Category: Culture

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Culture

Art Exhibition: The Places We Carry – Healing Through Arabic Art and Poetry

'The Places We Carry' exhibition at Grand Junction, Warwick Avenue
An an evening scroll on Eventbrite turned out to be the most holistic and heroic experience I’ve ever been to.
Pioneers of peace from Arabic lands gathered to remind us how art can heal us and speak our prayers.
Grand Junction at Warwick Avenue

In pursuit of my next cultural experience in London, I happened to tap my finger on a poetry and prose event at a church in Warwick Avenue. 

It was the closing day of an exhibition called, ‘The Places We Carry‘ and something about that made me raise an eyebrow. 

I went through the description and found out that the guest speakers were Arabic poets and artists from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and Palestine. 

My heart instantly went out for the Palestinian guests and how gut-wrenching it must be witness the ongoing brutality against their homeland.

My body moved without hesitation to go to this event. I had to know how immigrants from these countries translated their sorrows into extraordinary pieces of art.

When I arrived, Dima Karout, the curator of the exhibition, was giving the visitors a tour of all the art displayed in the basement. 

She graciously walked us through the artwork put together by her team that focused on immigrant lives in the UK ever since they moved here. And shared stories of their journey of finding a home away from home through artistic expression.

Dima Karout (left) giving us a tour of all the artwork

There were paintings, sketches and clay art that portrayed various Arabic cultures. Tools and artefacts used in households and agriculture that reminded me of my country in many ways.

The name of the event suddenly struck me then, ‘The Places We Carry’. The whole exhibition was a reflection of the emotions and attachments we have to objects and places that will always remind us of home and never leave us.

Each picture had a simple yet moving story that resonated with me like a warm hug. With unique narratives on how they adjusted to the lifestyle and the difficulties of they faced in terms of belonging.

An art piece that stood out to me was about siblings scattered across the world knowing they might never live in the same city or country.

I felt a rush of acceptance and resolution for a lingering sadness I felt over the years. I hadn’t quite faced the truth that I might never live in the same country as my brother or my cousin ever again until that moment.

As immigrants we make bold career and financial decisions to move away from our families to build new roots on a foreign soil. 

We have our own reasons to do it and to each their own. Some flee the horrendous political and economic climate of their country in search of better opportunities. And others move with a sense of purpose to become more expansive as an individual.

But a sweet energy surrounded the exhibition like a silent acknowledgement for everyone’s journey. That no matter the reason, we were all there to recognise our own growth.

Sibling Bond by Nabilah

I made my way into a shrine that was dedicated to Palestinians. I noticed an art piece made of paper kites with names written on the strings. I soon found out they were names of innocent children whose lives were taken away as a result of genocide.

It grappled my heart and made me silently weep. It was overwhelming to look at this piece of art and admire the heart behind it but I couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of the horror those children had to face. I felt terrified for the state of humanity.

I suddenly became aware of the location we were at. I prayed to Jesus for a permanent ceasefire more than I usually do but I also prayed for any kind of divine intervention to bring softness to the world.

There were letters of love and consolation laid on what looked like a burial cloth. As I read each letter I was grateful for the humanity we as people cling so hard to while people in power seem to have lost theirs.

Paper kites by Helen Alzhar

We were allowed to write words of compassion of our own and I wrote mine without flinching. Words from the heart flow easily when you stop worrying about who might read it, it doesn’t matter anymore. When the purpose is beyond measure, every contribution is invaluable.

I placed it next to the other cards people had also written letters of support. I looked around and the faces I saw weren’t strange to me anymore. I felt a sense of unity without conversation, the language of our emotions seemed to be aligned.

Letters of love and consolation laid out on a cloth

We made our way up to the church to be seated for the second part of the exhibition. Dima and her team had gathered a few artists who read poetry, extracts, performed music and spoken word pieces.

Rama Alcoutlabi is a passionate musician, a dedicated scholar and an activist from Syria. She opened the performances with a soothing song in an ancient language called Aramaic using a traditional percussion instrument called the Daf.

She gave me the release I was seeking after all the heaviness I felt. Her angelic voice compelled me to close my eyes and listen intently to a language I had never heard before, yet harmonised perfectly with the emotions emanating from her melody. 

She also closed the show with three beautiful pieces on her Syrian stringed instrument called Oud, that wrapped the entire evening with such grace and warmth.

Rama Alcoutlabi performing with her Oud

Hafiza Ibrahim is a Palestinian poet who settled down in the UK after her graduate degree and is now an English language teacher, translator and interpreter (Arabic-English).  Her poetry emphasised on the longing of migrated residents of Palestine who wish to return to their land and reunite with their people. She gave us an imagery of a beautiful life lived in Palestine before genocide took away their simplicity of being.

Sarona Abuaker Bedwan is a Palestinian-American writer and Outreach & Programmes manager at Makan, a Palestinian led educational organisation. She read two poems from her book, “Why so few women on the street at night” and her narration reflected the ardent activist that she is. She has a strong voice and a powerful presence that made me want to listen to her every word. With short sentences compiled into a chronological sequence of emotions, she took me on a rhythmic vision to paint a picture of how human rights are being manipulated and criminalised by perpetrators who lack any awareness of themselves.

Laith Elzubaidi is a British-Iraqi TV/Film writer and producer based in London. His unserious and impactful presence on the stage made me adore him. I could see the comedy and drama writer in him bouncing out as he read an extract about his trip to Iraq with his mum after 30 years. He was unafraid to share his confusion about his dual ethnicity as he explained how Iraq is not how imagined it would be. And how his mum tried to rat him out to the airport security for not knowing the language. He was hilarious, I needed a good laugh and I could hear people around me snorting and gagging. But he also highlighted a lot of real emotions 2nd generation children face when they experience the other half of their culture for the first time. 

