THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • THEATRE REVIEW | La Soiree

    THEATRE REVIEW | La Soiree

    16-la-soiree-leicester-square-jarred-dewey-credit-brinkhoff-moegenburg-435-jpg
    PR Supplied

    ★★★★ | La Soiree

    The best show in Central London is now playing for a limited time only in Leicester Square – it’s La Soiree!

    Back in London for a 7th time, La Soiree is a theatrical experience that will wow and shock you – it’s circus, vaudeville and burlesque all rolled up into one in a show that’s funny, mesmerising, and very enjoyable. In the especially-built venue that is the Spiegeltent right in the middle of Leicester Square, it’s a show in the round, in a velvet-draped salon of carved wood, polished mirrors and the feeling of having stepped into another world, and where every seat has a good view of the shenanigans the performers get up to. Grab a drink at the bar and have fun watching these amazing performers:

    -Denis Lock is a bubble-making master. He makes bubbles in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including a carousel – he really needs to be seen to be seen!
    -Songstress Acantha Lang, from New Orleans, sings intermittently throughout the show – her vocals are large and high octane! She’s a diva and she owns it!
    -Captain Frodo is a hilarious comedian who is able to put his whole body through two small tennis racquets – it’s contortionism at it’s very best!
    -The very naughty and funny Ursula Martinez – she finds hankies in the most unusual places – enough said!
    -Daredevil Chicken is a man and woman duo who do incredible costume changes and are able to toss bits and pieces of bananas into theirs (and audience members) mouths. They are side-splittingly funny!
    -Jarred Dewey likes to swing, on a swing (he’s a trapeze artist)! And he does it with very little clothes on.
    -Hamish McCann, while shirtless, performs a jaw-dropping pole act that makes it look like he’s literally walking up a light pole. He makes it look easy.

    For two hours you will be entertained, and your jaw will drop, not only at the amazing feats these performers accomplish, but also because it is all very hilarious and raucous.

    So step away from the busy and blustery streets of London into this plush cabaret venue where you will have a really good time!

     

    Christmas in Leicester Square run until 8th January 2017, 0207 492 9942

     

  • Did you ever have contact with serial killer Stephen Port?

    Did you ever have contact with serial killer Stephen Port?

    The Independent Police Complaints Commission, who are currently investigating the Metropolitan Police for their response to the deaths of four men in London are looking for witnesses who may have had contact with Stephen Port to come forward.

    New Scotland Yard, Met Police
    CREDIT: TheGayUK/JakeHook

    The IPCC is investigating the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) response following the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25. Stephen Port was found guilty of their murders following a trial at the Old Bailey in London.

    The bodies of all four men were found in the Barking area, between June 2014 and September 2015.

    The Metropolitan Police Service referred itself to the IPCC in October 2015 after it identified concerns regarding the initial investigations into the men’s deaths.

    Stephen Port was a member of a number of services and had a variety of handles on services, these were: shyfitguy on Flirt, Daddy4son2012 on Daddyhunt, topdomhunk on Hornet, knockknock2014 on PlanetRomeo, untilwemeet on Manhunt and StephenPort on Couchsurfing.

    On gaydar his profile name was, skygay502 and on Grindr he was known as Top Fun Joe.

    Peter Tatchell, gay rights activist, said,

    “Appallingly, even after the third murder the police were still maintaining that the deaths were ‘unusual’ but ‘not suspicious.’ They did not issue a public alert to the gay community that a serial killer could be on the loose. This failing ignored Met Police best practice advice which was agreed two decades ago, after previous murders of gay men.

    “The police appeal for public information came in October 2015 – a year too late. Four young men were already dead. This appeal should have been made in August 2014 after the first two killings. If the police had done this, further deaths may have been prevented. Two of these men might still be alive.

     

    IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said,

    “Today our thoughts are with everybody affected by the tragic deaths of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack at the hands of Stephen Port.

    “It is important we establish whether the police response to the deaths of all four men was thorough and appropriate in the circumstances, including whether discrimination played any part in actions and decisions. As his trial established, Port was known to the police in connection to the death Mr Walgate. We now know that tragically, three more young men went on to lose their lives.

    “I have met with LGBT community members in Barking and Dagenham to explain the IPCC’s role, and would like to provide the assurance that our investigators are continuing to work hard to scrutinise the police response to the tragic deaths of these four young men.

