THEGAYUK

Tag: London News

All the latest from London, the capital of the UK, home to the UK’s largest gay community.

  • Uber told it cannot operate in London anymore

    But don’t worry just yet – those Prius’s could be around for a good few years yet

    Uber banned from operating in London

    Transport for London (TfL) has informed US tech firm Uber that it will not issue it a private hire operator licence after the expiry of its current licence on 30 September. TfL cited the company’s policy on reporting criminal offences, hiring policies and tech software which could bar regulatory organisations for gaining full access to its technology as some of its reasons.

    The blow to Uber could potentially mean the loss of tens of thousands of jobs across London as well affecting over 3.5 million passengers who use the service.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement, “I fully support TfL’s decision – it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety and security.”

    In a statement, Uber said, “far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies”.

    Why did the TFL ban Uber?

    In making its decision to effectively ban Uber TfL said,

    TfL has concluded that Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a private hire operator licence.

    TfL considers that Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications. These include:

    • Its approach to reporting serious criminal offences.
    • Its approach to how medical certificates are obtained.
    • Its approach to how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are obtained.
    • Its approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London – software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.

    Gone from London’s streets?

    Uber has 21 days to appeal and those appeals could see the battle for Uber on London’s street rage for years into the future. Tfl also noted that Uber had the right to appeal the decision and that it could continue to operate ” until any appeal processes have been exhausted”.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Holding the Man, Above the Stag Theatre London

    ★★★★★ | Holding the Man

    THEATRE REVIEW | Holding the Man, Above the Stag Theatre London

    Holding the Man is a show that will rip your heart out and reduce you to tears.

    Now playing at Above the Stag Theatre in Vauxhall, it’s true story of two Australian men, Timothy Conigrave and John Caleo, who fall in love in the late 1970’s, who have their ups and downs during the 1980’s, and who both are diagnosed with the HIV virus and must deal with not only death knocking on their door but also the shortened time they have to be together. The show is based on the 1995 book by Conigrave and was written by Tommy Murphy. Most of you might have already seen the excellent 2015 film, or previous London productions (including the 2010 production at Trafalgar Studios). The Above the Stage production is just as hard-hitting.

    It’s the storytelling and the extremely strong performances of the cast at the Above the Stag that rate this production five stars. Jamie Barnard is excellent as Conigrave while Ben Boskovic as Caleo eerily captures his quietness and reserve. Both actors bring to this production a strength and resolute to their roles that they are almost living out these characters lives right in front of us. From the beginning of the show, we can feel that these two men were meant to be together. But this being the early 80s, not much was known about HIV, so, unfortunately, and I’m not giving anything away here because it’s a well-known story, AIDS was to rear its ugly head directly at these two young, beautiful men.

    Holding the Man takes us on a heart-stopping and heartbreaking journey while we travel with them in their relationship with each other in life and in death. And it’s Barnard and Boskovic who take us on this remarkable journey. Joshua Cole as a best friend of the two men provide welcome comic relief in a show that’s very serious: he’s charming and has the best lines in the play. Faye Wilson adds some much-needed sparkle as another one of the boy’s friends, while Liam Burke, Annabel Pemberton, and Robert Thompson round out the ensemble in various roles as parents, friends and fellow students. One scene that includes the whole cast is a hilarious masturbation scene that’s cleverly done and something I’ve never seen on stage before.

    But’s is the relationship between these two men that is at the heart and soul of this show. Director Gene David Kirk keeps the drama up and running while designer David Shields provides an excellent minimalist backdrop so the audience can focus on the story, and acting unfolding right before our very eyes.

    Kudos to Above the Stag Theatre for producing a serious, dramatic and extremely well-acted show that’s a welcome relief from their previous camp and silly previous productions. Categorise Holding the Man as a must see!

    Holding The Man runs at the Above The Stag theatre until 21st October 2017

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Five Guys Name Moe, Marble Arch Theatre London

    ★★★★ | Five Guys Named Moe

    THEATRE REVIEW | Five Guys Name Moe, Marble Arch Theatre London

    There’s a new theatre in town, it’s fabulous, and the show now playing at this theatre is fabulous as well.