Hassan Abdulrazzak is an award-winning Iraqi writer who settled down in the UK and continues to pursue his passion as a playwright. He read extracts from his play so charmingly, I hardly believed he’s not a performer even if he said so. His extracts were humorous and sweet, with a touch of purity to it. Particularly the, ‘Enemy Of The Sun’, a very vulnerability piece where he spoke of the citizens who will continue to fight no matter how hard other nations try to take away their land. And that “They will not compromise, till the last pulse in their veins” in his own words.

Hassan Abdulrazzak

Lisa Minerva Luxx is a poet, playwright, essayist and political activist of British-Syrian heritage. In the three poems she read, I could see a halo forming over her head for how persistently she advocates for peace in the world. A true warrior and empath who not only helped permanently shut down manufacturing companies in the UK who supply drones to Israel out of the law, but also speaks with such depth in her poems about the lives lost in her country and the bombing in Beirut.

She performed her pieces in a spoken word style with gestures that tempted me to sway with her. Her ability to be a voice for the suffering of many people, her family and herself was sensational and deeply inspiring. 

I fetched two lines from her poems that made me connect to my own life. One of them being “If it feels impossible, you are going the right way.” And the other which isn’t really a line but an important reason for why we face the injustice that we do, “Bone collectors in cufflinks.”

It’s fascinating how a tap of the finger on an event page lead me towards heroes who make remarkable movements for a reformed world.

The exhibition reinstated my faith that if I continue to do my bit to spread the message of kindness and peace, I can help in the construction of a safer destination for future generations to arrive at.

Dime Karout and her team organise several art exhibitions, go here for more information and explore the tapestry of cultures that reside in London

Categories
Culture

ALL RISE FOR FLUX

FLUX WHERE EXCEPTIONAL ART COMES TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF
From Thursday the 25th of July to Sunday the 28th of July
GUIDED BY THE QUEEN OF CULTURE LADY LISA GRAY https://www.fluxexhibition.com/flux-exhibitions/
Flux opens with a bang international artists Lisa Izquirado shows her work to moving art celebrity drag queens Liquorice Black , Anna Phylactic .

Steven meets one of the leading lights of THE FLUX exhibition Lisa Izquirado .

“The true strength of a woman is our ability to allow ourselves to be vulnerable.”

Lilli – artist 

Even without meeting an artist, a great artist’s work talks to you. For me, I walk in and am almost immediately hypnotised by the story or emotion they are transferring to canvas. Sometimes I can even feel their pain or trauma running through my veins for a moment, as well as the joy and happiness.

A devotee of S and M, Francis Bacon´s brilliant work can never be copied. Not just because of the magnitude of skill, but also due to the parts of Bacon´s often tortured soul that he liberally poured into his work. I remember his sold out exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A news anchor interviewed various attendees about Bacon’s work, among them a psychologist who commented, “I would love to have had a chance to counsel him!” I could not have laughed harder and wanted to retort “Really my dear, he would have wiped the floor with you”.

It is what makes Frida Kahlo so unique too, not just the skill, but you can feel her energy and fight for life through her work; you just cannot tear your eyes away. It is almost a shame she has become a fashionable artist associated with style. Her story is so much more powerful than anything linked to fashion. But in the same breath it has to be said (thanks to Madonna and others) it has brought Kahlo´s work to the masses and encouraged many who may not have sat at the art table before to explore what it has to offer.

I am always on the lookout for exciting new artists . There is no better place than to take yourself to one of The FLUX Exhibitions https://www.fluxexhibition.com/flux-exhibitions/ created by Lisa Gray her presence commands great art to surround her there is something for everyone’s taste and these events are well worth looking out for

With Lisa Gray creator of FLUX magazine and Exhibition.

My personal favourite that stood out was by an artist called Lilli. Full name Lisa Lilli Izquierdo. Knowing my art, I was not surprised that the Cheshire born former model 

was also showing in New York and Madrid. There is something about her work that is almost haunting. To be frank, on first impressions I almost felt it was a little too commercial for my tastes and saw it as an inferior designer´s dream, with pieces sought in Dubai, Cyprus and USA for its stylish quality. But first impressions can be wrong and the more I delved into Lilli´s work, the more it spoke to me.  There is however a story that makes her work so much more valuable and sitting down with her confirmed just that. 

Do you remember the very first thing you ever drew as a child?

I have always been creative.  My sister was the academic, so my mum encouraged my artistic side. My earliest memory of creating art was when I was three years old. I drew a picture of two flowers. I coloured them with different colour crayons. The teacher told me off as I had used the same colour in each flower. Looking back, I use a lot of monochrome in my work. 

It makes me giggle that I got scolded for.

What other artists have inspired you?

Oh, without a doubt Monet. I can see his use of texture has a huge influence on me as a grown artist. I draw a lot of energy from other artists, and I can appreciate those that depict suffering or hurt. But when it comes to my personal taste, Monet´s calmness and beauty 

fill me with a beautiful energy,

What demographic does your art appeal to?

A lot of women buy my art. From an early age I have been fascinated by the female form. 

I used to draw a lot of elfin kind of women. There is something I think women see – the beauty of the female form in my art – and relate to it. Being pushed to look a certain way as model was not healthy and I am careful to depict woman as real now, not nymph like. 

Music seems to play a part in art. Who are your favourite musicians? What does sound bring to your art?

Honestly a huge influence and my tastes are so diverse. As soon as I am in the studio 

I pop the headphones on, and I am blasting Mozart or Snoop Dog. Vivaldi’s four seasons 

is one of my favourites.

How do you feel about the growing trend of crypto art, and is it something you would consider?

Steven I am so badly informed about the trend it is hard for me to comment; I am not sure how it would transfer with the high amount of texturing in my art. I realise that the world moves on and I will keep an eye on it, but I took bitcoins for a print and that did not work out too well for me. 

Lisa Shows in London at FLUX https://www.fluxexhibition.com/flux-exhibitions/

Your art is almost haunting in its affect. How much does it mirror your own life?

