CODE - NYE

Date:             Saturday 31 December 2011
Location:       Green Carnation, Soho 

Let me start this review with a confession - I love the Green Carnation (GC)! The touchy velvety wall paper, the friendly bar staff, the classy cocktails, what's not to love!?  So I was properly looking forward to Code at GC, advertised as occupying all 3 floors.  To be honest, I never even knew there were three floors at GC, and the discovery of the basement was an eye opener.  It had a small bar and an intimate dance floor which was well serviced by harder dance music.  It kinda felt like a mini-rave, what with the gyrating bodies in a confined place... mmm mm.  Highly recommended!

The dance floor on the ground floor was the pop and RnB area, with a pretty good mix of tracks and a great crowd of women.  Maybe it was the NYE spirit, or those double mixers they serve, but everyone was very friendly and up for a dance with a stranger.  Circles of stranger joined arms to sing the obligatory ‘Auld Lang Syne’, and my mate came back from the bar with gratis drinks - now that is the NYE spirit right there!!  There were also couches and little nooks that could be used for a break from the music, should one require this.

The upstairs floor had some great old 80's tracks early in the night, before I'd warmed up enough to dance, and before the cloak room queue had dissipated.  Unfortunately, later in the night, after midnight, when my dancing muscles were warmed up and my sense of shame drowned in a fog of booze, the promised 80's & 90's kitsch had become generic pop too similar to the main floor, leaving me wandering listlessly between the floors listening out for some fun tracks to boogie to.

Last but not least, the toilets were kept pretty well stocked with paper and soap, and despite a whole club full of women the queues were not the worst I’ve seen!

OK, that was the love-fest but there are a couple of things that did not tick my box this NYE so let's get them out of the way.  The cloak room was disorganised, the queue long, and not relieved by opening the second cloak room.  I've also been advised that there was some disorganisation getting coats at the end of the night.  I don’t think this was a failing by the organisers as I have attended other 'Rebecca & Nicki' events and not encountered this issue, nonetheless it was taken on board for next time.  

The £8 price tag for a spirit and mixer is quite steep, and the fact that it is a double is a mixed blessing which can leave the night a bit, um... fuzzy (or is it just me?).  I didn't buy a beer but believe they are served in bottles, with the price tag this involved.  

Overall, I had a damn good NYE, and only wish there was more of it that I could remember ;)  Have a great 2012 folks, and I look forward to partying with you for the next 12 months.

Review by Tali

Lounge Christmas Party

Date:             Thursday 22 December (Christmas special, normally 1st Thursday, monthly)
Location:       The Penthouse, One Leicester Square
Price:             £8/£10 (£5 before 10pm)

“Not just Lounging around..."

This event is funky, trendy and cool. 

From the spectacular high rise views of the Penthouse over lit up London icons, to leather sofas, to music designed to get you up and dancing, there is a lot to offer.

The ticket price is pretty standard for lesbian club nights in London, however inside it’s on the pricier end of events on offer for cloakroom (£2 per item) and the higher end drinks charges (two singles with a dash for £9), be prepared to spend (we recommend you take cash as there’s also a 15% surcharge on paying for drinks by card). There were sweets, mince pies and free shots on offer though as it was the Christmas special!

But Lounge is a great night out to let loose on the dancefloor – with a fab mix of music current and retro dance classics (the DJs were Uncle Jane, Philly and Christine Townsend). It’s one to come along to with a group of friends – most of the crowd was various groups of friends. It’s a good range of ages of women up for a good night out.

The event is described as for "metrosexual women" based on a Sex and The City style night out for women. It’s definitely Cosmopolitan, darling!

Oh, and take the lift up – save your energy and avoid the 7 floors of stairs.

Review by Katie Hall

Drill Hall Darlings Panto - Miss Whittington & Her Cat

Date:               14-16 December 2011
Time:                7.30pm
Location:         Karamel, Wood Green
Tickets:            £8

---

"Oh My Word" 

To summarise this panto: a country lesbian, Whit, moves to London with her cat, meets a girl and immediately falls in love. However there are challenges to overcome such as the girlfriend's allergy to Whit's pussy, a love triangle, a drug dealing villain and a permanently hungover fairy godmother. As you'd expect, it all works out in the end, via some random plotting, oh and there's lots of singing too.

Miss Whittington and Her Cat, part panto-part pastiche takes on traditional fairytale romance, panto humour and a gentle mocking of some of the iconic elements of lesbian London and British culture, and has you laughing on pretty much the whole journey (except when you're booing the villain or shouting 'it's behind you' or singing along)!

After being advised to set our mobiles onto vibrate the panto commenced. The humour was pleasantly saucy and the story told in traditional pantomime chaotic fun, and full of double entendre and audience participation. There were lots of references that would be well known the lesbians in the audience from paying £5 to get into the "Sweetie Bar" to remembering what your date's IRL name is to struggling to run a profitable organic upcycling ethical fairtrade business. The story even had that traditional lesbian dilemma: do you choose your girlfriend or your cat?

There were some star turn performances, in particular the villain, Ratty who was gloriously hammy, unlikeable, yet engaging. The staging was also done particularly well for the small venue and in the third act the cast managed to turn a plain stage into a ship in under a minute, brought to life by some very convincing swaying across the stage during the storm. The cast also responded very well to some lively heckling.

All in all a very entertaining evening, as we have come to expect from the Darlings and we recommend keeping an eye out for their next performance. 

The Drill Hall Darlings have set sails to a new venue for their Christmas Panto. We travelled north to Wood Green to a lovely, intimate restaurant called Karamel (a franchise of the menier chocolate factory). The food was reasonably priced and served right up until 8pm when the show began. 

Review by Katie Hall

---

The Drill Hall and the Darlings in 2012

We have learnt that the Darlings have lost their home at the Drill Hall due to the lease being sold - the Drill Hall will cease trading at the end of the year, and will become a RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) media hire and rehearsal space. We look forward to hearing that they have found a lovely new home very soon!

Miss Whittington & Her Cat

Miss Whittington & Her Cat by Giselle Johnson has been specially commissioned for the Darlings. Dyke diva Giselle has also written previous shows for the Darlings: Take Me Back to Lesbos and It's Christmas, Carole! The show was directed by Barcy Cogdale.

