Tag: UK
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Police Call For Witnesses After Homophobic Attack In Bedford
Police in Bedford are calling for witness after a woman was assaulted by a group of men in an anti-gay assault.
CREDIT: ©-ronfromyork-Depositphotos According to police in Bedford a woman was assaulted and injured in an apparent anti-gay attack by a group of men aged between 16-20 year-old.
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She was reportedly attacked in Mareth Road in Beford after leaving a convenience store on Cardington Road at around 9pm on the 1st April.
CREDIT: Google Street Maps 2016The alleged offenders made homophobic remarks to the victim and punched and kicked her, causing minor injuries to her face and body.
Three of the offenders were around 5ft 4in while one was slightly taller and all of them were wearing jeans and jackets.
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Sergeant James Hart, hate crime tactical lead for the force, said,
“This was a despicable attack against a woman who describes herself as openly lesbian, believes that she was targeted because of her sexuality.
“The victim has been left extremely upset by this senseless assault, and we are committed to finding the people responsible so that they cannot continue to commit such hateful acts.
“Hate crime of any kind will not be tolerated and I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward.”
Call 101 with information quoting crime reference JH/13449/16, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information.
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THEATRE REVIEW | The Rotters’ Club
Young in age, but precocious in talent, the cast of fifteen actors stood proud and commanded the stage with their strong ability to project, act with a great emotional range, and move around effortlessly, all with unrivalled energy.
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THEATRE REVIEW | English Touring Opera’s Don Giovanni – Sheffield Theatres and National Tour
★★★ | English Touring Opera’s Don Giovanni – Sheffield Theatres and National Tour:
Lust, passion, revenge, deceit, drama and sex all combine in the gloom of the subterranean tunnels in Don Giovanni, the classic opera, performed by English Touring Opera.
Picture credit – Richard Hubert SmithOpening with him fleeing the scene of a murder, Don Giovanni is pursued by his past, including the bitter lover he jilted, the bride-to-be he seduces (along with her jealous husband-to-be), and also by the daughter of his latest victim who seeks to redress the balance of his wrongdoings. This opera is brimming with drama from the passionate opening bars of the overture to the supernatural denouement. Part thriller and part comedy, the opera is ambiguous enough for you to decide whether Don Giovanni is a murder, philanderer and criminal, or whether he is a hero of defiance who refuses to allow his behaviour to be governed by social convention and authority.
Mozart’s opera has shades of both light and dark in it, with delicate comic touches and some witty one liners buried in the brooding tale of lust, murder, insatiable sexual appetites, betrayal and revenge. Sung in English, this version is relatively accessible and is presented with subtitles to ensure that even an opera novice can get the most out of the story.
Out of the cast, George von Bergen was as charismatic as Don Giovanni himself in his portrayal of the titular character, with his booming baritone voice and cocksure swagger fleshing out the anti-hero of the piece, whilst Matthew Stiff provided much needed comic relief in his cheeky turn as Leporello, Giovanni’s servant.
The static set design worked well, with the oppressively tall structure and a metal staircase dominating the stage and to some extent, blurring the time frame of the piece, making the themes of the opera feel simultaneously traditional but still relevant. Equally, the themes of above and below ground level intimated by the catacombs remind the audience that this is an opera which also deals with the issue of class and Anna Fleischle’s design reflects that nicely. Guy Hoare’s lighting design is subtle and unobtrusive throughout, but yet explodes into dramatic and assertive visuals which not only accompany, but utterly enhance the culmination of the story in the closing scenes. Musically, Mozart’s score was beautifully played by the English Touring Opera’s orchestra and the addition of live music always enhances a piece such as this.
Opera is often shunned and thought of as being rather elitist, but the reality is very different. Don Giovanni pulls together the darker themes of opera, enhances it with some lighter moments, but which retains all of the passion, power and dramatics one would expect.
English Touring Opera is currently at Sheffield Theatres , before continuing on its extensive UK tour until the 10th June 2016 with a trio of operas – Don Giovanni, Iphigenie En Tauride and Pia De’ Tolomei. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.englishtouringopera.org.uk
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LGBT Inclusion In Scottish Schools Is Important For Nicola Sturgeon
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stated that she will work with campaigners from TIE (Time for Inclusive Education) as she accepts that there is still “more to be done” to tackle homophobia in schools.
CREDIT: Scottish Government images Sturgeon’s vow came as she set out her proposals to ensure that a “leap forward” is made for LGBT+ rights over the next Scottish parliament. At an LGBT+ hustings on Thursday evening (31/03), attended by all party leaders, Sturgeon praised the “impressive” work of TIE and urged whichever party forms the next Scottish government to work with the campaigners.
