The recent heatwave has brought with it an extra layer of pure joy to this year’s Pride month, as people flocked to Soho Square, Clapham Common and local parks to enjoy the rays and, of course, the view of some delicious men squeezed into their far-too-tight tank tops and shorts.
As if this month couldn’t get any better, it’s also the time of year when West End Live returns to Trafalgar Square. Two days of free theatre against the backdrop of Nelson and his lions — what’s not to like? At times, the heat risked overshadowing this year’s party as thousands of us poured into a sun-drenched Square to sip expensive lukewarm beer and bop to the likes of Disney’s The Lion King and The Great Gatsby.
As temperatures smashed 30 degrees, its first day showcased a handful of recently opened or upcoming queer shows, including Pop Off Michelangelo!, currently playing at Underbelly Boulevard Soho. I first got wind of this crazy take on the story of best-pals-turned-bitter-rivals Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci when it took the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by storm, so it was fabulous to finally see it here. Its debut in London stars RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalistMichael Marouli, and what I saw at West End Live has really whetted my appetite for the entire show.
Also previewed was The DianaMixtape, which opens at HERE@Outernet at the end of July, plus Titanique, which I had the joy of seeing in full just a few days into Carl Mullaney’s run as Ruth. The new cast has brought with them a freshness to this bonkers musical that guarantees to have you in stitches as the tragedy of the Titanic’s sinking is brought to life.
June also brought with it no end of receptions and celebrations for Pride month. A firm highlight was a delightful and really moving exhibition at Queer Britain in King’s Cross, celebrating 20 years of Black Pride. Learning about the event’s history was fascinating, but so too was hanging out with its founder, Lady Phyll, and the cast of
This Bitter Earth, who popped in for a nosey around. Billy Porter’s directorial debut – starring Omari Douglas and Alexander Lincoln, too — opened at Soho Theatre last month and you can still see it until the 26th July. Set against the backdrop of civil unrest and the George Floyd murder, this is a stark and poignant look at a gay inter-racial couple’s relationship during this time.
I hope your summer of fun continues into July. There is much to look forward to, with Evita finally arriving at the Palladium, along with a splattering of other queer shows to keep us entertained. I’m especially excited for Maiden Voyage at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, which follows an all-female sailing crew in an ocean race around the world. But perhaps most of all, I’m looking forward to a week’s break and topping up my tan. Have a good July and don’t forget to slap on the factor 50.
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