    The Marble Arch Theatre, which is an Underbelly production (the team that brings us the excellent shows in the Southbank), is cleverly located right next to the arch in Marble Arch, is the newest theatre to pop up in London. It’s a gorgeous 650 seater wooden structure that includes a very large bar and an auditorium with a stage that is semi-circle in the round, a design that reflects the 1940’s New Orleans Jazz bars. And theatregoers will be able to take their seats at the cabaret tables in the Funky Butt Club and have drinks served directly to their tables for an up-close and personal musical experience all around them. And the show at this new theatre is Five Guys Named Moe, which is a show about Five Guys Named Moe (Big, Little, Eat, Know and Four-Eyed) who give guidance, advice and support to Nomax, who is single, broke and lamenting about a broken relationship with a woman named Lorraine.

    The Moes sing and dance their way throughout this two-hour very lively extravaganza, while Nomax (played by Edward Baruwa) takes it all in. Songs, featuring the hits of original jazz king Louis Jordan, include “Early in the Morning,” “I Like ‘em Like That,” “Safe, Sane and Single,” and “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens” are sung by the Moes in such a fun and unique style. And there is also quite a bit of audience participation. One member of the audience who was chosen to recite some sentences on the night I saw it, and it was none other than stage and movie star Freddie Fox. The audience also gets to outdo each other, with the help of the Moes, in a sing-a-long that provides raucous laughter. It’s the oldest trick in the book to include the audience in the show to make sure they are having a great time, and the Moes use it to their advantage.

    Five Guys Named Moe is based on a musical of the same name by Jordan in 1943, and has been around since it’s 1990 UK debut (and a 2010 UK revival). With a book by Clarke Peters, it feels like this show has never left London. But if you’ve already seen it, seeing it again at the new Marble Arch Theatre will be a whole new experience, and perhaps more of an enjoyable one in a setting that matches the fun and frivolity of the show. Kudos to all the Moes who make it a fun night out (Ian Carlyle, Idriss Kargbo, Dex Lee, Horace Oliver and Emile Ruddock) and to Underbelly for copying their successful formula to Marble Arch, and to the production team for pulling it off and producing one big party.

    Five Guys Named Moe plays at the Marble Arch Theatre until 17 February 2018

  • Feminists and transgender activists clash at Speakers’ Corner

    Police are investigating after an altercation between feminists and transgender activists in London last week.

    One woman, 60, was injured after a confrontation between two groups, gender critical feminists and trans-rights activists. The incident happened in Hyde Park on Wednesday.

    Many gender critical feminists are opposed to rights campaigning from and for transgender women. Some believe that only women born with a vagina and XX chromosomes are “real women”.

    Attacked

    Maria MacLachlan, a ‘gender critical feminist’ suffered facial injuries at the famous Speakers’ Corner, in Hyde Park. She alleges that her camera was also smashed and the memory card was also stolen. She claims that one of the trans activists was her attacker.

    A video of the scuffle uploaded to YouTube has been viewed thousands of times.

    Speaking to the Mail On Sunday, Ms MacLachlan said,

    “These studenty-looking types were turning up and some arguments started to take place but I kept well out of it.’

    “I thought, ‘I can film this, it will be interesting.’ They were getting louder and louder. Then suddenly someone tried to grab my camera. It was scary. Someone kept trying to get my camera. I think it was a girl, but I couldn’t tell because they had a hoodie over their eyes.”

    Reaction

    Taking to Twitter the UK’s largest LGBT+ charity, Stonewall made a statement, writing, “There is no place for violence in our movement, as a form of attack or retaliation”.

    A statement from Trans Health London said,

    “We condemn violence against women in all forms. We’re proud that many self-organising activists, allies and supporters stood against hatred, misogyny and intimidation.”

    The police were called no arrests were made.

     

    * A previous version of this article used the word fight, this has now been changed to altercation, confrontation and incident.

     

  • Three teenagers convicted of violent homophobic assault on train

    Three teenagers who pleaded guilty to attacking two passengers on a train because of their sexuality have been jailed.

    Three teenagers pleaded guilty to Violent Disorder against two boyfriends

    They were sentenced to six months in Prison

    Told to pay the victims just £100 in compensation.

    The three male youths, two aged 16 and one aged 17, were each sentenced to six months in prison at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 14 September, after admitting violent disorder and, in one case, possession of an offensive weapon.

