get the stereotype that you are gay.

    ‘Be proud of this industry, and every single male model — gay, straight, heels, corsets, who gives a f**k?’
    ‘I want to take you back 50 years and imagine you overheard Will say, ‘I hope that Denzel guy doesn’t win. Because if that black guy wins, my friends at home are going to say I’m his **Bleeped**,’

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Great Gatsby – Northern Ballet

    ★★★★★ | The Great Gatsby – Northern Ballet

    In 1922, Nick Caraway moves to Long Island, hoping to take advantage of the economic upturn. He buys a house near to his cousin, Daisy, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage to Tom Buchannan as a result of Tom’s infidelity and quick temper. Entering into the decadent and indulgent world of 1920’s extravagance, Nick attends the lavish parties thrown by his reclusive neighbour, Gatsby. Gatsby longs for his lost love, Daisy, and as the two rekindle their love; a chain of events is set in motion which impacts upon all of them as their world of excess and glamour comes crashing down.

    Northern Ballet continues to surprise and delight in equal measure with this production. The show has an almost cinematic feel to it, combining detailed narrative, rich characterisations, sweeping scenes and a mixture of choreography, ranging from traditional ballet to the Charleston. The party scenes were an absolutely delightful, producing a genuine smile and conveying the fun and decadence of the era with the uplifting and joyous music and enthusiasm of the cast. This made the juxtaposition with the love story, the themes of loss and regret, loneliness and divided loyalties even more moving.

    Giuliano Contadini brought a wide eyed innocence to the role of Nick Carraway; and Kenneth Tindall has never been better than in his role as the scheming and thoroughly unpleasant Tom Buchanan. Tobias Batley brought an effective, subtle performance of loneliness and regret as Gatsby and Martha Leebolt was superb as Daisy Buchannan. The entire cast deserve credit for the way in which; expressed only through dance; they were able to garner such rich depth of character for those involved in the narrative.
    The music was very much in keeping with the time period, as were the cloche hats, flapper dresses and smart tuxedo’s, which filled out the cast’s wardrobe. The live orchestra once again played beautifully and the inclusion of two songs within the score added a twist which worked incredibly well, one of which immensely enhanced the beautifully poignant closing scenes.

    Northern Ballet was named Best Company at the inaugural Taglioni European Ballet Awards in October this year, and with the consistency and quality of their productions, it is not hard to see why. The running time for The Great Gatsby simply flew by and the show was not only utterly absorbing but was very difficult to fault. Very highly recommended.

    The Great Gatsby is currently on national tour, visiting Canterbury’s Marlow Theatre, The Alhambra Theatre; Bradford, Saddlers Wells in London and Norwich Theatre Royal.

    For more information visit www.northernballet.com

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