Tag: UK
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THEATRE REVIEW | Putting On The Ritz National Tour
As someone who was raised on a diet of the films of the golden age of Hollywood and classic MGM Musicals; and as someone who finds a full on show-stopping musical dance break hard to beat, the lure of a musical revue of the songs of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter proved hard to resist.
Putting together a collection of some of the most timeless and well-known songs, including “Puttin’ On The Ritz”, “Top Hat”, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”, “Anything Goes” and “I Got Rhythm”, the soundtrack was top notch and a real demonstration of the enduring appeal of these masterfully written slices of perfection. There was a pleasant spread of songs, taking into account the upbeat numbers, but also slowing the pace with some ballads, including “Someone To Watch Over Me”. There were a few odd choices – a rather over the top performance of “Summertime”, a couple of instrumental songs which really should have been sung (“Cheek to Cheek”) and a few absent favourites, but overall, with such a vast catalogue to choose from, there was a good spread of the well-known and seldom heard.
Despite the staging being fairly bland; an unimaginative glittery set, a backdrop curtain with a cascade of fairy lights and a rickety staircase; the numerous costumes changes came thick and fast, with enough sequins, feathers and glitz to satisfy even the hardiest of ‘Strictly’ fans. Lighting and direction was fairly functional, but the choreography was fast paced, upbeat and a good mixture of ballroom, jazz, tap, swing and Charleston, performed in a rather polished fashion.
The low quality production values aside, the cast performed competently albeit with an abundance of fixed grins. The six vocalists were able to give the songs enough joie de vivre to do them justice, with the three male vocalists eclipsing the female trio. Trent Whiddon and Gordana Grandosek (from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’) were rather impressive, although criminally underused, making the most of their handful of routines, floating lightly across the stage and making the whole thing look absolutely effortless. The remaining cast of dancers did give it their all and the numbers were well choreographed, building nicely and feeling very playful.
The show is certainly more “cruise ship cabaret” as opposed to “West End spectacular”, but despite its low production values, slightly cheesy feel and constantly grinning cast, the show was foot tappingly entertaining where the stars of the show were the songs themselves. I’m sure that this was never intended to be life changing theatre, but it never pretends to be; and managed to completely sweep up the audience with its charm and its firm footing in the tradition of good, old fashioned entertainment. The running time of just over two hours went far too quickly, making this show a nice little guilty pleasure.
Puttin’ on the Ritz is at Sheffield Theatres until 20th June 2015 before continuing on its national tour, calling at numerous venues around the country until the 14th November 2015. For details, visit the show’s official website.
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THEATRE REVIEW | Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance: FAR – CAST Theatre, Doncaster
★★★ | FAR – CAST Theatre, Doncaster
Based on an 18th-century text, Flesh in the Age of Reason, (hence the acronym, FAR), choreographer Wayne McGregor’s piece ventures into the relationship between the flesh and the mind. Utilising a backdrop of a pin board of thousands of LED’s, glistening and twinkling like the firing of neurological pathways, a troupe of ten incredibly agile and flexible dancers intertwined and knotted together their bodies as they conveyed how ideas are formed and spread into the physicality of creativity.
Minimalist lighting enhanced the piece, showcasing the dancers and their incredible suppleness. The fluidity of their movement was visually intriguing as they contorted their bodies in a heady mix of extended limbs, ripples and head rolls, working throughout the performance with a professional determination and intensity. The piece left me in no doubt as to the talent of the cast, with their precision movements and the sheer power of their toned and muscular physicality contrasting with the flaccidity of some of their more exaggerated double-jointed dance steps.
The accompanying soundtrack started promisingly, with subtlety and a classic feel to it, as a duet of barefooted dancers performed a tender routine flanked by four torch bearers, but soon descended into a more industrial auditory landscape, with its constant clatters, pulses, bangs and harsh rasps which assaulted the audience with little discernible melody. The brief respites of a more traditional score were occasional and welcome, but not frequent enough and one could only think about how different the piece could have been with the addition of a more forgiving acoustic accompaniment.
The piece is challenging, with an absence of an easily identifiable narrative and a feeling of a number of short pieces knitted together, but it ultimately left me feeling somewhat confused, with the theme of the interplay between art and science being conveyed less precisely than the movements displayed on stage. However, where McGregor does succeed is the demonstration of what can be achieved by the body when pushed to its physical limits in tandem with allowing the mind to be creative; and whether you appreciate the abstract nature of the piece or not, there is much to be admired in the physicality of the performance created.
More information on the company can be found at http://www.randomdance.org/home . FAR was viewed at Doncaster Cast Theatre; who has a varied selection of mainstream and niche productions in their current season.
