THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • UK Version Of Drag Race Not Coming To Channel 5

    While hopes were running high that Drag Race UK could be coming to Channel 5, we’ve got bad news.

    A spokesperson for the Channel put a dampener on the rumours that Drag Race UK was coming to Channel 5 saying, “There are no discussions around a UK version of the show”, after The Race Family Facebook page said that they were expecting to reveal more information within the next two weeks.

    But is that a light at the end of the tunnel? – “no discussions about a UK version”. Does this mean that they’ll broadcast the US version – taking the crown away from the current home of Drag Race, Netflix.

    At the moment the US drag reality show is only available to view on Netflix, to which only a small proportion of the UK are signed up to.

    In a recent poll by THEGAYUK found that the Drag Race franchise was voted the most popular gay TV format, beating Queer As Folk, Looking, The L Word and Dante’s Cove.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Blood Brothers – Sheffield Lyceum and National Tour

    Over the last 29 years, Blood Brother has nuzzled its way into the hearts of theatre goers with its blend of music, comedy, pathos and social commentary.

    The show tells the story of Mrs Johnstone, a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Finding herself pregnant with twins, she realises that she can only afford to keep one of them, so enters into a pact to give one of them to a well-to-do neighbour, Mrs Lyons. The boys meet and become best friends, never knowing that they were twins secretly separated at birth. But as they grow up, their friendship is tested; as their lives take different paths, leading to tragedy. Featuring the songs “Bright New Day”, Marylyn Monroe” and the heart-breaking “Tell Me It’s Not True”, the show still packs out theatres up and down the country and is affectionately known as “the standing ovation musical”.

    There is a reason why this play has been so enduring, and that is primarily down to the superb writing by Willy Russell. The loud first act establishes the characters nicely and is very comedy orientated, if sometimes a little bit too shouty in its presentation. But it is in the second act where the writing shines through, with both the progression and changes of the characters and the genuine drama which captivated the audience as it unfolded, leading to the ending which still packs an emotional gut-punch. The production values of the show were very high indeed, with its detailed sets, costumes and props and the presentation as a whole was relatively polished.

    There are some very good performances in this production, primarily from Sean Jones, who portrays the transition of Micky from giddy schoolboy to troubled young adult with ease, having made the role very much his own over the years. Kate Jarmon as Mrs Lyons provided an impressive turn as a woman descending into madness and paranoia and rounding off the leads were Joel Benedict as Eddie and Danielle Corelass as Linda, both of whom were equally as strong.

    With those performances in mind, it’s a real shame that Marti Pellow disappoints as the Narrator, looking awkward and uncharismatic as he skulks around the set utilising an indeterminable accent whilst over singing and over emphasising every syllable of every word he delivered. Maureen Nolan, offered a really warm portrayal of Mrs Johnstone garnering a genuine empathy from the audience, but whose singing voice was not quite on form on the evening, which is a shame when I have seen her perform much better.

    Having seen the show many, many times, this was the first time I felt that Blood Brothers is now starting to show its age a little, with its overuse of electric drums and echo microphone; but it could be said that in some way, that adds to the nostalgia and emphasises that the socio-economic issues addressed when the play was first written are still relevant nearly 30 years later.

    Blood Brothers is opening its 2015 tour at the Sheffield Lyceum (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk) before touring the country until May, details of which can be found at http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=590

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Bilbao Berria

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Bilbao Berria

    Bilbao Berria from Barcelona opened their latest restaurant a 2 minute walk from Piccadilly Circus tube, landing London with their Basque / Spanish cuisine. The restaurant is bang on trend at every angle. Their menu is essentially designed like Tapas / Pintxo. An entire wall acts as a glorious wine cabinet, and a brief giggle fit as we noticed our table was adjacent to umpteen bottles of a wine named “Pricum”.

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  • THEATRE REVIEW | Fleabag: Epically Entertaining and Daringly Dirty

    ★★★★★ | Fleabag

    Fleabag is a kind of play where you are unsure of what you will be watching. Especially as the sign on the theatre entrance read: ‘Warning: References to sex’.

    Fleabag is a one-woman sixty-minute show that portrays the life of one young woman in the most hilarious, sympathetic and filthy fashion. Loved it. It starts in an interview setting, and then it trails off to her hot encounters and her needing to take ‘hot’ photos of herself to please her many admirers. ‘Take A Dirty Picture For Me’ comes to mind.