She stated:
“At our conference, we had a moving debate and passed a motion in favour of inclusive education. I think what Time for Inclusive Education are doing is impressive and I hope that whoever forms the next Scottish Government will work with them, as we will.”
The move follows the unanimous passing of a motion in support of TIE by SNP members at the party’s spring conference earlier this month, which committed the SNP to creating an education system that is fully inclusive of LGBT+ identities and relationships within the next parliament, in order to promote a “safe, equal and accepting environment for all of Scotland’s young people”.
The topic of inclusive education has been propelled by TIE’s campaigners over the past year and Sturgeon’s support marks a significant turning point for the movement, coming just hours after the campaign argued that the SNP’s proposals for achieving LGBT+ inclusive education must go further.
Earlier in the evening, Sturgeon announced the SNP’s strategy, which included a focus on providing equality training for new, guidance and promoted teachers “so they are confident in tackling prejudice-based bullying”, and ensuring that “all children and young people learn tolerance, respect, human rights” to prevent prejudice and discrimination.
However, TIE’s campaigners argued that the strategy announcement did not go far enough, claiming that LGBT+ specific teacher training is required, stressing that “the next strategy to tackle homophobia has to be the right one”.
Commenting on the news of the First Minister’s support, a spokesperson for TIE stated:
“We are pleased that Nicola has agreed to work with us and we welcome her support. Her party’s current proposals do not go far enough and it is vital that the next strategy to tackle LGBT-phobia in Scottish schools is the right one – for too long we have dealt with a Section 28 hangover, the next Scottish Government must tackle this properly. We are happy to work with the SNP, and all other parties within the next parliament to ensure that our education system is inclusive of LGBT+ identities.”
All party leaders agreed with TIE’s calls for a commitment to improving accessibility to LGBT+ specific teacher training, with co-convener of the Scottish Green Party Patrick Harvie highlighting that faith schools must not be exempt from any strategy proposals.
Support for TIE’s movement for LGBT+ inclusive education has continued to grow, with Harry Potter actress Emma Thompson being the latest celebrity to endorse the campaign and call for an end to homophobia in Scottish schools.
Sturgeon later stated that:
“We must show leadership and courage in supporting LGBT+ equality. We have to have guts and lead by example.”
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RESTAURANT REVIEW | Beefeater Bar+ Block Birmingham
A sincere, surprising, and delicious treat was had at the Beefeater Bar + Block, rivalling every other I have ever been to. There was an immediate warm welcome from a staff member who said that someone would be with us right away, and right away he was.
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THEATRE REVIEW | Bug
★★★★★ | Bug
In a run down motel room in Oklahoma City, cocktail waitress Agnes is killing time, hitting the bottle and smoking a little crack with her lesbian friend R.C. Hiding from her violent ex and trying to numb the pain of her past; the evening takes a sudden unexpected turn when a stranger arrives.
CREDIT: Simon AnnandFound 111 is an intimate new theatre space on Charing Cross Road that perfectly suits Tracy Letts’ gripping and claustrophobic 1996 play. The audience are all around the four sides of the tiny motel room and the actors are within touching distance. The airless heat of the room built up as the tension ramped higher and it becomes appropriately oppressive. By Act Two the audience itches and scratches and bristles with tension as the characters descend into a deranged scenario. Theatre doesn’t often feel as real as this. The play is gruesome, disturbing but darkly comical which is what you’d expect from Letts; the author of hit films Killer Joe and August: Osage County.
There was a major distraction for me in Bug in the form of the handsome James Norton (Happy Valley, War and Peace, Grantchester) who was playing the stranger. He was so close to me at points, stripped down to a pair of baggy boxer shorts and displaying an admirable torso, that I almost had to sit on my hands before a restraining order was issued. My lustiness aside: Norton is a very fine actor. It’s a testament to his skills that in spite of his ubiquitous presence on our televisions, he subsumes the character with ease and his familiar face doesn’t make the viewer think of his other roles. He portrays a brooding ex-soldier with a polite gentlemanly manner and a burgeoning psychosis. He doesn’t miss a beat and unfailingly does justice to this tightly scripted piece.
CREDIT: Simon AnnandEqually superb is his co-star Kate Fleetwood (Medea, High Society, London Road). She’s all spiky edges and nervous tics as she prowls the room in hot pants and heels, toking on cigarettes and swigging wine. Any actor or actress who can draw my attention to their face whilst James Norton is on stage wearing very little, has to be a skilled practitioner indeed. Fleetwood is hypnotic and the interplay between the two characters is a master class in top quality acting.
