So Mardi Gras, I guess

So Mardi Gras, I guess I better write a bit about it then? Met up with the usual suspects and friends before wandering down the path in hyde park thereby cutting off the start. Mark and Ryan who were staying with me [and had helped start the day with champagne on the roof terrace] asked if this was it 😉 Little did they know. It was Ryan’s first Mardi Gras/Pride event so I guess he didn’t realise. We merged with the actual ‘parade’ at this point and I lost everyone a few times and spent a lot of time trying to get the works camera to function. Some good shots and some bad shots but more importantly some missed shots :o(. Cute boy in cap with boyf you know who you are 😉 We were bored by Picadilly Circus despite frantically looking for the closer to heaven float to try and catch a glimpse of Paul Keating – I am not alone in this however as Ian had already texted me about the man and the float!]. We then made our way to Finsbury Park.
Jacs and I went in the press entrance and then arranged to meet everyone else at the champagne bar. After wandering around for a bit, I went in search of the regular big events crowd. You know the people you only ever see at pride or Walk for Life and such. I went looking for Tony & Baloo at the line-dancing Area [which was as usual one of the busiest venues]. Bumped into some people at the bungee that I knew from somewhere but couldn’t place the name. Saw a few of the blogger boys – erm David, Jonathan and Ian, or was that 2 David’s? Not sure now – Oh cos I had met up with Scally too cos he is part of the gang so you know he’s always around.
Wandered back to the champagne bar and watched some of the main stage stuff and then saw two guys from holiday in Gran Canaria Rob and Steve [Mark who was staying, was another of that crowd] we made vague plans for a return trip and drank some more champers [?35 a bottle was a bit steep mind]. Now my usual gripe about Mardi Gras is the nasty pop acts you normally get at G.A.Y. all onstage together. This year though Steps joined the line up and the crowd went wild [well actually it may have just been Camilla]. Wandered backstage purely because I could and met up with Mark who I haven’t seen for ages [he is a promoter for DTPM and has been jet setting around the globe the last few months which is a step up from being a waiter in the London Ryan Hotel].
Supergirly did a couple of classics which reminded me of a. when I saw them recently in Croydon with Spence and b. when they came to our Christmas Party and the microphones didn’t work so they never did the act. I missed Ken Livingstone and Peter Tatchell who by all accounts were actually quite a laugh. The pre-recorded video message from Josh from Big Brother was no surprise as it had been widely rumoured he had taped one [not that he is doing BB purely for the publicity you understand or that of his company]. Now the problem with ego and pre-recorded footage is clear. He is full of himself but has not been popular. A chant from the crowd made it clear that they would have preferred a message from Brian – “Brian, Brian, Brian, Brian” they chanted clearly they have picked their favourite. Oh and the fact that the event rganisers had managed to obscure the company name Josh had plastered across the bottom of the screen only made things worse for him 😉
Wandered back to the champagne tent where I was looking around for the others when a nice young gentleman crossed my path and looked back [result I thought] but did absolutely nothing about it as usual. So met up with the others and then made to sit down and who should be nearby but the cute guy. So anyways after a bit of looking back and forth I finally wandered over [very unlike me – must have been the champagne] and uttered “um errr Hi erm um how’s your day been?” So Stevie if you are reading this [in the EasyEverything Internet Cafe in Amsterdam] I’m amazed you actually spoke to me but glad you did 😉 That’s all on that particular subject until August the 4th.
So how was email(‘your’) Mardi Gras?

went to see closer to

went to see closer to heaven tonight. I had read some bad reviews but as I wasn’t paying for the tickets I went along with an open mind. Pippa accompanied me and we both started off with a glass of wine [I know but it was only one glass] before moving onto mineral waters.
We loitered outside the theatre as it was a lovely summer evening and eyed up the totty. Pippa looked like she had less potential than me [funny that being a Pet Shop Boys/Jonathan Harvey production]. I was using the straight boy look to best effect hanging on her every word whilst subtly eyeing up the lads. Unfortunately just as I was making progress with the tall blonde hunk the bell rang for us to enter the theatre.
From the opening with ‘My Night’ the stage was a sea of flesh. A lot of it was Marcos White who seemed strangely familiar and now having read the brochure it’s hardly surprising as he has been in virtually every music video made. Although I have a sneaking suspicion he frequents a bar I visit. Or is that just wishful thinking?

Fantastic performances from Paul Keating [Straight Dave] and Tom Walker [Mile End Lee] but Frances Barber steals the show as Billie Tricks. It will not be Frances that I dream about tonight though. The scene with Tom and Paul having sex would be worth the ticket price alone 😉
I really enjoyed it especially the Shameless number which had excellent parodies of the Beckhams and Anthea Turner, although I was expecting more out of the final song. Positive Role Model just didn’t do it for me I’m afraid.
Pippa and I went to the BOX for a quick drink afterwards and discussed our thoughts but eventually broached the subject of the sex scene and how both Tom and Paul took all their clothes off [throwing their pants on the floor]. I pondered how embarrassed they would be getting a stiffy [I’m presuming they are both straight] but as Pip pointed out they have been doing it for a few weeks now [plus rehearsals] and so any tension should have subsided. I must say though I would have liked to be in the middle for all of those weeks [and the ones to come!]
go see it