Very much so. My piece “The Kiss” may seem very abstract, but it is about the unity 

of two people in love. It could be any two people. For me I have found love perhaps later in life, but I plan to marry next year.

I found great solace in my art; it has helped me heal from the modelling industry I entered at the age of 15. Eager to become a success I took off to Madrid on my own. However, it was not long until the dream became somewhat traumatic, as pressures to look a certain way and the sheer competitiveness at a young age began to take its toll on my mental health.

Eventually I had enough and turned to my family business of hairdressing. My father is from Valencia in Spain, He worked with the likes of Vidal Sassoon and Teasy Weasy. I found 

using my skills as an artist, plus having lived a little more than most at an early age, gave me an empathetic ear for clients. I still do hairdressing now and combine my time between my art studio and the salon.

2Shades Steven Smith with artist Lisa https://www.fluxexhibition.com/flux-exhibitions/

If you could buy one piece of Art, what would it be?

Irises in Monet´s Garden. It personifies calmness with an almost heavenly feel. Those little purple flowers hit you with an amazing feel. 

If you could invite four people to dinner, dead or alive, who would they be, and why?

Ricky Gervais. I just love him he is hysterical, and life should be about love and laugher. 

My financé as he and Ricky would get on. Michelle Obama. I love a strong woman in any event and she is captivating. Someone like Elvis would shake things up!

What is your favourite city to spend a day in looking at art?

Madrid or Barcelona. When I was modelling, we used maps to get around then and the architecture just blew me away as does Barcelona.

What is the one common misconception about you?

That I am a bitch! I was working in a salon and some of the female hairdressers seemed off- hand. When I got chatting to one, she suddenly went, “You know you’re really nice. We all thought you were a bitch.” God, talk about putting people in boxes. There is also the idea that I am super confident.  If people knew the real me, I am quite shy. Do not get me wrong, I am a strong woman when I need to be. 

What is the one thing you would like to change about the UK if you were prime minster for a day?

The homeless problem. It has become truly shocking in the UK, not just London, but all over. 

We are a civilised country, yet we have way too many people sleeping on the streets. 

What is the next project we can expect from you? 

It takes around 80 hours to create each piece. I am going to be spending more time in the studio over the coming year, working on a new collection. 

https://lisa-lili-izquierdo.com/about

Categories
Culture

The QUEENZ show throw an entertainment jamboree in Soho

The QUEENZ show at the Underbelly Boulevard in Soho, London
Theatre and Broadway meets drag excellence at the QUEENZ show in Underbelly Boulevard, Soho.
They served unimaginable vocals, fierce choreography and a stellar production overall by David Griego and team.
The QUEENZ https://www.queenztheshow.com/

I didn’t really know what to expect when I walked in but the atmosphere at the Underbelly Boulevard was bougie to say the least.

Flutes of champagne, prosecco and wine sat cosy at the entrance for the guests who put on their best outfits for the night.

I wasn’t ready to walk into a festival on a Tuesday evening but the energy in the room made me believe the weekend had arrived.

There was a press wall for all of the guests to take pictures with the gorgeous Summer Stone who was an absolute vision in fluorescent. 

Summer Stone with guests at the press wall https://www.queenztheshow.com/

It was press night and the room was crawling with media moguls like myself who just wanted to have a good time, professionally…maybe.

I made my way up to the theatre to find my seat in the VIP box (a subtle flex). The first thing I noticed was the word QUEENZ bedazzling and glimmering on stage. 

It didn’t take long for all of the seats to be occupied, everyone was eager to watch the QUEENZ waltz onto the stage.

They certainly didn’t waltz, they strutted onto the stage with a gracious stride to let us know they’ve arrived in power.

The energy these queens brought to the show with their incredible vocals lifted me to a high vibration state in seconds.

The command they had over the stage reflected the attitude of seasoned drag queens who have been doing it for years. 

And these are young queens, who have taken their experience as theatre/broadway artists and poured it into drag to create an astounding form of high art.

Picture credit: https://www.queenztheshow.com/

Bella DuBall carries the aura of being the mother of the group who draws the audience in with just her eyes. With her golden corset and fiery wig, she had the whole theatre in the palm of her hands and her irresistible gaze. 

She was unafraid to show us exactly how limitless her vocal registry was but it was her personality that held me hostage. She was witty, naughty and oozed goddess fantasy. 

Speaking of personality, Zeze Van Cartier was a big one with her moustache butch drag realness. Who devoured the stage with her voice and left no crumbs.

Her animated expressions kept me in the loop the entire time. She was the epitome of entertainment throughout the show with her magnificent presence.

She also enlightened us on a little history on drag as an art form and how it’s been around for over 2000 years. Which was quite interesting for me to learn as someone who thought RuPaul Charles was the start of it all.

One of the QUEENZ stole my heart with her vocals in a manner that made me believe she was the Cher or the Celine Dion of drag. 

Dior Montay had no business being that extraordinary but I’m not mad about it. And if that wasn’t enough repertoire, she also made us chuckle with some cheeky comedy. 

They were all comedy queens with a touch of theatre and exciting themes/concepts of characters for each of the queens.

Billie Eyelash was a fireball on the stage who was the ditsy sultry queen who was fearless and funny and an absolute treat to watch.

She brought a sense of lightheartedness to the show that was a breath of fresh air from all of the intense energy we were adsorbing.

Her comedy was refreshing and her vocals were stunning. And she could definitely be the girl next door you have a laugh and go reckless shopping with. She’s the loveable queen of the lot.

Candy Caned was the silly girl from Essex and the doll of the group. She pranced around the theatre and blessed me with a charming touch on my hand that made me weak in the knees even though I was sat. She slayed the high notes but it was the rap queen in her that made me gag for her more.

However, I was deceived towards the end when she nearly cried from the standing ovation we owed them for putting on an incredible show.