This is definitely a 5 star show. Credit has to go to director Simon Evans for bringing this twenty-year-old piece to life and making it feel so fresh, vibrant and relevant. This isn’t an evening’s light entertainment but nor is it doomy and grim. There’s plenty of humour too. Just expect to leave the theatre feeling a little itchier and a little sweatier than when you first arrived.
Bug is playing at Found 111, London, until 7th May.
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THEATRE REVIEW |Thriller Live – Sheffield Theatres And National Tour
★★★★ | Thriller Live.
A spectacular two-hour tribute to Michael Jackson which celebrates the music, dancing and performances of the entertainer, via a whistle stop tour through his back catalogue. This highly polished and slick show brings to life some of Jackson’s most memorable routines, the iconic costumes and the classic hits.
This show was much more than just two hours of a Michael Jackson impersonator with a few backing dancers. It was a glossy and thoroughly entertaining musical revue with a broad range of songs spanning the singer’s career which were performed with unyielding vigour and energetic enthusiasm by the cast and live band.
The 32 song set list started with the early Mowtown years, featuring ABC, I Want You Back and I’ll Be There; moves through the years with the Jackson 5; with Can You Feel It and Blame It On The Boogie; before heading into his solo career with some of his biggest hits including Off The Wall, Bad, Beat It, and The Way You Make Me Feel. The show also features some of Jackson’s lesser-known songs, including She’s Out Of My Life, Show You The Way To Go and Dangerous and it was good to see some routines to the songs that you wouldn’t immediately associate with Jackson over his biggest hits. Only Earth Song and Dirty Diana let the side down, with both descending into a bit of an overblown and indecipherable mess, but these are easily forgivable when nestled amongst the other great songs and performances.
Particular highlights of the show included music video recreations of both Smooth Criminal and Thriller, great renditions of Man In The Mirror and I Just Can’t Stop Loving You and a thrilling recreation of the Mowtown 25 performance of Billie Jean, but in a show with so many show-stopping moments, highlights are difficult to choose.
Featuring a quartet of singers who put their own spin on the vocals, avoiding them coming across as MJ impersonators, the standard of singing was very high, whilst the choreography and dancing were simply amazing. Cleverly utilising many of the routines (or elements of them) from the original music videos or stage performances of Michael Jackson, the dancers were spot on in terms of their timing and performance , with their acrobatic and exhilarating dance moves eliciting cheers, whoops and shouts of delight from the audience. Regardless of the controversy surrounding his life, Michael Jackson’s enduring appeal undoubtedly remains, and this is a show which ignores the singers private life to celebrate his musical legacy in a foot tapping, smile-inducing show which you can’t help singing along to; and a production which had people, quite literally, dancing in the aisles.
Even if you are not the biggest fan of Michael Jackson, there is still a lot to recommend this show. Obviously, enjoying the music is an advantage, but if you enjoy watching spectacular dancing and a well performed musical revue then this show is up there with the best of them. Thankfully, this is not a gushing, Michael Jackson praise-fest, but instead simply allows a bunch of highly talented singers, dancers and musicians to let the songs and routines speak for themselves.
Thriller Live is currently at Sheffield Theatres before continuing on its national tour until 23rd July 2016. For details visit www.thrillerlive.com
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Cyril Nri Receives BAFTA nomination for Cucumber
Actor Cyril Nri has received a BAFTA nomination for his role in the Channel 4 drama Cucumber.
CREDIT: Channel 4 -
Ben Whishaw Up For Bafta For Gay Spy Drama, London Spy
Out actor Ben Whishaw have received a nomination for the forthcoming BAFTA awards.
CREDIT: (C) WTTV Limited – Photographer: Joss Barratt Ben Whishaw has received a BAFTA nomination for Leading Actor for his role in the spy drama London Spy – a drama which follows a gay Londoner looking to solve the disappearance of his boyfriend.
Speaking to THEGAYUK about the series Ben said,
It felt incredibly fresh and I didn’t know what on Earth was going to happen, or what sort of a story I was in even.
I think it’s a fascinating story, a fascinating series, because although I think it is a thriller, it doesn’t really conform exactly to what you expect a thriller to do. It creates its own version of that genre.
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The series itself, London Spy, has been nominated for Best Mini series.
Along with Ben’s nomination, Cyril Nri was nominated as best supporting actor in the Channel 4’s Cucumber.
