VOL 3 ISSUE 5 Beige | Volume 3 | Issue 5
BECAUSE YOUR LIFE IS COLOURFUL
BEHIND THE LABEL WONDERFUL WHISKY THEATRE ADAM GARCIA SPINS US AROUND SHOWCASE ART COLIN SPENCER’S NEW PAINTINGS
ENOUGH
HOLLYWOOD CONFIDENTIAL
MARLON BRANDO, JIMMY DEAN, GETTING IT ON IN A LIMOSINE?
AT HOME WITH
WE PEEK INSIDE MANHUNT’S SPRAWLING MOUNTAINSIDE VILLA
THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON FILM PREVIEW: THE MOVIES MAKING WAVES THIS SUMMER
PARTY BOYS
THE BEST INTERNATIONAL GATHERINGS 2010
TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS?
THE THORNY QUESTION OF OPEN RELATIONSHIPS
active GET
LEON LOPEZ FLEXES HIS MUSCLES FOR NATIONAL MEN’S HEALTH WEEK
Three Fabulous All-Gay Cruises this Summer. Copenhagen to Amsterdam Pride Cruise • 29 July - 8 August
Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, plus an overnight for Amsterdam Gay Pride on the stunning Eurodam
Venice to Athens Cruise • 16 –24 August
Istanbul, Santorini, Mykonos, and the Dalmation Coast on the new Celebrity Equinox
Athens to Barcelona Cruise • 24 August - 2 September
Rome, Sicily, Naples, and an overnight in Tel Aviv on the new Celebrity Equinox
Photography: Kal Yee, Jeff Eason
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Summer Holiday Plans?
We’re sailing Europe. Do you cruise? We’re bringing the biggest and best gay cruises of all time to Europe this summer, with three fantastic new sailings on the newest top-rated ships in the world. We’re even sailing the first cruise into Amsterdam’s legendary gay pride! Unique experiences, custom designed for the way we play. From the beaches in Mykonos to the cafes of Tel Aviv, you’ll relax and explore in style and comfort. Featuring the world’s best gay and lesbian entertainers, innovative parties, and friends from around the world. All at rates you can easily afford. To learn more about these and our other exciting Atlantis holidays, visit our web site, see your travel agent or ring us today at +44 (0) 20 7292 2380.
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vol 3 issue 5 Beige | Volume 3 | Issue 5
Cover: Model: Leon Lopez Photographed by Sean Hickey
because your life is colourful
behind the label wonderful whisky theatre adam garcia spins us around showcase art colin spencer’s new paintings
enough
hollywood confidential
marlon brando, Jimmy dean, geTTing iT on in a limosine?
at home with
we peek inside manhunT’s sprawling mounTainside villa
the sun always shines on film preview: The movies making waves This summer
party boys
The besT inTernaTional gaTherings 2010
too much togetherness?
contents
The Thorny quesTion of open relaTionships
active get
vol 3 iss 5
leon lopez flexes his muscles for national men’s health week
Welcome
Features
Hello and welcome to Beige!
30
Beige is going truly international this issue. It’s not only
16 Why I love my provincial Pride
Torbay Pride’s Matt Newbury on the lure of regional LGBT events
18 Too much togetherness?
because each issue is available to read online every
month by avid readers across the globe, but also because in this issue we really do have one leg in London, one in New York and the world in-between (as French and
Peter Burton ruminates on the thorny topic of open relationships
26 The Big Gay Apple
Saunders once said). Firstly, we’re looking at the best ways to party in 2010 with a peek at the best gay events happening around
A preview of this year’s Beigepartnered New York Pride
28 Fashion queen
the world. In addition to this, we look at sailing in Turkey,
modern Montreal, and chat to John Tanzella, President of
Vivienne Westwood, unclothed
30 Hollywood Confidential
the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.
But hold on there, readers! That’s not all… as Pride season kicks
Peter Burton discovers some of the secrets behind Tinseltown’s closet doors
34 London Calling
off, we also preview
London Pride, and nip
36
across the pond the get the lowdown on this year’s New York Pride,
36 Cover Story: Fitness Active
which Beige is proud to be media partner of. Elswhere, Josh Winning previews the best summer
What’s our capital city doing to celebrate LGBT lives at Pride this year? Leon Lopez helps us get fit
47 Summer Movin’
28
film releases; GaydarRadio’s
GaydarRadio’s Phil Marriot on the tunes destined to shake up summer
54 Travel Special!
Phil Marriott tunes in to the tracks that are going to
the gay sex secrets of Hollywood’s leading men; we
Featuring Montreal, Turkey and a look at the best international parties
tackle the touchy topic of open relationships; and, to
70 Flat Lift, not Face Lift!
be the soundtrack to your summer; Peter Burton reveals
keep our international theme alive, we take an exclusive
peek inside Manhunt’s Palm Springs mountainside party villa.
Robin Anderson on how to turn winter blues into summer hues in your home
Enjoy! DOUGLAS MAYO, Editor Editor Douglas Mayo editor@beigeuk.com Commercial Manager Chris Colman 0203 371 1850 chris@beigeuk.com
Sales Executive Craig Davies 020 3371 1425 craig@beigeuk.com
Advertising/ Subscriptions advertising@beigeuk.com 0203 006 3094
Film Josh Winning
Features Editor Torsten Højer torsten@beigeuk.com
Design Phillip Wentworth www.CarlHobden.co.uk
Books Peter Burton
Behind the Label Mark Ludmon
Contributors Adam Lake Joey Suchow Phil Marriott Robin Anderson Ryan Levitt Timothy Perkins Tony Tansley
Beige UK is published by Next Phase Media Suite 404 Albany House 324-326 Regent Street London W1B 3HH T: 0203 004 8133 F: 0871 714 6996 ISSN 1756-7211
www.beigeuk.com
All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written consent of Beige UK. The views and opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine may not necessarily represent the views of Beige UK. Beige UK takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements featured in this magazine. Beige UK can take no responsibility for unsolicited material. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness, and the opinions based thereon are not guaranteed. Disclaimer: Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organisation, articles or advertising in Beige UK should not be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organisation or advertiser. (c) Next Phase Media
4 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
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Regulars 8 Fresh!
New products, people, names, faces, gigs, fabulous stuff
21 Wellbeing
contents
Going abroad for surgery?
24 20vs50
vol 3 iss 5
50
Adam Lake and Tony Tansley go head to head on Pride
41 Off the Shelf: Books
61
The best new queer literature
44 Showcase
Colin Spencer’s new paintings
50 Film
Summer movies to watch out for
50 Music
This month’s hottest new releases
67 Theatre: Upstaged
76
Adam Garcia spins us around
74 Property
Our resident expert Martin Roberts imparts home advice
76 At home with... Manhunt’s Jonathan Crutchley A peek inside Manhunt’s mountainside villa
80 Community
26
All the numbers you need
82 Nightcap
The pleasure of whisky
Beige distribution list MANCHESTER Alter Ego Crunch Churchills Coyotes Cruz 101 Company Bar Legends New York, New York Paddy’s Goose Queer Spirit Thompsons Arms Vanilla Via Taurus The New Union Velvet Essentials Clone Zone LONDON SOUTH Barcode Kasbar The Little Appple The Rose and Crown Two Brewers 6 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Two8Six Eagle London Union XXL RVT LONDON CENTRAL Barcode Admiral Duncan The Box Bar Comptons The Edge Friendley Society Halfway2heaven Ku Bar / Ku Club Kudos Clone Zone The Stag Gays The Word Profile Prowler The Quebec Retro Bar Rupert St 79 CXR Vault 139 Village
The Yard The Green LONDON EAST The Angel Bar Music Hall The George & Dragon The Joiner’s Arms The Victoria The White Swan Dalston Superstore LONDON NORTH The Black Cap The Green The King Edward VI Kink Bar KW4 LONDON WEST The Hope & Anchor The Load of Hay The Queen’s Head The Richmond Arms West 5
The Windsor Castle Escape Kingston Lush BRIGHTON Amsterdam Aquarium Theatre Bar Bulldog Caledonian Bar Charles St Bar Grosvenor Bar Legends Marine Tavern The PV @ ...The Jury’s Out The Queen’s Arms R Bar Revenge The Star Inn Vavoom Bar The Zone BIRMINGHAM The Loft Lounge Bar Jester Eden Equator Missing Bar
The Village Inn Club DV8 The Fox The Fountain Nightingale CARDIFF 4 Play Bar Icon The Golden Cross Pulse WOW Bar Yupi Bar Exit Club SWANSEA Champers The Exchange The Kings Arms
The Pink Broadway BOURNEMOUTH The Bakers Arms The Branksome Arms The Triangle Club Xchange Bar Beyond RubyZ PORTSMOUTH Hampshire Boulevard Martha’s Club The Old Vic
BLACKPOOL Flamingos The Flying Handbag Funny Girls Kaos Bar NEWPORT The Mardi Gras Aber Pride The New road Inn Pepes Bar SOUTHAMPTON Roxy’s The Bevois The Edge BRISTOL The Endeavour Bristol Bear Bar The London Flamingos
The Lounge Retreat Old Market Tavern
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fresh!
gigs • news • gadgets • prides • products • cars • stuff!
Photography property of and copyright Atlantis Events
CRUISING FOR A FABULOUS PARTY - COPENHAGEN TO AMSTERDAM BALTIC CRUISE
Somebody put some clothes on already! Our friends at Atlantis Events are taking a ship load of seamen (yes, SEAMEN. Well, men who like the sea, anyway) on a Baltic cruise. The best of the Baltic meets Amsterdam Gay Pride with the first cruise to sail into Europe’s most gay-friendly city. Onboard the stunning Eurodam, you’ll explore the best of Northern Europe as you sail from beautiful Copenhagen. Stunningly beautiful cities, welcoming cultures, and magical nights await. Add an exciting overnight in Amsterdam to create our hottest cruise of the summer. Prices range from US$1699 to $8999. The cruise happens from 29 July – 8 August 2010. Visit www.atlantisevents.com
Upgrade your life Do you want to improve your health but are not sure where to start? Maybe you want to eat better, drink less, or rethink your friendships or relationships? If so, then look out for the new booklet, ‘Upgrade Your Life’ from GMFA. It hits the scene this month. 8 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Air conditioning is soooo last year Bringing a breath of fresh light into any living or working space, Beams of Light bathe rooms in colour. Choose from the comprehensive range of invigorating brights and calming neutrals. Ambient light temperature is now clean and controllable, just like air conditioning, but visible! Priced from £125 per linear metre, LUX-FLUX design and manufacture horizontal, vertical, diagonal or floating features to precisely the length required. For more, email kimthonger@me.com
UK PRIDES 2010
why not visit them all?
June Torbay Pride Oxford Pride Pride London Festival Sheffield Pride Gloucestershire Pride Swansea Pride
Rufus Wainwright Thirty-six-year-old Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, now on his sixth studio album, plays one-off gigs for die-hard fans at selected festivals and venues. Known for his romantic lyrics and rich sounds – and impersonating Judy Garland to almost perfection – catch him while you can.
Saturday 3 July, Kenwood House, London, Sunday 4 July, Brighton Centre www.rufuswainwright.com
Pet Shop Boys: Pandemonium With an Outstanding Contribution to Music Brit award under their belts, Pet Shop Boys are riding high on a career that is as relevant now as it was in the 80s. Expect more PSB-style pandemonium and artful production.
Tue 13 Jul, Empress Ballroom & Arena at Winter Gardens, Blackpool; Mon 19 Jul Brighton Centre; Tue 20 Jul, Bournemouth International Centre; Wed 21 Jul Cardiff International Arena; Fri 23 Jul, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle.
11-13 June 12 June 18 June-4 July 26 June 26 June 26 June
www.pridetorbay.org www.oxfordpride.org.uk www.pridelondon.org www.sheffieldpride.org.uk www.gloucestershirepride.org.uk www.swanseapride.com
10 July 3 July 9-11 July
www.derbygoespink.com www.pridelondon.org www.bournefree.co.uk.
17 July 17 July 24-31 July 31 July–8 Aug 31 July 31 July
www.npride.org.uk www.thanetpride.co.uk www.belfastpride.com www.brightonpride.org www.norwichpride.org.uk www.nottinghampride.co.uk
August Pride In Brighton & Hove Leeds Pride Liverpool Pride Stoke Pride Doncaster Pride Swindon Pride Manchester Pride Bristol Pride Pink Festival Cambridge Cornwall Gay Pride
7 August 1 August 7 August 7 August 12 August 14 August 20-30 August 21 August 21 August 28 August 2010
www.brightonpride.org www.leedspride.com Facebook group www.gaystoke.org.uk www.doncasterpride.co.uk www.swindonpride.com www.manchesterpride.com www.pridebristol.com www.pinkfestival.com www.cornwallpride.co.uk
September Cardiff Mardi Gras Reading Pride Essex Pride (Chelmsford) Barnsley Pride
4 September 4 September 5 September 5 September
www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk www.readingpride.co.uk www.essexpride.org.uk www.barnsleypride.org.uk
July Derby Goes Pink Pride London Bourne Free Pride Festival Northern Pride Newcastle-upon-Tyne Thanet Pride Belfast Pride Brighton Festival Week Norwich Pride Nottingham Pride
fresh!
Derren Brown Unique in his approach to mind games, Derren Brown has carved an incredible and unparalleled career out for himself. Mind reader, magician and paranormal sceptic, Brown is probably best known for his live Channel 4 game of Russian Roulette in 2003 (he survived, luckily). He’s touring the UK throughout June. Visit www. derrenbrown.co.uk
Leona Lewis: tour
Jump Britain The one downside of using a trampoline is bouncing with such exuberance that one bounces… well, off. Ouch. What better way to eliminate such dangers than putting protective netting around the bouncing area, like the clever folk behind this 14ft Trampoline have done? Rather than restrict the fun, having a net around it just means that you’re subconsciously less likely to bounce erratically around the edges like a daredevil - probably for the best. If you’re going to be bouncing around the place on such a whopping scale as this, you need some heavy duty springs, and plenty of them. Fortunately, there are 88 individual springs on this monster, all of them united in their purpose: to make you giggle like a schoolgirl as you gambol freely through the air. Comes with a bag and a cover for when it starts to rain. Which it will, as soon as the British Weather sees you having a good time.
£399 www.iwantoneofthose.com
10 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Leona Lewis’s single ‘Bleeding Love’ has now hit the top spot in thirty countries around the world. She’s cracked America and, despite her incredible success and brushes with crazed fans (one guy punched her in the face at a booksigning) she shows no signs of ‘doing a Whitney’ and cracking up. Yet. But hey, she’s only 25. Guaranteed to be good live! Touring the UK throughout June: www.leonalewismusic.co.uk
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fresh!
WIN! AUSSIEBUM
If the words ‘Aussie’, ‘bum’ and ‘underwear’ weren’t enough to get you in the mood for some sexy pants, then the addition of the ‘lockerboy’ range will tip you over the edge. New from our friends at aussiebum, the lockerboy range is fun, colorful and sexy. Beige has them in stock ready for three lucky readers to win the full 5 colour lockerboy range by answering this question: where are the aussiebum headquarters? Email your answer to competition@beigeuk.com before the end of June. Winners will be notified by email. If you’re not lucky enough to win, then get yourself some for £16 from Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, House Of Fraser, Prowler or www.aussiebum.com
Sun god products: summer skin success! Left to right: Compagnie de Provence shower scrub, £tbc • Jergens Naturals Skin Firming Body Moisturiser £4.99 for 200ml • Miners Bronzer Blend Collection, £3.99 • Alva’s Sea Buckthorn Skin Oil costs £17.00 for 100ml www.alva. co.uk • Ahava Mineral Suncare £18.50 for
250ml) or SPF30 (rrp £19.00 for 250ml) • Love the Planet New Edition Neroli and Bergamot Moisture Cream (£8.95- 50ml) • Love the Planet Shampoo (£3.75-200ml)
12 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
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HE’S BACK!
Where there’s a Will... Thirty-one-year-old Will Young has now sold more than eight million albums worldwide, making him one of the big success stories of the Pop-Idol formula that’s now a worldwide phenomenon (he was the first person to win on the ‘Idol’ formula shows in 2002). He’s been voted the UK’s Favourite Artist twice, and is fast becoming a national treasure. The fact that he’s got a great voice, records ‘interesting’ music and is open about his gayness only adds to his charm. Will Young is touring places as diverse as Henley, Douglas and Ebbw Vale this summer, with loads of dates at lots of festivals, so check his) rather wonderful) website for details of how you can experience him over the coming months. www.willyoung.co.uk
Shake and vac: the intense dumbbell The Shake Weight is specifically designed to tone your arms as well as your upper body by strengthening your core by moving rapidly from side to side as the internal resistance and shaft bounce the weight back and forth. The resistance movement creates up to 240 muscle contractions a minute which increases muscle activity, ensuring you get a concentrated work out.
£29.95, www.highstreettv.com
Apple iPad: what’s that all about? It’s an eBook reader. It’s a touch screen computer. It’s a gaming pad. It’s a movie player. It’s for browsing the web and sending emails…With the iPad now getting nerds hot under the collar in the UK, is anyone any clearer on what it actually is? According to Peter Buckley, author of The Rough Guide to the iPad the answer is “pretty much anything you want it to be, you just need to know how”.
Asus EeeTop PC Marketed as an easy-to-use machine for computer-illiterate but fashion conscious men, the Eee PC 1008P (£349) is a good-looking and great value computer from ASUS. Check high street retailers and Amazon.co.uk for deals.
