THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Get Em Off, Above The Stag

    ★★★ | Get Em Off

    Well, it’s not exactly The Full Monty – it’s called ‘Get ‘Em Off!’ Set in the suburbian enclave of Croydon, ‘Get ‘Em Off’ takes place in the only gay bar around for miles – The Golden Canary – and it’s a dive.

    Run by proprietor/proprietress Quinny, a/k/a Baz (Dereck Walker), it’s a bar that needs some spicing up. So it’s his employee Mitch (Joe Goldie) who comes up with the idea of turning Monday night into a gay strip competition to bring in more customers. And so that’s what they do. And they encourage their customers to enter in the hopes of winning the cash prize. Milosh (Michael Nelson), from Kosovo, is one of the first ones to enter, he’s definitely not shy about showing his body. Then there’s Ricky (Ashley Daniels), who is a regular customer to the bar when his boring partner (David Michael Hands) is out of town on business and who actually forbids Ricky from going to the gay bar as he doesn’t think they should lead ’that kind of lifestyle.’ But there’s a spark between Milosh and Ricky that’s palpable.

    Meanwhile back at the bar, Baz, all dolled up in sequins and a head wrap, hosts the competition. Mitch urges his all so sexy and very hot straight friend Luke (Tom Bowen) to enter, hey Luke’s wife is about to give birth to their first child so he says why not? And it’s poor Brian (Stuart Harris), Mitch’s school teacher, newly single after six years, trying to find his way back into the gay scene, and finds himself at The Golden Canary. With the strip competition such a success, Quinny decides to enter her men in a national strip competition. So ‘Get Em Off’ follows The Full Monty’s plot where the men practice and practice for the competition where we all know what’s going to happen.

    ‘Get Em Off’ should’ve been called ‘The Gay Full Monty.’ It’s a camp musical comedy with very funny lines but not very funny nor memorablesongs (one is titled ‘Get Your Dick Out).

    The book, by Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper, gives Quinny some of the best lines in the show, though Milosh and Mitch have some as well. Walker steals the show even when his/her men get naked – he’s hilarious! Hands also deserves a mention as he plays various roles and is unrecognizable in each one of them. ‘Get Em Off’ is not the best show the Above the Stag has produced, but it’s perhaps perfect for the summer season when all gay boys want to do is see to watch light-hearted fare with cute guys and lots of nudity. This is the show for them.

    Get Em Off run at Above The Stag until 28/08/16

  • Where do Tory PM potentials stand on LGBT rights?

    Where do Tory PM potentials stand on LGBT rights?

    With David Cameron going and a new Conservative leadership campaign triggered we check to see what each candidate’s LGBT credentials are.

    David Cameron, who made LGBT equality one of the cornerstones of his administration has announced his resignation after the UK voted to leave the EU. A Tory leadership battle is now underway. We look at the possible candidates and their views and voting records on LGBT+ equality

    How we calculated our results.
    Using TheyWorkForYou.com we were able to define MPs’ voting records on equality issues. We made conclusions on an MP’s voting record – we counted Absent votes as a negative.

    The likelihood on responsiveness was a mix between a 2015 survey on how MPs responded to their own constituents’ emails and their voting record on LGBT matters.

    This list will be updated as new candidate come forward or denounce their candidacy.

    PERFECT: Voted to give equality each time

    GOOD: Voted to give equality most of the time

    MIXED: Voted equally for and against equality

    POOR: Generally voted against equality

    TERRIBLE: Always voted against – or abstained.

    REFORMED: Used to vote against, now has good record.

    STEPHEN CRABB | LIAM FOX | MICHAEL GOVE | JEREMY HUNT (not running) | SAJID JAVID (joint ticket) | BORIS JOHNSON | ANDREA LEADSON | THERESA MAY | NICKY MORGAN (not running) | PRITI PATEL (not running)

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Dancing with the Devil

    ★★★ | Dancing with the Devil

    Josh Brandao and Nicolai Kornum
    Josh Brandao and Nicolai Kornum

    Rudolph Nureyev was one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. His colourful life and volatile personality make him a fascinating study and a perfect subject for drama. Aletta Lawson has taken an inspired premise of looking at Nureyev’s life in retrospect via his dying delusions. Starting in his Parisian flat in the early 1990s we see Nureyev in his early 50s, weak and frail, in denial about his imminent death from an AIDS. related illness. He opens and closes a jewellery box, conjuring up hallucinations of his most famous dance partner Margot Fonteyn (who sits on a lit podium like a ballerina on a spring in a child’s music box). His memories drift back to his early life, through to his present illness.

