The TABOO topic

Bravo to Mommy and Daddy for doing their part to illuminate the life of such a mega talent as Leigh. Sadly I am afraid, the Broadway show will really miss the mark. From a theatrical point of view, I really can't imagine Rosie O'Donnell OR Boy George being able to harness any of the excitement that Leigh posessed in his performances and irreverent contribution to style. I also don't think middle America who buy the majority of tickets on Broadway could sit thru a true portrayal of L.B's time on Earth. I am afraid this show will merely be a chance for Boy George to have a chance to fill a pair of pumps onstage he could NEVER do in reality. Leigh Bowery was a true artist. Boy George is a pop star. I adore George. I just wished they would have gotten a real actor and not some waterd down imitation. Oh wow, the saddle on this "HIGH HORSE" is uncomfortable.

That's what you are.
And speaking of "Screaming Queens"...
Miss Understood will be doing these GENIUS "human snack tables" for the party as well. Walking, talking (screaming) human tables that will most likely frighten the guests and leave more food for us.
Right on Missy U.


And Sweetie,
Giddy-up Gurl!
Ouch!
You aren't alone in your opinion though. I hear it everywhere. I think it's going to be a bumpy ride.
(meet me you know where)

I think we should see it before saying. Also remember that a book, a play, or especially a MUSICAL are ALWAYS a fiction. How can anyone's life be captured in two hours? Also, life doesn't it the formula of an entertainment vehicle. I don't even think the thickest 800 page bio is ever "true". I read 3 bios on Dietrich and they were very different from eachother.

While yes, George is pop star, he's not your average pop star. He's one of us that made it. He's always been a bit of a rebel in that business. He also knew Leigh quite well. It's not like some clueless writer who decided to "research" Leigh bowery and write a show. From what I hear there are a few authentic clubsters involved in the costuming, hair design, etc. Perfidia has been raving about the gorgeous hairdos on the extras that are based upon icons such as Steve Strange and Sue Catwoman.

I have high hopes but I won't have an opinion until I see it. I'm going the evening before the party. It must be viewed as an interpretive fiction. Do you REALLY think Gypsy captured Gypsy Rose Lee's life 100% accurately?

Well, Miss U, I too will be there that same night, and I reserve my opinion until it has been seen. This show is different from the London version as it has gone from a 300 seat theatre to a 1000 seat theatre, and more dramatically, has been rewritten and reworked for the American stage. We shall see, but I will admit that I am excited and cannot wait to see it!

A pal of mine - Julian Clary - appeared in the UK version.... it seems that they were bringing out all sorts of tacky daytime tv personalities to appear in the show - which really put me off the whole thing (what next Kelly Ripa as Leigh Bowery!).... Am interested to see it, but not rushing... but wonder how spot-on it can be as the subject matter is SO not mainstream tourist B'way fodder.... and Leigh was so challenging. (In a good way - but not in a mainstream way - y'dig?).

I hope for everyones sake that Taboo is a hit. I just know from its beginning in the states there have been too many fingers in the pot, and it has all the makings of a big fat flop. They are trying to re-work a show that failed miserably in London. Although I believe Charles Busch has great skills as a writer, I really believe Leigh's life was so "special" for lack of a better word. He totally bucked convention and the mainstream. Its just a little ironic that his life IS being neatly packaged in a 2 hour MUSICAL. Maybe Charles has found a take on the story that will be more fleshed out and human. I am concerned with the biggest factor in the puzzle and that is TICKET SALES. They are building this up as a BOY GEORGE vehicle. Look at the billboard right here in Times Square. It appears at first glace to be pushing a CD or a concert. BOY GEORGE in all of his BOY GEORGEishness is no type of representation of Leigh. That comes from the discomfort the publicity people had in pushing the images that Leigh created for the masses to try and latch onto to sell tickets. Its a very hard show to manipulate for mass appeal. Broadway shows need mass appeal to survive. Not even 10,000 die hard Boy George fans can save a turkey kids. Maybe I will eat my words................but I say GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

So do you mean you think it's bad or that it's not mainstream?

Hey there was a hit play about a guy that fucked a goat so who knows!?

An astonishing writer like Mr. Albee is capeable of making a hit out of a story of a man fucking a goat. He is one of our best contemporary playwrites. Lets hope Ms. Busch has lent some humanity to the Taboo project. One of the biggest complaints about the London production is that it lacked any kind of emotional life. You didnt want to love the characters. I believe Leigh Bowery's story should be told. It's important to our culture like so many gifted artists that paved the way for freaks everywhere. Leigh had a profound effect on art and style and performance. I am extremely skeptical that the likes of Rosie O'Donnell or even George can pull this off.

This is a slightly dated entry from my blog but it applies here:
Rosie's Big Taboo

I was never a big fan of Rosie O'Donnell. While I like the idea of the "real" girl next door image, I always felt Roseanne pulled that off in a much more accurate fashion.. at least for a few years. Rosie's just reminded me of the overbearing theater students I remember from college. They would consistently exhibit their dire need for attention, yet never provide you with any good reason to pay it to them. While I did like the fact that she was sort of (kinda sorta) a leftie, I found it difficult to accept a raging lesbian who spoke out about gun control yet was silent about gay rights.

Then the big coming out happened. Even that didn't initially impress me. Rosie made it clear that she was coming out only to serve the interest of children, not for any sort of gay rights agenda. if you weren't paying attention at the time, she was speaking out about a Florida case in which some gay foster parents were being denied the right to adopt a child they had raised.

But then, little by little, this Rosie thing became more interesting. She started being less "nice," a label she had been given during her talk show reign, and becoming more outspoken and opinionated. She expressed disgust for Michael Jackson, got a dykey haircut, and started using foul language in public. Now who does she remind me of? The REAL girl next door! And everybody is dumping on her for it.

Rosie is producing he Broadway production of Taboo, London's hit musical about the 80's/90's alternative club scene written by Boy George, who is portraying the infamous performance artist Leigh Bowery. This is a HUUUGE step for Rosie, who was always know for her ties to "family" projects such as "Seusical". Taboo is far from family entertainment. In fact, it may be the most subcultural thing to hit the Broadway stage in decades.

Page Six in the New York Post went off on her earlier this week. They are basically painting her as a crazed lesbian bent on offending the world. They made it sound like the billboard for the show is desecrating the otherwise pristine Times Square! The image is a paining of Leigh in gorgeous freak makeup standing in a men's room. Behind him is the back of a man at a urinal. Big deal. Times square is full of giant underwear ads! The Taboo poster is a refreshing bit of art in an ocean of mediocrity.