The Rough Guide to the iPad Published: June 2010, ISBN 9781848368934, £7.99 vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 15
Why I love my beigecomment
provincial pride By Matt Newbury, organiser of Torbay Pride
I
had an email from a youth threatening to take their children group a few weeks ago, out of the Bay for the weekend to asking if they might be religious condemnation. Oh and of able to get a special deal course the classic, “well why don’t on some cheap tickets we organise a ‘straight’ pride.” for the gay circus event we have But for every negative rant, there organised for this year’s Pride Torbay, were eight positive comments all in the UK’s only full sized big top. One universally agreeing that it was young chap who was just about to about time the gay community of turn 16 wanted to bring a group of 10 the English Riviera came out to play. LGBT members along to our ‘Cirque Colourful girls at last year’s Torbay Pride On the back of the story, a thousand du so Gay’ event. or so people instantly signed up He’d had a really bad year, being bullied in school and the to the Pride Torbay Facebook Group and we set about putting negative reaction of some friends and family to his “coming out.” on a festival that would do the local community and their high As Pride Torbay is very much about community groups like this, expectations, proud. we of course offered them all free tickets. The tickets arrived We very much designed Pride Torbay to be an arts festival that on his birthday and the excitement this small gesture elicited is not only incredibly diverse in scope, but the people it welcomes made the months of work and stress in organising Pride Torbay as well. We also wanted to show off the stunning natural heritage all worthwhile. of the English Riviera by putting events on in some truly unique The journey that I have been on with Pride Torbay since its locations. The successful formula is continuing with this year’s inception during a drunken conversation in the Meadfoot Inn event, with a garden party in the stunning grounds of Torre Abbey, in Torquay two years ago has been one of those clichéd rollerthemed club nights, a pool barbecue, a football tournament, a coaster journeys to say the least. Torbay has been somewhat of a cabaret street party and Cirque du so Gay, a specially developed compact gay Mecca since the days when Oscar Wilde holidayed gay circus in the UK’s only full-sized circus top. here – he even wrote the letter to Bosie that was to be later used We will again be repeating the hugely successful opening boat against him in his infamous trial. “It is a lovely place,” he wrote. party, which last year attracted some spectacularly ineffectual “It only lacks you.” religious protestors. Calling themselves “Silent Witnesses” they Not only does Torquay boast what is probably the longest stood on the edge of the pier as we prepared to depart in rather running gay club to have run from the same venue (CandyFloss cheap t-shirts and refused to talk to us. They also came to a beach – formerly Rocky’s), it is also home to what is believed to be party we organised a couple of days later and one of the highlights the oldest gay hotel in the UK. Over the years the Cliff House for me was to catch a few of them tapping their feet enjoying the has been visited by the likes of Christopher Biggins, Lionel Blair, bands on the stage, unaware that they were being observed. Su Pollard, Barbara Windsor, Dockyard Doris, Danny La Rue, April What a difference a year can make. Today we have regular Ashley, Dora Bryan, Cynthia Payne, and Hinge and Bracket. The stories about Pride Torbay in the local rag, most of which only Cliff House was also one of the meeting places for the original attract the occasional comment and nearly all those are now Gay News group. positive. The success of the inaugural festival saw the support of It’s a long and impressive cultural history that is being the English Riviera Tourist Board and Torbay Council double, with celebrated through a specially developed guided Walk With Pride large sections of the local trade wanting to get in on the action at this year’s festival. But it’s a history that has often been hidden and their hands on a slice of the pink pie. Suddenly everyone away on back streets and alleyways and staircases with discreet realises how amazing this could be for tourism! doors and bells to ring. For all the claims we are a cosmopolitan I suppose in many ways a pride festival in a provincial seaside tourism destination, the gay scene in Torquay has always resort is as important as a pride event in a bigger city. While large remained somewhat closeted. numbers of gay people escape to the safety of big established This became no more apparent than when the first press gay ghettos, many people also choose to live in places like the release about the inaugural Pride Torbay hit the local paper last English Riviera, with stunning views, a relaxed pace of life and a year. The story attracted a staggering number of comments on small but perfectly well formed gay scene. And once a year we the forum of the Herald Express website. Many of the responses like to come out and play and show the wider community that not were sadly familiar, showing what a piously conservative only are we here, but that our lifestyle is both normal and a huge place the English Riviera can still be. They ranged from people amount of fun as well.
Why not join in the fun on the ‘Rainbow Riviera’? Visit www.pridetorbay.org for more information (Pride Torbay takes place Friday 11 - Sunday 13 June) 16 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Matt Newbury
“People were threatening to take their children out of the area while Pride weekend was on”
Mr Newbury’s opinions are not necessarily those of Beige magazine. If you have a viewpoint on this topic, we would love to hear from you. Write to us at editor@beigeuk.com with the subject line ‘Letter to the editor’.
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beigecomment
TOO MUCH
togetherness? M
ost of our intimate relationships are founded upon (and founder upon) a full gamut of sexual expectations. That’s a broad generalisation, but one that contains an iron backbone of truth. Those most intimate relationships commence with overwhelming attraction (usually sparked by appearance and apparel as we don’t yet know the individual) and desire, the expectation of eventual satiation of sexual promise. Desire comes before love, but love may follow in the footsteps of desire fulfilled. That’s the point at which all too often the problems begin to make themselves evident. All relationships are individual. For example, those between two gay men are entirely unlike those between a heterosexual man and a heterosexual woman (gay men and lesbian women know this because they have instances around them throughout their lives – the dominant culture which we can take as a model or from which we can extract such component parts as suit our lives and our relationships. Regardless of the gender of the partners, all relationships have to have parameters agreed between them. Agreed parameters can be and usually are entirely different from those imposed by legal constraints – marriage for heterosexual couples, a civil partnership for a gay or lesbian couple. Here, of course, is an assumption: relationships consist of two people. Not always true. One of the sexual expectations upon which gay male relationships often founder is that of fidelity. To insist on two partners being sexually faithful, sexually loyal to one another suggests a lack of certainty about the relationship, a lack of trust, a degree of jealously and a great deal of
18 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
sense of possession by one or the other. Yet surely relationships are about more than sexual behaviour, to put it brutally, about where one individual parks a particular blood-engorged muscle? For twenty-three years, my prime relationship was with one person. Prime relationship. There were others, but they were less important and the two of us remained connected by loving ties until his death twentytwo years ago. Had he still been alive, we might still be together today. Ours was a successfully open relationship for a variety of reasons. We weren’t always in love at coincident moment. Sometimes he was in love with me; sometimes it was the other way around. On occasion there was an entirely wonderful coincidence of emotion. We had different sexual needs. His were intense, compulsive. My sexual needs were more akin to an appetite that required assuaging. That we weren’t sexually faithful to each other really didn’t concern us. We were emotionally faithful. Our relationship had firm foundations that didn’t require each other’s semen as the cement that held us together. And despite my work (with an alcoholic novelist, with a successful rock band) which took me out of the country for great stretches of time, we had terrific times together (did my taking him to New York cause the fateful encounter with the HIV virus that would eventually kill him?) but we instinctively knew that there could be too much of a good thing, that too much togetherness could smother our relationship. We had our own friends, we had our own lives, we weren’t held together sexually and, for us, it worked. Of course, it might not for someone else…
Peter Burton
Peter Burton ruminates on the thorny question of open relationships
comment “Our relationship didn’t require each other’s semen as the cement to hold us together”
Mr Burton’s opinions are not necessarily those of Beige magazine. If you have a viewpoint on this topic, we would love to hear from you. Write to us at editor@beigeuk.com with the subject line ‘Letter to the editor’.
Building your
Do you want more confidence in your life, including your sex life? On this one day course you’ll learn practical skills to help build your confidence. It’ll help you talk to the men you like, say yes to the sex you want and no to the sex you don’t and be in control of condom use to ensure sex is as safe as you want it to be. COURSES FOR GAY MEN We are running ‘Building Your Confidence’ classes in cities in England. All places on the course are free of charge. The course starts at 10am and finishes at 5pm
Book your place online at www.gmfa.org.uk/national or call 020 7738 3712 BSL interpreters available by arrangement
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15/06/2010 15:39:09
Aromatherapyheaven
orsten, our Features Editor, could not have put it more succinctly – or unsubtly - ‘Aromatherapy originated in Egyptian times, didn’t it?’ RA. ‘Yes.’ ‘Well, perhaps you would like to drop by the BODYAROMATICS CLINIC & SPA in Warwick Road, have a treatment and tell us if you find any changes as to the original methods...’ Thank you, Torsten! This I duly did and, if these treatments are, in AD, as they were in BC, all I can say is, ‘Lucky Egyptians!’ Tariq Timur – owner and supremo of the BODYAROMATICS CLINIC – does, on first meeting, inspire an immediate rapport of calmness and assurance. This gentleman knows what he’s talking about! Tariq - not only charming, softly spoken, impressive but with the added bonus of movie star looks - simply beams with confidence and professionalism. You know that you are going to be in – literally – the safest hands from the moment you enter his clinic. ‘But what is Aromatherapy?’ Around 1930 the term Aromatherapy was coined to describe the use of essential oils for promoting health and wellbeing – aka the therapy which utilises plant aromas. In fact, essential oils have been used in healing for many thousands of years, even before Egyptian times. Their use dwindled in the 1800s but came to the
beigewellbeing
By Robin Anderson
fore again in the 1900s when a French chemist, on severely burning his hand in a laboratory accident, inadvertently plunged it into lavender essential oil. The result was a rapid healing of the burns and limited scarring. The chemist, a Monsieur Gattefosse, therefore began investigating other essential oils and so the practice was revitalised. For the uninitiated (how pompous I now sound!), essential oils are extracts from different parts of a plant, be it from the leaves, flowers, stem, bark, roots or the fruit. These different oils are each attributed to holding unique properties which can be utilised by the body to aid health and prevent disease, It is here that Tariq’s expertise comes to the fore during his preliminary consultation with you. An Aromatherapy treatment begins with this thorough consultation which takes into account factors such as nutrition, posture, skin and general health. It is not only your physical wellbeing which is important to Tariq, but also your mental wellbeing. Diet and lifestyle is also discussed. Following the consultation, one or two essential oils are selected and blended specially for you and, once this has been achieved, the client then receives a massage using the special oils. And what a massage! Tariq begins with the lower right leg, working his way up to the top and then onto the back, with a repeat performance to the left leg. On turning over, the rest of the body is worked on but I was surprised to note that whereas the stomach is massaged, the chest is left alone. When questioned, Tariq explained that unless there are respiratory problems, the chest is left alone. The massage relieves tension, assists in lymph drainage and improves the circulation, thus helping the oils to permeate and circulate throughout the whole body, rejuvenating, removing aches and pains and generally promoting good health. Last but not least, I was also informed that, with the use of specially selected oils and a concurrent course of home treatment, localised and chronic conditions such as sinusitis, bronchitis, leg cramps and more can be alleviated. Aromatherapy is also extensively in the battle against arthritis and asthma. Somehow I don’t think the majority of Beige readers are interested in reducing period problems or stretch marks... though I could be wrong about the latter! BODYAROMATICS CLINIC & SPA, Warwick Road, London SW5 9UG www.bodyaromatics.co.uk / 020 7370 6777
Waxoff! e are the only chain of waxing clinics in the UK to work exclusively with hot wax,” they tell us. “Here at Amazon Beauty we believe less is more. We have taken the ordinary conventions of waxing, and looked further afield for inspiration in order to create an experience like no other. Not happy with the negative associations of waxing we were faced with the ultimate challenge of providing an experience which is virtually painless and provides flawless, long lasting results. “Amazon beauty has broken the conventional approach to waxing, bringing our clients an extraordinary experience and result like no other! And here’s how: 100% natural wax, which does not contain artificial preservatives. The warmth of the wax opens the pores of your skin allowing the hair and the root to be more easily removed. Quick method, no strips! Which allows us to work on large areas all at once. Each client receives a thorough consultation, so we understand your skin and provide a better treatment for you.” Fancy giving it a go? www.thetanningshop.co.uk - there are venues throughout the UK
For most men, the thought of waxing makes us wince with horror. When it comes to waxing those more intimate parts, ditto, but multiplied by 100. But The Tanning Shop is offering ‘the least painful waxing method on the beauty market today’.
vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 21
beigewellbeing
Health kick:
going abroad for surgery
H
ealth care around the world is improving year on year, breakthroughs in technology, genetics and stem cell research have allowed us to live longer and healthier lives than any other generation in history. However, these types of treatment come with a big price tag. For some, high costs and long waiting lists and infection risks mean they cannot access the treatment they need within their own country. Medical tourism has emerged to help people overcome these obstacles and is now a fast-growing industry around the world. New figures show that the combination of sun, sea and surgery is persuading more than 10,000 Britons and a staggering 150,000 Americans a year to travel as far afield as Brazil, South Africa and Malaysia for cheap surgery. This number is sure to grow as more people discover the eye-popping medical-cost savings overseas recently described in Forbes magazine and elsewhere. A $55,000 heart valve replacement in the U.S. can be as little as $13,000 at Cyprus’s American Heart Institute. The total cost of hip replacement per patient ranges from £948 in Hungary to £6422 in the Netherlands. Some sceptics argue that medical service at such low prices must be inferior, but the Joint Commission International, which rigorously inspects hospitals around the world, has accredited over 125 hospitals in 23 countries, and expects that number to double soon. Moreover, it’s argued that medical treatment in some countries surpasses that offered in the United States and the UK.
THE LIST OF MTQUA TOP 10 WORLD’S BEST HOSPITALS FOR MEDICAL TOURISTS 1. Fortis (formerly Wockhardt) Hospital, Bangalore, India (wockhardthospitals.net) 2. Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore (parkwayhealth.com) 3. Prince Court Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (princecourt.com) 4. Shouldice Hospital, Toronto, Canada (shouldice.com) 5. Schoen-Kliniken, Munich, Germany (schoen-kliniken.de) 6. Bumrungrad International, Bangkok, Thailand (bumrungrad.com) 7. Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, Bangkok, Thailand (bangkokhospital.com) 8. Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, Korea (wooridul.com) 9. Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon (cmc.com.lb) 10. Christus Muguerza Super Specialty Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico (christusmuguerza.com.mx)
THE TOP 10 WORLD’S BEST HOSPITALS FOR MEDICAL TOURISTS “Medical tourism is more than getting good medical care abroad – safety and security, international patient operations and protocols, transparency and professional patient facilitation are key to achieving an excellent medical outcome for international patients who are more important than just the cost of care,” says Medical Travel and Health Tourism Quality Alliance (MTQUA) founder Julie Munro, a leading medical travel facilitator and health tourism expert. All 10 hospitals on the MTQUA Top 10 World’s Best Hospitals list provide medical treatment and care of the highest quality with the most advanced technology. All have outstanding local and regional reputations.
SO CAN GOING ABROAD FOR SURGERY REALLY WORK FOR YOU? Brightonian Carl Churchman, 33, underwent eye bag surgery (blepharoplasty) in Prague, Czech Republic four years ago. His eye bags were hereditary and he had wanted to get them removed for quite some time. Although he had consultations with well known surgeries in the UK he felt that the £2,600 quote was far too expensive just for taking a little bit of skin away. However, the eye bags were really getting him down so his boyfriend looked on the internet and they discovered the Beautiful Beings website in Prague where the prices were much lower. With 10 days accommodation, flights and surgery the total cost was £1,600 cheaper than the UK quotes – with the eye bag surgery costing just £860. “I was really nervous beforehand,” he admits. “However, it couldn’t have been more straightforward, I found the interpreter fantastic and the surgery was spotless and really modern. I took three weeks off work and only had black eyes for a few days. We were in Prague for 10 days, staying in the nearby apartment which was like a home-fromhome and costing just £40 a night. I am so pleased with the results.”
22 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
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What does Pride mean to me? A CELEBRATION by Adam Lake
Living in Ladbroke Grove there are always two big events that I get involved with every summer, Gay Pride and the Notting Hill Carnival. Both events celebrate diversity and have gone through a transformation from political protest to vibrant street party. But I don’t think that the similarities end there. Many straight people, and probably some gay guys too, don’t see the point in gay pride. Many argue that our fight for acceptance has been won, at least in London anyway. But I believe that Gay Pride is still important, and in more ways then one. Firstly, we have not won our quest for real equality. In London perhaps, Brighton too, even in smaller towns big improvements have been made. But look at Malawi, Uganda or even Moscow to name but a few places where being open about your sexuality can get you into big trouble. Gay Pride is a chance for the fortunate to join together in solidarity with those whose time has not yet come. Secondly, pride is not a protest anymore but a celebration. Some people have accused Pride of becoming just a big party but I think that it is more then that. Pride isn’t just an opportunity to flaunt our sexuality via the medium of feather boas and glitter, Pride is a genuine attempt at bring people together to celebrate the fact that diversity is the spice of life. In the same way that white people have been enjoying the Notting Hill Carnival for years we are now seeing an increasing amount of straight people who come along to Pride and join in the fun. Equality and acceptance isn’t about ghettoising ourselves but having the freedom to experience other peoples ways of life and allowing them to experience yours. I have only ever been to Pride events in the UK: Manchester, Brighton and London, which last year attracted over a million people. I think that it is important to remember that all over the world there are people who can’t even hold hands in public, let alone celebrate their sexuality. I think that our focus now has to be to support those people who really fight to have events like gay pride. By holding every year a positive, welcoming and dignified Pride we can set the example to the rest of the world that equality and diversity the necessities of a modern society. 26 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
In an ongoing series, two men, one aged twenty-something, the other fifty, air their views on aspects of gay life.
Tired drag queens take a moment out of Pride day. Picture by Giovanni Dall’Orto.
“High profile
speakers wanted to relay a message that ‘we’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going anywhere’. But politics has become less important”
A POLITICAL STATEMENT by Tony Tansley
It has always been difficult to define what Pride is all about. Is it a parade, is it a party, is it a political statement, part of our gay heritage or just another excuse to get drunk and off your face on drugs? In effect, it’s all of the above and has special meaning to different people for many reasons. When I was part of Pride at the very beginning, creating a safe environment and a day of showing solidarity was extremely important. High profile speakers mixed with pop singers, groups and drag queens wanted to relay a message that “we’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going anywhere”. Unfortunately as the years progressed, politics became less important when our rights increased and commercialisation took over (more as a matter of financial survival than necessity). Of course, this was not enough and Pride collapsed. What we have now is a political centre stage in London with a parade, street party and throughout the country localised, and no less important, regional Prides. Some argue that it’s a waste of time and effort and those same people tend to forget that equality is ongoing, human rights are ongoing, discrimination is ongoing and we achieve our individualism by being what we are… and that is GAY. So, enjoy your Pride, but please take just one moment to remember that you still have the freedom in this country to express yourself.
www.abstractdreams.org www.bprlondon.com
‘ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AT HIS MUSICAL BEST’ Benedict Nightingale - The Times
The world’s greatest love story continues...
‘LUSH AND ROMANTIC… THE ALLURE OF THE PHANTOM NEVER DIES’ Paul Callan - Daily Express
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LIBERTY & JUSTICE NEW YORK PRIDE 2010
NEW YORK
SO WHAT’S ON? THE RALLY The Official NYC LGBT Pride Rally will feature well known performers and motivating speakers from the LGBT community to kick off this year’s Pride Week events. 72nd
likes to think of itself as the birthplace of the Gay Rights Movement and to many it
St. & 5th Ave. at Rumsey Playfield Central Park
is. The now infamous Stonewall Riots of June 1969 at The Stonewall Inn, Greenwich
Saturday, June 19th, 2010, 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Village, frequently cited as the first instance in history when gay people fought back against the establishment, serve as an historical beacon of gay rights and, like
RAPTURE ON THE RIVER
Mecca to Muslims, have made New York City the spiritual home of homos. And the
Rapture 2010 is the official NYC Pride Week Women’s Dance, which is in its seventh
New York City Pride organisers know it.
year. Located on Pier 54, this has become a staple Pride event for women in New
“New York City is the birthplace of the modern Gay Rights Movement - we invite visitors from around the world to book their travel now to take part in our
York City. Pier 54, 13th St at the West Side Highway - Hudson River Park Saturday, June 26th, 2010, 6:00 - 11:00 PM
unique pride celebration in June, and experience first hand the energy, excitement and vibrancy of one of the world’s great cities,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC
THE MARCH
& Company.
