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Month: May 2018

Fringe REVIEW: Cooked @The Rialto Theatre

Posted on by Brian Butler

While the very good-looking student/shelf filler at Foyles bookshop, Adam, (played by John Black ) goes on a new date, the dye is cast – and not in a good way.

IT’S PRETTY clear early on in Natalie Audley’s multi-scene drama that Brett, the American advertising executive is far too career-centred and absorbed with his own greatness to have lasting relationships.

When their first date is at Brett’s very posh Chelsea pad, Adam encounters Henry – Brett’s live-in ex boyfriend. And so the complications start to develop in this taut, dark comedy of gay manners.

Adam, the honest, open, friendly gay boy clashes with Henry , played with all the sarcasm of a jilted lover by Tobias Clay. He is a bitter, sharp adversary and Adam is no match for him.

They argue while Brett, played by Jack Kristianson, is yet again out of the room on a business call, and when Brett returns , the trio turns the living room into a battle ground, with Adam failing to keep the peace between the two exs who release a long held-in anger, guilt and sorrow.

Quite sensibly Adam leaves, but inevitably soon after so does Henry , free of the ties that have bound him for too long to the selfish dependent Brett.

The finale, which comes very abruptly, is a Christmas scene, ending in happiness, which is as predictable as a turkey dinner.

Oh yes, and I forgot to mention, there’s a 4th character – Adam’s sister Lucy, with her new baby, a single mum dumped by her husband in her second trimester. I mention her now because she is entirely redundant as a character, adding nothing to the plot or the development of the play, and purely there to create dialogue with Adam to explain his situation. It would in my mind be stronger if Adam just narrated his situation direct to the audience – no sister necessary.

But ultimately it’s a well observed piece about gay domesticity and the lingering bitterness of failed relationships, tightly directed by Richard Evans-Thomas and  staged by Unmasked Theatre, a company resident at Brighton’s Rialto Theatre.

Cooked runs at the Rialto theatre until June 3.

For more information, click here:

Review by Brian Butler

REVIEW: And the Devil Will Drag You Under @Brighton Spiegeltent

Posted on by Eric Page

And the Devil Will Drag You Under

By Desmond O’Connor

Brighton Spiegeltent at Brighton Fringe on May 26

THIS is its 10th triumphant year, And the Devil May Drag You Under is still the darling of the Brighton Fringe.  The show’s premise is simple, the host Desmond O’Connor  whose like a foul-mouthed Nicolas Parsons but just as charming, brings together some of the finest and oddest cabaret talent on offer at Brighton Fringe. They give us a taster of their acts then the audience sends them to heaven or hell. It’s all done with the lightest of touches and the devil himself (Desmond O’Connor) and the recently deceased entertainers show you the very vest of what they’ve got.

As always with these shows it’s the combination that works the magic and we certainly had a great range of contrast on show, from Lynn Ruth Miller’s utterly beguiling octogenarian singing to burlesque from Coco Deville.

Leo a lithe bejewelled and be-feathered aerialist span on the silks right above our heads and Bunny, the wicked funny and dangerous stand up knife thrower took audience participation to a very sharp edge.  Opening with some superbly rhymed and timed singing, tortured French chanteuse La Poule won the audience over immediately before we settled down and let the acts do their stuff.

With Frisky & Mannish topping the bill with their delightful clash of pop culture, social commentary, musical and vocal dexterity and five-star charm this was a perfect cabaret evening, in the warm and atmospheric embrace of the Spiegeltent.

This is a piece of classic Brighton Fringe with a host who works hard, and has a flaming saxophone to delight us even more, to ensure an inclusive and attractive atmosphere, you got a lot of bang – bang for your money and long may it last.

For more details, click here:

Festival REVIEW: Gob Squad, Creation @Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts

Posted on by Eric Page

Gob Squad Creation (Pictures for Dorian)

At The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts

A Brighton Festival event

Taking Wilde’s novel as their starting point, British-German performance group Gob Squad examine the nature of beauty, vanity and morality in their production Creation (Pictures For Dorian). Which was at the Attenborough Centre as part of the Brighton Festival.

God Squad have quite the reputation and this can often hinder a new work, expectations can run high or people can have very set ideas about what to expect. God Squad did their usual thing of using folk from the local area, “home-grown, organic locally sourced talent” as they put it and this added a very personal edge to a show, which although it’s focused on a universal condition was a deeply personal exploration of the ego’s of the three main performers.