There was a phase, let's say between 17 and 25, when I and many of my peers found ourselves and hooked up with like minded people. I mean this in terms of:
A) Coming out and exploring the ins and outs of gay culture and identity and
B) Discovering and experiencing alternative culture, going to clubs, getting into non-mainstream bands, etc.

Rosie's going through that phase now. I think she spent so much time in a more mainstream culture pursuing her standup and acting, and later her TV career, that she never really found the time to let loose and explore. I doubt she knew who Leigh Bowery WAS before she saw Taboo in London.
My friend John thinks she's just a hypocrite. She made a lot of money while pretending to be something she's not and now she expects us to respect her. I can't completely argue with him, he's right. But hey, who wouldn't tone it down to have a TV show and make millions. It's awfully tempting.

What I have to commend her for is being able to say "Enough already!" How many people who have achieved such mainstream fame ever just jump off the carousel to follow their heart? Why does Donald Trump continue building? He could give away 75% of his money and not feel it one bit. How much can a person spend in pursuit of happiness? Why doesn't he spend the rest of his life building free hospitals in Africa? Madonna likes to speak out against materialism but when will she stop practicing it? I have rarely seen a celebrity or a prominent wealthy person every make a real sacrifice. I think Rosie made a big one. She said "Hey, I have more money than I'll ever need, so why don't I just stop kissing everyone's ass all day and just do my thing!" Or maybe it wasn't so big. Maybe her way of living before was becoming so painful that she HAD to stop. Maybe other celebrities in her position who don't stop just become drug addicts or Scientologists as a way of coping.
My point, if I have one, is that media in America is all about phoniness. Any attempt at being yourself is criticized. Remember all the hubbub about Roseanne screeching out the national Anthem at some sports event? Big deal. If your kooky aunt did it you'd laugh and think it was cute.

Anyway, I can't wait to see Taboo!!!!

Miss Understood's Blog

[This message was edited by Miss Understood on 11-03-03 at 11:32 AM.]

An interesting take on Rosie. I give her huge credit for attempting to bring the story of Leigh Bowery to light, that is major. Okay, so I can see a different angle on her.

But she's still repellent.

I wont say too much and spoil it! lucky to catch the show (in previews tonight)...MANY spectacular, suprising moments - breathtaking visuals and funny lines - a solid story with a strong through-line of action. I love that it is built around George and Leigh so artfully - and with heart!

Loose in that new "previews" kind of way - but I didnt mind. Despite George's songs, my mates and I agreed the music was often not "edgy" enough to capture the spirit of the times. There are also more than a few clunky, schmaltzy moments (the cable tv bathrobe number?!) AND the production numbers do not have enough swirly fabric to truely delight the mezzanine level.

We laughed, we cried, we kissed 87.50 goodbye (which for 3 wasnt bad!)

work tickets for this one, however you can.

.

*

Let me begin by saying that I've never been a fan of Broadway musicals ,not my cup of tea....but....

To me it was disjointed, needed a little editing and some cleaning up, but it is hardly the disaster that the press (Post) is claiming it to be. I enjoyed it, so did the entire audience (it got a standing ovation). It had such great moments in it like when the dancefloor of the club comes rolling out full of new-romantic kids doing those 80's moves I did myself....and that's really what it is...... moments I related to or at least had a nostalga for. I thought of all the clublife I have lived where it has gotten me and why I started going to those temples in the first place. Why those places are so important and necessary. Its far from perfect but it has the potential to be really great. The fact remains that its a kind of miracle it exists at all in this land of overgrown sameness.


I wish the entire production the best of luck and hope that its a huge success.

[This message was edited by glamnerd on 11-06-03 at 12:41 PM.]

[This message was edited by glamnerd on 11-06-03 at 12:49 PM.]

quote:

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She said "Hey, I have more money than I'll ever need, so why don't I just stop kissing everyone's ass all day and just do my thing!"

---

Miss U., you hit it spot-on. I'm rather enjoying Rosie at the moment. I hadn't been much of a fan, and maybe she does have a few screws loose...but I do worship how the Queen of Nice (that my mom used to watch on TV each morning) suddenly became this sort of MAC truck-- move or get run over. From starting a magazine and putting her infected finger on the cover, to coming out, getting the new 'do, shooting her mouth off, filing lawsuits, and dumping $10 million into a Broadway play about a couple of notorious homos and 80s counterculture...she's pretty major. And she's taking a major risk...she's got money, but she ain't no Trump.

I saw Taboo on Friday. I liked it. Didn't bowl me over, but it was good enough to recommend. The cast is very strong, and there are some astounding numbers. It was surprising, however, to find that it really is "The Boy George Story" -- not a Leigh Bowery play, which is what I thought it'd be. Leigh is not quite peripheral here, but the spotlight is definitely on George. It's a decent and respectable try at bringing a particular slice of life to Broadway. Some parts were over-the-top schmaltz that seemed gratuitous and designed to pander to the tourists from Iowa. If Rosie's gonna make anything on this though, maybe that's necessary?? Sweetie: yes, ticket sales! Will there be enough interest in this to keep it afloat? I sure hope so. Even in this post- post-Ellen age, I just don't see this having the mass appeal that it will need to fill all those seats every night.

Without giving away the story, we do see plenty of GAY in this production and it's hard to believe that what you're watching is in a Broadway theatre. It was a sold-out house, but at intermission I wondered if there would be empty seats for the second half...we had after all just seen a man kiss another man--and in bed together! But no, everyone filed right back in for the rest of the show, and also gave a standing ovation at the end.

I say three cheers for George. And Rosie. Looking forward to seeing how the rest of her mag lawsuit imbroglio goes...her testimoney last week was a hoot.

...and yes, lying DOES cause cancer. As well as SARS.

I truly bow down to your photoshop skills!
Brilliant!

There is always some sort of compromise when doing something creative. We have to keep that in mind.
(I mean tonight we are producing "The Pop Art Ball" at The Guggenheim Museum and it will be gorgeous. Period Pop brilliantly executed by The Jackie Factory, styled by Kitty Boots but...
at 10:30 an ABBA cover band will play a 20 minute set.
An ABBA cover band!!!!
Of course any idiot knows that ABBA was not 1960's Mod but the CEO of Hugo Boss, the sponsor, saw "Mama Mia" on Broadway and loved it.
Well, he's paying.
ABBA cover band it is.)
So hopefully this show will be good and make money. A hard thing to do.
I think "Hairspray" did it. John Waters told me he really liked the B'way version of his movie. So it can be done.

