Abinash Bikram Shah creates a strong sense of place and masterfully sustains the tension in his haunting feature debut as writer-director, Elephants in the Fog (तिनीहरू, TinÄ«harÅ«), which made history at Cannes as the first Nepali feature to be included in the festival's official selection. Nominated for the Camera d'Or and Queer Palm, the film... Continue Reading →
Creative, and former romantic, partners Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (affectionately known as Los Javis), who you'll recognise from the judging panel if you've seen Drag Race España, proved how deftly and affectingly they could navigate multiple timelines and narrative threads with their exceptional 2020 miniseries Veneno starring Lola RodrÃguez. It stands among the finest... Continue Reading →
Acclaimed Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont follows his controversial Caméra d'Or and Queer Palm-winning debut Girl, and his Oscar-nominated sophomore feature Close, with the emotionally potent Coward, which was nominated for the Palm D'Or at this year's Cannes and is receiving its North American premiere at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. The First World War-set... Continue Reading →
Expand your misunderstanding of the world. It could be advice or a song lyric or even from a fortune cookie. But there’s a knowing and growing segment of readers who would instead squint and pick up the words, one by one, before coming to the logical conclusion: it’s very Nate Lippens. Which isn’t to say that... Continue Reading →
Gentle, filled with emotion and highly engaging, Sanctuary explores a young man's life at the heart of the AIDS epidemic through his reminiscences with a supportive stranger. Richard Cant and Matthew Tennyson. Photo credit: Andrew Perry. Jacob Sparrow's debut play is truly beautifully written, filled as it is with nostalgia, warmth and melancholy. Set in... Continue Reading →
Emotionally charged, funny and often moving, Spin Cycle takes a queer meet-cute and develops it into something far more impactful. Rhiannon Bell and Zofia Zerphy. Photo credit: Sofia Salazar. When two ex-lovers meet again for the first time at a laundrette, their history is momentarily washed away and they can start with a clean slate.... Continue Reading →
Bold, brash and unapologetic, Acid's Reign is a punchy queer musical about climate change, activism, and whether it is more important to stay true to your beliefs or to seek the biggest platform. Acid's Reign cast. Photo credit: Relish Theatre. Initially set in 2019, accidental activist Alex Acid meets radical protester Ria Listic when they... Continue Reading →
A skilful, powerful and moving story told through exceptional Chinese pole, aerial and dance work, Tell Me puts two stories of HIV diagnosis side by side in this thoroughly compelling piece. Created and directed by Sadiq Ali, Tell Me is the long-awaited sequel to his award-winning The Chosen Haram. Fusing circus with an expressive, emotive... Continue Reading →
Part play, part drag king poetry-slam, Tessa Parr’s I Am Johnny is an intimate, uncomfortable and often hilarious exploration of toxic masculinity. Parr bounds onto the stage, a vision of slicked-back hair and painted abs - who may or may not have come straight from the gym. Absolutely committed to her portrayal of Johnny, Parr... Continue Reading →
Witty, bold and straight to the point, Lois-Amber Toole's solo show SLAY follows a lass from the North East as she tries to escape her traumatic past. Lois-Amber Toole. Photo credit: Steve Ullathorne. Armed with self-defence spray, a PTSD diagnosis and an accent that sometimes elicits condescension, Kit moves to London to try and build... Continue Reading →
