THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • The Night of the Iguana REVIEW: What happens in the 2 hours and 35 minutes of this show? Not a whole lot!

    The Night of the Iguana REVIEW: What happens in the 2 hours and 35 minutes of this show? Not a whole lot!

    ★★★☆☆ | The Night of the Iguana

    (c) Brinkhoff.Moegenburg

    The Night of the Iguana was never really Tennessee Williams’ best work, and a new theatre production in London adds very little to it.

    Now playing at the Noel Coward Theatre, movie star Clive Owen plays defrocked priest Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon (Richard Burton in the film) who escapes to a Mexican lodge deep in the forest to while away his time. Others in the lodge include the owner Maxine (Breaking Bad’s Anna Gunn playing Ava Gardner’s role in the film), Hannah- a middle-aged single woman (Lia Williams), with her very old grandfather Nonno (Daniel Glover), and a German family who keeps on going back and forth from the lodge to the beach who in their quirky way liven up this production.

    So what happens in the 2 hours and 35 minutes of this show? Not a whole lot! The most dramatic moment comes when a thunderstorm literally starts dripping buckets of rain onto the stage, leaving the cast scrambling for cover.

    It’s a fantastic effect that you would think would set the mood for an even more exciting second half, but it’s all dialogue between Shannon and Hannah that leads to a bit of sexual tension but not enough to make this show sexy and exciting. Director James MacDonald limits the actors to a very small confined space on stage (though there is a cleverly designed staircase that goes down to an unseen beach), and while the rest of the cast are quite good, Owen is just OK, but there is really nothing spectacular about this production.

    Perhaps it’s one for hardcore Williams, Owens, or Breaking Bad fans.

    The Night of the Iguana plays at the Noel Coward Theatre until 28th September 2019, Book tickets here.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Girl On The Train – Duke of York’s Theatre, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Girl On The Train – Duke of York’s Theatre, London

    ★★★ | The Girl On The Train – Duke Of York’s Theatre

    Based on the best selling book by Paula Hawkins, The Girl On The Train stars Samantha Womack (Eastenders) as Rachel Watson, a troubled woman who romanticises about a couple she sees from her commuter train window every day, as she imagines the life she could have had. When one of the couple goes missing, she finds herself drawn into the mystery; but the gaps in her memory and her inability to separate out reality from her fantasy leads to her becoming a suspect in the woman’s disappearance.

    Samantha Womack is entertaining as Rachel and she is ably supported by a small but proficient cast. The set changes are fairly slick, the set is sufficiently detailed, and the lighting and sound design all compliment the mood of the piece.

    But for a thriller to work, it’s the story that counts, and over the course of the first act, the plot developed nicely and pulled in the audience, with a narrative which blurred fact and fiction, and imagination and reality; but as the second act unfolded the story became increasingly convoluted with a few too many red herrings and clumsy plot twists for it to maintain its momentum.

    Having not read the book or seen the film, I’m not sure whether fans of either will find enjoyment or disappointment in this play, but as a standalone piece of theatre, it is competently presented and entertaining enough, but not a show which I would imagine will go on to become a classic.

    The Girl on the Train is at Duke Of York’s Theatre until the 17th August 2019. Book tickets now

    This review was taken from a showing at Sheffield and does not account for any cast changes or changes to the direction since then.*

  • Was the “unnamed gay footballer” Twitter account a hoax?

    Was the “unnamed gay footballer” Twitter account a hoax?

    People are questioning whether the unnamed gay footballer Twitter account was all a hoax, after the account goes offline.

    pixel2013 / Pixabay

    Twitter users are now questioning whether an account which was purportedly run by a UK Championship footballer, who was primed to come out as gay, was all a hoax after the account mysteriously disappeared from Twitter.

    The account which has been followed by well over 48,000 people is no longer available to view and all the Tweets have been deleted. The account had followed over 1400 people, including all the major LGBT+ news outlets.

    For weeks the account holder had said that he would come out as gay, becoming the first footballer to come out as gay, whilst still in contract since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

    The account holder originally set the date of 24th July to reveal who he was, however the night before he was due to officially come out a message was published which said, he didn’t feel strong enough to come out.

    Disappointed Twitter users are now questioning whether the account was a hoax.

    https://twitter.com/BonymaenS/status/1153924530462691328

    https://twitter.com/carlcnash/status/1153775805211774977

    https://twitter.com/leehunt4/status/1153788055871844352

    https://twitter.com/patsyincline/status/1153901484574224386

  • ‘Homophobic machete attack’ on the streets of London

    Police have reported that they responded to a suspected homophobic attack by a knifeman brandishing a machete.

    A victim has been left with a leg wound after an alleged attack on the streets of London. Police responded to an incident in south-east London this afternoon, where it was reported that a man was attacked on Surrey Quays Road in Southwark, with a machete.

    The Metropolitan police say they believe that the attack was motivated by homophobia. The victim was transported to hospital in an ambulance and is being treated for his injuries.