About the Darlings

The Darlings are a community lesbian troupe that was formed in 2007 to celebrate The Drill Hall's 30th anniversary with a one-off storytelling event. The Darlings are not professional performers, but do everything they can to be splendid.

If you would liek to become a Darling you can by signing up to their email list at www.outhouselondon.co.uk.

About the Director, Barcy Cogdale

Barcy trained at Rose Bruford College and has a degree in Community Theatre Arts. In 1997 she set up the award-winning Ruby Tuesday Productions to work on theatre that reflected the lives and issues of out lesbians.

Only Amazon Knows I'm A Lesbian

Date:               11 December 2011
Time:                7.30pm (running time 1hr)
Location:         Hens & Chicken Theatre, Islington N1

---

“La la la”

If you’re a lesbian (especially in London), and you remember coming out, this one woman musical tells your story.

The joys of buying the L Word, reading the Whole lesbian sex Book, going organic, wanting to be in those lesbian TV shows, and your first Gingerbeer picnic, all told in a humorous and beautifully sung, part stand-up/part cabaret performance.

We thoroughly enjoyed the show, lots of laughs, and great original songs (to some familiar tunes) and very engaging with the audience.

If you get the chance to see this, it’s one we recommend – any further London performances will be on the calendar.

Review by Katie Hall

---

You can find out more about Holly Aisbitt and see what else she is doing on her website.

To get a glimpse of what you missed check out this YouTube video of Lesbian Picnic.

Bijou at the Carter Rooms

Date:             Saturday 10 December (2nd Saturday, monthly)
Location:       Carter Rooms, 56 Carter Lane, City of London, EC4V 5EA

Cocktails, cocktails, cocktails

Bijou feels like one of those nights from ‘back in the day’.  It’s down a quiet City street, and once you pass the front door and tell the security which night you are there for you are greeted warmly by the beautiful Lauren and Robin who run the night.  The location has an intimate yet spacious feeling bar with a good number of comfortable booths to leave your bag and coat and to catch up with friends.  

The music is a fun mix of newer pop and old classics, and is that perfect volume that encourages you to approach people (should you be brave enough) as you won’t have to shout in their ear!  And if you are the type to approach women on the dance floor Bijou is the place to do it, they are a friendly bunch who seem to be there for a good laugh; Bijou is the only place I have ever seen people having splits competitions on the corner of the dance floor, and dancers creating an impromptu dance circle with people taking turns to dance in the middle.  

Of course, if you are the type to approach women on the dance floor you’ll need a bit of Dutch courage, and in this respect Bijou again comes up trumps.  There is a good selection of cocktails at about £8 a pop, but better yet there are two cocktails specially designed for the night at only a fiver.  In the name of research I felt it my duty to road test both and can report that, though I personally preferred the ‘Dyke-quarie’, the ‘Pussy Galore’ was very tasty too.  

The best part was watching the bartender mix the drink, pouring the ingredients free hand.  It is all too rare that bar staff are given the freedom to pour Bacardi sans shot glass, and the result was a delicious drink that went down all too quickly.  The beers are reasonably priced and a good stock on tap and perfect shaped bottle form. 

Finally, a word about the smallest room; the toilet.  These are shared with the other night in the venue and are clean, with a supply of soap.  There is no toilet attendant in the bathrooms, which I prefer, and though there are 3 cubicles the queues didn’t seem any worse then other venues.

Review by Tali and Viene

---

Tickets are available in advance and we’d recommend pre-purchasing to ensure entry by emailing elysionevents@ymail.com.

So was the move from Tart Bar to Carter Rooms a good one? Well a larger space was definitely needed, but the Tart Bar offered a very 'Bijou' space (pardon the pun). In our opinion this venue was extremely well thought out. We thank Lauren and Robin for their hours of 'research' into venues as you have done us proud!

Robyn Hood and the gender benders - RVT Panto

Date:               Wednesday 7 December 2011 **PREVIEW NIGHT**
Time:                8.30pm
Location:         Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Vauxhall
Price:               F£6.50 limited earlybird, £8.50 online, £9.99 on the door
Website:         www.rvt.org.uk/event/robyn-hood-rvt-panto

 

---

We don’t want to give too much away because this panto really is worth a visit, although this is certainly not the panto to take your children (or parents) to – Robyn Hood is strictly for adults only!

Voiceovers from Scottie (from the Barbican) introduces the production and encourages you to drink; use your mobile; take photos and talk so from the outset you know that this isn’t your usual pantomime.

Robyn Hood (that is Robyn with a Y not Robyn with an I!) is set in the glamourous space of Hampstead Heath (the Christmas tree is quite a piece of art!) and he is accompanied by Tired Fu*k and a Merry Man. The sherriff (*BOO*) is the bad 'guy' and the story is set around Prince Big Willy and Maid Middleton and a printing press – think a phone hacking scandal of days gone by, coupled with a Royal wedding. 

The panto is interactive, but not so much that you can’t enjoy a good drink and a laugh. Featuring the RVT Community Choir (aka the audience!) on kazoos to Love in the First Degree, you can expect a number of non-traditional pantomime songs including two of our favourites: All the single ladies (cockney style) and Cell Block Tango (from Chicago but with rather different lyrics!)

The RVT clearly spent a lot of money on this panto(!), and the highlight was the flying pigeon (honestly!) – it seems a bird will fly anywhere for its special K!

We recommend you arrive early to get a seat as the place was packed for preview night – although it doesn’t matter where you sit as the stage is all around you! Overall this pantomime is chaotic, but very good fun, and the cast were very good at ad libbing where needed.

 

Review by Naomi Bennett

---

Future Dates
This Panto is running 28, 29 and 30 December at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern

Taniwha Thames by Shaky Isles Theatre

Date:               15 November - 3 December 2011 (Tues - Sat)
Time:               7.45pm (running time 1hr 45m)
Location:         Ovalhouse Theatre
Price:               £14 (£7 concession)

---

I'm not going to spoil anything for you, suffice it to say I urge you to go and see this wonderful piece of theatre before it closes on Saturday.

