Bruise. A drama by John Maguire. Debuting at The Lantern Theatre.

''The Bruises they will fade away, you hit so hard with the things you say.''

Two Gay Males, early thirties.

One Professional, one Writer.

Love and Lust,

Hedonism and passion,

The domestic cycle of their lives.

The usual merry go round of nitpicking, arguing, the making up.

Begging the question, what exactly is love?

And how far would you go to push it?

24th and 25th Feb

£8.00. £6.50 concession.

http://www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk/whats-on/bruise-24th-25th-feb/

Starring:
James Devlin

(The Cubstars (Gay Man Band), Something like a Fairy Tale, For the Best, Ideal, Beyond the Front Line)

Anthony Proctor

(The Last Eden, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Farmaggedon)

Written and Directed by John Maguire

(Heart, Mrs.Bojangles, Mexico)

Book Tickets here.

All images Matt Ford.
Music For Bruise composed by David and Jenny Whittaker. 

Bruise is supported by Broken Rainbow UK, The only charity supporting gay domestic abuse in the uk.

Bruise  = ‘A definition to bruise; to hurt, to pound…. To mark’

The play is set to be an intimate force that allows an insight into not only the physical aspects of gay domestic abuse, but the psychological, the brutal all-encompassing aspects…

Yes I walked in to a door, it didn’t hurt much.

The play breaks down assumptive attitudes, making the audience play its part in the drama.

The play investigates the taboo subject of Gay Domestic Violence, a subject area often shied away from.

Gay domestic abuse needs to be not mumbled, or so nauseatingly ‘generally accepted’, but understood, incorporated, aided.

Bruise is brilliantly clever in the intimacy of the message, something so private, so complex, so misunderstood, it reveals the secrecy behind the act.

It is an intertwining of improvisation and poetic rhythm that beats out a punishing point.

The Art Show S/S12 announced.

After success of The Art Show A/W11, I have decided to come back with another exhibition, in a bigger venue, with 3 new artists (represented by Dot-Art.com) as well as myself, oh and an even cooler show!!

The performers, artists and theme for the show will all be announced next month but to get the ball rolling Seen Magazine have commissioned one of my new pieces of work in the brand new magazine re-launch colours. 

Click on the images to read the feature about the first Art Show or click the link to read the whole of the new issue of Seen Magazine. 

Mogadishu at the Liverpool Playhouse.

Vivienne Franzmann's, MOGADISHU unashamedly explores the clash of race, youth, class and moral values. 

    The caged set on the revolving stage spins  the audience into the very epicentre of the drama from the onset. 

    Director Matthew Dunster offers an insight into the teaching world and the beauraucracy that can prevent teachers from getting on with the very job of teaching. The play resembles an innner city school yard version of The Crucible, illustrating how an allegation can disrupt and catastrophically damage.The Victim becomes the perpetrator. 

    The choice use of gritty language which could have been seen as unfitting and over indulgent actually was one of the plays strengths. In certain sequences the language and confusion around words coupled with the street talk provided much needed comic relief, whilst never detracting from the seriousness of the stage world. 

    After a sell out run at the Lyric Hammersmith and Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, MOGADISHU is controversial theatre that entertains, is raw in parts and leaves the audience, questioning and commenting on the mirror reflected at them.

By John Maguire.

Firecracker rates Mogadishu: 4/5 stars.

TV PRESENTER BACKS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WITH VISIT TO LIVERPOOL

Words Jemma Volp-Fletcher.
Photos Matt Ford.

Investigative journalist and TV presenter Cherry Healey showed her support for North West Cancer Research Fund’s O-Very campaign by meeting patients, doctors and the charity’s team of scientific researchers to find out more about ovarian cancer, its symptoms and the predispositions amongst women.

The O-Very campaign has been launched by North West Cancer Research Fund (NWCRF) to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, which is the biggest gynaecological killer of women in the UK and affects nearly 7,000 women every year.

Cherry, best known for her insightful documentaries on BBC3, visited the NWCRF funded research laboratories at University of Liverpool to meet with lead researcher Dr Daimark Bennett who is working on a pioneering three-year project using fruit flies to investigate the role of proteins in the spread of ovarian cancer.

The work by Dr Daimark Bennett and his team is one of several cancer research projects that NWCRF is currently funding. The charity spends nearly £1million each year providing grants for fundamental research in the North West of England and Wales into the causes of cancer and how it spreads.

Dr Daimark Bennett said: “Because ovarian cancer is often only detected when it has spread to other organs our research primarily looks at the ‘pathways’ the disease uses to permeate other organs which will help us better understand the disease. A huge number of women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and the disease ends up killing almost two thirds of that number – a death rate of over 70 per cent - which is why our research is so crucial.”

