THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • Leicestershire Gay Man Left With 7 Stitches After Anti-Gay Attack

    A man in Hinckley, Leicestershire, has been left with facial injuries needing 7 stitches after a homophobic attack.

    Craig Chapman, 44, has spoken out after he abused by two men who tried to rob him, whilst walking his dog, the Hinckley Times is reporting.

    He said to the paper: ‘My face was an absolute mess – I couldn’t see through my eye and I needed seven stitches. I had to be kept in hospital overnight in case there was damage to my spleen.’

    The attack happened on the 16th April 2014, along Welwyn Road at around 4pm-4.45pm, when two men in a metallic blue Vauxhall Corsa approached Chapman.

    The two men apparently got out of the car and said: ‘Oi gay boy’ and punched the victim in the stomach .

    The first suspect is described as white, 18 – 25 years of age, approx 5’10’’, medium build, with short light brown hair possibly in a quiff. He was wearing a blue zip up top with white piping, blue jeans and Nike trainers with a blue sole and Nike logo on the side.

    The second suspect, who was the driver of the vehicle, is described as white, 18 – 25 years of age, approx 5’10’’ with an athletic build. He was wearing a red baseball cap with a white NYC logo and large wrap around sunglasses.

    Detective Constable Matthew Wiggins said: “This was a particularly nasty attack with the victim being left with a number of injuries. We are interested in hearing from anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or anyone who recognises the suspects from their description.”

    Anyone with information in relation to any appeals featured on this site is asked to contact the relevant officer on 101, follow the instructions to leave a message for the officer and when prompted key in the officer’s identification number. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

  • DRAG QUEENS OF LONDON: Silver Summers’ Shock As Dad Revives Relationship

    London Live, the new 24/7 entertainment channel for London last night premiered the latest episode of Drag Queens of London, which saw Silver Summers (Bobby Houston) and his best friend Vanity Von Glow (Thom Glow) make a trip up to Bobby’s home town of Glasgow to perform in drag in front of his family for the very first time.

    Bobby is unsure if his family will come and if they do, will they proud? Clearly one of the most important gigs of his life, Bobby is undoubtedly nervous and is delighted to spot his mum sister and brother in law in the audience – though his dad is nowhere to be found. Tears of joy and sadness are shared amongst all the family, and Bobby cannot hide the disappointment. The episode ends with Bobby’s heart-breaking realisation that his dad cannot accept and support his own son’s career choice and it seems unlikely that his dad will ever watch him perform on stage.

    London Live can exclusively reveal that, after watching the first episode which aired last week (Tuesday 22nd April), Bobby’s dad reached out and said how proud he is of his son, and the pair have now reconciled.

    Bobby said “I was really surprised when I heard he’d watched the show last week. And when he got in touch to tell me he was proud of me it literally meant the world to me. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t anticipate it. It means so much to me. He’d always appreciated that I wanted to be a performer, but he never could have imagined that I’d find success as a girl. My Dad was born and bred in Glasgow. He’s such a Scottish Dad – ultra masculine – working in construction.

    We’ve been through stuff just like in every father and son relationship, but it’s been good in adult life. I think it’s difficult for him to see me in drag because I make such a convincing girl. He wants to see me as his son. It’s because of that he never allowed himself to watch my YouTube videos or see me perform. He just really didn’t get me performing as a drag queen. I’m so so happy that he now gets it and he’s proud of me, his son”.

     

    Head of Programming, Jonathan Boseley said

    “The entire team at London Live are delighted that the show has helped Bobby Houston revive his relationship with his dad. Drag Queens of London is compelling, funny and hugely entertaining and we are so proud that the show is making a huge impact and most of all it is literally changing lives.”

    YOU CAN WATCH BRAND NEW EPISODES OF DRAG QUEENS OF LONDON TUESDAYS AT 10PM OR WATCH ONLINE AT www.londonlive.co.uk

     

  • Soho Remembers Soho Nail Bomb Attack 15 Years On

    At approximately 6.10pm a group will the walk round to St Anne’s Garden in Waldour Street for a short service in the gardens next to the Triangular Bench (which was commissioned after the attacks to represent the link between Westminster, Tower Hamlets and Lambeth) and the three cherry trees which were planted in memory of the Soho victims. Earlier this year one of the three cherry trees was replaced.

