Gay London Life | Oct '25 Edition - Magazine - Page 22
Life of a Luvvie
With Tracie Bennett at Southwark Playhouse
Our theatre aficionado, Thomas Magill,
is brimming with recommendations
for the months ahead
With Bayley Graham at Emerald Theatre
been ‘testing the water’ ahead of a
Joe Locke makes his West End
much wider, longer tour — so if that’s
debut in Clarkston at the Trafalgar
your bag, I’d look out for its return in
Studio. I honestly can’t wait to see
the future (fingers crossed!).
him and this much-talked-about
My second Irish-inspired outing
new play. Written by Samuel D
With the schools back and the winter
precise delivery and razor-sharp
was perhaps a little more edgy,
Hunter and starring Ruaridh Mollica,
coat hanging on the back of the door,
timing to this loveable fag-hag type
contemporary and at times risky as
I have a strong feeling this is going to
it’s fair to say summer feels like nothing
character. I adored her, the story and
it fused the power of Irish dancing
be quite a moment.
more than a distant memory. But
its entire cast. Written by Michael
alongside the world of modern tap
looking on the bright side of things, we
McKeever, the play delves into the
and street dance. Yes, Emerald Storm
comedy-thriller Happy Ending
have Halloween, Christmas and some
queer underworld of Tinseltown
sounded a bit weird to me, too, but
comes to the Waterloo East Theatre
fabulous new shows opening in the
during its golden age of movie-making.
I had such a fun night watching the
after a stint in the States and runs
West End and beyond to help keep us
Also starring is a very dashing John
young cast from around the world
throughout October. I love this tiny
out of trouble for the next few months.
Partridge as the interior designer
create pure magic with their feet.
little space and the wealth of queer
On top of all that, we’re fast
and once leading man, Billy Haines.
Adam Garcia is backing this show,
theatre it puts on, so for me, I can’t
approaching panto season, and all
Openly queer and living with his
which brings together the very
wait to get back and support it in the
the fun and opportunities it offers the
partner, Haines is a man of conviction
talented tap dancer Bayley Graham
way it supports the community.
capital’s many jobbing drag queens.
and integrity (for the most part) who
and Lord of the Dance sensation
Before I go, the annual Musical
I’ve already booked my ticket for
challenges the sometimes seedy,
Olivia Graydon. New Zealander
Con will take place between 18th and
Growled, this year’s ‘adult’ panto
ruthless world of fame, fortune and
Bayley narrowly missed out on the top
19th October at the Excel Centre.
offering at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern,
exploitation — in the name of showbiz!
spot on America’s Got Talent a few
It always has such a fabulous and
which runs most nights from the end of
I didn’t just get to see one of my
years ago, so, as you can imagine, he’s
diverse range of delights for peeps
favourite actresses in action this
a smooth mover and it was a delight
to enjoy, from talks to tours. If you
month, but I was spoiled by not one,
to watch him. Hot off the press, it’s
love musical theatre, then this is a
of seeing one of my all-time favourite
but two Irish dance shows that swept
also just been announced that the
must-attend. And if you do happen
actresses, Tracie Bennett, who is
briefly into London. Eireann played
show is due back at the new Emerald
to pop along and see me fingering
currently starring in The Code at
at the Peacock Theatre and was a
Theatre from 25th November until
through some programmes or show
Southwark Playhouse as the sassy,
lovely celebration of Ireland’s history
14th December.
memorabilia, be sure to say hi. Enjoy
former leading lady of Hollywood,
through dance and song. When such a
Tallulah Bankhead. As always,
show has such a short run, I can’t help
to seeing this month? Well, fresh
Bennett brought her husky tones,
feeling that the producers may have
from the Heartstopper movie set,
November through to January.
But before that, I had the pure joy
22
Now, what am I looking forward
Ronnie Larsen’s bold new
your month, folks!
@thomasmagill1
