“Leo, you’re queer in 2026. You’re a political act”. So says Melba, portrayed by Paul Rhys with fire and pathos in Russell T Davies’ new drama, set around the LGBTQ+ bars in Manchester’s famous Canal Street. He’s addressing friend Leo (Alan Cumming) a proprietor of Spit and Polish club, who can’t understand why he’s justContinue reading “TV Review: Tip Toe”
Category Archives: 2026
Theatre Review: Educating Rita, Dundee Rep Theatre
Dundee Rep Theatre, May 28th, 2026. In a week that saw a bitter row erupt within the BBC regarding men taking on women’s stories (four hundred female writers signed an open letter against Jeff Pope doing a dramatisation of Sarah Everard’s murder) questions still remain about the authorship of female experience. But there’s no suchContinue reading “Theatre Review: Educating Rita, Dundee Rep Theatre”
Lear at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Full casting announced for the Pitlochry Festival Theatre production of Lear Pitlochry Festival Theatre has today announced the full cast for their forthcoming production of Lear – Finn den Hertog’s new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. As previously announced, the production will be led by Scottish stage and screen icon, Maureen Beattie as Lear and Forbes Masson as Gloucester. They will be joined in theContinue reading “Lear at Pitlochry Festival Theatre”
Big Bogan Energy!
There’s something really heartening about the term bogan being used as a positive, finally. For too long, Australian and Kiwi working-class people, as with “chavs” in England and “neds” in Scotland, have been characterised as uncouth, stupid and a menace to society at large. Stereotypes persisted, of drinking, vandalism, prison tattoos and mullets, and notContinue reading “Big Bogan Energy!”
Half Man Is Half-Baked…
In his trailblazing novel ‘1984’, George Orwell wrote, “Imagine a boot stamping on a human face-forever”. Well, now we don’t have to imagine, we’ve got ‘Half Man’. Yay. Hot on the heels of the success of his drama series ‘Baby Reindeer’, writer and actor Richard Gadd announced the release of a follow-up drama series, whichContinue reading “Half Man Is Half-Baked…”
Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!
Series 1 of Smoggie Queens was brilliant: surreal, hilarious and touching. Focusing on a queer family in Middlesbrough, creator Phil Dunning, who also plays main character Dickie, crafted a loveable, silly bunch of misfits with recognisable quirks and – most importantly -a strong working -class sensibility. Series 1 set up the rivalry between Dickie andContinue reading “Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!”
TV Review: Falling
Series 1, Episode 1. Jack Thorne’s brand new series stars Keeley Hawes as Anna, a nun who falls for priest Father David (Paapa Essiedu). This notion of renouncing religion for desire has of course been covered many times: think of classic film ‘Black Narcissus ‘ ; the TV series ‘The Thorn Birds’ , or moreContinue reading “TV Review: Falling”
Lost In Music : Anna Von Hausswolff Returns
The wonderful Anna Von Hauswolff is back. Ahead of her new tour for the new album ICONOCLASTS, here’s some rehearsal footage. http://www.annavonhausswolff.com
Dear Eurovision Organisers, I Miss This…
Katie Boyle, UK Eurovision presenter, in her “regional drag queen” pomp Controversy aside (five countries, somewhat inevitably, refused to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest because of war and corruption- furious that Israel participated) this year’s contest was relatively controversy-free… Erm… Apart from the Romanian entry which asked her lover to choke her. Hmmm. NotContinue reading “Dear Eurovision Organisers, I Miss This…”
New Release: Ibeyi- Aset
Ibeyi are back with a beautiful new single. It’s hypnotic, haunting and sensual, everything they do so well, really leaning into the traditional Latin music they grew up with, but with a contemporary twist. A forthcoming album titled Offering follows. Suddenly all is right with the world again. It’s been too long since we heardContinue reading “New Release: Ibeyi- Aset”
Hit The North 