    The program contains a writer’s note stating that the play isn’t intended to be a biography. Bizarrely, the play then runs as a biography with a whistle stop and often superficial imagining of key events in Nureyev’s life. We briefly glimpse a troubled childhood, the discovery of his talent, his defection to the West, his love affair with Eric Bruhn and some of the more show-business aspects of his stardom. It’s a lot to fit into ninety minutes and the play suffers for this, often failing to have impact or to convincingly engage with emotional events.

    Benny Maslov is spookily reminiscent of Nureyev and he works well within the confines of an often-clumsy and occasionally mawkish script. The moments where he dances are illuminating and captivating although sadly sparse. He captures a multi-faceted character perfectly, veering from petulant arrogance, passionate perfectionism through to glimpses of vulnerability and fragility.

    There are some good scenes such as the one where Rudolph and Eric first meet or the occasional interactions with Nureyev and Fonteyn. Sadly, these are few and far between and the play feels bogged down by its awkward dialogue and occasionally clumsy presentation. Some of the accents feel like they belong in terrible 1980s sit-com ‘Allo ‘Allo and the acting is variable with some uncomfortable moments that are painfully pantomime where the comedy falls entirely flat.

    This is worth seeing for Maslov’s performance alone but that aside this is a 5 star performance from an accomplished actor and dancer in a 2 star play.

    Dancing with the Devil plays at Sadlers Well until 29th of June 2016

  • Anti-gay equality Tory announces his bid for PM

    Anti-gay equality Tory announces his bid for PM

    A Tory MP who voted against LGBT equality in numerous votes in Parliament has announced his bid to become the UK’s next Prime Minister.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Stephen Crabb has launched his bid to become the UK’s next PM after David Cameron said he was stepping down, following the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

    Stephen Crabb MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire has voted against a number of laws which directly affect LGBT equality dating back to 2007.

    According to TheyWorkForYou.com in 2007 Crabb voted against the Equalities Act (Sexual Orientation) which protects gay people from discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities, services, education and public functions because of their sexuality.

    In 2013 Crabb voted against allowing same-sex couples the ability to marry. He was then absent for all other votes concerning the interests of LGBT people in the UK, including allowing Armed Forces based outside the UK the ability to marry.

    Crabb has stood by his voting decisions by saying, “It wasn’t a clear-cut vote for me, but I don’t regret any vote I’ve taken.”

    He has been criticised for his links to Christian Action Research and Education, an advocacy group which some claim is opposed to full LGBT rights. They provided Crabb with interns in 2010.

    The former equalities minister Mr Javid is running alongside on a “joint ticket.”

     

  • “Get Gays Out” chant heard in London’s Covent Garden

    “Get Gays Out” chant heard in London’s Covent Garden

    Racist and homophobic chants have been reportedly heard in the centre of London, days after London plays host to UK’s biggest Pride.

    CREDIT: ©-Chalabala-Depositphotos
    CREDIT: ©-Chalabala-Depositphotos

    Chants of, “Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves! First we’ll get the Poles out, then the gays!” was allegedly heard in Covent Garden, London over the weekend after over a million people participated in Pride In London.

    A group walking down Drury Lane in Covent Garden, a short distance away from where Pride took place on Saturday, was heard shouting the racist and homophobic chant just days after the UK voted to leave the EU.

    Hate crimes reports have surged 57 per cent since the vote.

    Colin Appleby told Gay Star News that he heard the chants as he went to bed.

    “I was in bed just drifting off to sleep when I heard them.

    “There had been football chants all day long from the direction of the pubs so didn’t really pay much attention until the words became clearer.

    “This is Drury Lane in Covent Garden, London, it’s the home two theatres, a plethora of restaurants and bars and it is in liberal, tolerant London.

    “To those who voted Leave but didn’t have the balls to stand up and counter the racism underpinning that campaign, I say be careful what you wish for.”

    The incident has been reported to the police.

    ALSO READ: Homophobic hate crime soars in London

     

  • WATCH | Peter Tatchell addresses Pride In London

    WATCH | Peter Tatchell addresses Pride In London

    Human rights activist Peter Tatchell addressed thousands of people in Trafalgar Square over the weekend.

    Peter Tatchell Foundation
    Peter Tatchell Foundation

    The long-time rights advocate and campaigner, Peter Tatchell addressed thousands of people at Trafalgar Square over the weekend at Pride In London.