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Two Bar Staff And Customer At Gay Pub Attacked By “Berserk” Man
A man has been charged and sentenced to 150 hours of community service after going berserk in the New York, New York bar in Manchester.
Manchester Evening News is reporting that Stuart Jolley, 37, of Nettlebarn Road, Benchill assaulted two members of staff and a customer at the New York, New York drag bar in Manchester after being asked to take his beer glass inside.
The pub in the city centre had to lock its doors after the man then attacked two bar staff. He also damaged a £1000 window.
Jolley, pleaded guilty to charges of common assault and criminal damage. The court sentenced him to 150 hours of community service and ordered him to pay £1250 in compensation to the three men he attacked. He was also ordered to pay a £180 criminal court charge and £85 prosecution costs.
According to his defence, Lindsey Brown said that Jolley had no recollection of his actions and had damaged his hand when he punched the window. She added, “It was totally inappropriate behaviour which he deeply regrets”.
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Museum Tries To Turn Moths Gay To Stop Them Ruining The Exhibits
The National History Museum is trying to confuse male moths into believing that other male moths are female in an attempt to stop them reproducing.
The Telegraph is reporting that the museum located in Kensington, London, is trying to trick male moths into mating with other each other so they stop reproducing and damaging the ancient art exhibits. The museum has had a moth infestation for four years and cannot use ordinary chemicals to get rid of the moths.
Speaking to the Telegraph Armando Mendex, quarantine facility manager at the museum, who is heading the project said,
“It’s called the Pheromone Destruction System and in simplistic terms, it makes male moths attracted to other male moths
“They only live for a couple of weeks and during that time there is only a small window in which they can reproduce. If they spend this unknowingly attempting to attract and fertilise male moths, then it reduces the offspring we are up against.”
Using the Pheromone Destruction System, male moths are attracted to traps set about the museum and are covered with female pheromone. When they fly out of the trap the pheromone disruption causes other male moths to think they are chasing females rather than another male.
A spokesperson from the museum confirmed to THEGAYUK,
“We do not modify the moths’ behaviour in any way. Part of our programme includes spraying male clothes moths with female pheromones. Other males are attracted to the female pheromone but find a male when they get there – they are not attracted to the males themselves. This makes it harder for the moths to breed, helping to protect our collection of 80 million specimens.”
Convinced? Is sexuality about pheromones?
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HOTEL REVIEW | Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre
★★★★ | Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre
A contemporary gateway into modern connected Glasgow
Set along Glasgow’s famous Clyde River, the Hilton Garden Inn is the perfect place to stay, when visiting the bustling city of Glasgow.
Situated in the redeveloped and developing area around the historic Finnieston Quay, the hotel is a stone’s throw from the burgeoning media city and the sports facilities that were in full use during the Commonwealth Games 2014.
The newly built hotel has 164 guest rooms, which all feature an iMac entertainment system and free WIFI along with, what I would call room essentials, an ironing board, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities. There’s also a well equipped, free Precor gym, should you want to burn off calories from the exquisite food available from the AA Rosette restaurant, City Café.The rooms are well appointed, with an inventive, airy, modern sensitivity, and best of all they offer stunning views across the river, and spectacular visions of The Clyde Arc, or as some around these parts call it, the ‘Squinty Bridge.’ It’s especially beautiful at night as the coloured light from the bridge reflects off the inky blackness of the Clyde.
If you’re in Glasgow to do a spot of business, the rooms also have an ergonomically designed office chair – as well as that iMac mentioned previously, for you to use, but if you prefer to be amongst the people, you’ll also find a fully functional 24-hour business centre.A brisk walk along the river bank will take you into the heart of Glasgow to enjoy the many delights that Scotland’s second largest city has to offer, including a well developed gay scene, with bars and clubs.
With a late check out of 12:00PM and the trademark ‘nothing-is-too-much-hassle’ attitude from staff, the Hilton Garden Inn, Glasgow City Centre, is the first choice for accommodation in Glasgow.
Parking is just £5 and all rooms are non-smoking.
Visit the Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow online
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RESTAURANT REVIEW | Darwin Brasserie, The Sky Garden
Dining up at the Sky Garden sounds exciting doesn’t it? A little novel? Darwin’s menu boasts being “inspired by the very best of British”, but in reality means they have no imagination, catering for tourists that expect British food to be bad, and will charge what they like (extortionately).