It’s a languid piece, deliberately slow, like the process it’s critiquing, age moves with a glacial pace but is relentless, God Squad looked at their own ideas of how they would be when older and also their hopes and fears of how they might age, this is where the local talent came in.

Three very young actors were posed in a variety of heroic poses whilst questions were asked of them, cameras were trained on them, they were framed literally, floral garlands, wraps of silks draped around shoulders, and the camera captured moments of nothing unusual which were then titled and allowed to fade. Meditation is not a means to an end with Gob Squad. It is both the means and the end.

Three much older actors, perhaps with more of their stage time behind them than left were given a closer treatment, talking of loss of function and change of body, status and time. Beauty was looked at again, found again and time moves on.

God Squad are certainly likable, they can be funny and can also touch on the profound. There was much moving around on stage, a touch of chaos and from it came moments of stillness and contemplation there was very little exploration of morality in this piece, Wilde’s play is all about the effects of moral choices on the body, Gob Squad tightened their triangle of gazes on vanity and beauty alone, it left an odd gap, just sitting there, waiting. “Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. But you are eternity and you are the mirror. Kahlil Gibran”

There was little from Wilde’s book, alas, an idea, some quotes but that was it, opening with a flourish with some very funny and dry interjections from the deliciously questioning deadpan of Johanna Freiburg whilst they worked on a Japanese ikebana flower arrangements this show’s meditative pace was set from the off.

Little happens, but the drip drip of thought and pose, of counter pose and comparison along with a soft and ironic deconstructive narrative from the artists of both themselves and their process gave the evening a charming thoughtful edge, there are times when it feels more like a lecture than a performance but on reflections, which is what this whole piece is about, the whole of it, in refection, the meditative soft analysis is of what and who defines beauty worked well with the urgent sotto voiced undertow of Dorian himself :

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

For full details of this event, click here:

MUSIC REVIEW: What’s on Joyya’s Horizon

Posted on by Ray A-J

A play by play of Joyya’s latest track: Horizon.

FADE IN:
Horizon, by Joyya

THE BACKDROP: London. It’s a dark and melancholic winter night, bleak despair is blanketing the sky in a thick moggy air. Through a nearby window the last stream of light is fighting meekly with the pitch black husk of a sky, gradually losing in it’s weary state. All around, the sounds of synths fill the blackening atmosphere.

Ben Dancer and David Pullen of synthetic pop duo JOYYA walk into the cityscape. A highway of people buzz about them.

David Pullen:

“I know people think I’ve lost my head,” a voice begins to call, immersed in glorious strength, with just a touch of reverb.

(The air is deadly empty, exept for a set of thinning drum beats that spill out from each cheesy vocal note.)

Ben Dancer
“when i moved to the city,” calls the strained voice once more, as a crescendo of mechanical notes come swashbuckling through the city, calling in the heroes to fight off their dark puddle of negativity.

(All of a sudden, every light that is scattered across the city street blows over, bursting into shards of burning keyboard notes. Each piece seems to cling to the ground with a fierce desperation, holding on to the booming sense of bass that tunnels its way under the floor).

(Spacious wavelets of cyber notes and pedantic automated beats emerge from the broken pieces, rising into the sky, and giving way to the push of an optimistic chorus.)

[As it turns out, Ben Dancer and David Pullen of JOYYA have moved from their home town of Northumberland, to London – and they hated it.]

(Bright and Buoyant beats meet skipping notes of synthesised joy, as the radiant chorus streams through the scene. Mere mention of guitar or acoustic instrumentation is swiftly cussed out in this city-scape – everything is electrical and robotic. Electronica is key in creating this euthanasia and over the top hope, in order to mask the underlying pain of leaving home.)

David Pullen
Neon lights beam across the faces of our heroes. “On the Horizon” chant the rose tinted voices, breaking – straining for hope.

(Ultimately, the scene is a looped second of bursting euthanasia and desperate hope, that awkwardly slips into a shallow pit of negativity and slight sadness. The heroes try to keep their melancholy at bay, clutching onto feigned cheer with strained vocals and tripping notes of synthesised optimism. It’s encouraging, catchy, but inescapably cheesy.)

