THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Sound of Music: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

    ★★★★★ | The Sound of Music

    Singing nuns and handsome widowers? Lederhosen and dresses run up using a pair of old curtains? An innocent yet savvy governess saving the day against a Nazi threat? No wonder that The Sound of Music has always had a massive gay following.

    Whether you’re a diehard fan or (like me) have merely snoozed off in front of the film on a rainy Bank Holiday Monday; you’re sure to find something to love in this fresh and highly accomplished revival of a classic musical.

    The beautiful Regent’s park Open Air Theatre is a suitably outdoorsy setting for a sojourn into Austria, with its banks of Alpine flowers, a stream at the front of the stage, the backdrop of trees and the night sky. It’s not just the surroundings that dazzle and imbue atmosphere, as the cast bring a series of classic songs to life and manage to convey a storyline that keeps the audience rapt throughout and last night, ended with a thunderous standing ovation.

    The painfully handsome Michael Xavier is a dashing and alluring Captain von Trapp, equalled only by Charlotte Wakefield’s passionate performance as Maria, which oozes vitality. The songs may be over familiar but the gusto and skill of the large cast combined with witty choreography, makes them seem brand new and every bit as accomplished and exciting as when you first heard them.

    I’ve always been more Cruella DeVil than Maria von Trapp when it comes to schmaltz and singing children with rosy cheeks, but even my stony heart contracted just a tiny bit by the end of the show. I briefly considered joining a convent just so that I could learn to sing like that awe inspiring Mother Abbess but decided that black just isn’t my colour. I heartily recommend this wholesome but inspiring treat. You’ll be humming about lonely goatherds and raindrops on roses all the way home, whether you planned to or not.
    The Sound of Music runs until the 7th of September 2013

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Up4AMeet?

    Up4aMeet? – An Evening of Naked, Gay, Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy

    The Up4aMeet? Cast: Chris Wills, Penny Tasker, Lloyd Daniels, Nikki Grahame, Michael Blore & Benedict Garrett)

    It’s #NakedAugust month here at The Gay UK, so I decided to go along and see Up4aMeet? the hilarious naked gay play.

    Grant (played by the brilliant and sexy Chris Wills) finds it difficult to talk to gay men in reality. But on his favourite app ‘The Cock Shop’ he can be himself and even find out how many metres away his nearest gay man is. ‘The Cock Shop’ is described as a gay man’s sweet shop; with a few clicks a man can be delivered to your door.

    Carlos (played by the well-endowed Benedict Garrett) is Grant’s Spanish & naturist flatmate who also is a big fan of ‘The Cockshop.’ For Carlos life is all about the sex. Carlos has a strict aversion to clothes and stripped every time he walked onto the stage. He was practically naked throughout the entire show.

    Caroline (played by the fantastic Penny Tasker) is a broke Celebrity Agent who is Grant’s best friend and lives in the apartment downstairs. She represents a number of reality-TV celebrities including Stacey Granger (Big Brother’s Nikki Grahame) but is failing to find work for any of them.

    In the apartment next door is old queen Julian (played by the suitable Michael Blore). Julian is obsessed with Dame Shirley Bassey. His obsession extends to playing Gold Finger constantly, having a cardboard cut-out of her and a toilet seat that he’s made for her as a gift. Julian decides he’s getting a flatmate and ends up with Scott (X-Factor’s Lloyd Daniels).

    Up4aMeet? has nudity from the start with Grant being caught by Caroline taking a rude picture of himself for his ‘Cock Shop’ profile. Grant and Carlos accidentally switch phones and the hilarity begins. The characters attempt to deal with their own problems throughout the more than two hour show, amusing the audience along the way.

    The comedy that causes the audience’s incessant and side-splitting laughter is derived through gay stereotyping. Yet despite this stereotyping, the characters are believable and had a reasonable amount of depth – which is a tremendous credit to the writer.

    All of the characters are a bit zany including Carlos who had a bit of a dodgy accent at times. But he made fun of it himself and managed to get a few chuckles from the audience. Caroline had some great, sharp one-liners and is a constant source of entertainment throughout. One particularly funny scene of Caroline’s that springs to mind involves an eye patch and a glory-hole.

    Scott (Lloyd Daniels) was mostly eye candy and played a far too small role in the play. We don’t see Scott on stage until mid-way through and he barely has any dialogue. Scott (Lloyd Daniels) is the only male member of the cast who doesn’t get fully naked – sorry boys.
    The cast’s acting was splendid and they all made good eye contact with the audience – despite the difficult layout of the venue.