The March is a celebration of the City’s LGBT community and begins in Midtown at
“This year’s theme, ‘Liberty and Justice for All’ will spotlight New York City as one
5th Avenue and 36th Street, turns right onto 9th Street and then progresses into the
of the world’s most welcoming and inclusive LGBT destinations. The city will host
village along Christopher Street. To watch the March step-off, you should be in the
a full week of activities beginning with The Rally at Central Park’s SummerStage
30s on 5th Avenue. For larger crowds and high energy, anywhere in the village is
on Saturday, June 19, and culminating in the legendary Dance on Pier at Pier 54 on
ideal. For smaller crowds, visitors should head to the 20s, and teens on 5th Avenue.
Sunday, June 27.”
Sunday, June 27th, 2010, 12 noon
New York City’s annual Pride March began in 1970 as a commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The March has since grown to become
PRIDEFEST
the oldest and one of the world’s largest gay events. The March then follows the
PrideFest is the annual LGBT street fair. Local residents and families, community
Lavender Line to its conclusion at the intersection of Christopher Street and
leaders, area business owners and visitors come together to celebrate in the street.
Greenwich Street. Longer than St. Patrick’s green line by many blocks, the Line is
Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. and West 14th St.
an identifying symbol of New York City’s Pride March and will mark all four miles
Sunday, June 27th, 2010, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
of the March’s route. The route moves south on Fifth Avenue and turns right (west) on 9th Street and proceeds to the top of Christopher Street by the Jefferson Market
DANCE ON PIER: DANCE 24
Library. From here, the March will pass down Stonewall Place and the Stonewall
The Dance on Pier takes place at Pier 54 on Manhattan’s West Side. DJ Steven Oliveri
Inn, site of the riots in June of 1969.
will open the evening with a set that will not disappoint and create the perfect lead
“This year’s theme “Liberty and Justice for All” perfectly characterizes New
in for the Grammy Nominated UK DJ duo Freemasons presented by Gaydar.net. The
York City, a place that embraces every walk of life and celebrates diversity—we
evening will culminate in a Fireworks display at 10:30 PM. All proceeds from the
encourage people from around the world—LGBT and otherwise—to take part in
Dance on the Pier benefit New York City’s LGBT Pride Week events and community
this historic celebration,” says Chris Frederick, Managing Director of Heritage of
organisations. Pier 54, 13th St @ the West Side Highway - Hudson River Park
Pride, Inc.
Sunday, June 27th, 2010, 4:00 - 10:30 PM
26 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
UD IS PRO BEIGE THE ONLYL TO BE NATIONA R INTERA SPONSO MEDI EW YORK OF N DE 2010 PRI
For more info on NY Pride, visit www.hopinc.org vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 29
FASHION
QUEEN WESTWOOD
In an interview with The Times Magazine in May, Joe Corre, son of Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, revealed that McLaren was “jealous” of Westwood’s success right up until his death in April of this year. ‘If it wasn’t for him, he felt, she’d be... working in a post office’, Corre said. So how did the mother and divorcee become one of the world’s most celebrated designers? Timothy Perkins tracks the whirlwind rise of Vivienne Westwood.
D
ame Vivienne Westwood is consistently recognised as the
Frequent police raids to seize pornographic t-shirts ensured that the store’s
Queen of British fashion. Her huge body of work spanning
name was frequently featured in the headlines, a fact which delighted the media
the last 40 years has been wildly original, provocative,
savvy McLaren.
influential but ultimately wearable. For the last four
‘World’s End’ opened in 1981 and to coincide with the ‘Pirate’ collection, it
decades her pioneering designs have introduced the tube
resembled a hybrid of a lurching galleon (complete with sloping wooden floor) and
skirt, the puffball, corsetry as outerwear and punk to the
Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop. Westwood liked the decor so much that it has remained
world and our wardrobes. As a designer she is constantly curious and sceptical,
to this day. Beneath the huge clock with 13 hours and wildly spinning hands you can
frequently questioning perceived notions about beauty, clothing and culture and
find unique one-offs, the exclusive ‘World’s End’ label, a more affordable range of
always creating something exciting and original.
Westwood classics and political badges and t-shirts promoting her Active Resistance
In the 1981 ‘Pirate’ Collection along with her partner, the late Malcolm McLaren she began to explore historical cutting and since then has used this to broaden and enrich her own wildly inventive designs. She has always used her position as a designer to promote her political ideas as well as thoughts on culture and the world we live in, a trait she has been both
to Propaganda Manifesto. A second store ‘Nostalgia of Mud’ opened in St Christopher’s place in the early eighties which resembled an archaeological dig complete with tarpaulin front and bubbling mud pool within. It closed in 1984 and this coincided with the end of her collaboration with McLaren.
criticised and championed for. However, her outspoken views are an intrinsic part of
In 1990 Westwood opened her first store in Mayfair on 6 Davies Street. It boasted
her work and whatever the cause, be it the toppling of the establishment, bringing
tiles and curtains with a photographic print of human hair and neon lights sculpted to
high culture to the MTV generation or more recently her views on climate change, it
form the now iconic Orb logo, a royal orb encased by a satellite ring to represent taking
adds another dynamic aspect to her clothing designs.
tradition into the future. It is now home to Westwood’s Gold Label collection where
Even the concept of her stores have been as innovative as her collections. Westwood
a bespoke and bridal service is also available attracting an increasingly glamorous
and McLaren’s first store ‘Let it Rock’ opened on 430 King’s Rd in 1971 where they
and famous clientele who visit for couture gowns made such as the notably famous
sold 1950s records and clothing at a time when ‘hippies’ were the prevailing trend
‘Carrie’ wedding dress as worn by Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw
and Rock’n’Roll music was rarely heard on the radio. The store reflected its stock with
featured in the Sex and the City movie.
an authentic 1950s décor complete with a jukebox.
Westwood achievements were finally recognised by the fashion industry where she
The store became ‘Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die’ in 1972 and the pair decided
received the Designer of the Year award two years running in 1990 and 1991. In 1992,
the décor would change to suit the collection and they sold customised clothing with
Westwood opened her flagship store on 44 Conduit Street which today houses all her
zips and chains, Zoot suits and slogan t-shirts.
collections - Gold label (main line), Red Label (diffusion line), Anglomania (a casual
Next came ‘SEX’ in 1974 and the store underwent a transformation into a fetish
range) and shoes, bags, jewellery and perfume.
shop. Huge pink rubber letters proclaimed the name and harnesses, latex underwear
The latest addition to the Westwood retail empire is the brand new ‘MAN’ store.
and whips were flagrantly displayed in the window. To the 21st Century Ann Summers-
Although Westwood clothes had long been worn by men, she officially launched
conditioned mind this may seem tame but was highly provocative in 1976. Westwood
the ‘MAN’ label in 1996, a collection devoted to the male Westwood customer with
and the formidable sales assistant Jordan with vertical hair and geometric face paint
signature items such as the drunken trousers and kilts as well as the distinctive ‘Krall’
would parade up and down Kings Road in latex body suits and stiletto heels.
3 button shirt (inspired by an Otto Dix portrait of the jeweller Krall) and a full range of
The next incarnation was most notorious of all when ‘Seditionaries’ opened in
highly desirable shoes and accessories all framed by a huge granite fireplace inspired
1976 with a bombed-out ceiling and upside down wall print of Piccadilly Circus all
by Stonehenge. The men’s store is warm and inviting and offers something for a wide
concealed by a sedate frosted glass exterior. Westwood described the clothing as
spectrum of tastes and budgets with t-shirts beginning at £40 and suits retailing at
‘Urban Guerrilla’. Zips, tartan and bondage straps were the components of what
£1200. A long overdue and welcome addition to the world of Vivienne Westwood, its
became the first Punk collection and led to a social revolution whose influence
opening in April 2010 was indeed an exciting moment in British fashion.
continues to this day. The Sex Pistols was notoriously formed here and the shop was
Vivienne Westwood MAN, 18 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XN
an intimidating place to visit with Jordan sneering contemptuously at customers.
Tel. 0207 478 2060 Fax 0207 734 6074 • londonman@viviennewestwood.co.uk
vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 31
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HOLLYWOOD ! L A I T N E D I F N CO
These are the photo captions
Sex! Lies! Videotape! Were Hollywood’s hottest males really getting it on with other men, or - shock! horror! - each other? Peter Burton discovers some of the secrets behind Tinseltown’s closet doors
W
ithout ever mentioning the name, Gore Vidal, in his 1995
Lenny left to talk to. Anyway, in gossip-land, such names are par for the course, as
memoir Palimpsest, severely trounces a biographer of Marlon
garnish…
Brando for including him (Vidal) in a list of his (Brando’s) male lovers.
‘I’m reading the biography of Marlon – more interesting than his showbiz memoirs.
‘I sometimes think that there is a secret committee … that decides who is to be linked with whom: “What about Marlon and Tennessee Williams? No? Too obvious? Well, Marlon and Gore. They’re the same age and…’
The biographer has talked to a thousand people I once knew in the theater and
Vidal could have been talking about movie star biographer Darwin Porter – though
movies and he does bring back, for me at least, that wonderful lost world…’ Vidal
his books on Brando, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman (with whom Vidal has also
writes. ‘Much is made, as always nowadays, of Marlon’s “bisexuality”. But anyone
been linked) didn’t appear until over a decade after publication of the novelist and
with a great deal of sexual energy and animal charm is going to try everything…
essayist’s memoir.
‘Next, I read, “rumours linked with him,” among others, “Leonard Bernstein and
However, it’s worth remembering that from its very inception in the early years
Gore Vidal.” I must ring Lenny, I thought: then remembered that there is no longer a
of the last century, Hollywood and the antics of those who worked in what became
This page clockwise from top left: Marlon Brando in The Wild One (1953); Sal Mineo lathers up; Paul Newman; Brando
known as ‘the dream factory’ provided salacious gossip for millions of filmgoers
both heterosexual women and homosexual men. The sheer polymorphously perverse
around the world.
sexuality displayed by Brando opened the way for other actors – James Dean, Steve
Darwin Porter is but the latest in a long line of writers who have chronicled the mostly misdeeds of the show business great and good. Decades ago, Charles Higham
McQueen, Sal Mineo and Paul Newman amongst them – whose sexuality was a cause for excited gossip amongst fans of all sexual persuasions.
specialised in biographies (increasingly outrageous) that uncovered (for example) the
It is fascination with just what these male stars got up to in bed – and with whom –
tortured homosexuality of Charles Laughton or the libidinous excesses (with all sexes)
that fuels the biographies by writers such as Porter. And Porter appears to intimately
or Errol Flynn. More recently, Boze Hadleigh has been exposing the (sexual) secrets of
know all the skeletons in the Hollywood closet. Simply by dipping into any of his
the likes of Noel Coward, Rock Hudson, Sal Mineo and Robert Taylor by way of a series
detailed studies, the reader get the impression that he must have been a fly on the
of books of interviews undertaken when the subjects were alive but not published until
wall at encounters between Paul Newman and Sal Mineo (the good time had by all),
after they were well and truly in the grave.
Brando and Montgomery Clift, Steve McQueen and any one of the punters he serviced
Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman were three of the most
when he worked as a hustler in a brothel in Havana.
iconographic film stars of the second half of the twentieth century. All three men’s
Darwin knows how to tell a racy tale and he must have had his ear to the ground for
careers began on the Broadway stage, although it was Hollywood films which
every bit of Tinseltown smut that has ever been in circulation. There are some things
transformed them into international celebrities. Of the three, only Brando ever came
that he can’t do – writing dialogue is one of them. The various luminaries who appear
anywhere close to coming out – telling a French cinema magazine “Like many men, I
in his books all sound alike and a lot of them sound like characters from the sleaziest
too have had homosexual experiences and I am not ashamed.”
of porn movies. “Such my dick, bitch,” Steve McQueen instructs Paul Newman. “Be
When Brando opened on Broadway in December 1947 as the brutish Stanley
my bitch.”
Kowalski in Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire he gave not only a career-
Maybe that’s the way they did speak to each other, but it doesn’t seem likely. It seems
defining performance but also a performance which changed forever the nature of
more likely that what Darwin Porter writes are fantasies built around a structure of
male performance and the nature of male sexuality on the stage and screen. Brando’s
truth, fantasies which allow his readers to believe that their dreams were fulfillable – if
sheer animal magnetism became an integral part of his portrayal and he appealed to
only the stars about whom he writes weren’t fodder for the worms.
Darwin Porter’s biographies include Brando Unzipped (18.99), Steve McQueen: King of Cool, Tales of a Lurid Life (£21.99), and Paul Newman: The Man Behind the Baby Blues, His Secret Life Exposed (£21.99) – all published by Blood Moon.
32 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Images this page clockwise from top left: James Dean and Sal Mineo in Rebel Without a Cause (1955); Paul Newman in his younger years; Brando on the set of The Wild One; Steve McQueen’s ‘interesting’ choice of scarf. Below: The biographies that tell a saucy story of these film stars.
LONDON CALLING The theme of this year’s London Pride is ‘Celebrating 40 Years of the Gay Liberation Front... PAINT THE TOWN RUBY RED’
I
n September 2009, Ian Baynham, a 62-year-old gay man, died 18 days after being brutally attacked by two drunken teenage girls. Witnesses told the court how Ruby Thomas and Rachel Burke, both 18, shouted homophobic abuse at Mr Baynham, stamped on his chest and kicked him in the head after their friend Joel Alexander, 19, had punched him to the ground, knocking him unconscious. As Mr Baynham lay bleeding the teenagers continued to assault him, it was said, causing him to suffer a fit from brain damage after his skull had been fractured. He never regained consciousness. A few short months before, in July 2009, anything up to 1,000,000 people had crowded Trafalgar Square to celebrate gay life. Some remembered life before the 1967 Sexual Offences Act (partially) decriminalised consensual sex between two men, and were attending armed with a political view; some were just there to party. Few could have imagined that in that same square, eight weeks later, a man would be brutally murdered because he was gay. ‘The two-week Pride festival uses theatre, music, debate, art and entertainment to raise awareness of discrimination and the issues and difficulties affecting the lives of LGBT people around the world,’ say London Pride organisers. ‘Our Parade is an explosion of Pride in the heart of the capital, attracting over 1,000,000 people in a celebration of diversity. Through this we aim to promote a sentiment in favour of equality, uniting people in a celebrative atmosphere where all are welcome, and fostering a sense of community within the LGBT population. Overall, Pride London hopes to promote understanding and cooperation, as well as education in diversity, in order to get rid of the discrimination faced by LGBT people.’ The 2010 event, it is hoped, will be the best yet, laying the foundations for WorldPride 2012, which is due to take place in London.
SO WHAT’S ON? Saturday 3 July - parade day This year, you are required to ‘Paint the Town Ruby Red’ as London Pride celebrates 40 years of the Gay Liberation Front. The GLF was a revolutionary group of radical queens, hippies, students and activists who brought LGBT rights out in to the open. Famous for their street theatre, radical drag, kiss-ins and organising the first Pride March the GLF lived in communes all over London. So let the sun shine in and let’s bring back 1970 in all its disco glory. Put a flower in your hair, dust off those platforms and wear a frock and a fabulous hat. The original GLF demands – which focused on an end to discrimination against gay people - are still relevant today. The parade will set off from Baker Street at 1pm and proceed down Oxford Street and Regent Street taking in some of the major sites of London as we swing round through Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square. In Trafalgar Square you’ll find an eclectic mix of speakers, stalls and a great line up of main stage performers from 3 p.m. Alternatively, head into Soho where you’ll find the streets closed to traffic and a street party in full swing. With stages and bars dotted around you’ll find plenty of entertainment or a place to chill with mates or space to make new friends. It’s not just about July 3rd though, organisers have a full Pride London Festival Fortnight from 19th June through to 3rd July. They say they’ll be announcing the lineup of events in the coming months (no detailed listing information was available at the time Beige went to press, but keep an eye on www.pridelondon.org). So, on Saturday 3 July, dress up, have fun, and show London what we’re made of. Take a message and walk with Pride - it’s as important now as it ever was. 34 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
PAINT THE TOWN
RUBYRED
Festival Fortnight: 19th June - 3rd July 2010 : Parade: Saturday 3rd July All images from London Pride 2009 Š Pride London
vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 35
A Fit of All Right: Men’s Fitness Special with
Leon Lopez Images © Sean Hickey
36 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Feeling the flab when the sun comes out, fellas? Us too. And this month, those pesky people at Men’s Health Week are going to make us all feel bad about ourselves inspire us to get fitter with a host of ideas (have a look around www. menshealthforum.org.uk, there’s plenty of tips and you can even get your mits on a booklet about men’s fitness) to help us on our way to that ever elusive six-pack. Torsten Højer donned a pair of Everlast shorts to dive into the world of fitness and fabulous with a little help from Leon Lopez.
W
atch out fatties and slobs because this month there’s an entire week
more fruit and less fatty foods because the weather lends itself to it. In hot weather
dedicated to fitness fanatics pointing and laughing at muffin tops and
stodgy food stops you functioning properly. Same goes for LA and other sunny cities.
feeling smug about their toned physiques and brand new gym trainers.
People need motivation to look good, hence why as soon as summer comes the gyms
National Men’s Health Week (14-20 June) is, organisers say, ‘designed
start to fill up with people looking to lose a few pounds for their vacations.
to encourage men to be more physically active. Men’s Health Week 2010 will highlight the many ways of staying healthy, even for people who claim to be ‘too busy to exercise’. And it’s gets worse: they’re focusing on age, too (just in case you’d forgotten how the years are passing you by with frightening speed):
Tell us about your fitness regime… In an ideal training week I do weights four to five times a week. I wake up in the morning and before I eat breakfast I go to the gym and do 30 - 40 minutes on the cross trainer. I
“After the age of about 35, there’s a sharp decline in the amount of physical activity
do cardio in the morning because I believe it helps me to burn fat more effectively and
men undertake and most cite pressure of stresses at work,” says Dr Ian Banks, President,
also raises my metabolism early in the day which means it will be working at a higher
Men’s Health Forum. “However, physical activity has been shown to reduce stress and
level through out the day. I then have protein shake and an hour later eat high protein
anxiety as well as decreasing the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes and can even
breakfast. In the afternoon or evening I go back to the gym and do my weight session. I
improve sexual performance.”
target two muscle groups a day and never work for more than an hour each session. This
Ooh, we like the sound of that last one.
is because after an hour your muscles stop working to their maximum, and also because
But this is serious, folks. A new survey has revealed that we, the lovely British peoples,
after 45 minutes I get bored! Training doesn’t have to be for hours on end. I rotate the
are the lazy slobs of northern Europe. 27% of UK respondents - that’s more than one in four - said they never or seldom took
muscle groups so I work each group at least once a week, and some twice but then the following week the groups I did once I do twice.
any exercise at all. The UK was out-exercised by Denmark (where just 15% of people never or seldom exercise), the Netherlands (16%), Sweden (16%), Slovenia (20%) Finland
What motivates you to exercise?
