Did you know, The line "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." was voted as the #98 all-time favourite movie quote by the American Film Institute. I only mention this because last night I was at London’s Dominion Theatre to see the musical version of the original movie from where the quote originates - Dirty Dancing. It’s the summer of 1963 and Dr Jake Houseman (Lynden Edwards) along with his family, wife Marjorie (Jackie Morrison) along with daughters Lisa (Georgina Castle) and Frances - known … [Read more...]
Alex Edelman Just for Us at Menier Chocolate Factory
After a highly successful off-Broadway run, Alex Edelman has brought his one-man show Just for Us to the Menier Chocolate Factory and yours truly managed to cadge an invite. I have to admit I hadn’t heard of Alex before the show, but I did know he was American and Jewish so was ready for an interesting 90 minutes. In fact, what I saw was a masterclass in comedic storytelling and social observation. Alex is active on social media - I followed him immediately after the show - and has … [Read more...]
Homobesity: How My Fat Gay Body Made Me
I know that some of the readers of my reviews are not gay, so just for those, let me give you a quick rundown of the rules in place to ensure you are accepted as a gay man. It's pretty basic really. You just need to be young, have a great body - either stick thin or covered in muscles - and have a luscious head of hair. Of course, I’m talking about a stereotype here, but it is one that is constantly reinforced not only in the LGBT+ world but also in the MSM on the odd occasion it dips its toes … [Read more...]
Le Gateau Chocolat & Jonny Woo’s A Night at the Musicals
Six days into the new year and I had the chance to see two of my favourite theatrical tropes at one of London’s best theatres, as last night saw me trotting down to the Soho Theatre for Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo: A Night at the Musicals - 90 Years of Drag. Jonny and Gateau are celebrating milestone birthdays (50 and 40 respectively) and have decided to celebrate with an extravaganza of musical hits from the past 90 years. This, they do in spectacular style with an abundance of … [Read more...]
Potted Panto at the Apollo Theatre, London
For various reasons mainly related to the dreaded day job, I’ve not been able to see any Christmas shows this year. No Nutcracker, no nativity and definitely no pantomimes. But yesterday I made up for this by seeing seven shows in 70 minutes as Potted Panto opened at London’s Apollo Theatre. The brainchild of performers Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner and Director Richard Hurst, Potted Panto delivers exactly what it promises with Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, Snow White and the … [Read more...]
Death on the Pier by Jamie West | Review
Who doesn’t love a good old murder mystery? Well, I certainly do. My latest read has been Death on the Pier by Jamie West. Set in 1933, Death on the Pier pretty much does what it says. The story takes place in the theatre at the end of Brighton’s Palace Theatre. Playwright Bernie Carroll is watching the opening performance of his show “Murder by Association” although its off-season, the weather is awful and the audience is sparse, Bernie, along with his friend Chief Inspector Hugh Chapman … [Read more...]
Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story at the Pleasance Theatre
Nobody really knows what goes on in the royal household. Once the palace doors are closed anything could be happening behind the heavily curtained windows. Royal servants, on the whole, don’t give much away but every so often, rumours spill out about the antics of the ‘Firm’ as the late Queen used to call them. Maybe - though it is very unlikely - some of these rumours are the inspiration for Awkward Productions latest production, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story. Just in case, Michael and I … [Read more...]