What making a documentary about Cardiff's LGBTQIA+ community taught me about myself, and where I fit into that community. When the Sherman Theatre asked for pitches for their Heart of Cardiff series, a set of audio dramas to take the place of their usual autumn season, I took a gamble and pitched a documentary. The... Continue Reading →
Lesbian Actually – Emily Garside on why queer festive film Happiest Season is an important early Christmas gift
**Contains potential spoilers** Happiest Season, which arrives on Hulu in the US today Wednesday November 25th, ticks all the Christmas film and rom-com boxes. It’s got awkward family encounters and secrets. It’s got festive set ups from ice skating to Christmas parties. It has ghosts of Christmases past (and relationships past) and a healthy dose... Continue Reading →
Oliver Awards 2020: a West End celebration & a call to arms
The prestigious celebration of West End theatre, the Olivier Awards, took place at London's Palladium yesterday. Well, sort of. As with much of theatre this year, the Oliviers were an odd mix of the live and not-quite-live. Some awards had already been given out, with the winners sworn to secrecy, and the full ceremony streamed... Continue Reading →
Reflections on the 2020 Tony nominations while Broadway remains dark
The 2020 Tony award nominations were announced this week, and in what is perhaps the most 2020 of theatrical metaphors, nobody actually knows when the winners will be announced. Much like the uncertain future of Broadway theatres, which will remain closed through May 30th 2021. The belated nominations announcement, which should of course have happened... Continue Reading →
Iris Prize LGBT+ International Film Festival 2020 Shorts Highlights
This year's Iris Prize, Cardiff’s LGBT+ international film festival, took place over October 8th to 12th. And while circumstances meant that the festival felt very different to other years, there was still an extremely strong offering of British and international film. Here are a few highlights from the short films, from both the British and... Continue Reading →
Theatre Review: Lessons from amfAR’s digital Angels in America for a new pandemic age ★★★★★
The opening of amfAR’s digital The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America, which premiered on Broadway.com’s YouTube channel on October 8th, places the memory of the AIDS pandemic at its worst alongside now all too familiar images from 2020’s battle with COVID-19. The opener is a stark and sobering reminder of an obvious... Continue Reading →
Exclusive Interview: amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost talks Angels in America fundraiser & lessons from AIDS in the time of COVID-19 “it’s clear that prejudice & racism are again playing a role in the disastrous response from our government”
During this current global health crisis, amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research), has been working to identify gaps in current COVID-19 research efforts and to quickly mobilize resources to fill them. Drawing on 35 years of funding HIV research and working to find a cure for the 38 million people worldwide living with HIV, amfAR have... Continue Reading →
Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart – Art and Activism
Larry Kramer will be remembered for many things, and by many people in the Queer community. As an activist, journalist, and community leader. For his many friendships, and his many disagreements with the community. For mobilizing and uniting, for taking on the political establishment. Nobody channelled rage into action quite like Larry Kramer he was... Continue Reading →