    “We would like to hear from anybody who provided information to the police about Port, or any of his victims, between 19 June 2014 and 15 October 2015.”

    Anyone with information should contact the IPCC on 0800 151 0021 or email barking&dagenham@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk.

  • Stephen Port found guilty of murdering four men he found on gay dating apps

    Stephen Port found guilty of murdering four men he found on gay dating apps

    Stephen Port has been found guilty of a fourth murder, that of Anthony Patrick Walgate, a 23-year-old who was his first murder victim.

    Stephen Port

    The BBC are reporting that Stephen Port,41, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in London, for the murders of four men he met via gay dating apps. He was also convicted of three rapes.

    He has been found guilty of the murders of Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21 and Jack Taylor, 25. Their bodies were dumped in or near a graveyard in Barking. The graveyard was 500 meters away from his flat in east London.

    Port has denied 29 charges in total.

    Initially, he was charged with four counts of murder in relation to the deaths of four men between June 2014 and September 2015.

    The charges relate to the deaths of:
    – Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, from Barnet, who was pronounced dead on Cooke Street, Barking on 19 June 2014.
    – Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 28 August 2014.
    – Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 20 September 2014.
    – Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, whose body was found near the Abbey Ruins close to North Street, Barking on Monday, 14 September.

    The Met Police is currently under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission following concerns on how it handled the initial investigation into Mr Whitworth’s death.

    Human rights advocate Peter Tatchell monitored the police handling of the serial killings of young gay men in east London from October 2014 and liaised with a friend of one of the victims, Gabriel Kovari.

    Commenting on jury’s guilty verdict and the way police responded to the multiple murders by Stephen Port, he said,

    “While timely and commendable, this verdict is no compensation for the loss of four young gay men who had their lives, hopes and dreams cut short.

    “Appallingly, even after the third murder the police were still maintaining that the deaths were ‘unusual’ but ‘not suspicious.’ They did not issue a public alert to the gay community that a serial killer could be on the loose. This failing ignored Met Police best practice advice which was agreed two decades ago, after previous murders of gay men.

    “The police appeal for public information came in October 2015 – a year too late. Four young men were already dead. This appeal should have been made in August 2014 after the first two killings. If the police had done this, further deaths may have been prevented. Two of these men might still be alive.

    This is a breaking news story and will be updated as it develops.

     

  • Serial Killer found guilty of murdering three men he met on gay dating apps

    Serial Killer found guilty of murdering three men he met on gay dating apps

    A man has been found guilty of murdering three young men he met on gay dating apps and websites.

    Stephen Port

    The Press Association are reporting that Stephen Port,41, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in London, for the murders of three men he met via gay dating apps. He was also convicted of three rapes.

    He has been found guilty of the murders of Gabreil Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21 and Jack Taylor, 25. Their bodies were dumped in or near a graveyard in Barking. The graveyard was 500 meters away from his flat in east London.

    Port has denied 29 charges in total.

    Initially, he was charged with four counts of murder in relation to the deaths of four men between June 2014 and September 2015.

    The charges relate to the deaths of:
    – Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, from Barnet, who was pronounced dead on Cooke Street, Barking on 19 June 2014.
    – Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 28 August 2014.
    – Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, whose body was found near the churchyard of St Margaret’s Church, North Street, Barking on 20 September 2014.
    – Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, whose body was found near the Abbey Ruins close to North Street, Barking on Monday, 14 September.

    Jurors have yet to decide on a verdict on the murder of Anthony Patrick Walgate, a 23-year-old who is alleged to be the first murder victim.

    This is a breaking news story and will be updated as it develops.

  • “Non-conventional” sex acts censored by UK Government

    Sex scenes described as “non-conventional” could be banned in the UK under a little-discussed clause in the Digital Economy Bill.

    The UK government could censor porn or filmed sex scenes it deems “non-conventional” under a proposal which is part of the digital economy bill. The proposal would enforce a strict age verification and force Internet Service Providers to block access to footage which couldn’t be classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for sale to the public under the R18 certificate.

    The BBFC’s classification system has been described as controversial and lacking in scope for modern viewing habits.

    A spokeswoman for MindGeek, one of the world’s biggest pornographic website operators, said,

    “Many of the sexual activities prohibited from R18 [the BBFC’s most explicit certification] are normalised and accepted aspects of healthy sexuality, and are proudly celebrated by the feminist, queer and ethical porn movements internationally,” she said.