It was in her soft sobs that I realised that this was a team of lovely queens who have worked so hard in the past three years to get to where they are now.

Candy Caned made me see the heart behind the art and the sisterhood amongst them as they held hands to make sure she was okay. The queens then huddled after singing ‘True Colours’ to receive the love they so rightfully deserve.  

I would be wrong not to mention Jayce, an icon disguised as a member of the crew backstage. Who surprised us with their hilarious cameos as part of the bit. Death-dropping into our lives with snazzy silver boots and became the 6th member of the QUEENZ without breaking a sweat.

Picture credit: https://www.queenztheshow.com/

David Michael Productions have outdone themselves by putting on such an exquisite show with a production that was out of this world.

The lighting, the sound, the design and all of the colours on the stage were all extravagant, opulent and beyond extraordinary. 

This a show of a lifetime with the perfect group of talented queens who love each other and made us all fall in love with ourselves.

“I am a QUEEN” we all were made to say in unison and for a moment I felt like I was a part of the QUEENZ family. Which was truly a safe place for everyone to feel like they belong, feel loved and inspired.

Book your tickets NOW at https://www.queenztheshow.com/tour-dates/

Th QUEENZ will continue to perform from 11th July-18th August at the Underbelly Boulevard. Treat yourself to this magical show, we at 2Shades vouch for the QUEENZ to spice up your life.

Categories
Culture

GEORGE the play: A portal to the past and a token for the future

Léa des Garets as George Sand and Iniki Mariano as Marie Dorval in GEORGE at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham Common till 14th July
In a cozy theatre in Clapham Common, a timeless production awaits you for a thought provoking journey.
GEORGE is a theatrical masterpiece with illusions of drama, emotions and real-time comedy.
GEORGE at the Onmibus Theatre, Clapham Common, London till 14th July

GEORGE is about a revolutionary french author in the 1800s named Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, best know for her pen name George Sand. The play uncovers days in the life of George Sand and her friend/lover, Marie Dorval who motivates George to write again. Several male characters intervene their intimate relationship in the form of obstacles, naysayers and well, a snappy editor.

I arrived on time (luckily) to watch GEORGE at the Omnibus Theatre after panicking about getting off at the wrong stop. 

I entered a nearly full theatre which made me smile for Léa des Garets, writer of the play and her team for the growth they’ve had since the first time I saw them at the Criterion in November 2023.

I looked around at all the happy faces and envied the glasses of wine dancing on their fingertips. I was too comfortable to get up and I didn’t want to miss a minute of the show. Too late for that but perfectly ready to watch GEORGE again.

An intriguing background score engulfed the theatre, it excited me because I don’t think they had it the first time I watched the play. And there they were, Léa des Garets as George Sand, Iniki Mariano as Marie Dorval and Conor Dumbrell as all of the male characters back to steal my presence for the next 95 mins, I delightfully surrendered. 

I felt a rollercoaster of emotions for George Sand. Léa portrays her as an enigmatic character who seems to be on the same planet as us but isn’t. Drawing parallels to relevant issues in our current world from a period play is something I can talk about endlessly if I wanted to but there’s more to it in my eyes. 

As an observer I can say Léa, whether she knows it or not, explores complex layers as an actress to show George Sand’s personality in her own genius way. Sand is recognised as an established author in the history books but Léa’s talent truly shines when I saw no replica of research on the stage. Léa found fragments of herself in George, capitalised on them and made it her own. 

She made me feel resentment and admiration towards George. Who quite honestly was an obsessive pick-me-up girl, but had an abundance of talent as a writer and was unlucky to be born in an era that was ruled by men. 

Léa des Garets as George Sand

Léa breathed life into her stance as an infinite energy that questioned a system that laid limitations on gender, gender roles, sexuality and practical freedom.

I found myself relating to George more as a woman who wore men’s clothing simply because she could. It’s definitely more freeing and cheaper on my skin, I feel more at peace with my body and it helped me redefine comfort as a woman. 

If I could have George at my dinner table scenario, I would definitely talk to her about how women wearing men’s clothing, or “looking like a man” doesn’t mean they want to be a man, it’s more fluid and colourful than that. Style has no gender if people realise their eyes can see more than just black and white. 

The same goes for Iniki who played the innocent companion/lover, Marie Dovral. I believe George was attracted to Marie’s pure feminine energy that she yearned to have herself. Iniki’s portrayal of Marie made me want to be best friends with her and tell her she deserves better as a girl’s girl. But Marie saw hope in George as the future for women and admired her deeply for that.

However, the complexities of life as a woman at the time held them back from exploring a lifetime of romance together. They reflected the same mission as advocates for women in the generations ahead, but the odds were against them at an age where women’s fingers were metaphorically chopped if they dared to raise a doubt against the system.

Léa and Iniki’s chemistry and purpose on stage weren’t the only bits that drew me in, they had humorous exchanges and physical comedy that made me grunt-laugh. They were just two young girls at the end of the day trying to figure out the meaning of life, we’ve all been there. 

When it comes to humour and seamless transitions between characters, I’ve never seen anyone do it like Conor Dumbrell. He played all of the male roles and there were at least five or six of them. That’s a lot! 

Léa des Garets and Conor Dumbrell

He truly let his multiple personalities shine, it’s beyond me to even fathom how he pulled off such versatility, like it was no big deal. I had a grin on my face whenever he appeared on stage. I was mystified and hypnotised, he turned out to be the sticky notes on the pages of a book that I will go back to read again and again as the best parts. 

There was Q&A session at the end of the show where I heard Rute Costa talk about her vision as a director for GEORGE. She has a very profound way of thinking that proves she was the catalyst that curated such a harmonious team.

A silent leader who tailored the strings of a vintage set, chic wardrobe, intimate lighting and a gripping background score. But more importantly, she is their biggest cheerleader as she watches the play every night like she’s watching it for the first time.