    A spokeswoman for the Met added: ‘Police are dealing with a suspected homophobic attack in Southwark.

    “Officers were called at 3.12pm on Tuesday, July 23, to Surrey Quays Road.

    “It was reported a man had been attacked with a machete.

    “Officers attended and found a man with a wound to his leg.

    “He was taken by London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital.

    “The suspect is believed to have left the scene on a motorbike.

    “At this time police believe there may be a homophobic motive for the attack.”

     

     

  • The unnamed “gay footballer” says he’s not strong enough to come out

    The unnamed “gay footballer” says he’s not strong enough to come out

    An unnamed, UK championship footballer has taken to Twitter to say that he thought he was strong enough to come out, but now says he was wrong.

    The unnamed “gay footballer” has taken to Twitter to say “I thought I was stronger. I was wrong.” It comes after he announced that he planned to come out on the 24th July 2019.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1153719153557233665

    Since starting the account the footbaler has become a bit of Twitter sensation and would be the first out, and still contracted, UK footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

    As of yet, nobody knows who the account is run by, but it is thought that the footballer is a high profile player for one of main clubs in the Championship. His account now has tens of thousands of followers.

    He went on to say, “I’m not strong enough to do this. Just remember that I’ve got feelings, without coming out I can’t convince anybody otherwise, but this isn’t a hoax. I wouldn’t do that”.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1153724088160006144

    On the 21st July the user simply tweeted, “24.07.19 ?️‍?” – believed to be a signal as to when the player had planned to come out officially. The account has been active for weeks, in his profile he has his description set to: “I’m a professional footballer, currently playing in The Championship. I will reveal my identity soon, but I am a PROUD gay man”.

    As of time of publish the date was still pinned to the top of his profile.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1152904677069066240

    Scores of people have commented on the post with a mix of people calling the account a “hoax” while others reamained encouraging, with one saying “You CAN do this, goddammit! I came out in the south in the USA in the late 90’s. Was called horrible things, list friends. Life is AMAZING today! We, as Gay men have a responsibility to young people! We MUST end the shame! You are VALID, ENOUGH, STRONG! Rooting for you!!”

     

  • Homophobes vandalise anti-stigma HIV adverts

    Homophobes vandalise anti-stigma HIV adverts

    An advert which depicts two men in a romantic embrace has been vandalised in London, the campaign aims to reduce the stigma faced by men who live with HIV.

    The HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust has revealed that an advert it has placed on a phone box in the nation’s capital has been targeted by vandals and defaced. The campaign is promoting the message that people living with HIV and on effective treatment can’t pass it on, if they are on medically prescribed treatment.

    The targeted phoneboxes were located in the London borough of Hackney.

    The poster campaign comes off the back of a nationwide survey commissioned by the charity which revealed that knowledge of HIV remains stuck in the 1980s. It found that just under one in five (19%) Brits are aware that people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass it on – which is the focus of the vandalised posters.

    The charity’s YouGov survey also revealed almost half (48%) of Brits would feel uncomfortable kissing someone living with HIV – even though there is zero risk of transmission through kissing or other day-to-day contact.

    For the past 20 years, evidence has been building to show that the likelihood of passing on HIV is linked to the amount of virus in the blood, also known as viral load. Treatment is deemed effective when it reduces this to undetectable levels. This can take up to six months from starting treatment.

    The landmark PARTNER and PARTNER 2 studies provide the medical evidence that people with an undetectable viral load definitively cannot pass on HIV.

    Can’t Pass It On has been the focus of Terrence Higgins Trust’s messaging during Pride season, including at Pride in London and Black Pride earlier this month.

    Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said, “This vandalism is so sad to see. Whether our posters have been targeted because it features two men in an affectionate embrace or because it’s about HIV, we will not be silenced. In fact, it makes us even more determined to get the message out there that people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass it on.

    “Despite this medical progress, public attitudes towards HIV are firmly stuck in the past. That’s exactly why it’s so important to remove the fear and misinformation about HIV by celebrating the fact that thanks to effective treatment people like Sadiq who is featured in our poster, are living normal and healthy lives and cannot pass the virus on.

    “We have been heartened to see supporters offsetting the damage caused to the posters by sharing information about our Can’t Pass It On campaign. If everyone knew the facts on HIV we could not only end HIV stigma, we could end new HIV transmissions.’

  • The unnamed “gay footballer” has set a date for when he’s coming out

    The unnamed “gay footballer” has set a date for when he’s coming out

    An unnamed, UK championship footballer has set a date when he plans to come out – becoming the first high profile footballer, still playing, to do so in nearly 30 years.

    He’s become a bit of Twitter sensation, but the unnamed footballer, has set a date to become the first out, and still contracted, UK footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

    As of yet, nobody knows who the account is run by, but it is thought that the footballer is a high profile player for one of main clubs in the Championship. His account now has tens of thousands of followers.