[This message was edited by daddy on 11-13-03 at 04:45 AM.]

I actually didn't mind this scene either,I thought it was sort of funny. Sad/funny. It reminded me of someone I shall not name..

I did however get a little grossed out with the baby picture of Leigh....it was too much. The video montage was beautiful (you know me and video projections) but the baby pict at the end was so....well, forced, yuck.

It wish the Atlanta set had the same gusto and lush creativity you guys all have! I sawy Boy George on the View and he was delightful! From what I have read about Leigh Bowery and the photos I have seen, I feel I truly missed something wild and wonderful for never having seen any of his performances.

Also, love and hello to Chi Chi, Hattie, Bella Donna, Jade, Lizzie Davis, Billy O., Sweetie, and all the other legends of Stevie-realness! You may not remember me, but my 2 trips to your great city have been true highlights in my life... And I will never forget those "nights"!

Your Dove of Doves... Prel!

Ok, I just got back from seeing it, and fresh in my mind and freely smoking a ciggy and having a cocktail while I pen my impression of the show.

I loved it! I may be biased (Boy cold defecate on stage on I would love it), but it really is a good show overall. My one major impression is that the cast needs to "gel" a bit as an ensemble for the whole production to flow just a tad bit better, but hey, this was the last preview. Now we shall see what the critics say.

The composite character for all the men in Boy's life was oh-so-my-type and I so understood the whole straight boy who likes the painted girly boys but can't deal with the fact that he does like...well you know what I mean. I got it, and the kiss was far more provocative than anything I have heard about from the Boy From Oz.

The sets, costumes, and wigs are all fabulous and any Broadway hagatha will live for the dance sequences- very jazz hands in 80s redux.

As for the performances, Raul Esperanza chews up the scenery, and steals the show (and some of his lines are very clearly Charles Busch influenced- in that snappy 40s movie jezebel way). Boy portrayed Leigh as I suppose he saw him, and I see it as homage. Didn't Leigh want to be famous for his artristry and creativity? So perhaps this is Boy's way of fulfilling Leigh's ultimate dream, just like he said as he was dying in the show (I'm not giving anything away- we all know he does). Euan Morton captures much of what George was about, the cheeky innocence and then the spoils of fame and descent into druggy madness (which could have been a bit more dramatic but his spittle was pretty convincing). And the guy who played Marilyn had the part down pat, period- hanger on bitchy butch femme queen.

The song Il Adore, which is orginally from Cheapness & Beauty released in 1995, was written for Leigh, but it reminds me so much of my college roommate Jeremy who in his own way had that free fuck you spirit that Leigh had, and he also is no longer with us taken by the same illness, but he would have loved the show.

And oh before I forget, the whole audience was a a buzz because Madonna was there- she was two rows behind Vulgar Greek and I, and I must say she does look fab...

So go, make up your own mind, but go with a light heart in the mood for an entertaining Broadway show, and pay homage to both Boy & Leigh.

[This message was edited by randella on 11-13-03 at 12:02 AM.]

I agree with Randella. It's pretty amazing that Rosie produced something with a song celebrating toilet sex and romanticizing trannie chasers. I loved it... and I'm not easily impressed. I wanna go again!

OK...here's my read..... Euan I thought was UNBELIEVABLE SOOO like young George in his speaking voice, manerisms etc... amazing (without him I really doubt you would have a show) Raul (what a doll!) was fab too, the barbs of Salon not Buesch btw! George as ever was charismatic and really lit up the stage... and yes it was more of an 'homage' that a doppleganger. But his charisma was great to feel on a big broadway stage... Big Sue - strong voice good character actess but the English accent was weak (there's nothing worse than that). Marilyn - terrible casting - it was Marilyn played by Sedaris in Strangers with Candy. Non of the fem-feline charm that Marilyn had with the sharp acerbic tongue... yeah the script was there for Marilyn but could have been played so much better... Appart from the two fat chicks the rest of the 'ensemble'
were like Conneticut stage school kids dressing in punk fancy dress for the 31st.... wish they would have cast more of an edgier crowd... same with the sets which for the most part were weak (appart from the New Romantic dance set and the gallery installation)... The visuals really could have been pumped up so much more! I think visually its been really watered down - prob not to alienate the muggles- the one part where all the Bowery costumes came on was spectacular... Same feeling for the music... I know I know its George and she's prob reading this and will stab me when she seems me...but, I just found allot of it too sappy. I guess thats the musical theatre genre, that Clay Aitken-voice, over pronoucing and being sentimental.... Wish they would have used more classics from the 80's ... you could just feel a surge in the audience energy when they pumped out the hits that folks knew... I just felt that it was a bit all things to all people...there are lots of redeeming moments... i just would have really had a stonger contrast of the bright lights (of showbiz and leigh life) casting the dark shadows.... really would have shown that more.
Anyeeeeeeeeeway.......... what the f do i know...? Just a (jaded) paying punter!