Cherry also met with Debbie Taaffe, 48, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in June 2010 to find out more about the disease and why it is often dubbed the ‘silent killer’.

Debbie said: “I am absolutely determined to raise awareness about this horrible disease and its symptoms – the more women that know what to look out for, the more will be saved through early diagnosis. The problem is not that the disease is ‘silent’ and doesn’t have any symptoms, it’s that they are often confused with other issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and gallstones.

“The message I want to get out there is that women need to listen to their own bodies and seek medical advice if they experience any of the following symptoms: persistent abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, loss of appetite and fatigue. Smear tests do not pick up ovarian cancer so it’s important for women to spread the word to their friends and family – it’s about creating a ripple effect.”

During her visit Cherry also had time to meet with several of the charity’s key committee fundraisers and supporters including Janet Bailey, who had her ovaries removed as a preventative measure after her mother tragically died of the disease 12 months ago.

Cherry said: “I am honoured and moved to have met such amazing and inspirational people during my visit – I have learnt so much in just one day from the research team to the doctors and the fundraisers who make all the charity’s work possible. It has brought it all home how aggressive this type of cancer is and the importance of raising both awareness and funds for the cutting edge research to continue. It sounds dramatic but it’s absolutely true that this campaign will save lives.”

Cherry’s involvement with the O-Very campaign is hoped to encourage ladies around the country to hold their own fundraising and awareness drives on Friday 2^nd March – O-Very Day – to coincide with ovarian cancer awareness month.

 

To find out more visit www.nwcrf.co.uk

North West Cancer Research Fund provides grants to support fundamental research in the North West of England and North and Mid-Wales, into the causes of cancer and the mechanisms by which cancers arise and exert their effects.

North West Cancer Research Fund is one of the region’s most cost-effective charities with almost 90p in every £1 going directly to cancer research.

Press enquiries:

Natalie Stewart

Think Publicity

0151 236 5372

Natalie@thinkpublicity.co.uk

Philip Armstrong. S/S12 Preview. Exclusive new collection pictures.

Since the last time I met with Philip and Tony on their first lookbook shoot with me, they have been making even bigger waves on a national scale. With their launch in Harvey Nichols the designers have just made Liverpool fashion go up another notch. 

This is an exclusive first look at the latest collection photoshoot. The S/S12 collection, explains Philip, 

"is an infusion of couture techniques and luxurious

fabrics, we like our pieces to excite our customers, to be individual and yet appealing and our latest collection is one we are enormously proud of. Our passion is to dress women. We know what colours work, what silhouettes will work,  and women know that we just get it right.”

To read the in depth interview with Philip and Tony taken on the A/W11 Shoot Click Here. 

Groom Hire.

Photos Matt Ford.

Groom Hire is available at The Wedding House Liverpool, as well as their four other locations.

Here is a preview of the forthcoming website images I shot last month.

Casting call! Major new fashion tv show!

Just revived this email from http://www.twentytwenty.tv/index.aspx makers of major tv shows on most of the big British channels.

Hello Matt.

We are producing a major new TV series about fashion and I’m on the look out for up and coming designers who may want the opportunity to take part. Your blog is great, and you obviously know what’s going on in the fashion world, so hoped that you may be able to spread the word about our programme. The show will give young designers the opportunity to work with some MAJOR names in the music business and be mentored by some of the top names in the fashion industry.

We are holding auditions around the country end of Jan and it would be great if you could mention it on your blog or do a shout out on twitter, please see below a bit more info of what we are after.

Twenty Twenty are searching for up and coming fashion designers with the talent and drive to succeed in the fashion industry to take part in a new TV show. We welcome designers of any level, formal qualifications are not necessary although the ability to create clothing is a must. If you want the opportunity to see your clothes on some of the world’s biggest music stars then e-mail stylerocks@twentytwenty.tv or call 02074247715 for more information.

Many thanks for your help

Mia

Liverpool's greatest Burlesque show- The Martini Lounge.

This Thursday at Zeligs, The Martini Lounge played host to a cabaret of International Burlesque performers. The show, compered by London's Fred Bear and starring Liverpool's own Millie Dollar, also consisted of comedy acts, audience participation and plenty, plenty of titillation. 

Check out the website for the next Martini Lounge date. 

The Martini Lounge.

Liverpool's coolest Christmas Pop-up Shop.

81 Bold Street. Open now until 24th December. 10-8pm.

Percy Gulliver's is a unique exhibition founded by Horse Graphic Design Studio, celebrating the art of the screen printed gig poster. There is also clothing and other one off items for sale.

It is also the home to a hand full of my own artwork over Christmas. The Limited edition prints are framed and on sale (until the end of this year) for £200 each. 

