THEGAYUK

Tag: London News

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

  • What’s the best way to get from Heathrow into central London?

    What’s the best way to get from Heathrow into central London?

    If you’re flying into Heathrow and travelling into central London there are several options for you ranging in price and convenience.

    The cheapest option

    The cheapest option to travel from Heathrow to central London is by what the locals affectionately call The Tube. Heathrow is right at the end (or start depending on how you look at it) of the Piccadilly Line (the dark blue line). It serves all the terminals at London’s Heathrow airport.

    What’s brilliant about the Piccadilly Line is that it also serves most of London’s touristic areas, such as Leicester Square (one of the closest stations to London’s gay scene), Covent Garden and Knightsbridge.

    The trains run frequently and within the operating hours of Heathrow. The travel time from Heathrow Terminal 5 to say Leicester Square is around 54 minutes. You don’t need to make any changes and because Heathrow is at the beginning of the line you are almost certainly guaranteed a seat.

    Make sure you get an end seat so you can store your luggage in the little space provided at the end of the row. Don’t bring your luggage further into the carriage. The aisles are not big and your baggage will cause an obstruction.

    Getting on and off London’s Tube is super easy, especially if you have a contactless debit or credit card or you can buy an Oyster Card and top it up and pay as you go. Travelling with an Oyster or Contactless payment card means you’ll always pay the right fee and it has a daily cap, so you’ll never spend more than a traditional travel card.

    This journey will cost you £5.10 (PEAK) and £3.10 (OFF PEAK) with an Oyster or Contactless card. With cash it will cost you £6.00.

    The quickest option

    TfL Image - New Tube for London Interior

    The quickest way to get from Heathrow into central London is by the Heathrow Express which terminates at Paddington. Paddington offers great connections to all areas of London via the Tube.

    Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes and the journey time takes just 15 minutes.

    A one-way ticket costs £25 ($33, €28) during peak hours ( 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 4 PM – 7 PM) or £22 ($29, €25) off-peak. Returns are charged at £37 ($49, €42). You can buy tickets as cheap as £5.50 if you book online, for the weekend, and in advance.

    Tickets can be bought online, at the station, at a ticket machine or via the Heathrow Express app. If you buy your ticket on board the train you will be charged more £30 (Peak) or £27 (off-peak) a return is charged at £42.

    The most comfortable

    Uber, Minicab, London’s Black Cabs

    The most comfortable way to travel from Heathrow with no stops or changes will be by private hire car, but watch out for the prices. You could end up with an expensive bill. The most expensive option is the iconic London black taxi which could cost up to £90 ($118, €101) and take 60 minutes. The taxis stop at the taxi ranks located outside each of Heathrow’s arrivals’ halls. All of London’s Black Cabs have wheelchair access.

    The cheaper of the options is to order an Uber direct from your smartphone.

    All taxis pick up passengers from the Taxi ranks.

    The Coach

    There is a coach service that runs all day with up to 51 departures per dat. It’s run by National Express. They depart from every terminal and arrive at London’s Victoria Station, 300 metres from the Tube. Prices are from £6 per ticket.

    The most freedom

    As you’d expect all the major car hire companies have a desk at Heathrow and are all located in the Arrivals’ hall in each of Heathrow’s terminals.

    Remember in the UK we drive on the left.

    Looking for great deals on Car rental in London? Check out Rentals.com for the latest prices.

    There aren’t many toll rolls, but be warned we do have the daily congestion charge in central London (operates from 7:00 AM until 6:00PM). Any car (non-electric) that enters the zone will be charged a daily £11.50 fee, which you have to pay by midnight or the fee increases to £14 up until the midnight on the following day. After that you’ll be slapped with a hefty fine. You can pay over the phone or online.

     

    Looking for great deals on Hotels while staying in London? Check out Hotels.com for the best deals.

    Created July 2018

  • The cast of Aladdin in London just released this heartwarming pride message

    “Validation, freedom and love”


    The cast of Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre in the heart of London’s gay scene has released a beautiful video about what Pride means to them.

    Aladdin will be performing at the opening of Pride, ahead of this Disney have created a video featuring the West End cast of Aladdin talking about what Pride means to them.

     

  • Gay man who has been missing since March, found and back at home

    Great news story.

    A gay man who went missing at the beginning of March has been found and is now back at home with his partner Marc. Phil Nicol went missing on the 1st March 2018.

    Today, Marc tweeted a picture of the pair together and thanks everybody who took part in the search for Phil. In particular, Marc thanked the Met Police and the missing persons’ charity Missing people.