I had a chance to see the show early last week. It was POURING rain and I had to sit thru the show with soggy clothing and a loathsome spirit. With that said, I have to say the show was not nearly as rotten as I had envisioned. It was everything a "broadway" show should be. Complete with "connecticut school kids" in cheesy outfits and bad choreography. This is intended for the masses. We must keep this in mind. That was my concern with the subject matter from the get go. Leighs or Georges stories are anything BUT pedestrian, therefore their waterd down cliff note style rise to fame and in Leigh's case demise must be done in enough time to get Granny back to Jersey for a re-run of Highway to Heaven. Personally I felt the actor playing George was most commendable with a fabulous voice and an understanding of the "She was Never He" spirit that George has played out in the public eye for decades. Liz McCartney as Big Sue had some extremely beautiful moments. She has about 15 seconds where her voice fills the theatre in a way that sends chills down the spines of the most jaded of theatregoers. Philips character was also vocally stunning, however his characterization became a bit tedious. His inflections were so over the top, it was as if he were doing acrobats with his voice. A brilliant singer, I was just a little botherd by his portrayal. George was sadly one of the weakest links for me personally. Of course his voice is sweet as syrup in the most gorgeous of ways. I did not feel any depth in his portrayal of Leigh. I didn't feel the electricity that Leigh threw off in a room. I felt the thrust was put upon the costumes and not the brilliant spirit that filled them so beutifully in Leigh's life. Leigh Bowery on a dance floor was INSANE!! I was not able to understand many of his lines when it was time for him to "act". Words that were so familiar to him were lost in delivery. He didn't seem to know WE were hearing them for the first time. The music was great and will fill many a theatre queens CD rack I am certain. Overall it is as appealing as it could possibly be to the mediocrity that fills theatre seats every night of the week. I sadly never caught a plot however. They were there for a photoshoot, this much I know. Other than that, it was not cohesive. I NEVER got the reason why it wasnt a musical about BOY GEOGE or a musical about LEIGH BOWERY. If fleshed out, I feel both stories could have stood on their own. The script was fun, and Leigh's death with video montage was lush and sweeping. I thought I was going to pass out however when after having a great visual moment as Leigh in hospital bed with tubes and machines, George chose to take a curtain call in full "show biz" regalia. We know he is BOY GEORGE, thats why we came to the fucking theatre. I would love to see George O'Dowd face the audiences adoration ( He deserves it) and not the "media machine" that curtsies and blows kisses and CAN'T take a bow for the ridiculous rhinestoned head dress teetering on his head. George has an opportunity to take a big step foward with this project and actually jockey for some legitimate film or other theatre related projects. He underestimates his star power by falling into "BOY GEORGE" when there is a younger, prettier clone selling it right next to him. Boy George is a glamorous, engaging, fiercely talented star. Cut KARMA CHAMELEON as a curtain call, and come out with Euan. We all still will know who the star is. My soap box is buckling underneath me, excuse me please........

For what it's worth, Liz Smith gives the show a
rave, rave, rave review today...

http://www.nypost.com/gossip/liz.htm

She's gone twice to see it. Looks like the 'burbers are eating it up.

I watched Charles Atlas' 'The Legend' twice yesterday, and it's true: Leigh on the dancefloor is magical insanity!

A movie or sumthin'?
Maybe I'll take my girlfriend Jackie. She better appreciate it though at $10 bucks a pop! What theater is it playin' at? I hope it's at the Lowes 'cause maybe we can sneek in the other room an see The Matrix.

...about Taboo. I honestly knew very little about Leigh or his life, and while I found what I knew fascinating, I wasn't compelled to go see it- but after reading all this, and realizing that I might learn something about Leigh, I'm going.
Ms U's remarks about Rosie made me wonder while I've always had such a visceral dislike for the Queen of Nice - I think she's phony as all get out, and I think she seems miserable to be around. One can hardly call her an artist, and what really gets my goat is how she is now suddenly basking in the glory of all the awards for gay causes- I like when people go up the ladder being gay- and not just after they've reaped the rewards for playing "str8" 9lest we forget the tom cruise illusion she was trying to pull over Middle Americas eyes.
It reminds me of this little known actor I know who was complaining to me that he couldnt have an interesting career and be openly gay- I thought: Alan Cumming has managed!

Yeah, remember Chastity Bono? Not only did she have no experience in gay politics but she barely had any experience as an out lesbian and some fools made her media director of GLAAD.

Because she threatend to pummel them with her big ol' lesbian chubby fists if they didn't!!! As a lady of a certain size, I would never want to take a punch from her. Thats a big gal.

When she shakes my hand (everytime she says hello) she almost breaks my limp little wrist right off.
She's the man I always wanted to be.

Interesting article I just read in the UK political mag, The new Statesman.... George wrote it about his experiences playing in Taboo, playing Leigh watching everyone react to Euan as George... ( you can prob read it on line on the new statesman web site?)

Anna, can you provide the link to article? Of course, I am curious to read it, and I can't seem to find it in their archive.

What a voice! That guy is a major talent. Very nice too.

I'm so glad to hear reports about boosts in ticket sales. I just heard two, back-to-back very tri-state-area-friendly paid ads for Taboo on 95.5 radio, WPLJ, lite rock. "USA Today raves...Newsweek calls..." Very what this show needs right now, because unless I've just totally missed it, there's been very little advertising (comparitively) for the show up to now. GO GEORGE GO!

My friends visiting for the weekend wanted to see Tabboo and the concierge at the Tribeca Grand told them some exorbitant rate for 3 tickets, and when they asked wny he said "Rosie's got bills to pay." My friend, ever the clever one, went to the box office later that day and got far more reasonably priced tickets for Friday night, and we saw the show.

Seeing it again 7 weeks later, it's a tighter & crisper show. The cast has gelled together, and because of that there were more ad lib moments (George's were particularly sassy after ich bin kunst), so they were funnier too. I had prepared my friends to keep telling themselves that this is Broadway's version of the 80s, not the one we lived in. My friend still had a problem with all the jazz hands, but they liked it too. The audience gave them an enthusiastic standing ovation. It's cute enjoyable show.

I was just talking to George. I asked him how it was going and he said it was going really well. Standing ovations every night. He's in it at least til June. He LOVES doing the show. I said doesn't it get boring. He said that now they ad lib alot and are having much more fun with it. (as Randella reported) Michael Jackson jokes etc.
He said that he's also going a little crazy with his make-up. (I think he gets bored waiting for his scenes and well... you know how it is. And I know you queens know how it is!) I really want to see iit again.

yes, would like to see it again too daddy.

the commercials on teevee suggest a much stronger show as well, then the preview performance we saw.

all merlin can say is, a good game of cards everynight can always help the back stage blues.

In a sense I'm glad I held off until now. The show is probably much stronger now with the "kinks" worked out. Can't wait!!!!!

I really enjoyed it!

I don't get why this musical has been so bashed by reviewers. I was totally entertained, totally engaged and thought the performers were wonderful. And I would totally see it again. (I kept expecting Rosie O'Donnell to pop out and show us her pussy, but ah well!). Strong voices, and GREAT costumes. Visually I felt the modest, somewhat low-budget feel of the sets was appropriate, and I loved the segment where the dance floor comes out with all the 80s kids doing their moves, and George in the lighted box. Also where he "gives birth" to Nicola, with her wriggling out in a sequined body stocking (though more could have been made of that particular sequence from a production standpoint.) The actors playing Philip and Big Sue and of course Euan Morton as George all sang wonderfully. I liked the songs too, especially in the first act and my favorite of all was "Love is a Question Mark", with the George and Marcus characters singing about each other while George-as-Leigh and Nicola sing about each other in a separate set alongside them. In general Broadway musicals are not my thing, but I felt the show was done well and if nothing else it's admirable and remarkable that the legend of Leigh Bowery is being shown to middle American tourists, even in this microcosm form. It was flawed, but I'd say the strengths definitely outweigh the weaknesses. And the overall message is a positive: don't be afraid to be a freak, celebrate your individuality for the world to see.