    It all happens in the space of 48 hours, and whilst it is funny in the writing, it shows great depth when the theme of feminism is introduced in an almost caricature way. Maddie Rice played the role master-mindedly. She makes her character appear ‘laddish’ and pertaining to be a player.

    Though many things she did and said were crude and filthy, if a bloke said and did the same things as Maddie, to his ‘blokey’ mates, no one would batter an eyelid. But because it was a female, some audience members cringed with discomfort.

    Maddie Rice plays the unnamed character with utter and sheer brilliance. Her wit and humour were 10/10. It was that funny that I thought I had booked tickets to see a stand-up comedian at ‘Live at the Apollo’ show. Maddie really captured the role as written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, with precision and dedication. It felt as though the role was written for her.

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s writing was a delicious treat to our ears, and a true and daring piece of work that was worthy of the full-house show it received.

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Bistrot on the Square @ Eccleston Square Hotel

    Bistrot on the Square @ Eccleston Square Hotel

    Just a brief walk from the chaos of Victoria Station lies the calm, stylish, uber-cool and uber-tech hotel within Eccleston Square. I am not a natural-born Londoner and can sometimes find the “buzz” a bit overwhelming. Eccleston Square manages to create an ambience to instantly chill and transports you to a peaceful place.

    Ambient music played throughout even fed through to their guest toilet decked with L’occitane products (as are there hotel rooms), and fresh hand towels. It’s simple luxuries like this that take the experience to another level.

    From the moment you walk through the door, it’s clear that presentation and design is key and comes easily to the Eccleston Square Hotel. It was lovely to see this being held consistently and conveyed through their food with each course being presented to perfection in the Bistrot.

    To start we had spiced squid & prawn fritters with sweet chilli sauce. Brilliantly bestowed on top of a newspaper cutting of an article about the Eccleston Square Hotel. It felt like we had constant smiles on our faces as the Bistrot laid on a dining experience to remember.

    Also to start, a salad of burrata (made from mozzarella & cream), parma ham, and walnut balsamic dressing. Burrata. Where have you been all my life? I often find mozzarella out of place in salads or anything where it’s not molten and hot essentially. But burrata solves that by giving the creamy-ness of mozzarella but being silky and smooth, and melts in the mouth- a perfect partner for the parma ham.

    Next, the traditional fish (3 different types) and spinach Xacuti Indian curry. Spicy, warming and as vibrant in it’s flavour as it is colour. Served along side steamed cumin rice and fantastic shards of poppadum. A lovely dish.

    Also we had the Moroccan spiced lamb and apricot tagine. The lamb was amazing. Trouble with tagines’ can be that they are overly fruity, or too much spice added- but the chef, clearly is very good with spices as it was a perfect marriage of fruity and spicy along-side luxuriously tender lamb. With the lamb you have a refreshing raw slaw of tomato, cucumber, and pomegranate in a mint dressing, which was so lovely and in-line with the chef’s nutritious, vitamin-rich approach to food, adding some needed crunch against tender lamb and warm fluffy lemon couscous. My only criticism would be that the tomato was slightly watery so took away from the crisp crunch.

    To finish, I had the Madagascan vanilla crème brulee. It was literally the best brulee I have ever had. It was fresh and spiked with vanilla pod throughout it’s set, warm custard. I don’t know how many brulees are spoilt by the custard being cold so that it conjours images of brulee en masse sat in a fridge waiting for a customer to order them and be blow-torched. Not this one. Simple, but beautiful when done right, as they have done here. The Valhrona fondant is one to order too with an intense chocolate hit bound to surpass the requirements of any chocolate lover.

    Post dinner coffees are served with home-made biscuits which was a lovely little touch and executed well. The service throughout was impeccable and friendly with our waiter engaging in polite conversation, asking what we had done in the day etc. he also ensured our courses came within our time-frame due to travel commitments.

    I have given the Bistrot on the Square five stars as they demonstrated being experts in my two favourite loves; design and food. And being able to do so with such grace and good taste is hard to find.