    Today is the 15th anniversary of the Soho bomb, so 17-24-30 have invited representatives from Westminster, Tower Hamlets and Lambeth to join them this year to reaffirm their cross-borough commitment to tackling all forms of hate crime.

    Honorary Alderman Miss Frances Blois will be representing the Lord Mayor of Westminster, joined by the Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman and Cllr Christopher Wellbelove representing the late Mayor of Lambeth Cllr Mark Bennett.

    The Diversity Choir will be joining them this year to perform a couple of songs after the three minute silence that will take place at 6.37pm (the time of the Soho bomb), a minute for each of the three bombs – Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho, and for each of the Soho victims John Light, Andrea Dykes and Nick Moore.

    Members of the Moore family have confirmed that they will be attending this year, along with survivors from the Brixton and Soho nail bomb attacks.

    If you have a twitter account you can tweet your support for the Soho Remembers 17-24-30 Act of Remembrance 30th April 2014 by using the hashtag #SohoRemembers172430

  • Same-Sex Marriage Motion Defeated In Northern Ireland

    Same-sex marriage rights has suffered a set back in Northern Ireland today after MLA’s voted 51-43 against refining the definition of marriage.

    NI Assembly has rejected the same-sex motion for the third time, in a damning blow for the gay community in Northern Ireland.

    51 Assembly Members (MLAs) voted against the Sinn Féin backed motion, while 43 MLAs voted for it, making Northern Ireland the only region in the UK which has no same-sex marriage law.
    Chris Hazzard, A Northern Irish Assembly member tweeted his disappointment in the failure of the motion saying:

    ‘Very proud to have backed call for equality for LGBT constituents across #SouthDown today – sad that only 50% of South Down MLAs voted yes’

    He then retweeted a comment from @SouthDownSF

    ‘Once again SDLP reps for South Down abstain and fail to support equality for our LGBT constituents. #sdlpfail #EqualMarriage #equality4all’

    Last year a similar motion was voted 53 to 42.

    Same-sex marriage is currently legal in England and Wales – Scotland is yet to set a date to enact marriage equality, but is due to follow later this year. Northern Irish LGBTs will have to wait until the motion is tabled again.

    Amnesty International says the Northern Irish Assembly will not be able to block marriage equality indefinitely.

    Patrick Corrigan, Director of Amnesty International, said: ‘Politicians in Northern Ireland who continue to block marriage rights for same-sex couples are like latter-day King Canutes, trying in vain to hold back the tide of equality.

    ‘States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

    ‘That obligation is clear in international law.’

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Smashed by Gandini Juggling, Udderbelly, London

    ★★★ | Smashed by Gandini Juggling, Udderbelly, London

    A mix of circus and theatre, inspired by the work of choreographer Pina Bausch, Smashed is a series of nostalgic filmic scenes exploring conflict, lost love and quaint afternoon tea.

    After a day hard at work, an hour of juggling felt like a daunting prospect for me and I imagined it could become tedious after the first 15 minutes, picturing tired old Covent Garden street performers. I was wrong, however, as Smashed is more of a tongue in cheek, contemporary dance show with a lot of juggling and a hell of a lot of apples. At times surreal and absurdist, at others cheesy and at others bizarre yet comical, this is quite a fun show. The troupe has awesome timing and is eminently skillful. As a person who can barely catch one ball or walk straight, I have to admire anyone who can juggle, never mind some of the mind bending routines involving weaving in and out, shared juggling and cross over hands. I won’t spoil the surprises by revealing the full repertoire. Whilst this may not suit everyone’s tastes due to its absurdist and darkly camp nature, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

    The venue is a rare treat too: a giant inflatable, purple, upside-down cow on The Southbank? What’s not to like?