    He spoke for just over four minutes and paid tribute to the Orlando victims as well as standing up for Muslim communities asking to remember not to “demonize” or “scapegoat” Muslim people.

    He called for “solidarity to fight all hate.”

    Remembering the Orlando victims, Tatchell said,

    “It’s hard on this day of joy to not forget the pain and anguish the people of Orlando have felt and are feeling, but we stand in solidarity with LGBT Orlando, we stand in solidarity with LGBT people everywhere who are affected by hate crime.”

     

  • BAR REVIEW | Myki Sand Bar Sails into Soho

    ★★ | Myki Sand Bar

    Archer Street Bar Soho, oddly enough on Archer Street, when mentioned might send an immediate dentist-implement-touching-nerve to your heart. This used to be the bricks and mortar that housed a guaranteed-tug-in-the-toilets bar and felt like throwing-shapes-on-three-week-old-pina-colada dance floor, once known as Barcode Soho. The good old days: still missed by many, we are sure.

    What London needed, and of course what this great country needed, was another heterosexual establishment. Archer Street Bar draws a clientele that travels to Ascot by coach, buys their fascinators from Debenhams and still thinks holidaying in Ibiza is cool.

    Myki Sand Bar is located on the lower ground floor where the sticky dance floor once resided, and is billed as ‘London’s first beach club bar’ – a pop-up until late 2016. White and blue sails hang from the ceiling, white painted wooden boards, blue cushions, sandbox seating areas and some scattered beach balls – an impersonation of Neptune’s from ITV’s Benidorm.

    It would have been quicker to fly to Mykonos and sample an authentic Greek cocktail – the beach boys behind the bar were as quick as a deflating lilo.

    Parched, but eager to sample, we started with a Myki’s signature cocktail, Heatwave: Ciroc vodka, peach liqueur, chilli bitters and orgeat served martini-style at £12.50. Peachy with a sand-in-ya-eye chilli twist – worth its weight in budgie-smugglers.

    Corporate functions and those who think they are worthy of a ‘VIP booth’ (Myki’s has a few) will like the setup.

    Our next tipple, Boys of the Summer: Ciroc pineapple, blood peach puree, lime juice, vanilla topped with Billecart Salmon champagne. It was like drinking breakfast juice – maybe they thought one cocktail was enough for us gays and didn’t add the alcohol. At £14.50 a pop we could have better spent on two bottles of Factor 15 Piz Buin – what a waste.

    If you want sand this summer head to Kent’s Botany Bay or hop on a plane.  If you want over-priced but decent cocktails, head to Ham Yard Hotel or The Blind Pig at The Social Eating House – both in Soho. And if you want to wear a Hawaiian shirt – best not to leave the house.

    Myki Sand Bar Opening Hours: Thurs–Sat: 4pm–1am

    Private Hire: Monday – Saturday

    Capacity: 220

    Archer Street |3-4 Archer Street Soho London W1D 7AP T – 020 7734 3342 www.archerstreet.co.uk
    bookings@archerstreet.co.uk

  • Building firm fined over half a million for the deaths of gay couple

    Building firm fined over half a million for the deaths of gay couple

    A construction company has been fined over £500,000 after a gay couple fell to their deaths.

    CREDIT: Facebook / Evening Standard

    Gavin Brewer, 32, and Stuart Meads, 34, both fell to their deaths in October 2013 after making contact with hoarding on a building which gave way sending both men down a 12ft drop.

    Both Gavin and Stuart were pronounced dead at the scene following their fall.

    Monavon Construction pleaded guilty to the corporate manslaughter of Gavin Brewer, 32, and Stuart Meads, 34, at the Old Bailey on Monday, 9 May.

    The Metropolitan Police launched a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive. This investigation found that the hoardings had been fixed in such a way that only negligible force would have been required to make them give way.

    Monavon Construction were responsible for a building site in Netley Street at the junction with Hampstead Road, NW1. Work had been ongoing at the site for approximately three years and construction was nearing its conclusion.

    Part of the site bordered Netley Street and plywood hoardings had been put in place there which covered the pavement. On 14 October 2013 work began to change the hoarding so the pavement could be reinstated. On Friday, 18 October this work had been completed leaving the hoardings, measuring approximately 4ft in height, fixed by wooden struts to a wall behind which measured between 130mm to 280mm in height.
    Behind this wall was a drop of approximately 12ft down into a basement area.

