Mad Max

Posted at 7:09 AM on January 11, 2007 by John Zech
Filed under: The blog

Sounds like it might be another "Farewell to Stromness" for Peter Maxwell Davies ("Max" to his friends). This most distinguished of British composers, Master of the Queen's Music no less, has been denied permission to pledge his troth to his longtime partner, Colin Parkinson by the Orkney Islands Council in the Scottish islands he calls home.

They were to arrive on a miniature train pulled by a burgundy steam engine, in a lavish ceremony involving celebrity guests (Elton John was rumored to be one), but if Orkney won't have it, Davies says he'll move his party to London. Not only that, he also is threatening to write a comic opera making fun of the Orkney council.

An estimated 16,000 gay weddings have taken place in Great Britain since the Civil Partnership Act was passed in Britain in December of 2005. More details in yesterday's story from the UK Telegraph.