An opera about gangster ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser and the composer Ivor Novello, both jailed in Wormwood Scrubs prison in 1944, was due to be staged at the prison tomorrow but has been cancelled with four … [Read more...] about Prison cancels opera about violent gangster and gay composer Ivor Novello
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There’s a new Nutcracker in town – Drew McOnie’s vision will open at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club
The world premiere production of The McOnie Company’s Nutcracker will open at London’s new venue the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club at the Southbank Centre on Saturday 4 November 2023 and will run until 6 … [Read more...] about There’s a new Nutcracker in town – Drew McOnie’s vision will open at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club
[Review] Sadiq Ali’s The Chosen Haram – queer intimacy at ten feet
Matthew Paluch sees Sadiq Ali'sThe Chosen Haram in London TitleThe Chosen HaramCompanySadiq AliVenueThe Place, LondonDate9 February 2023ReviewerMatthew Paluch Forbidden is an interesting word. … [Read more...] about [Review] Sadiq Ali’s The Chosen Haram – queer intimacy at ten feet
[Review] Thick & Tight presents “Tits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling career”
Matthew Paluch sees Thick & Tight's "Tits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling career" TitleTits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling careerCompanyThick & TightVenueShoreditch Town … [Read more...] about [Review] Thick & Tight presents “Tits and Teeth – a retrospective of a dazzling career”
The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
I’ve always been interested in how some theatrical works survive the years, and some do not. Giacomo Meyerbeer, for example, was probably the most famous opera composer of the middle years of the 19th … [Read more...] about The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
[Review] Korea’s Dolpagu company presents XXL Leotard, the story of a boy’s leotard fascination
TitleXXL Leotard and Anna Sui Hand MirrorCompanyDolpagu VenueThe Coronet TheatreDate29 September 2022ReviewerMatthew Paluch Can you feel it? Can you feel the ppalli-ppalli of the Hallyu? Need … [Read more...] about [Review] Korea’s Dolpagu company presents XXL Leotard, the story of a boy’s leotard fascination
Dancing Times, May 2022 issue
In the May issue of Dancing Times, I write in the Danza in Italia column about the Rome performance of Touché, a lockdown creation for American Ballet Theatre by Christopher Rudd. The European … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, May 2022 issue
Top dancers provided thrills and emotion for Les Étoiles gala in a time of pandemic
The annual Les Étoiles gala in Rome invites top dancers from all over the world to give the Italian public a taste of what can be found outside Italy’s borders. Rarely are Italian dancers included in … [Read more...] about Top dancers provided thrills and emotion for Les Étoiles gala in a time of pandemic
Touché! Les Étoiles gala features a homosexual pas de deux
The Les Ètoiles gala in Rome (30 and 31 January 2022) will present some usual gala fare with the Don Quixote and Swan Lake pas de deux, and as always with this annual event there will be contemporary … [Read more...] about Touché! Les Étoiles gala features a homosexual pas de deux
[Interview] Choreographer Hervé Koubi – If we can dance together, we can live together
The Hervé Koubi Company recently brought three works to Milan, which I described as being “touching, theatrical and important”. It is the essence of Hervé Koubi’s creative output, producing dance … [Read more...] about [Interview] Choreographer Hervé Koubi – If we can dance together, we can live together
Ballet22 – mxn en pointe
Lockdowns have been crippling for dancers and dance companies, but many have eagerly sought out silver linings and the enforced time out has given opportunities for reflection and reinvention. A … [Read more...] about Ballet22 – mxn en pointe
Sergei Polunin on Liam Scarlett, Russian gays, and getting rid of his Putin tattoo
In an interview with The Telegraph’s Louis Wise, Sergei Polunin dodges the hand grenades he launches about comments in the past about homosexuals and women, and his jaw-dropping Vladimir Putin tattoo. … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on Liam Scarlett, Russian gays, and getting rid of his Putin tattoo
James Whiteside offers Harlequin dance floors to young dancers
Fancy Nut Mix is an online benefit concert devised by American Ballet Theatre’s James Whiteside to raise money to provide dance floors to young dancers. The half-hour programme is now available on … [Read more...] about James Whiteside offers Harlequin dance floors to young dancers
Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years
1910 saw George V ascend to the throne, the trial and execution of Dr Crippen, the publication of E M Forster’s Howard’s End and the birth of Alice Marks, later Alicia Markova, the country’s first … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years
Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