    The line-up for this year’s Udderbelly Festival is varied as usual and the amazing Speigeltent (a vintage wooden, mirrored tent that has hosted Marlene, Judy and Noel Coward to name but a few) lands in May with a stunning line-up of cabaret, burlesque, comedy and more. It’s well worth checking out and the line-up includes Limbo (the show so fantastic that Madonna saw it twice), the hilarious Zoe Lyons and Tina C, Burlesque from House of Burlesque and The Black Cat Cabaret and the indescribably brilliant boy-lesque of Briefs.

    http://smashedjuggling.com/ runs till 8th of May 2014
    Explore the Udderbelly program through till the 13th of July https://www.underbelly.co.uk/udderbelly-festival-at-southbank-centre
    Explore the London Wonderground program from 7th of May through to the 28th of September 2014 here: https://www.londonwonderground.co.uk/

  • THEATRE REVIEW | On Tidy Endings / Safe Sex, Tristan Bates Theatre

    ★★★★ | On Tidy Endings / Safe Sex, Tristan Bates Theatre

    Whose loss is it anyway? That’s the bone of contention between a gay man and a straight woman who meet to straighten up loose ends following the death of the man they both loved.

    The UK premiere of Harvey Fierstein’s one-act, On Tidy Endings, is a sometimes fiercely funny and finally poignant study of how the universal situation of losing a loved one takes on unique new qualities in the context of AIDS.

    Another short from Fierstein’s Safe Sex Trilogy, Safe Sex explores a relationship under strain in the early part of the AIDS crisis, with comic effect.

    Starring Deena Payne (Emmerdale, Calendar Girls) and CJ de Mooi (Eggheads), On Tidy Endings is a witty and well-written play which is a strong vehicle for Fierstein’s unique brand of irreverent humour with the killer one-liners and feistiness you’d expect from his work. It’s a cunning play, luring the viewer in with gentle humour and mild pathos, only to deliver some discretely timed knockout punches. Safer Sex is a more whimsical piece but still has merit and is entertaining, if slightly absurd in places. Anyone familiar with Torch Song Trilogy will see shades of Arnold in both Ghee, the over dramatic and neurotic partner and Arthur, the bereaved gay lover of Collin.

    Anyone who might be home at teatime may be familiar with C J de Mooi (a self-invented name, apparently meaning beautiful one!), the slightly pompous and prissy seeming figure, famous for a dramatic outburst on The Weakest Link and as quiz expert on Eggheads. Having seen him on TV, I was puzzled by the concept of him as a serious actor in the plays but managed to suspend disbelief and was pleasantly surprised. Whilst he’s not going to be winning any BAFTA awards any time soon, he managed to fulfil the roles adequately. Deena Payne and Cole Michaels as his co-stars, give strong and naturalistic performances which offset some of his limitations as a performer.

    The wealth of culture which came from the AIDS crisis is a great heritage and one which is well worth continually re-examining and reviving, especially in our more complacent times where HIV prevention is less prominent on the agenda. These two plays are well worth checking out.

    The production supports The Make a Difference Trust which raises money from the entertainment industry to support people living with HIV and AIDS. and those in the entertainment industry facing hardship as a result of living with long term conditions.

    The plays run until the 17th of May

    Buy tickets here:
    http://www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk/safe_sex.asp
    Check out The Make a Difference Trust and their work here: http://www.madtrust.org.uk/

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Dirty Dancing, UK National Tour

    ★★★★ | Dirty Dancing, UK National Tour
    Set in the 1960’s, Frances “Baby” Houseman goes to Kellermans holiday camp with her family. She befriends the staff of the camp and develops a crush on charismatic dance teacher, Johnny Castle. But when Johnny’s dance partner cannot perform at a show at a local hotel, Baby steps in to ensure that they do not lose their jobs. But as Johnny and Baby rehearse, they fall in love and learn more from each other than just the dance moves.

    Based on the hugely popular film of the same name, Dirty Dancing hits the stage in this national tour. For the main, the show follows the story of the film very closely, particularly during the first act, with the bulk of the script being comfortingly recognisable from the film version. There are some additional scenes, particularly during the first half of the second act, which develops the story and which expands on both life at Kellermans and further explores the relationship between Baby and Johnny.

    The main cast members were surprisingly like their cinematic counterparts, in particular, Roseanna Frascona who played Frances “Baby” Houseman, throwing herself into the role whilst Lewis Kirk gave the best performance of the evening in the lead role of Johnny Castle, demonstrating some of the better acting and dance moves. The chemistry between the two leads worked well, although overall, the acting from the entire cast was not of the highest quality, and gave the impression that the cast were chosen for their ability to dance or sing as opposed to them being good all-round performers. That said, cast member Robin Lake’s singing voice stood out for his show-stopping version of In the Still of the Night. But the attraction of this show is not so much the quality of the acting but the dancing. All of the routines and set pieces were well put together, well executed and all handled more than competently by the cast, with many of the routines lifted directly from the movie.

