THEGAYUK

Tag: London News

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

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Doubt, a Parable, Southwark Playhouse, London

    ★★★★★ | Doubt, a Parable, Southwark Playhouse, London

    CREDIT: Paul Nicholas Dyke

    It’s Autumn 1964 and young priest Father Brendan Flynn doesn’t fit into the spartan and puritanical ideals of the school as run by sour faced Sister Aloysius. He’s all warmth and casual attitude, bouncing a basketball around with the boys. Her view of the school system is one where art is a frippery, the children should be contained and disciplined and pastoral care involves telling people to buck their ideas up. Her ever watchful gaze is centred on Flynn and when a young nun divulges her suspicions of inappropriate behaviour between Father Flynn and a pre-pubescent boy she appears to relish the chance to get rid of him and launches into decisive and cunning action.

    If you want big acting shoes to fill then look no further than ‘Doubt’. This 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play was made into an astoundingly good film with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep as the warring priest and nun. This version has pulled together an accomplished cast with Stella Gonet as the terrifying yet eminently human Sister Aloysius. It;’s a dense, dialogue heavy play that’s an intense ninety minutes but one that passes in a flash and will set you cogitating as you consider the facets of the situation and the personalities concerned. Oh, as well as thinking about that little matter of the truth. Much like life, there aren’t any wholly good or bad or stupid or clever people only people on a spectrum constantly sliding somewhere between the two.

    The confined space of a fringe theatre like Southwark Playhouse suits this piece as you get to see every thought flit across each face and the intensity ramps up a notch or two. This is a rarity: an entertaining and rousing play that’s also intelligent and thought provoking. Go see it.

    Doubt, a Parable, plays at the Southwark Playhouse, London until 30th September 2017

  • 9 gay date ideas in London this weekend

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

    Keep it Kings Cross

    Free (before 10 PM) + drinks

    Fancy seeing some traditional drag head on over to Central Station in Kings Cross – a camp little haven awaits you as drag queen Lizzy Drip takes to the stage at 10:30 PM. There’s free entry before 10:00 PM and £5 after. The Kings Cross area once had a buzzing gay scene, with a number of nights or venues, and although the area is being redeveloped with expensive restaurants, hipster hangouts and extortionate housing costs, Central Station remains an uncomplicated, honest, fairly priced option. Hell, you can still get a glass of white for £3.70! Serves food. 37 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, London N1 9SD, 020 7278 3294

    Blooming great pre-drinks

    Free + drinks

    If you’re looking for something a little different to drag, then visit the underground, uber cool New Bloomsbury Set. Great prices and a 10-minute walk from Central Station – the perfect jump off before you head off clubbing…

    Go East

    Free + drinks

    For something a little edgier venture to Shoreditch – where the only label that matters is: “attitude free”. Take in the sights and sounds at Homodrop, the camp as f*ck disco at Dalston Superstore. And it’s free to get in. 117 Kingsland High St, E8 2PB. 

    Pick Up The Soap

    £££

    Of course, if you fancy something a little more sexy and soapy, try the Foam Party at Sweatbox in Soho. The party is never ending with a 24-hour pass costing £17 or a 48-hour pass costing £19. 1-2 Ramilies Street, Soho, W1F 7LN.

    Temping Tate

    Free

    Get lost in the epic Tate Modern gallery and marvel at the sheer scale of the Turbine room.

    Be a cultured gay and head off to the Tate Modern on the ever so romantic South Bank. Take the walk from Embankment Station – cross the footbridge – walk past the Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre – and hold hands. No one will blink an eye lid. It’s all very chill.  There are plenty of exhibitions on at the Tate Modern including, Voices and Media Networks. You must, of course, whilst you’re there, go and see Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych.

    The Thames

    Free

    Whilst you’re out and about around the Thames, artist Jason Bruges has created a light installation to shine on the Sea Containers building – a little further up from the Tate Modern. The design of the lighting reflects the water quality – according to the Thames water data. The display is a permanent fixture to help spread awareness about the quality of water in the Thames.

     A bite in Soho

    £££

    Some New York cool right in the centre of London. Grab a cocktail and relax.

    The gay epicentre of London is in Soho – this is where the highest number of LGBT+ spaces exist. However, for food, you should check out Dirty Bones on Denman Street – right next to the Piccadilly Theatre. Dirty Bones the restaurant categorises itself as New York comfort food and cocktails, well it’s that and more.