     

    “Non-conventional” scenes could include fisting as it falls under the “four finger rule” as well as female ejaculation.

     

     

     

     

  • Teenager found guilty of the murder of a gay man he found on Grindr

    Teenager found guilty of the murder of a gay man he found on Grindr

    A teenager has been found guilty of the vicious murder of a man he met on the gay dating app, Grindr.

    Ben Bamford, 18, has been found guilty of the murder of a 52-year-old man he met via the gay dating app, Grindr. Mr Bamford who was 17-years-old at the time of the murder unleashed a vicious attack on Paul Jefferies, reportedly a tax advisor to George Osbourne, who lived in East Sussex.

    The attack happened on the 23 February 2016.

    A sustained and bloody attack left Mr Jefferies with over 40 stab wounds. The court heard that Bamford also slashed the tax advisor’s throat, leaving him to die in a pool of his own blood. His body was discovered two days later when concerned work colleagues noted that he had not been into work.

    Mr Bamford left the body with a tea towel covering his head.

    CREDIT: Sussex Police
    CREDIT: Sussex Police

    Mr Bamford denied murder and claimed that he was acting out in self-defense after alleging that his victim had tried to rape him. The court heard Bamford describing that Mr Jefferies had “got on top” of him and continued to have sex after Bamford had told him to stop.

    Mr Bamford had sought out Mr Jefferies after accruing £400 in debt. A statement from Sussex Police remarked that they believed that he “went to see Mr Jefferies with the intention of exploiting him for money to pay off his drugs debt.”

    Detective Chief Inspector Tanya Jones, who led the investigation for Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said,

    “This was a horrific attack by a teenage boy who preyed on his victim with the aim of exploiting him for money.

    “The level of violence he inflicted on Paul Jefferies was extreme and then he fled the scene in his victim’s car. He showed no remorse smirking for a selfie photo just hours later.

    “However the jury did not believe his story. Although this can never undo what he has done, I hope it will bring some justice for Paul’s family, friends and colleagues.”

    Mr Bamford will be sentenced on Wednesday.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Commitments – Sheffield Theatres and National Tour

    ★★★ | Set in Dublin in 1986, The Commitments charts the rise and fall of an unlikely group of misfit musicians who are brought together by young music entrepreneur Jimmy Rabbitte. The hardest working soul band in Dublin start out as friends and skirt on the edge of greatness, but as egos clash, band members squabble, fights break out and passions get in the way, the backstage harmony couldn’t be more different from the harmonies on stage.

    Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle and building on the success of the 1991 film, The Commitments is a story of empowerment through music and of the hopes and aspirations of a group of youngsters trying to break away from the mid-eighties urban decay and from their dead end lives.  Adapted for the stage by Doyle himself, the show is on tour after a successful run in the West End; and with over 20 soul classics in the show, including “Mustang Sally”, “River Deep, Mountain High”, “Mr Pitiful” and “Try a Little Tenderness”, it’s a production that really does have soul music at its heart.

    “There is a story behind every song”, says Jimmy Rabbitt at one of the band’s rehearsals, but ironically this adaptation is fairly light on both plot and social commentary. The narrative skims the surface of the story of the band’s rise to the top and limits the development of the characters in exchange for lively performances of the songs that the audience clearly came to hear. The show, wisely, keeps the ballads to an absolute minimum, and instead employs a set-list of upbeat numbers, blasting open the show with an upbeat rendition of “Proud Mary” and maintaining the energy levels cranked up throughout the duration.

    There is an air of organised chaos to the proceedings, with enough raucous energy to help cover the slightly cumbersome scenery changes, and to keep the pace as enthusiastic as the young cast. There is plenty to like about those on stage. Andrew Linnie’s optimistic and happy-go-lucky portrayal of Jimmy Rabbitte is easy to warm to, whilst Brian Gilligan belts out the songs with aplomb as lead singer, Deco. As an ensemble, the cast really do give it their all, in a fusion of talented musicians and soulful singers who are well cast and who, unlike the fictional band, work well together, and it is during those 20 or so musical numbers scattered over the show’s two hour duration where the show really comes alive.

    Bringing the audience to its feet in the finale with a mini-concert of some soul standards, the music is infectious and the definite strength of the production. There is little effort to weave the songs into the narrative; but quite frankly, this doesn’t matter when the songbook is so toe-tappingly good.