    The show was packed full of all the songs you know and love from the film soundtrack, with combination of the orchestra performing on stage and some pre-recorded tracks. The soundtrack included Hey Baby, Love Man, Hungry Eyes and (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life along with the instrumentals such as De Todo Un Poco and Johnny’s Mambo. The set was versatile and effective, using backdrop projections and colour washes to separate out the scenes and locations and the scene changes were slick and undertaken smoothly and simply.

    But where the show really succeeds is in its ability to bring the movie to life and recreating it on stage. All of the familiar lines, plot points, dance routines and songs are there and there is something very comforting about watching such a faithful recreation of the movie. The show was fun and the feel-good ending had the crowd on their feet, shouting and cheering. For those who have not seen the film, the show is a good introduction to the world of Kellermans. To established fans of the film, the show will be hard to beat.

    The show is currently playing at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre until the (tickets and information can be found at http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/event/dirty-dancing-14/ ). The show then continues on its extensive national tour, details of which can be found at http://www.dirtydancingontour.com/

  • THEATRE REVIEW: A Spoon Of Sherman, St. James Theatre

    ★★★★ | A Spoon Of Sherman, St. James Theatre

    Billed as ‘The Songbook of Your Childhood’, this celebration of one of the world’s best-loved songwriting duos is so very much more than that; it is the songbook – nay, the soundtrack – to my life.

    The first Act opens with an Al Sherman medley. A prolific songwriter in the 1930s and 40s, Al Sherman wrote for Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, and many others. It’s very evident from hearing these numbers that such talent runs in the genes. His sons, Robert and Richard, would go on to continue this fine art for many years as The Sherman Brothers, and their songbook provides the main focus of the evening.

    The musicals the brothers are best known for fly in thick and fast – Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Parent Trap, Charlotte’s Web, Winnie the Pooh, The Slipper and the Rose, and so many more. Delightfully, A Spoonful of Sherman also includes some of their lesser-known, but no less delightful, back catalogue.

    The four singers – Greg Castiglioni, Stuart Matthew Price, Charlotte Wakefield and Emma Williams – are supremely talented and versatile, swinging with apparent ease between ballads and the more lively numbers; between comical and serious without a flinch. This is never more evident than the perfectly executed leap from The Jungle Book’s “I Wanna Be Like You” to “The Age of Not Believing”, from Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

    Now, I may be a little bit biased here (I hereby confess to a lifelong obsession with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), but Emma Williams stands out for me. Partly because every time I see her, I remember the many trips I took to the Palladium while she played Truly Scrumptious in Chitty, but also because of her exceptionally sweet and clear voice. Her performance of “Mother Earth and Father Time” from Charlotte’s Web is beautiful and a definite highlight of the evening.

    A Spoonful of Sherman is hosted by the affable Robert J Sherman, the son of Robert B Sherman. An accomplished songwriter in his own right, we are treated to a few numbers from his musical, Bumblescratch, which workshopped in London last year. It is clear he has inherited his father’s, and grandfather’s, innate talent.

    And then, it’s here. As sad as it is to leave the rest of the evening behind, I hear a few distinctive notes which signal the start of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang medley and the world melts away. It is everything I want it to be, and there can be no higher praise than that from such a devoted fan.

    All in all, A Spoonful of Sherman provides an entertaining insight into 90 years of songwriting history. In every note, this exquisite tapestry of song is an entirely fitting tribute, not only to the Shermans’ talent, but to the very art of songwriting.

    A Spoonful of Sherman plays at 19:45 on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 April at the St James Theatre. Tickets are £18-£25 from https://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/a-spoonful-of-sherman-2

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Relative Values, Harold Pinter Theatre, London

    ★★★ | Relative Values, Harold Pinter Theatre, London

    In 1951 at Marchwood House in East Kent, Felicity the Countess (Patricia Hodge) is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her son with his new fiancée.