    Car Boot Sale

    £

    Will you be able to pick up a bargain at the Kings Cross car boot? From 10 AM on both Saturday and Sunday.

    I mean it’s definitely an unusual idea for a date… but if you’ve got a new BF this might be the perfect place to really discover what kind of guy he really is… They say you can tell a lot about a man by what he’s got in his basket – so to speak. There’s a car boot in Kings Cross, in Granary Square, from 10 AM and on Sunday from 10 AM. Just £5 to get in.

     

    Skinny Dipping?

    £2 (day ticket)

    Located in North London is the Hampstead Heath Ponds, three large freshwater swimming ponds that are popular for same sex and mixed couples alike. For centuries people have been coming to the ponds for a relaxing dip in the waters. Catch the last of the summer heat and take your partner to the ponds and have some wet fun. Let your playful side come out while enjoying an athletic dip. You must wear trunks in the water… but you know… once you’re in… who could possibly tell if you quickly slipped them off!

     

     

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Late Company, Trafalgar Studios, London

    ★★★★★| Late Company

    THEATRE REVIEW | Late Company, Trafalgar Studios, London

    The title of a new play at Trafalgar Studios – Late Company – means that the family the Hastings invited over for dinner are late, and they are also late in apologising for the suicide of their teenage son.

    Debora (an amazing Lucy Robinson) and Michael Hasting (Todd Boyce) have invited Bill Dermot (Alex Lowe) and his wife Tamara (Lisa Stevenson) and their son Curtis (David Leopold) over for dinner to their fancy and art-inspired home. Curtis and Debora & Michael’s son Joel were friends in school, however, Michael committed suicide after being constantly bullied and taunted by the other kids in school (including Curtis) for being gay and a bit feminine. So Debora (and less so Michael) have invited the Dermots over for dinner on the one year anniversary of Michael’s death. It’s a dinner where Debora wants to have the ‘conversation’ – to get everything out in the open and to have an open and honest discussion with Curtis to determine the reasons and motive for doing what he did to Michael, and most importantly to find out why. But the dinner doesn’t go according to plan, it’s brought up bad emotions and feelings that Debora and Michael were trying to get over. But it turns out that Debora was never really there for Joel, and that Michael’s job as an MP took him to Ottawa a lot of the time, and Debora was always focusing on her art and not really on Joel, so Bill and Tamara subtly advise Debora and Michael that they missed the warning signs because they were too involved in themselves. But no matter who the finger is pointed to, Joel is gone forever, and no yelling or conversation will bring him back. And it’s mostly Debora who longs for closure, and perhaps she’s feeling a bit guilty over Joel’s suicide.

    Late Company throws heavy emotional dialogue at the audience right and left, and it’s delivered by an excellent cast. Robinson as Joel’s mom has the showiest part. She’s angry and upset and wants closure. Stevenson is also very good as the mother whose son is still alive, she just can’t put herself in Debora’s shoes but she is willing to do as much as she can to help ease the pain. And Leopold is a wonder as the son who doesn’t have much to say during the dinner but near the end, he comes into his own. Gay playwright Jordan Tannahill was only 23 when he wrote Late Company in the wake of a peer’s suicide, and he has written a timely and evocative play that’s very relevant today in a world of constant bullying and peer pressure and what seems like the lack of rules on social media. Late Company is a short 75 minutes but it packs a wallop during this time and at the end, you will find that your heart has dropped into your stomach. A must see!

    Late Company is playing at Trafalgar Studios until Saturday, September 16th.

  • Fresh hopes for the iconic Black Cap in London

    There are new hopes for the reopening of the Black Cap, the iconic gay pub and cabaret venue on Camden High Street, which closed its doors in April 2015.

    Members of the Black Cap Foundation community campaign group to reopen the venue met representatives of Kicking Horse, who own the freehold of the Black Cap site. Representatives of Camden council and the GLA culture-at-risk team were also present.

    All sides agreed to work together to identify a new, third-party leaseholder to reopen the Black Cap as an LGBT+ venue with cabaret performance at its heart as soon as possible.

    Black Cap Foundation director Alex Green said:

    “We’re thrilled at this agreement. This is a crucial step towards our goal of reopening the Black Cap, and we welcome the cooperation of the freeholders and the support of Camden council and the GLA in making that a reality.

