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Priscilla’s – the campest bar on St James Street!

Priscilla’s the latest and campest addition to LGBT+ venues in the gay village on St James Street opens on Thursday, March 16 at 9pm.

Following a private (invite only) bubbles and canapes reception for local licensees, scene staff and media to meet the team behind Brighton’s newest gay venue, the doors open to the general public at 9pm with entertainment starting at 9.30pm provided by the fabulous Miss Moore, supported by Linda Bacardi, Candi Rell, and Marta Anna Hawe.

Mrs Moore
Mrs Moore

Karaoke will be featured most nights of the week with cabaret at weekends.

Lee Cockshott, the designated premises supervisor, said: “We are trying to recreate the feel of a typical cabaret bar up north, so all cabaret will be mime and lip synching only, just like in the good old days.”

Pricilla’s will be open Monday-Thursday from 6pm-midnight and from 2pm-midnight on Friday-Sunday.

You will find Pricilla’s at 129 St James’s Street, Brighton

 

 

 

REVIEW: Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf@Harold Pinter Theatre, London

Staunton continues to wow the West End in this stunning production.

Imelda Staunton: Photo Johan Persson
Imelda Staunton: Photo Johan Persson

Given the calibre of casting and of writing, could director James Macdonald have gone wrong with this new production of the classic Edward Albee 1962 play of that oh so thin line between love and hate?

Well, I suppose he could, but he doesn’t. Instead he cranks up the gears again and again throughout the play’s three hour running time, ending in a quiet scene that breaks a whole theatre’s heart.

Imelda Staunton’s Martha is the daughter of a New England college principle, and is married to Conleth Hill’s George, once the head of the history department but now a mere professor and, in Martha’s eyes, a failure of the highest and bitterest order (“I swear if you existed I’d divorce you” being one of her kinder barbs).

Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill: Photo Johan Persson

They’ve been to a faculty party. It’s 2am, and they’re only just getting going. Martha has invited a younger college couple around because Daddy said they should get to know them. But the real reason is that they’re a nice bit of fresh meat for these two to get their talons into, to bare their souls to, to manipulate, to paw over, to bewitch and bamboozle and perhaps seduce.

Bickering even before their guests arrive, one minute they’re all over each other, all baby talk and ‘big sloppy kisses’, the next they’re apart, filling the void with the electricity of witty and familiar abhorrence. Oh they hate, they spit, they spew, but they just can’t get enough of each other.

Luke Treadaway: Photo Johan Persson
Luke Treadaway: Photo Johan Persson

Then along come the couple of flies into the spiders’ web; Nick (a louche Luke Treadaway), a young biology professor who seemingly has his future in the faculty all set out before him, and his ingenuous, rather dim wife Honey (a beguiling Imogen Poots).

Then the fun really starts. George and Martha are game players (is what they say truth, lies, or somewhere in between?) of the highest order, but their games are dangerous and dark, spiteful and sometimes horrifying.

As the booze flows, revelations and alliances are made, the cruelty gets even more blatant, and this lacerating play just fizzes and pops.

Staunton, who seemingly can do no wrong, is here magnificent as the wounded and wounding Martha. She’s sexy, flirty, but also downright fierce, and her dalliance with Nick, despite the age gap, is totally believable as she’s such a fox.

Hill, as the slouching George, is just marvellous. His eloquent face catches every spike, every slight thrown at him by Staunton, seemingly absorbing it until he needs to return fire and then does he go some! It’s George you feel for for the first half, poor put upon George, but as the play revs up, George does too, giving more of what he’s getting, and initiating much more of the action. He’s a malevolent lumbering old beast, surprisingly vicious.

The set, seen from anywhere but the stalls, reveals a perfect metaphor: a soft, deep pile rug set in a large square of tiles becomes a domestic boxing ring, making the characters shuffle and bounce around in steel toe capped slippers as they throw their punches.

Albee’s play feels as fresh as a daisy, the humour not having dated a bit. It’s very often laugh out loud, much more so than many West End ‘comedies’ I’ve seen lately.

I hear there are only a handful of tickets left for this show which I think will have no extension due to Staunton’s commitments. Just go and get one now. For days after you’ll find yourself humming “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” to yourself, and every time it’ll send a little shiver down your spine.

WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
at The Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London
*****Five stars

 

Plans progress for Pride on the Isle of Wight

Plans to stage a Pride on the Isle of Wight on July 15 came a step nearer following two announcements last week.

The Pride committee are organising the Rainbow Gala Dinner, a fundraising evening of live performances accompanied by a sumptuous three course dinner, all in the newly refurbished surroundings of the Royal Esplanade Hotel in Ryde. Dress to impress with colourful ties and dresses.

Miss Jason
Miss Jason

The Island will be welcoming back Miss Jason, who many on the Island will remember from the Isle Of Wight Gay Men’s Chorus summer concert in Summer 2016.