My main criticism is George˜s performance onstage. George was entertaining enough, but mostly because of the dialogue and gowns, not because of anything special that he brings to the role. It's true his singing voice is basically shot but that's not what bothered me. Rather it was the sense of a shrugged-off consideration for the "acting" part of the art. Just think, if he really threw down and gave a fierce performance as Leigh, he could win a Tony. Which could lead to an Emmy or an Oscar. The right actor could really turn the role of Leigh Bowery into a masterpiece. It's a dream role for an actor actually. In other words it seems to me this musical is a huge opportunity for George to usher in a whole new undiscovered frontier of his career, to reach for something new and he's not taking advantage of it. Of course maybe he doesn't want to be a great thespian or movie/television star. But I would think if he's gone through all the effort to bring this project to life in the first place (here and in London), he would go the full mile and really give his performance its due as well. Perhaps he lacks the talent to be a true actor, but I find that hard to believe. I say this with complete love since I adore George's work and am totally his fan. He was and is a tremendous inspiration. The fact that he wrote all the songs for this musical is an enormous accomplishment in itself, and he deserves a lot of credit.

Also from a plot standpoint I think the Leigh Bowery subplot should've been woven in more to the main story of Boy George.

But all in all I think Taboo is good and I'd recommend it.

PHONE: Call Telecharge.com 212-947-8844 and mention the code TBSOB53.

ONLINE: Visit www.broadwayoffers.com and enter TBSOB53 in the promotional code box at the bottom of the page.

I'm glad I saw it when I did. A pity.

quote:

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'TABOO' the Boy George Musical, to Close
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 13, 2004
Filed at 8:47 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- 'Taboo', the Boy George musical brought to Broadway by Rosie O'Donnell, will close Feb. 8, losing all of its well-known producer's $10 million investment.