    The ending was dramatic, full of twists and turns with plenty of humour and a reminder that: you never really know whom you’re talking to online.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | WAG! The Musical, Charing Cross Theatre

    I have struggled over writing this review for a full week, primarily because I just couldn’t find the words to describe the excitement, hilarity and fabulousness that went into… oh, no, wait, that was another show. This was just awful.

    Awful.

    Anyone who knows me will know that I champion London theatre as much as possible. I think we are in really exciting times with new challenges and technology bringing a whole new mindset to the stage. However, WAG! is a blemish -a very, very dull blemish – on the London stage, and one I would be happy to see the back of.

    The plot revolves around two female shop assistants, each in an ill-advised relationship (one with a married man; the other with an abuser). All day, they serve the bevy of glamorous WAGs that come through the department store and dream of becoming one of them.

    THE POSITIVES (both of them): Katie Kerr as the fabulous Blow-Jo was a delight every moment she was on the stage. Out of the show’s characters, she was the only one I warmed to even slightly. Alyssa Kyria appeared as her regular character, Ariadne the Greek Wag, who is fairly well-known on the comedy / cabaret circuit. Kyria wrote her scenes herself, and they very much stood out from the tedium.

    Acting-wise, Tim Flavin played Mr Frank well. However, the character was a tired old cliché and not one I enjoyed watching. In fact, I enjoyed watching Lizzie Cundy more, mainly to see if I could spot her apparently-Botoxed face move. On the plus, she is at least the genuine article – a real-life WAG, and definitely looked the part.

    A succession of other, equally forgettable characters “graced” the stage. Another WAG, another bad actress, a camp designer, each as dreary as the last.

    I simply cannot spend another minute thinking about this complete travesty of a show, so I will leave you with the words of Andrzej Lukowski of Time Out, who says: “Wag! sort of blunders on in a dull, well-meaning muddle, two-and-a-half drab, weakly-sung, low-budget hours.”
    Well said, Andrzej. Well said.

    WAG! The Musical is listed at the Charing Cross Theatre until 24 August, although I can’t see it completing the full run. I heard on the grapevine they’re hoping to tour it in 2014 too. Tickets cost… oh, I don’t know. Save your time, money and sanity by not buying one.

  • Pride To Be Open Manchester Store

    Married lesbian couple open greeting cards and gift shop in Manchester.

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  • THEATRE REVIEW | Velma Celli, Hippodrome Casino

    The stylishly sophisticated Hippodrome Casino is exactly the right venue for this glamorous, exquisitely fun evening of songs, bendy men and burlesque, hosted by the very fabulous Velma Celli.

    Each of the performers are a delight, but none outshine Velma herself, who sings and dances her way through the evening with a dazzling presence that is captivating and hugely enjoyable. The alter-ego of Ian Stroughair, a well known name on the West End stage in his own right, Velma takes the drag concept to whole new dizzy heights, ably accompanied throughout by Musical Director, Joe Louis Robinson.

    This evening’s guest performer is Jordan Lee Davies, who recently appeared on The Voice. He is a little lost on some of the harder notes of his otherwise beautiful rendition of ‘Just Like A Pill’, but leaves us in no doubt of his vocal capabilities when he performs ‘Suddenly Seymour’ as a duet with Velma Celli. My notes from his performance simply state “Every so often, hits a note that is so perfect it’s f**king scary!”

    Amanda Posner has a voice so smooth it is like melted chocolate and is a genuine privilege to hear. Posner returns in Act 2 as her alter-ego, Mr Fox, who adds a fabulous twist when he duets with Velma. It is a rare treat indeed to see a Drag King and Queen duet performed with such vocal precision. Their ‘Ode to Kerry Katona’ is comedy gold, and sums up what the majority of their audience feel about Katona’s recent casting as Marilyn Monroe in Norma Jeane the Musical.

    An extra dose of glamour, delight and sensuality arrives in the form of Jolie Papillon, who teases us to breathtaking perfection. Everything a burlesque performance should be, Ms Papillon’s routine is sexy, funny, expressive and very, very cheeky. I have long been a fan of burlesque when it is performed well, and this is an absolute pleasure to watch.I mentioned bendy men earlier, and the first of these is Jonathan Finch who is listed simply as a “hand balancer,” which does neither him nor his act any real justice. Finch performs acts of strength, balance and, yes, bending that frankly defy the laws of physics.

