#Rikki Beadle-Blair

[unlimited-rice-puddin]

"Wreckage" Review: A powerful, honest exploration of love after loss

A glorious time at The Turbine Theatre to see @WreckageThePlay - a gorgeous, touching piece with a unique, yet massively relatable portrayal of grief. Check out my ★★★★ review by following the link!

Writer Tom Ratcliffe explores the evolution of a relationship even after its end in this hugely emotional play Continue reading Untitled

[yourdailyqueer]

Rikki Beadle-Blair

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Gay

DOB: Born 1961   

Ethnicity: Jamaican

Nationality: British

Occupation: Actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, singer, designer,  choreographer, dancer, songwriter, entrepreneur, producer

[purpleyin]

A post about Freddy Carter in the 2016 play CIRCA, with some info about the play in here too.

If you repost pics from this elsewhere please remember to:

a) credit the photographer/photo source

and

b) mention me as having found them (I'm purpleyindom on insta if anyone reposts there) since it took a fair bit of time/effort to research this play.

Photo sources: tratcliffe15, 2 -__circa & 3 - the VAULTS performance crowdfunder page and others sources mentioned later

The play was written by Tom Ratcliffe who is friends with Freddy - he was at Oxford Drama School with Freddy, as well as starring in "The Wars of the Roses" (Rose Theatre) with him in 2015.

CIRCA was first performed as a sell-out research & development showing at the Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington in November 2015. After that a crowdfunding campaign was started to raise money for putting on the world premiere of the play in Amsterdam.

10 minutes of CIRCA were also performed as part of Wildcard Theatre's Christmas fundraiser December 1st 2015, with Freddy playing The First Love and Tom Ratcliffe playing The Young Man, and Jamie Jackson directing. Photographer: Ali Wright

Rehearsals for Amsterdam, with director Eleanor Clare Taylor in the 1st pic. Freddy plays The First Love.

Photo source: __circa

The Amsterdam performance happened 8th January 2016 as part of Festival Contact at the Theater de Meervaart. Some behind the scene shots + some more from the performance itself (EDIT: the lefthand side sofa pic I'd included is actually from the 2015 London performance instead - the righthand side one is the Amsterdam set).

Photo sources: - tratcliffe15, - JennieWestbrook, Rikki Beadle-Blair

Following Amsterdam, another crowdfunding campaign was started to raise money for the plays UK première as part of 2016 Pride in London. Here's pics for the readthrough, rehearsals & preview show. Freddy plays The First Love and The Younger Man.

Photo source: __circa

The play ran June 21st-25th, directed by Joe Allan, performed at The VAULTS, Waterloo. As mentioned by a londontheatre1, the actors changed into dark clothes to double up as stagehands like in pic 5. As far as I can tell there's no public recordings of the play, just a very brief insta reel of applause for one of the shows.

Photo sources: - tratcliffe15 , eskijoe + poster design & some pics by Eitan Bernat

CIRCA had another run in March 2019 - for 4 weeks this time - again at The Old Red Lion Theatre, with a smaller cast of 5: Antony Gabriel, Daniel Abelson, Jenna Fincken, Joseph Rowe, and Thomas Flynn. Maybe CIRCA will return sometime potentially but it seems unlikely it would be with Freddy again. I very much wish I could see it tbh but I'll probably have to satisfy myself buying the script sometime.

Photographer Lidia Crisafulli

For anyone curious about the play more generally, Tom Ratcliffe has interviews about the 2019 run linked on his website under 'Press' further down on his writer's CV page. There are reviews for the 2016 Vaults performance here. CIRCA is also published, and there were some quotes from the play released as part of promo tweets - they're behind the read more.

"That’s what everyone says isn't it? Gay men shag everything. Disease and all that. My mum, when I came out, the first thing she said to me was ‘don’t get AIDS'...But things are different now. They’ll be different for us." 

"Have you ever played the Game of Life?"

"Most people get to be happy with just one person. I don't see why I should have it any different."

"You have this thing where you don't let it define you... I'm not going to apologise"

"Everybody loves a drag queen but nobody will ever love a drag queen"

"No one sleeps with one person forever. You can't be so naive."

"This must be a dream."