(22%) Germany (22%), Latvia (23% ), Estonia (23%), Luxembourg (23%) and France
A lot of my motivation comes from work. When I know I am doing a theatre show I train hard
(25%). Yep, not even in the top ten - a dismal performance reminiscent of our more
to keep my fitness up. If I have a photo shoot I train hard to look my best and if I am doing a TV
recent efforts in the Eurovision Song Contest.
show I train hard because a lot of the time they will ask me to take my top off! I think it’s easier
So what can we do about it? Well, to tell us about his fitness regime, and in order for
and better to stay ready when it comes to fitness than it is to try and get ready. Maintenance
us to publish pictures of him in pants, we asked Leon Lopez to pop in and give us the
is the key. What benefits are there to keeping fit in my opinion? You feel and look healthier. It
once over.
helps for work and it also helps for sex! I definitely noticed the different amount of attention I received going from a chubby 17-stone 20 year old to the way I look now.
Lopez, 30, is probably best known for playing the role of Jerome Johnson in the Channel 4 Soap opera Brookside (he appeared from 1998 to 2002). He’s currently rehearsing for a
Tell us about your nutritional regime…
musical at Theatre Royal Stratford East in London, called I Was Looking At The Ceiling And
I have 2 protein shakes a day, a high protein breakfast, usually scrambled eggs,
Then I Saw The Sky, by the American composer John Adams, which deals with the lives
sometimes with ham and a banana. I then have 4 to 5 small high protein meals every 2
of seven people before and after the aftermath of the 1994 earthquake in Los Angeles (it
to 3 hours throughout the day such as chicken portion and a small salad, tuna with olive,
opens on 2 July, visit www.leonlopez.com). He’s also just finished recording his second
raisins and seeds. I do this because it stops me eating large meals where the excess
studio album with London-based producer Paul James. “We got some really good stuff
calories can turn to fat and also because your body digests around 30 grams protein
together and it’s very different from my first more pop/soul album Moving On,” he says.
every 2 to 3 hours so I’am always topping up my supplies to help my muscles grow and
“Were just finishing it up now and deciding if were going to go for a record deal or do
not wasting any. This way of eating is usually used for people looking to gain muscle as
some independent club releases.”
opposed to maintaining weight.
But today, we’re here to talk to him about fitness. Because we don’t know if you noticed, but Leon Lopez has a rippling six-pack and arms bigger than most men’s thighs.
What tips would you give British men on getting fit? Drink less, and if you have to drink replace beer with drinks like Vodka which have less
Around 1 in 4 men in the UK admit to never taking exercise. Why do you think we’re so lazy?
sugar. Walk to work or cycle wherever possible. Join a gym! You meet new friends and
I think it’s a cultural thing, actually. The weather and bad habits we have as Brits such
in two to three gym sessions a week, but don’t go crazy. Work to your limits, don’t push
as drinking, smoking and eating fatty foods, which I think is also linked to the weather,
yourself so hard that you will scare yourself away from exercise forever. Find a sport you
doesn’t help to motivate us. I went to Sydney Australia a while back where people eat
are interested in and focus on that.
also once you start paying a membership it is an incentive to use it. Try your best to get
Build Those Muscles, Mary! No matter how much hard work we put in at the gym, a helping hand never goes unwelcome! But what kind of supplements are available, and what do they do? Here’s our top ten chart of energy-charged supplements, supplied by www.homosupplements.co.uk (all items are available from their website at the prices stated)
Applied Nutriceuticals – HGHUP (£44.99)
Reflex - Acetyl L-Carnitine (£17.49)
HGHup promotes greater increases in serum HGH and testosterone levels
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is similar in form to the amino acid L-Carnitine and also
than any other product available without a prescription. It is the only
has some similar functions, such as being involved in the metabolism of
orally viable compound that is proven to increase HGH and testosterone
food into energy.
in human subjects. USERS WILL EXPERIENCE: Average of 8% increase in lean muscle mass (in 6 weeks),
Boditronics – ZMA (£13.99)
Average of 25% reduction in body fat percentage (in 6 weeks). Increased strength via
Boditronics ZMA Complex is a synergistic combination of, magnesium, zinc and vitamin
improved neural connectivity and increased lean muscle mass – add 20-40 lbs. on
B6. ZMA helps sleep, recovery, Testosterone production and muscle gains.
all major lifts! Faster healing of injuries and better recovery from physical stress and
BSN- N.O Xplode (£34.99)
training. Better skin tone – reverses premature aging. Deeper, more restful sleep – feel
NO-Xplode begins working within minutes of taking it. It gets you dialled
better and more alert upon waking. Increased fat metabolism.
in and pumped for every single workout. No other products can say that!
Boditronics- Whey 2o (£34.99)
No other products can do that!
Boditronics Whey 2 O is a fruity tasting, high quality Whey Protein Isolate
USN Pure Protein IGF-1 (£34.99)
which is virtually free of fat, carbohydrates and lactose. This revolutionary clear whey isolate delivers high biological value protein for faster absorption
USN’s Pure Protein is a complete engineered protein blend consisting
rates, making Whey 2 O the ideal choice for anyone looking to gain good quality muscle,
of a precise mixture of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate,
lose weight, or are lactose intolerant.
calcium caseinate, egg albumen and soy protein isolate. Protein is the structural core of the human body and is at work in
PhD- Lean Degree™ (£29.99)
every single cell. Protein performs many essential functions in the body. It is required
The new Advanced Thermo-System named Lean Degree™ from PhD
for growth and repair of tissues and aids in the transportation of nutrients, oxygen and
Nutrition. Lean Degree™ combines all the most potent, innovative and
nitrogen.
effective fat burning ingredients currently available to the sector and shakes them up into a formula that’s both highly-innovative and powerful, yet still
Animal Pak - 44 packs (£29.99)
safe to use whilst participating in any IOC tested sporting events. Lean Degree™ brings
For hard-core athletes, nothing beats Animal Pak for maximising gains in
you a formula that does work and will continue to work as long as you are prepared to.
muscle mass, strength and performance.
USN L-Glutamine 200g (£12.49)
Reflex - The Edge (£19.99)
Glutamine is an amino acid. During intense training, your muscle
The Edge® literally gives sports people the edge in their chosen sport.
L-Glutamine levels drop sharply. This, in turn decreases strength, stamina
During strenuous sporting activity your body will be subject to large energy
and recovery. L-Glutamine also increases cell volumization immediately.
demands, dehydration, muscle damage, free radical damage and reduced
Volumized muscle cells appear larger, get a better pump and assist in protein
immunity. Some energy drinks address some of these problems but few get
synthesis. In fact, L-Glutamine helps muscle cells to utilise both protein and
close to addressing all of the demands placed on the body. The Edge® covers every angle:
carbohydrates. L-Glutamine also acts as a powerful ammonia scavenger. Ammonia
The Edge® energy drink system is used just like any other energy drink. Take it with water
is a highly toxic substance to muscle cells.
before, during and after your chosen sport. It’s easy to mix and we firmly believe that it’s the best energy drink you can buy. Image © www.cocksox.com
38 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
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“Seriously fun stuff! A scintillating documentary”
“Rarely is a gay comedy as hilarious and touching!”
– AfterElton.com
– GaydarNation
Available at:
Out Now NOW! Watch hundreds of other gay films instantly at
Out Now
gay.co.uk !
Hay Max
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by Lucy Worsley (Faber & Faber, £20) It’s probably fair to say that until the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, its most famous resident, Kensington Palace had not much impinged upon the public consciousness. If thought about at all, it was as a
The Gentleman in the Parlour by W Somerset Maugham (Vintage, £7.99)
On a Chinese Screen by W Somerset Maugham (Vintage, £7.99)
The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron (Vintage, £8.99) New editions of three classic travel books serve as a reminder of how often literary travellers were gay or sexually unconventional and escaping from a repressive home country. W Somerset Maugham was an inveterate traveler who spent more than half of his long life (he was over ninety when he died in 1965) in self-imposed but luxurious exile in the South of France. Many of his journeys which were later turned into bestselling books were undertaken with his American lover Gerald Haxton. Yet Haxton is entirely absent from the books, it was expedient that he not be mentioned and that Maugham gave the impression he travelled alone. The solitary traveler is a convention; few really did travel alone (Norman Douglas took a twelve year old boy with him to Southern Italy for the journey which formed the basis for the classic Old Calabria). The travels which Maugham chronicles in The Gentleman in the Parlour and On a Chinese Screen encompass (respectively) a trip through Burma, Siam and Vietnam and several months spent in China in 1919. Both books detail worlds that no longer exist (even the names of several of the countries have changed), but are entirely absorbing because of that. Additional interest is to be derived from recognising characters and incidents which lay fallow in Maugham’s mind and then reappeared years later in such novels as The Painted Veil and The Narrow Corner. Robert Byron’s The Road to Oxiana (introduced by another of those escaping gay travellers, Bruce Chatwin) tells off a journey by the slightly Pooterish Byron which takes him through the Middle East to Baghdad and Tehran (the Mrs Nicholson he refers to is better known as writer Vita Sackville West) and on to Afghanistan. Fascinated by Muslim architecture, this is kind of Pevsner for Asia in which the author (he had connections to Bloomsbury and the Waugh-Mitford set) likes to travel with decent claret and good books. An absolute delight.
Off the Shelf
Courtiers: The Secret History of Kensington Palace
useful dumping ground for inconvenient members of the royal family – Princess Margaret, for example, or Princess Michael of Kent. Yet the palace had a more glorious past – as the summer home for William III (almost certainly gay) and his wife, Mary II, after they had chased Mary’s father, James II, from the English throne. After the deaths of first Mary and then William, Kensington Palace was used by Mary’s hapless sister, the endlessly pregnant Queen Anne. As Anne (possibly lesbian) was unable to provide an heir, the throne and the palace eventually fell into the hands of the incoming Hanoverian dynasty. George I, a sour and grudge-bearing man who kept his adulterous wife imprisoned for more than thirty years, fell out with his son, George Augustus and his wife and threw them out of St James’s Palace. The royal heir and his wife then set up a rival establishment in what is now Leicester Square. The popularity of the young couple and their stimulating parties spurred the angry king on in an attempt to gather popular support. Needing an appropriate setting, the king selected his summer residence and inaugurated extensive renovations, including a vast painting on the King’s Grand Staircase which depicted forty-five of the palace’s servants. It was this painting which was to be the starting point of Lucy Worsley’s deliciously readable Courtiers: The Secret History of Kensington Palace. As Chief Curator of the Historic Royal Palace charity, Worsley was in an ideal position to ferret out the secrets of one of the properties under her control and she was written a book which vividly brings to life the reign of the first two Hanoverian monarchs. Courtiers is a book full of extraordinary characters, the two Georges, George Augustus’s wife Caroline of Ansbach, Peter the Wild Boy, a feral child found in a forest in Germany and given as a kind of pet to George I, John Hervey, the waspishly bisexual Vice-Chamberlain and a whole host of randy men a put-upon women. Engrossing.
Peter Burton reviews the latest queer literary offerings
vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 41
Face Hunter by Yvan Rodic (Thames & Hudson, £14.95) ‘Globalisation is a myth,’ Yvan Rodic boldly declares at the beginning of his sturdy album of over three hundred colour plates depicting stylish young men and women in cities ranging from London to New York, Oslo, Stockholm, Mexico City and Paris. ‘The belief that international brands and pop culture are making the world a standardized society populated by clones is an old-skool science-fiction vision of the future, not the reality of the 21st century.’ London-based fashion blogger Rodic, a contributor to French GQ, Danish Cover, Swedish Modette and the Japanese and New York editions of Tokion, has travelled the world taking photographs of striking men and women with individual styles of dress which are sometimes outré but never, ever ordinary Rodic’s Face Hunter proves that while designer labels are all very well, a little imagination can be a lot better – and cheaper!
Spartacus International Gay Guide 2010 (Bruno Gmunder, £19.90)
The Spartacus International Gay Guide was first published in 1970 and has been published annually (with one small break) ever since. The 2010 edition is the thirty-ninth and at almost twelve hundred pages is more than ten times the size of the original. A hefty compendium of information, alphabetically arranged to run from Albania (age of consent is eighteen, atmosphere is highly homophobic) to Zimbabwe (sodomy between two men in Zimbabwe is illegal, in addition, there are clauses relating to public morality and ‘unnatural offences’), the guide is now something of an institution. Like any such volume, however, it has to be judged by what each individual already knows (his home town for instance0 rather than what he may find on his travels. And like any guide – to gay or straight destinations – Spartacus is subject to fluctuations in the entertainment scene. As any of us is aware, bars and nightclubs have an astonishing ability to disappear between a listing being written and it appearing in print. Yet regardless of any caveats, the Spartacus International Gay Guide remains an indispensible resource for any gay traveller.
Heroes and Exiles: Gay Icons Through the Ages by Tom Ambrose (New Holland, £9.99) There are several words in the title and subtitle of Tom Ambrose’s highly eccentric Heroes and Exiles: Gay Icons Through the Ages which are of doubtful validity. Both ‘heroes’ and icons’ seem inappropriate designations. None of the men included in this study exactly fits the popular image that the term ‘hero’ conjured and some of them, E M Forster and Henry James, for instance, could as easily be defined as ‘cowards’. The over-used word ‘icon’ is always problematic (witness the truly appalling and entirely misnamed exhibition Gay Icons recently at London’s National Portrait 42 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Gallery). There is hardly anyone in Ambrose’s cast of characters who could honestly be described as ‘iconographic’ – Byron, Oscar Wilde, Queen Christina (made so rather more for Garbo’s portrayal in the 1933 film than anything done by the queen herself). It would be easier to apply the terms ‘impossible’ or ‘reckless’, ‘selfish’ or ‘timid’ (respectively, Corvo, Beckford, John Addington Symonds and Edward Lear. It’s even possible to question Ambrose’s use of the expression ‘through the ages’ as virtually the entire book is concerned with individuals from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. And then there are the errors. The Greek philosopher Plato is referred to as ‘the acclaimed Roman philosopher…’; a lazily constructed sentence has Marie Antoinette in the Conciergerie prison two hundred years before she actually was; the names of those who stood against Oscar Wilde ‘are generally forgotten’ (surely anyone interested in the Irish dramatist knows the name of the Marquis of Queensbury?); Lytton Strachey didn’t share ‘a platonic marriage with the Surrealist painter Dora Carrington’, he shared a platonic relationship with the figurative painter Dora Carrington; John Ellingham Brooks was a translator and not a pianist and so it continues. Heroes and Exiles is a sloppily written synthesis of a vast amount of ill-digested biographical material precariously hung onto a badly thought-out premise.
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showcase C
olin Spencer is a novelist (the Generation quartet), playwright (the pioneering gay comedy Spitting Image), historian (Homosexuality: A History), writer on food (a string of books on vegetarian cookery; British Food: An Extraordinary Thousand Years of History) and autobiographer (Which of Us Two?). However, Spencer’s productive career began with his studying at Brighton College of Art – which he left when he was told he’d never become a painter unless he worked in the way they wanted him to which, then, was in the style of Sickert. “You know,” he says, “blurs and shades of shit.” Whilst primarily known as a writer, Spencer has designed book covers and illustrated books. He has also consistently painted. “I shall probably end my days like Djuna Barnes and Gully Jimson … climbing huge step-ladders and laboriously painting large canvasses which will be quite unsuitable for hanging anywhere,” he told an interviewer over forty years ago.
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On the eve of an exhibition of new paintings (the pictures are of an easily manageable size), Spencer, now in his mid-seventies, explained the genesis of the paintings. “Inspiration always stems from childhood, from those first fifteen years when you are marked for life” he begins. “So recent paintings reflect three strands, some obviously are rooted in the South Downs, a landscape I roamed with my dog as a boy looking out over the Channel when the sounds of war raged the other side. These are an attempt to celebrate the rhythms of forms and the labyrinthine relationship that exists between them. “Then there is war itself, not only memories of childhood, but being appalled at present conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, a hatred of the phallic bullies, the unthinking destroyers, who kill and devastate in the name of ideologies. “Thirdly, a scrutiny of miniscule forms of life, which is then writ large and allowed to go where it needs. Plant forms have vigour and propulsion, a dynamic energy that I try to catch.
beigeshowcase
COLIN SPENCER’S NEW PAINTINGS
“I have been aware that until recently I have never – because of economics and commissions – given space and time to my inborn skill to draw and paint. I now redress this imbalance. I hope that at the moment of death I shall be holding a paintbrush loaded with sky blue and a touch of indigo.”
Previous page paintings, top to bottom, left to right: Coastal Erosion; two Chalk Works; all oil on canvas. This page clockwise from top: Feeding Frenzy; Cliff Fall, Colin Spencer’s Fish Cookbook; Colin Spencer’s cat illustration from Fish Cookbook; cover illustration by Colin Spencer for David Patrick Beavers’ Thresholds; cover illustration by Colin Spencer for his book, Asylum
NEW PAINTINGS BY COLIN SPENCER WILL BE AT GALLERY 54, SHEPHERD MARKET, LONDON W1J 7QX FROM 19-25 JULY AND AT STORMONT STUDIO, RYE, EAST SUSSEX TN31 7JY FROM 1-31 OCT.
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beigemusic
Music
★ David Guetta & Chris Willis ft. Fergie & LMFAO: ‘Gettin’ Over You’ (7 June) If in doubt, rope in as many contributors to a record and you’ll harness the buying power of the fanbase of each artist, right? Let’s hope so, as this is bland, forgettable piece of summer techno (sure to be big in Deutschland) that, with Fergie’s vocals slicing through the beats, sounds like a poor man’s Black Eyed Peas. Where’s our summer hands-in-the-air smash like last year’s Kelly Rowland collaboration ‘When Love Takes Over’, David Guetta? Oh! See below…
Tinie Tempah
★ Kelly Rowland ft. David Guetta: ‘Commander’ (28 June) Well, this is better Guetta! “I’ll be your commander,” screams Rowland as the four-tothe-floor heavy bass kick stomps along: a divaled simple-but-effective peak time floorfiller. Interesting that it’s billed Kelly Rowland FEATURING David Guetta. Didn’t like taking second billing on ‘When Love Takes Over’ eh, Kelly? ★ Tinie Tempah: ‘Frisky’ (7 June) Guaranteed to be heard blasting out of soupedup Ford Fiestas in East London shortly, this is a respectable and fun follow-up to Tinie Tempah’s number one single ‘Pass Out’, which hot the top spot in March (and is contender for song containing the worst lyrics of 2010 with, “I’ve got so many clothes I keep some in my aunt’s house”). ★ Scissor Sisters: ‘Fire With Fire’ (21 June) Unashamedly echoing the songwriting ability of a sturdy Queen number, this comeback single for our favourite New York fivesome could have been released in the 80s, 90s or noughties. But does that mean it’s a classic, or simply not up-to-date? We’re as yet undecided. What we are sure about is that frontman Jake Shears has been spending a lot of time in the gym! Album, Night Work, out a week later. Yum.