    “We’ve always believed the Black Cap’s unique, irreplaceable legacy of community and culture is worth fighting for, and can’t wait to see how it will be reinvented next.” 

    A spokesperson for Kicking Horse said:

    “We very much hope to find the leaseholder with the right vision, experience and resources to begin a brand new chapter for this world-famous venue.”

    The Black Cap has been a space for the gay community since before partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967. Known as the ‘Palladium of Drag’, it has hosted residencies by groundbreaking performers such as Lily Savage, Mrs Shufflewick and Regina Fong, after whom the pub’s first-floor Shufflewick Bar and Fong Terrace are named. More recently, it was home to the Family Fierce, who showcased acts from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

    Since the 2015 closure, the Black Cap Foundation has maintained a weekly Saturday afternoon vigil outside the pub, celebrating the venue’s past and sharing stories with local residents while campaigning for its reopening.

    The Black Cap’s new leaseholder will take on a 25-year lease for the five-storey building at 171 Camden High Street. The site has Asset of Community Status and sui generis planning use class and requires significant capital expenditure.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Loot, Park Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | Loot

    THEATRE REVIEW | Loot, Park Theatre, London

    The late playwright Joe Orton wrote Loot more than 50 years ago, and it is now being revived at London’s Park Theatre in Finsbury Park.

    Loot is a farcical comedy that’s hilarious but it’s upstaged a bit by the life of Orton. He was only 34 when, at the peak of his fame, he was murdered by his boyfriend Kenneth Halliwell in their flat in Islington exactly 50 years ago because Halliwell was very jealous of Orton’s success. Orton had just had real success in the West End with both Loot and Entertaining Mr Sloane, and was even celebrating being notorious for when he and Halliwell served six months in jail for defacing books from the Islington public library.

    But back to Loot,  it’s a laugh a minute play about a funeral with a corpse which unfortunately does not get any peace in the afterlife. There’s also a bank robbery as well as a cunning nurse who will do anything to get her hands on as much money as she can.

    Mrs McLeavy (Anah Ruddin) has just died and her husband McLeavy (Ian Redford) and son Hal (Sam Frenchum) are in mourning at a funeral home. Nurse Fay (Sinéam Matthews) was hired to take care of Mrs McLeavy, but she’s got more up her sleeve than cotton pads and plasters. But Hal has just robbed a bank, in cahoots (and then some) with undertaker Dennis (Calvin Demba), and the money is in the same room as Mrs McLeavy. But self-proclaimed water inspector Truscott (Christopher Fulford) seems to be getting very interested in everyone’s business, starts to ask lots and lots of questions, while Hal and Dennis run amok trying to figure out where to stash the stolen money – and this is the beauty of Loot. Poor Mrs McLeavy’s corpse keeps on getting switched with the money and eventually her body is a prop where McLeavy and Truscott bewilderingly take no notice. And eventually Fay wants a piece of the action or else she will tell the cops. The corpse winds up in literally many hilarious places and positions which will keep you laughing for the duration of the show’s 90 plus minutes.

    Kudos go to Ruddin for playing the corpse. She, along with the hilarious script, are the real stars of the show. Matthews as nurse Fay and Redford as McLeavy are also brilliant but it’s a testament to Orton who had bucketfuls of talent taken away from him at such a young age, one can only imagine what else he would’ve accomplished. And we’re lucky we are no longer at the behest of Lord Chamberlain who heavily censored this show when it was originally shown, and when some of the audiences walked out because of the way the corpse is treated in the show. And we finally get to see Loot the way Orton originally intended it to be watched, in full.

    Loot play at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park until 24th September

  • Man jailed for 26 years after Hyde Park murder

    A man who violently attacked and killed a gay man in Hyde Park has been jailed for 26 years.

    Hani Khalaf, 22 (8.11.94) of no fixed address was sentenced on Thursday, 24 August at the Old Bailey with a recommendation he serves a minimum of 26 years for the murder of Jairo Medina.

    Khalaf had been found guilty on Friday, 11 August after standing trial for the murder of 62-year-old Mr Medina.

    The jury heard how on a summer’s night in August 2016 Mr Medina, a Colombian national, was brutally attacked, robbed and left to die.

