Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    Latest Edition
    23rd edition of FabUK Magazine featuring Leila Hadioui
    What's Hot

    Pam Hogg SS24 ‘Apocalypse – Dedicated to Sinead O’Connor‘ Collection at London Fashion Week

    22 September 2023

    Indonesia Now Expands to London Fashion Week with Six Stand-Out Designers

    22 September 2023

    ICANDY RELEASES “BIG MAD” FT. FLO MILLI

    22 September 2023
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    • Fashion

      Pam Hogg SS24 ‘Apocalypse – Dedicated to Sinead O’Connor‘ Collection at London Fashion Week

      22 September 2023

      Indonesia Now Expands to London Fashion Week with Six Stand-Out Designers

      22 September 2023

      JU-NNA SS24 Collection at London Fashion Week

      21 September 2023

      APUJAN: The Casebook of Kaiju SS24 Collection

      20 September 2023

      ACCIDENTAL CUTTING presented Enjoy! SS24 at LFW first collection using artificial intelligence

      20 September 2023
    • Events
      1. Art
      2. Festivals / Shows
      3. Film festivals
      4. Theatre
      5. Sports
      6. View All

      If Not Now, When?

      19 September 2023

      Mr. Controversial 2023

      12 September 2023

      CIVILIZATION: The Way We Live Now

      7 September 2023

      Mr Controversial art event

      24 August 2023

      FESTIVAL MODE ET CULTURE SINO-FRANÇAIS

      13 September 2023

      Nitin Sawhney’s Journeys Festival returns to the Royal Albert Hall

      27 July 2023

      BUYER CONFIDENCE SPREADS AT MODA

      8 February 2023

      EXCEL GETS READY FOR RAMADAN 2023

      6 February 2023

      45th EDITION OF THE FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS

      20 September 2023

      Mads Mikkelsen receives Golden Eye

      18 September 2023

      3rd EDITION OF GENESIS CINEMA’S FRAGMENTS FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING INCLUSIVITY THROUGH FILM

      15 September 2023

      BFI Cinema Unbound: The Creative Worlds of Powell and Pressburger comes to big screens UK-wide this autumn

      15 September 2023

      Northern Ballet return to the Linbury stage with a mixed programme of premieres

      5 September 2023

      La Cage

      24 August 2023

      The Royal Ballet opens the 2023/24 Season with Carlos Acosta’s vibrant Don Quixote

      27 July 2023

      Theatre on Kew: Alice in wonderland

      24 July 2023

      Harlequins and Saxo Confirm Partnership Extension

      15 September 2023

      Kano Celebrates the Start of Rugby World Cup France 2023 Performing Secret Set at Star Studded Defender Launch Event in Paris

      8 September 2023

      Harlequins are pleased to confirm Europe’s largest Audi dealership, West London Audi (WLA) have renewed their Club partnership – extending their commitment as Harlequins’ Official Vehicle Dealership.

      23 August 2023

      WOMEN IN MOTORSPORTS CELEBRATED THIS WEEKEND DURING BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX

      7 August 2023

      JU-NNA SS24 Collection at London Fashion Week

      21 September 2023

      45th EDITION OF THE FESTIVAL DES 3 CONTINENTS

      20 September 2023

      Films that opened up last week Sept. 15, 2023

      19 September 2023

      Icons of British Fashion heading to Blenheim Palace

      19 September 2023
    • Film

      Films that opened up last week Sept. 15, 2023

      19 September 2023

      KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON NEW TRAILER

      14 September 2023

      Films that opened up on September 8th, 2023

      8 September 2023

      TARGETS A film by Peter Bogdanovich Starring Boris Karloff BFI Blu-ray release on 25 September 2023

      4 September 2023

      Films that opened up on Sept. 1st, 2023

      1 September 2023
    • Music

      ICANDY RELEASES “BIG MAD” FT. FLO MILLI

      22 September 2023

      PAUL RUSSELL RELEASES HIGH ENERGY MUSIC VIDEO FOR BUZZING SINGLE “LIL BOO THANG” TODAY

      20 September 2023

      Small Talk ‘Always Always’ Out Now

      19 September 2023

      RISING POPSTAR ARI ABDUL RELEASES NEW SINGLE “BURY YOU”

      18 September 2023

      Pixel Art Cyberpunk Series X-RL7 Is a Retro-Gaming Inspired Musical Adventure Web Series

      18 September 2023
    • News
    • Interviews
    • Travel

      Is Antrim Town Worth Visiting?