★ Kylie Minogue: ‘All The Lovers’ (28 June) ‘Dance, it’s all I wanna do,’ is the opening line of this AMAZING bleepy, squidgy dance track from Kylie. We’d love you to make that your motto when it comes to recording singles, madam, because you do this so well, but fail when you try to include guitars in the line up. Surely this has number one written all over it?
David Guett
a
Scissor Sisters
Is June another month when the airwaves are ruled by glittery pop? Hell yeah! vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 47
Faithless build some more trademark synth tension
Summer Movin’
GaydarRadio DJ Phil Marriott gets us in tune with the biggest tracks ready to tear up dancefloors this summer
1. Wynter Gordon ‘Dirty Talk’ (Hagenaar & Albrecht Mix) Big Beat/Atlantic Records A David Guetta collaboration in its original form, I opt instead for the mix by Hagenaar & Albrecht. The voice behind Rhythm Master & MYNC’s Donna Summer rework (‘I Feel Love’) complements this semi-filthy lyrical foray into sexual trickery and it sounds terrific on the dancefloor. Such an atmospheric breakdown too.
2. Luciana ‘Skin I’m In’ (Mind Electric Mix) White Label I adore Luciana’s feisty, punk spirit and drive, and she’s an incredibly talented and confident artist. Her individuality is instantly recognisable. The quick-fire rap assault and hooky refrains here are highly infectious. I very rarely play a set without her.
3. David Vendetta & Tara McDonald featuring Alim Gasimov ‘I’m Your Goddess’ (Taurus & Vagelli Mix) Paradise This particular mix lacks the superb vocal of Tara McDonald, but is boosted by one of the most haunting club reworks to surface this year. I loved Vendetta’s collaboration with Luciana (‘Make Boys Cry’) earlier this year, and this is a powerful follow-up, which has a strong Iranian feel, thanks to the eerie wailings of Alim Gasimov. The vocal-led Dr Kucho mix is also amazing.
4. Global Deejays featuring Ida Corr ‘My Friend’ (Original Club Mix) Superstar This is a bouncy and infectious track, which features Ida Corr - the voice behind ‘Let Me Think About It’ by Fedde Le Grand. The vocal is fairly minimal but the tribal, hooky bassline makes up for it. Great synth riff too.
5. Faithless ‘Tweak Your Nipple’ (Album Version) Nates Tunes Maxi Jazz, Rollo & Sister Bliss deliver their best work for years, with a title guaranteed to get the attention of most before they’ve even heard it! I have a hunch that this brooding, big room anthem will follow the equally amazing, ‘Not Going Home’ as a single release. The synth riff here has the typical Faithless trademark, yet they always remain fresh and uplifting. One of the few bands to truly give me goosebumps. This lot are incredibly clever at building the tension.
6. Dennis Ferrer ‘Hey Hey’ (Vandalism Mix) Objektivity/Defected Without doubt the tune of 2010’s Winter Music Conference and already an undisputed future house classic. Noisettes frontwoman, Shingai Shoniwa, provides the gutsy vocal (although her identity is shrouded in mystery here). Objektivity label’s Dennis Ferrer has once again delivered something very special here. Clocking up well over 3,350,000 combined YouTube views already, ‘Hey Hey’ has dominated both the airwaves and club land for months, and now the time has come for Defected to deliver a pleasing remix package. Dim Chris delivers a synth driven re-rub whilst Vandalism go for the striking, electro assault. My Onyx crowd foam at the mouth for this!
7. Kylie ‘All The Lovers’ (Michael Woods Mix) Parlophone Perhaps a bit clichéd to include this in a gay DJ’s chart, but it would be foolish to ignore it. One of the most important and successful female artists to be heard on the gay scene delivers another good pop track, with a credible selection of producers and co-writers roped into the works, including Madonna-collaborator Stuart Price (surprise surprise!). An eclectic selection of mixes here, but I opt for the slightly darker, Michael Woods mix which is effective in a club at 4am...
8. Goldfrapp ‘Alive’ (Dave Aude Mix) Mute Goldfrapp’s latest album, Head First received mixed reviews but Dave Aude (one of my favourite producers) comes up trumps with this vibrant mix of one of the standout tracks from the release. Aude has the knack of making great pop accessible enough to play in a more progressive club environment. A great contrast of dark and light.
9. Chocolate Puma vs Bingo Players ‘Disco Electrique’ (Revisited Mix) White Already a firm favourite of many a scene DJ, this stomping, minimal pounder makes you take notice on the floor! It gets a superb reaction every time I drop this, and the vocal is just breathtaking.
10. Alex Gaudino ‘I’m In Love’ (Original Mix) Ultra With a piano riff out of something like Eric Prydz’s ‘Pjanoo’, this definitely sounds like a summer anthem. Hooky as hell and highly repetitive. It gets into the brain. Try ignoring this!
Phil Marriott
Phil Marriott DJs at Profile Soho every Friday night for GaydarRadio’s ‘Club Nation’ 6-10pm, and Onyx @ Area (London) every Friday night 3-5am. Phil also presents GaydarRadio Mon-Thurs 6-10pm. GaydarRadio can be heard on DAB in London, Brighton & the Sussex coast, and on SKY channel 0158, on the free iPhone app and online at www.gaydarradio.com vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 48
insurance.indd 2
15/06/2010 15:50:03
beigecinema
the
screener
SPECIAL! WORDS: JOSH WINNING
A
h, summer. The sizzle of BBQs, shirtless men everywhere, long evenings, fine wine… And a raft of brash Hollywood movies tempting you away from all that gorgeousness to huddle under a screen alight with explosions. Yes, blockbuster season is almost upon us. But while the Shreks, the Sex And The Cities and daft money-spinners like The A-Team are all getting us salivating over the pretty people, it’s easy to forget that there will be a medley of other movies sneaking under the radar at the multiplexes this summer. True, we can’t wait to see what SJP and the gals have in store with their second cinematic Sex, and Adrien Brody all buffed up for Predators has us all a quiver… but what are the alternatives for those of us who also like something a little bit different with our popcorn? How about some bloody-minded brutality? That’s what Brit director Michael Winterbottom is touting with his controversial drama The Killer Inside Me (4 June). The presence of romcom-responsive, beautorific babes Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson might have you thinking this is a fluffy chortler about a hot serial killer whom they attempt to cure with their combined wonderfulness. But things are really a lot more sinister than that, with Casey Affleck playing the darkly secretive Deputy Sheriff who’s dating both ladies. The violence shocked Sundance audiences, but Killer is a twisty, head-spinning cocktail of in-yer-face cruelty and mad ‘is it real?’ head-scratching. Has to be seen to be believed. If sci-fi is more your thing, there’s mucho buzz for Vincenzo Natali’s odd-looking Splice (2 July). It’s the story of two scientists (Adrien Brody again, this time paired with Sarah Polley) who experiment with – uhuh – splicing human DNA with that of animals. “It’s a creature movie, but it’s a creature film spliced with a relationship story,” says Natalie, extending the metaphor further. The flick premiered earlier this year to thunderous applause at the Sundance Film Festival, and could be one of the year’s surprise hits. Not enough sci-fi for you? Keep an eye out for September’s post-blockbuster season The Adjustment Bureau (17 Sep) as well, which sees Matt Damon and Emily Blunt tackling a Philip K. Dick story as two lovers being pulled apart by a nefarious government organisation (“It’s about creeping under people’s paranoia,” says Blunt). The Illusionist (20 August) promises all kinds of magical whimsy for those of a more romantic disposition. Animated, literally and figuratively, it’s an English-French collaboration that is based on a script written by mime artist Jacques Tati back in 1956. If you’re struggling to find a flick for all the family, this is the one you want. The Hollywood Reporter says that it “fairly shimmers in strong burnished colours” and certain moments come alive “with sheer magic”. We’re sold. On the drama front, France, America and Sweden all have entries to dazzle. First up, Le Concert (16 July), starring Inglourious Basterds darling Melanie Laurent as a violinist with a tragic past. It’s a typically European comedy infused with strains of emotion that reach a devastating and affecting climax at the titular performance. “It was a scene that really made its mark on me,” remembers Laurent. “I completely let myself be taken by the music. I had to stop myself because I started shaking.” More on that next issue. Further dramedy comes in the form of City Island (23 July), which finds the members of the Rizzo family each harbouring secrets that are beginning to tear them apart. Andy Garcia and Julianna Margulies star as the parental units who bicker just as much as the kids. “You could say it’s about the secrets of a dysfunctional family,” says Garcia. “But it’s also about hidden dreams and their fulfilment.” Riotous stuff. Finally, there’s The Girl Who Played With Fire (27 August), the follow up to this year’s Swedish crime thriller The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which had critics (and us) raving. Having solved one case, enigmatic heroine and hacker Lisbeth Salander is roped into a new investigation involving the abuse of underage girls. David Fincher is remaking the first film in English, while the Swedish trilogy capper The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest is out on 26 November. And though – alright - Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (13 August) could also be classed as fitting the blockbuster mould (big effects, starry cast, looks killer cool), we’re such big fans of the original comic (not to mention Brit director Edgar Shaun Of The Dead Wright) that we had to include it on the list. Sorry about that. So that’s summer 2010 at the movies sorted. Now where did we put that sun cream?
beigecinema Opposite page top to bottom left to right: Scott Pilgrim; Le Concert; City Island; The Illusionist. This page: The Girl Who Played With Fire; Casey Affleck in The Killer Inside Me; Predators’ Adrien Brody and Alice Braga.
vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 51
beigedvd
THE LAST STATION 21 June, Optimum
Two more Oscar-nominated performances in this historical drama, the Academy tipping its hat to (but failing to award) Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer for their roles as Sofya and Leo Tolstoy. The latter, naturally, being the Russian author and philosopher who had a tempestuous relationship with his temperamental wife. Sex on legs James McAvoy plays the young Tolstoyan who goes to stay with the family, and finds himself dragged into their unconventional existence. A slow-burn drama that is buoyed by its fantastic cast, Last Station is the kind of Sunday afternoon production that does exactly what it says on the tin. Few surprises, except that this turns out to be unexpectedly moving stuff.
dvd
screener the
A PROPHET
A SINGLE MAN
7 June, Optimum
7 June, Icon
Some films are a bore, even if they’re a snap at just 90 minutes long. Conversely, some movies go on for over two-and-a-half hours, and you still feel you could watch more. A Prophet belongs to the latter category. Lengthy, winding and complex, but never any less focussed than a lioness preying on that day’s kill, it’s the story of Malik El Djebena. Nineteen years old and convicted to six years imprisonment, inside he meets the charismatic and powerful Cesar, and embarks on a life of crime from within the jail. The premise is nothing groundbreaking (echoing Prison Break and Shawshank), but the delivery is astounding – a tense, riveting drama that absorbs right up to its final frame.
What hasn’t already been said about A Single Man? That it’s sumptuous? As polished as a counter at Tiffany’s? That Colin Firth gives the performance of his career? That it’s tragic, gorgeous, life-affirming and hilarious all at once? Because, yes, all of that has been said before, and still stands even if the flick failed to land itself a single Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards. Still, director Tom Ford’s leap from fashion to film is a triumphant one, the result being a movie tailored to perfection and pumped full of emotion. The ending may leave you a little out in the cold, but A Single Man remains a stunning watch. And that can never be said too many times.
52 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
EDGE OF DARKNESS
EATING OUT BOX SET
14 June, Icon
7 June, TLA
One man army Mel Gibson doesn’t half like getting revenge. If he’s not avenging the death of his wife (Mad Max, Braveheart), he’s out on the rampage after his son’s been kidnapped (Ransom) or – in the case of this déjà vu begging thriller – after those responsible for the murder of his daughter. Nothing new there, then. Edge Of Darkness does, however, find Gibson a little craggier, a little meaner, and – perhaps because of that – a little more interesting. Shame the same can’t be said for the rest of the flick, which opens brilliantly, but quickly skids into monotony.
Sublimely ridiculous and served with a side of hot himbos doing naughty things, this repackaged box set is a treat for those with a bit of a sweet tooth. Exploring slippery sexualities with a quick wit (and blokes quick to drop their pants), the Eating Out trilogy takes a pinch of screwball cliché, a dash of gay farce, and bakes them into a racy, raunchy delight. There’s the guy who pretends to be straight in order to bed a confused bi-boy. The girl who only gets turned on by watching two guys do it. And the slag who really has a heart of gold. Dippy and oh-so obvious, but oddly mesmerising: a cheat date
insurance.indd 2
15/06/2010 16:22:41
montreal modern
Ryan Levitt finds Montreal heaving with joie de vivre
t
wenty-five years ago a circus was founded on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Canada’s Province of Quebec. Composed of street buskers and performers, Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil (as it was then known) under the direction of founder Guy Laliberté began its run in the tiny village of Baie St. Paul and then travelled across the region to various towns and hamlets, eking out the barest of profits by the time the summer season had ended. Despite the challenges, the circus prevailed and is now one of Canada’s biggest exports, rivalling maple syrup, Mounties and moose as a calling card for the world’s second-largest nation. Only in Quebec could an organisation with such joie de vivre prevail, as Quebec is a circus unto itself – three rings of activity packed with political, cultural and economic performances that continue to entertain visitors and residents alike. This is the nation that battles daily with language issues – yet finds best friends regularly crossing the anglo-franco divide. This is the province that bans women from changing their last name after marriage, yet legalised gay marriage. And this is the city where nights run well into the next day as the population sticks its fingers up to the Protestant work ethic so prevalent in the rest of Canada. “I am like so many others who arrived in Montreal and never left,” said Tourisme Montreal spokesperson Tanya Churchmuch over lunch at popular sup-spot Le Resto. “For me, Montreal is like North America’s Big Top, while all other locations are merely travelling sideshows.” A glance around the restaurant revealed much to back up 54 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
this statement. Immaculate waiters with abs you could scrub clothes on strutted like peacocks (albeit peacocks with a great sense of timing and incredible sense of service), laughing groups airkissed welcomes and bid adieu as friends joined and left the dining tables. Montreal has grown up over the past decade. In the early 90s, its clowns battled language laws out in the halls of the Provincial parliament in Quebec City. That all ended with the referendum of 1995 when language politics were put to rest as the population voted to stay within the confines of Canada by the slimmest of margins. After that, Montreal experienced an influx of investment as developers had a newfound confidence in the city’s future. Nowhere was this more evident than Vieux Montreal – the city’s historic district located near the port. “Following the referendum, Montreal experienced a boom, especially in the tech and multimedia industries,” explained Churchmuch. “Little Burgundy (the area located immediately to the west of Vieux Montreal) suddenly saw the introduction of a number of video game designers and companies such as UB Soft. The area became Montreal’s Cité de Multimedia and the neighbourhood had to grow up fast to accommodate the cutting-edge needs of the new residents.” The result was investment – in restaurants, bars, hotels and shops dotted throughout the cobblestoned streets and tiny alleys of Montreal’s Old Town. One of the first developers to see the potential was the Groupe Antonopoulos. This family-run organisation now owns huge tracts of real estate in Montreal’s historic heart, including chic eateries, bars and hotels. My home of choice
beigetravel
Xxxxx xxxx
NIGHTLIFE LISTINGS Bar Le Stud | 1812 Rue Ste Catherine Est | Tel: (514) 598-8243 | www.studbar.com • Circus | 1420 St Timothée Street | Tel: (514) 844-0188 | www.circusafterhours.com • Le Parking | 1296 Rue Amherst | Tel: (514) 282-1199 | www.parkingbar.com • Le Petit | 16 Rue St Paul Ouest | Tel: (514) 940-0360 | www.petithotelmontreal.com • Restaurant Le Local | 740 Rue William | Tel: (514) 397-7737 | www.resto-local.com • Sky Pub Club |1474 Rue Ste Catherine Est | Tel: (514) 529-6969 | www.complexesky.com • TOHU – Cité des arts du cirque | 2345 Rue Jarry Est | Tel: (514) 376-8648 | www.tohu.ca • Unity | 1400 Rue Montcalm | Tel: (514) 523-2777 | www.clubunitymontreal.com
during my city explorations was in the newest addition to the group’s holdings, Le Petit Hôtel. Open less than a year; it has already shot to the top of TripAdvisor’s hotel rankings thanks to amazingly friendly staff. My partner made a slight comment that he liked their jam and within minutes a map had been drawn and calls had been made to show him where he could make a purchase. I particularly liked the combination of exposed brick and stone walls with sleek interiors. In a way, the room was a reflection of Montreal itself – a collection of the modern and the now in a city that still respected its traditions and history. Visiting in the depths of winter meant that our explorations of Montreal’s carnivallike offerings had to be limited to indoor options. The last time I had been to Montreal’s gay ghetto was over a decade prior when the city was just emerging from the ‘gay chic’ days of the early 90s. The ‘Gay Village’ has grown up since then and to help us find out how to get around, we met up with accredited guide and Gay Pride board member, JeanFrancois Perrier. “If you’re looking for a circus, then there’s no better place than the village,” said Perrier as he toured us in his car. The neon of Rue Ste. Catherine glinted off the fresh snow as we glided from Centre-Ville and passed the unofficial barrier of Rue Berri into Montreal’s gay heart. “It’s not as much of a focus of gay life as it used to be. But, it’s still a neighbourhood where people hang out, meet up with old friends and make new ones. “Montreal is very much the kind of town where younger gay generations feel comfortable in every venue. They no longer need gay establishments to feel free. But, we still like coming back from time to time. And we would never want our favourite places to disappear.” During the summer months, the ‘Village’ is closed to traffic and becomes completely pedestrianised. Said Perrier: “We first closed off the village to street traffic during the World OutGames in 2006. The concept was so popular that we decided to keep doing it. So now, every summer, the bars stretch right out to the street and are generally packed every single day. And it’s not just the gay population that comes. The party vibe draws plenty of straights too. It’s the kind of place you can go to cruise or bring your straight-laced cousin.” Like all cities, venues in Montreal come and go as tastes change. But there are a few stalwarts that seem to stand the test of time, each catering to a different
clientele. While I tend to avoid forcing labels on people – you need them for clubs if you’re planning a good night out. American tourists tend to go straight to the famous male strip bars. Is it because the lower drinking of 18 means American students can enjoy a good time? Maybe. But the fact that Montreal allows for fully nude stripping probably helps a whole lot more. For Bears, there are heaps of options. The Stud is the most popular choice; however, the bars further east closer to Papineau also cater to this crowd, albeit with a slightly older demographic. Preppies and ‘A-Gays’ make a beeline to the Sky Complex. Be sure to bring your swim trunks when the weather is hot to show your tan lines off on the rooftop deck. Le Parking is packed – but attracts a slightly trashy crowd. If you’re looking for something guaranteed that evening, then you might want to consider parking there. Unity is young. If twinks are your thing (or you are one yourself), then pack a lollipop and some I.D. and move your Jonas Brother-loving arse over there. And finally – for mixed ravers, go to Circus. A convenient segue back to Cirque du Soleil if ever I wrote one. Montreal’s romance with circus and circus skills was prompted by the success of Cirque du Soleil and has blossomed into a full-blown love affair. So much so, that an entire neighbourhood is now being transformed by the artform. Once beleaguered by gang violence, St. Michel - located to the north of the city – is now the unofficial global headquarters of circus training. Here is where you will find Cirque du Soleil’s headquarters in addition to the state-of-the-art facilities of Canada’s National Circus School. If you time it right, you may be able to catch one of its graduates or a visiting company perform in La Tohu – a performance space joint funded by the Circus School and Cirque du Soleil. If circus is a must, then this summer (July – dates TBD) should definitely be on your radar as Montreal hosts its first ever International Circus Arts Festival. As the home to so many talented performers, the calendar of events is sure to be both challenging and inspiring. From devilish ringmasters to bodybuilding strongmen, bilingual balancing acts to investors flying high on the economic trapeze, Montreal’s gay community is hard to define. Go for the show and you’ll love every minute. Luckily for this town, clowns are few and far between. vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 55
beigetravel
IGLTA
TRAVEL BRIGHT You’re IGLTA’s President and CEO. Can you tell us how
travellers via the website. We also have a global calendar
the organisation was started?
for LGBT events and tours.