    Mr Medina, who worked as a residential carer and was described by his colleagues as the best carer they ever had, left his home in Chelsea on 11 August 2016 telling his brother he was popping out to get some fresh air and would be back later.

    He took a bus to the Marble Arch area and was captured on CCTV at around 23:00hrs in a convenience store in the company of Khalaf.

    The two bought some items, left the store and then made their way into Hyde Park. It is unknown precisely what happened while Mr Medina and Khalaf were in the park but at some point Khalaf turned on his victim.

    Mr Medina suffered severe injuries after being punched and kicked by Khalaf, resulting in numerous broken bones including fractured ribs and trauma to his head.

    Vicious and violent attack

    A post-mortem examination on 13 August at Westminster Mortuary gave cause of death as blunt force trauma.

    As Mr Medina lay dying on the ground, Khalaf stole his rucksack and fled the scene. He rifled through the bag, emptying and dropping a wallet as well as taking a mobile phone. He left a trail of abandoned items as he hastily made his escape, heading in the direction of Speakers Corner.

    At 00:44hrs on 12 August Khalaf boarded a bus from Edgware Road and got off moments later further along the road.

    Shortly before 02:30hrs Khalaf was captured on CCTV again in Edgware Road, making his way back to Marble Arch but by this time had changed most of his clothing, keeping his shoes, belt and watch.

    The next sighting of Khalaf was at 05:11hrs as he boarded a bus to Streatham and travelled all the way to the end of the line. Nine minutes after arriving in Streatham he boarded a bus heading in the opposite direction, where he eventually got off at Regent Street shortly before 07:00hrs.

    Whilst Khalaf was riding the bus network, a Hyde Park groundsman came across Mr Medina’s body near the mosaic to commemorate The Reformers’ Tree at around 05:45hrs. Police were called and Mr Medina was pronounced dead at the scene. A murder investigation was launched.

    Approximately 12 hours after the vicious attack Khalaf made his way to a mobile and computer shop in Kilburn where he tried to sell Mr Medina’s phone. The store tested the phone but refused to buy it as it had a cracked screen and Khalaf left.

    Detectives carried out enquiries and established that Mr Medina’s phone had been activated in the store. They were able to obtain CCTV footage of Khalaf there.

    Six days later Khalaf was arrested for an unrelated matter. Officers immediately recognised him as the person who was with Mr Medina prior to his death and Khalaf was arrested for murder.

    A forensic examination of Khalaf’s clothing revealed Mr Medina’s DNA on his watch and belt. Khalaf’s DNA was also found on the rucksack abandoned at the scene.

    Khalaf was subsequently charged.

    Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said,

    “Jairo Medina was a kind and gentle man who dedicated his life to caring for others. On that evening in August last year, he went out to socialise in the Hyde Park area. There he encountered Hani Khalaf, who was to viciously assault and rob him before leaving him to die in a remote part of the park. We are pleased that such a dangerous individual is now in custody for what he did and hopefully this may be of some comfort to Jairo’s family and friends.

    “We believe that robbery was the motive behind the murder. In the very early stages of the investigation we realised that Jairo was an openly gay man who liked to socialise in and around Hyde Park. Our investigation received a lot of support and assistance from representatives of the LGBT community who work alongside the local police in Westminster. I would like to acknowledge their support in helping us achieve justice.”

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Between The Sheets, Underbelly, London

    ★★★★ | Between The Sheets

    Between The Sheets, Underbelly, London

    London’s most famous burlesque entertainer – Miss Polly Rae – is hosting a new show at London’s Underbelly Festival on the Southbank. It’s Between the Sheets, and between you and me it’s fabulous!

    Polly Rae, along with a cavalcade of other naughty acts, perform a variety of skits while scantily clad in a show that’s fun, and dare we say it, titillating. There’s so much on offer in the show for both men and women as Rae’s performers delight the late night audiences with the ability to do a variety of stunts while simultaneously taking their clothes off.