    Another bendy man comes in the form of Ben Brown, who performs some of the best aerial hoop work I have seen. A visual treat, Brown is stunningly attractive and it is hard not to be mesmerised by the sheer physical perfection of his boxer short-clad body. However, the grace and dexterity he displays with his hoop soon outshine anything else as he twists into seemingly impossible shapes with breathtaking precision.

    All too soon, the evening is over, and I leave the Hippodrome with that wonderful rush that can only be gained from seeing something so exceptionally wonderful. I am left in no doubt that the name on everybody’s lips is, indeed, going to be Velma.

    Velma Celli next performs at the Hippodrome Casino on 22 August. Tickets range from £10-£30 and are available from http://www.hippodromecasino.com/velma-celli-show.

  • Carlisle’s First LGBT HQ Opened

    The opening of Carlisle’s first LGBT HQ happened on Saturday 27th July 2013. His Royal Highness, (Mr Billie Raymond), officially opened the Centre.

    A host of police officials, local councillors, church representatives and local dignitaries attended to show their support for the project. Members of the public and businesses in the local area also attended in large numbers to witness the ceremonial opening of the building.

    People who attended were; Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle Councillor Steven Bowditch and his wife Christine, Vice Chair of Eden District Council Pat Godwin and Cllr David Wilson. Also Sarah Dimmock, Diversity Manager, Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson, Sergeant Mike James, from Cumbria Constabulary and Constable Ian Ashton and Chief Inspector Ralph Copley from Lancashire Police. The Dean of Carlisle Cathedral The Very Revd Mark Boyling and his wife Helen. Sam Brown who runs the Dumfries and Galloway LGBT Centre. Glenn Anderson founder of LGBT HQ premises, Pam Eland co-founder, owner of Sticky Bits Cafe and project worker of Pride in North Cumbria, Martin Reeves Chair LGBT HQ Steering Group, Ben Vollans Managing Director for Gay Older Brothers & Sisters, Richard Kavanagh from OutREACH Cumbria hosted the event.

    Representatives from Gay Older Brothers & Sisters (GOBS), OutREACH Cumbria (ORC) and Pride in North Cumbria (PiNC) were there on the day to show people around the proposed plans for the upper floors of the building and how they would like to develop the idea of the LGBT Centre. The proposal includes offices for organisations, meeting rooms, counselling rooms, a health suit and room for the youth group. We aim to rent these office spaces, meeting rooms and counselling rooms out to the wider community to use. Organisations have been approached to provide specialised support for health issues too.

    The proposed plan includes Pride in North Cumbria, a youth organisation aimed at helping people aged 13-25 who identify themselves as LGBTQ, by providing a safe environment for young people to socialise, take part in workshops and get involved in activities and events. In the sessions there is information and advice and a chance to discuss issues that affect individuals and the group. They encourage young people to get involved in project planning so they can direct the project in a way that suits their needs.

    Gay Older Brothers & Sisters, who provide a mentoring scheme to people aged 13+ while identifying themselves as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) and ‘coming out’ to their family and friends. The individual is given a mentor to talk to, have coffee with, even meet up and go bowling with. Their aim is to help people that are struggling and need to talk to someone when dealing with being LGBT. They are there to help people prepare for life as an ‘out’ LGBT individual, which comes with its ups and downs. They believe that ‘coming out’ shouldn’t really be such a big deal.

    OutREACH Cumbria currently works with the statutory and voluntary sector providing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality advice and facilitate consultation with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. ORC uses the intelligence gathered to address inequalities and other issues that lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people face, from homophobia to hate crime. ORC also provides support for LGBT clients, such as one to one sessions to the provision of advice and information. They also facilitate LGBT Equality training sessions and workshops.

    Our main aim is to provide a safe place for the LGBT community to come to, to access services that are situated all under one roof. We are hoping to obtain local and national government funding, further private funding and sponsorship from local and national businesses.

  • Vigil for murder victims link Liverpool and New York

    Friday 2nd August marks the fifth anniversary of Michael Causer’s death. Friends and family will gather for a vigil which will live link Liverpool with New York.