    The campaign to find Phil reached over 6 million people.

    People, who had been following the disappearance on Marc’s Twitter feed were quick to congratulate the safe return of Phil.

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | 28-50 Wine Workshop And Kitchen, London

    ★★★★☆ | 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen, London

    8-50 Wine Workshop And Kitchen review

    Don’t be confused by the name. 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen is not at the address number of 28-50. It’s actually the name of the restaurant, and if you are seeking it out, it’s worth the find!

    28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen can be found in two locations in London – two trendy and expensive neighbourhoods. There is one location at 15-17 Marylebone Lane in, of course, Marylebone. Then there is the other location – in posh Mayfair – at 17-19 Maddox Street, and it was this location that a friend and I visited on a warm Thursday night.

    Instantaneously walking in we felt such a cool vibe, a good buzz. The music was good, the place was packed but not loud and the customers, and staff, all seemed very happy, and after we were done, we understood exactly what all this happiness was about, it was the wonderful food and the excellent selection of wines.

    28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen, according to its website, says that if you love wine, you will love them. It takes the traditional wine bar experience to a whole new level (hence with the word ‘wine’ in the title we can understand why). Both of their restaurants feature over 30 carefully chosen wines, so it’s not just run of the mill stuff. 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen prides itself in the wine they sell. But they also have a wonderful, and thankfully small, food menu which makes it easier to decide what to eat.

    The Truffle Popcorn (at £4.00) is a wonderful way to start the night if you want to take your time to order. But my dining companion and I  knew right away what we wanted. I had no doubt in my mind that it was going to be the Seared Yellowfin Tuna, and I was not disappointed. It was served with artichokes, almonds, breadcrumbs and bathed in herbs and a Romesco sauce, and at £21.50, was well worth it. My friend chose the Welsh Spring Lamb – and it was a beaut! Served like a stew, there were chunks of lamb with carrots, potatoes, onions, peas and broad beans in a gravy sauce, and it was an extremely juicy and meaty dish – and it’s one I will order (at only £19.50) next time I go back.

    Of course, the main courses wouldn’t be worth their salt if they weren’t accompanied with good wine. I had an amazing, and new to the restaurant, Audacia – South African wine – which went very well with my tuna. My friend was more than delighted with his Côte du Rhône from France which he agreed went well with his lamb. These were chosen by the very friendly Sommelier who really knew her stuff. We were also given, when entering the restaurant by the super-friendly and charming host Olga, a glass each of the excellent Henriot, Souverain, Brut champagne from France. It was sweet and just what was needed after a long day. I could talk all about the wines 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen have but you have to visit to fully understand the care that they have selected the wines on the menu.

    Of course we ate more food than just our main courses. The Thai Pomelo Salad, with coconut, lime leaves, ginger and peanuts, and very colourful and was just perfect for a warm summers evening, as is the Salmon Gravlax, served with mustard sauce and rye bread.
    Equally satisfying are the deserts. All I can say is that the perfectly cooked and amazing Apple Crumble was a highlight of the meal. and the coffee we ordered was very good too! And I have to give thanks to our waitress who was just as bubbly and friendly as the champagne!

    What’s there left to say about 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen? Well, everything and nothing – it’s just about perfect. Whether you want a full-blown meal with wine pairing or if you just want to sit at the bar and have a glass of wine or two, 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen is the perfect place. And if you want to book a party, the Maddox Street location has a full downstairs area to suit your needs.

    http://www.2850.co.uk
    28° – 50° MADDOX STREET
    OPENING TIMES
    THE BAR

    Monday – Wednesday 12pm-11.30pm (last orders 11pm)
    Thursday – Saturday 12pm-12am (last orders 11.30pm)

    THE RESTAURANT

    Monday – Wednesday 12pm-10.30pm
    Thursday – Saturday 12pm-11pm

    28° – 50° MARYLEBONE LANE
    OPENING TIMES
    THE BAR

    Monday – Wednesday 12pm-11.30pm (last orders 11pm)
    Thursday – Saturday 12pm-12am (last orders 11.30pm)

    THE RESTAURANT

    Monday – Wednesday 12pm-10.30pm
    Thursday – Saturday 12pm-11pm
    15-17 MARYLEBONE LANE
    LONDON W1U 2NE
    MARYLEBONE@2850.CO.UK
    020 7486 7922

  • Here’s what some businesses in Soho are doing to celebrate pride

    Here’s what some businesses in Soho are doing to celebrate pride

    From 6th – 8th July, London’s Soho will be awash with all things bright and beautiful in the world-famous celebration of Pride. Every year, local business join the revelry to show their ongoing support of the gay community and this time around is no exception.

