The openly gay ex-rugby player talks homophobia, bullying, and his upcoming Beauty and the Beast panto gig. Since retiring from playing rugby you’ve proven yourself an able and natural interviewer – how hard was it to adapt to that aspect of your career? I don’t think it’s been that hard. I like spending time with […]
Archive | Concerts and theatre
A Homotopian Rent Party
Sam Bennett During the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, poor African Americans – paid low wages yet asked for disproportionately high rent – would host house parties and collect money from guests in order to keep a roof over their heads. These bashes, which have inspired the Darren Pritchard-directed Rent Party, would see the likes of jazz […]
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A relationship with Grindr…
Sam Bennett My first attempt to get through to Erik Ransom takes me to his answerphone, which concludes with him advising callers to “have a decadent day” – hands down the best sign-off I’ve ever heard. I tell him so when he rings back shortly after, and that I wish we’d arranged the interview for […]
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FREE events ahead of Bianca Del Rio in Birmingham
Following the success of a host of free activities over Pride weekend curated by Town Hall Symphony Hall for the local LGBTQ community, THSH are delighted to present two free pre-show foyer events ahead of Bianca Del Rio’s main hall concert on Monday 30th July. The events begin at 6pm with a performance from Soprano […]
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An Interview with Céline Gittens
Now a principal dancer with the prestigious Birmingham Royal Ballet and after performing in the handover ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Céline Gittens discusses the current climate for black and mixed heritage dancers and how Birmingham has become her home. How did you first come to Birmingham? I was 18 years old and having […]
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Recording Memories: Rose and Rosie
“This online culture doesn’t always have to have negative connotations. Some creators really do try to make a positive difference to the world, and that’s certainly what we’re trying to do.” Married British comedy and entertainment duo Rose Ellen Dix and Rosie Spaughton have gained popularity through their online videos, amassing over 160 million views […]
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Welsh Proms return to St David’s Hall
This weekend (21 July) marks the return of one of the most anticipated events in Cardiff’s concert calendar as the Welsh Proms is back at St David’s Hall! Now in its 33rd year, the 2018 series includes everything from classical, folk, jazz and brass to the world’s most memorable movies themes. There’s great family fun […]
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“This is why we continue”: A Q&A with L Fest Director Cindy Edwards
Born from a rather different event, L Fest is the UK’s one and only award-winning music, arts and comedy festival for lesbians and allies. This year, the festival site is moving to Bodafon Fields in Llandudno in north Wales. As she battled traffic on her way there, we caught up with festival director Cindy Edwards […]
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No Outsiders: An Interview with Courtney Act
Sam Bennett In February this year Shane Gilberto Jenek, also known as Courtney Act, emerged from the Celebrity Big Brother house as winner of the series. While viewers of Big Brother do relish the fights and bitchiness it usually delivers, the Australian drag queen bonded with people, forming friendships with the likes of Andrew Brady. […]
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Boomtown: The Machine Cannot be Stopped
Chapter Ten of the Boomtown chronicles finds a world changed far from the dream of Nickolas Boom, a grand city where once only a small village stood, a world of bright lights and dizzying heights, where distraction is the main attraction and the people are divided by the passage of time. The mighty Bang Hai […]
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