[sassygal88]

Die Like Leslie Cheung (2015)

📸 Rikki Beadle-Blair

[johnrgordon]

BOOKS I'M PROUD TO HAVE PUBLISHED 

SISTA! ANTHOLOGY 

FINALIST FOR THE LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FOR BEST LGBTQ ANTHOLOGY

This book was a labour of love and I'm proud that it exists in the world. I co-edited this text with the fantastic Ms. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah and my creative partner and compadre, Rikki Beadle-Blair, both of whom are cultural powerhouses who have consistently shown that Black British queer excellence is worthy of celebration.

Featuring some of the most dynamic Black British Sapphic writing, including pieces by Yrsa Daley-Ward, Andreena Leeanne and Chardine Taylor-Stone, SISTA! is powerful, moving and necessary.

You can order this fantastic book via the links below: 

UK: Waterstones / Amazon

US: Barnes & Noble / Amazon

[kissablelips-desireslure-vol2]

BLACKBIRD (2014)

Directed By: Patrik-Ian Polk

Written By: Larry Duplechan (novel) Rikki Beadle Blair (screenwriter) Patrik-Ian Polk (screenwriter)

JULIAN J. WALKER (as Randy)

&

TORREY LAAMAR (as Todd)

Synopsis: A teenage black boy tries to reconcile his burgeoning homosexuality with his Christian faith. While dealing with a broken family including a kidnapped younger sister and a strict religious mother unable to escape the disappearance of her daughter.

Review: First I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Patrik-Ian Polk for his talent and mission to tell gay black stories. Such as the iconic Noah's Arc and The Skinny.

That being said this film fell short in a few ways for me but I still enjoyed it. Initially a vehicle for Jussie Smollett (until funding fell through I hear) a talent was found in Julian Walker as Randy. A beautiful voice and very handsome. Like all of Patrik-Ian's works this is worth checking out.

[centrestagereviews]

Interview: Josie White - ROTTEN

Touring the UK in spring 2024, ROTTEN is an all-new debut play written by Josie White, a darkly comical thriller that sees a diabolical plan spiral into anarchy as it uncovers the plots and schemes that go on behind closed doors. Directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair, this is a bold and honest insight into the complex morals and malicious actions that desperate times push us towards. With betrayal,…

[noonesgaylikegatson]

June 1st! Kick Off (2011)

One of my all time favorite films!

This movie is from one of my favorite directors and creatives, Rikki Beadle-Blair! It's about a gay soccer team playing against a straight team with a really bad reputation. It's filled with different characters and is very funny!

It is one of the last gay comedy films I would say in the modern era that is not irony-poisoned or self-congratulatory, and is very authentically gay, queenie and fun!

If you remember from my old blog, I tagged movies and tv shows about gay men or had gay male characters in them as #hades.

The reason I did this because Hades is not only the god of the underworld but the god of wealth. I consider gay movies to be this hidden treasure! So for this pride month! Every day, I will try to showcase a gay movie I personally liked, loved, or thought was well done!

[theglisted]

Rikki Beadle-Blair: A LGBTQ+ Biography By The Ubuntu Bio Project

Rikki Beadle-Blair: A LGBTQ+ Biography By The Ubuntu Bio Project

Rikki Beadle-Blair was born on July 25, 1961. He is a multi-talented writer, director, composer, choreographer, designer, producer, and performer whose numerous TV and film credits include “Noah’s Arc” and “Blackbird.” The founder and artistic director of the multi-media production company Team Angelica, Rikki was ranked fourth on the most recent Rainbow List of the 101 most influential lesbian,…

[hattydaze]

#Hashtag Lightie by Lynette Linton, at the Arcola Theatre (review)

#Hashtag Lightie is a very modern story set in the YouTube and technology generation, highlighting prejudices about race and identity that are as old as time. Ella (Adele James) sets out to become an internet sensation with her make up videos, naively using the name Hashtag Lightie to refer to her light-skinned appearance. Things start well, but it turns out that some people find the implication…

[ollyarchive]

Years and Years’ Olly Alexander, Lucy Spraggan and Sir Ian McKellen among Top 100 in 2019’s Pride Power List

The list celebrates all that is good and great in the LGBT+ community

This year’s Pride Power List has been released and it includes musicians Years and Years‘ Olly Alexander and Lucy Spraggan, and also actor Sir Ian McKellen.

Today, celebrations are taking place in the nation’s capital to commemorate Pride in London – honouring the lives, achievements, history and future of the LGBT+ community.