The show, which opened Nov. 13 to largely negative reviews and publicity, has struggled since then to reach its weekly break-even point, reportedly more than $400,000. Last week, according to the League of American Theatres and Producers, it grossed $281,333, filling only half the seats at the Plymouth Theatre.

```Taboo' was by far the most fulfilling experience of my career,'' O'Donnell said Tuesday in a statement. ``Many lessons were learned, and so it goes. For this experience, I am profoundly grateful and have no regrets.''

The cast was told of the closing before the Tuesday evening performance, said John Barlow, a spokesman for the show.

When ``Taboo'' closes Feb. 8, it will have played 16 previews and 100 performances.

O'Donnell put up all the money for ``Taboo'' herself.

``I always think: Go big or go home,'' O'Donnell said during a September new conference to promote the show. ``Taboo,'' the producer said, was ``a legitimate, knock-'em-down, leave-'em-screaming, worth-a-$100-a-seat Broadway show'' and predicted it would win the Tony Award for best musical.

O'Donnell was a hands-on producer for the musical, which has a mostly original score by Boy George. It tells the story of the 1980s English pop star, played by Euan Morton, as well as that of performance artist Leigh Bowery, portrayed by Boy George himself.

During the musical's turbulent preview period, O'Donnell brought in Jeff Calhoun as a "choreographic consultant" to help director Christopher Renshaw. The producer also reportedly battled with Raul Esparza, one of the performers in the show. He reportedly walked out of a rehearsal, but later returned.

O'Donnell originally had seen the musical in London where it had a 15-month run, and she decided to bring it to New York.

``If I can make this happen (on Broadway) it would be unreal,'' the producer said last September, recalling her decision. ``The score was brilliant. All I felt that was needed was ... some of the real story of what happened to these people being more accurately reflected.''

She then commissioned playwright Charles Busch, author of ``The Tale of the Allergist's Wife,'' to write a new book.

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but 116 performances is hardly a failure. The show had so many good effects on the scene in general that from our vantage point it was a triumph -

George came back with a bang - reconnecting with old friends like us and inspiring New Kids to dress up and pour on the glitter. He also received glowing reviews for his score.

Leigh's legend is out there for whole new generations.

Charlie's Leigh Bowery movie got finished, and released.

The opening night party was a highlight for us as producers - it is not every day that you get to contribute to a friend's legacy on a grand scale..

So to everyone involved, Bravo, Brava and never mind the bollocks!

There's still the matter of Rosie's $10 million dollars that she lost.

for being such a total twat for so many years. "Taboo" was a fantastic project to take on -- clearly that $10 mil is the price of her redemption. Let see where she goes from here.

January 16, 2004 -- THE agent for a member of the "Taboo" creative team sat alone in Rosie O'Donnell's spacious office at 1500 Broadway.
He'd been summoned for a meeting with the novice Broadway producer because he'd had the temerity to point out her failure to honor a key point in her contract with his client.

As he sat contemplating the large bowl of candy corn she kept on her desk - handfuls of which she often consumed during production meetings - O'Donnell burst into the room and pointed a finger at him.

"When the book on 'Taboo' is written," she thundered, "you will be the villain!"

Then she stormed out, leaving him alone with the candy corn.

Well, it's time to write the book (or at least a farewell column) on "Taboo," a sad fiasco of a musical that will play its final performance Feb. 8.

But there are no "villains" in this story, really - just a volatile, distracted and ultimately ineffectual producer; a weak director; a timid bookwriter who watched his key scenes get cut because they couldn't be acted or directed properly; and a star, Boy George, who wrote a fine score (let's give him his due) but wasn't much of an actor.



One person involved in "Taboo" calls the show a "missed opportunity. There are a lot of really good things in it, there just wasn't anyone around who could pull it all together."

Set in the London nightclub scene of the early 1980s, "Taboo" is an autobiographical musical about Boy George and his relationship with fashion designer Leigh Bowery, who died of AIDS.

The musical was a minor success in London, where it ran for over a year in a small nightclub.

In retrospect, it might have been better off in a similar setting in New York.

But O'Donnell isn't one who thinks small, and so she blew "Taboo" up into a $10 million Broadway musical with new sets, costumes and a book by playwright Charles Busch.

O'Donnell hired Chris Renshaw, who directed the show in London, to stage it here.

But Renshaw came with baggage: His revival of "The King and I" in 1996 was brilliant, but a year later he was fired from "High Society" because of erratic behavior, and had pretty much been blackballed on Broadway.

O'Donnell knew Renshaw's history and, according to sources, had a "candid" conversation with him during which he assured her he was up to the job of directing "Taboo."

Busch, meanwhile, turned in a new script, a copy of which was obtained by The Post, that dramatized the relationship between Boy George and Leigh Bowery, and contained a key scene in which Boy George appears at Leigh Bowery's deathbed.

O'Donnell gave Renshaw a wide berth for the first few weeks of rehearsals while she concentrated on what turned out to be an ill-conceived marketing campaign for "Taboo."

And that's when things started to go off track.

Boy George, as Leigh Bowery, simply could not act emotional scenes with Euan Morton, who plays the young Boy George.

Renshaw was no help.

"Chris would say, 'Do you mind if we try this?' and if George didn't want to, then Chris would say, 'OK' and drop it," a source says. "The show was crying out for a director. It never had any guidance."

A member of the production staff says O'Donnell gave Renshaw "all the rope in the world to either swing like a star or hang himself. Unfortunately, he chose the latter."

Scenes Boy George could not act very well were either cut or replaced by songs.

"They were chipping away at Charles' book every day," says a production source.

Why didn't Busch fight for his work?

"Look, Charles isn't Arthur Laurents," this person says, referring to the famously tough bookwriter of "West Side Story" and "Gypsy."

"He doesn't like confrontation. And if they'd kept the scenes they would have been badly acted and badly directed."

(Ironically, critics would later complain that there was no connective tissue between Boy George and Leigh Bowery.)

When O'Donnell started coming to rehearsals, she knew immediately that the show was in trouble, sources said.

That's when the screaming matches began, culminating in the much-publicized blowup between O'Donnell and Raul Esparza, one of the show's stars, who felt the show was rudderless.

O'Donnell brought in a new choreographer, but when she tried to replace Renshaw with a new director, Boy George thwarted her.

"I felt it would be too disruptive," he later said.

By this time, O'Donnell was swamped by her courtroom battle with the publisher of her defunct magazine, Rosie, and, according to sources, seemed to give up on "Taboo."

Plans to postpone the opening were scrapped since, without a new director, there was no point in trying to salvage the show, and "Taboo" drifted to its sad opening night and a pummeling the next day by the critics.

"Taboo" has lost money every week, the houses are only about half full and one source says the atmosphere backstage is "depressing."

Renshaw pops in from time to time and encourages the actors to ad-lib.

And so Esparza now banters with the folks in the balcony, while Boy George makes jokes about Michael Jackson.

On Tuesday, when O'Donnell announced she was putting up the closing notice, Boy George, in a pouty mood, didn't show up for work.

He did not respond to a request for comment. Neither did Busch, Renshaw or O'Donnell.

No villains here - just the weak, the timid, the lost.

Typical NY Post.
The Tuesday night that we went (which was sold out) The NY Post reported as only two hundred people in the audience. Take it with a grain of salt.

A lot of people have been saying that this show belongs off or off-off-Broadway. While I am glad that Rosie brought it to to glorious gaudiness of Broadway, I think these pundits are onto something. The director in me really wants to revive this off or off-off sooner rather than later, maybe as early as 2006. The one thing that be-otch Reidel got right: Why do you hire Charles Busch and Mark Dendy then get spooked that the book is so Buschy, why do you hire Mark and complain that the choreography is too edgy---aren't you hiring Mark for exactly that edge (Ms. Sandy Sheets has one of the sharpest, smartest edges around for my money)? If I have anything to say about it this story ain't over yet.

Yours in Gaudy Gorgeousness,
Addison