    BLADE

    Soho salon Blade Hairclubbing® is nodding to Pride both through the styling team and through a special offering from the resident mixology wizard Stroo Despot-Olofsson.

    Revellers will be able to enjoy the limited edition Rainbow Maker – a rainbow-coloured flight of top-shelf liqueurs with a craft lager chaser. A heady line-up of Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Green Chartreuse, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Walcher Biostilla Deluxe Organic Amaretto and De Kuyper XO Cherry Brandy is rounded off with a refreshing chaser of Harviestoun Schiehallion Craft Lager and will be available from now until 8th July.

    Those looking to up the ante style-wise can then go for a Pride Glitz; Blade’s top stylists will make sure that guests are Pride-ready by applying glitter to your roots, hairline or parting, ensuring that everyone leaves ready to join the party, sprinkled with sparkle and full of rainbow spirit – quite literally!

    HIPCHIPS

    This Pride, Soho favourite HIPCHIPS – which is based right on the Pride March route on 49 Old Compton Street – will be offering visitors to the parlour a chance to Pimp for Pride. All partyers will have the chance to pimp up the usual dip options, adding a touch more glitz and glamour in honour of Pride In London. HIPCHIPS will also be serving some pink bubbly to help visitors to the parlour get in the mood for revelry in the most fabulous way possible. All offerings available throughout the first week of July.

    The Pride In London Pop Up Shop

    Selling all manner of goodies and pride merch Pride In London’s pop up shop is now open at 72 Old Compton Street. Teeming with pride ideas the store also doubles up as a community centre for LGBT+ with plenty of activities to keep you entertained and informed. Don’t fret if you can’t make it into London you can always do your shopping online with THEGAYSHOP.co.uk, the official online merchant for Pride In London.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Wicked, Victoria Apollo Theatre

    ★★★★☆ | Wicked, Victoria Apollo Theatre

    Wicked Theatre review,

    55 million people can’t be wrong, which is why Wicked is one of the world’s most successful musicals. Wicked is going into its 12th year in London and it’s still fresh, timely and defying expectations.

    The story is believed, by many, to be the prequel to L Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, however, its creator has actually suggested that the story is more of an alternate universe, Gregory Maguire, who wrote the novel on which this musical is based, says it’s a “re-imagining” of the same world – and the action takes place before, during and after the original story.

    Wicked takes you behind The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz story to find out about the two witches featured in the original story, “Wicked Witch”, Elphaba (you know the one – green and gets the bucket of water) – played by Alice Fearn and the “Good Witch”, Glinda (you know, the one that arrives by bubble) played by Sophie Evans.

    After meeting and becoming roommates at Shiz University, (think Harry Potter meets Clueless) the two witches form a love/hate relationship. They decide to make their way to meet the great and powerful Oz, where they discover that something incredibly sinister is being pushed onto the citizens of Oz.

    What follows is a moving story of overcoming discrimination, learning to trust and believe in yourself and two strong women changing the world for the better.

    I have just two criticisms. Although the central relationship is about two women, which makes a wonderful change from the heteronormativity of most musicals – boy girls, girl sings to boy, boy and girl fall in love – the end – I couldn’t help but notice that when it came to the massive, impressive ensemble pieces, the dancing was still male on female, which is a shame. Watch any TV show, (a particular shoutout to Netflix) now and if there’s a school dance or a group scene you’ll always see a nod towards its LGBT+ audience, but not Wicked – which, based on musical theatre’s huge gay fan base, is a missed opportunity.

    The second is the finale. It’s such a disappointment.

    It’s not the way in which the story wraps up, it’s just there’s no finishing song, no reprise of any of the show’s standout hits of which there are four main songs, ‘Popular’, ‘I’m Not That Girl’, ‘For Good’ and of course, the hit ‘Defying Gravity’. To summaries two hours and 45 minutes of stratospheric vocals, incredible costumery and feel-good, sparkling story-telling, the audience is delivered a sub-2-minute song with a walk down.

    Shame really, it deserves much better.

    Book tickets for Wicked in London and for the Tour here.

  • Man sought after homophobic abuse at London train station

    Man sought after homophobic abuse at London train station

    Investigators from British Transport Police are looking for this man in connection to a homophobic hate crime at London’s Bank station.

    On April 13th a man starting to shout homophobic abuse at two men waiting for a Northern Line train at Bank station in central London.