    Five years ago, Michael Causer, 18 was brutally attacked at a house party and never recovered from his injuries. A judge ruled the assault was not homophobic, but it had been investigated by police as a hate crime and his family believe Michael died because of his sexuality.

    As well as remembering Michael, the vigil will also honour Liverpool teenager Anthony Walker, who was murdered in a racist attack in Huyton in 2005; Sophie Lancaster, who was murdered in Bacup, Lancashire, in 2007 for the way she looked; and Ali Forney, who was murdered in New York in 1997.

    At the vigil, everybody will be invited to write a private, personal pledge to be a friend – not only to people they know, but to others, including those who may be considered ‘different’ because of race, gender, sexuality or membership of an alternative culture.

    Friday’s event – Lean On Me: The 5th Anniversary Vigil for Michael Causer – will see the foundation join forces with three other charities to highlight prejudice and hatred, and encourage people to play their part in preventing and tackling it.

    Liverpool Lord Mayor Gary Millar and friends of Michael, Sophie and Anthony are due to speak at the vigil. Organisers are also due to link live via Skype to the Ali Forney Centre in New York, which provides housing for LGBT young people in Ali’s memory.

    The vigil takes place at 6pm in Temple Square, Temple Street, in the heart of Liverpool’s Stanley Street Quarter.

    It has been organised by the Michael Causer Foundation, in partnership with the Ali Forney Centre, The Anthony Walker Foundation and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

    Gerry Proctor, chair of trustees at the Michael Causer Foundation, said: “Michael, like Anthony, Sophie and Ali, was a young person with his whole life ahead of him who was denied the chance to reach the great potential that he had.

    “While much progress is being made, people continue to be victimised, attacked and killed because of who they are. We want this to stop. We believe that friendship is key – supporting our friends but also offering friendship, support and tolerance to people we don’t know.

    “We are very pleased to be working with our partners to take a stand and we look forward to welcoming anybody who would like to join us at the vigil.”

  • EDINBURGH FRINGE: Gay Pick Of The Fringe

    Well it’s almost time for the biggest Arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe, to kick off this year. With almost 3000 shows to choose from, we have chosen a selection to get you started. Keep checking our site for updates and reviews for the rest of the month!

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  • Boy, 16, arrested in connection to ‘homophobic attack’ in Reading

    A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection to a homophobic attack in Reading last week.

    Thames Valley police have released a statement which confirms that one 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection to a homophobic assault which happened in the early hours on Sunday 21st July in Cintra Park, Reading.

    The two gay men were walking through the park just after midnight after spending the evening at a barbeque, when they were set upon by a gang of youths, beaten and one of the men robbed of cash and cards.

    The boy from Reading, was released on police bail until 20th August.

    PC Nick Hook of Reading Local CID, is calling for help from anyone who may have seen the attackers, who are described as youths aged 15-20, some of them are described as being stripped to the waist.

    One was a white male of slim build approximately five ft with short dark hair and wearing no top. Another was a white boy of slim build, aged about 15, and about five ft with short dark hair, wearing long trousers and no top. A third boy was white, of slim build aged about 16 with dark hair, wearing dark tracksuit trousers and a top.

    He said: “We are investigating the incident as a homophobic hate crime which has left the victims understandably shaken.

    “This incident is being treated extremely seriously. We will not tolerate hate crimes in our community and will be making every effort to track down and bring to justice those responsible.”

    Call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • NORTH WALES PRIDE: Pride Weekend Back To The Past

    The stars are ready, the weather might be okay, but one thing is for sure, North Wales Pride looks set to be the biggest and best yet.

    This year’s theme is Decades, so you’re invited to step back in time from the 1920s to the 90s. The headliners include X Factor’s Kitty Brucknell and Aled Haydn Jones from Radio 1.

    The events starts today and continues through Saturday and weekender tickets cost just £15, which you can buy at the event.

    The entertainment starts today at 12:30pm – full list of acts below:

    Saturday’s Entertainment

    Comedy duo Roxy Fart and Crystal Bawls will co-host the show and will kick off the event in style in the main room at 12.30. If you want a giggle then we can assure you that these pair will have you doubled up in laughter.

    Bringing RIO to BANGOR is the amazing Batala- a Samba percussion band (click for link)…In true carnival style they promise to lift the roof off Hendre and start us off on a high.