In an interview, before several appearances in the Italian peninsula over the next two months, Sergei Polunin said, I deeply believe in love. It’s a universal feeling; everyone wants to love and be … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on sex change, his new girlfriend, and manning up
Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled
A full-page article in today’s Corriere della Sera, a major Italian newspaper, has the headline: Polunin, the bad boy of dance “is homophobic”. After recent Instagram postings which were widely … [Read more...] about Rights group asks for Polunin ballet in Verona’s Arena to be cancelled
Photo Album: In the Upper Room and Embrace with Birmingham Royal Ballet
In the Upper Room and Embrace were part of a triple-bill programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet called Polarity & Proximity. Embrace, a new ballet commissioned from choreographer George … [Read more...] about Photo Album: In the Upper Room and Embrace with Birmingham Royal Ballet
Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter
After having seen the musical Priscilla, I’ve decided to come out: I’m a Sondheim fan. Yes, Into the Woods, Sweeney, the lot… even Merrily We Roll Along and The Frogs. Every cd, the live recordings, … [Read more...] about Priscilla the musical in Milan reveals the heart beneath the glitter
Vittorio Grigolo jokes “I’m a sex addict”
In an interview with Italy’s Vanity Fair, the always outspoken tenor, Vittorio Grigolo, responded to journalist Sara Faillaci’s question, “Is sex important for you?” with, My name is Vittorio. I’m a … [Read more...] about Vittorio Grigolo jokes “I’m a sex addict”
The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes
The audiences laugh, sometimes the dancers laugh, but getting a dozen or so male dancers on pointe through more than one hundred performances a year is no laughing matter. Being a Trock is a serious … [Read more...] about The Tricks of the Trocks: powder, ice and pointe shoes
The Tricks of the Trocks: questions and answers with Chase Johnsey
Can you give a quick background leading up to how and why you finished up as a Trock? I had a unique experience leading up to joining Ballets Trockadero. My first year at Harrison School of the Arts, … [Read more...] about The Tricks of the Trocks: questions and answers with Chase Johnsey
Sergei Polunin’s Take me to Church: pirouettes or politics?
In the week since David LaChapelle’s video with Sergei Polunin went online it has gone viral, even sending this blog offline a couple of times due to the surge in people searching for information … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin’s Take me to Church: pirouettes or politics?
Joyce DiDonato sings Purcell at Stonewall
Joyce DiDonato has paid tribute to victims of intolerance and injustice in an NPR Music “Field Recording” video, released today at npr.org. In the video, DiDonato performs Purcell’s When I Am Laid In … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato sings Purcell at Stonewall
Joyce DiDonato dedicates Last Night of the Proms performance to Russian gays
Joyce DiDonato has always been fearlessly honest, or at least, has the courage to be honest, though it may cost her a great deal emotionally to get over her fear. I don't know, but I do know that her … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato dedicates Last Night of the Proms performance to Russian gays
Joyce DiDonato dedicates her performance to gay suicide teen Carlos
Tonight I would like to dedicate my performance of La donna del lago to the memory of Carlos Vigil - a New Mexican teen who committed suicide after being mercilessly bullied throughout school. His … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato dedicates her performance to gay suicide teen Carlos
Ballet dancer forced out for making gay porn videos
A ballet dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School is claiming that he has been unfairly dismissed because he acts in pornographic videos. 22-year-old Jeppe Hansen from Denmark, joined the Royal … [Read more...] about Ballet dancer forced out for making gay porn videos
In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
When Roberto Bolle popped out and in of the closet four years ago internet forums and gossip rags foamed at the mouth. Openly gay ballet dancers, like openly gay actors and singers, are few and far … [Read more...] about In and Out: Bolle, Gomes, Stiefel – how easy is it to be an openly gay ballet dancer?
Barbra Streisand’s last concert
With last night's concert in Berlin, Barbra Streisand said auf wiedersehen to Europe forever. In fact, apart from two last concerts in Israel, she is saying goodbye to live concerts … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand’s last concert
Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…
Silvano Bussotti, known as Sylvano, is an Italian eccentric, some say genius, and the word 'flamboyant' appears in many articles about this modern Renaissance man. He is a composer, poet, set and … [Read more...] about Sylvano Bussotti: flamboyant composer, poet, set and costume designer, theatre director, and… and… and…
The Man I Love – was George Gershwin gay?
Michael Feinstein’s book on the Gershwins called, sensibly, “The Gershwins and Me” (Simon & Schuster) was published in October. While he was still working in piano bars, Feinstein got to know Ira … [Read more...] about The Man I Love – was George Gershwin gay?