A prime example of somewhere relying on what and where it is, rather than what it does. The setting of the Sky Garden is also spoiled by this familiar airport lounge look with an underlying sense that they don’t want you hanging around for too long. Having to put on sunglasses as the sun sets in your eyes is also where the novelty of dining in a glorified conservatory began to wear off.
Darwin’s décor comprises of creams, pastels, greys (perhaps symbolising shades of clouds), and cute little succulent plants on each table. I liked the way the cocktail menu was set out, in that it would describe each one’s composition and then break it down into two/three of its dominant flavours, enabling (and potentially persuading) swift decisions.
Their wines start at around £24 for a bottle of white. With so many lovely and popular roses around it was a little disappointing to only find one on the menu and priced at £39 (2014). Our waitress was on the ball and everything seemed okay at this point. That was until our food came- at a concerning speed consistently through courses (again feeling like another “please leave” nudge).
To start I had the Ham Hock & Parsley Terrine (£9.50). There wasn’t much to the actual terrine, and the amount of parsley was depressing with only a few flecks. The sourdough bread served was over oily and felt more like fried bread than grilled. However, the sharp and fresh veg piccalilli that came with the dish was really lovely and packed flavour where the ham lacked. Altogether the plate needs more oomph and cannot solely rely on the pickle as its star.
Also to start, English Aparagus (£14.50)- not entirely sure where the price for this dish was plucked from (literally from the Sky it would seem, sorryboutit). Bearing in mind asparagus is in season, and the pot of sauce that came with it is basically made from cream, egg, and lemon- all relatively minimal costing. The dish was served a little too cold and verging on undercooked.
For my main, Cornish Lamb Rump (£26), and I’m baffled as to how the classically strong lamby flavours of the flesh had been utterly eradicated. The “aromatic” couscous was screaming with colossal amounts of cumin and the “ras el hanout jus” tasted more like just jus, which actually suited me after taste bud apocalypse via the couscous. On the plus side, the lamb was not stringy fatty.
Roast Chicken Breast (£17.50) – A dish laden with errors for me. Its fricassee of cocoa beans, peas, broad beans & rosemary- lacked even the most subtle of cocoa notes and its gravy tasted a little akin to my “ras el hanout jus”. Cold tomatoes were laced through the dish, and came served in a bowl. Confusing as it resembled a warm salad, but we didn’t want a salad- otherwise, we would have ordered off the separate salad menu. Whatever it was- this dish was limp.
A sad affair for the sides of Tenderstem Broccoli (with chilli & preserved lemon), and Steamed Spinach (both priced at £5 each). They both tasted rather odd and almost metallic. I did bring this up and was advised that one of the dishes was cooked in a steamer so possibly that is where the metallic-y thing is coming from. Oh.
Choosing from a dessert menu comprising of tediously boring dishes, we went for the Chocolate Pudding with hazelnut praline, and the Champagne Strawberry Jelly with pannacotta and lime (Both @ £7.50) To detract from the dishes plain titles (all I read was ‘cake & jelly’), it would only take a bit of re-jigging to sound a little more exciting. i.e. Hazelnut Praline Pudding / Lime & Panna Cotta with Champagne Jelly. Perhaps its over simplicity again is a reach out to the tourists.
The chocolate pudding was singed and there’s nothing worse than bitter, burnt, dry cake. The jelly dish was served in a martini glass, yes really. Jelly, fruit, pannacotta and a meringue which was literally egg froth with a blow torched top. It would have been nice to have a crumbly meringue to give texture amongst the different wet consistencies of the dish.
Darwin also has a cheeseboard (£9) on the menu with cheese from Neal’s Yard. This was probably the best part of the meal. Climaxes came from the Brie, the blue and goats. So if you do visit the Sky Garden and find yourself dining at the Darwin, I’d recommend you have the cheeseboard.
I must firstly say as I conclude, that the service we received from our waitress was consistently caring- she was wonderful. I can totally understand when venues and menus are designed with tourists in mind, so I never would expect five-star dining from the Darwin. But with high prices and low levelled execution you really feel like they just don’t care, reinforcing that going to the Sky Garden is probably something you would only ever do once in your life- tourist or not. Perhaps being on level 36, they have spent too much time with their head in the clouds.
REVIEWED BY: Jordan Lohan
ADDRESS: Darwin Brasserie- Floor 36
Sky Garden
20 Fenchurch Street
London
EC3M 3BY
PHONE: 0333 772 0020
PRICE: £££££ (explained)
TIPPING POLICY: http://skygarden.london/darwin -
Giant Photocall To Protest Nigel Farage HIV Remarks Today
Activist group ACTUP are hosting a giant selfie-photo call to protest UKIP leader’s HIV remarks during the leaders’ debate, prior to the general election earlier in 2015.