And now forgive me for a little self indulgence:

'Gently weaving Taniwha Thames'
River of life and death
rhythmic ebb and flow;
seduction is London.

Corsets & Diamonds

Date:               Saturday 26 November 2011 (event runs monthly, last Saturday)
Time:                8pm - 2am
Location:         Secret location which is announced before the event
Price:               Membership available (details on website), advance tickets £15, VIP tickets £150
Door policy:     mixed
Website:          corsetanddiamonds.com/

---

Burlesque Amadeus - Sexy, Intriguing - the Burlesque Mask Ball

 

When we first walked in it was to be faced with a rather glamorous mix of people and a Diva Von Teese-lookalike taking her clothes off on the floor. Ten minutes later, the performance done and nipple tassels revealed, we made our way to the bar. It was then I realised my mistake. It was a masked party and like a fool I'd forgotten my mask. 

All around me were feathers, top hats, fascinators, corsets, spiralled curls and legs. Everyone had made an effort, and me? Well perhaps I was the missing jester. Once at the bar I ordered my very own Marie Antoniette and surveyed the venue.

To think of Corsets & Diamonds as just a place to see burlesque dancers is to miss the point. C&D not only has beautifully dressed clientelle, it has cocktails, cupcakes, market stalls and even makeup artists. Its a 'If you pull on a dress, we'll do your hair and sell you the accessories' kind of event. 

The music spans from jazz to classic to retro, the dance floor is minimal, the wait at the bar can sometimes be long and the burlesque enthusiasts can outnumber the lesbians but overall, this event is well worth a night out.

Facebook event for the November C&D

Review by Ida Raine

Beehayve East - launch

Date:               Saturday 26 November 2011 **LAUNCH EVENT**
Time:                7pm - 11.30pm
Location:         Fat Cat Cafe, Bow Wharf, 221 Grove Road, London, E3 5SN
Price:               Free entry!
Door policy:     Women only
Website:          Beehayve Facebook Group

---

“Oh, beeeehayve ;)”

Tucked away in quiet Bow Wharf, E3, Fat Cat Cafe held host to the first Beehayve East event.

Beehayve East was created by Hayley & Imke who wanted to bring together women for a chilled, sociable night out, away from the centre of Town. The launch event seemed to do just that, a good turnout of lesbians and bi women taking over the bar! It was a very pleasant atmosphere and friendly too.

The bar itself was very cosy, if slightly out of the way (great bus access though) and affordable too. We enjoyed 2 for 1 cocktails all evening (very tasty and not just your average cosmos), and the mocktails were delicious as well. We checked out the prices for other drinks, beer and shorts, and all were reasonably priced.

Keep an eye out for this event, as it’s worth a visit for a chilled, affordable night out.

Review by Katie Hall

---

About Beehayve

BEEHAYVE is a not-for-profit innovation with a mission to create social events in London for women who are attracted to women. Our ethos is: to be innovative and creative, respond to the social needs of the London queer female community, and provide fun and friendly events, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Beehayve are starting with free monthly bar nights in Hackney/Bow and Hammersmith, where they think there is a need for social opportunities to bring queer women together in the East and West.

The founders of Beehayve are good friends Hayley and Imke: Hayley has lived in London since 2007 and currently lives in Shepherds Bush. Hayley came out to her friends and family when she was a meagre 14 years old, and hasn't looked back since. Hayley organises BEEHAYVE WEST events and is often the centre of attention at social events, but that's more to do with her adorable black Labrador guide dog who accompanies her to most places. Imke is originally from Germany, but has lived in London since 1998, and has, in those years, explored much of the lesbian scene, always with a desire to find places with a welcoming and friendly vibe, and at some stage decided to create them herself. Imke organises BEEHAYVE EAST and is an experienced and confident hostess, who loves cycling and yoga. And cats, of course…

Future Dates

Beehayve have just announced the next two dates: West London - 21 January & East London - 25 February

Rumours

Date:               Saturday 6 November 2011 (event runs monthly, 1st Saturday)
Time:                9pm - 3am
Location:         Minories, 64 - 73 Minories London EC3N 1DD
Price:               £7
Door policy:     mainly women, men as guests
Website:          www.girl-rumours.co.uk

---

“I heard a rumour...”

Rumours is one of those well-established, long-running events that it seems like everyone has heard of. How does it still manage to pull in the punters?

The November Rumours saw a new DJ line up. It was the busiest I’ve seen the event all year, and those who turned up were rewarded. The music was awesome; with a special shout out to DJ Fomo.

The bar staff were really friendly, and there was a great atmosphere: relaxed and friendly, and everyone seemed to be there to have fun - there were no attitudes!

The crowd was a real mix of people, with a range of ages from 19 to 50 – all getting on and having a good time together. I could have stayed all night.

As well a fab atmosphere there were also some drinks offers to make the night even more enjoyable.

The only change I’d make is to ask that the venue put a bit less air freshener in the toilets, I almost couldn’t breathe going in there!

The Beautiful & The Damned

Date:               Saturday 29 October 2011
Location:         Protocol, Vauxhall

The poster for The Beautiful and the Damned promised a classy venue with costumed beauties, and on this front the event did not let me down. 

The venue, Protocol, shared an entrance with another event, but the security deftly pointed people into the entrance they needed. Protocol boasted a comfortable booth area for some semi-private sitting, and two dance rooms that were appropriately decorated with spiders and a lot of webs. Though both dance rooms had their own bar, differing staffing levels sometimes left the bar 3 people deep. On the plus side, each room also had a welcoming tray piled with marshmallows and gummy candy to keep your blood sugar levels peaked. 

At 11pm the club was only about a third full, but many more women and a couple of men continued to arrive so by midnight the club was comfortably full. Kudos to all the people getting into the spirit of Halloween - I was impressed that so many people had more fake blood that I did! A special mention to the party of friends that included Freddy Kruger and Jason from the Friday 13th movie franchise, but my stomach actually turned when I spotted the fire-fighter with a cockroach crawling out of putrefying cheek flesh- good effort!