    Reviewed by: Jordan Lohan
    ADDRESS: 37 Eccleston Square Hotel, London, SW1V 1PB
    VENUE PHONE: 020 3489 1000
    WEBSITE: http://www.ecclestonsquarehotel.com
    PRICE: £££
    RATING: ★★★★★
    TIPPING POLICY: Discretionary service charge of 12.5% added to bill

  • INTERVIEW: From Kentucky With Love: Photgrapher Jon Eland

    Jon Eland is a Leeds based photographer who has steadily built a strong reputation for intelligent, inventive male portraiture.

    2014 was his most prolific year to date and seen his work receive wider recognition, including a solo exhibition in his home city this summer which won much attention as well as some excellent reviews.

    For his latest project, KY Guys, Jon has turned his sights across the Atlantic bringing a British sensibility to a series of portraits of men all hailing from the US State of Kentucky, the result of a recent trip to the city of Louisville.

    RG: How does a Yorkshireman wind up taking photographs in Kentucky?

    JE: Back in 2010 I was running a Leeds-based photography group and we held an exhibition. At that exhibition a representative of the local council asked if we’d consider hosting a photographer from Louisville, Kentucky. After we clarified the reason why, that Leeds is partnered with the city and he was looking to capture some of Leeds to share with the good folk of his own city – I said ‘sure… and how about one of us makes the return trip?’

    After the council agreed to the idea, discussions were had and I was nominated to make the trip. I visited twice representing the city and my group – in 2011 and 2012 and then took a break.

    2014 saw me return entirely under my own steam – essentially as a vacation and to see some of the many friends I’d made in Kentucky.

     

    RG: It’s clearly a place you have great affection for. What is it that draws you back? The people clearly but it also sounds like it’s fast become a second home.

    Absolutely! It’s one of those places that, on the surface, looks like a normal American city – and at the ‘big’ level a bit like my own. But once you peel away the top layer you get to an interesting liberal city with a strong blend of cultures and a great attitude to the arts.

     

    RG: One of the things I love about KY Guys is it does feel very natural and unaffected. And the location is great. Where was it shot?

    JE: The location is a unit situated close to the city centre that my friend, Michael, has owned for a number of years. It’s been offices for most of its life – initially for the tobacco industry. But he’s currently renovating it to be an AirBNB location.

    I loved it cos of the great natural light. It’s got 3 tall windows either side – both north and south facing.

     

    RG: It looks a great space. Did it influence the style of the series? You mentioned the natural light and there is something very relaxed and at ease about the photographs that makes it feel different to the usual set of male nudes?

    JE: That was intentional. In my previous visit I shot Alex (who also appears in KY Guys) in an alley and the light there was great. I’d seen some of Michael’s shots in the space and wanted to give it a go; having had limited experience with natural light nudes – especially inside.

    I intentionally stayed away from more traditional erotically charged imagery – I wanted the guys to be themselves, relaxed with (hopefully) a hint of seduction. I also chose the non-commercial route of a mixture of guys. I’m not someone who believes in adhering to types or tribe-chasing – so it was great to get a mix – I just wish I had been there longer and got an even greater diversity.

     

    RG: Yes, it is a pretty diverse series of guys that you’ve featured. How did you find them? I assume they’re all locals.

    Yeah – they’re all living within a 20 mile radius of the studio space. In preparation I contacted some through modelling sites, but the majority were guys I found through the mobile apps – so I guess I should thank Growlr and Scruff for the intros!

     

    RG: Hahaha… Those apps have so many uses!! But I guess that also means there are quite a few who had never modeled before?

    JE: Yes – the majority in fact. And, while there were some nerves, all the guys were fairly up for it. I ensured they all knew they had as a minimum to get their shirts off, but many were quite happy to be completely naked. I’m guessing the unseasonably warm weather at the time helped (it was 30°+ in early Oct – and I needed a/c to keep the place cool enough to work in!)

    But feedback has been great – all of them are still in touch with me – many added to my extensive Louisville Facebook family.

    I do wonder if some were taken in by the English charm and Yorkshire brogue though.

     

    RG: You should ask them…! As someone who has also photographed many British chaps, and I know that this is a terribly general question, but did you find any difference between working with US and UK guys?

    JE: I think Americans in general are brought up to put themselves ‘out there’ a bit more than we are, and I think this helped with the attitude, along with the concept of being offered free photos a bit more unusual in that city. I found it easier to convince them – however I suspect my being from elsewhere made it easier for them too.