To coincide with the occasion, the Pride Power List 2019 has been released, revealing the members of the LGBT+ community in the UK who have made a significant impact in the fight for the equality and inclusion of LGBT+ individuals.

“The list celebrates all that is good and great in the LGBT+ community and has a unique mix of celebrity, community, celebrity and business leaders,” said Linda Riley, founder of the Pride Power List.

Individuals included in this year’s list include musicians  Years and Years‘ Olly Alexander, Lucy Spraggan and Westlife’s Mark Feehily, and actor Sir Ian McKellen.

The Pride Power 2019 List Top 100 LGBT+ individuals:

Ruth Hunt – chief executive of Stonewall.

Sir Ian McKellen CH CBE – actor and LGBT+ rights advocate.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah – co-founder of UK Black Pride.

Owen Jones – columnist, author, commentator and political activist.

Peter Tatchell – LGBT+ campaigner and activist.

Sandi Toksvig OBE – writer, actor, comedian, presenter and producer.

Michael Cashman CBE – Labour peer, actor, former MEP and LGBT+ campaigner.

Munroe Bergdorf – DJ, activist and feminist.

Edward Enninful OBE – editor-in-chief of British Vogue.

Liz Carr – actor, comedian and disability rights campaigner.

Clare Balding OBE – broadcaster, journalist and author.

Graham Norton  – television and radio presenter, comedian and actor.

Gok Wan – fashion consultant, author and television presenter.

Saara Aalto – singer and musician.

Mhairi Black MP – Scottish politician.

Heather Peace – actor, musician and LGBT+ rights activist.

Nicola Adams OBE – professional boxer.

Liv Little – founder of gal-dem magazine.

Stephen Fry – actor, presenter, writer, comedian and activist.

Anthony Watson – founder and CEO of TBOL.

Lord Waheed Alli – media entrepreneur and politician.

Dawn Airey – Getty Images board and NYT chair.

Alan Carr – comedian, television personality and author.

Cressida Dick – commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

Paris Lees – journalist, presenter, feminist and transgender rights activist.

Hannah Bardell MP – SNP MP of Livingston Constituency.

Lucy Spraggan – singer and songwriter.

Adele Roberts – radio presenter and DJ.

Sara Geater – chief operating officer of All3Media.

Alison Camps – partner and deputy chairman of Quadrangle.

Claire Harvey – diversity and inclusion consultant.

Charlie Condou – actor and columnist.

Ruth Davidson – Scottish politician and leader of the Scottish Conservative Party.

Mark Feehily – musician and one of the lead singers of Westlife.

Dr Ranj Singh – TV presenter, author, columnist and doctor.

Jane Hill – BBC journalist and broadcaster.

Olly Alexander – songwriter, actor and lead singer of Years and Years.

Chardine Taylor-Stone – cultural producer, writer and activist.

Tim Jarman – assistant director for diversity and inclusiveness at EY.

Amy Lamé – writer, performer, presenter and London’s night Czar.

Evan Davis – presenter, economist and author.

Annie Wallace – actor.

Kiki Archer – author.

Bobby Cole Norris – TV personality and presenter.

Horse McDonald – singer and songwriter.

Susan Calman – comedian, television presenter and writer.

Dr Elly Barnes MBE – CEO and founder of Educate and Celebrate.

Ollie Locke – television personality, presenter and writer.

Angela Eagle MP – Labour MP for Wallasey.

Brian Ashmead-Siers – partner at PwC.

Reeta Loi – writer, musician and activist.

Sophie Anna Ward – actor and author.

Vincent Francois – regional chief auditor executive at Societe Generale.

Jack Monroe – best-selling author and activist.

Baroness Liz Barker – House of Lords, Liberal Democrats.

Benjamin Butterworth – journalist for i newspaper.

Dr Liam Hackett – founder and CEO of Ditch The Label.

Pema Radha – chief of staff to Global Head of Managed Services at EY.

Mark McLane – head of diversity and inclusion, M&G Prudential.

Bisi Alimi – gay rights activist, public speaker and blogger.

Julie Wilson – CEO of Optimus Cards.

Mary Portas – broadcaster and TV personality.

Val McDermid, FRSE, FRSL – author.

Michael Salter-Church MBE ​– co-chair of Pride in London.

Ryan Atkin – professional referee.

Kelly Simmons MBE – FA director, Women’s Professional Game.

Wes Streeting MP – Labour politician.

Ryan John Butcher – journalist.

Andy Woodfield – partner at PwC.

Charlie Craggs  – trans activist and author.

Dan Hughes – PR specialist.

Dolly-Rose Campbell – actor.

Suki Sandhu OBE – founder and CEO of Involve and Audeliss.

Charlie King – celebrity personal trainer and columnist.

David Ames – actor.

Emma Woollcott – partner at Mishcon de Reya.

Polly Shute  – partnership director of Parallel Lifestyle. ‏

Kezia Dugdale – director of John Smith Centre.

Cliff Joannou – editor-in-chief of Attitude magazine.

Jacqui Gavin – Diversity and Inclusion Centre of Excellence manager at Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.

Jodie Taylor – professional footballer.

Mark Anderson – executive vice president of Customer Experience at Virgin Atlantic.

Professor Sue Sanders – professor and chair of Schools Out. UK.

Daniel Lismore – artist, designer and writer.

Simon Jones – PR specialist.

Ian Massa-Harris-McFeely – events producer, voice coach and makeup artist.

Justine Greening – Conservative Party politician.

Darren Styles OBE – publisher of Attitude magazine.

Rikki Beadle-Blair – actor, director, screenwriter, singer, choreographer and songwriter.

Lord Collins – Labour peer and LGBT+ rights advocate.

Jen Brister – comedian, writer and actor.

Russell T Davies – screenwriter.

Amrou Al-Kadhi – writer, performer and filmmaker.

Pav Akhtar – co-founder and director of strategy of UK Black Pride.

Tag Warner – CEO of Gay Times.

Dr Catherine Lee – deputy dean of Anglia Ruskin University.

Suzi Ruffell – comedian.

Scott McGlynn – presenter, blogger and author.

Mridul Wadhwa – transgender rights campaigner.

Dotty – rapper and radio presenter.

Read more at https://www.nme.com/news/lucy-spraggan-years-and-years-olly-alexander-and-sir-ian-mckellen-among-top-100-in-2019s-pride-power-list-2525081#w1Fgr9ZqxIuiStF7.99

[hamish-linklater-btc]

To mark seventy years after the arrival of passenger liner V Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks, Essex, and in response to the recent Windrush scandal, writer/director Lynette Linton has commissioned and is curating Passages: A Windrush Celebration, a series of seven monologue films presented by the Royal Court Theatre.

Writers include Rikki Beadle-Blair, Natasha Gordon, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Lynette Linton, Winsome Pinnock, Jamael Westman and Roy Williams. The films, which focus on the British West Indian experience, will be released weekly online later this year.

Passages: A Windrush Celebration will culminate in a day of celebration on Saturday 13 April 2019 which will include food, music, panel events and a screening of all seven films, held at the Royal Court Theatre.

[johnrgordon]

My objective as an artist is to not only humanize groups who have been dismissed and othered by the larger society, but to present each of my characters and their circumstances as unique individuals with the level of nuance and complexity I believe they deserve. In that sense, my work, as best as I can do it, is my activism, to paraphrase the late, great Toni Morrison in these troubled times. 

CURIOUS is a short film I wrote, which is co-produced and stars the magnificent Urbain Hayo, the dazzling Dior Clarke, and is brilliantly directed by my genius compadre, Rikki Beadle-Blair. 

It's funny, it's sexy, it's joyous and a representation of queer Black British fire and flavour. It's NSF, but do check it out via the link below. I hope you enjoy it: 

[thetheatrereviewer]

[Review:] VERY SPECIAL GUEST STAR, Omnibus Theatre, London.

[Review:] VERY SPECIAL GUEST STAR, Omnibus Theatre, London. “A cleverly structured and challenging performance.” 4 ★

Tom Wright aims to challenge audiences through his writing, to have them confront and process difficult and uncomfortable material, and he certainly delivers in A Very Special Guest. Directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair, this performance titillates its audience with explicit sexual content, appealing to our natural scopophilic propensities and demanding that we be voyeurs as the three performers…

[iml79]

At the new diorama theatre, to meet Rikki Beadle-Blair to get some tips and ponts on doing me with confidence, affect and actuality making an focused impact, all this while eating lunch at FarmerJ, I have to say the food was very good.... Now it's time to put words into action. #newdiorama #farmerj #moorgate (at 2 Finsbury Avenue) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV27Hs2oRJEOR00oENCnfi_qc0qELdJyeakp1A0/?utm_medium=tumblr