The crowd was quite varied, I'd guess the age range was 20's-40's, with a good number of unfamiliar faces. I particlarly like the policy of a women's night, with men as their guests. I think this works well to encourage women's mainly spaces that are comfortable and fun. 

So far so good. Where I was a little disappointed was in the merging of the styles of music between the rooms. What promised to be an RnB room, and an 80's/indie room soon seemed to merge into two rooms with very similar music. The indie room tried to be too modern and fell into a mainstream rut; whilst the room that had RnB at the beginning on the night, rocked out to 80's hits later in the night. Luckily the rooms were separated only by an entrance (with very good sound insulation) so it was a quick trip to investigate where the best tracks, or hottest costumes were! But there wasn't enough distinction between the rooms for my short attention span.  Also, drinks were a bit on the expensive side: a can of beer and a drink with mixer priced at over £9!

Overall, I had a good night and will keep a look out for other similar parties, especially if there's another chance to get the costume makeup on.

Review by Tali and Vaux

The Big Gay Lifestyle Show @ The Connaught Rooms, London

Date:               Saturday 22 October 2011
Location:         The Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, London

 

From top left to bottom right: Scottee, Jill Jackson, Elouise, FTW, London Gay Men's Chorus, Dusty O and Mae Martin

Planet London visited the first Big Gay Lifestyle Show which took place on Saturday 22 October at the Connaught Rooms near Holborn (located on the aptly named Great Queen Street). Whilst the Big Gay Lifestyle Show wasn't very visible from the outside, the gays had really taken over the venue inside and the venue itself was as grand as the name suggests with Titanic like chandeliers.

The main room hosted the exhibitor stands and the main stage, additionally there was a smaller room to the side hosting free wine tasting by Barefoot Wines and a bar.

The exhibitors represented a broad spectrum of the gay-friendly companies, gay owned businesses and household name charities. There was a warm, friendly atmosphere and the buzz picked up throughout the afternoon as well as a good mix of men and women.

The afternoon on the main stage was intermittent performances from the excellent London Gay Men's Chorus, Funny Women finalists and Trannyshack cabaret. Funny women was MC'd by Rosie Wilby and featured short performances by lesbian stalker, Mae Martin (don't let her get a crush on you or she'll be singing a song about it!); Checkley and Bush - part siamese Russian twins, part M&S fans - in the style of Rihanna; and lastly the Funny Women 2011 winner, Lara A King - a L-E-S-B-I-A-N country comedy guitar-wielding singer, stand-up.

It was all change from 6pm as the venue then set up for the evening. The stalls were pushed back against the walls and the lower mood lighting was turned on. The mainstage was gracefully compered by The Very Miss Dusty O, who revelled in the post-watershed 6pm.

The evening had a very different feel to the daytime, with a focus on the acts and music. Shining out of the evening musical acts were the London Gay Men's Chorus (we want them at our wedding!) and Jill Jackson, and both benefited from the intimate setting.

After perhaps enjoying ourselves too much the night before at Southbank Surfing and an early start to make the most of a full day at The Big Gay Lifestyle Show, we 'sadly' retired too early to make it to the official after party at Fire.

Overall we had a very productive day, networking with lots of gay businesses; catching up with friends of Planet London such as Victoria Broom (actress and Planet London movie reviewer) and G3 Editor, Sarah Garrett; and interviewing Funny Women Lara A King and Rosie Wilby. What a day!

Review by Katie and Naomi

Pout - 2nd Birthday

Date:               Saturday 15 October 2011
Location:         Brown Sugar, High Holborn

Pout those lips, darling

It's always a pleasure to attend an event full of lovely lesbians, bi and queer women in sexy surroundings.

Pout, at Brown Sugar, a chilled out cosy venue in Holborn with funky light fittings on the ceiling, delivers just that.

A friendly crowd, that begins with the welcoming face of Elaine (owner of the Glass Bar) at the door, filling the venue (the queue was out of the door around 11pm), boogied away to an ecclectic 70s, 80s and 90s pop/electro/soul blend - not necessarily traditional floor fillers.

Drinks are pretty standard for the area, being £4 for a single and mixer.

Overall this is a great night out.

Review by Katie

---

Pout

When: A regular monthly night on the 3rd Saturday of each month

Where: Brown Sugar, 146 High Holborn, WC1V 6PJ

Entry: £7 on the door

Run By: Pout is run by Elaine McKenzie

Official Description: A funky club night for women who love music & dancing. Playing funk, disco beats and cool sultry motown soul & Pop throughout the decades. Sounds of Chic La Freak, Thriller, Abba, SOS Band, Sugababes, Saturday Night Fever, Madonna, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Lady GaGa & more anthems.

Margaret CHo - Cho Dependent

Date:               Thursday 13 October 2011, 7.30pm
Location:         The Leicester Square Theatre
Other details:   running from Thursday 13 October until Tuesday 18 October (Sunday 16 October in Brighton only)

Eat Sh*t and Die

Not for the faint-hearted, Cho takes us on a comedy tour that is at some points close to the wire, covering subjects from abortion to cunnilingus, that constantly kept the audience laughing.

Proud - of her sexuality, politics and cultural heritage - and most importantly of who she is, Cho does not hold back, telling tales in a conversational format. 

She also pulls the most fantastic faces as she characterises various people in her tails.

Cho also isn't shy to kiss and tell and gossip away and there are a few gems of truth in her stories of previous lovers and Dancing with the Stars.

Alongside a genuinely funny and very tight set is the unexpected bonus of her songs, think Victoria Wood on coke!

Cho is supported by John Roberts, a cheesy New York gay with many wigs.

Catch Cho until Saturday at The Leicester Square Theatre, a great little venue with bars inside the auditorium - well worth a visit (if you can still get tickets) or on 16 October at the Brighton Comedy Festival.

Twitter competition: Follow us and re-tweet our review of Margaret Cho for a chance to win a signed copy of her 'Beautiful' DVD. Winner will be drawn on the evening of Wednesday 19 October 2011.