The selection includes choice images from my past two collections. (The Love Collection & the new Desire collection or more simply 'The Eyes'. 

Click images to enlarge. All Acrylic on water colour paper and screen printed by my self. 

The Eyes..(4 of 10 limited edition screen prints of this still available.)

Detail of above image.

Butterflies- Brand new image finished the day of this post..(All 5 from this edition are still available, better image to come)

Voyeur. 25 Limited editions.

Detail of above.

The Beauty of the body. 25 Limited editions.

He Love's me. 25 Limited editions.

Playing host to both UK and international artists, Screenadelica at Percy Gulliver's sees a wide variety of styles promoting the bands the artists love, inspired by the music they hear. With digital download taking over the music scene, the desire to still own something physical makes the screen printed poster all the more important, driving artists to create pieces of art for each show which encapsulates the music in their eyes. This then means that rather than one artist representing the bands sound, they get a whole range of interpretations of their music through the screen printed gig poster.




Check out the Screen Adelica Facebook.

www.screenadelica.com 

Versace H&M Launch - A Man on a mission

Words Ryan Martin. 

Last November I was in London, the city that I love for all things fashion. Walking down Oxford Street, I see every H&M store that I pass had been taken over with shoppers fuelled with pandemonium. Well, more than normal anyway. I knew this road was the capital for high street, but something else was causing this chaotic affair. As I got closer towards the shop, I realised I was here the same day that Lanvin had launched his one-off collection for H&M. With the exciting serendipity I had to go in to witness the clothes and hopefully get a buy. However, by now it was late mid-day so most of it had gone and I wasn’t going to waste £49.99 on a pair of patent leather shoes one size too big because it was the closest thing that I liked and would fit me. So I walked away, yet still happy I was there at the same time.

(Oxford Station, London)

So now we’re in the present and I read a few months ago that Versace will be doing a collection for H&M…….my Google box has never been used so much for one subject. I searched for everything and anything I could find on the topic. As the days went by and my healthy interest turned more into an addiction, I find any photo to do with the collaboration or any recent article that had the word Donatella in. Obviously more of the women’s wear was being released, so trying to find menswear pieces hopefully to own was pretty hard. However out of the blue, fashionologie.com had uploaded the entire lookbook. I straight away decided, I wanted everything.

(Covent Garden, London)

H&M finally put a page up and I researched the stores that will stock, prices and rules. Rules being stated to control the commotion of last year. Going through it all to make sure I know what time I need to be setting up my tent outside the shop but then finding out menswear shoppers wont have to queue. Mixed feeling about this news, happy because no need to catch pneumonia by lining up in the cold all night but I don’t see how this is going to stop a testosterone fuelled rampage ending with me punching another lad out if he takes the silver studded shirt and matching belt I have my eye on.

(Oxford Street H&M stores window display)

Crashing down in London town the night before and walking around Regent Street to find somewhere to eat as well as killing time. To my amazement, people are already pulling out deck chairs to line up. This convinced me that I really need to be on top form if I am going to have a chance of getting everything at all.

(Oxford Street H&M store)

And finally the day had arrived. One speedy shower and no breakfast I checked out of my hotel, the quickest I have ever checked out before, and head straight for the underground. Immediately looking around on the platform to see if anyone else looks like they could be going to the same place. Getting off at Piccadilly Circus to walk up and see how long the line is, I was getting happier and happier by the lack of people there. That is, until I see a line the length of the Mersey tunnel go round the corner of the H&M flagship store. The reason being that Donatella Versace herself was opening the store.

So the decision to make, was either stay here with the more than likely fact I am not getting anything I hoped just to get a view of the Italian blonde bombshell or walk a few more yards to the other H&M and actually have a chance to buy some clothes, which was the main reason for this trip. I picked the second option and to my luck it looked like they had just opened the doors. I went up the escalator to a hectic menswear department complete with Versace poster and stressed staff. Jumping right into the crowd looking for the sizes and accessories that I needed, following around staff that had arms filled with ready to hang clothing. As soon as they were on the rails, hands were coming from every direction, grasping onto hangers or tags to hold their stakes in getting what they wanted.

(Oxford Street H&M store)

Later on in the day looking into more H&M stores, I find that they had sold out of most items in the collection and all of my items I had bought. So after stepping into nearly every H&M in the city it was time to get off and head back to Liverpool. Still in my Versace mode I check the online store. Completely sold out. Then checking eBay. Already items up with bids almost double their original price.

Yes, high-end designers collaborating with high street do cause a riot, but it does give the chance to people who cannot afford that £2000 jacket and collectable piece. So it's no surprise that the hype over the next designer to work with H&M has already begun... Tom Ford you say? I will be lining up next week.