    But once in front of the camera there was little difference in terms of response, attitude and personality.

     

    RG: So a happy experience then?

    I think it was a great collaboration – I learnt loads and the experience of working (and getting people to buy into your activities) in a city far from home is always scary – but generally less of a challenge than you think. Of course the language barrier was a problem – but these things you can get over.

    Once someone’s naked it’s all about treating them with respect and keeping up the banter so you get the right expressions, poses and personality from them.

     

    RG: And it’s great that the feedback from the guys themselves has been so positive. Are there plans to exhibit it in Louisville? Or indeed elsewhere?

    JE: I’m still in the process of editing the photos, shooting 20 guys in a number of poses generates a lot of images – which take some time and, as with all the best creatives, I excel at being distracted by other things! But, I’m looking forward to getting a full set and seeing what I can achieve – at very least there will be a couple of publications made available in the future. I’d love to exhibit the images – and would love to hear from anyone interested in this.

    For now, I’m simply providing a teaser in the way of the 13 guys in the 2015 calendar.

    RG: And a fine teaser it is too! You mentioned working in a city far from home. Does this mean it’s something you want to repeat elsewhere?

    JE: I’m always open to ideas and opportunities. However I’ve also worked in both Sitges and a fishing village in East Lothian and consider all interesting opportunities as they make themselves known. A great example of this is that this time last year I had no interest in Latex and by March I was photo documenting the Manchester Rubberman weekend – in a rubber kilt!

     

    RG: Wow! That is quite a turnaround!! And totally different from KY Guys. Clearly you have quite a few diverse projects on the go. It seems to go without saying then that variety and new challenges are something you welcome as an artist.

    JE: I think it’s important as a photographer to try new things – whether it’s learning empathy with your models by sitting for other photographers yourself or by throwing yourself into strange environments – a week following the drag queen, Lady Diamond in Sitges is another thing I never imagined myself doing before I arrived on location!

     

    RG: What do you think you learnt from the Kentucky project and how might it shape your work in future?

    JE: I learned I love the city even more and would love to work there in the longer term, that naked men in great light take any of the chore from photography and that trying to source and shoot 20 guys in 10 days is a little tiring. But mostly that Kentucky men are soooooo hot!

     

    RG: I think we can all agree about Kentucky Men! I understand that KY Guys is only one of the projects that’s made 2014 a big year for you?

    JE: Yeah – 2014 has been phenomenal At the end of 2013 I did a review gallery of all the guys I shot and thought I’d never surpass that but this year has included (in no special order) the Rubberman weekend, photographing Stuart Hatton – Mr Gay UK (and now World) as a honey bee, documenting Carnaval for Gay Guide Sitges – as well as exhibiting for Brighton, Manchester and Leeds Prides – which included a solo exhibition in Leeds of work in progress for my long running ‘Veiled ‘ project.

    I’m ending the year, equally weirdly, making portraits of models from the northern English porn industry – never a dull day in my lens!

     

  • REVIEW | Cirque du Soleil: Kooza at the Royal Albert Hall

    ★★★★ | Cirque du Soleil: Kooza at the Royal Albert Hall

    Founded in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has been around so long now that finding something fresh to come up with in each new show must be a major headache. That they succeed as well as they do is a tribute to their creative team, which is still guided by Guy Laliberte, one of the founders.

    Their show, Kooza, which premiered in Montreal in 2007 is receiving its UK premiere in the Royal Albert Hall, the scene of many of Cirque du Soleil’s successes, the hall’s Victorian rococo splendour and circular shape particularly suited to their shows. In this instance the stunning set had the look of a massive Faberge egg, which opened to reveal its magic and secrets.

    According to the lavish programme booklet Kooza tells the story of the innocent, a naïve but charming clown striving to find his own place in the world, and as usual it is the clowns who tell that story whilst linking the various acts together. They have their own charm, but there’s no doubt it’s the daredevil acts that the audience have come to see, and as usual they do not disappoint.

    For me the highlight of the evening was the death defying Wheel of Death, a spinning contraption with two empty drums on either side, in which, and on which, two male acrobats (Jimmy Ibarra and Ronald Solis) perform seemingly impossible feats, running and leaping as if the spinning of the drums was little more than a paltry distraction. Almost equally thrilling were the high trapeze antics of Yulia Korosteleva, who leaped and flew through the air with insouciant ease.