Terms and conditions of competition

Review by Katie

The Killing of Sister George - the Arts Theatre

Date:               Friday 7 October (running until 29 October 2011)
Location:         The Arts Theatre
Other details:   2 hours, 40 minutes; Mon-Sat 7.30pm and 3pm on Thursdays and Saturdays

The Roles We Play

The Killing of Sister George explores roles - the ones we assume and the ones we can't helping falling back into when the mask drops, and the tension between the two.

Very well played by an experienced cast (Meera Syal, Belinda Lang, Helen Lederer and Elizabeth Cadwallader), it was a delight to see iconic comic actors giving their turn to these roles.

At times the comedy was possibly overplayed, but then maybe that's what the story calls for, as we are taken through the journey of the decision to kill of a radio soap character and June/George's spiral to inevitable breakdown.

The story provides an excellent commentary on what is real and what is not, firmly reminding the audience its only a show after all. Syal at times seemed unsettled as June/George, perhaps as June/George is unsettled with the killing of her alter ego, and thus the identity she has become, brought to excellent effect as Syal slips between the two.

Elizabeth Cadwallader as "Childe" offers us another exploration of roles, as the "woman-child", often put in her place by George, and then also willingly slipping into the role to suit her purposes and manipulate the older women around her.
Helen Lederer swoops in with the comic relief, suitably eccentric and over the top.

But it is Belinda Lang as Mrs Mercy, a caricature, an institution and a latent lesbian who steals the show, and in the end, the girl.

The play is a little dated (albeit staged on a sumptious and lesbian sixties setting), lesbian representation on stage and screen has come a long way, perhaps a slightly more modern portrayal of butch/femme, old/young relationships could have been brought in as Jesse Toksvig's essay in the programme reminds us.

Review by Katie

4 Poofs and a piano - Business as Usual

Date:               Saturday 24 September
Location:         The Drill Hall

Made famous by their stint on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross playing comedy dittos to the world famous guests, the band have also toured with Joan Collins and had sell out shows during the more recent Edinburgh festivals. 

However, Business as Usual is time for the band to take their spotlight, alongside their piano of course, playing musical comedy numbers and dancing too and entertaining in their camp, crude, non PC style. The big stage suits them well and allows the band to really show their full range of talent and ability to entertain with a great sense of humour and musical ability.

Property of Sand - a monologue by Eve Parmiter

Date:               Tuesday 13 September (also showing Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 September), 9pm
Location:         The Yard, Unit 2, Queens Yard, White Post Lane E9 5EN (free parking available in the estate)

Written and Performed by Eve Parmiter - Tickets £5

Weaving through reality, alchemy and myth, this is storytelling with delusions of grandeur. Join our unlikely alpha male on a dark comic quest through compulsion, control and denial. And the light at the end of the tunnel? That's love... isn't it?

---

Despite our Sat Nav trying to make us drive through part of the new Olympic Village (i.e. what used to be a road) (if you get to this venue via Sat Nav, input a diversion to avoid St Christopher's Road), we made it to the venue - a tres funky theatre space within the Hackney Wick industrial estate (nearest station Hackney Wick). 

We loved the space, great industrial unit, really raw and incorporating a bar serving drinks and lovely meals (we had a sausage stew with coriandor and tumeric butter on rye bread for £8).

Property of Sand, a one woman show, makes perfect use of the post modern space. A monologue, well semi-conversation with the audience takes us through the nameless protagonists past and present to the suffering of a harrowing moment.

Eve makes excellent incorporation of props, lights, sound and movement to bring the conversation alive. The play is her short story, touching the surface of relevant moments to bring the audience with the character to the emotional climax, and then drops the audience there.

Touching, with moments of humour and poignancy, a well told story.

We recommend catching this if you get a chance and keep an eye out for more performances from Eve Parmiter

Review by Katie Hall

Glitter ball (incorporating L-Talent Final)

Date:               Saturday 10 September
Location:         HMS President

Taking place in the glamorous and glittery ballroom of the HMS president (which wasn’t too rough a non-journey for this sea sick reviewer).

We were excited - really keen to see what talents the eight finalists (2 from each of the regional heats: Brighton, London, Birmingham, Manchester) would have to offer, and we were not disappointed.

All the finalists were of a high standard, and it was fantastic to see a broad variety of acts  - singers, musicians, a sign singer, beat boxing and a fantastic comedy-musical act.

The L Talent final took up a large proportion of the evening, running over time as these things always do. We were treated to two performances of each of the acts, who performed valiantly through sound technical difficulties.

Voting for the winners was by audience text vote. Many of the acts had brought a large supporter group with them. 

Runner-up was beat boxer extraordinaire, Grace Savage (the London heat winner), who silenced the audience with amazing skill and sounds and stunning vocal work.

The winner, who received a £1,000 cheque (she promised this would be used to buy recording equipment) and all the glory was London based singer with a Geordie sense of humour, Lynsey Parkins, who stole the singing show with her popular renditions of Roberta Black’s the First time Ever I Saw Your Face and her own soulful twist of Valerie.

We’d like to also highlight our favourite act of the night, a comedy musical Caz and Britney’s Scotty Street Musical, a duo from Liverpool who tell the story of Caz’s journey from Primark to Prison set to the music of Chicago with a great comedy script and ad libbing and had the audience in stitches.

The L Talent final was an excellent showcase of what lesbians have to offer in terms of music, arts and culture, and a reminder that we need to get more of these women into the mainstream.

The venue was interesting and offered a good set of spaces – a ballroom well decorated, bar area and outside smoking/seating area. There was a decent turn out and a good mix of lesbians in attendance.

Review by Katie Hall

Bijou at Tart Bar

Date:             Saturday 10 September (2nd Saturday, monthly)
Location:       Tart Bar, 117 Charterhouse Street, Clerkenwell, EC1M 6AA (from Dec11 Bijou has moved venues to Carter Rooms)

Cocktails, cocktails, cocktails

Walking into the bar, I immediately felt cool. Not the fake cool, the one that oversells itself and everything that supposedly makes it good, but real cool – understated, funky and chilled out.

Brought to you by Elysion Events, Bijou is held at Tart Bar, Clerkenwell. 

I won’t deny the approach to the bar perturbed us slightly (it’s on a quiet edge of the city, set back on a side street), however, it was worth the trepidatious trek. We recommend going to this event with a group of friends.

