Gay London Life | Aug '25 Edition - Magazine - Page 22
Life of
a Luvvie
Here with the very latest in show
recommendations and gossip from the
stalls, it’s GLL’s theatre buff, Thomas Magill!
Paul Nicholas and Helen Lederer
Ruben Dower
Sally Lindsey and Linda Robson
July has been a riot with London
mentioned Lars’ name. Four Play is on
buzzing from yet another successful
until the middle of August.
Pride parade that attracted well over a
John Cleese
million people to Central London. Over
I was back in the West End to see
30,000 marched on the day, and I got
Fawlty Towers return to the Apollo
to attend some of the Pride-related
Theatre as the programme celebrates
events sprinkled across the City in the
40 years. I got to interview John Cleese
days running up to it.
for BBC London before sitting down
I was lucky enough to be invited
with the adorable and absolutely
to the Hilton for the Rainbow Honours,
captivating Helen Lederer and Paul
which was a joyous event attended by
Nicholas, who play Mrs Richards and
a whole host of allies and queers. Sally
the Major. Those two should have
Lindsay picked up this year’s Celebrity
their own comedy show, as their wit
Ally of the Year award, and given her
and connection is off the scale. Both
heartfelt speech, it’s no wonder —
were so friendly and funny during our
she truly is a legend and a long-time
chat ahead of this latest run in London
supporter. Among the guests were a
before heading out on tour. The after-
whole host of celebs, including Arlene
show party was a who’s who of talent
Phillips, Linda Robson and the iconic
– mainly from the 80s but peppered
Sinitta, who smashed it in a rather
among the likes of Vicki Michelle and
revealing see-through purple dress
Paul Chuckle was La Voix — and his
and rainbow head dress. Always happy
dad, also known as Voila.
to chat, Sinitta told me how she was
there with the gays back in the 80s
August can sometimes be a quiet month,
when others shunned us. She’s rightly
but it seems this year is very different,
proud that back then, she was more
with plenty of new shows opening to
than happy to defend a community
keep those of us staying in London
under attack when others wouldn’t.
sufficiently entertained for the summer.
I’m super excited about a new show
Back to the stage and Four Play
called The Diana Mixtape, which opens
by Jake Brunger opened at the
at HERE at Outernet. It’s described as
King’s Head Theatre. Starring Jo
a fierce, fabulous and heartwarming
Foster among others, the play is a
homage to the People’s Princess – with a
sensitive and revealing deep dive
tagline like that, what’s not to like!
into gay relationships, and just how
And if it’s big budget, big names
complicated and varied many can be.
and big stories you want, I can confirm
I totally loved it and so did the I Kissed
Burlesque: The Musical and Evita
a Boy star Ruben, who was there
are both worth every penny. If you’re
without his partner Lars — although
heading away for your hols, have fun
it seems they are still very much
and we’ll catch up on the other side.
in love with Ruben beaming from
Voila and La Voix
22
cheek to cheek every time someone
@thomasmagill1