    Come and watch the amazing duo of Duo Visage (Beau Sargent and Sam Smith) combine their spectacular artistry, along with their perfectly lithe bodies, as they do spectacular stunts on the stage in a venue where every seat in the house is good. Then there is Tom Cunningham and Myles Brown, two very good-looking men who take off all of their clothes in one very cute skit while in another scene they most memorably perform a romantic and sensual dance with each other that’s both erotic and emotional and very memorable. We are then treated to the very funny Lilly Snatchdragon who provides comic relief in between the flesh-baring performers. But it’s Kitty Kitty Bang Bang who impresses us the most with her fire eating skills along with her splashing around in a very large cocktail glass semi-filled with water. Did I also mention that she’s scantily clad while doing this? And the gorgeous Beau Rocks rounds out the cast of Between the Sheets, and rounds out just simply describes her and her amazing body and personality.

    Playing for a limited time only, Between the Sheets will literally thrill you out of your seat with a spectacular show which takes place in one of London’s best venues. Kudos to Miss Polly Rae for bringing this sort of burlesque show back to London in a visually stunning and hilarious romp. It’s a night out that you will truly not forget.

    There are three more shows left of Between the Sheets – all on Fridays: August 25th, September 8th, and September 29th.

     

  • One of London’s most popular gay pubs, Molly Moggs, is closing AGAIN

    After just reopening, the famous landmark pub, Molly Moggs is set to close again in FIVE days.

    The shutters were off at Molly Moggs, but now the ever popular pub, one of the must go to bars in London is due to close again the second time this year after it was initially closed in March.

    Taking to the official Facebook page, the current management said,

    ” I’m sorry to officially announce that the end is nigh. Thanks to everyone who signed our petitions. It seems hopeful at the moment that the management coming in are going to keep cabaret going – I’m sure this is all down to your contributions and representations so I really can’t thank you enough. In the meantime, the Moggs will close next Sunday the 20th of August and we’re having a big knees up over the closing weekend to send her off in style. At least this time we’ll be able to say goodbye properly”.

    Molly Moggs joins a number of high profile LGBT+ venues across London to close in recent years. THEGAYUK.com has accounted for around 116 venues which have closed since the year 2000. The Lost LGBT Scene project, which was launched last month is a way to ensure the memory of the venues that have closed lives on.

    It looks as though the famous pub will re-open but under a new brand, called The Compton Cross. A recent petition outlined that campaigners were asking the pub’s owners, the Marmalade Pub Group to leave the pub as is and not to change the soul of the venue, calling it a too”precious a resource to lose”.

    Out cry over proposed changes

    In a statement about the proposed changes to Molly Moggs, a statement on the Facebook page said,

    “The venue is unique in London. Although it hosts drag seven nights a week, and although it largely attracts LGBT customers, it is a very mixed bar where everyone is welcomed. The quality of the performances it illicits from the drag queens is also very special as it is such a small venue and nowhere else offers them such intimacy with the audience. This is something to be treasured not frittered away to make way for a cocktail bar.

    “I genuinely feel that your allusion to LGBT support is opportunistic at best – I guess you’ll put a rainbow flag in the window and hope the community will support you. Thankfully, it isn’t that straightforward…

    “A petition has been started to show the strength of feeling out there – it already has over 100 signatories. The Moggs is valued not especially for its position but for the atmosphere and shows that it currently offers. Let me assure you that no-one, yes NO-ONE, wants the Compton Cross and we will fight to keep the Moggs and everything it stands for in inclusivity and warmth of welcome as far as we possibly can. The only reason it closed in March was mismanagement but with the new team in place and the strength of support we have from across the scene I believe it can continue to run successfully just as it is thank you.

    “In conclusion, can I plead with you to rethink your plans and just say – it it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it…”

  • MURDERER: Man found guilty of murdering a gay man in London

    A man who violently attacked his victim and left him for dead in a central London park has been found guilty of murder, he is to be sentenced later this month.

    Hani Khalaf, 22 (8.11.94), of no fixed address, was found guilty on Friday, 11 August of the murder of 62-year-old Jairo Medina following a trial at the Old Bailey.

    He will appear at the same court for sentencing on Thursday, 24 August.

    The jury heard how on a summer’s night in August 2016 Mr Medina, a Colombian national, was brutally attacked, robbed and left to die in Hyde Park.

    Mr Medina, who worked as a residential carer and was described by his colleagues as the best carer they ever had, left his home in Chelsea on 11 August 2016 telling his brother he was popping out to get some fresh air and would be back later.

    He took a bus to the Marble Arch area and was captured on CCTV at around 23:00hrs in a convenience store in the company of Khalaf.