The production team of this play carefully orchestrated every move in a manner that was both melancholic and serene. When you separate each element to bits, you will see the heart in every detail and the genuine love amongst the colleagues. 

Lèa des Garets and Conor Dumbrell

Conor surprised me with his humble attitude as he explained what this play means to him, and how unique it feels to him. He wilfully plays the “little man” roles, which is such an interesting parallel to how the world has changed now where men like him no longer find false pleasure in false power.

And Iniki who embodies a very poised and elegant aura spoke of how rewarding it has been to be part of such an essential story. She stitched Marie to my heart is so many ways, her skills as an actress are paving paths that she may not see now, but will see very soon.

After the Q&A session, I hopped down the stairs to go meet Léa who is the loveliest soul I’ve ever met. I also had the pleasure of talking to Conor and members of the production team who radiate such warmth and joy that I just didn’t want to leave.

Unrealistically, I didn’t want the play to end. Realistically, it was a play that left an everlasting impression in my mind. They are an astounding team of time travellers who gently remind us that our souls are timeless, the issues we face are unjust and that art will always be the answer.

They are currently in their last week of shows at the Omnibus theatre in Clapham Common, London.

Go here https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/george-2/ to book your tickets now and witness this team of revolutionaries in their element to expand your mind.

Here’s a peak at my interview with Léa des Garets who talks about her creative process leading up to the play, her wonder colleagues and her as a incredibly talented artist and human being.

Categories
Culture

Too Much Pills & Liquor: Theatre in a basement in Stoke Newington

Picture Credit: Liam Walton-Bell
Apparently the ‘theatre press’ whoever that actually is, won’t come out and review a show in a venue basement in Stoke Newington.
Some theatre critics – they obviously don’t know their history and that shows like Angels in America began life virtually in a broom cupboard with a 50-cent plastic shower curtain.
And we all know how that one turned out…
Dan de la Motte as Sam. Picture credit: Liam Walton-Bell

And the US influence is refreshingly present in Queer Brooklyn director Charles Quittner’s breathtaking adrenaline blast of a show, though has nothing in common with America’s obsession with a proscenium arch being the definition of theatre. His staging is literally electric.

It’s in that basement for reason, people. The world its central character Sam (Dan de la Motte) inhabits revolves around frantic urban nightlife spaces, thumping pop candy beats and light shows.

But if The Theatre Critics (“Who are you? We’ve never heard of this ‘Divine’…” had been bothered to lower themselves down those stairs, they might just have got a tour-de-force education in what immersive theatre really means.

White CIS-gender gay man Sam wants to do something about the toxic world we’ve made, especially its dangerous injustices to young Queer and trans people.

Picture Credit: Liam Walton-Bell

Instead he gets a job writing the Substack PR feed for monstrous X-Factor washout Riley Sabanda (but the gays love her, they love her…). And then it’s all urban meedja runaround, A-Gay parties with celebrities (and the gays just love celebrities, they love them…), drugs, sex, more drugs, more sex, knives in any back that’s turned for even a millisecond.

More sex, more drugs and existential, utterly narcissistic angst that’s very, very funny to behold, and becomes so real you quickly start to forget you’re watching a stage show.

Playwright David Levesley knows his subject – he was a journalist and former editor at British GQ. But it takes more than writer’s authenticity to make something like this fly, it takes biting talent.

The script is a genius–level thoughtstream of the identity crisis anyone who’s lived, worked and played in urban jungles like contemporary London will recognize in a drug-accelerated heartbeat. You don’t need to be Queer to get this.

Picture credit: Liam Walton-Bell

You don’t even need to be young. But you have to be willing to laugh at yourself. This is exactly what might have been born if Mark Ravenhill, Irvine Welsh and Edina Monsoon had got together in a club toilet and said, “Let’s do a play. Oh, g’won, let’s…”

But then there’s the old, old dilemma, the brilliant script, can it ever find the perfect actor who can really bring it to life? They’re Love/Hate relationships, usually more Love than Hate, unless you’re the late Carrie Fisher.

Both need the other to breathe -and really need each other. But the symbiotically perfect actor for that brilliant script did come right along, and his name is Dan de la Motte.

Playing every character, making that aspect a unique joy to watch in a way that so many one-man shows never really reach, it’s an explosive, savagely funny, magnetically attractive performance from an actor who’s clearly realising the height of his powers to hold an audience right in the palm of his hand for the entire show and take them just wherever he wants to.

You can’t take your eyes off him. You won’t want to. And at the curtain, oh, did they love him! When Sam’s pain comes, in amongst the viciously funny takedowns of the worst of what we’ve all become, de la Motte has the perfect beat to deliver a pathos and powerful meaning that takes you completely by surprise.

It ought to be a career making performance – it’s that good.

Dan De La Motte, Picture Credit: Liam Walton-Bell

So it can’t stay in that basement, though probably will lose a little bit of something very precious and unusual when it transfers – this has to go on to another venue.

However, you can still get it in its purest nascent state right there in the bowels of The Divine until July 2. Go for the last Sunday or Monday shows and you might just get to see Riley Sabanda appearing…No promises, mind.

Dan De La Motte. Picture credit: Liam Walton-Bell

For tickets, follow this link https://thedivine.co.uk/event/toomuchpl24/

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Culture

Mamma Mia we all need a little ABBA right now

ABBA 'Thank You For The Music' a celebration at Spiritland Royal Festival Hall, London
Steven Smith gets his dancing shoes on and reviews ABBA Voyage
Yes, we certainly need a tonic right now for all. Prices are going through the roof and with a summer of elections it is going to be season of discontent.

What we need to take our minds off things is something that, long after you watched it, leaves you with a smile and lifts you. That is why entertainment was so important during the war and let’s face it, we are all battling every day.

“If you can make people laugh you give them a little vacation.” Winston Churchill. 