    The two victims moved to a different part of the platform and boarded the next train. However, the man continued to verbally abuse them, according to British Transport Police.

    Officers believe the man shown in this CCTV image may have information which could help them investigate.
    If you know who he is, get in touch by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 187 of 14/04/2018. Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Kiss Me Kate, London Coliseum

    ★★★★☆ | Kiss Me Kate, London Coliseum

    Kiss Me Kate London review

    If you want glossy and lavish then look no further than this stunning revival of Cole Porter’s classic 1940s musical. It’s a musical in the classic tradition with more hot hoofing than you can shake a fire extinguisher at, grand ensemble pieces galore and a raft of witty songs. Your nan would probably love this and I suspect she wouldn’t be alone. You’ll love it too.

    Opera North’s witty revival of this foppish tale of theatre people bickering endlessly whilst they stage ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ is a real gem. They’ve polished up this antique till it positively gleams. The sets and costumes are things of beauty and at times exceed the pace of the show.

    There’s a perfectly executed tap set piece performed by suave young Alan Burkitt and the extended version of the classic ‘Always True to You in My Fashion’ is note perfect with a superlative performance from Stephanie Corley. Yes, it’s slightly uneven with occasional lulls in the first act but the second act is a blink and you’d miss it joy from start to finish.

    Miss this at your peril. It’s riotous fun and yes, it’s pretty darn hot but don’t fear, it’s also ideal for a sultry summer night in the air-conditioned Coliseum.

    Runs until 30th of June 2018 – tickets available from £11.90

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Beirut, Park Theatre

    THEATRE REVIEW | Beirut, Park Theatre

    A disease is wiping out the human race, and those unlucky enough to be positive will die a slow death. This is the premise of the hard-hitting and surreally erotic play Beirut.

    CREDIT: Loranc Sparsi
    Beirut, now playing at the Park Theatre, imagines what would happen, in New York City, where a disease is wiping out some of the population.  Meanwhile, one positive man called Torch (Robert Rees), and a negative woman called Blue (Louisa Connolly-Burnham), are in love with each other. How do they express their love? The disease is spread via bodily fluids – any fluids – including saliva, sweat, and kissing. So what do they do?
    Torch lives in a small underground bunker, and Blue sneaks in to be with him. But she’s breaking the law; negatives are not allowed to be with positives, but they clearly love, and lust, for each other. The two gutsy actors spend all of the time in the play (60 minutes) in their underwear, or sometimes less, but it’s not sexy, it’s hard-hitting, with raw intensity both actors convey in the emotions their characters are going through. Torch will definitely die and Blue will almost certainly live, that’s if she doesn’t give in and contract the disease from Torch.
    The backstory of this play has to be mentioned. It was written by Alan Browne, from San Francisco, in the mid-1980s, at the height of the AIDS’ crisis when gay men were dropping like flies. It was first performed at the Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 1986, and three years later Browne would die of the disease himself, at the age of 44. So we can assume that the unmentioned disease Browne alludes to is AIDS.
    But since Browne’s original intention was to not write a story about HIV and AIDS (perhaps he thought the future was going to be just like the plot of his play), it, in my opinion, would work much better as a play about that dreadful disease. However, it still is a brutal in-your-face show that is perhaps not as relevant now as when it was written, but it still makes for explosive, and well-acted, theatre.
  • Police make appeal after homophobic assault in Lambeth

    Police make appeal after homophobic assault in Lambeth

    Police are calling on witnesses after three people assault on London bus in Lambeth

    (C) MET POLICE

    Investigators have released a picture of a person they’d like to talk with in connection to an alleged assault on three passengers on board a London bus.

    The assault happened in March, but police are now looking for information on a suspect, who was asked to stop making homophobic remarks by fellow passengers.

    The assault happened at around 04:15hrs on Sunday, 25 March on board a N87 bus on Wandsworth Road, SW8.

    Members of the public were seated on the top deck of the bus when they overheard the suspect sitting in front of them swearing and making homophobic remarks.

    When asked to refrain from making such remarks, the suspect then proceeded to assault three passengers on the bus.

    The suspect is described as a black man with a shaved head and goatee beard wearing a smart blue suit, black shoes and grey scarf.

    Detective Constable Sarah Bunting of the Met’s Road & Transport Policing Command said, “This man is sought in connection with a homophobic assault on a bus.

    “If you know who this man is, or may be able to assist us in our investigation, please call 101 and quote CAD 1045/25Mar18.

    “The Met will not tolerate any form of hate crime and we strongly urge anyone who has been a victim of this sort of situation to call police and report it.”