FADE OUT:

the end

PREVIEW: Des O’Connor and Jimmy Tarbuck live in Eastbourne

Posted on by Contributor

There are a few tickets available to see two showbiz Legends live in Eastbourne!

TWO stalwarts of the UK entertainment scene return to the live stage and are heading to Eastbourne for one of only ten shows in the UK: Des O’Connor and Jimmy Tarbuck Live at the Devonshire Park Theatre is on Wednesday, June 20.

Seats are currently available in the upper circle, the dress circle and stalls have a limited number of restricted view seats left – for now. The advice from the box office is: book now or miss out!

Theatre Artistic Director, Chris Jordan said: “It’s great that Eastbourne has been included on this very select national tour by these two entertainment legends. Since the show was announced the box office has been busy and we anticipate putting the ‘Sold Out’ boards up on the night. So if you haven’t yet booked your tickets and you want to see these two stars performing live on stage together then don’t put off booking!”

The two legends of television, show-business and numerous Royal Variety Performances come together, accompanied by music and video to reminisce and of course entertain.

In October 2015, Des and Jimmy performed on stage together for the very first time in Sunday Night at the London Palladium to huge acclaim which prompted this limited run.

Singer and comedian Des O’Connor CBE has been an international TV star since the late 1960s, he holds more than 1000 solo performances at the London Palladium, 36 albums and in excess of 16 million records sold around the world!

Jimmy Tarbuck is a variety mega-star, first rising to fame as a host of Sunday Night at the London Palladium in the 1960s, though TV fans will remember his prolific hosting of gameshows and many other television appearances. Jimmy has also released 3 albums himself and has regularly toured the UK throughout his career.

Event: Des O’Connor and Jimmy Tarbuck Live at the Devonshire Park Theatre

Where: Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

When: Wednesday, June 20

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: Tickets £23.50 – £23.50

To book online, click here:

Or telephone the Box Office: 01323 412000

Neighbours make history with Australian TV’s first same-sex wedding

Posted on by Besi

Newly released pictures give fans a glimpse of Aaron and David’s upcoming nuptials on Neighbours.

IN THE same week Neighbours icon Kylie Minogue turned 50 and reunited with her on-screen husband Jason Donovon, Neighbours’ new favourite couple Aaron, played by Matt Wilson and David, played by Takaya Honda said “I do” in Australian TV’s first same-sex wedding.

Newly released images show Aaron and David at their wedding ceremony, joined by Australian actress and LGBT+ rights activist Magda Szubanski who officiated the wedding. This historic moment will be the first same-sex wedding on an Australian TV show after same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia in December 2017.

Speaking about their characters’ recent nuptials, Matt Wilson said: “We are both ecstatic to be part of this huge moment in Australian television and it stands alone as the highlight of my career. This storyline means a lot to me, to my friends and to all the fans we hear from on a daily basis here and in the UK who love Aaron and David”.

Takaya Honda added: “It is an absolute privilege to be a part of what is and will be a historic moment in Australian television. There have been so many parts of David’s story that have given me a great sense of pride and which have been an absolute honour to portray; from discovering Paul was his dad, to his coming out to now marrying the man of his dreams in what will be the first legal gay wedding on a drama.”

Neighbours’ Executive Producer, Jason Herbison said: “This is a story that we have been working on for a long time, and during that time, our country was trapped in a divisive referendum. Would our story about love and equality even be legal by the time it aired?  Thankfully love won and we’re very excited for viewers to see this iconic moment come to life on-screen.”

FEATURE: No to Stigma in 2018! 

Posted on by Contributor

The Martin Fisher Foundation are launching an HIV-stigma information campaign in July 2018, using traditional and digital platforms.

HAVING gained a prestigious Public Health England HIV Innovations grant in 2017, the Foundation has been working with local film-makers, animators, illustrators, designers, patients, clinicians, and researchers to create a thought-provoking campaign which will convey accurate and consistent information to the general population of Brighton & Hove. In fact, by connecting through social media with no geographical boundaries, they hope the project reaches a wider national and international audience. They aim to improve knowledge of recent advances in HIV and encourage the public to stop and think about how people with HIV might feel when they hear insensitive, inaccurate and tactless comments, and what we can ALL do to change the status quo.