    Meinir Gwilym (click for link) Daytime headline act – Meinir is from Anglesey and has established herself as one of the best selling Welsh language artists ever. Her first release Smôcs, Coffi a Fodca Rhad (Cigarrettes, Coffee and Cheap Vodka) in 2002 met with phenomenal response with her unique voice and punchy lyrics, Celtic/acoustic/folk-rock/pop

    Lowri Mair- brilliantly talented acoustic Welsh artist

    Awen Haf – Local power house vocalist

    Jamie Connolly (click for link) – recently performed at Birmingham Pride 2013 & brought down the house with his Bon Jovi meets Robbie Williams act. Currently number ONE Rock Artist on Reverbnation!!

    – The L Project released an LGBT anti-bullying charity song entitled “It Does Get Better” in 2012 (charted in 4 countries) recorded by 17 of the UK’s most talented lesbian artists. All proceeds and royalties from the song go directly to two chosen charities Stonewall and Diversity Role Models, both work tirelessly to prevent LGBT bullying.

    Sunday’s Entertainment:

    Craig Cavanagh (click link)- singer songwriter from Liverpool. He connects both acoustic soul and power pop into one with a unique vocal style which brings powerful timber and cloudy tones to the ears of the listener.

    We are proud to announce that the controversial X Factor finalist Star Kitty Brucknell is one of the headliners of Saturday night!

    Our main headline act Aled Haydn Jones from Radio 1′s Surgery will be banging out his DJ set from 10pm and putting Bangor back on the map.

    If this isn’t enough for you… we are also excited to announce that Wakestock, Creamfields and resident Embassy DJ Ed Mackie will be taking you through to the early hours.

    CAMPING:

    At North Wales Pride you can also come along and pitch a tent and camp for the weekend! For more info visit the official website: http://www.northwalespride.com

    GETTING THERE

    Please find below information on how to get to Hendre Hall for this year’s North Wales PRIDE!

    CAR- Parking is limited at the venue and we encourage car sharing where possible.

    Arriving at Hendre Hall: (postcode for sat nav/route map – LL57 3YP)

    From the east and England:

    Join the A55 for north Wales and follow sings for Conwy and then Bangor. Hendre Hall is 4miles outside Bangor. Turn off at junction 12 signed for Tal-y-Bont and bear right after this turning. At the top of the road turn left and you have arrived at Hendre Hall.

    From the west, south and Bangor.

    Follow A487 (south Gwynedd and Caernarfon) or A55 from Anglesey towards Bangor. Follow signs and continue on A55 for Conwy. Turn right off A55 at junction 12 for Tal-y-Bont. Take first right after junction, head over the bridge and Hendre Hall is on your left.

    TRAIN– The nearest train station is Bangor (Gwynedd). Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin Trains have regular services to Bangor. Typical journey time from Chester is approx. 1 hour. Hackney taxis are aplenty at Bangor train station.

    TAXI FROM BANGOR-

    Local Bangor taxi numbers:

    A5 taxis – 01248 360 360

    Chubbs Cabs – 01248 35 35 35

    Classic Cabs – 01248 370 717

    Glyn’s Taxis- 01248 351 554

    BUS- Arriva buses have regular services that directly pass Hendre Hall. You will need the X5, 5 or 5S services from Caernarfon and /or Bangor for Llandudno. It’s best to take the X5, 5 or 5S service from Llandudno for Bangor. Please visit ‘Traveline Cymru’ website for public transport information.

  • Two men robbed in ‘homophobic attack’ in Reading

    Two men in Reading have been beaten and robbed after a homophobic attack in local park by a gang of youths.

    The two men, who have not been named, were in Cintra Park in Whitley at 12:04am after spending the evening at a barbeque when they were set upon by a large gang of youths, who shouted abuse, kicked and punched them before robbing one of the men.

    PC Nick Hook of Reading Local CID, is calling for help from anyone who may have seen the attackers, who are described as youths aged 15-20, some of them are described as being stripped to the waist.

    One was a white male of slim build approximately five ft with short dark hair and wearing no top. Another was a white boy of slim build, aged about 15, and about five ft with short dark hair, wearing long trousers and no top. A third boy was white, of slim build aged about 16 with dark hair, wearing dark tracksuit trousers and a top.

    He said: “We are investigating the incident as a homophobic hate crime which has left the victims understandably shaken.

    “This incident is being treated extremely seriously. We will not tolerate hate crimes in our community and will be making every effort to track down and bring to justice those responsible.”

    Call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.