What needs to be prescribed is ABBA Voyage at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. For weeks before I went to see this immersive experience, terribly gifted writers and those in the arts seemed to struggle to vocalise what they had seen.  

But whatever it was, rave reviews and statements like “The best night of my life” were being posted all over social media.

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As I walked the fifteen minutes from Stratford station through the Olympic Park certainly no one ruined the surprise.

On your journey you are confronted by a sea of people steeped in ABBA Hysteria, many dressed as their heroes: Agnetha Falskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-FridLyngstad.

Approaching the actual arena (specially made for the show), even if you’re not an ABBA fan, you’re not human if you’re not starting to smile a little. It is as if everyone has taken a happy pill. Even the security and arena staff are very friendly. 

Safely inside, the excitement and energy was accelerating to the level of an explosion, as if your eyes were not able to take any more of this visual feast of the actual arena and those that paid to come see the show.

Your brain goes straight into explode mode when the lights dim and the Swedish forest screen lifts and four virtual ABBAtars take to the stage. So convincing is the entire thing I was left breathless for a moment as I was not sure what was real and what was not. A little like the “The Houses of Parliament”. 

ABBA last played in London for seven nights in 1979. I promise you truly it could not have been better than this. Stunning light affects dazzle the 3000 capacity room. A very much real 10-piece band dazzle the filled room.

This is so real they even have short interlude videos for the band to change. Andersson, Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad danced across the giant stage, embraced each other.

They laughed about their 1974 Eurovision outfits and the UK giving them zero points. When they appeared in huge proportions on the big screens they had the mildest plasticine quality, but otherwise they were astonishingly real.

They did most of the hits, of course, and the best two from last year’s surprise comeback album. As you would expect, the arena erupted when “Dancing Queen” was performed.

 Just as you thought there were no more surprises left, ABBA walks on as they are now, as they did on opening night. I think it might have been holograms a few weeks in.

For days afterwards this extraordinary experience had me smiling. God knows we all need that right now. There is only one problem with prescribing ABBA Voyage to everyone. The price this venture needs to rake in is £140 million to break even, with some tickets at £195.

“Money, Money, Money” it is rich man’s show. Dance floor tickets at £50 are more affordable but sell like hot seats. To be honest I never sat down for long enough that night, being a real “Dancing Queen”. 

It is fast becoming a world of advanced technology. Just think, with the ABBA voyage, we can not only tell our grand kids how good some bands were, we can actually show them, and dear old dame Elton can take a rest. 

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Culture

THE CHOIR OF MAN

Review by Steven Smith

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5 out of 5

As I was complaining to a regular theatre going friend about the West End prices of some shows and my need to see one show, he replied “It’s twice as good as it is hyped, The Choir of Man, easily the best show in the West End and does not cost a King’s ransom to see.” 

Truth be told it was a show that was not on my radar and hadn’t appealed to me. One rainy Saturday we took a chance and managed to grab the last two seats with my room- mate. The atmosphere seemed exciting enough on arrival with an eclectic audience. Many were repeat viewers; sitting next to me was an excited lady who had seen the show 12 times and was there with her friend, who was quoted as a “virgin” to the whole thing. 

This is the second time around in the West End for “The Choir of Man” and playing at one of my favourite theatres, The Arts. There is something about this show that makes you smile from the minute you sit down. Audience members are even asked pre-show to join the 9 cast members on the stage set, a pub called “The Jungle”.  

There is no complicated plot to the “The Choir of man “. It is this simple: 9 of the regular customers come together to tell stores and sing songs. 

I know, it does not sound like my cup of tea (or pint of bitter) either. 

However, there is a lot more to this gem of a show that will have you shouting “no” to closing time. It challenges stereo-types and pulls you into a really feel-good show that will have you not only smiling but wanting to go back for more. In fact, my roommate went back a few weeks later. 

The 9 man cast of Choir of Man

Each of the 9 cast members has a story to tell and as the show goes on, they unravel more of their tales with names like the Romantic and the Beast; you quickly identify with them.  This gives a sense of intimacy which allows you to enjoy the show but also get to know the real people behind the roles and champion them.

The Choir of Man title might be a little misleading as it not religious or that type of music.  It is the very best of vocal talent brought together. 

It is hard to sit in your seat as you want to jump up and join in with numbers such as Queen’s “Somebody to love” and Paul Simon’s “5O Ways to Leave your Lover”.

 The song and dance number will simply blow you away.  The absolute highlight was the ‘a cappella’ rendition of Adele’s “Hello”. If there was ever a reason to go back this was it. It even has a feel of immersed theatre with audience members pulled up to join in.

What makes this show so special is that it challenges what we may think a man is which I really appreciated, having written a lot recently about breaking the “Boys do not cry” mould. This is a show that presents all aspects of men and serves it up in a pint glass for all to see. For sure I will be getting another round in at “The Jungle “soon,

Choir of Man.  Get your tickets https://www.choirofmanwestend.com/book-tickets#/?month=2024-06

Categories
Culture

STOP THE WORLD I NEED TO GET OFF: A look at NFT

Me at Freeze London where the cream of the Art world meet each year. https://www.frieze.com/fairs/frieze-london. Physical art at its finest.
Steven’s Smith looks at NFT
“Stop the world I need to get off!” I hear many of you say that in this bizarre and often crazy time.
You could be forgiven for wondering if the great God (if you believe in such an entity) would reach down and reply “Sure will you be paying for that in crypto, bitcoins or the old-fashioned pound?”

He may even offer you one of his NFT signed art posters that he promises, once you re-join Earth, will have quadrupled in value making you arrive back with a bang and most certainly a millionaire…well in crypto land for sure just as Alice drops through a hole in search of it.

Well, I found myself asking what NFT is last year. I am hearing it mentioned all around at events and parties. A friend visiting LA called me and said, “Darling you are no one if you’re not doing NFT or Crypto here”. Then came the sinking feeling a bit like when someone’s trying to sell me a multi-level marketing scheme. “People felt the same about stamps when they started”, she went onto to add.