IGLTA began in 1983 when a small group of LGBT travel agents and guesthouse owners came together near Fort
More large mainstream companies seem to be
Lauderdale, Florida. Six months later, the association held
marketing to our community and also sponsoring
its first convention in San Francisco.
LGBT events. What are the benefits do you think for companies who engage with the LGBT market?
John Tanzella, President of the IGLTA
How has the IGLTA changed in this time? What is the
It sends a supportive message to their LGBT employees
objective of the organisation today?
(and potential new hires) and builds loyalty for their brand
How hasn’t it changed might be easier to answer! When
among LGBT consumers, which in turn generates more
we began, there was no email or website to connect a
revenue from that market segment.
global membership, no full-time staff, no permanent office. We relied on faxes, snail mail and our volunteer board.
The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association is more than just a member organisation for travel operators seeking to entice the pink pound - it’s a valuable information source for gay travellers seeking to make the most of their holiday budgets. Darren Cooper chatted with John Tanzella, President of the IGLTA, to find out more.
IGLTA has many long-term large corporations as partners and sponsors. Why is this a beneficial long-
We’re now the leading global organisation dedicated to
term relationship for them?
connecting businesses in the LGBT tourism industry, with
The LGBT market is one of the largest, most lucrative niche
more than 1,700 member businesses in 70+ countries.
markets in the tourism industry. LGBT travellers are known
Encouraging networking among our members a top
to be fiercely loyal to the brands that show long-term
priority, as is promoting our members globally. This spring,
support for our community through diversity programs,
we started rolling out the “We Are Welcome Here” ad
marketing initiatives and charitable contributions.
campaign to raise the visibility of IGLTA and its members among consumers; we want to ensure that when LGBT
Travel is an obvious market for companies to target
people see a business displaying our logo, they know
the LGBT community; are there any others that you
they’ll be greeted with open arms.
think could learn from the travel industry? Banking, insurance and other financial service industries
How do you manage to network in so many countries?
have done LGBT outreach in recent years. Anytime there’s
Our highly interactive website with social media
an opportunity to personalise an experience for LGBT
integration is key to our growth, but we never
consumers, there’s potential to see some of the successes
underestimate the value of face-to-face meetings.
we’ve seen in tourism.
Because we got our start in the U.S., there’s a misconception that we’re an American association, but
The gay community really is a global village but is
we have staff and ambassadors in 17 countries, host
there one global gay and lesbian market, or is it
networking events each month around the world and
important to take into consideration local factors too?
participate in major travel trade shows like London’s World
There is a definitely a gay and lesbian social network
Travel Market and ITB Berlin. Our next two familiarisation
that extends around the world, but every place has its
trips are in Beirut, Lebanon and Santa Fe, New Mexico –
own quirks and style. Exploring a destination’s unique
pretty diverse choices! Our 27th annual global convention
attributes is what makes travel so remarkable – and that
is in Antwerp, Belgium, June 23-27 in conjunction with
applies to the LGBT scene within each destination as well.
Antwerp Pride and it will include a travel show that’s open to the public from noon to 5pm, Saturday, June 26.
How would you sum up LGBT travel today? Any hot tips on up-and-coming destinations that we should be
56 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
IGLTA is typically associated with business
considering for 2010 and beyond?
networking. How is your association helpful to LGBT
LGBT travel is crossing boundaries with increasing
travellers?
frequency. Destinations that weren’t even on our gaydar
Again, it hinges upon our website: www.lgbt.travel is
10 years ago are now actively courting the gay market.
a one-stop spot to find our member businesses – from
New York, London and Sydney have been joined by Beirut,
hotels and travel agents to publications and attractions
Helsinki and Florianopolis, Brazil. In fact, the gay travel
– that are dedicated to providing gay travelers a warm
boom in South America is really taking off now. Brazil and
welcome and the best travel resources possible. We
Argentina are leading the pack, but there’s a lot of gay
have more than 100 tourism bureaus that are members,
buzz around Colombia, too.
and many have provided extensive information for LGBT
www.iglta.org
Are you looking for a boyfriend? Want a relationship that lasts longer than a night? ‘Getting A Boyfriend’ is a one day course to help you understand more about yourself and what you want in relationships, and how clear and honest communication is key to continuing your safer sex strategy whilst in relationships. COURSES FOR GAY MEN We are running ‘Getting A Boyfriend’ classes in cities in England. All places on the course are free of charge. The course starts at 10am and finishes at 5pm
Book your place online at www.gmfa.org.uk/national or call 020 7738 3712 BSL interpreters available by arrangement
Saturday 17/07/10 City Agency
Saturday 24/07/10 City Agency
Saturday 31/07/10 City Agency
Bradford London Nottingham Sheffield
Bristol Liverpool Manchester Plymouth Southampton
Birmingham Brighton Newcastle
Yorkshire MESMAC GMFA HGN Centre for HIV & Sexual Health
THT Armistead Project LGF Eddystone Trust GCHS
THT/HGL THT MESMAC NE
GMFA courses delivered nationally in partnership with
insurance.indd 2
15/06/2010 16:23:33
Not an iceberg in sight: the Gulet
Turkey cruising around
Turkey is without a doubt one of the most popular destinations on everybody’s radar at the moment. Whilst it strives to become part of the EU, the Europeans themselves are flocking there in droves to avoid the Euro zone and make their spending money go that bit further. Beige sailed over to cruise the country…
A
greed – some of you previously may have written Turkey off due to some resorts having a reputation for attracting the bucket and spade brigade and bored middle aged housewives in search of raven haired young waiters, but I am happy to confirm that there is so much more out there just waiting to be discovered by the more discerning traveller. Especially if you bid farewell to the landlubbers – jostling for prime position on the sunbeds by the hotel pool, and take to the seas! Chartering your own boat to sail around the Aegean might seem like a luxury only the very rich can afford –however a fully chartered and crewed boat –rented amongst a group of friends costs as little as £292 per person for seven nights full board! If a thoroughly relaxing break is what you are looking for you would struggle to find an easier way to wind down, and literally get away from it all, than on a gulet cruise. There is something very liberating about having your own boat and crew at your disposal to take you on your very own adventure around the Aegean, and definitely no better way of seeing Turkey –than from your sun lounger, drink in hand, as you watch as the countless isolated coves and deserted islands that punctuate these azure waters slip by. 58 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
So, you may ask – what is a gulet? These beautifully crafted vessels are built in the style of the traditional wooden ketch’s which were originally used for trading along the Turkish coastline. Nowadays gulets are specially built for the comfort of their passengers on a cruising holiday with 6-10 cabins below deck, a spacious back deck (aft), designed for dining and lounging in the shade and the forward deck (bow) is furnished with numerous comfy sunbeds. The midsection of the ship is home to a small indoor lounge area, the bar and the galley, where freshly cooked Turkish cuisine is prepared daily. Due to the fact that the majority of gulet life is spent up on the spacious deck, the en-suite cabins are quite compact on standard gulets. Travelling light is therefore key, so don’t pack your Samsonite! Towels and bed linen are provided and if you are up for it the crew are more than happy for you to take your sheets and blankets up on deck to sleep ‘al fresco’ on one of the comfy mattresses under the stars – one of my favourite parts of the gulet experience. Gulets usually have 3 to 4 crew onboard to look after you during your voyage; a captain, a cook and 1-2 boat boys. The Turks are extremely hospitable people and whilst they will remain expertly unobtrusive throughout your cruise, if there is anything you need they will do their utmost to help you – be it fishing tips, teaching you a bit of Turkish or just keeping you
supplied with bottles of ice cold Efes. The crew also take a consensus each day from the guests on board as to what time meals will be served at, so everyone can sit down together to dine. Even if you don’t charter a whole boat for yourself and opt for a cabin on an exclusively gay cruise you will find with just a relatively small group on board there is generally a calm, laid back atmosphere and relations between passengers and crew are really relaxed and casual. All meals are freshly prepared by the crew and whilst they don’t have the facilities for an ‘A la Carte’ menu to be offered, a selection of foods are served at each meal time, enabling you to try a bit of everything or pick and choose what you eat from the plates served. Wonderful traditional Turkish dishes are the basis for most of the meals on board; fresh fish, succulent kofte (meatballs), delicious fresh salads, stuffed peppers, and speciality aubergine dishes to name but a few. With a different backdrop to dine against at every meal, good company, wine and great conversation - dining on deck is a pure pleasure. It’s easy to see how a leisurely dinner followed by a few hands of cards often slips into the wee small hours! Our boat boy Ali always had a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me as I emerged from my morning swim – I think it’s simple little attentions to detail
beigetravel
liners lack – no matter how 5 star
replicate the facades of ancient buildings cut out of the actual cliff face itself. Some of the more daring of my sea
their service is.
mates who were into their extreme
like this that give gulet cruises that intimate edge that your mass cruise
Breakfast on board is a typically
sports caught a Dolmus (local mini bus)
Turkish style feast of eggs, different
from Fethiye to the stunning Lagoon
types of cheeses, juicy tomatoes,
of Olu Deniz which is only 30 minutes
cucumber, olives, a selection of jams
away. Here they took themselves off on
and honey, accompanied by fresh
an excursion up to the 2000m summit
fruit and fresh Turkish bread. If you’ve
of Mount Babadag….and jumped off!!
overindulged on wine with dinner
It is reputedly one of the best tandem
the previous evening or been last to
paragliding sites in the world, and hats
call it a night – this is exactly what
off to them – the photos they took on
you need to set you up for your day’s
the way down were amazing. I’m sorry
cruising.
to say, however, that the promised soft
Gulet cruises from Marmaris follow
landing on the sandy beach just wasn’t
several different itineraries – you can
enough to make me attempt to overcome
choose to combine two continents
my fear of heights!
and sail between Marmaris, Rhodes
Our gulet stayed moored in the marina
and Symi, cruise the Datca peninsula
for the night, so after another excellent
or opt as we did for the most popular
dinner on board a couple of people
‘Blue cruise’ which sails from
ventured back into the town to check out
Marmaris to Fethiye.
the local bars for a few cocktails. I have
The sparkling clear Turkish waters
to admit that by this point in the cruise I
of the Mediterranean and Aegean
had well and truly chilled into the relaxed
seas are often referred to as the
gulet lifestyle and was more than content to relax on deck with my night cap and
turquoise coast due to their vivid shade of blue – so your journey
Bet he made a splash
continue with my vain attempt to beat the captain at backgammon….
literally is a ‘blue’ cruise. One of the first stop-offs we made following
After breakfast the next day we
our departure from Marmaris was
sailed on through the stunning Gocek
Ekincik. Here you can opt to hop
Islands. The views in this area were simply
on a water taxi up the Dalyan river.
breathtaking, as we cruised by islands which
This reed-lined water way is simply
were mostly only populated by a few wild
stunning and meanders from the
donkeys!
Mediterranean Sea to Lake Koycegiz,
stops we eventually reached the Yassica
past the majestic Lycian Kings tombs
Islands where the Captain found a cove and
which are carved out of the rock face.
moored up for the night. Another lovely balmy
These magnificent tombs belonged
night so I took the opportunity to sleep up on
to past kings and their families and
deck under the stars again – the perfect end
date back over 2300 years.
to another perfect day!
You
My week on board seemed to pass by
may actually recognise this area as the setting for African Queen the old
After making numerous swim
Dawn over the islands
very quickly and before I knew it we were
black and white WW1 epic staring
moored up back in Marmaris sharing our last
Humphrey Bogart and Katherine
dinner together. It was quiet nice spending
Hepburn.
our final evening in dock and several of us
Every effort has been made to
took the opportunity to pick up a few gifts in
preserve this areas outstanding
the bazaar and explore the narrow maze of
natural beauty as it is a real haven
streets in the old town after dinner.
for wildlife and birds. Another of our
of us quite quickly succumbed to the lure of
stop-offs was the 6000m long ‘Iztuzu’
our little haven back on board, however…. it
or Caretta Caretta beach, which is one
would, after all, have been rude to surpass
of the worlds few remaining breeding
the fantastic people-watching opportunity a
grounds for the protected Logger
mooring under the castle in this cosmopolitan marina provides.
Head turtles who lay their eggs there in May, June and July. Its not
Most
Lunch!