ACTUP are hosting a giant selfie photocall in protest against Nigel Farage’s HIV-phobic remarks towards migrants in Trafalgar Square. This peaceful photocall pays tribute to the founders of the gay liberation movement and HIV activism. HIV+ and HIV- migrants and leading figures from within the gay liberation movement and HIV activism will speak.
ACT UP FOR LOVE, will protest today from 6pm in Trafalgar Square, organised by ACT UP London and London Artists Projects.
Speakers will be:
620pm Garry Brough, Bloomsbury Patients Clinic
630pm Jose Resinente, NAZ Project
640pm Natalie Bennett, Green Party
650pm Andrew Keates, director of the AIDS play ‘As Is’ at Trafalgar Studios
7pm Vincent Manning, Catholics for AIDS prevention and Support
710pm Sophia forum, People Living With HIV
720pm Precious Lubunda, NAZ ProjectNigel Farage questioned whether immigrants who live with HIV in the UK should continue to receive treatment. His remarks were widely criticised by the other leaders and the public at large.
He said: “You can come into Britain, from anywhere in the world, get diagnosed with HIV and get the retro-viral drugs which cost up to £25,000 per year, per patient.
“We need to put the National Health Service there for British people and families.”
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Anti-Gay Marriage Cake Baker Outlines Appeal Grounds
The Christian-run bakery which refused to bake a pro-marriage cake has outlined its appeal to the judgement that found it had acted unlawfully in refusing the cake order.
The bakery, in Northern Ireland, was found to have acted unlawfully when it refused to make a cake that bore a pro-gay marriage slogan for Gareth Lee, by a court last month. It was ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Mr Lee.
In a statement released by the Christian Institute, an organisation that has funded many appeals against legal matters surrounding gay issues, has raised three questions to support their appeal.
- Whether the judge was correct, as a matter of law, to hold that Ashers had discriminated against Mr Lee directly on grounds of sexual orientation.
- Whether the judge was correct, as a matter of law, to hold that Ashers had discriminated against Mr Lee directly on grounds of religious belief or political opinion.
- Whether the judge was correct, as a matter of law, to hold that Ashers was not entitled to protection as a result of the rights under Articles 9 and/or 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
A spokesperson for the Christian Institute, Simon Calvert, believes that “most people” would support an overturning of the ruling that found that the business had acted unlawfully, this despite a poll undertaken in 2014 which showed that the majority supported same-sex marriage.
The Christian Institute is a registered charity that has sought to retain section 28, to raise the age of consent for gay people and opposed the Civil Partnership Act and same-sex marriage act.
The Christian Institute has backed many legal actions in the past, but has been unsuccessful in many attempts, most notably the Christian Institute backed Hotel owners Mr and Mrs Ball, who infamously denied lodgings to a gay couple. Numerous attempts of appeal have all subsequently failed.
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Gay Ally Ben Cohen Accused Of “Bullying” After Blasting Uber Driver
Longtime LGBT Ally and supporter Ben Cohen has been blasted by some on social media as a “bully” after he blasted an Uber driver for being “horrible” and rude.
The rugby star has been criticised by some fans after he posted a message and photo on his facebook profile of Mohamed Uzair, an Uber driver who he claims “is the most horrible & rudest man”.
He then questioned why the man was working for the app based taxi firm. Uber works via an app by which users can order cars that are closest to them.
Ben has remained tight lipped about exactly what went wrong with the driver. The post on Facebook has now been liked by over 358 people and shared 23 times.
One Facebook member, Neil Rogers, accused Mr. Cohen of making an mistake in posting the message in front of hundreds of thousands of people. He wrote,
“I don’t think you should be putting this up on your page in front of 361k people. That could be considered bullying.”
Whilst another, Bobby Long, wrote:
“Ben, please don’t use your status for this, he won’t have a nice time with any of your fans who recognise him, he maybe rude, but he will become worse after this.”
Whilst مصعب المقدسي wrote:
“Ben, that is a shame to use your influence to bully people who are rude to you.”
The firm’s drivers have received their fair share of criticism in the past. In January a gay couple said they were kicked out of an Uber taxi for kissing and cuddling.
In May an Uber driver told Neil Shah and his friend “no gays allowed” when they started kissing. The driver has since been suspended pending an “internal investigation” by the US based firm.
In Oklahoma, USA, the transport bill was re-written by Republican Senator Jason Smalley in April to allow drivers to discriminate against LGBT users. However Uber have made it clear that their policy is not to allow discrimination in any form.
Breaking this policy will result in the removal from the app platform.