    The two bought some items, left the store and then made their way into Hyde Park. It is unknown precisely what happened while Mr Medina and Khalaf were in the park but at some point Khalaf turned on his victim.

    Blunt Force Trauma

    Mr Medina suffered severe injuries after being punched and kicked by Khalaf, resulting in numerous broken bones including fractured ribs and trauma to his head.

    A post-mortem examination on 13 August at Westminster Mortuary gave cause of death as blunt force trauma.

    As Mr Medina lay dying on the ground, Khalaf stole his rucksack and fled the scene. He rifled through the bag, emptying and dropping a wallet as well as taking a mobile phone. He left a trail of abandoned items as he hastily made his escape, heading in the direction of Speakers Corner.

    At 00:44hrs on 12 August Khalaf boarded a bus from Edgware Road and got off moments later further along the road.

    Shortly before 02:30hrs Khalaf was captured on CCTV again in Edgware Road, making his way back to Marble Arch but by this time had changed most of his clothing, keeping his shoes, belt and watch.

    The next sighting of Khalaf was at 05:11hrs as he boarded a bus to Streatham and travelled all the way to the end of the line. Nine minutes after arriving in Streatham he boarded a bus heading in the opposite direction, where he eventually got off at Regent Street shortly before 07:00hrs.

    Grim Discovery

    Whilst Khalaf was riding the bus network, a Hyde Park groundsman came across Mr Medina’s body near the mosaic to commemorate The Reformers’ Tree at around 05:45hrs. Police were called and Mr Medina was pronounced dead at the scene. A murder investigation was launched.

    Approximately 12 hours after the vicious attack Khalaf made his way to a mobile and computer shop in Kilburn where he tried to sell Mr Medina’s phone. The store tested the phone but refused to buy it as it had a cracked screen and Khalaf left.

    Detectives carried out enquiries and established that Mr Medina’s phone had been activated in the store. They were able to obtain CCTV footage of Khalaf there.

    Arrested for other crimes

    Six days later Khalaf was arrested for an unrelated matter. Officers immediately recognised him as the person who was with Mr Medina prior to his death and Khalaf was arrested for murder.

    A forensic examination of Khalaf’s clothing revealed Mr Medina’s DNA on his watch and belt. Khalaf’s DNA was also found on the rucksack abandoned at the scene.

    Khalaf was subsequently charged.

    Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said,

    “Jairo Medina was a kind and gentle man who dedicated his life to caring for others. On that evening in August last year, he went out to socialise in the Hyde Park area. There he encountered Hani Khalaf, who was to viciously assault and rob him before leaving him to die in a remote part of the park. We are pleased that such a dangerous individual is now in custody for what he did and hopefully this may be of some comfort to Jairo’s family and friends.

    “We believe that robbery was the motive behind the murder.

    “In the very early stages of the investigation we realised that Jairo was an openly gay man who liked to socialise in and around Hyde Park. Our investigation received a lot of support and assistance from representatives of the LGBT community who work alongside the local police in Westminster. I would like to acknowledge their support in helping us achieve justice today.”

    Report from The Metropolitan Police

  • Man who set fire to London gay bar jailed

    A man who deliberately set fire to a busy Clapham bar has been jailed.

    Jason Fossett, 45 (28.10.71) of Portland Road, SE25, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, 4 August to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of three years and 244 days.

    He pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life at the same court on Wednesday, 3 May.

    On Monday, 20 March, at about 02:45hrs, the duty manager of the Two Brewers on Clapham High Street, SW4, was locking up the pub. When he went to lock the side exit door, which leads out into Prescott Place, he noticed a man in the alleyway standing near the wall as if he was urinating.

    The manager told the man to move away from the building and he went back inside the pub. A few minutes later the manager could smell smoke and he went outside to investigate. He then noticed a fire by the side exit door where the man he told to move away had been standing.

    A routine police patrol was passing by the pub at that time and came across the fire, but the suspect had already fled the scene.

    Enquiries were carried out by PC Paul Waterman, the dedicated ward officer for Clapham Town, alongside officers from Lambeth CID.

    PC Waterman reviewed the bar’s CCTV which showed the suspect, as identified by the bar manager, ordering drinks at about 02:00hrs on Monday, 20 March. It then showed the suspect leaving the bar at about 02:15hrs and entering Prescott Place.