uncommon to see these wonderful creatures swimming around in Dalyans so called sweet waters – measuring up to 150cm and weighing in at up to 100 kg they are hard to miss – as you can see I kept my camera at the ready! Another highlight of the cruise for me was Fethiye with its impressive marina at the head of a beautiful
bay strewn with islands. A hill crowned by the ruins
of the crusader fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes overlooks the pretty little port. The towns pedestrian cobbled streets are perfect for exploring and I whiled away several happy hours just window shopping and taking photos in the bustling fish market. Above the town, in an area called Telmessos, I also found more Lycian rock tombs that you can climb up to, that
As we shared our last few bottles of wine on deck and watched the world go by – we couldn’t help but share a smug smile as passers by glanced enviously at our bronzed party languishing on deck – lapping up the every last moment of our adventure in the sun. For more information on Shine Holidays gulet cruises please visit: www.shineholidays.co.uk vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 59
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beigetravel
WORLD PARTY THE 2010 HOT LIST
Summer is just around the corner and that can mean only one thing: parties – and plenty of them, too. Just about every city seems to be pulling out all the stops this year with firm favourites building on the successes of previous years and newcomers looking to make their mark on the international circuit. Here’s our guide to the best of fest. All aboard! Amsterdam Pride
Lake Como
Berlin
Madrid Pride © Copyright Roberto Gordo Saez
Tel Aviv Pride, Israel, 11 June 2010 Every June for the last 11 years the LGBT community of Israel’s most liberal city have taken to the streets of the White City for the biggest queer celebration of the year in the Middle East. Tel Aviv is the centre of Israel’s gay community and offers gay tourists with a great selection of attractions. As well as a well established queer community and a great nightlife the modern city of Tel Aviv is also steeped in history with plenty of historical attractions. Well known for its modern architecture Tel Aviv is also a city of sandy beaches, excellent restaurants and a friendly atmosphere. Pride week in the city is the highlight of the year and features a packed programme of parties, celebrations and of course the pride parade itself. www.glbt.org.il/tourism.php
Paris Gay Pride, 26 June 2010 The beautiful and romantic city of Paris celebrates Gay Pride, called Marche des Fiertes LGBT, at the end of June with a massive parade that draws more than 500,000 spectators. As well as the pride parade itself the week of pride is also host to a series of parties, balls, and other entertainment and events. The Pride Paris Parade commences on Saturday, June 26, at 2 pm at Place du 18 Juin 1940, by the Montparnesse-Bienvenue metro stop and works its way through the city passing some of the city’s most famous landmarks en-route. The route goes along Boulevard du Montparnasse, Boulevard St-Michel, Boulevard St-Germain, eventually crossing the Seine at Pont de Sully, and finishing at Place de la Bastille around 5:30 pm. www.accueil.gaypride.fr
Berlin Lesbian and Gay City Festival, 12-13 June 2010 Under the slogan ‘Equal Rights for the Unequal’, Berlin’s Rainbow Fund will present its eighteenth annual Lesbian and Gay Festival this coming June in the traditional gay stomping ground around Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg. The festival will feature the Worlds of sports, radio, travel, film, AIDS and politics, as well as other exhibits. On both days of the festival, there will be five high-energy performance venues: The Connection with house and techno music, the Disco Ball with hits of the 70s and 80s, the Queer Media, a mix of lesbian and gay entertainers and DJs, as well as the Women´s Showcase. www.regenbogenfonds.de
Christopher Street Day, Berlin. 19 Jun 2010 Berlin’s Christopher Street Day festivities are the highlight of the annual Berlin Pride Festival which takes place all over the city from the 28 May until the 20 June 2010. For three full weeks the city comes alive with a series of concerts, parties, exhibitions, workshops and other entertainment and events which takes the city by storm. Well known for its excellent gay nightlife, gay pride inspires Berlin’s legendary clubs to pull out all of the stops and through some unmissable parties throughout the festival. The culmination of the celebrations is the huge parade which is watched by hundreds of thousands of people as it winds through the streets of Germany’s capital ending in the central Tier Garten. Free concerts, music and entertain are laid on in Berlin’s most famous park after the event for one of the biggest parties in the annual pride calendar. www.csd-berlin.de vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 61
Sitges holds its first ever gay pride this year
Como Festival, Italy 1-18 July 2010 The Italian Lake District is renowned for its beauty and charm and every year the shores of Lake Como provide the setting for the annual Como Festival. Taking place each year in July the festival combines jazz and classical music with dance and ballet using the stunning mountain backdrop as a spectacular backdrop. Performances by world-renowned companies are held in the villas, theatres and parks on the lakeside and opens with Mozart’s Don Giovanni on the 1st July. Other highlights of the programme include performances of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Concert no. 3 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5 performed by Italy’s 1813 orchestra. The Diavolo Dance Theatre and the Tokyo Ballet will also be performing at the festival. www.comofestival.org Toronto Pride, 25 June to 4 July Thirty years after being founded, Toronto Pride has become one of the largest queer events in North America. Over one million people arrive in the city each year to take part in the celebrations which traditionally start with the Kick-Off launch party on the Friday 8 days prior to the pride march. The following week is packed with events showcasing every facet of queer culture in Toronto, including art exhibitions, theatre and cultural events, family days and of course plenty of parties. The climax is the pride parade which winds its way through the streets around Toronto’s Church Street gay village. www.pridetoronto.com/events Barcelona Pride 18 - 28 June 2010 For only the second time ever the great gay city of Barcelona will be holding its pride festivities in June with a full week of celebrations. Thirty associations, businesses and the entire LGBT community of the city have come together to organise a new Pride in Barcelona which will provide culture, sport, debate, entertainment and parties for the entire week. A programme of events has been planned for nine days which will showcase the latest in LGBT cinema and arts, there will also be high level conferences and sporting and social events as well as lots of music. The parade itself will take place on Sunday 27 June starting at Plaça Universitat and ending at the stunning Plaça d’Espanya below the city’s beautiful Palau Nacional. www.pridebarcelona.org/en Madrid Gay Pride 3 July 2010 Very probably the hottest pride in the world right now, Madrid is certainly one, if not the largest gay pride events to take place on the planet. Spain’s largest gay event now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to a city that erupts each July for the pride celebrations. During the festival the gay area of Chueca becomes the centre of the festivities, with numerous stages and bars set up to entertain the crowds and is constantly packed for the celebrations which end in the mammoth parade itself which heads down the central Gran Via finally arriving in Chueca itself. The fiesta doesn’t stop there though, numerous after parties are all vying for your attention too, the largest of which is held in the spectacular Madrid Arena with a capacity for 15,000 people. www.madridgaypride.com 62 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
Paris Pride © Marie-Lan Nguyen
Gay Pride Sitges 9 - 13 July 2010 The first gay pride to ever take place in our favourite seaside gay destination is all set to take place in 2010 and a great line up of events is planned for this auspicious occasion. The event kicks off with a spectacular free opening party on Friday the 9th of July along Psg Ribera. For the whole weekend the Promenade in front of the Gay Beach in the centre of the town will be transformed into a Gay Village and will form the focal point for the event. Other events will include a beach fashion show, a Miss Drag Queen Sitges competition and the main parade along the seafront on the 10 July. Parties include a bears pride party at club Organic, a massive Girls Night Out party and the closing party at L’Atlantida on the shores of the Mediterranean. The only pride in Europe to have a beachfront location Sitges is sure to be a unique and unmissable event for summer 2010. www.gaysitgespride.com EuroPride in Warsaw – Poland 9-18 July 2010 For the first time Europride will be heading behind the former Iron Curtain as Europride rolls into the Polish capital of Warsaw. Recent gay prides in Warsaw have been a real show of defiance against the authorities. The late mayor of Warsaw and previous Prime Minister, Lech Kaczynski (who died in a plane crash in April) banned the Warsaw gay movement parade in 2004 and 2005 stating a lack of official documentation. He has also stated that the parade would promote a homosexual lifestyle and would be an offense to public morals. In 2005 a counter demonstration, the ‘Parade of Normality’ was allowed though. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Poland was guilty of discrimination for banning a gay rights march in Warsaw in 2005, when current President Lech Kaczynski was mayor of the capital. Details of the event are published on the official Europride website. www.paradarownosci.pl Stockholm Pride 26 - 31 July Situated on an archipelago of islands is the beautiful capital of Sweden, Stockholm and a city which has whole heartedly embraced gay and lesbian pride and where the whole city celebrates in unison. There are few places that can match Stockholm’s quality of life, clean air, excellent food and a warm and friendly
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Reykjavík
atmosphere permeate this city where contrasting ancient and modern effortlessly mingle. The heart of Stockholm’s pride event is the central Tantolunden park in the ultra-trendy Södermalm district, but be sure to visit the nearby Gamla Stan (Old Town) too, the cities other equally vibrant gay area which pumps throughout. Our verdict, definitely one to watch! www.stockholmpride.org Gay Games VIII – Cologne 31 July - 7 August 2010 The biggest sports and cultural festival in the world will take place in Cologne from 31 July to 7 August, 2010. Some 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries will converge for the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 and celebrate the principles of participation, inclusion and personal best. The motto is “Be part of it!” And the invitation is open to everyone – regardless whether you are heterosexual or homosexual, male, female, transgender or transsexual, and regardless of religion, nationality, ethnic heritage, political convictions, athletic skills, physical capabilities, age or physical condition. Olympic gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham will also be making his way to Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010. www.gaygamescologne.com Circuit Festival Rhine in flames Barcelona 31 – 8 August 2010 Powered by the Matinée Group, Europe’s number one nightlife promoter, Barcelona’s biggest international gay and lesbian cultural, leisure and clubbing event will take place once again this summer. The festival will host scores of parties taking place in different venues across the city, including one amazing party in a huge water park just outside of the city. This year the girls get an event all to themselves too as the Girlie Circuit gets the party started for all of you delicious dykes out there. There’s also a range of daytime activities laid on for both boys and girls which will no doubt once again draw crowds from right across Europe. Over 30,000 people from more than 50 different countries are expected which turns this festival not only into a celebration of sexual diversity, but also of ethnic and cultural diversity too. www.circuitfestival.net Amsterdam Pride 5 to 8th Aug 2010 The first weekend in August once again sees the canals of Amsterdam turned into a riot of colour and carnival as Amsterdam Pride takes to the water for Gay Pride 2010. A truly unique event spread over the whole weekend, this is the highlight of the year for gay Amsterdam. A whole host of events are planned including 64 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
street parties, club nights, film screenings and, of course, the parade of over 100 outrageously decorated barges all in true Amsterdam style. The parade is watched by over 150,000 spectators from the banks of the canals who cheer on more scandalous shenanigans that you can shake a clog at. This year an Atlantis cruise will be arriving in the city for the event, which is sure to add to the floating jamboree that is Amsterdam Pride. www.amsterdamgaypride.nl Reykjavik Gay Pride, Reykjavík, Iceland. 5-8 Aug 2010 One of the newest arrivals on the pride circuit is Reykjavík which has gone from strength to strength since the first pride event was held here in 1999. The city now attracts 70,000 for the weekend of events held around the second weekend in August, the height of the tourist season in Iceland and the time the country is at its most spectacular. The pride weekend is now one of the biggest festivals to take place in Iceland annually, so visitors should plan their trips well in advance as accommodation can sell out quickly to avoid disappointment. www.gaypride.is
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beige POSITIONS VACANT SALES PIRAHNAS WANTED Are you a sales shark? We are looking for people of indeterminate ambition, who are relentless in the pursuit of sales to work with our small but hardcore publishing team. There are no limits to earnings potential if you have the get up and go to seek out advertising opportunities. For further information please contact paul@nextphasemedia.co.uk Next Phase Media is an equal opportunities employer.
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upstaged plays and musicals
Tap Dogs: Adam Garcia
Adam Garcia was born to dance. Back in London for a limited run in the gruelling tap phenomenon Tap Dogs, Douglas Mayo took time to catch up with him and talk about dancing, shows and the fact he’s always moving Beige: Tap Dogs has been around before can we expect anything new in the show this time around? Adam: We’ve made the show a little bit longer and the ending this time will be a little more spectacular than before. Beige: In the show you guys tap dance on steel, ladders and all manner of industrial materials isn’t that tough on your body? Adam: Yeah, it is, even the boots themselves are nearly double the weight of a normal tap shoe so you are really pounding away. I’ve been rehearsing now for the past week and a half and it’s certainly affecting my calves. I’m having to have them massaged regularly and we haven’t done the show all the way through yet! Beige: So is it a show where there are lots of injuries? Adam: Mainly we suffer from shin splints but mostly Tap Dogs is about stamina, you need to prepare for the show as if you are doing a 90 minute sprint. Beige: Have you done Tap Dogs before? Adam: No I did an Aussie film called Bootmen, which Dein did which is all the same stuff but this will be my first time in the stage show. I had done Hot Shoe Shuffle with Dein and the guys, so when I met up with Dein at Christmas, he mentioned he was doing Tap Dogs here and I asked if I should finally do it. He said “yeah”, so here I am. To have that 20 year relationship with Dein and knowing most of the guys I’m really happy to be part of the show. It would have been remiss of me to never have done it. Beige: How did you get started in the industry? Adam: I started dancing when I was 7. I went with a mate of mine to ballet. Later on I’d tag along with my cousin Sarah to another class and I learnt there til I was about 15. Dein came to teach there, and at about the same time I met a bunch of other guys. Dein has said to us that there was very little work for tap dancers so he would create something for us. Well we started working for Dein and the rest is history. That first show Hot Shoe Shuffle bought me here and got me started. Hot Shoe Shuffle was the first time that an all Australian show had come to the West End. It was the most eye-opening experience of my life. Beige: You’ve been involved in theatre, dance, tv and film. Do you have a preference? Adam: I love the variety and the challenge of swapping genres. Maybe I’m just greedy but why not. It might be easier if I just did one thing but I quite happen to like doing more than one thing and I’ve had the luck and opportunity to do that. I still love musical theatre but after a while I admit I’ll get the bug to chance again. I’ve got professional A.D.D. It never gets boring and I just really like the challenge. Beige: Is there a show you’ve always wanted to do? Adam: I’ve always wanted to play Frank in Rocky Horror or the title role in Barnum. Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard has also always appealed. I remember seeing Kevin Anderson in the original production. He played it so straight and larger than life without hamming it up and it was a revelation. I realise that you could just act in a musical. I like musicals to have a realness even though the whole thing is this heightened experience. I like the challenge of keeping a character true.
Beige: So where do you call home at the moment? Adam: I just came to London from LA. I split my time between La and London now. I like the toughness of London. Just as I have professional ADD I also have geographical ADD. I like moving around. I haven’t found a place to settle yet. Beige: So what’s next for you after Tap Dogs? Adam: After Tap Dogs I have another season of Gotta Dance to do. I loved doing that show. It was the highest rating Sky Show other than their big football matches which is just amazing when you consider some of the other shows they broadcast. People just really got into it. England loves that underdog sensibility. You’ve got to realise though that most of the dancers on that show have been dancing for ages. Even the twelve year olds have been dancing for ever. These guys are just phenomenal. I love watching the people who come on the show. They are just so inspiring! Tap Dogs is at the Novello Theatre in London from 15 June to 5 September 2010. Contact the Box Office on 0844 482 5170 or www.tapdogs.co.uk
vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 67
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6/2/10 12:23 AM
REVIEW: HOLDING THE MAN TRAFALGAR STUDIOS, LONDON www.trafalgar-studios.co.uk
Matt Zeremes stars as John Caleo (L) and Guy Edmonds as Tim Conigrave (R) in Holding the Man
Adapted from the award winning autobiography, Holding The Man is a tour de force triumph. After a good many years where HIV/AIDS plays were considered old hat, Holding The Man is a moving reminder of a time when so many young gay men died. Set in eighties Australia, it’s the story of Tim Conigrave who meets the love of his life John Calleo at school and their subsequent relationship. Both men’s lives were cut short by a disease which ravaged the gay community worldwide. This is not a big picture story however, it is an immensely personal love story. Tommy Murphy has taken a piece which is loved by so many and crafted a humourous and touching tale. David Berthold’s staging is dizzying at times with four of the cast of six playing characters too numerous to mention. Taking Murphy’s deceptively simple script he drives the play at a pace building to a devastating crescendo. This play belongs to Matt Zeremes and Guy Edmonds in the central roles of John and Tim. The genuine affection between the characters is palpable. Through clever costuming the audience witnesses the development of teenage boys to men. Tim, the outgoing flirt and John, the calmer soulmate who wants nothing more than to be with his “Timba”. Jane Turner inhabits her characters with ease taking on everything from sleazy old men in bars, to caricatures of mothers that in most instances cut exceptionally close to the bone. Simon Burke’s take on John’s father, unaccepting and controlling right up until his passing is superb. The plays leaves the majority of its audience in tears and rightly so. I can only hope that a younger generation make a point of going along to catch Holding The Man. Following a wildly successful run across Australia, this production deserves a knock out reception in the West End. It’s themes are so universal that you won’t need to be an officanado of all things Oz to understand its over-riding messages. A must see!!
REVIEW: DEBBIE REYNOLDS: ALIVE AND FABULOUS APOLLO THEATRE, LONDON
Oliver Farnworth (L) and Guy Edmonds (R) in Holding the Man
68 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
London has suffered a recent spate of diva disappointments: Julie Andrews sitting on the sidelines at the O2, Shirley Jones cutting short her poorly received West End show and Stephanie J Block cancelling due to food poisoning. But legendary Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds proved how it could and should be done, with her Alive and Fabulous show. At 78, she toured 15 towns and cities around the UK before a two-week run in the West End. Despite her age, she sang and danced like a woman many years younger, reminding us still of the star who first shot to stardom in Singin’ in the Rain in 1952. With her own band on stage, she belted out standards from the Great American Songbook as well as some more modern ballads, including her one chart-topper Tammy – “my greatest hits”. As well as giving us anecdotes about her costars, she showed clips from some of her screen roles, providing witty and touching commentary and even singing along with her younger self. It made it truly a celebration of a career spanning over 50 years, offering nostalgia for fans who know her from her films and entertainment for those who may only know her as Grace Adler’s eccentric mother in Will and Grace. The show also provided one of the most surreal moments in musical theatre when the Hollywood legend re-appeared on stage in a straight wig and false nose to treat us to a remarkable Barbra Streisand impression, complete with adenoidal Brooklyn Jewish accent. For the rest of the show, she flitted around in a sparkly outfit daringly slashed up to the waist, proving that she is very much alive and fabulous.
Photo: Johan Persson © Disney
2009 was again a record breaking year for London theatre.
Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi-award winning musical THE LION KING will redefine your expectations of theatre. At its heart is the powerful and moving story of Simba - the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. ...........................................................................................
The year saw the highest number of attendances, with ticket receipts reaching £483,679,423, contributing £72,037,361 to government coffers in VAT. 2010 is set to be yet another record-breaking year. New musicals such as LEGALLY BLONDE, FLASHDANCE join established hits such as WICKED and THE LION KING. ........................................................................................... Night after night, audiences are having the time of their lives at MAMMA MIA!. Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs, from ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Take A Chance On Me’ to ‘Super Trouper’ and ‘Thank You For The Music’, MAMMA MIA!’s enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek Island paradise. Over 42 million people worldwide have been dancing in the aisles to this sensational musical, and London is where it all began back in 1999.
Following huge critical acclaim, LEGALLY BLONDE the Musical is breaking records at the Savoy Theatre and taking London’s West End by Storm. Featuring a remarkable performance from Sheridan Smith as Elle, this is the must-see show of the year, and the most fashionable ticket in town!
Sparks will fly this year as the West End Premiere of FLASHDANCE the Musical explodes onto the stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre from September 2010. The show features an iconic score including the smash hit ‘Maniac’, along with ‘Manhunt’, ‘Gloria’, ‘I Love Rock & Roll’ and the Academy Award winning title track ‘Flashdance - What a Feeling’ as well as 10 original songs created for the musical. FLASHDANCE the Musical promises to be the theatrical event of the year – so take your passion and make it happen!
Finally Lee Mead has recently joined the cast of WICKED. Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Experience this unforgettable, award-winning musical and discover that you’ve not been told the whole story about the land of Oz… BOOK WITH SEE TICKETS www.seetickets.com Visit us at the IGLTA Convention, Antwerp, Belgium 23-27 June.
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you
for summer
NO, NOT A FACE LIFT! A FLAT LIFT!
Robin Anderson,author and interior designer to the stars, reveals how anyone can transform their home from winter wonderland to summer beach boudoir.
W
inter Blues? Recession Reds? That summer holiday a long way off? Add to this a pale face? Hate the way you look? A man without a tan? What you need is not a face lift but a flat lift! Think of it; one spends time preparing the body beautiful for the flaunt fantastique but in the meanwhile, why not surround the body with hints of what’s to come? Bring in summer early and bring it into your own space. Forget winter blues - we’re talking summer here which means light and bright sunshine tones of yellow, gold, red, orange and opposites of cool blues and acquas as opposed moody blues. White is always right but only if given the proverbial shot in the arm. But you don’t have to be a junkie to be a summer funky. ‘OK, OK,’ you murmur, ‘Talk is cheap but a face lift for my flat? How can that be cheap? And hey, that holiday on Gran Canaria does not come cheap either’ Have I sung a la Shirley Bassey - ‘Hey, Big Spendaaah!’? No, not at all. Far better I sing to you a la Fun Boy Three and Bananarama – ‘It Ain’t What You Do It’s The Way That You Do It!’ instead! It really is so easy. Make it an ‘At Home’ summer, a summer of summery stage effects. A case of ‘Here for summer, stored for winter.’ A PR friend of mine who wishes to remain anonymous - so I’ll dutifully refer to him as ‘X with the pecs!’ - was the epitome of misery when we met for a drink a few weeks ago. Staring gloomily into his Vodkatini (his third) he gave an Oscar winning sigh. ‘No long South of France holiday for me this summer. Because of this new deal I’ve just clinched,’ he moaned a trifle smugly (the Vodka and self-pity obviously having a mega lovein) ‘I may simply have to make do with a few days in St Trop.’