She will be hosting the event and will be joined during the evening by ARTivist, Kat Kai Kol-Kes. Kat is Botswana’s first openly trans identifying public figure. She is a professionally trained singer and award-winning solo artist.

Completing the line-up of international performers is harpist Cormac De Barra from Dublin. Cormac has extensive experience as a performer, but is most recognised for touring with Hazel O’Connor since 1998 and will be bringing his own Irish Harp from Dublin with him.

Kat Kai Kol-Kes
Kat Kai Kol-Kes

Event organiser Matt Bundy, said: “Although I’ve arranged this event, I was one of the first to buy my tickets. I can’t wait to attend and its going to be a highlight of the year!

We hope to raise lots of much-needed funds to help stage IWPride, whilst also having a great evening of food and entertainment with friends, old and new!

With the price being just 40 pounds per ticket, people who may be attending by themselves will not be left out in the cold but will be able to join in the fun!”

The second announcement by IWPride concerned the booking of traders and stalls for the main event on July 15.

Cormac De Barra
Cormac De Barra

Market organiser Lewis Wheeler, said: “With two stages hosting a wide variety of top-quality national and local musicians, speakers and performers, a parade down Union Street and a ticketed party at The Balcony in Ryde in the evening we know that this is going to be a fantastic event for the Island.”

He continued: “At the heart of the event is the ‘Pride Village’ which will host the acoustic stage, a cocktail bar, trade and information exhibitors, Wellbeing and Family Zones and the Catering Zone.”

As an exhibitor or trader at the event you will have the opportunity to showcase your organisation at an event that has equality, respect and love as its core values. Through your association with IW Pride you will demonstrate to the Island that your organisation holds these values and that your doors are open and welcoming to all.”

There is an early bird discount available for all traders and those interested in having a stall at the event, who register by April 15 2017, so make sure you get in touch with Lewis.

To contact Lewis email: lewis@IWPride.org


Event: Rainbow Gala Dinner

Where: Royal Esplanade Hotel, 16 Esplanade, Ryde PO33 2ED

When: Thursday, April 27

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: Tickets £40 per person

To book online, click here:

BOOK REVIEW: Difficult Women: Roxane Gay

Difficult Women

Roxane Gay

Award-winning author and powerhouse talent Roxane Gay burst onto the scene with An Untamed State and the New York Times bestselling essay collection Bad Feminist (Harper Perennial). Gay returns with Difficult Women, a collection of twenty short stories of rare force and beauty, of hardscrabble lives, passionate loves, and quirky and vexed human connection. These women are difficult because they dare to strive for free open lives lived from the threat of men’s wretched stupidity and violence.

Gay takes us on a rollercoaster of lives, each seemingly dark but bursting with the light of strength, endurance and passion that allow the protagonists to rise above their circumstance and triumph, on their own terms, but their own rules. The protagonists are as wild and as wide ranging as the subject matter of the stories themselves. And Gay gives us pure fantasy experience next to girding realism and although there’s a repetitive return to how these women manage to get by in their men soiled world by plunging headlong into sense dulling sex there’s plenty of breaking though of the drudge, out into the bright sunshine of Gay’s mind and seeing forever, and ever on the wings of hope.

A superb book, an astonishing read, her writing is on fire.

Out now £13.99

For more info or to buy the book see here: 

PREVIEW: Brighton Resists: snapshots of LGBTQ+ activism in our city

Join Queer in Brighton for an evening of LGBT+ history, food, and art. A chance to peer into archival material and learn about some of the pivotal moments of political activism of our community.

For the past six months Brighton LGBT+ History Club has been exploring the rich and diverse LGBT+ history of the city – from early Pride marches to the experience of deaf queer people, via the stories of dandies, fashion, and the lives of older lesbians – they have barely scratched the surface.

Brighton Resists uses the Section 28 campaign as a starting point to look at the history of LGBT+ activism in the city. Using collections at The Keep (University of Sussex) and from the Queer in Brighton project this exhibition gives snapshots of when our communities have come together to resist oppressive legislation, harassment and invisibility.


Event: Brighton Resists: snapshots of LGBT+ activism in our city

Where: The Marlborough Pub and Theatre

When: Wednesday, March 22

Time: 6pm

Cost: The exhibition launch is free – but RSVP to the event HERE

PREVIEW: Traumfrau: ACCA: The Infamous Queer Takeover

Traumfrau head out of town to take over the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts (ACCA), one of the newest arts venues in Brighton, with a night of live art, DJs and lots of dancing on Friday, April 7 from 9.30pm.

Hop on a bus and head to the ACCA, a newly refurbished interdisciplinary arts hub connecting University of Sussex to Brighton & Hove and the wider international arts community, which is situated in Falmer, on the border of Stanmer Park.

On the night, there will be music from DJs NAAM, Butch please and Rachael J, plus live shows from Almost Xay and travis alabanza.