    In the early hours of 15 February 2017 two men, who are in a relationship, boarded a train from Reading to London and fell asleep. The three defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, got on at Hayes and Harlington.

    One of the 16-year-old defendants walked through the carriages and spotted the victims asleep and resting on each other. He went back to inform the other two.

    The trio then returned and engaged the victims in a conversation before attacking them. They were punched and kicked several times. One was stamped on whilst the other was hit over the head with a glass bottle. The sustained attack left both victims with extensive bruising to the head and face and one lost two teeth.

    Following a British Transport Police investigation, the three defendants were charged and later pleaded guilty to violent disorder. One of them also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

    Hatred motivated by homophobia

    The couple show the results of their horrific attack. The sustained attack left both victims with extensive bruising to the head and face and one lost two teeth.

    The CPS argued that the attack was motivated by hatred of the victims’ actual or perceived sexual orientation and asked the court to treat the incident as a homophobic hate crime. This was accepted and each defendant received a four-month prison sentence increased to six months because of the hate crime element. They were also each ordered to pay £100 in compensation to each of their victims.

    The prosecution also successfully applied for one of the victims and another witness to give evidence from behind a screen to allay their fears about being targeted or intimidated.

    Lauranne Middleton from the CPS said: “This was a violent assault and we successfully argued that it was fuelled by the defendants’ homophobia.

    “Where prosecutors have evidence that an attack was motivated by hostility towards someone’s sexual orientation, they will ask the court to consider this as an aggravating factor which deserves a harsher sentence.

    “This successful prosecution demonstrates how seriously the CPS treats such cases and our commitment to bringing offenders of hate crime to justice.”

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Footloose, Peacock Theatre London

    ★★★★ | Footloose

    THEATRE REVIEW | Footloose, Peacock Theatre London

    Kevin Bacon became a worldwide star in the 1984 hit film. And while there have been lots of stage versions produced after this, “Footloose,” no matter how many times you’ve seen it or have hummed the title song, will always bring a smile to your face.

    Another revival, now at the Peacock Theatre near Aldwych, and arriving into London right after a UK tour, keeps the toe-tapping alive with the show about a small town that has banned dancing, and the young out-of-towner who plans to shake things up.

    Rem McCormack (Joshua Dowen) and his mom Ethel (Lindsay Goodhand) move from their hometown of Chicago to the very small town of Bomont after Rem’s father left the family home to go ‘find himself.’ Rem integrates into his new school, filled with all sorts of people (though none of them, curiously, are black). His fellow students include Willard (Gareth Gates, who gets star billing) and the minister’s daughter Ariel (Hannah Price). It comes to light that the powerful minister, the Reverend Shaw (Reuven Gershon), has banned dancing in town because five years ago his young son and three others were killed in a car crash, no doubt, according to the minister, caused by the kid’s night out of having too much fun and possibly drinking.

    But Rem wants to have fun, but at the same time can’t seem to hold down a job due to his motto of trying to do the right thing, and he’s gotten off on the wrong foot with Ariel’s boyfriend Chuck (Connor Going – who strangely disappears during the middle of the show but returns for the finale). The other kids end up getting Rem to speak up for them at the city council meeting to denounce the dancing ban while it’s no surprise that Rem and Ariel have the hots for each other. It’s lots of loose feet, catchy tunes, a hot and sexy cast and way too many crotch jokes that make this version of Footloose a slight winner.

    Gareth Gates looking super hot in the London Production

    The music and the talented cast make the show very entertaining, but the show as a whole could be better. While all the film’s hits are included (“Footloose” of course, “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” as well as “Holding Out for a Hero”), with some of the arrangements of these songs a bit different than what we’re used to, some of the other songs make a very big thud, including the dismal “Heaven Help Me” sung by Gershon. However, “Somebody’s Eyes” is beautifully sung by most of the cast in a very memorable scene. So while there are more ups than downs, the cast at the end of show work very very hard to get their standing ovation, practically repeating, in very shortened versions, almost every catchy and lively song from the show. And even though Gates gets top billing (and he even takes his top off to reveal an absolutely stunning body), both Dowen and Price are the true stars of the show. Their chemistry on stage is very real – both very good looking with all-American looks. Director Racky Plews and Choreographer Matthew Cole have, almost, done Kevin Bacon proud.