What is the Martin Fisher Foundation? Why Brighton & Hove?
The Martin Fisher Foundation was set up in 2015 after the death of Professor Martin Fisher to ensure there was a legacy for his passion, vision and innovation. We are working with partners across the city to ensure ‘HIV prevention’ is prioritised. This means more HIV testing, better access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the maintenance of outstanding clinical services.

Last year, together with Brighton & Hove City Council and other collaborators, the Foundation secured Brighton & Hove as the first Fast Track City in the UK. This means we are all working together across the city to achieve the 90-90-90 targets, that is 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) know their HIV status, 90% of PLHIV who know their status being on effective treatment, 90% of PLHIV on ART achieving viral suppression and zero discrimination and stigma.
In fact, the Martin Fisher Foundation wants to surpass these targets and work Towards Zero HIV across the city. Current figures for Brighton & Hove stand at 87-98-98.

What is HIV stigma? Why do we need an information campaign?
Stigma is defined as ‘a mark of disgrace’ or ‘feeling disapproved of by society’. HIV stigma is when people with HIV are made to feel they have something to be ashamed of. In 2018 this is completely unacceptable, and something we can ALL do something to change.

HIV has changed dramatically since the 1980s and 90s. Treatment is much easier to take, with few or no side effects. By taking as little as one pill once a day, people can lead normal healthy lives… and are doing, all around you.

The treatment is now so effective that if you’re HIV positive and on the right tablets, you can’t pass on the virus to anyone, even during sex! Apparently there are some people who still feel sceptical about this… well, you can take it from me, an HIV Doctor… it’s completely true!

So, what about the stigma… why do some people still fear HIV? 
Is it because they don’t know the facts? Is it because they haven’t moved on from the ‘tombstones’ and the ‘icebergs’? Is it because they’ve never met anyone with HIV and don’t realise they’re just the same as the rest of us?

 

The sad thing is, HIV stigma can have a profound effect on people’s lives to the extent they can be isolated, intimidated and even threatened with violence. In society as a whole HIV stigma acts as a major barrier to HIV testing, both by preventing people from requesting the test, and also health care professionals offering it.

This campaign will draw on the experiences of PLHIV to break down stereotypes and misconceptions, dispel common myths and show how stigma can adversely affect an individual. Through a series of participatory workshops with people living with and without HIV, we’ve heard what the issues are in Brighton & Hove in 2018.

Our mantra, ‘We Learn, We Think, We Change’, will emphasise how important it is for us all to have the correct information and spread the good news! We hope to shift the emphasis from whether individuals are ‘positive or negative’ or ‘dirty or clean’ to whether they are ‘tested or untested’. We have created a unique local team with a passion for innovation to deliver this project.

Is it really possible to work Towards Zero HIV?
This is the exciting bit! If everyone with HIV was diagnosed by increasing the availability of HIV testing, and if everyone with HIV was taking effective treatment, and if anyone without HIV but at significant risk was taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), we really can eliminate HIV. How amazing is that! We can be part of the generation which eliminated HIV!

What can I can do to help?
We all have a part to play – whether it’s learning the facts and talking openly about HIV, and setting people right when their knowledge is outdated; whether it’s testing regularly and encouraging others to test; whether it’s taking PrEP if you need it; whether it’s taking HIV medication every day to ensure your virus is suppressed; whether it’s sharing the stigma campaign with all your contacts when it’s launched in July; whether it’s making sure that no-one living with HIV is made to feel ashamed – we have a unique city with a unique opportunity to be world leaders in tackling stigma and ultimately eliminating HIV, so let’s get on with it!

Help us spread the world
We’re seeking social media influencers, celebrities and sponsors to join this beautiful campaign, so please help us spread the word! Please get in touch if you know of anyone who might be able to help, or if you would like to know more about the Martin Fisher Foundation or the 2018 Stigma Campaign
• email us on martinfisherfoundation@gmail.com).
• or follow us on Twitter @MartinFisherFo1 and @Stigma_saur
• or visit our website www.themartinfisherfoundation.org

Collaborators: 
Martin Fisher Foundation (MFF); Public Health England (PHE); Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (BSUH); Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS); University of Brighton (UoB); patient representatives; Film & Content; Diptico.

Illustrations by Daniel Locke

DD’s birthday party raises £2,206.95 for good causes

Posted on by Besi

Danny Dwyer, organiser of Bear-Patrol, celebrated his birthday with friends at the Amsterdam Bar and Kitchen on May 19, raising in the process an impressive total of £2,206.95 for local good causes.