£10 entry (there are limited £7.50 tickets in advance) gets you in to a really sexy event – and by the time we arrived, 10.30pm, there was a full house at one of the only truly all women events I’ve ever been to.

The DJ played soulful remixes of classic dance tunes, which along with the decor, helped create the perfect intimate ambiance.

And then there’s the cocktail menus (see below), which includes a selection of sumptuous dessert cocktails (we recommend the keylime pie) and a range of discounted cocktails.

This is only the second night of this monthly event, and it has obviously been a quick hit, attracting a large number of diverse lesbians.

Tickets are available in advance and we’d recommend pre-purchasing to ensure entry by emailing elysionevents@ymail.com.

Review by Katie Hall

Drill Hall Darlings... a Darling of a show

Date:               Sunday 31 July 2011
Location:         The Drill Hall, London
Show:              Who Knew? The Drill Hall Darlings

The Drill Hall Darlings

This was the second Drill Hall Darlings performance we'd attended (myself and Naomi), having previously been to a Christmas play. It was good to see some new Darlings have joined the group expanding the age range and diversifying the group. 

The Drill Hall Darlings always welcome new members so if you are thinking you'd like a go at some amateur dramatics, why not get in contact with them.

'Who Knew?'

A good old fashioned storytelling, of a group of lesbians of all types and backgrounds. 

The darlings performed personal stories describing what it’s like to be a lesbian at different milestones in our lives – some funny, some sad, some political, some surprising. A great mix, something for everyone, and all told from the heart. 

This is the kind of theatre that reminds why it’s fabulous being a lesbian, very self affirming.

Review by Katie Hall

Candy Bar Girls - tv show

Date:               Thursday 7 July 2011, (and the next 5 Thursdays @ 10pm)
Location:         Channel 5 (also available on 5 on demand)

All stock footage and no substance?

We tuned in with trepidation following the awful channel 5 promos, and were pleasantly surprised that the docu-drama is in fact using the real lesbians who work or patronise the newly relaunched Candy Bar.

On the surface the show is little more than a promo for the infamous Bar, that is trying to shed its reputation of lesbians with attitude. However it’s also an opportunity to try and dispel some of the myths about lesbian stereotypes. 

Early on we hear that this is the aim of the new Candy Bar marketing strategy, from one of the show’s background characters, DJ Sandra D, Candy Bar manager, promotions manager, events manager (I’m not sure which as she was referred to as all three in the first one hour episode). 

However Sandra stays firmly in the background as the main area of interest are the younger characters, with whom we get a sneak insight into their ‘real’ lives. We are let down from the outset, none of the three lesbians (or their friends) we follow are over 25. They are all white, middle class, middle of the road London lesbians. 

Setting the show in London, we had such an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of lesbians – age, race, background, even career. There is no mention of the different ways women can be lesbian – I don’t think I heard the words dyke or queer once for example.  Perhaps they were going light on us for the pilot episode – they did tease us with a fetish party for episode two.

Overall, it’s a mediocre documentary, that uses techniques made recently famous by shows such as The Only Way is Essex, such as scene staging. In fact the only compelling scene in the whole hour was one of the leads breaking up with her girlfriend, and even then she’d clearly rehearsed the dialogue, leaving her ex bewildered. 

It’s stuffed full of generic stock footage shots of London (a few of which are even repeated) which makes it look like they did not have enough docu-footage to fill the hour.

Do you agree? Or did you love the show? We’d like to know your thoughts 

Review by Katie Hall

Sweet Dreams Girls Launch

Date:               Sunday 5 June 2011, 6pm-midnight
Location:         Secrets, Euston 

A new type of event for lesbians in London.

On a rainy Sunday evening, we arrived at Secrets near Euston, not entirely sure what to expect from the Sweet Dreams evening, marketed as 'an evening of pole dancing, burlesque and table dancing'. We recognise that this kind of event does not meet all tastes within the lesbian community, and that some of our visitors may be offended or opposed to events of this nature. However, our aim is to try and represent all tastes within the community and appreciate the diverse nature of those tastes.

The ticket price was at the high end of £20, but the event included stage dances from the Secrets Dancers and traditional burlesque performances throughout the night. The night was in support of Cancer Research UK and Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation Bosom Pals Appeal.

Planet London are by no means aficionados of table dancing events, whoever the target audience. The approach taken with this review is to offer those who are inexperienced a brief insight into the style of the event. We arrived, and were greeted and seated at our stage-side table. We ordered drinks (it’s table service only) and visitors should be ready to expect to pay the top end for drinks (average price £9 glass wine, £10 for single + mixer), however the event offered half price drinks on singles and soft drinks which made the prices slightly more affordable. 

The venue itself is what one might expect from a stereotypical image of a private members table dancing club: dark lighting, glitter balls, a pole dancing stage and tables and booths. Plenty of security maintaining a very pleasant, trouble free atmosphere and friendly waiting staff ready to take your drink orders. The venue had a rather sophisticated feel to it.

The evening was hosted and compered by the organiser, Miss Jackson, who looked stunning and maintained an overview of the night’s performances in a chatty friendly style. It was a bit disappointing the mic didn’t reach the stage, so we couldn’t see more of her. Once the audience arrived and took their seats (which wasn’t really until about 8pm even though the event opened at 6pm) there was a very good, friendly, up for it atmosphere. My only criticism would be that there were one or two straight men in the bar area*.

Now obviously, the main reason people come to a night and venue like this is to see the pole dancing and to purchase the naked lap dancing (available at a special price of £20 per dance – 1 song length) and there were a number of dancers across the Secrets venues, for many of whom this was their first women-only night at work. The dancers were friendly and chatty and made their way around the tables to encourage guests to purchase a dance. It was clear many of them did not know what to expect from the guests and how to approach us successfully, but they started to get the hang of it as the night went on. A few we talked to seemed far more comfortable with the audience – and had a lot more experience dancing for women. I think it’s important to point out that if you come to a night like this, you are expected to buy some dances (the dancers are self-employed). The dances don’t take place at your table but at the more discreet champagne lounge.