    More distressed by the news of his impending marriage is her loyal maid, Moxie (Caroline Quentin). Realising that the soon to be new Countess of Marchwood is not just the glittering Hollywood star she portrays herself as, but her long lost and bitterly resented sister from Sidcup, Moxie decides she has to pack her cases and leave. Felicity can’t bear to lose Moxie and along with her decidedly camp nephew and butler Crestwell (Rory Bremner), hatches a plot to dress Moxie up and palm her off as a family friend.

    Trevor Nunn’s revival of Noel Coward’s Relative Values contains some great performances, a beautiful set and great staging, yet somehow fails to fully deliver. In spite of Hodge, Bremner and Quentin showing impeccable timing and great comedic talent, the play feels rusty and out of touch and apart from the occasional glimpse of Coward’s usual waspish humour, felt humdrum and like a weak farce with a nonsensical plot. When the humour shines through it works well and there are some brief moments of high camp humour.

    Mostly, however, the play feels decidedly antiquated and hasn’t stood the test of time well. Coward’s glittering set pieces of Hay Fever, Private Lives and The Vortex aren’t reflected well here with the play lacking the rapidly paced repartee and razor sharp wit that Coward is well known for. Coward’s output was prolific so it’s to be expected that there is likely to be a weak link or two in his catalogue of plays and this lacklustre farce has to be a low point.

    It’s definitely a privilege to see two great actresses, like Quentin and Hodge, with such talent for comedy together on one stage. It’s just a shame that the piece doesn’t consistently offer them the material they need to work with.

    Relative values runs at the Pinter Theatre until 21st of June 2014

    Buy tickets here: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/relative-values/harold-pinter-theatre/

  • THEATRE REVIEW: The Archimedes Principle, Park Theatre, London

    ★★★★ | The Archimedes Principle, Park Theatre, London

    How safe are children in the care of strangers? How much do we know about the people we work with? How far would we go to protect ourselves?

    In a town that’s haunted by an incident at the nearby community centre regular swimming lessons come to a halt when a swimming instructor is accused of inappropriately touching a child during a lesson and the dangers of Facebook creep to the surface. When history appears to repeat itself what can people do but expect the worst?

    This intense one act play by Spanish writer Josep Maria Miró i Coromina is set entirely in the changing room of a swimming pool. Buff and outwardly wholesome young swimming coach Brandon is about to have his world torn apart as his troubled boss, Anna, corners him and his colleague, Matt to talk about a complaint from a parent.

    The play was an award winning triumph in its native Spain, playing to sell out houses. It is certainly challenging and thought provoking and yet still manages to be entertaining and fast paced. The action flips about through time, moving skilfully backward and forward through the events of one day; a device which works well in telling the entirely believable story.

    Credit goes to the four actors especially the two younger men, Lee Knight and Matt Bradley-Robinson. Knight is particularly compelling as Brandon, a cocky hunk with a six-pack who hides vulnerability and maybe some darker issues. Bradley-Robinson is utterly believable as his slightly gauche and less confident colleague.

    The script feels tight and rarely falters and the subject of how we deal with letting children be cared for by strangers without living in fear feels like a relevant and important subject to tackle. The flip side of how adults behave when around children in an anxious society is another thorny issue.
    The play runs until 11th of May

    Book tickets here: http://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/archimedes-principle/about

  • KFC Reponds To Lesbian Couple Thrown Out Of Bath Restaurant

    Two women were asked to leave one of the fast food chain’s locations yesterday, after a customer complained.

    We reported yesterday that a father had taken to Twitter to complain to KFC that his daughter and girlfriend had been thrown out of the KFC restaurant in Bath after a customer made a complaint about the couple.

    TheGayUK did reach out to the PR Team of KFC but have yet to hear anything back, however speaking to the Independent a spokesperson for the company said:

    ‘Very sorry for any offence caused’.

    The spokesperson continued: ‘While we acknowledge that staff may have been over-zealous in asking the couple to leave, we do not believe that the decision had anything to do with their sexuality.

    ‘Staff acted in response to complaints from customers about inappropriate behaviour, however they have since apologised, in person, to the couple, and offered them vouchers as a form of apology, so we hope to welcome them into the store again soon.’

    Stephen Pope who originally made the complaint said that the police were now involved.