DANNY asked friends attending not to buy birthday presents or give him cards but rather to make a donation to his JustGiving Fundraising page to raise money for the counselling service at MindOut, the LGBT Mental Health Service, which raised £1,465.

A further £741.95 was raised from a raffle for the Rainbow Fund, who give grants to local LGBT/HIV organisations providing effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the Brighton & Hove.

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Dee Simson, was in attendance and entertainment was provided by Dave the Bear, Davina Sparkle and Jennie Castell who hosted the evening.

Danny said: “It was a truly magical night with a wonderful group of friends. I arrange the party every year not only for myself, but for everyone to relax, smile, enjoy, catch up and engage with friends old and new in a safe and friendly environment. I can only but thank everyone for supporting me and my chosen charities.”

Since Danny started Bear Patrol in May 2008, they have together raised a total of £193,472.23 for local good causes. They hope to push the figure over £200.00. after this years Hibernation Community Luncheon on Sunday, October 21 at the Old Ship Hotel. 

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Community One Stop Shop to open on St James Street

Posted on by Besi

The Rainbow Fund facilitated an LGBT+ and HIV Summit last October at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, and amongst the things discussed was the value of an LGBT Centre/Community Hub/One Stop Shop.

THERE was considerable support expressed by those groups present for the concept of a One Stop Shop where LGBT+ people could go to get information. As a first step The Rainbow Fund has secured a three-year lease on premises at 93 St James Street on behalf of the LGBT+ communities in Brighton and Hove.

The new Community Hub will also act as the base for the Outreach work delivered by The Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, which until now has had to respond to call outs from a base in Portslade.

Chris Gull
Chris Gull

Chris Gull, Chair of The Rainbow Fund, said: “These are early days, and we are working on how we best develop the opportunities that the premises bring.

Clearly we are going to need a team of volunteers to help to decide the paths we take, and deliver the services that are decided upon. If you’d like to be considered to be part of these developments please contact us through The Rainbow Fund website: www.rainbow-fund.org.”

Sir Elton John to deliver landmark lecture on HIV in remembrance of Princess Diana

Posted on by Besi

Sir Elton John will deliver The Diana, Princess of Wales Lecture on HIV to an invited audience of politicians, health workers, journalists, civil society leaders, celebrities and people living with HIV, on June 8, 2018 in London.

THE LECTURE was launched by NAT (National AIDS Trust) in 1999 as a living tribute to Princess Diana (who was a patron of NAT until her tragic death in 1997).

This lecture is being delivered in partnership with EJAF (Elton John AIDS Foundation) and is supported by Gucci. Sir Elton follows in the footsteps of Kofi Annan and President Bill Clinton who delivered previous NAT lectures in Diana’s memory in 1999 and 2001, respectively.

During the lecture, Sir Elton will set out a vision for an AIDS free future. He will call on governments and the private sector to show leadership and accountability in order to reach the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal to end AIDS by 2030. He will also reflect on his close friendship with Princess Diana and their shared commitment to ending HIV.

Sir Elton said: “I am delighted to be able to deliver this lecture and to remember the enormous contribution Diana, Princess of Wales made to this cause. In the quarter century since the Elton John AIDS Foundation was established, the global AIDS fight has changed beyond recognition. Yet tolerance and courage has never been more important in the fight to create an AIDS-free generation and make the world a more accepting place for those living with HIV.”

Deborah Gold
Deborah Gold

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT said: “It’s an honour to have Sir Elton John deliver our Diana, Princess of Wales Lecture on HIV. In our 30th year, it is particularly timely to focus on the challenges ahead in the fight against HIV, as well as paying tribute to the lasting impact of Princess Diana’s work.

“2018 is a critical time in the global HIV epidemic. We have all the tools we need to beat HIV, yet we lack the level of investment or political priority necessary to use them fully. We are delighted that Sir Elton John, who has enormous credibility in this battle, will be speaking on this subject.”  

Anne Aslett, Executive Director of EJAF, said: “The Elton John AIDS Foundation has been a supporter of the National AIDS Trust from its inception. We share a commitment to ending AIDS in the UK and around the world. Today, we are at a critical inflection point where we can commit to consigning this disease to history, or we will blight another generation with death and loss.”

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