     

    Footloose plays at the Peacock Theatre London

  • Pride In London announces biggest organisational restructuring since 2012

    The organisers behind London’s historic Pride parade have today announced changes to their operation, as well as a new drive to bring new experience to the team. The enhanced structure places greater emphasis on community engagement across the board and will carry it forward for the next five years after it secured permission to continue running the event from the Greater London Authority.

    Pride In London announces biggest organisational restructuring since 2012

    As one of the longest running Pride events in the world, London plays host to one of the largest, most influential, most recognised and most impactful parades and events, but it can only do this thanks to the committed help of more than 100 year-round volunteers. In order to meet growing demand, and to help ensure Pride in London continues to grow and succeed for all LGBT+ people, organisers are appealing for people to apply for the many roles currently available – and to have a direct say in plans for next year.

    In 2017 the team launched a major advertising campaign to highlight hate crime, it broadcast TV adverts in an LGBT+ awareness campaign – the first to ever specifically highlight bisexual people, it launched a Facebook Live discussion programme, put on a parade with 28,000 participants and more than 1m spectators, and took its campaign internationally displaying messages of love from London in Times Square, New York and at World Pride in Madrid.

    On the back of Pride’s own surveys, consultations and feedback sessions throughout the summer, the re-structure will expand the board. Five positions on the Board of Directors are currently open. These are:

    Director of Volunteer Management
    Director of Community Engagement
    Director of Marketing
    Director of Events
    Director of Fundraising

    The recruitment process will be open, and the organisers are especially keen to hear from a diverse mix of applications.

    Applications will close on Friday, 6th October and Board members will be conducting interviews during w/c 9th and 16th October.

    Wider recruitment for core team roles will continue during October and there will be an ‘open day’ to enable those who are interested in volunteering to meet and find out more about Pride in London and the roles available.

    Recognition and thanks go to former board directors Patrick Lyster-Todd (one of the founders of Pride in London) and Mohsin Zaidi, both of whom worked tirelessly to help build the UK’s biggest and most diverse Pride Festival. Their camaraderie will be missed.

    The board restructure and recruitment drive is the first step in wider changes to Pride in London following feedback sessions and an evaluation of its mission for the coming years. Further announcements on this will be made in due course.

    Alison Camps, co-chair of Pride in London, said,

    “After five years, it has been important for us all at Pride in London to take stock and ensure we are in the best possible place to deliver the best event we can.

    “We can only do that if we adapt and grow and ensure the entire LGBTQ+ community is involved and is a part of the movement.

    “Volunteering with Pride in London has been one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had, and it is an incredible privilege to be part of it. I hope more people join us, and help create an event and movement that is as impactful and successful as ever.”

    Commenting, co-chair Michael Salter-Church, who helped set up Pride in London in 2012, said,

    “Five years ago, a small group of committed volunteers came together to rescue London’s Pride, after previous organisers fell into financial difficulty. That small team has now grown to more than 100 all-year-round volunteers.

    “2017 saw one of the largest parades the city has seen, and solidified the LGBTQ+ community at the heart of London and the UK. It also proved the strength of support towards Pride and how important the event is to LGBTQ+ people at home and abroad.

    “I am looking forward to welcoming many more people to the Pride family and gearing up to being better than ever in 2018.”

    Information about roles will be available at prideinlondon.org/volunteer

  • 5 gay date ideas in London this weekend 16-17 September

    Looking for something to do this weekend – check out our quick guide…

    London Queer Fashion show

    £10.50 – £26.25

    Okay, not quite the weekend, but on Wednesday 20th, in Hackney, the London Queer Fashion Show will be showcasing the most exciting designs and ideas from some of London’s brightest young stars. LQFS exhibits the greatest new talent, the people who know that gender exists beyond the binary, that clothing does not exist in male and female forms. The designers who are moving fashion forward to inspire and empower our city and society. LQFS gives visibility to the diversity within our community, helping to break down gender norms and show that the queer community follows no rules.

    From 6:00 PM at the Hackney Showroom – tickets are from £21.00 

    Drag Queen Brunch

    £££

    The Ivy Soho Brasserie will be hosting a Drag Queen Brunch on Sunday 17 September in celebration of London’s Fashion Week. Between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, guests will be greeted and hosted by two fabulous drag queens – Tiffaney Wells and Adora Dix – to ignite their brunching experience.