Event: Traumfrau: ACCA: The Infamous Queer Takeover

Where: Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts, ACCA, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RA

When: Friday, April 7 Time: From 9.30pm.

Cost: Tickets: £7/£12.

Art auction to benefit Sussex Beacon

 

Ben Fearnside_Metal on Canvas’Cadiz’: Photo Strat Mastoris

From May 1-14, established Brighton artist Ben Fearnside will be previewing his vibrant new work in a solo exhibition at Gallery 40, using real metals on canvas.

The exhibition is also raising money for local HIV charity, The Sussex Beacon, through a sealed bid auction for one of Ben’s paintings.

Ben works with bronze, copper, iron, silver and gold, combined with shellacs, inks and washes in a rich light-responsive finish. Dark as thunder, light as a stained-glass window.

Contained abstract geometry suggests planets, cityscapes, field patterns, rock-strata, the view through a microscope or telescope. Slow change over time and tipping-points. Ben’s mind is as mercurial as his materials: come and see a creative journey wrapped around the walls.

Ben said: “Someone close to me lives with HIV and the Sussex Beacon helped her at a very dark time. The Beacon’s unique services are under threat and we hope our charity auction will help raise awareness and funds. My paintings are about light, which seems fitting for The Beacon.”

To place a bid in the Metal on Canvas art auction, go to Gallery 40 any time during exhibition opening-hours and write your bid in a sealed envelope.

The envelopes will be opened and the winner announced on Saturday May 13 at 6pm.


Event: ABSTRACT ALCHEMY: Metal On Canvas by Ben Fearnside

Where: GALLERY 40, 40 Gloucester Rd (corner of Foundry Street), North Laine, Brighton

When: May 1-14, 2017

Time: Daily 11am- 7 pm

Cost: Free entry

For more information about Gallery 40, click here:

PREVIEW: Young, Queer & Skint @ The Marlborough

What does it mean to be Young, Queer & Skint in 2017?

This new project, supported by Arts Council England, sees the Marlborough Theatre running a series of mini-festivals throughout the year responding to issues relevant to the people who walk through their doors.

They launch this weekend with three days of performance and events featuring Scottee, Sh!t Theatre, Katy Baird, Selina Thompson and Bryony Kimmings.


Workshy by Katy Baird
Katy Baird is a Glasgow born, London-based artist and activist who often finds herself in uncomfortable situations of her own making. Her solo work is intimate and autobiographical, reflecting on gender, class and sexuality. She has performed at Live Art festivals and venues across the UK as well as squat parties, clubs and raves.

This is a show about work. Some people work to make money. Some people work to feel fulfilled. Some people don’t work at all.

For the last two decades, Katy has been at the frontline of the customer service industry. From getting you high to supersizing your whopper meal she has done everything she can to make you happy.

She isn’t sure if she has much left to give but, for this show (like the true professional she is), she will put herself out there one more time to give you everything you want.

Event: Workshy by Katy Baird

Where: Marlborough Theatre, Princes Street, Brighton

When: Thursday, March 16

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: All shows are Pay What You Can from £6, or you can buy a ticket for all three for £15

To purchase tickets online, click here: or buy in person at the Marlborough Pub to avoid booking fees.


Working Class Dinner Party by Scottee

You are invited to dinner with Scottee in which he and his guests will talk about the C word class!

Joined by acclaimed artists Bryony Kimmings and Selina Thompson they will discuss growing up on council estates, working class identity and learning how to be posh in an art world dominated by the middle classes.

Whilst they chew down into social politics and crispy pancakes you are encouraged to join the conversation and ask questions – you can also sit on your hands and do nothing.

Part show, part discussion, this is a dinner party that Nigella would wince at.

Event: Working Class Dinner Party by Scottee

Where: Marlborough Theatre, Princes Street, Brighton

When: Friday, March 17

Time: 8pm

Cost: All shows are Pay What You Can from £6, or you can buy a ticket for all three for £15

To purchase tickets online, click here: or buy in person at the Marlborough Pub to avoid booking fees.


Letters to Windsor House by Sh!t Theatre

 

Written and performed by Sh!t Theatre – ‘the rising stars of performance art’ (Telegraph) duo comprising Rebecca Biscuit and Louise Mothersole. They have lived and worked together for five-and-a half years now. From the kitchen of their North London council flat they have been watching a London and a friendship that’s changing.

This housing crisis gets personal. This is a show for Generation Rent.

Song, politics, dodgy landlords, property magnates, detective work and a loophole in the Postal Services Act, all come together in (another) potentially felonious hour by the makers of 2015’s award- winning Women’s Hour.

Event: Letters to Windsor House by Sh!t Theatre

Where: the Marlborough Theatre, Princes Street, Brighton

When: Saturday, March 18

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: All shows are Pay What You Can from £6, or you can buy a ticket for all three for £15

To purchase tickets online, click here: or buy in person at the Marlborough Pub to avoid booking fees.

 

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