POSE is an extraordinary television series, that is not only ground breaking but in a category of its own. It has been described as a Dance Musical, a revelation about LGBT culture and the explosion of the gender fluid Ball Rooms in New York City in the 80s. But I wouldn’t categorise, as to me it stands on its own as one of the most staggering and enlightening programmes to hit the screens in years.
I was around in the Eighties, living life to the full as a youngster and full of hope for the future. So how did murmurs of this extraordinary underworld escape us. Madonna burst onto the scene with Vogue which apparently emulated the moves and mood particular to this Ball Room culture, but how come it stayed under wraps for more than thirty years. Was the World not ready to listen, perhaps we can empathise with this generation who suffered the humiliation of HIV and Aids, which carried a huge stigma and still does to this day.
But if you can look beyond the camp and the glitter, there are stories crying out to be told of regular folk whose status is their only stigma, through no fault of their own, whether it be a gender issue or being tested HIV positive.
As survival was key in those forbidden days, a number of ‘houses’ sprung up with one mentor at the helm who would take in LGBTQ youth who had been rejected by their families, for being ‘different’.
Mj Rodriguez is magnificent as Blanca Evangelista, the selfless house ‘mother’, and we see her realm flourish as she takes in young homeless men and women who have lost their way. Blanca helps them to reveal their unique talents and sets them on the road to recovery with successful careers in dance, business and modelling.
I would recommend this as a wonderful watch over Christmas, perhaps not family viewing, but pure escapism if you would like to time travel back to the eighties and feel the intensity of the time and the wonders of human survival.
Eureka Entertainment are proud to announce the most anticipated release of the year Grange Hill Series 7 & Series 8 Box Set
Available to own for the very first time from 11th November 2019
This boxed set features all 36 episodes from series 7 & 8, originally broadcast in 1984 and 1985.
Also included for the very first time – The 1981 Christmas Special Episode 24mins (First broadcast 28th December 1981- pre series 5)
Available to pre-order now from Amazonand other online retailers
Radio Times Magazine 50 Greatest Children’s TV Shows of all time ranked Grange Hill at number 2
Here is your chance to relive again your childhood watching this classic BBC Children’s series continuing the saga and adventures of such famous characters such as Zammo, Roland, Fay, Annette, Julie, Melissa, Pogo Patterson, Precious Matthews, Gonch, Paul and not forgetting “Gripper” Stebson
Trouble is brewing as a merger between Grange Hill, Brookdale & Rodney Bennet looms large on the horizon. New pupils Luke ‘Gonch’ Gardner & Paul ‘Hollo’ Holloway cause havoc & the burning question this term…. does Mr Bronson wear a wig?
Michael Sheard as Mr. Bronson
Series devised by Phil Redmond (Brookside and Hollyoaks creator)
As I watched the Downton Abbey movie, it occurred to me that a good film provides the formula for success, a bit like a great recipe or fabulous banquet.
Downton has been a success story from the outset, and the film reflects every element that made it such a huge hit with audiences across the country and indeed the world.
The characters are key to every good story, and these are in abundance from the haughty Lady Mary played by Michelle Dockery to the deliciously wily Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, played so deftly by Maggie Smith. You will adore her beautifully placed quips and relish her ‘put downs’ to all and sundry as she weaves her wondrous web of cunning against her less devious cousin who does her best to hold her own.
The storyline is artfully interwoven with both pathos and genuine emotional engagement, from Tom finding love again, to now Head Butler, Thomas Barrow finding a like-minded partner, albeit in secret.
The charm of an era that was already fading, was depicted in the pomp and ceremony of the day, with the visit from the Queen to Downton Abbey and the Ball held in her honour at a nearby Country Estate. The hierarchy of the servants as they vie for position within their own household, and their own delightfully devilish plan as they endeavour to dethrone the overly zealous Royal servants ‘in waiting’.
I defy anyone not to love the movie, as it is beautifully filmed and wonderfully performed, the script providing all the humour, drama, sentiment and excitement of the day, whilst raising questions of class and prejudice that still exist a hundred years on, and rear their heads in our Society today.
Downton Abbey is pure escapism, and I can only fully recommend this film which will no doubt stand the test of time, in a World where everything took just a little bit longer.
October 24, 2026 1904 Moss Hart 1930 The Big Bopper 1940 Barry Davies 1942 Frank Delaney 1946 Jerry Edmonton 1947 Kevin Kline 1971 Caprice Bourret 1972 Dervla Kirwan
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