Well fair point. Great grans used to keep their money under the mattress after not trusting banks during the great depression back in 1929. Let’s not talk about Lehman Brothers, back in 2008, filing for bankruptcy leaving people penniless, robbed of their life savings. NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is a record on a blockchain which is associated with a particular digital or physical asset.

Paris Hilton worked with the artist Blake Kathryn to create a digital tribute to her chihuahua Tinkerbell. Photograph: Paris Hilton/Blake Kathryn

The ownership of an NFT is recorded in the blockchain, and can be transferred by the owner, allowing NFTs to be sold and traded. What is NFT in relation to art? An NFT is a digital asset that exists completely in the digital universe: you can’t touch it, but you can own it. An NFT can be any type of digital file, an artwork, an article, music or even a meme such as “Disaster Girl”, the original photo of which sold for $500k earlier this year. But is it the emperor’s new clothes? For every artist who champions NFT art equally there are those that just won’t touch the new way of trading. Boy George has opened his own digital platform

https://www.cryptoqueenznft.com

Though George has not sold at the auction houses such as Sotheby’s or Christies, his work has sold at charity events for large sums and he certainly has a talent.

https://www.cryptoqueenznft.com

Tracey Emin has joined the NFT arts champion digital platform as have several well-known artists, but many are totally against NFT. With Artists against NFT recently penned in Business of Business, Zilch, an Atlanta based artist is quoted as saying, “Personally, I’m against NFTs.

However we do have to acknowledge that it as a system does exist, and that system still requires regulation and is not a free-4-all, unmoderated system where all hell breaks loose. Systems get made, systems get abused then they get regulated.”

https://www.instagram.com/traceyeminstudio/?hl=en-gb

London has seen its first NFT Gallery opening early this year, the Quantus Gallery, and the star-studded opening saw the likes of Ant Middleton, model make-up artist Jodie Kidd and dashing Callum Best all mix with socialites, city boys and what looked like would-be Kray brothers. It was certainly an eclectic group and an exciting night, so, there is certainly great excitement around the concept.

Art is objective and we must remember where the words con artist came from. Get a brilliant salesman and he can sell snow to the Eskimo’s. It is the same with a painting; remember ART the award-winning play? Serge, indulging his penchant for modern art, buys a large, expensive, completely white painting.

Marc is horrified, and their relationship suffers considerable strain because of their differing opinions about what constitutes “art”. Yvan, caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please, and mollify both. Art is what you decide it is.

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Every wise boy seems to be dipping into crypto. I am absolutely 100 percent convinced that, just like in multi-level marketing, there will be those that make a mint out of it and equally there will be those that end up burnt. There was a time when my inbox was full of get rich crypto or bitcoin invitations.

I considered joining one as the cream of business were involved. However, sitting in on the meeting it became clear people were investing in something that was not there. “We are looking for the likes of Adelle, Tom Cruise joining this”.

Apparently people will pay to sit in front of a computer with NFT sunglasses on, paying thousands for the pleasure. I guess people have spent fortunes on dressing characters up on virtual games for years. Certainly, it helped the Kardashian portfolio.

But on asking what these A listers agents felt about this, their answers were vague. It was clear it was a wish list. Following my instinct, it was “No from me.” Checking a year on despite the credentials of its founders it is no further along.

Certainly, there is a strong element of the hard sell when it comes to the NFT from those that champion it. For me, I would still go with my financial advisors and stay away from something that has element of gambling attached to it, particularly if you have an addictive personality and really can´t afford to lose.

Most serious investors in high end art use highly qualified ART advisors for advice and buy at reputable auction houses or gallery’s that mentor their artist. They ask if resold to get first refusal. NFT Art is certainly something worth keeping an eye on and if you have money to spare then, as they say, fill your boots.

But in a volatile market with bitcoins and crypto up and down, for me it is not something that would make me sleep well at night. I asked a woman who is very busy promoting NFT (and doing an amazing job) how she was paid.

As she knocked back a glass of champagne, she replied “God, money darling!” That said it all to me.

Categories
Culture

Steven Smith reviews Tiano

Steven Smith (middle) with Chris Hamilton (left) and Shimi Goodman (right)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5 out of 5

It is an almost unthinkable scenario that Liberace and Pavarotti had secret love children, let alone that those children went on to inherit their fathers’ talents!

Then they met one another, fell deeply in love and married. Well, you would be forgiven for thinking just that, as married couple Chris Hamilton (Piano) and Shimi Goodman (Tenor) take to the stage to perform to a sell-out audience of dedicated fans. 

It is not that either look  like Liberace or Pavarotti, of course. Far from it, their model-like good looks add to the pairs’ incredible stage presence.  They do channel those great icons and more when you witness their sheer talent during the performance. 

Hamilton is a classically trained piano player and songwriter, whose wit and style is from another era. It reminded me of why I love New York, often falling into off Broadway venues and The Village bars, and hearing some of the most incredible talent performing Jazz and classic Broadway tunes. Boy, do I miss that. Chris Hamilton brought it all back tonight. 

Chris Hamilton (left) and Shimi Goodman (Tenor) (left)

Goodman has appeared in many West End shows and has a degree in musical theatre. He is at his very best when he seduces the audience with songs from Tosca and reduces them to tears with others. His range is exceptional and brought me to my feet more than once during the evening. 

They brought the house down with a melody of James Bond Oscar winners. The pair do Adele, “Sky Fall”, Sam Smith, “Writing on the Wall”, and Billie Eilish, “No Time to die”.

If this is not enough, they also belt out musical theatre hits such as “Seasons of Love” from the production “Rent”. My favourite is “Losing my mind “from Follies.

Though Hamilton does not exude the campness of Liberace, he does have the show man 

quality of the Vegas legend. I could not help but think that if there were a stage musical version of “Behind the Candelabra” (I hope there is!), the producers just found their man to play Liberace.