      18 September 2023

      Why Avoriaz is the Perfect Ski Holiday Destination in Europe

      15 August 2023

      Water Sports in Scotland: Dive into the Adventurous Experience!

      14 August 2023

      Why A Camper Van Could Be The Best Travel Investment You Make

      10 August 2023

      SAY HELLO TO BOSTON! ETIHAD AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES FOURTH DESTINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

      7 August 2023
    • Store
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    You are at:Home»Events»Theatre»Holding the Man
    Theatre

    Holding the Man

    21 September 20173 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Email
    What: Holding the Man
    Where: Above the Stag Theatre, London
    Who: The true story of a romance that ended too soon
    When: Until October 21, 2017
    Why: Excellent performances and a very sad story that will have you reaching for your tissues
    “Holding the Man” is a show that will rip your heart out and reduce you to tears.
    Now playing at Above the Stag Theatre in Vauxhall, it’s true story of two Australian men, Timothy Conigrave and John Caleo, who fall in love in the late 1970’s, who have their ups and downs during the 1980’s, and who both are diagnosed with the HIV virus and must deal with not only death knocking on their door but also the shortened time they have to be together. The show is based on the 1995 book by Conigrave, and was written by Tommy Murphy. Most of you might have already seen the excellent 2015 film, or previous London productions (including the 2010 production at Trafalgar Studios). The Above the Stage production is just as hard-hitting. 

    It’s the storytelling and the extremely strong performances of the cast at the Above the Stag that rate this production five stars. Jamie Barnard is excellent as Conigrave while Ben Boskovic as Caleo eerily captures his quietness and reserve. Both actors bring to this production a strength and resolute to their roles that they are almost living out these characters lives right in front of us. From the beginning of the show, we can feel that these two men were meant to be together. But this being the early 80’s, not much was known about HIV, so unfortunately, and I’m not giving anything away here because it’s a well-known story, AIDS was to rear it’s ugly head directly at these two young, beautiful men. 

    “Holding the Man” takes us on a heart stopping and heartbreaking journey while we travel with them in their relationship with each other in life, and in death. And it’s Barnard and Boskovic who take us on this remarkable journey. Joshua Cole as a best friend of the two men provide welcome comic relief in a show that’s very serious: he’s charming and has the best lines in the play. Faye Wilson adds some much needed sparkle as another one of the boys friends, while Liam Burke, Annabel Pemberton, and Robert Thompson round out the ensemble in various roles as parents, friends and fellow students. One scene that includes the whole cast is a hilarious masturbation scene that’s cleverly done and something I’ve never seen on stage before.


    But’s is the relationship between these two men that is at the heart and soul of this show. Director Gene David Kirk keeps the drama up and running while designer David Shields provides an excellent minimalist backdrop so the audience can focus on the story, and acting, unfolding right before our very eyes..Kudos to Above the Stag Theatre for producing a serious, dramatic and extremely well-acted show that’s a welcome relief from their previous camp and silly previous productions. Categorise “Holding the Man” as a must see! 

    For tickets, please go to:

    http://www.abovethestag.com/vxl/

    Review by Tim Baros
    Photo credit: PBGstudios
    Holding the Man PBGstudios

    Related Posts

    2 Mins Read

    Northern Ballet return to the Linbury stage with a mixed programme of premieres

    5 September 2023 Theatre
    2 Mins Read

    La Cage

    24 August 2023 Theatre
    2 Mins Read

    The Royal Ballet opens the 2023/24 Season with Carlos Acosta’s vibrant Don Quixote

    27 July 2023 Theatre
    1 Min Read

    Theatre on Kew: Alice in wonderland

    24 July 2023 Theatre
    Don't Miss
    Fashion

    Pam Hogg SS24 ‘Apocalypse – Dedicated to Sinead O’Connor‘ Collection at London Fashion Week

    22 September 20232 Mins Read

    Dr. Pam Hogg, an iconic British fashion designer, embodies the spirit of a romantic, rebel,…

    Indonesia Now Expands to London Fashion Week with Six Stand-Out Designers

    22 September 2023

    JU-NNA SS24 Collection at London Fashion Week

    21 September 2023

    APUJAN: The Casebook of Kaiju SS24 Collection

    20 September 2023
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    Fabuk Magazine ISSUE 23 featuring Leila Hadioui
    Fabuk Magazine
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Pinterest
    • How to get FabUK
    © 2023 All right reserved

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.