    The Ivy Soho Brasserie’s brunch menu will feature an array of The Ivy Collection classic dishes such as chicken Milanese, hot buttermilk pancakes and the melting chocolate bombe. Tiffaney Wells and Adora Dix will be the Maître D’ for the day and will ensure an experience with vibrant entertainment to excite and engage guests throughout their meal.

    Consumers can book The Ivy Soho Brasserie’s Drag Queen Brunch online or over the phone at 0203 301 1166.

     

    Kardashian Dash

    Free 

    London, UK – 13 September 2017 – E! Entertainment Television – NBCUniversal International Network’s (NBCUIN) channel dedicated to pop culture – is celebrating 10 years of Keeping Up With The Kardashians by giving fans an immersive experience of the show with the launch of a FREE two day event – “E! Celebrates 10 Years of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.”
    Opening its doors at London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery on 22-23rd September, the event brings to life everything you know and love about television’s longest running docu-series, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, over two days of unmissable experiences including: ultimate selfie opportunities, make-up masterclasses and more, to ensure that ultimate E! fans are “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.”  The event is an absolute must for all super-fans of the show.  FREE tickets for the exclusive event are limited and available on a first-come-first-serve basis from www.seetickets.com/go/kuwtk

    King’s Head Theatre

    £22.50

    London is very fortunate to have a theatre like the King’s Head because of its repertoire of gay-themed shows. And now it’s in the middle of presenting its LGBT Festival with the showcase of a new play called Outlaws to In-Laws.

    Outlaws to In-Laws attempts, successfully, to depict the experiences of gay men over the last seven decades. And while it’s a subject that would be daunting for any theatre, or playwright, involved, the seven playwrights who wrote the seven shows that cover seven decades of gay life do their darnedest to both entertain and educate the audience.

    Outlaws to In-Laws is now playing at The King’s Head Theatre until September 23.

     

    Go shopping for Vintage Gear

    Free

    The famed retro market, Dusty Fingers Market is Hitting Dalston and is going canalside for one weekend. Make your way to Hertford Road, Haggerston to get your mitts on some vintage gear.

    Find out more

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Outlaws to In-Laws, King’s Head Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | Outlaws to In-Laws

    THEATRE REVIEW | Outlaws to In-Laws, King's Head Theatre, London

    London is very fortunate to have a theatre like the King’s Head because of its repertoire of gay-themed shows. And now it’s in the middle of presenting its LGBT Festival with the showcase of a new play called Outlaws to In-Laws.

    Outlaws to In-Laws attempts, successfully, to depict the experiences of gay men over the last seven decades. And while it’s a subject that would be daunting for any theatre, or playwright, involved, the seven playwrights who wrote the seven shows that cover seven decades of gay life do their darnedest to both entertain and educate the audience. Here are some of the highlights:

    Happy and Glorious – by Philip Meeks – is set in the 1950s on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation where two men fall into a tryst and both their lives change forever.

    Mister Tuesday – by Jonathan Harvey (Beautiful Thing) – Peter and Jimmy have sex, on Tuesdays, but we soon realize that Jimmy is married with children while Peter threatens to blackmail him just so that he can keep the trysts, and possibly more, ongoing.

    Reward – by Jonathan Harvey – a riveting story where a rough and tough skinhead and a young black man meet at a bus stop and fall into a relationship, but it’s illicit one where both of them could be in real danger. Both actors, Jack Bence and Michael Duke, are excellent.

    1984 – by Patrick Wilde – where two men have an encounter, and one of them, a politico for Thatcher, realizes that all that he stands for is soon to change.

    Brothas – by Topher Campbell – where two black men, Dwayne and Remi, have fun cruising on a black dating site, slighting the unattractive ones while favouring the more ‘looking and acting straight’ ones. But it’s Dwayne who’s in it for more than just the sex.

    While most of the stories are very good, what is best about this production are the performances. All seven actors give it their best, but it’s a few of them who really stand out. Bence, as previously mentioned, is highly memorable as the skinhead in Reward and as Peter in Mister Tuesday – both roles require high stakes drama and passion, and Bence delivers, while both Myles Devonté and Duke look very comfortable in their roles in Brothas – they are both naturals in front of the audience.