Being a gay man, what made the evening so special for me was watching a happily married gay couple look so in love and work together in harmony, without having to resort to clichés or innuendoes. They merely relied on their genuine incredible talent and professionalism.

It won’t cost you the sometimes dizzy-making prices of the West End to see the pair perform, but you will walk away thinking that you have seen one top show and want to go back again.

For booking and information: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/tiano-the-piano-and-tenor-duo/

Categories
Culture

Drag sensation Michael Marouli on “Angels of the North” Tour

The Angels of the North starring Michael Marouli, Tomara Thomas and Ginger Johnson. Photo by Paul Madeley

[SPOILER ALERT: For anyone who hasn’t watched Drag Race UK Season 5 yet]

In conversation, Michael Marouli shares details about the upcoming tour “Angels of the North” with Ginger Johnson and Tomara Thomas after Drag Race UK Season 5.

The angels simply can’t wait to show the world what the tour has in store for us starting April 2024. So what can we expect?

Poster for the Angels of the North Tour starting April 2024

Michael said, “It’s going to be unreal. The show is going to be so slick. It’s going to be a night of incredible performances and production. There’s going to be comedy, we’re going to have our Disaster Class that we did on Drag Race. 

And we’ll be bringing our individual personalities, our own performance styles, we’re just going to take the magic we created on the drag race, on the road. All over the UK, in Australia and so much more!”

Drag Race UK season 5 released on the 28th of September 2023 and ended on the 30th of November 2023. A season that will definitely go down as one to remember.

It isn’t RuPaul’s best friend race but somehow, these queens from the north east of England, struck a balance between healthy competition and an everlasting friendship.

They knew there was something magnetic about the trio after their ‘Disaster Class’ improv on episode four. It was a true masterpiece that birthed the idea of three Geordie babes conquering the world beyond Drag Race UK.

Michael said, “It was when RuPaul introduced us for the last time on the main stage, she said, please welcome back the angels of north and we went, ding! It was at that moment where we felt like this needed to happen.

And it’s the fact that three of us from the north east were in the final, we just knew we had something magic.”

The final looks of the Top 3 queens on the main stage. Post credit: The Queer Review

As a viewer myself, I can confirm that this season was filled with so much love and warmth. All of the queens displayed their passion with such conviction, the judges were forced to go down to the nitty gritty to eliminate someone every week.

It was packed with high art, high drag, insane belly laughs and shadiness in good spirit. The top 3 queens are the perfect examples of what the season stands for. 

The winner, Ginger Johnson radiates a rare kindness and confidence in a drag queen that mesmerised RuPaul to believe that queens like her still exist. 

RuPaul was also pleasantly surprised by the second runner up queen, young Tomara. Her ability to be such a fearless yet compassionate drag queen at 25 proves that it really is her world and we’re all just living in it.

As for Michael, he served looks and performances every week and left no crumbs. Although, it was his character that really spoke to me. He has a deep sense of empathy, carefree humour and maturity that made me wonder what shaped him to be this way.

Michael said, “I went from performing for three people in a bar, learning how to speak on a microphone and all of that. And just bringing that experience and mashing it together with modern day drag aesthetic and I’ve kind of got the best of both worlds I think.”

In our interview we mutually agreed that pop culture was our saviour. For Michael the likes of George Michael, Madonna, Spice Girls and Lady Gaga were his key inspirations to elevate with his art. 

Michael’s extraordinary look for the “POOFS ON PARADE” challenge on Drag Race UK S5. Photo by Stoney Darkstone

His looks were embroidered with the inspiration he derived from his role models. His own unique touch portrayed the grace of an experienced queen and the campiness of new queen on the block.

Michael said, “You’ve got you keep growing all the time. I think that’s the beautiful thing with life, you never stop learning. With anything artistic, there’s always new inspiration. There’s always things changing. 

The world is constantly evolving. There’s always new pop cultural references. Like the lyric in my final performance, baby old school new school, I bridge that gap!”

There was a particular challenge that really brought to light Michael’s personality in real life and as a drag queen. It was the drag makeover challenge on episode 8 where Michael met the adorable LGBT support line worker, Peter, a.k.a Gezeer Manouli.

The connection between them was instant but more importantly, it was Michael’s resilience that won that challenge for him. He handed over the spotlight to Peter to let him have the moment of his life.

Michael said, “I’m like that as a person, it’s because I’m a little older, I’m like a mother/daddy. I said to Peter off camera before we went into the workroom, I told him, this is all about you.

And I’ll make sure you have the best time of your life. It’s such a high pressure environment anyway, so it was nice to kind of focus on somebody else for a change rather than thinking oh god, am I gonna do well in the challenge? I was just purely focused on Peter, to have that little bit of relief.”

Althought Michael came runner-up in the competition, he has nothing but high regards for Ginger Johnson. The energy that I received from him was that he never would have imagined that three Geordie babes would be the top 3 queens of Drag Race UK.

That seemed more like a victory to him than actually winning the crown. He was genuinely proud of Ginger for taking the crown to represent the queens of north east.

Michael said, “The fact I was in the final two is a huge achievement. I was just so proud of myself. And I know how much it meant to Ginger and to see how happy she was. That was a win in itself. It probably sounds like the pageant answer, but it’s true because we genuinely were rooting for each other. 

We have such love and respect that I was just so happy for her as well. And I can’t complain. I came second I was like the runner-up on Rupaul’s Drag Race! That happens to a handful of people in this in the universe and that happened to me. So it’s incredible. And now I can go and win all stars!”

Michael Marouli has a heart of gold, and he is an extraordinary icon in the making. And a trio of icons coming together for a tour that will win our hearts and give us the ultimate extravaganza?

The world is simply not ready, it’s an experience of a lifetime that you certainly do not want to miss.