    The Commitments is currently on national tour until April 2017 and details can be found at www.thecommitmentsontour.co.uk . The show was reviewed at Sheffield Theatres, who will soon be launching their new musical Everyone’s Talking About Jamie (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/everybodystalking-jamie)

     

     

     

  • Khan’s “Night Tzar” under pressure after calling George Osborne a C**T

    Khan’s “Night Tzar” under pressure after calling George Osborne a C**T

    Amy Lamé is under pressure to put her political leanings to one side after a number of Tweets she sent before her appointment as London’s “Night Tzar” criticise Tory politicians.

    George Osborne
    CREDIT: HM Treasury

    Earlier this month the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan appointed Amy Lamé as a figurehead in supporting London’s 24-hour economy. However, she has come under pressure to put her politics to one side after a number of offensive Tweets to numerous Tory politicians were unearthed.

    Leaders of Conservative-run boroughs in London are calling on Amy Lamé to show bipartisanship after she described Conservative MSP Ruth Davidson as ” Tory scum” during the Stonewall Awards, and called former Chancellor, George Osbourne a “c**t”.

    Amy Lame and Ruth Davidson
    CREDIT: Twitter

    In a Tweet sent in 2015, Amy said,

    “I could say that @George_Osborne is a c***. but he has neither the warmth not the depth. #tampontax”

    In a letter to Amy, leaders of six boroughs, Westminster, Wandsworth, Bexley, Kensington & Chelsea, Hillingdon and Kingston councils, which are all Conservative-led, pointed out that the new Night Czar had made her political leanings “very clear”.

    They wrote:

    “We are therefore writing to seek reassurance that you will approach your important new role in a bipartisan way and work constructively with Conservative councils.

    “We ask that you put your political bias to one side and set out how you will work with all councils to promote and protect Greater London’s night time economy.”

    According to the Evening Standard, a City Hall spokesman said,

    “We are confident that Amy will have an excellent relationship with councillors from all political parties.”

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Tonight with Donny Stixx, The Bunker

    THEATRE REVIEW | Tonight with Donny Stixx, The Bunker

    ★★★★ | Tonight with Donny Stixx, The Bunker

    CREDIT: Savannah Photographic
    CREDIT: Savannah Photographic

    Donny Stixx is a boy with problems. He’s the product of a troubled background but he’s putting all that behind him for one night of audience questions and answers as he jokes with the audience, winking cheekily and tells us all about his rise to fame and his magic act. Sadly, Donny isn’t as famous for his dated magic show as he is for other things and he’s not known as the most hated boy in England for nothing. His cheesy ‘end of the pier show’ facade soon drops and despite his rage at the questions about the shootings, he’s going to tell us all about it.

    Multi award-winning playwright Philip Ridley is a master at capturing the darker side of the human condition and the story of Donny Stixx is a fine example of his work. Like its companion piece Dark Vanilla Jungle this is a one person show that features a troubled teenager. The script is witty and fast paced and almost dizzying as Donny bombards the audience with his repartee. There’s a cosy and domestic theme to his rambling that draws you in but soon falls apart as a much scarier and uncontained Donny breaks through.

    Director David Mercatali has a fine pedigree of presenting Ridley’s works and this is no exception. Sean Michael Verey (Pramface) hits all the right notes as Donny. He manages to convey both an endearing vulnerability and a truly chilling rage as he interacts with an imaginary audience (don’t worry, there’s a fourth wall). It’s not hard to see why he won awards for this performance at The Edinburgh Fringe. The new space of The Bunker at Southwark is a fine home for a piece like this. It’s an intimate new 110 seat venue in an old underground car park (you may want to take a warm coat) next to The Menier Chocolate Factory (a short walk from London Bridge Station). The sparse staging helps to centre attention on Verey’s powerful performance.

    Donny Stixx raises interesting issues about the nature of the lost and lonely teenager and how society can fail them. If you want an evening that’s funny but as far away from the saccharine highs of a West End musical as can be then this is a must see.

    Tonight with Donny Stixx plays at The Bunker Theatre until 3rd December

     

    Follow Chris Bridges on Twitter

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Boys In The Band – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Boys In The Band – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

    ★★★★| Set in Brooklyn in the late 1960’s , nine gay men gather in an apartment to celebrate a friends birthday. Michael is an alcoholic shopaholic, Harold is a self-depreciating “Jew Fairy” (as he describes himself), Larry and Hank are a couple trying to make their differing views on monogamy fit together and Emory is as camp as they come. Throw into the mix a rather attractive, but dumb, cowboy hustler, a closeted testosterone filled ex-college roommate and copious amounts of booze and pot, and it’s not long before lives unravel, tempers fray and a cruel party game emerges.

