Author: Tom Wicker
19 Cleveland Street
Cleveland Street: The Musical, a new show written by Glenn Chandler (of Taggart fame) with music by Matt Devereaux, is a curate’s egg of a production. At its best, during the first act, it’s an enjoyable pastiche of music hall traditions that gives a postmodern wink to the audience without coming across … Continue Reading 19 Cleveland Street
There’s a TARDIS in my garden
Opinion: What price a kiss?
One point that has particularly shocked commentators about the recent ejection by the John Snow pub of two men for kissing is that it occurred in Soho. That such a thing should happen in the symbolic and actual heartland of the London LGBT community has astounded tweeters and journalists alike. But what’s … Continue Reading Opinion: What price a kiss?
Review: The Four-Faced Liar
Interview: the stars of new musical Thrill Me
My top LGBT film: Shortbus
If you haven’t seen my choice of LGBT film, it’s probably best if you don’t watch it with your grandmother first time around. Written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, Shortbus opens on James (Paul Dawson) filming himself as he masturbates with grim determination in the bath. The camera doesn’t spare the audience’s blushes. … Continue Reading My top LGBT film: Shortbus
Re-Charged
I’m from Lewes, East Sussex
It was one of those endless, sunny afternoons that disappear when you get older. I was nine years old and on the cusp, not of adolescence, but of being able to play in the ‘Big End’ at primary school. I’d always envied the older children this part of the playground. … Continue Reading I’m from Lewes, East Sussex
La Ronde
All of life can be found in a gay bar. At least, that’s the message of Peter Scott-Presland’s enjoyably exuberant, if over-long, musical, (very) loosely based on Arthur Schnitzler’s tale of sexual morals, Reigen, with a score provided by long-time collaborator David Harrod. The show opens at the end of … Continue Reading La Ronde
Interview: Nathan Manske
Interview: Neil McPherson
Interview: Peter Scott-Presland
Fen
The Off West End Theatre Awards 2011: The Winners
Loving the ‘Oaks
Hollyoaks, a Channel 4 soap set in a fictional suburb of Chester, is a strange beast. Aimed at teenagers, on one level it’s like an economy-value Dynasty, with similarly overblown and contrived storylines; but instead of champagne-drenched catfights the inhabitants of the ‘Oaks settle their differences by glassing each other or … Continue Reading Loving the ‘Oaks