We were also treated to a plethora of excellent burlesque dancers and singers throughout the evening, which complemented the pole dancing and gave a real queer touch to the night. 

The music inbetween performances wasn’t particularly conducive to sexiness and was quite a contrast to the burlesque music and the tracks the ladies danced on the stage to.

The venue is very well organsed and obviously used to running a smooth operation. Between Miss Jackson, the venue owners and staff, the dancers and the burleseque performers everyone made for a very welcoming and relaxing environment and anyone who has not been to an event like this before and who may not be sure, you can be sure that you will be welcomed and made to feel relaxed and at ease. 

*we have been advised that these were the general manager and club owner due to being the first event to ensure things ran smoothly.

---

How to make the most out of the night
If this is something you are interested in experiencing, it’s not as daunting as it might seem, be relaxed and be yourself. Follow the lead of other guests.

It’s a night for drinking and feeling relaxed and comfortable – have a drink before you go and expect to spend money on drinks when you are there - Take plenty of cash - £20 notes

You can go in a group or in a pair – whatever makes you more comfortable. 

Pick your timing, and the dancer of your choice before committing to a dance. www.sweetdreamsgirls.com

Review by Katie Hall

Women on Women Boat Party along the Thames

Date:               Friday 3 June 2011, 8pm-midnight
Location:         Departing from Embankment Pier 

Planet London’s Naomi revisited the WOW Boat Party for its second event on Friday 3 June, departing from Embankment pier. We were delighted to attend along with the recent winner, Caren Maguire, of our newsletter prize draw.

The second event raised the bar and not only maintained everything that was good about the first night – an exclusive intimate event with a great atmosphere and good value, and a fun mix of lesbians, but also added extra features.

It being June, it of course stays lighter longer in the evening, making a departure of 8pm feel early. However, a well scheduled live music performance from upcoming, popular musician Jill Jackson set a fabulous vibe into the atmospheric night fall. The weather was also perfect for taking in the sights on the open deck and acted as a great place to step away from the dancefloor to talk to the ladies.

Other entertainment was on offer on the lower deck - novelist Louise Rought was present to meet guests and sign copies of her book, there was a raffle to win a holiday from Further Afield and Jill Jackson was signing copies of her CD.

Can’t wait until the next WOW party!

---

Date:               Saturday 2 April 2011, 8pm-midnight
Location:         Departing from Temple Pier 

On Saturday 2 April, Naomi from Planet London went along to the Women on Women WOW Boat Party along the Thames.

An intimate event, good company, lively pop classics for dancing and the spectacular London by night views. This exclusive event did not disappoint. For a £35 ticket, drinks were reasonably priced (a vodka lemonadge just £3.40) and the atmosphere was just right to socialise, meet new friends and dance the night away - and what a pleasant change to mix with lesbians other than the usual suspects.

Keep your eyes peeled for their next event! 

http://www.wow-events.uk.com

The Madness of Sister George (film)

“Impossible to use one word to describe it”

A quote from Beryl Reid herself when trying to sum up ‘The Killing of Sister George’.  I couldn’t agree more.  It is often described as a comedy and yet I find the film both harrowing and sad.  There are lines to make you laugh - Beryl Reid is given the best ones and plays them perfectly -   but a comfortable watch this is not as we take a journey with these characters through power, loss, change and desire.  

Writing about this film will involve some spoilers so if you have yet to see it be aware.  The film was originally a play in 1964 and also starred Beryl Reid.  In 1968 director Robert Aldrich (also known for directing ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’) brought it to screen and it became the first explicit representation of lesbianism in a Hollywood film. At the time both the UK and US press claimed it was a shocking revelation into a hidden world

The film centres around June Buckridge (Beryl Reid) who is an actress in ‘Applehurst’ – a BBC televison series. She plays a character called ‘Sister George’, much loved, kind to those around her.  In real life she is the opposite, a drunken foul mouthed, sadistic rather butch lesbian.  She is known as ‘George’ to everyone and rarely hides her true character– even living openly with another woman, Alice ‘Childe’ McNaught (Susannah York), a younger woman with a collection of Victorian dolls, who bears the brunt of George’s verbal and psychological assaults.  

The volatile nature of their relationship is a complex one – swinging from serious to comic – and if at first we wonder why the two are together, the numerous insights into the differences and tensions between the characters show us it is perhaps these differences that bring them together and the relationship seems to suit them both.  

For Childe it is a need to have a roof over her head and a ‘mother’ figure and for George a need for love and affection.  George perhaps also likes to believe Childe needs her, “you couldn’t cross a road by yourself”, she says at one point to Childe. As the film progresses we see Childe growing stronger and more rebellious and it’s only when she admits “we have been together a long time, besides I don’t really have anywhere else to go” that we can draw our own conclusions.

George’s comment, “remember who pays the rent” perhaps makes us realise how insecure both of these characters are.
The fact that George may be on the brink of losing her job threatens her ‘role’ as provider and more importantly the relationship with Alice.  If she can’t provide security for her and Alice then where does that leave them?  

The numerous arguments make for difficult watching.  Even the dolls become spectators it seems during some.  These scenes juxtaposed with scenes from ‘Applehurst’ and the almost saintly Sister George only heightens the unpredictability of George’s mood swings.

During one scene, almost too repulsive to watch, a ritual between the two (“you know the drill”), George forces Childe to eat her cigar butt.  The rules are broken by Childe though as she chooses to play her own game, acting as though she is enjoying the cigar butt – an act that enrages George who claims “you’re spoiling it for me” and indeed the routine seems to have been damaged forever as George continues with “you know once you spoil something you can never make it work again” – a sentiment that seems to reflect what is happening to their whole relationship.  

Increasingly as the film progresses, their roles seem to change, Childe becomes the adult, George the child and the one who needs to be looked after. 

For me the characters seem to be on the brink of change, and during the first half of the film as we are introduced to George and Childe’s way of living it seems inevitable that the discord in their relationship will lead to a moment where both characters must enter a new phase in their lives.

It takes the introduction of a third character to create this change - and one George does not want, battling and raging against it, becoming more and more frustrated at Childe and the world around her.  Seeing them share the screen and the flat with a third person, as their world is disturbed by the arrival of Mercy Croft (Coral Browne) really feels like an intrusion on what they have.  