    The suspect is seen stacking numerous rubbish bags against the fire exit over an 18 minute period before setting fire to the bags and leaving. Within 80 seconds, the rubbish is alight.

    The CCTV showed that the suspect paid for the drinks with a bank card. Enquiries were carried out on the card which showed the holder to be Fossett.

    Officers arrested Fossett on Monday, 3 April. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing similar clothes to that of the person in the CCTV. Officers also searched his home and found a red leather satchel that matched the one on the CCTV, as well as receipts from the Two Brewers for that night.

    Fossett admitted to being at the Two Brewers but claimed he could not remember anything of the evening after having a couple of drinks. He was charged on Tuesday, 4 April.

    The court heard that Fossett has previous convictions for arson with intent to endanger life where he has piled rubbish up outside a building and set-fire to it. In 2004, Fossett was jailed for eight years for arson with intent to endanger life after targeting the same venue as in this case – the Two Brewers.

    Fossett’s motivation for targeting the Two Brewers is not known, however, there is no suggestion that it was a hate crime.

    PC Paul Waterman, said,

    “Fossett is clearly a dangerous character who deliberately went out of his way to set fire to the bar in a carefully calculated attack.

    “It was sheer luck that the fire was spotted in its early stages to prevent any further damage or anyone sustaining any injuries.

    “By working with my colleagues in Lambeth CID and with the cooperation and assistance of staff from the Two Brewers, we ensured that Fossett was brought to justice and has been put behind bars.

    “I hope Fossett uses his time behind bars to reflect on his actions.”

    Reporting from The Metropolitan Police

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Evita, Phoenix Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | Evita


    The classic musical ‘Evita’ has returned to the West End to mark the 65th anniversary of the death of Eva Perón, the woman who was revered in Argentina not only as the wife of that country’s President Juan Perón but also as a woman who was perhaps more powerful than her husband.

    ‘Evita’ takes us through the highs and many lows of Eva Perón. Played by Emma Hatton (‘Wicked’), ‘Evita’ begins somberly at her funeral, attendees dressed in black – and this sets the tone for the first 30 minutes of this show – dark, deep and depressing. With lyrics by Tim Rice and Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, ‘Evita’ finally finds it feet with the rise of Eva, which was her real name. She becomes as actress in Buenos Aires, but she had bigger ambitions, ambitions that would lead her to meet Juan Perón at a party she’s helped to organize to raise money for San Juan, Argentina, which was devastated by an earthquake. Juan, played by Kevin Stephen Jones, falls head over heals with Eva – he’s met his match – she’s just as strong and confident as he is. But it’s the public that takes to her – they love her and see her as a queen and perhaps more – perhaps as a leader for their country. But as history tells us, Eva Perón never got to see her 34th birthday, she died at the age of 33 in 1952, and ‘Evita’ the musical takes us through this journey, with the help of narrator Che (excellently played and sung by Gian Marc Schiaretti).

    ‘Evita’ is pure musical joy. There’s not one word in the show that is spoken – the plot is all told in song, and what great songs they are, 39 years after they were first written. This includes the lovely melodies of ‘I’d be Surprisingly good for you’ – when Evita initially meets Juan; to the rousing ‘A New Argentina;’ and the show-stopping ’On the Balcony of Casa Rosado’ where we see, in a breathtaking scene, Evita speaking (singing) to the crowd from the balcony of the palace; also the classic ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ where Eva sings in the hospital after her fatal diagnosis; and the fantastic and very memorable ‘And the Money Keeps Rolling In’ where Schiaretti really shines, and proves, that he is the true star of this show. As Che, he literally steals the spotlight from Hatton. Schiaretti is a regular concert performer and has performed throughout Europe and has played Tarzan on stage – ‘Evita’ will definitely raise his profile. The rest of the production is just fine, with an excellent supporting cast (especially Sarah O’Connor as the mistress of the President who Eva replaces, and holds her own in the solo number ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall.’) ‘Evita’ is only on for three months, so if you’ve never seen it before (this is third version I’ve seen, though I’m a bit too young to have seen the original version which made Elaine Paige a star in London and Patti Lupone a star in New York), I urge you to see it. While Hatton is very good, Schiaretti is amazing. And in this touring revival, directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, is staged perfectly in the cozy Phoenix Theatre.

    For tickets, please go to:

    http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/phoenix-theatre/

    Photo provided by Emma Holland PR