    In contrast, we had a trio of impossibly bendy female contortionists and a man (Yao Deng Bo) who proceeded to balance himself on one hand on a huge tower of chairs which he constructed before our eyes. As a display of strength, concentration and accuracy, it was utterly mesmerising.

    That said, I don’t think this show was quite on a par with Varekai, which I saw at the Royal Albert Hall some years ago, and the finale of which will stay in my mind for a very long time to come, so 4 rather than 5 stars for me.

    Kooza plays at the Royal Albert Hall till February 19.

  • Gay News Site Proud To Re-Publish Charlie Hebdo Muslim Gay Kiss

    In a defiant move, PinkNews has re-published a picture that depicts a controversial cartoon showing murdered editor Stephane Charbonnier French kissing a Muslim man.

    Yesterday, (7th January) Paris was rocked to its core when up to three masked men stormed the Charlie Hebdo offices and murdered 8 staff members, including the editor Stephane Charbonnier. Charlie Hebdo is a satirical magazine that has in the past published pictures that have been considered offensive to some Muslims.

    Twelve people have now known to have died from the shootings, including two police officers, a caretaker and guest at magazine’s offices. The majority of those killed were staff members who were in their morning editorial meeting. Four of the staff were cartoonists for the magazine, which has been running since 1970.

    Despite the massacre, the publishers at Charlie Hebdo have announced that they will go ahead and publish next week’s issue.

    The magazine has previously been targeted with a firebomb attack in 2011 and cyber terrorism for its editorial decision in showing content considered to be controversial.

    In defiance, PinkNews said that it was proud to republish a controversial picture which showed the late editor kissing a Muslim man, in an article which shows powerful cartoon responses to the terror attack in Paris. The wording above the picture state: “Love Is Stronger Than Hate.”

    A PinkNews spokesperson said,

    “The PinkNews editorial team decided to repost the cartoon simply to send the message that love is stronger than hate. This applies to all forms of prejudice, including homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia and to any extremism against the West.

    “In the end it is positivity and love which will always trump evil and hate.”

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Tozi

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Tozi

    Everything about Tozi oozes something smooth.

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  • CBEEBIES Chris Jarvis To Host Relaxed Panto In Newcastle

    Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced Chris Jarvis as the host for its Relaxed Performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on 13 January. (more…)

  • REVIEW: The Lipsinkers at the House of Wolf

    The LipSinkers are an infamous troupe of alternative drag performers who create highly innovative, outrageous and critically acclaimed cabaret shows.

    After having made appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe festival and resident stints at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the strong collective combine costume, dance, satire, prosecco, over lashed eyes, faces beat to death and exceedingly high heels. They take you on a hilarious offbeat romp through popular music in all its glorious guises. The team lip-synch to a jukebox of pop-tastic tunes, prance around looking fabulous and drive audiences wild.

    What is it that makes the LipSinkers so appealing I hear you ask? It’s a hard thing to describe; perhaps it’s their insatiable desire to produce high-octane queer exuberance that brightens this often dismal world. Nonetheless, it is a hilariously entertaining alternative show full of performers that lip-synch to imaginatively selected songs with precision that will bring fear to the queens of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

    The mentality is undeniably left-field: the looks are brilliantly bonkers, a kind of club-kid couture encompassing plastic Macs, lacy bodies and vintage mumus; think of Jiggly Caliente in that infamous outfit strutting down the runway. The routines are tightly choreographed, despite often giving the impression of abstract absurdum. The acts are definitely sexy and at times disgustingly sexual. However it is the chemistry between the charismatic performers that is delicious to view. Even with extra special additions, including implicit politics and the obvious sheer enjoyment at work.

    The LipSinkers have natural ferocity coupled with endearing charm. Like a heavily medicated and intoxicated Pan’s People they have an exciting feel to them that will warm the blood of any ardent cabaret-goer. Disregard any ill-conceived preconceptions you may have had about lip-syncing before and prepare to hold on tight because this group of gender benders doesn’t just offer up a bog standard show, this is a visually stimulating experience, culminating in one hell of a party.

    This is definitely a 5 out of 5 show and a performance that you have to see. It’s a free show so there are no excuses not to partake in this evening of farcicality, so worry about work on Monday and try to squeeze as much as from the weekend as you can.