    On the 21st July the user simply tweeted, “24.07.19 ?️‍?” – believed to be a signal as to when the player plans to come out officially. The account has been active for weeks, in his profile he has his description set to: “I’m a professional footballer, currently playing in The Championship. I will reveal my identity soon, but I am a PROUD gay man”.

    https://twitter.com/FootballerGay/status/1152904677069066240

    Speaking about his decision to come out, the player said that he hopes his coming out will be a “catalyst for change”  saying, ‘I am thinking of those involved in professional football who are similarly positioned. My hope is that they can take comfort and hope from such disclosure and can feel suitably empowered to, if desirable, reach the same decision.

    “I have heard from numerous people who have stated that their sexuality stopped them from being involved in football. That they didn’t believe the two could co-exist.

    “I don’t want anybody in the future to feel that way, and with the work being done throughout the sport. I hope this can be the catalyst for change.’

  • Police wish to speak to this man after an altercation at a gay bar in Newcastle

    Police wish to speak to this man after an altercation at a gay bar in Newcastle

    Police in Newcastle are looking into an incident after a man tried to put a lit cigarette into another man’s eye.

    Police were called to a Newcastle gay bar, Pink Rooms, after a man allegedly tried to extinguish a lit cigarette into another man’s eye. Police were called to the bar at around 4 AM Monday morning on the 24th June. They are now looking to trace a man in a CCTV image recovered from the bar.

    In a statement Newcastle police said, “The incident happened at 4am on Monday, June 24, when a man was assaulted in the Pink Rooms pub in the city centre.

    “It was reported that a man had tried to put a lit cigarette in another man’s eye following an altercation.

    “Enquiries to trace those responsible are ongoing.”

    Police released a CCTV image of the man, who was inside the bar at the time of the incident.

    The man, or anyone who knows him, are encouraged to contact police on 101 quoting crime number 081439Y/19.

     

  • Parents seek to move or home educate their children over No Outsiders classes

    Parents seek to move or home educate their children over No Outsiders classes

    Parents of children at the Parkfield Primary school have said that they plan to home educate or move their children to a different school.

    • Parents say they will home school their children

    • Parents say they held a mass walkout of their children on the 12th of July

    • Say they feel victimised and discriminated against

    • Offer an apology to the LGBT community

    In a statement, parents of children at Parkfield Primary School on the Alum Rock Community Forum have said that they will homeschool or move their children out of the school because of the No Outsiders programme. They have also said that they have felt discriminated against over the “hijacking” of their children’s education.

    Parkfield Primary, where 98 percent of pupils are Muslim, has become the centre of a row over whether children should be taught about same-sex relationships and differing gender expressions via a programme called No Outsiders.

    The No Outsiders programme deals with social issues, race, religion, gender identity, age and disabilities, however, the parent’s protests have seemingly become a one issue protest, over the LGBT+ aspects of the lessons.

    Despite this, the parents claim in their statement that they “unequivocally condemn” the labels of bigots and homophobes that have been levelled against them since their protests and demonstrations were reported on back in March.

    They wrote, “We would like to reach out once again to our LGBT community to clear up any misconception, build bridges and strength [sic] our bond in this diverse community by offering our apology for any actions that may have upset them as this was not our intention”.

    Considering homeschooling

    Parents say that they feel that they’re not being listened, reaching an “impasse” with the school’s leadership team – saying that the school has an “unwillingness to build, repair and bridge this important relationship with parents”.

    The statement continues, “therefore as a consequence… are currently seeking to move their children to alternative local schools and considering homeschooling option to best sever [sic] the needs of their children’s educational needs”.

  • Grindr killer’s drug dealer found guilty of murdering James Bond actor

    The man who was Stephen Port’s drug dealer has been found guilty of murdering the James Bond actor, Eric Michels, 54.

    ©-ia__64-Depositphotos

    From the DailyMail.co.uk, “Stephen Port’s drug dealer was today found guilty of murdering a man almost 30 years his senior he met on Grindr in a case with chilling similarities to the serial killer’s own crimes”

    READ MORE

  • Man left needing hospital treatment after homophobic attack in London

    Man left needing hospital treatment after homophobic attack in London

    Police say that a man has been left with head injuries after an attack in London over the weekend.

    geralt / Pixabay

    A man in his late twenties was hopsitalised after an attack which police are calling a homophobic hate crime, just a week after Pride in London.

    The victim was allegedly verbally abused and then assaulted at around 3 AM in the morning on Camberwell Road in South London in what police have described as a hate crime.

    The 29-year-old victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury. This has been assessed as not life-changing or life-threatening, and the man has been discharged from hospital.

    19-year-old arrested at the scene

    A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of GBH. He has since been released under investigation.

    The incident is being investigated as a homophobic hate crime due to comments made prior to the assault. Enquiries into the circumstances continue.

    Detectives from the Safeguarding Unit based at Brixton are investigating. Anyone with information or footage is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 1376/14Jul or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.