Peter Marcus

Brilliant to join LDER and @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social talking about Votes at 16 at this weekend's @libdems.org.uk #LDConf.

I've been campaigning for Votes at 16 for 15 years and it's brilliant to see that young people will (finally) be giving a voice fairly soon

I can still remember my GCSE results day (vaguely); a mix of fear, excitement, and relief that it was all over. If that's you today, congratulations on your achievement and good luck with your next adventure, whatever that may be

Congratulations to everyone receiving A-level, T-level, and other results today!
You’ve worked hard and have every reason to be proud of your achievements.
This is the start of many exciting opportunities and adventures ahead.

Listening to @eddavey.libdems.org.uk's book 'Why I Care' while looking at the results of Portsmouth's largest ever survey about the NHS and healthcare. I love that the @libdems.org.uk's passion for caring about people runs right through the party - from your local campaigner right up to the leader

It's an early start, but worth it for @prideinlondon.bsky.social! On my way to the capital's biggest and best celebration of love

So lucky to be a part of this amazing event
#ProudToLove

Had a great time at Portsmouth Pride today - and UK Pride 2025 - as my city came together to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. Portsmouth is a city in which everyone is welcome - not just today but every day, all year round.

Key point on this: Young people aren't apathetic. They care deeply about the things that are important to them, but politicians, campaigners, and the state need to be better at proactively engaging younger people

Professor Jane Green, Co-Director of the British Election Study, says young people not engaging isn't normal and we should't accept it as such. In the US, young people were seen not to vote because they didn't feel informed enough - which is something all of us need to work on

4% of non-voters in 2024 said the Conservative's anti-democracy voter ID laws. The solution?
1. Scrap it, because the UK's voter fraud numbers have always been low
2. Expand the list of accepted IDs, including IDs used by young people

The 2024 General Election had the lowest turnout since 2001, which Professor Jane Green of the British Election Study says can be expected in elections with a foregone conclusion

John Pullinger, Chair of the @electoralcommission.org.uk, says that the country needs to look at mondernisation, safeguarding, and participation at an IfG panel on how the electoral system needs to change

That 'Made in Switzerland ' song was absolutely fantastic. Can we give our 12 points to that one?

@eurovision.tv #Eurovision2025

There's something truly magical about hearing the words "Hello Europe".

The start of Eurovision.
The celebration of unity.
The power of music.
The most important week in music.

#Eurovision #Eurovision2025

Cllr Kadir is a strong advocate for his community, for his ward, and for our city. He will continue to champion our city as Deputy Lord Mayor - standing up for our city even while George Madgwick refuses to.

Disappointing that George Madgwick and his party have decided not to engage in our democracy - like they were elected to do - and instead stand at the back of the Guildhall, refusing to support Portsmouth's first Bangladeshi Deputy Lord Mayor

Portsmouth’s Iconic Theatres Reunited: New Theatre Royal Joins The Kings Theatre - Kings Theatre Portsmouth In a historic move that honours the rich cultural heritage of the city, New Theatre Royal (NTR) has officially joined The Kings Theatre Portsmouth and will operate under a group leadership team led by...

Brilliant move from @kingstheatre.bsky.social and New Theatre Royal, giving two of our city's cultural landmarks the stability they need to continue their brilliant work
www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/portsmouths-...

Today’s Supreme Court ruling gives a vocal minority of people the permission they’ve been looking for to continue their transphobic campaign against valued members of our society. What it won’t do is change the fact that most people agree on; that trans women are women and trans men are men. I am so deeply privileged to have trans people in my life who I love and care for unconditionally; people who exemplify the very best of humanity. This ruling was an assault on their freedoms and their safety, the very things that all of us should be able to experience without having to fight for them. For too long, successive governments have seen the trans community and the LGBTQ+ community as easy targets and refused to stand up for them. It is time that we give legal recognition to everyone, and time that the law guarantees everyone the freedom to be who they are. Transphobic campaigners might be happy with this ruling, but those of us who care about humanity will continue to work for true acceptance of everyone for who they are, without discrimination.

I am so deeply privileged to have trans people in my life who I love and care for unconditionally; people who exemplify the very best of humanity. Today's ruling was an assault on their freedoms and their safety.

Today’s high court ruling is not a victory for anyone. Certainly not for women.

No one is free until everyone is free, and my rights are not contingent on the hammering of the basic human rights of others. This will never not be true.

Big drop in plays staged by theatres over past decade The number of plays and musicals staged by the UK's main subsidised theatres is down by almost a third.

BBC reporting a 31% drop in new work being produced by subsidised theatres.

That's what happens after a decade of government refusing to invest in culture, slashing Arts Council funding, and undervaluing the impact of art

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Translation: “Small businesses can’t enrich me personally so I don’t care what happens to them”

Says it all, really

Happy Mother's Day

Happy World Theatre Day

Today is International Women's Day, a time to celebrate women's stories and achievements. We honour their impact and recognise the work still needed to achieve equality. Together let's work to uplift, empower, and create a work where every woman thrives
#IWD2025

Having a brilliant time at the @painesplough.bsky.social 50th anniversary gala. What an excellent celebration of five decades of championing new writing

Ready for a brilliant night in Manchester celebrating the best theatre currently on offer in London and on tour, and the support that The National Lottery's players give the UK's commercial theatre sector

It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend. James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person. The family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle, They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James's family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve

Deeply shocked by this news. James/The Vivienne was such a beautiful person and incredibly hard worker. Their legacy will be felt across the industries they loved and their loss felt by the people who loved them ❤️

As I start to look at 2025 I'm looking at what theatre I want to see. I want to see more of this sort of thing so recommendations/invites, hit me up:
- Early development/fringe musicals
- Queer theatre
- SW centered theatre
- Comedy (theatre not stand up)

Hampshire/London/South England preferably

Welcome to the public domain, THE SKELETON DANCE (1929). 🎞️ 🎶👻 Walt Disney Studios' first Silly Symphony cartoon is a wordless masterpiece of synchronized animation & music featuring dancing skeletons in a graveyard.

➡️ https://blog.archive.org/2025/01/01/welcome-to-the-public-domain-in-2025⁠

Is anybody else at the stage in panto season (or December as some people call it) where all the days have blurred into one?

First trip to the @vauxhalltavern.bsky.social and I can honestly say I love how welcoming and safe this space feels