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Reuben Kaye, Soho Theatre

    ★★★★★ | Reuben Kaye, Soho Theatre

    Never heard of Reuben Kaye? You will! Sick, slick, as gorgeously filthy as a pouting penis, Kay’s a living bigot’s nightmare, spunking left, right and centre over every sacred cow possible! Think a Dale Winton on acid, but – thank f*ck -one blessed with the chiselled, Greek-statue perfection of a 1950’s beefcake idol. Yes, this face, this presence, this glorious insult personified, is the joint king and queen of Australian cabaret, briefly condescending to take one awesome, comic dump on the UK’s half-starved notions of hilarity.

    Bursting on stage like some Satanic, lobster-red supernova awash with sequins and buoyed on precarious platforms, Kaye immediately sucks up every fraction of potential ridicule from tonight’s blackly comic zeitgeist. Like some fantastical Shirley Bassey reincarnated as a ripped gay ninja, Kaye’s scorchingly weaponised his scattergun satire, raising it – quite effortlessly – to the status of a lethally funny martial art.

    But, WTF? Let’s backtrack one moment, because frankly, context is everything, so pardon my presumption while I pump you full of backstory! In common with his closest, possible rival, the inexplicably ubiquitous but dramatically tepid Dusty Limits, our Reuben’s a gay Aussie, but – and it’s a huge butt – the comparisons stop right there. If Limits seems content to peddle mildly risque double entendres like some Poundland Julian Clary, Kaye is a living menage a trois, a one-man queer, Holy Trinity, the three queens of Priscilla compounded in one fabulously provocative presence!

    No wonder, then, he’s enjoyed rapturously received residencies at London’s Savoy and Rosewood hotels, in addition to constant bookings worldwide. And tonight – fittingly – he’s on brilliantly non-PC fire. His advice on drugs? Try them on someone else first, and if they’re still alive in an hour, do them, drugs and asshole! And he skewers the pitfalls of drug-f*cked sex perfectly: ‘Doing it doggy-style? Maybe turn around once in a while, check that it’s still the same person you started with!’.

    Get the picture? Yes, nothing and no one’s safe, especially the audience. ‘Ohh, I’d like you to clean my dildo’ Kaye quips to a shell-shocked punter, ‘I can literally feel your arsehole clenching in fear’. Christ, screw priests, parents and anguished, clueless counsellors- a Kaye a day keeps a gayboy at play! And forget Trump on Twitter -nothing escapes Kaye’s killer, cultural scalpel. ‘Consent? A term unknown to straight men…’. Too true, but there’s also praise for supernatural sluttishness; ‘Jesus – I love a man who can be nailed for three days straight and come back for more…’. Well, don’t we all, and Kaye’s scathing tornado of sexual surrealism is like first-time penetration – give in, and you’ll love it! Where else could a mutual love of Grace Jones and civil rights get mashed-up as ‘12 years a slave…to the rhythm?’.

    Exhilarating? You bet, and sure, Reuben gleefully slaughters three furiously sacred cows – racism, sexism and homophobia. Still, unlike the far fiercer David Hoyle, Kaye never critiques or challenges the LGBT moral axis underpinning his whole act. If brash, apparently fearless and flamingly flamboyant, Kaye shrewdly avoids any lurking, intersectional minefields of identity politics. And ironically, though he spits bile, venom and shade in a virtuoso blizzard of genderqueer radicalism, Kaye’s comedy is hamstrung by the binary assumptions he conforms to, but also attacks.

    So, unfortunately, in 2018, Kaye’s keynote, us and them stance is completely irrelevant to gender-fluid millennials like Cara Delavigne and St.Vincent, who see pansexuality as just another box to be ticked in today’s current, sexually unbounded pleasure menus. Oh, don’t get me wrong – Reuben is, by far, the most brilliant avatar of his chosen cul-de-sac, but his brand of oppositional comedy depends on totally punctured paradigms, and he’s been made obsolete by changes in gender discourse itself.

    But, who really cares? Who the hell goes to a comedy show seeking philosophical enlightenment? Sometimes- as Sigmund Freud once said -‘a cigar is just a cigar’, not a blatant penis metaphor, and sometimes, killer comedy is f*cking hilarious, whatever the subtext! So, let’s give a big hand – with optional, rectal consent – to Reuben Kaye, the living Shakespeare of confrontational cabaret. Comedy really doesn’t get any better than being mentally masturbated by a tall, dark stranger!

    At the Soho Theatre in London until the 16th June 2018