    Monavon was fined £250,000 each for the deaths of Gavin Brewer and Stuart Meads as well as £50,000 for heath and safety breached. They were also ordered to pay £23,653 prosecution costs.

    Mr Meads’s father told the London Evening Standard shortly after his death,

    “Stuart was a wonderful son and is a huge loss to our family. We are in shock. It is a very difficult time.”

  • MP Angela Eagle Resigns

    Another high-profile out MP has resigned from Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet.

    MP Angela Eagle joins 27 other MPs who have resigned from Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition party. She follows Chris Bryant as two of the most prominent gay MPs to resign from the shadow cabinet.

    She told the BBC that she made her decision to quit after not hearing from Mr. Corbyn for 24 hours. She criticised his lack of communication with his shadow cabinet.

    A number of Labour’s MPs are upset at the apparent lack of leadership by Corbyn during the run up to the EU Referendum which saw the UK vote, by a slim majority to leave the European Union.

    Ms. Eagle has stepped down in her role as the Shadow Business Secretary and First Secretary of State and hasn’t denied her own ambition to be the new leader of Labour, if Corbyn resigns or is forced out.

    Taking to twitters Ms. Eagle said,

    With deep regret, and after nine months of trying to make it work, I have today resigned from the Shadow Cabinet

     

  • MP Chris Bryant quits shadow cabinet

    In the wake of the EU referendum and as confidence in Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of the opposition weakens, one of Britain’s most visible gay politicians quits the Shadow Cabinet.

    CREDIT: CC flickr.com:photos:sicliff:

     

    The Shadow Leader of the House Of Commons, Chris Bryant, has resigned after revealing that he has lost confidence in Jeremy Corbyn’s ability to lead Britain’s opposition.

    In a week of political turmoil Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of Labour has been put under tremendous pressure with 12 of his front benchers quitting their roles.

    The resignations have forced Corbyn to announce a new cabinet.

    Chris Bryant, one of the UK’s most visible gay politicians  and MP for Rhondda in Wales Tweeted,

    “We need someone new to unite and lead Labour.”

    His resignation letter to Corbyn said,

    “If you refuse to step aside I fear you will go down in history as the man who broke the Labour Party.”

    “Sadly, the referendum has shown that you and your team cannot run an effective national campaign and that you do not command the support of the country.

    “I urge you, because you are a decent man to do the decent thing and take the only action that can avert potential disaster by stepping aside.

    “If you do so I believe future generations will praise your selflessness.”

     

    Jeremy Corbyn has refused to step down as Labour’s leader saying,

    “I regret there have been resignations today from my shadow cabinet. But I am not going to betray the trust of those who voted for me – or the millions of supporters across the country who need Labour to represent them.”

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Barbu

    ★★★★ | Barbu

    What can be better on a rainy summer night in London than sitting in an atmospheric, mirror lined, wooden tent (once graced by Marlene Dietrich) and watching a troupe of hairy male acrobats strip down to their skimpy pants? Not much if you ask me. I quite like a hairy man in black pants. Cirque Alfonse have returned to London Wonderground after their hit show “Timber!” with another testosterone-fuelled show of daring circus skills. “Barbu” is absurd, silly and above all entertaining.

    Accompanied by a live band, who set the tone with a throbbing and dirty soundtrack, they roller skate, backflip and form human pyramids. The awkward yet thrilling dancing is a site to behold and there’s more perineum and hairy thigh flashed onstage than in a night in a backroom in Playa Del Ingles. Naturally they’re not just pieces of gristly, fleshy meat with beards (but oh what flesh). They’re also consummate performers who are self-mocking and raucously funny at times. Whilst not the most thrilling of circus shows around, there are moments that set the audience’s pulses racing. It’s also an incredibly raunchy show, provided dirty and sweaty gets you off. There’s a moment of pure beauty when they set a whole new standard of pole dancing with an ensemble horizontal twirl. It’s a wry and witty piece that’s good (if not clean) fun.

    The show starts a little too slowly and although there’s nothing limp about these men there’s the occasional flaccid moment in the first half hour or so. Prepare to be wowed when it warms up though. There’s real skill here and whilst the movements are less balletic than gruff bearish male strutting and lumbering this just adds to their charm. The physical performances are definitely spectacular too.

    The Southbank’s Wonderground is a stylish funfair themed go to venue for early evening drinks and there’s a frenetic feel to this show that mixes well with alcohol and groups of friends. It’s not hard to see why this show was such a hit in Edinburgh last year.

     

    Reviewed by Chris Bridges, follow on Twitter