Taboo's subject matter was for most Broadway customers just too esoteric. The idea of a gay-themed show was no doubt making the husbands of Broadway-bound wives all over America bellow "NO WAY!" So that demographic was totally unconsidered: the package deals, the hicks from the sticks, 'the folks' ... I mean The Post is evil but they clocked it on that level.

Alot more young (& poor old) fans would have gone just to see Boy George, if it had gone off- or off-off Broadway. But when you're going for the big hustle, you go for broke, and broke she went. Whoever revives this as more of a "boite" spectacle will surely have a real success.

I think that is just for sure. Rosie was way out of touch with what is the real appeal of the show and had no awareness at all of the 'commercial' context where it would surely flourish. Forget the director, book writer, choreographer personnel problems, she needed a marketing consultant, that's all. B'way is the last place to try to educate consumers, you can only take the underground there after they've been converted to it or if you completely sanitize your product and turn it in to Starlight Express. Blue Man isn't on Broadway but it is in Vegas and a touring version does the provinces and in those locales it is still billed as "Strange" so it is not being appreciated for its art or content. Russell Simons threw millions at Def Poetry on Broadway and it tanked too. Rosie must have been plain delusional to think that just laying out a huge block of money would ensure audience appreciation. But then putting the musical in a modest sized venue is not a move consistent with her personality. It proves making millions of bucks doesn't change someone from being dumb.

Or a cunt.

It may appear to be a sold out crowd, but how many of these seats were actually bought and how many were donated-tax write off's. Often time's and this also being the case in Taboo, show's whether on or off broadway donate the worse or what's left to non profit organizations around the city. Usually claiming top price for each ticket. i.e. claim top tier as floor
It's not unusual for a show to sell out every night at the start and have a sharp decline within 2 or 3 weeks. Producers and managers will allocate availible seat even days before the show, knowing that they won't sell. Also there are other benefits for putting asses in the seats, it's all marketing.
Lex, I know that you are a great knowledgebase, so I'll ask you. Besides the talk show, what else has Rosie done that she can consider a success. (Lex, check out this weeks New York Mag.Jan.19-04 E harlem-off the topic)
People see the magazine failure and believe that exes bullied Rosies creative skills. Now with 2 major failures under her belt, maybe it's time Rosie starts to be a team player instead of a bully herself. It's seems that when she flexes her butch Biceps, people lose their jobs.
Self centered little prick, isn't she?

"Russell Simons threw millions at Def Poetry on Broadway and it tanked too."

Did you miss this one.

Simmons once had an Idea to combine a Marlyn Manson and L.L.Cool J.. Yes, his nephew was going to be a satan worshiping rapper. Russell dumped a ton of money into promoting this. His own partner at the time Rick Rubin decided he would part at this point and head west.
Satan Worshiping Rapper. In a highly religious black community, pardon the pun, but it went over like a fart in church.

He probably did it just to get rid of Rubin. Marilyn probably got at least one pound of coke out of it. How about the "Baby Phat" line of clothes. Another business venture based on a pun. Let's see how far that goes.

If you saw the low budget teevee commercials for Taboo, on network channels, like at 2AM, you had further evidence of a show with low self-esteem. Another good(?) reason to paper the house.

Show Producer:
Rosie's major successes apart from the TV show were her film roles in Sleepless in Seattle, A League of Their Own and The Flintstones. But all those movies were at least 10 years ago. (was she in the more recent Flintstones sequel? Can't recall). She's appeared in several other lesser-known films since then.

A lot of stars have their share of failures. Public acceptance or box office success is something no one can ever predict or guarantee and often has little to do with the creative merit of the project itself. And so for that reason I've never counted it as an indication of a star's overall artistic worth. There are plenty of films or TV shows I love that bombed. And I wouldn't exactly call Taboo a failure. No, my dislike of Rosie has more to do with her just being a big STINKY ASSWIPE. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, but in this case she deserved to lose that money as karma and cosmic payback. But as you suggest Show Producer, perhaps these setbacks will change the way she works.

She's just caught up in the trend A-list stars have been moving towards for some time now, 'branding.' The ultimate form of self-commodification. The idea is, if you start as a stand up comic, get a few C or B movie roles, snag a talk show host gig, start a magazine, then it means you can be a Broadway producer too, and next have your own cosmetics line, psychic phone site, amusement park (RosieLand?) etc. To pull all those business scams off you mostly have to have a management company and legal staff that are total pros. Being a comedy club alumni doesn't automatically give you the personal wherewithal to be a media entertainment mogul. Changing her ways will mean paying other, actually intelligent people, to make and direct her deals.

You are killing me with this one.
I like Russell, I've known him forever but...
what was he thinking?
A Satan Worshiping Rapper?
Doesn't he know...
White People are crazy!

I want stories, Lex. What dish do you have to share with us that has led you to declare Rosie a total twat and cunt? I love hearing stories from the trenches. When did you meet her? What did she say to you? What did she do to you? TELL, TELL, TELL!

I'm curious, because I tend to agree with Miss Understood's post of 11/03, that Rosie is really just getting reamed for (albeit latently) openly being the dyke that she is. And a rich dyke, who millions of American women deeply loved, and then felt betrayed and scared and threatened by when they realized that they admired and respected and enjoyed a dyke every morning in their kitchens while they wiped up babypoop and sucked the Pastor/ChemLawn Man/UPS Guy's wee wee for years and years. Rampant hate and homophobia from the same volcano that's fueling the attack on our faerie friend Michael Jackson. Yeah, Ellen's a dyke, but she's really more a lesbian than a dyke, and this is now, and that was then, and Ellen wouldn't have that job right now if Rosie hadn't come out.

I'm finally seeing Taboo next week, and really looking forward to it, even if it's just to be able to join in these discussions. Actually, I want to see it for a lot of reasons. But I'll post again after the show.

I just finally saw Taboo myself, so I will wait for you to see it before I really begin...

But I have one burning question: What is a ChemLawn Man?

The funny thing is, most of America can't make heads or tails between a Dyke and a Lesbian. Honestly, I think most see them both as funny carpetmuncher's. When Rosie started her show, she appeared to be the All American Happy Fat Fish. Soon employees started to reveal her true side, and she followed up by proving them right. (i.e. Tom Selleck, KMart, giving the children back that she adopted- you know, that cunty shit)
Truth is, homophobia has nothing to do with her being disliked, or for any of her failures. That's just an excuse for her mismanagement and lack of being a team player.
When the "I'm afraid of the big Bull Dagger" excuse is being played for her failures, the credibility for all gay people is in Jeopardy.
Is this millionaire snob worth it? But, do enjoy the show. Don't be suprised if the person next to you coped a free ticket from the Cyclops Foundation.

He's the guy that comes over in a big white truck and shoots chemicals into the earth under your lawn to kill the beetles and contaminate your drinking water. And to have your Mom kiss his crotch snake.

quote:

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...homophobia has nothing to do with her being disliked, or for any of her failures.

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Are you for real, Show Producer?

Jackie, I am serious. There are a number of gay celeb's that are well taken by the public. Rosie is not one of them. She comes off as a cunt. Face it. And that's what people hate about her. Ellen has always and will always be loved, and yet no less a lesbian then Rosie. Is she? Is there one more a lezzie than another?
It's all the person, dude. She did it to herself.
Furthermore she lost alot of respect when she did come out. Why? Because her "I have such a crush on Tom Cruise" roll made most gay, straight and there in between feel lied to. She finally shined as the Phat Phoney she was always ment to be. If you don't feel the need to come out, that's your call and right. But don't play everone for a god damn fool. Silly Bull Dagger!

quote:

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She comes off as a cunt. Face it. And that's what people hate about her.