Mercy Croft plays the villain in the film, appearing like a stereotypical predatory lesbian who wouldn’t look out of place on the cover of a lesbian pulp fiction book.  Playing the bad guy, she also brings news that Sister George will be axed from ‘Applehurst’. It is clear she has a soft spot for Childe and clearer still she dislikes George, calling her a “dreary, inadequate, drunken old bag” and a “pathetic old dyke”.  

Through Childe’s supposed innocence, George appears the opposite – she is very aware of the dangers a women like Mercy Croft presents (to her). One of the final exchanges between George and Childe leads to one of my favourite quotes in the whole film, with Childe defensively stating, “not all girls are raving bloody lesbians” and George answering, “that’s a misfortune that I’m perfectly aware of”.

Print that on a t-shirt and wear it with pride. 

One of the fascinating moments in the film is when George and Childe, dressed up as Laurel and Hardy, go to the legendary ‘Gateways Club’ in London, where regulars at the club were filmed dancing and acted in scenes.

It was the first time camera coverage was permitted extensively in the club – and for the straight audience watching the film it was a glimpse into a hidden sub-culture.  It is great to have this club documented in the film – it gives us the chance to see how things were and it is perhaps these scenes filmed at the club which date the film most.  Every time I have seen the film I seem to watch with mouth open, a hint of hilarity almost beckoning me to make a joke.  Watch it.  You’ll see what I mean.  It’s great, a female band plays as butch dance with femme and the array hair and clothes merge into one. It makes me slightly yearn for those days, it all seemed less complicated.  

Interestingly Beryl Reid’s account of being in the Gateway Club is not too positive, quoted as saying in her biography, “If I had been here before I did the play I’d never have done it.  I didn’t realise they held each other and went to the gents loo”.
George is ultimately to blame for her downfall, losing both job and relationship.  She is a “bad boy”, assaulting nuns in the back of a taxi, getting repeatedly drunk, fighting with Childe, and walking off set.  And yet, we want to see her survive.  She’s the sort who will stick two fingers up at the powers that be, at rules and regulations and her less than pure sense of humour deserves an audience – at one point Croft remarks how cheerful the character of Sister George looks, in which George says “you’d look cheerful too with 50 cubic centimetres throbbing away between your legs”. 

Although extremely funny there is a much deeper side to George – the strong character we see stomping down pathways at the very beginning of the film needs a place to cry as she learns Childe is lying to her. The torment in her voice as she screams at Childe is almost unbearable.  Here is a woman, with a life slowly being broken down and made unrecognisable by those around her.  

With Sister George now gone, George attends her own leaving party, her anger and frustration never far from boiling over.  Being offered the part of Claribel the Cow in a new children’s programme does nothing to help the situation.  Offended by this offer it could be the lowest she can sink.

However there is one more rung to fall and the blatant advances of Croft upon Childe lead to the inevitable.

I cannot of course write about this film without mentioning the infamous sex scene. I found out recently that Susannah York never felt comfortable with it.  Maybe this is why I always feel  a bit awkward watching it.  At the time it was this sex scene that made the film X rated, although the only nudity we see are Childe’s breasts.  It’s an odd scene, almost devoid of all emotion – there is no passion - and for me seems completely out of place in the film.  The scene does not take place in the play and I wonder why it is included in the film. It’s hard to see its inclusion as anything other than to shock or titillate. 
What did the audiences in the 1960’s think was happening I wonder, since the camera rarely strays from Childe’s face; if they didn’t know what lesbians did in bed they would be left very confused!  Even Croft looks slightly embarrassed and uncomfortable as she kisses Childe, seemingly unsure of what reaction she will get.  

And so the end of the film comes as a relief – the laughs having long gone. Change has finally come and it makes George confront Childe with the question “what’s going to happen?” and then using Childe’s secrets as weapons against her.
Even though Childe admits to being frightened, there is a sense she will be ok.  She turns out to be quite shallow and blasé “Ta ta George thanks for everything” and where we once felt sorry for her, we almost end up not liking her. It is George we are left worrying about and where our sympathies lie. This sympathy and worry is heightened as we see George return to a darkened studio, stumbling around before smashing up the coffin of Sister George.  This turns disturbing as she then collapses on to a bench and screams “Moo!” – a nod towards a future as Claribel the Cow - a desperate and pitying cry, no one around to hear or pay attention to.  She cuts a truly lonely, tragic figure.  Only the lazy could possibly describe this film as a comedy.

This was the first time in a Hollywood film the L word was used. It wasn’t used in the original play and even The Children’s Hour made 6 years previous did not mention it, despite the two females leads being accused of having an affair.

There was almost invisibility to gay women when this film was made; did this film then have a responsibility in making ‘the lesbian’ seen? I’m sure the director/writer was not focussing on portraying lesbians or their relationships in a flattering light.  The characters here however are shone in such an unlikeable light we could even cry ‘unfair’ and ‘shame’ – was this done on purpose I wonder? 

This was never a film made for lesbians, never one to call our own – if you were gay woman watching the film in 1968 it may have left you feeling slightly depressed and it is easy to see why the film received poor reviews from lesbian circles at the time.  Unfortunately I fear many gay women nowadays will feel slightly offended by the portrayal on screen as there is nothing realistic or sensitive about these characters. 

As with The Children’s Hour the film gives the idea that all lesbian relationships end in tears. It would take perhaps another 17 years before we would get the love story we wanted in Desert Hearts.  

To conclude then – yes the film is very dated in places. I was actually left wishing I could see the play.  Although quite an uncomfortable film to watch – the torturous arguments and tension is at times wearying, there is a lot to like, some hilarious writing and not to hear it would be missing out.

Perhaps it deserves to be held up with a little more respect if only for the energetic and flawless performance of Beryl Reid. It isn’t easy playing a character that flips from comic to tragic and she is the life and soul of the film.  And we only have to look at how our own feelings change towards George to see how successful she is in playing the role.

Watch… but don’t expect an easy ride.

Review by Caz Maughan