Last night I went to see ‘Passing on’ at the Teachers’ Club – my latest excursion to the 15^th International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. This was a co-production between  the Acting Out theatre group and the Blue Heart Theatre company. Written by Sean Denyer and directed by Howard Lodge it tells the tale of a thirty-something gay couple Brian and Tom. Together for a decade they decide to venture into a brave new world – that of parenthood. Their friend Jane agrees to act as surrogate for the couple. There is a slight worry however. Having been adopted by his parents as a baby, Tom requests a background health check on his biological family –  in case of any hereditary conditions; or potential health issues that might inform the decision as to which of the couple will be the sperm donor. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Passing on’ →

Another evening, another protest. Tonight an unplanned protest. A protest that was hopeless. Continue reading A waste of all our time →

At 2pm my friend sent me a WhatsApp message to tell me that she was attending a vigil at the General Post Office at 5.30pm that evening, asking whether I would be interested in joining. She asked the right person. I am a firm believer in taking to the streets and vocally expressing my annoyance. Give me a placard about an issue that I support, and I am yours forever. Continue reading ‘Repeal the HSE’ →

My weekend has left me with a pair of sore legs – and you can take your minds out of the gutter this instant – my tired limbs are the result of good, honest toil. Continue reading Hellfire via the bog of frogs →

Having attended the thirty-fifth anniversary memorial to the Fairview Park March (held to protest the leniency of the sentences handed down to the killers of Declan Flynn in a brutal gay bashing in 1983  – you can read my account of the day in the linked GCN article) I was very keen to attend The Players’ Theatre in Trinity College this evening, to see the play ‘The Drowning Room’. This play is part of the ongoing 15th International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. It tells a tale  similar to the Flynn case – but told in a fictionalised version, set in the present day. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘The Drowning Room’ →

The May bank holiday Monday each year, sees the launch of the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Now in its 15^th year, there is a wide range of shows, across a number of city centre theatre venues – there will be something for everyone in the audience. It was at this festival last year that my play ‘An Unexpected Party’ had its debut in Theatre@36 in the Teachers’ Club on Parnell Square. Facebook sends me daily reminders of that amazing week last year, the time when I didn’t see my very own full length play – for the simple reason that I was also starring in it. This may sound boastful, but what of it? If I don’t blow my own trumpet, then no-one else will. As the kids say. Continue reading Theatre times: ‘Men’s Shorts’ →

It’s not that I am anti-social; or filled with irrational rage. It’s simply that I am extremely sensitive to noise early in the morning. It’s more than mere noise – I am just very sensitive in the morning, In an ideal world, I would spend two hours to raise myself to fully functioning adulthood. I would be gently awoken by the tweeting birds, and would slowly open my eyes. I would waft to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, which I would drink while splayed out like a sack of meal on the sofa, while contemplating the day ahead. A hearty breakfast would be followed by a fifteen minute snooze. At which point I would enjoy a nice refreshing shower, before departing my house, to greet the world with a sunny smile and an optimistic greeting of ‘Good morning Baltimore.’ Continue reading From Sarah with love →

The Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Lisbon this coming Saturday. Ireland is sending a  singer called Ryan O’Shaughnessy, who loves to talk about his girlfriend Ailbhe. His song ‘Together’ tells a gay love story, with a video to match. Apparently Russia is considering a broadcast ban on the song for breaching its gay propaganda law. You’d think they’d be more concerned with the fake re-election of Putin. Then again, what do I know? Continue reading Eurovision: The Linda Martin years →

The train was booked for 17.25 – the direct service between Dublin Heuston Station and Limerick Colbert Station. This was a service that did not require a change-over in Limerick Junction – a dreary place in County Tipperary, sometimes referred to (by myself) as ‘the waiting room to hell.’ Continue reading The Midlands are a strange, dark place if you are not local. →

I walked past the Savoy Cinema after work yesterday evening. As I do every evening. I saw a poster for the film ‘Love, Simon’ on the billboard display outside the building, and noticed that the film was about to start. Without thinking I ducked inside and bought a ticket. I was slightly embarrassed you see. Why, oh why would a middle aged man – in fine fettle granted but moving away from forty nonetheless – be going to see a romantic comedy about teenagers. Well let me explain. Continue reading I love ‘Love, Simon’ →