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Ask 100 people in my hometown what they think about Rosie O'Donnell, and I guarantee you the overwhelming response will more like "goddamn cunt-licker" than "goddamn cunt."

I'm not saying I think Rosie is nice. I don't know her, and I've heard from people who do that she can be a real nasty bitch. Back in the days when she had her talkshow I would hear from some who knew her that Rosie was a bitch, (and she was playing buy-the-baby back then, too), and I hear it now, so what's the difference? Now she's a rich and famous dyke, and then she was just rich and famous.

But please-- to say that Rosie's unpopularity is in no way due to her dykehood is as mistaken as saying that Michael Jackson's public persecution is in no way due to the fact that he's a fey little pansy and his boy lovechild is a boy lovechild. But I've said my piece, and I still can't wait to see Taboo, and I still want to hear some stories from Lex.

Two things.
Is it not human nature to dislike a nasty bitch? Does it have to always have a lable to it, or a card to pull? If Rosie is arrogant, should people still support her for fear of being labled a "dyke hater?" Certain charactaristics are always rejected by society, and being an ass is one of them. But I suppose those people will always have defenders due to their own agendas. Speaking of agendas, my second question. Are you supporting the fact Michael Jackson has a fetish for young boy's? If in fact Jackson did do what is alleged, does the gay community want him as their reprsentitive. I wouldn't if I were gay. But then again, I never believed it was OK to molest children.
Furthermore, are you making a direct link between the "fey fags" and pediphiles? I for one am a straight man and my strongest opinion has always been that the biggest percentage of pediphiles are straight men themselves.
Since I am straight, does this mean that it would be cool for me to bang an underage girl?
Jackie, as a man with children, you frighten me. If you chose to look at the world realistically,you'd see that where fetishes like Jacksons begin, there are childhoods that end. Regardless of how many hit records he has or how many lama this idiot buys, his bleached dick doesn't deserve to take that.

I never heard Michael Jackson ever admitting he was gay. Maybe I'm out of the loop.

The answer is "no" to all your questions, Show Producer. Oy vey!

Baldwins

"and Ellen wouldn't have that job right now if Rosie hadn't come out."

Sorry but Ellen plowed the way for Rosie to come out. And she didn't do it AFTER the fact that her show was going to end (like Rosie), in fact it totally ruined her career at that point. Like her or not she was much braver than Rosie ever was and helped open the door for "gay TV" to be even considered by a network.

Now , "gay TV"......That's a whole other topic

I disliked Rosie long before she left the closet. These days if anything I like her MORE, not less. But the mere fact that she is now "out" is not going to magically erase those earlier negative impressions. I have and will continue to give Rosie props for bringing Taboo to the world. Honestly I think it was a major achievement. I will not, however, give her accolades and think she's all that just for mustering the "courage" to out herself at a time when her show was already in decline and she'd already made her fortune. Big deal. Coming out could've been just for publicity anyway, and while I don't see anything wrong with that per se, I'm certainly not going to give her a goddamn prize for it.

quote:

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I want stories, Lex. What dish do you have to share with us that has led you to declare Rosie a total twat and cunt? I love hearing stories from the trenches. When did you meet her? What did she say to you? What did she do to you? TELL, TELL, TELL!

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Are you implying by these questions that someone must personally know a public figure in order to form an opinion, like or dislike about him or her? If so, then I disagree.

Public figures are just that: public. We "get to know them" by watching their behavior in the media, by reading their quotes in print, by observing their career and (in some cases) personal decisions. We process all that information and then interpret it based on our own values. For example, I've never met Ronald Reagan personally. He's never done anything wrong to me personally. He never stepped on my foot, beat up my mother, burned down my house, etc. Yet I still "dislike" the man intensely.

And that is why whatever Rosie may or may not have done to me personally is COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT. My dislike of her was formed from watching her on many talk shows (her own plus numerous others like Letterman, Leno etc), seeing interviews, hearing soundbites and reading about her, and personal gossip from a few who worked with her. If I thought she was a great comedienne or a major talent then I could've overlooked all that, but I didn't. (Lord knows I've overlooked bitchiness in Diana Ross, Maria Callas and many, many other stars). All of this was LONG BEFORE she came out. But there was no reason before Taboo to talk about her on the Boards, so how would anyone know my opinion of her? So the suggestion that I bash her now because she's a big ole dyke is just wrong, sorry hon.

The whole time I sat through "The Last Samurai" watching Tom Cruise I was thinking, "Now I get her (Rosie)!" You see, Rosie really always wanted to be Tom Cruise, getting the girls, blowing up people, slicing the bad guys up with swords, saving the children and having gorgeous hair through it all. She doesn't get to do any of that (esp. the hair). That said, I give her props for putting all that dough behind Taboo...however it turns out.

the only women mentioned in the bible are prostitutes, burnt offerings or suffering mothers. please name a good woman someone somewhere? LOL

so the terms used even here on mother, towards rosie are what christians are saying about lesbians anyway. since no one has a kind word for women in general and specifically for women in business, what can we do? how can we break this thing the media and men have against women?

rosie who was lied to in business by the very corporate men that tried to defame her in court for breaking it because of their lying to rosie. so men beating up on women? men taking down strong women cause they are threatened purhaps? lol

what's new about abuse of women?

love,

the merlinator

yes tom cruise is the perfect rosie.........

Wonder what that may be about, or whom it may be refering.

You know Billy, Alec and the other one...Balwins

Yes I do. But what does he have in common with the forum??? I've seen this refered to before and I was always curious. Then Daddy had mentioned it. Just thought I'd ask. Sorry

Taboo is 2 1/2 hours of bright, bright SUNSHINE! Yes, Virginia, there ARE angels in America! Miracle on 45th Street! Rejoice!

I'm seeing it again this weekend. If you have yet to see it, do whatever you can to get a ticket this week before it closes on Sunday. "The sweet boys, they crumble..."

I don't care how big of a whatever Rosie O'Donnell is-- anyone who puts up $10 million to make sure a work of art like this gets produced is doing all right in the eyes of Jackie Bigalow.

And that EUAN MORTON-- don't even get me started!
EUAN MORTON for best actor in a musical EVER!
EUAN MORTON for President!

Boy George agrees to pay libel damages

Boy George has agreed to pay £10,000 libel damages to a man he punched in a nightclub over allegations that his victim was to blame for the incident.

A judge in the High Court heard that on June 20, 2002, Andrew Thompson was working at the Sweet Suite nightclub in London's Soho as membership secretary when he was punched by Boy George, whose real name is George O'Dowd.

Mr Thompson's solicitor, Hanna Basha, told Mr Justice Tugendhat, sitting in London, that the defendant, Mr O'Dowd, had "accepted that he should not have assaulted the claimant (Mr Thompson) and paid him substantial compensation for the injury and distress caused".

In November 2002 an interview was published with the singer in Boyz, a gay magazine which is distributed mainly in London, she said.

"In the course of the interview, the defendant alleged that the claimant, while working at the nightclub on 20 June had insulted and provoked the defendant in such a way that the claimant had deserved to be punched hard and in effect the claimant was to blame for the incident."

Ms Basha added: "Understandably the claimant was surprised and shocked by the account that the defendant had given in Boyz magazine."

Mr Thompson had sought an apology and withdrawal of the allegations, she said. Mr O'Dowd refused "and as a result the claimant had no alternative but to issue the proceedings against the defendant in order to clear his name".

Ms Basha continued: "The defendant has acknowledged that he should not have assaulted the claimant and he was wrong to have said that the claimant deserved to be hit.

"To mark this, he has agreed to join in this statement and publicly withdraw the allegations and apologise for the distress that they have caused to the claimant.

"In addition he has agreed to pay substantial damages of £10,000 to the claimant and the claimant's legal costs in this matter."