     

    Photo Credit - Darren Bell
    Photo Credit – Darren Bell

    This long overdue revival of Mart Crowley’s classic play is most welcome, and whilst it is no longer as shocking as it was in the late 1960’s, the relevance and impact still resonates today; as, sadly, do the undertones of self-loathing and internalised homophobia. The range of characteristics on show from the main protagonists may seem slightly cliché now, but still manage to reflect a number of the sub groups within the gay community and the issues facing them. The first act is a rather whimsical affair, as the characters arrive and you get to know them, but as the second act progresses, the narrative takes a darker turn, leading to a gripping dénouement.

    The cast is strong all round, with solid performances from the ensemble, particularly Mark Gattis (Sherlock, Doctor Who) puts in an effortless performance as Harold, filled with subtlety and natural aloofness. Ian Hallard (Poirot, Doctors) holds the cast together as Michael, and James Holmes (Miranda, Psychoville) is delightful as Emory, brimming with campery and confidence. And whilst Jack Derges (Andy Flynn in EastEnders) is a vision of physical perfection, he proves he is much more than the token eye candy with an enjoyable performance as the dim witted (and mostly shirtless) cowboy hustler.

    The set is authentic and beautifully detailed, as are the costumes, but even though the fashions and décor have altered, the issues raised have not; and whilst some of the social impact of the play may have lessened with time, the personal impact hasn’t, and the gay audience will recognise aspects of themselves, their peers and their experiences amongst the events of the evening.

    With some sharp one liners, genuine emotion and some top notch performances; don’t miss your last chance to see this this excellent revival before it ends its run. The Boys in the Band is playing at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, until Saturday 19th November 2016. See www.wyp.org.uk for details.

     

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Rudie’s Jamaican

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Rudie’s Jamaican

    ★★★★ | Rudie’s – Great Jamaican food in hip Dalston!

    rudies_bc_img_1871Rudie’s offers what they call a ‘Boss Burger’ – a rare breed of beef chuck patty that is topped with apple wood smoke cheddar, sweet honey mustard, red onion, tomato, pickles and jalapeño chilli – and it’s huge – worth the £12 price. My dining companion ate the whole thing.

    Sides were a must to have, and it was the Avocado and Mango Salad that was the best dish of the night. A snip at only £4.25, it’s a big bowl of fresh avocado and mango with dices of onion and tomato in a very nice vinaigrette dressing. Amazing. The Sweet Plantains were also amazing – at £3.00 a great deal – topped with a hint of sugar to give them a sweet flavour.

    Desserts are recommended after your meal but they’re very small! I had the Rum Cake expecting a nice portion, but it was quite a small, perhaps the size of the palm of a hand. It was sprinkled with berries and almonds and a syrup sauce, and came with ice cream, but it left me wanting more! My friend had the Banana Brulee, it has a nice crust and underneath the coconut custard créme was heavenly, but again a bit on the small side. Both were £5.50.

    It’s all about exotic drinks when going to a Jamaican restaurant, and Rudie’s does not disappoint! There are 10 delicious sounding cocktails to choose from, and while we didn’t have all 10, we did order the ‘Jamaica Nice’ – a nice smoothie with almond syrup, lime, nectarine, rum, with a huge slice of pineapple – it’s as delicious as it sounds! My friend ordered ‘The Colony’ – another rum cocktail that included brandy – he said it was smooth going down. All ten cocktails are priced at a very friendly £8.50 each.

    The bill for the meal came to £80 – not too bad considering all the different types of food we ate, coupled with the drinks. Rudie’s is a great place to eat, with large windows so you can watch the passing trade walk by. Service is wonderful, and they’ve been in business for just over a year. With Dalston becoming the hip place to live, Rudie’s will most definitely live up to a similar mantra – it will be the hip place to eat.

    Reviewed by: Tim Baros

    Telephone: 0207 249 9930

    Address: 50 Stoke Newington Road N16 7XB

    Opening hours:

    Mon – Wed: 18:00 – 22:00

    Thur: 12:00 pm – 22:00

    Fri – Sat: 12:00 to 23:00

    Sun: 12:00 – 22:00

    PRICE: ££ (explained)

    STAR: ★★★★ (explained)