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‘Better a few days in St Trop than a few days in Bridlington!’ I quipped before adding, ‘So why not bring the South of France to South Ken? Think sunshine even though the weather will more-thanlikely be shit and furthermore, think of that other ‘eff’ word, rather than the one that is always foremost in your rapacious mind.’ ‘And what on earth is the alternative to that?’ ‘Fun, you wally!’ It was then I was given the confrontational, challenging look that I know he was more used to offering his clients than his friends. ‘OK, wise guy,’ he smirked. ‘You’re on. As Dirty Harry says, “Make my day.” Turn Onslow Gardens into St Tropez.’ ‘Your wish is my command.’ ‘X Pecs’ – or XP, as it’s easier - owns a modest first floor one bedroom flat with the added blessing of a small terrace in stylish Egerton Gardens, on the borders of Knightsbridge and South Kensington. The flat boasts all mod cons and is an ideal base for this busy high flier with one of his hobbies apart from tennis and squash, being water sports (no, not the alternative), water skiing and scuba diving his passions. He also has a frustrated passion for the colours yellow and blue. The flat – the show flat to the building when it was first refurbished three years ago – had been decorated in what I deem ‘minimalist Mogadon’ or ‘Contraceptive Decor,’ the first being it’s so bland it makes boring look ecstatic and the second, it’s so safe you’ll never be sorry. Think wood strip floors, severe chrome and leather chairs, plate glass tables with a vengeance a pair of chunky sofas in a dark green tweed. Add white walls and heavy green linen curtains and its final effect remains more condom than creative. But no yellow or blue, his favourite colours. The bedroom certainly goes further to put the ‘M’ in Mogadon. Walling in the same dark green tweed of the sofas with a throw-over spread in the same? Trying to
make your way to bed when pissed would certainly have you – on occasions – literally climbing the wall! St Trop in Egerton Gardens and on a package deal? Squeezy Jet, eat your little heart out! First creative stop was to visit the delicious, wonderful zany Jane Morris in her Walton Street atelier. Jane’s ‘PERCY BASS LTD’ makes Aladdin’s Cave look positively ransacked! ‘Morning Jane,’ I said breezily. ‘Zipped cushion covers please for two sofas. I have the approximate measurements here so, if what I know is going to be a brilliantly reasonable quote is accepted, then your guy can meet me on site and take the exact measurements. I also have measurements for some new light weight temporary curtains. No linings and interlinings. So, let’s get down to business!’ Half an hour later, apart from the fabrics, XP’s flatlift was almost there. Next stop, the equally magical Margaret at BERNARD THORP Ltd., a fabric house that screen prints hundreds of their own, exclusive designs – and a few of mine! – on any cloth of your choosing plus create a matching array of wonderful woven fabrics. Jane I bribed and cajoled with a large glass or two of wine (I just happened to have a bottle with me!) and Margaret – or Mags as everybody who is anybody is permitted to call her – I treated to a repeat with an equally enticing gin or two at the local! Within a few days I had the quotes, well within XP’s tight fist – in fact, there was still a convenient gap! – and so it was a happy as opposed to morose person I saw later. ‘I’d prefer it to be a surprise,’ said XP mischievously, ‘and I bet it’ll still be more Egerton than Cote d’Azur!’ ‘Aren’t you in New York for a few days supposedly discussing your new multi-whatever project, namely promoting “Trolling The Trucks” or something equally as salubrious? ‘I am indeed.’
beigehomestyle ‘Good! Let me know the day and time of your return and I’ll meet you on the Cote with a welcoming glass of something summery but still English. I mean, pastis in Egerton Gardens is pushing it, even for a genius like myself!’ ‘OK genius. See you Friday evening, two weeks’ time. And if I find myself back in good old London town as opposed to St Trop, I want my air fare back!’ (By air fare XP meant the monies spent on this minor flat lift). ‘As agreed. But I can assure you it’ll be more of a case of parfait than pay up!’ XP duly returned and, dumping his small holdall strode defiantly into the sitting room before stopping dead in his Gucci tracks. ‘Shit!’ He said. ‘Shit?’ ‘Not that sort of shit, RA! Fucking fantastic, fabulous shit!’ And this is the ‘surgery’ XP’s flat had been subjected to: Gone were the murky green sofas and in their place two stunning ‘new’ units, namely the former sofas now fitted with loose covers of white linen printed with a sea motif of coral branches, seashells and sprinklings of sand in the aforesaid coral, yellow, aquamarine and deeper blue colourings. A thicker woven fabric in the same design and colours had been fashioned into a large rug and placed under the large plate glass coffee table. The fabric had all been specially coloured, scotch guarded (made stain proof) and printed by BERNARD THORP & Co. within two days and then promptly delivered to Jane’s workrooms. Gone were the endless piles of boring coffee table books and the obligatory heavy ashtrays plus one or two bronzes. In their place were shell ashtrays, a rope of heavy, Indian beads in amber, blue and green and last but not least – the only extravagance but certainly the pièce de résistance - a perfect replica of a Riva boat (just under a metre in length) which had been the inspirational factor when embarking on JANE’s magical mystery tour, for that’s exactly what a visit to her establishment imbues. ‘Mental water skiing,’ I loftily explained to a gobsmacked XP. Elaborating on the seascape theme were yellow and aquamarine scatter cushions embroidered with coral beads in – surprise! surprise! – a coral motif, placed on the severe leather chairs. Gone were the heavy green drapes and in their place floaty, billowing (there just so happened to be a convenient, tactful gentle breeze that evening) off-white loosely woven nets. On either side of
Top to bottom left to right: Fabulous fabrics: • Seashells on Cotton - £50.44 inc VAT • Seashells on Moire - £87.98 inc VAT • Seaweed on Cotton £48.94 • Seaweed on Moire - £83.39 (All available to order through Bernard Thorp & Co, 53 Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 T:020 73521022); Large chrome finish cup & saucer, £198 + VAT. • ‘Time marches masochistically on!’ - Giant fob watch in chrome finish - £198 + VAT. Chrome finish flip flops (average men’s foot size. £38 + VAT, the pair.
the pair of French doors to the terrace were two wicker baskets in which dramatic bamboo poles with their now dried geometric leaves added a dramatic shadow effect to the stark white walls. Cachepots of yellow and white summer flowers stood on the minimalist mantelpiece which, had been ‘bandaged’ for the duration in yellow linen strips lightly glued to the marble. The bedroom had simply been ‘transported’ to the south by a throwover spread in the fabric of the new sofa covers. A touch of camp alongside XP’s king size bed were two pairs of coral beaded slippers on a similar rug made for the sitting room. ‘So where’s this Pimms then to celebrate? The flight from Heathrow to Nice and the subsequent drive to St Trop has given me a thirst!’ chuckled a delighted XP. ‘Forget Alice and her Mad Hatter’s Tea Party!’ I quipped, leading him onto the terrace now softly lit by four large Moroccan- style lanterns sitting on the tiled floor (Jane again!). ‘Bloody hell!’ bellowed XP before bursting out into loud laughter. Sitting on the terrace table (you guessed it! covered in a matching cloth to the sofa units) was a massive chrome cup and saucer – and when I say massive, think of a cup 52 cms diameter x 32 cms high with a saucer to match! I pointed to the equally large Mad Hatter’s chrome fob watch hanging on the wall (75 cms high x 54 cms wide). ‘And please note the time XP. It’s an hour ahead so you are in your fantasy St Tropez!’ ‘Fucking A! RA! Who needs BA when you have RA?! It’s brilliant!’ Come winter? The Riva is docked on the hearth; the rug, sofa covers, necklaces and beaded cushions put in the store cupboard under the stairs. The face lift falls, and all goes back to Minimalistic Mogadon until the next summer vacation. ‘But what about the cup and the clock?’ I hear you cry. Easy, the clock goes back and the Pimms cup is now the proud possessor of a fine conifer tree. Come Christmas and I shall suggest to XP he decorates same with lights and baubles to make the finest Christmas ‘cuppa tree!’ in wintery London Town.
Percy Bass Ltd. Percy Bass Ltd. and Bernard Thorp Ltd. will offer all Beige readers - for a 3 month period from date of issue and on presentation of this issue - 15% off all items purchased. www.percybass.com/www.bernardthorp.co.uk (Images courtesy Lukas Kroulik)
vol 3 issue 5 | beige | 71
Armour beigehomestyle
A NIGHT IN SHINING
i
f, like us, you enjoy treating yourself when travelling, then you’ll appreciate that when we heard about some award-winning, five star apartments right in the heart of one of our favourite UK cities, Edinburgh, we had to share the good news. “The Knight Residence is the leading luxury Aparthotel in Edinburgh,” says Kevin Drummond, Assistant Manager. “We pride ourselves on our exacting standards and the quality of our service. For the past three years running we have been in the top 1% of hotels in the whole world and number one in the United Kingdom for customer service according to leading travel company Expedia. If you want a memorable stay in Edinburgh for one night or more, our people will always endeavour to make sure your needs are met. Efficient, unobtrusive, helpful and friendly; each member of our team is there simply to provide you with the very best in Scottish hospitality. Our service ensures that you make the most of your time here with us.” Number one in the UK? Crumbs! But as you can see, this is hotel luxury in the form of special self-catering apartments. The idea is that you feel at home but also like a princess. The reviews on industry-standard travel reviews website Trip Advisor say it all: a glance at the Knight Residence page screams “Fantastic, welcoming, comfortable”, “Great value”, “luxury in a great location!” In fact, it’s so good that we’d really like to see the Hotel Inspector’s Alex Polizzi stay there and search for any advice she could give the knights from The Knight Residence! Prices start from £179.00 per night for a Superior studio apartment.
THE KNIGHT RESIDENCE - 12 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ | 0131 622 8120 | info@theknightresidence.co.uk
Fri - Sat
2011
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beigeproperty
BUYING LAND How to navigate
SERVICES Before you buy land for building on find out if services are connected or whether it is near to existing services for connection. Buying land without nearby services may mean that their connection is not physically possible or is financially demanding.
M
any of the auction lots that I visited for Homes Under The Hammer are plots of land – with a whole range of possibilities for redevelopment for the lucky buyer. There is also a strong case for buying undeveloped land as an investment – with the hope that by gaining permission to develop the plot at some point, the value of the land increases significantly. So, what should you be looking for if you do decide to buy land? Ground Conditions One of the first considerations is the condition of the ground itself as this will directly affect effect the suitability of the plot for what you intend to do. For example, the soil type may require a large amount of work to create the foundations for building on. Similarly, If the land lies on a slope it may require more labour and materials to put solid foundations in place, and worse still, the land could be situated on a flood plain. Your solicitor should carry out necessary checks for this on your behalf and you should ensure that any additional work required is budgeted for. Land that is ‘Brownfield’ land will have had a previous use and in some cases this could have caused the land to become contaminated through use of chemicals, industrial pollution or infill. If there is any question about the quality of soil, a sample should be collected and tested. THE PLOT How do you access the land? Does the access point cross land not belonging to you? Some vendors hold back a strip of land between the access point and your land. This is known as a ransom strip - the owner of the strip can prevent you accessing the land and hold you to ransom. A solicitor will check for this. If the access is via a private drive you will be responsible for maintaining it. This may be shared with other users of the drive but an annual budget should be allocated for maintenance. The plot size and shape should be checked - the area of the plot may provide the land required, but an awkward shape can quickly end plans you might have. 74 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
PLANNING If the land has planning permission, look over the plans and see that it tallies with what you hope to build. If not speak to the local council for an informal decision. It is possible to reapply for planning permission without affecting the planning permission that has already been gained, so all will not be lost. Do make sure that the planning permission has not expired, and will not expire within the time of the transaction and the time it will take to get started. Your solicitor will also check for this. The checks should also cover previous planning applications so you can see what has been applied for and succeeded or failed in the past.
Martin Roberts, TV property expert, author and presenter of Homes Under the Hammer offers advice and guidance on all things property
HOW MUCH TO PAY? The value of a particular plot is also dependent on other factors:
• The
topography of the land: Sloping foothill land is inefficient for farming but desirable for high-priced homes with attractive views. • The costs of building: Will the property require expensive foundations on an “infill” site or if it is on a hill. If the house is remote, will the services be expensive to connect? • Timing: Shrewd investors will follow the lie of the land and know when to buy and how long to hold onto the land to realise its full potential. The ‘holding’ period may involve cash expenditures for mortgage payments, property taxes and improvements to the land. Unless the property can be leased for some income-generating activity, vacant land requires constant financial support during its investment life. • Utility Services: The future value of self build land often depends greatly on the availability of gas, electricity and sewer services. • Value of the finished home: Carry out research via local estate agents and Internet sites to find out what sale price a newly built home can command. However, it’s not all bricks and mortar as parcels of land suitable for pony paddocks, agricultural investment, woodland or recreational purposes are all commanding high premiums. As Mark Twain one famously said, “Buy land; they don’t make it anymore.”
To find out more about Martin Roberts and for property advice visit www.martinroberts.co.uk
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At home with
beigeinterview
Inside Manhunt’s
Mountainside
Villa
T
he does-what-it-says-on-the-tin website Manhunt is one of the world’s leading gay hook-up services, with more than four million members globally. The man who started it all is Jonathan Crutchley (pictured left). Jonathan divides his time between a palatial town house in Boston – where Manhunt is based – and Palm Springs, California, where we meet him today. He moved into his first west coast home, a quaint bungalow, in 2004. With the success of his site, he needed something bigger and sexier to host his infamous White Party Palm Springs pool parties. He found the perfect location in his new Palm Springs home that is being called Manhunt’s Mountainside Villa.
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© David Arias for manhunt.net
As founder of Manhunt, you can live anywhere. Why choose Palm Springs? I was thinking in the long term of a place I would one day like to retire to. I have a few years until then so I also wanted a city that could be a vacation getaway until then. My boyfriend doesn’t like Florida. He complains it’s too humid. Other places like Provincetown are too seasonal. Palm Springs is the most year-round place we could think of.
What attracted you to your home? I bought my first Palm Springs house in 2004. It was wonderful but a little too small. I wanted a larger place where I could entertain. I sold the bungalow in 2009 and asked the local realtor to find me a new home with at least an acre of land. He said it couldn’t be done, but somehow he found one. When I first saw the spectacular views from the mountainside overlooking the valley, I knew I was home.
Who designed the home’s exterior? The house is only sixteen years old but it has already had two architects. Alan Sanborn designed the main house. A guest house was added five years ago. Hugh Kaptur was the architect on that project.
Who designed the interior? The talented Daniel Wright.
… and the landscaping? John Wessman, a major real estate developer in Palm Springs. He is a master of property improvement.
How does your Palm Springs home reflect who you are? It is so unlike anything I have ever owned. It’s my fantasy lifestyle. It’s not real, but a dream.
What have you done to make the Palm Springs home your own? I’m currently rebuilding the pool and adding a spa. The former owner included his furniture when I bought the home. It was French style, Louis XVI. It reminded me of Marie Antoinette’s boudoir: beautiful, but not exactly me. I’m beginning to replace the items with pieces that better reflect me: leather chairs and sofas, dark woods. I recently added a canopied mahogany bed with grape leaves carved on the posts and a chest with carved monkeys at the end of it.
How would you describe your personal style? I like a variety of animal figures. Frog lamps, turtle lamps, bear figures... and lots of framed prints of naked male athletes, both Classical and modern. I choose conservative furnishings with an element of risk that sometimes turns into something wild.
What makes your bedroom a true master’s bedroom? Now you’re talking about what interests me. It’s a pretty neat bedroom. I love the huge balcony with views of the entire valley. I also love the canopy bed that’s made for a king. It faces the fireplace and a wide screen TV – two of my favorite things!
How does your country home compare to your city home? Both my Boston and Palm Springs homes are on hills with views. The Boston house is a Spanish-style villa with a clay tile roof, an architectural style that was invented in California. The interior, however, is Colonial with hardwood floors and fireplaces - very New England. The Palm Springs house is very California.
How many pool parties do you host each year? Three with more than 100 guests, plus several additional smaller, intimate gatherings.
Are you the gay Hugh Hefner? Oh, my God. Hopefully you’re thinking of Hefner 40 years ago, not in his 80s shuffling around the Playboy mansion in his pajamas and robe. Hefner has his playmate centerfolds around him and I have Manhunt models in their speedos. I can see the comparison. Owning one of the leading gay male hook-up sites does have its benefits.
Interview by Joey Suchow. Images © DavidALeePhotography.com Visit Manhunt.net. 78 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
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Eastern Promise
cap NIGHT
Mark Ludmon examines how Japanese drinks from whisky to sake are making an impact in the UK
Mark Ludmon is editor of Bar magazine, the leading monthly publication for people working in the bar trade. www.barmagazine.co.uk 82 | beige | vol 3 issue 5
I
f you If you’ve ever tried the Japanese fermented drink sake in a British restaurant, it has probably be served warm with no choice about the style of sake that you are having. As the popularity of Japanese food continues to grow in the UK, more people are learning about the wine and spirits from the Far East. The team behind London sushi restaurants Tsuru in Bankside and Bishopsgate have been organising educational tastings of sake for the past two years. Co-founder Emma Reynolds says customers now understand that only lower-grade sake needs to be served warm and that the better ones are best chilled. “Interest in Japanese drinks has been growing in London over the past five years,” she says. “It has always been there, particularly with the Japanese community, but it is now prevalent in the mainstream.” Sake is created from rice, water, a natural enzyme called koji-kin and yeast, brewed like a beer but served like a wine. Premium sakes are light and delicate, best served slightly chilled. The quality of the sake is based on the rice milling: the more the grains are milled, the more that the outer part is worn away to leave the best parts. The most common brand available in the UK is from the producer Akashi-Tai, which supplies a wide spectrum of different sakes. The purest form is “junmai” which has not had any extra neutral alcohol added during preparation, while “honjozo” is sake with neutral alcohol added to create a smooth final brew. The highestquality sakes are “daiginjo”, made with the most precise methods by the top brewers. Another style is “nigori” which is unfiltered, giving it a cloudy appearance and sweeter taste. The availability of sake in bars has been quietly growing over the past three years since club operator Eclectic Bars & Clubs opened late-night bar Sakura in Lincoln and a second under the same name in Reading.
The company is poised to open more of the bars around the UK, with cold sake a major feature of the drinks list, including 30 different flavours which are all created and mixed in-house. Top Japanese restaurant Sake No Hana in St James’s, London, has established a reputation for its list of sake and sake-based cocktails and, earlier this year, it created a new bar offering non-diners a chance to enjoy Japanese drinks. Butterfly Bar, part of the latest branch of Japanese restaurant chain Itsu in Notting Hill, also specialises in sake and cocktails. Another recent opening is Red Monkey in Battersea, south London, which has a range of Japanese beers and whiskies as well as sake and the vodka-like rice spirit shochu. Tim Oakley, beverages manager of Red Monkey’s owner Rising Star Leisure, says there is greater interest among consumers in sake and shochu, although bar staff are trained to overcome gaps in people’s knowledge. “Using sake in cocktails like Mojitos and Martinis subliminally gets it into people’s minds that they are drinking it which makes it more approachable,” Tim adds. All of these bars and restaurants are also champions of Japanese whisky which, although inspired by Scotch whisky, has carved out an award-winning niche of its own, driven by brands such as Nikka, Hibiki and Yamazaki. Japanese whisky producer Suntory beat whisky producers from around the world, including Scotland, to be named distiller of the year in the Icons of Whisky awards earlier this year. Suntory also triumped in the World Whiskies Awards this year, winning best blended whisky for its Hibiki 21 Year Old. Another Japanese whisky, Taketsuru 21 Year Old from Nikka Distilling Company, won best blended malt whisky in the World Whiskies Awards. Amanda Wilson, marketing manager for Yamazaki single malt whisky, says: “It’s a small category and not everyone is aware of it yet but sales in the UK are up 100 per cent for the year to March. There is growing interest and enthusiasm because of awards recognising the whiskies’ quality and heritage.”
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