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Review of John Barrowman’s “Anything Goes”
In purely literary terms, the most exciting and vivid part of the book comes when Barrowman describes being flown by the British Royal Air Force on a Hawk fighter jet, an opportunity offered to him because Captain Jack Harkness, the character he plays in Torchwood, is supposed to be a member of the R.A.F. His description of the aftermath of this flight is particularly memorable: “My equilibrium was shot. I couldn’t hold my head up without tidal waves of nausea washing over me. My complexion turned Daz white with a hint of Palmolive green under my eyes, and because of the G-forces my chest and legs felt as if they’d been pummelled with a baseball bat. To make matters worse, the drive back to Cardiff [in Wales, where Barrowman has a home] was through narrow, winding country roads, where trying to keep perfectly still was like asking George Michael to stay out of public toilets. Not going to happen.” Otherwise, the book is not a literary masterpiece, and it contains some odd errors, for example Barrowman describes having met Scott Gill in the summer of 1993, and then says that they have been together for “over 15 years” which, given that we are now at the beginning of 2008, does not seem to me physically possible.
But the book does give a well-rounded view of Barrowman’s varied life in Scotland, England and America, and in theater, television and film. For the many fans of Barrowman, both straight and gay, it will provide an example of an openly and confidently gay actor who has been working steadily in the business for nearly twenty years. Proof that, as Barrowman says, “sometimes the gay guys, I mean the good guys, do win.” Anything Goes is on sale now in the U.K. and available in the U.S. on April 28th. Submitted by on Wed, 2008-01-23 22:23. |
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With all due respect --
Sondheim is absolutely correct that "Bobby" isn't gay. In 1970 it wouldn't have been possible for Furth and Sondheim -- gay as they both are -- to create a musical with a gay lead. Company is right on the edge of the gay liberation movement. Stonewall was in 1969, remember, and the New York Times was given to stomping Tenneesee Williams Edward Albee and poor nearly-forgotten William Inge with hob-nailed boots. A genuinely gay musical would have sent their editorial board right over the edge. Company is a musical of its time and should be seen and played in the contex of its time. "Gaying up Bobby" simply won't work. It's dishonest both to the work and to human sexuality.
Now if you want to talk about gay, go directly to Bounce -- which he's curently reworking and will I trust be arriving on Broadway in the near future. Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka could star -- thus making it the gayest show in the history of carbon-based life-forms.
You know...
There's something fundamentally wrong with the fact that Barrowman can be openly gay and so successful in the UK, whereas in the US it's considered almost amazing for an openly gay actor to be working at all. At least without conflicts like the Grey's Anatomy mess. It's really indicative of the almost astonishing social progress that has occured in the UK over the last couple of decades.
Semi-independent verification of Barrowman's propensity for fart humor came from David Tennant (Doctor Who) when he appeared on the Graham Norton Show (he and Barrowman are apparently prone to lighting off inside the TARDIS, which I'll now assume runs on natural gas.
It's especially nice to see an out gay actor in such a long term relationship and clearly happy about it. The jab at George Michael is (in my opinion) warranted given that he's supposedly in a relationship but still cottaging in public restrooms. While every community has to cope with it's embarrassing members, gays have historically had a hard time finding positive role-models because so many are still closeted. I think John deserves credit for living a happy gay life. Can't wait for this to be released in the States.
True!
"There's something fundamentally wrong with the fact that Barrowman can be openly gay and so successful in the UK, whereas in the US it's considered almost amazing for an openly gay actor to be working at all."
And that's precisely why we should show our support for the out and the proud, like Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. And Victor Garber too!
Too True
It is a shame that an amreican born actor with such talent had to go abroad to work and become succesful. Gay actors here are taught to act straight. I remember seeing Rock Hudson in an old I Love Lucy, Before we all knew about the AIDS thing and saying, that's GAY! but all of his later films did not show that. Taught out of it.
I am also glad that John did not have a traumatic coming out. I remember being gay from my first urges, and I never backed down. I told my parents early. They knew. they treat me kindly, but I'm denifanetly out of the will, lol.
Actually, Barrowman is
Back to Brittania
Still, a true point regardless. He has had more success in the UK, where he's a fairly big star, as opposed to in the US.
Of course, after the end of the Thatcher regime the Brits have undergone an almost meteoric change in their culture, as evidenced by their civil partnership law. A lot of people may balk at the fact that it's not "marriage", but as a compromise solution it's quite close. And even many Conservatives, including the party leader David Cameron, voted in favor of it.
Notably, a lot of people call it "marriage" anyway, as I recall was the case with talk show hostess Charlotte Church when she had John on her show just after his partnership with Gil, which she referred to as getting "married". Give them some more time and they may go the way of the Dutch and just roll the whole thing over into a proper marriage law.
In the meantime, I think John is a great role-model for gay people. And I wonder how many gay kids in the UK have benefited from having a masculine, successful, partnered public figure to look up to?
John as a role model
John's great as a role model for anyone who is looking for a strong, confident individual who is successful in doing what he loves. What makes it better, in my opinion, is the fact that he IS gay. He's never really shied away from that part of himself, and as a kid, it just wasn't important enough to play a role in how he grew up. I mean, he never acted on it, at least not completely...he talks about a decision he made as a teen that this sort of played a part...he took a job because he thought the husband was hot, but one of his best friends took the same job because he thought the wife was hot. Same motive, different objects of desire.
John also talks about an audition in his book, that I thought was funny, in a sad sort of way. It deals with the role of Will on Will and Grace. He didn't get it because he wasn't 'gay' enough. Think about that in terms of Hollywood and their views on gay men and women.
For myself, John is a wonderfully talented, gorgous, intelligent individual who just happens to be gay. I don't care if he is or he isn't. That isn't what's important to me about him. It's how talented he is, how honest and open he is about life and love. I'm looking forward to the sequel to this book, because if it's anything like this one, then I'm going to throughly enjoy it.
I ordered a copy off of
I ordered a copy off of amazon.uk and I absolutely loved it. While John may not be the next Hemingway, his book was entertaining, funny as heck, a little raunchy, and very heart-warming. Just like the man himself.
I want to be a hero like Captain Jack Harkness, kicking butt and snogging anything with a pulse! Besides, then I get a sexy receptionist of my very own.
I already ordered it on amazon.com
I will recieve it in few days or weeks depend on backstock. I will review it after I read all of it.
Straight gals and gay guys ordered it every time!
Company
He surely can be a role model for gay guys
I love it, and I can't relate
in any way. I'm a straight girl, and I have no interest in musical theatre. But it didn't matter. The stories are all funny, entertaining, and heart-warming. It really gave me insight into John's personality, and he seems like an amazing person. And yes it can be a bit crude at times, but I watch Little Britain so I'm into that kind of thing.
My only complaint is that it's too short.
Barrowman
Otherwise, the book is not a literary masterpiece, and it contains some odd errors, for example Barrowman describes having met Scott Gill in the summer of 1993, and then says that they have been together for “over 15 years” which, given that we are now at the beginning of 2008, does not seem to me physically possible.
Time travel. Duh.
"To make a bad day worse, spend it wishing for the impossible." - Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes