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Company number: 3724349
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Past programme
Showcases an eclectic range of fresh and interesting contemporary work, largely by emerging artists
plewds
A cocky gay clown in therapy.
A clueless detective.
An X-Factor sob story.
Pop culture and queer drama drama drama collide against a rainbow backdrop.
A surreal, fast-paced and darkly funny exploration of a queer relationship gone bad. Blending clowning, drag and a subversive take on the trauma-parading solo show, plewds is about the lengths we’ll go to avoid what’s right in front of us, in a story where the villains don’t look like villains. Being queer is the best, right?
WINNER of Summerhall’s Mary Dick Award 2024.
plewds is written and performed by Kathrine Payne (they/them), a theatre maker and actor from Stockport, who trained at LAMDA. Kathrine makes theatre that is funny, queer and political. They developed plewds as part of Camden People’s Theatre’s Starting Blocks scheme and Soho Theatre Writers Lab, before it won the 2024 Mary Dick Award at Summerhall. Kathrine is a part of Sweet Beef Theatre, a Pleasance Associate Artist company.
Praise for previous work:
"Powerful and compelling" ★★★★ - West End Best Friend
"Flits effortlessly between comedy and darkness" ★★★★★ - The Student
"Utterly poignant" ★★★★½ - Theatre and Other Things
"Clever, accessible and hugely entertaining" ★★★ - All Edinburgh Theatre
"Dazzles and disarms" - There Ought to be Clowns
"Payne is ridiculously funny" - Liam O’Dell
Age guidance: 14+, contains strong language and sexual references
Content Guidance:
Strobe lighting
Audience interaction (optional)
Contains topics that some viewers may find distressing, including homophobic language, transphobia, domestic violence, sexual assault, and depictions of mental illness.
Made with support from Camden People's Theatre and Soho Theatre.
Tickets can also be booked by phoning the Ticketsource Telephone Box Office on 0333 666 3366, available from Monday to Friday, 9.00AM to 7.00PM and Saturday, 9.00AM to 5.00PM (excluding bank holidays). Bookings made through this service are subject to a small booking fee.
Luke Nixon and Jim Midge Work In Progress
Luke Nixon and his character Jim Midge present a work in progress. Expect songs, tales of Royal Wootton Bassett and anxious anecdotes.
Luke is a Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year finalist, Musical Comedy Awards Third Place and West End New Act finalist.
Luke has obviously funny bones Jenny Eclair
One of the all-time great visual gags Chortle.co.uk
MC'd by Jen Nolan: Comedian, train wreck and viable candidate to be your next step mum. Infamous as one-half of 'Pokes & Jokes' podcast.
Tickets can also be booked by phoning the Ticketsource Telephone Box Office on 0333 666 3366, available from Monday to Friday, 9.00AM to 7.00PM and Saturday, 9.00AM to 5.00PM (excluding bank holidays). Bookings made through this service are subject to a small booking fee.
After Closing
Dive into the raw feelings and intricate dramas of After Closing, a Scene Study showcase performed by a talented ensemble.
Featuring compelling scenes from acclaimed plays like Closer, After Life, Glengarry Glen Ross and more, this performance explores themes of loss, relationships, ambition and betrayal.
Performed by City Academy Assemble Theatre Company.
Please note bookings for this performance are managed by City Academy, not Blue Elephant Theatre.
ELEFUNNY Comedy Night
Unfortunately, owing to unforeseen circumstances we have had to cancel ELEFUNNY. All bookers have been informed and refunds issued. We apologise for any disappointment and inconvenience caused.
A terrific line-up of up-and-coming comedians is taking over Blue Elephant - grab a drink and witness some of the most exciting acts the UK comedy circuit has to offer!
A stellar night of comedy, platforming comedians from marginalised backgrounds.
Line-up includes:
Maple Zou
Frances Keyton
MOSS (James Watkins)
Leah Davis
Junior Booker
Compered and additional set by regular ELEFUNNY host Fitzgerald Honger.
Praise for previous ELEFUNNY events:
"Great host and 7 acts, all of whom entertained us well. There was a good variety amongst the comedians and none disappointed. I would recommend this night!"
Audience Review
"Better than the Comedy Store!"
Audience feedback
Maple Zou
Maple Zuo is a Chinese-Mongolian comedian who has been performing since 2017. She has toured Asia with her own one-hour special and was interviewed by BBC's Cultural Frontline in 2020 to share her comedy experiences.
Zou began performing comedy in the UK in 2023. Since then, she has won the Comedy Store's King Gong and Up the Creek's Beat the Blackout competitions. She was also a finalist in the Leicester Square Theatre New Act of the Year 2023. Zuo performs regularly at Back Yard, Angel Comedy, and West End Comedy Club.
‘Slyly cheeky, Very engaging, A fully formed comedian, Well liked by audiences!' Chortle.com
Frances Keyton
Frances Keyton, the spirited Welsh comedian, brings a unique twist to the comedy scene. As the offspring of a father known for his erotica writing, Frances adds a dash of cheeky charm to her performances.
An alumnus of Soho Comedy Labs Plus 2023, she was a finalist in Reading New Act of the Year 2024 (3rd), West End New Act of the Year 2022, Max Turner Prize 2022, SYTYF 2022, Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2022, and shortlisted for Funny Women Awards 2021 & BBC New Comedy Awards 2021.
“Frances weaves between confident humour and openness with ease.” - Broadway World
MOSS (James Watkins)
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James Watkins (Moss) is a queer neurodivergent clown already crafting a unique and charismatic voice in comedy as a sort of self-aware, self-depreciating forest goblin. He's just as likely to joke about ketchup packets as he is about the socio-economic state of the world. You might not understand what he's talking about, but I can guarantee it will make you laugh.
'Moss' energy is pure joy and it’s impossible not to remember him after a set'
'Polished madness'
'Inventive, witty and loveable way of delivering a set' - Live next to the Apollo
Leah Davis
Since kicking off her comedy career in 2022 Leah has reached the finals for the iconic Funny Women competition, Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian and BBC New Comedy Awards semi finals. She has smashed some of London’s most lethal gong shows including Beat The Blackout, Ding Dong Gong and was named a ‘Face of Comedy’ for 2023.
Way Back When
Join us for Way Back When, an interactive family stage show by Jacqui Livingston.
Alex is bored at Grandma's house, while Grandma is sorting through donations for a jumble sale. With nothing else to do, Alex starts helping, and discovers each item has its own tale of Grandma's travels from Jamaica to London, aboard the Windrush and beyond. Enjoy vibrant storytelling, traditional games, and audience participation in this heartwarming journey through time.
Whether you're young or young at heart, Way Back When will leave you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.
Originally staged in 2019, we're delighted to bring Way Back When to audiences across Southwark and beyond as part of Southwark Council's Windrush 75 celebrations.
Tickets are FREE but have limited availability, so advance booking is recommended.
Suitable for all ages, Specifically 6 -10
After-school Performances:
Friday 21st June at 4.30pm(Blue Elephant Theatre)
Monday 24th June at 4.00pm (Walworth Library)
Tickets can also be booked by phoning the Ticketsource Telephone Box Office on 0333 666 3366, available from Monday to Friday, 9.00AM to 7.00PM and Saturday, 9.00AM to 5.00PM (excluding bank holidays). Bookings for free tickets do not incur a booking fee.
Windson High
Step into the world of Windson High, a captivating new musical that beautifully explores the themes of coming of age and finding your identity. Following the heartfelt story of Lin, a 16-year-old American-born Chinese girl, who visits China for the first time after her parents' divorce. As the chaos of COVID-19 encompasses the world, Lin and her mother are stranded and decide to make Beijing their new home, where Lin is enrolled at the prestigious international school, Windson High.
Experience Lin's inspiring journey as she navigates this new environment, meets people from all walks of life, and embarks on a profound quest of self-discovery. Against the backdrop of a world turned upside down, Lin confronts challenges that test her resilience and reshape her understanding of identity and belonging.
As she finds her footing in a new country and culture, Lin's story is a poignant reminder of the strength and spirit that can emerge in the face of adversity. Windson High is an uplifting tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever searched for their place in the world.
Tickets can also be booked by phoning the Ticketsource Telephone Box Office on 0333 666 3366, available from Monday to Friday, 9.00AM to 7.00PM and Saturday, 9.00AM to 5.00PM (excluding bank holidays). Bookings made through this service are subject to a small booking fee.
A Legacy of Loss
On 27th October 1920, an estimated 30,000 mourners filed past Terence MacSwiney’s coffin reposing in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark two days after his death in Brixton Prison. Many more lined the streets as the coffin was brought through London on its return to Ireland.
The Lord Mayor of Cork’s hunger strike brought the cause for Irish self-rule into the heart of the capital. MacSwiney’s protest at his jail sentence was rarely out of the papers causing George V to worry about the effect that this could have on Britain’s reputation overseas. One story rarely told is what it might have been like for Muriel, his wife, who supported him throughout.
In this new play, Muriel MacSwiney, now in her sixties and living in Kent, looks back at her journey during the turbulent years of 1915 -1923 as she eschewed her wealthy background in favour of the cause of Irish freedom.
Green Curtain Theatre is dedicated to creating and producing new writing that tells the stories of Irish people living in Great Britain. Set up in 2011, they have staged eleven new plays, held many live events, workshops/writing callouts and produced work for the digital space. They have performed onsite at the Palace of Westminster and Wandsworth Prison.
A Legacy of Loss is supported by the Irish Embassy London Department of Foreign Affairs.
Praise for Green Curtain Theatre's previous work:
Green Curtain Theatre gets to the heart of the second generation of the Irish psyche and the often-troubled lives of our forefathers. Just Above Dogs is a 'must see' for Irish of all generations.
Fiona Audley, Irish Post
Powerful drama of 1930s Irish family at war in an East End threatened by fascism.
Mary Conway, Morning Star
Coming out of Ireland, the play helped me see more clearly what Ireland truly is.
Joe Horgan, Irish Post
Supported by
The Great Easter Bunny Trials
The reigning Easter Bunny has decided to retire - who will take their place?
With all the bunny rabbits after this eggiest of jobs, there's only one thing for it. They must complete a series of trials to see who is most suitable!
A new interactive performance for all the family.
Best suited to ages 3+
Running time: Approx 45 mins
Performances for young people at the Blue Elephant are relaxed with audience members free to leave the space and return as they need to.
Family performances are on Sunday 24th March, Friday 29th Marhc and Saturday 30th March at 11am & 2pm.
School performances are on Wednesday 20th March, Thursday 21st March, Friday 22nd March, Wednesday 27th March and Thursday 28th March at 10.45am and 1.30pm. Limited availability remains!
Supported by Southwark Council’s Culture Together Fund
Reviews
Quotes from reviews of our Christmas show by our Year 3 Young Reviewers
Supported by
ELEFUNNY Comedy Night
A terrific line-up of up-and-coming comedians is taking over Blue Elephant - grab a drink and witness some of the most exciting acts the UK comedy circuit has to offer!
Including:
Hasan Al-Habib
Micah Hall
Karyna Aslanova
Freddie Hayes
Compered and additional set by Fitzgerald Honger
Unfortunately Chantel Nash and Charlie Vero-Martin are unable to perform as planned; instead we're delighted to have Karyna Aslanova and Freddie Hayes step into our lineup!
Special offer: Book What Else is New? and ELEFUNNY together to get 15% off ticket prices! Discount applies automatically when both events are in the basket - press 'Continue Shopping' after choosing your tickets to add a second event
Hasan Al-Habib
Arab. Muslim. Brummy. Hasan Al-Habib is “Deliciously funny” (The Guardian), “super talented” (Mae Martin) and “F***ing brilliant” (Limmy).
Micah Hall
Hailing from South London, Micah Hall has quickly become a rising star in the comedy scene with his unique blend of hard-hitting honesty and laid-back humour. He regularly performs at the UK’s most legendary comedy venues including Up The Creek, The Comedy Store and West End Comedy, solidifying his status as one of the most exciting new talents in the industry.
Micah has performed stand up on BAFTA winning The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan and won a much coveted place on the annual Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe. He also joined Babatunde Aléshé as support on his smash hit nationwide tour, Babahood.
Freddie Hayes
Outrageous character comedy by Freddie Hayes "The Magic Lady" (otherwise known as Claire Voyante), is a powerful, deluded, reckless woman, with a 80s cabaret aesthetic reminiscent of Glenn Close or Cilla Black. She is a haphazard showbiz loon. Once a glamorous assistant, it is now her moment in the spotlight.
Freddie Hayes is an acclaimed comedian and puppeteer. In 2022 she received multiple 4 star reviews for her solo show Potatohead directed by Sh!t Theatre. Freddie sold out nationally recognised theatre venues across the UK, including York Theatre Royal, Brighton Fringe and Wardrobe Theatre.
“There is never a dull moment and no way of knowing what Hayes is going to do next” ★★★★
Fitzgerald Honger - Compere
A regular on the London comedy circuit, Fitzgerald Honger is a dynamic comedian who has performed in top comedy clubs across London and the UK including Up the Creek and the comedy store.
A rising star, Fitz’s style is observational and dead-pan, drawing on his personal relationships, work and taboo subjects to leave audiences in stitches.
When not doing comedy, Fitz is a producer. He’s worked for international companies spanning PR and broadcast television including MTV and Discovery, and has developed a wealth of contacts within the TV and entertainment industries.
What Else is New? WIP
Fitzgerald Honger, resident MC of ELEFUNNY, is putting on his first solo work-in-progress What Else is New? where he details the many changes in his life and how he has dealt with them. Watch as he grows as an individual while trying not to become a grown-up.
A regular on the London comedy circuit, Fitzgerald Honger is a dynamic comedian who has performed in top comedy clubs across London and the UK including The Bill Murray and The Stand Newcastle.
A rising star, Fitz’s style is observational and dead-pan, drawing on his personal relationships, work and taboo subjects to leave audiences in stitches.
Fitz has performed his sketches and been in stage productions at leading London fringe theatres including Blue Elephant Theatre. His last show was at Camden Fringe with Micah Hall in 2022. Currently, he is working towards a 45-minute show for Edinburgh Fringe.
When not doing comedy, Fitz is a producer. He’s worked for international companies spanning PR and broadcast television including MTV and Discovery, and has developed a wealth of contacts within the TV and entertainment industries.
Hosted by and with additional material from Louis Pollick.
Special offer: Book What Else is New? and ELEFUNNY together to get 15% off ticket prices! Discount applies automatically when both events are in the basket - press 'Continue Shopping' after choosing your tickets to add a second event
ELEFUNNY Comedy Night
A terrific line-up of up-and-coming comedians is taking over Blue Elephant - grab a drink and witness some of the most exciting acts the UK comedy circuit has to offer!
Including:
Alex Prescot
Alex Bertulis-Fernandes
Nathan D'Arcy Roberts
Roman Harris
Farah Sharp
Compered and additional set by Fitzgerald Honger
Alex Prescot
Alex is a musical comic who was a Brighton Grin Award Finalist in 2021, So You Think You're Funny Semi-Finalist in 2022 and Leicester Square Sketch Off Semi Finalist, UTC Beat the Blackout & Ding Dong Gong Winner this year. He both performs pre-written songs and also improvises songs off the crowd!
Alex Bertulis-Fernandes
Alex Bertulis-Fernandes is a stand-up comedian and comedy writer. This year Alex became a Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award Finalist and Beat The Frog World Series Finalist. Alex has previously won Big Belly Comedy Club's Ding Dong Gong show and been a 2Northdown New Act, Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year, and So You Think You're Funny? Semi-Finalist. Last year Alex co-starred in 'White Chicks 2' at Soho Theatre. Her jokes have been featured in The Guardian and The Telegraph.
Nathan D'arcy Roberts
Nathan has been twice nominated for the BBC New Comedy Award, won the BBC's prestigious Felix Dexter comedy bursary, and provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter.
Roman Harris
Mixing anecdotal and observational comedy with his quirkiness and devilment, Roman Harris tells tales of his personal life, relationships and random experiences. Roman has graced the stage at popular London clubs, such as Backyard Comedy Club, Banana Cabaret, Top Secret and Up The Creek, winning their blackout competition on his first appearance. He was also shortlisted for the BBC New Comedy Awards 2021, first runner up in the 2022 NATYS and recently had a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Farah Sharp
Farah Sharp is a London-based comedian who was recently named “One to Watch” by the Funny Women Awards. She has been featured on BBC Radio 4 and performs regularly all across the UK, even gracing the stages of The Royal Albert Hall, Latitude Festival and Leeds Festival. Her high-energy delivery and sparkling quirkiness make her comedy a unique delight to watch. “Farah Sharp is very funny. I saw her first!” - Seann Walsh
Fitzgerald Honger - Compere
A regular on the London comedy circuit, Fitzgerald Honger is a dynamic comedian who has performed in top comedy clubs across London and the UK including Up the Creek and the comedy store.
A rising star, Fitz’s style is observational and dead-pan, drawing on his personal relationships, work and taboo subjects to leave audiences in stitches.
When not doing comedy, Fitz is a producer. He’s worked for international companies spanning PR and broadcast television including MTV and Discovery, and has developed a wealth of contacts within the TV and entertainment industries.
The Elf who Saved Christmas
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Clause 302 of your contract as a Workshop Elf: ‘Should Santa Claus be ill at Christmas time, the Elf is to deliver presents to children all around the world in his stead’.
There’s a problem in the North Pole this Christmas when Santa is too ill to deliver presents. There’s only one Elf who can make sure presents are delivered all over the world. It’s a busy night travelling from country to country but there’s lots to learn along the way. But why is one present always left over? Who is it meant for?
Join us for a whirlwind adventure around the world! Funny, interactive and joyful, The Elf who Saved Christmas is a new show about learning to value yourself.
The Elf who Saved Christmas touches on celebrations across the globe as our Elf rushes to deliver every single present. Supported by Southwark Council’s Culture Together Fund, it was inspired by conversations with young people from our Young People’s Theatre.
Performance Information
Suitable for ages 3+ and with a running time of approximately one hour. Performances on weekends are at 2pm & 4pm and can be booked via Ticketsource.
Weekday performances are at 10.45am & 1.30pm from Tuesday 5th December - Friday 8th December and from Tuesday 12th December - Friday 15th. Availability for weekdays is currently as follows:
Tuesday 5th: 10.45am (fully booked) & 1.30pm (limited availability)
Wednesday 6th: 10.45 (fully booked) & 1.30pm (fully booked)
Thursday 7th: 10.45am (very limited availability) & 1.30pm (very limited availability)
Friday 8th: 10.45am (fully booked) & 1.30pm (fully booked)
Tuesday 12th: 10.45am (very limited availability) & 1.30pm (fully booked)
Wednesday 13th: 10.45 (very limited availability) & 1.30pm (very limited availability)
Thursday 14th: 10.45am (fully booked) & 1.30pm (fully booked)
Friday 15th: 10.45am (fully booked) & 1.30pm (very limited availability)
Reviews
Quotes from reviews by our Year 3 Young Reviewers
Supported by
ELEFUNNY Comedy Night
A terrific line-up of up-and-coming comedians is taking over Blue Elephant - grab a drink and witness some of the most exciting acts the UK comedy circuit has to offer!
Including:
Samira Banks
Jenan Younis
Alvin Liu
Manraj Bahra
Blank Peng
Greg Houston
Compered and additional set by Fitzgerald Honger
Samira Banks
This year's winner of So You Think You're Funny?, Samira Banks is an up-and-coming stand-up comedian of Middle Eastern origin.
Jenan Younis
Jenan is the BBC New Voices Award winner which led to her own BBC comedy radio show in January 2020. Her podcast Jenan’s stand-up snippets was listed as one of the funniest things to listen to in lockdown by The Guardian. She is a founder and host of the WEAPONS OF MASS HILARITY comedy night for Middle Eastern performers which was featured in The Guardian and performed to a sell-out run at Soho Theatre in 2023.
Alvin Liu
Alvin Liu started his comedy career in Shanghai before moving to London in 2022. With his struggles to be a free spirit back home and a growing knowledge of British culture, Alvin offers a fresh perspective on society's quirks and absurdities, tickling (spiritually) international audiences with his observations. Since coming to the UK he has taken the stage at Top Secret, Backyard, the Comedy Store and performed his solo show 'First World Eyebrows' at the Edinburgh Fringe."
Manraj Bahra
Manraj Bahra is a 31-year-old British-Asian comedian, based in London. He combines an unusual surgically impaired voice with a joke-heavy and occasionally dark set that touches on topics such as identity and relationships. During his short career, he has been a BBC New Comedian of the Year Regional Finalist, Chortle Student Comedy Competition Semi-Finalist and Laughing Horse National Comedy Competition Semi-Finalist and has entertained audiences across the UK.
Blank Peng
Blank Peng is a bilingual comedian who quickly squeezed into the British comedy circuit as the Chinese humour Spokesperson. She was among the finalists of Funny Women Awards 2023, Leicester New Comedian of the Year 2022. You can find her regularly in Top Secret Comedy, The Comedy Store, the Bill Murray, etc.
"You are the future of comedy." -- David McSavage.
Greg Houston
Greg Houston has been delighting audiences across Canada and the UK since 2012. Born in Toronto, raised in rural Ontario, he grew his first beard in the capital of Canada. He recently moved to London to eat all of its biscuits. Houston has made people laugh at the: Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Camden Fringe, Hastings Fringe Festival, Cottage Comedy Festival, Brantford Comedy Festival, CROM Festival, Pouzza Fest, Ottawa Fringe Festival, JFL Toronto, Tunbridge-Wells Fringe, and Kingston Storefront Fringe Festival (award winning show). He's worked with Tig Notaro, Doug Stanhope, Mike MacDonald, and Jon Dore to name a few. He can be heard on SiriusXM or on his upcoming debut album. Winner of the 'Funniest of the Fringe' Award Winner - Kingston Storefront Fringe Festival.Winner of the Ottawa Comedy Awards Best Newcomer 2012.Winner of Ottawa Comedy Awards Best Independent Show 2014.“Houston is definitely funny - great laughs.” - New Ottawa Critics.
“Houston earns many laughs with his self-deprecating sense of humour.” - On Stage
Fitzgerald Honger - Compere
A regular on the London comedy circuit, Fitzgerald Honger is a dynamic comedian who has performed in top comedy clubs across London and the UK including Up the Creek and the comedy store.
A rising star, Fitz’s style is observational and dead-pan, drawing on his personal relationships, work and taboo subjects to leave audiences in stitches.
When not doing comedy, Fitz is a producer. He’s worked for international companies spanning PR and broadcast television including MTV and Discovery, and has developed a wealth of contacts within the TV and entertainment industries.
Black Joy: On Stage Performances
Inspired by the themes of Black Joy and Black History, these performances are the culmination of our community arts project, Black Joy: On Stage.
Different generations of woman within one family recall their great-great grandmother's famous Chicken Soup. As they recount the tale as they remember it, from the origins of the recipe to fond memories of family, they lovingly put together the recipe for the soup....
Black Joy: On Stage is funded by Southwark Council's Black History Month Fund.
Tickets are free and can be booked via Ticketsource.
Supported by
Boy Out The City
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The euphoria of seeing Sister Act 2 for the first time, surviving the streets of Coventry in his NafNaf jacket and the lonely aisles of Hobbycraft, this is the electric, funny and raw autobiographical debut by Declan Bennett.
Declan takes us on a journey into the messy and turbulent world of toxic masculinity, homophobia and men's mental health; confronting his Catholic school days in Coventry, discovering the Gay scene in 90’s Soho and surviving the harsh bright lights of New York City.
This is a story of a man in desperate search of identity and sanity who when confronted with the unexpected isolation of the Oxfordshire countryside, is forced to fight the demons of his past and come face to face with the Boy Out of The City.
Previous praise for Boy Out The City:
"This is invigorating theatre and one of the best one-man shows out there" ☆☆☆☆☆ Boyz Magazine
"Bennett is an outstanding actor and a master of words" ☆☆☆☆☆ London Theatre Review
"Declan's performance is a tour-de-force in raw emotion" ☆☆☆☆ Jack The Lad Magazine
☆☆☆☆☆ - Get The Chance
☆☆☆☆ - The Reviews Hub
☆☆☆☆ - The Upcoming
Reviews
