[rating=4]
120 min • Arts Theatre • From April 13, 2013

The grit, humour and emotion of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing are all still wonderfully affecting 20 years on.

“The play is set (and was written) in a time when Section 28 was in place and gay characters were usually limited to marginalised rent boys.”

The Universal Machine.

Marcus Reeves talks to Judith Paris about her role as Sara Turing in The Universal Machine, a new musical about the life of Alan Turing.

“It’s so complicated, the story of the Enigma – and it is a wonderful story of Turing’s tenacity, but also wilful, ridiculous stupidity by the British Government. Not many people would decide to do a musical about a mathematician.”

There To Be Broken?

Gay Relationship Column. Scottie assesses his rules of dating, at least one of which brands him a prude on the gay scene, and how it took a megadate to break almost all of them.

“Experienced in the lottery of first impressions, I keep a brave face and an upbeat tone, wondering how on earth this was going to turn out. “

As Yet Untitled.

Andrew Darley talks to Ladytron’s lead singer Helen Marnie about her new solo album and what she’s posted on PledgeMusic in order to make it happen.

“I knew I wanted it to be quite pop and song based. I also wanted it to be personal and emotive. I hope that comes across.”

Human Rights.

Adam Dawe from ditto writes about this month’s Campfire storytelling night, and its guest speaker, Peter Tatchell.

Picks for this weekend.

Pick of Fringe! Queer Film and Arts Fest 2013: One Zero One, Venus in the Garden, Chuppan Chupai

Queer Spaces.

Barbara Hammer talks queer cinema, marriage equality, and the importance of real diversity in life and art.

“We finally have the foundation of a culture, we have traced our histories, let us not make marriage and human rights erase us into a vast homogenization of the human race.”

National Poetry Month.

To celebrate National Poetry Month in the US, Polari hears from three poets about what poetry means to them.

“Poetry for me is a powerful tool in my belt as an activist; poetry can distill the fights, hopes, and dreams of those of us fighting for liberty, equality, justice.”

A Question of Equal Rights.

Walter Beck looks at the Arizona bill that would make it illegal to use a toilet not assigned to the same sex that is on your birth certificate. Part 2 of 2.

“I hope the amendment goes down in flames and our brothers and sisters in Arizona will not only be free to pee without harassment, but will be able to be full-class citizens in their own state.”

Win tickets to the see Paper Dolls at Tricycle Theatre, London.

For weekday performances until April 19.