    Outlaws to In-laws is two hours of theatre that, while a bit cobbled together, is still a very good journey that takes us from decade to decade of gay life linked together very cleverly and showcasing the talent of the playwrights and especially the actors.

    Outlaws to In-Laws is now playing at The King’s Head Theatre until September 23.

    For details of The King’s Head’s other gay production, “Gypsy Queen,” please go here:

    https://kingsheadtheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873576764

  • Two men wanted over a homophobic assault in London

    Police in London have released efits of two men they wish to speak to following a homophobic assault on two men in Lambeth.

    Two men wanted over a homophobic assault in London
    Police have released these e fits of two men they would like to question in connection to homophobic assaults on two men in Lambert, London.

    Detectives are appealing for witnesses after two men were assaulted in Lambeth in what detectives are treating as a homophobic hate crime.

    Officers have today released E-fits of two men they wish to identify and speak with.

    Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 00:50hrs on Sunday, 30 July to Windmill Walk, SE1 to a report of two men injured following an assault.

    The victims, aged 53 and 49, suffered facial injuries and were taken to a south London hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged.

    “Motivated by homophobia”

    The men told police that they were approached by a group of four males who launched an unprovoked attack which appeared to be motivated by homophobia. The suspects were all described as white and wearing hooded tops. One of them spoke with a strong Northern Irish accent.

    The assaults, in which one of the victims lost some teeth, are being treated as a suspected hate crime.

    An ambulance was called at 12.50 AM on Sunday, 30 July to Windmill Walk, SE1 to a report of two men injured following an assault.

    Detective Constable Matt Cockroft, from Lambeth CID, said, “This was a shocking attack on two men who were simply walking along the road.

    “I would urge anyone who recognises either of these men to contact us. I would also like to speak with anyone who witnessed the assault but has not yet to come forward.”

    No arrest made

    There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

    Any witnesses and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or Tweet via @MetCC.

    The Met have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and the hidden nature of this crime, which remains largely under-reported. The MPS stands together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families, and bring perpetrators to justice.

    We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers hate crime of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible.

    Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the Community Security Trust [CST].

  • You won’t believe how much Hollywood director Roland Emmerich charges as a landlord

    Have you ever wanted to live like a Hollywood Director? Well now you can if you stump up a massive £36,000 A MONTH.

    Hollywood director Roland Emmerich has put his London house on the market...
    £8000 per week and you can rent from the famous Hollywood director.

    The out director Roland Emmerich has opened up his London home for tenants – providing they can pay the £8,000 a week price tag. The house, which is located in Knightsbridge has five sizable bedrooms and boasts a unique style throughout the house, but also an eye-watering £36,000 per calendar month price tag – or a whopping £432,000 a YEAR.

    Although it’s unlikely the director will have someone living in for a full year as Emmerich is only letting it for short-term lets.

    Roland Emmerich is looking for only short term lets for his £8000 a week home in Knightsbridge.

    The director who can count Independence Day, Godzilla and Stargate as his hit movies has clearly used his theatrical sensibilities in the styling of the house – you’ll even find a Pope in full garb under the stairs.

    Time for confession? The gay director has a wax figure of Pope Jean-Paul II under the stairs.

    Daniel Bickerdike, Lettings Manager at KFH South Kensington, said, “The opportunity to live in such a unique home doesn’t come around very often. From the murals and ornaments inspired by figures from world history to Pope Jean Paul II sitting in the under-stairs cupboard, residents will be equally challenged, fascinated and entertained by the décor throughout this property.”

    Renters will be able to take a shower with Saddam Hussein holding a child. The house is also full of artworks with communist leaders as the subject.
    Those who take up residence will a stone’s throw from some of London’s most exclusive shops and restaurants.

    Along with the opportunity to sit with the Pope, houseguests will be able to shower with Saddam Hussein and other communist dictators.

    Each room has a different feel – but does have hardwood flooring throughout.

    Each room feels like a movie set with bespoke murals, ornaments and soft furnishings sitting alongside unique artwork and furniture. 

    The property is available through KFH South Kensington who can be contacted on 020 3792 5523.