We are deeply sorry to report that Stephen Vowles, the Boyz advertising sales manager and our Boyz theatre critic, passed away yesterday at home after a long battle with cancer.
Stephen’s family was with him at his bedside.
Stephen had worked for Boyz selling advertising and writing theatre, film and book reviews for over eight years.
Prior to joining Boyz, Stephen ran his own publication called Gay About Town for a year. He was also the advertising sales manager for QX magazine for over a decade.
Stephen was a remarkable man. A full of life character whose energy and vibrancy would always light up a room.
Stephen loved the gay scene and he loved theatre. His diary would be packed with press night performances for all the latest gay productions, for art exhibition previews, film premieres and new club and bar openings.
Stephen wrote all the Boyz theatre reviews and would always make sure at the end of the show that he got a photo with the cast and writer to put on our Facebook page. Once he was home from a play, Stephen would often write his review that night, and file the copy.
Stephen prided himself on getting press night reviews on to the Boyz website the following morning, and so often the production was hugely grateful to Stephen for this and included his words – and his star ratings – in their promotional posters and tweets.
If a new gay bar was opening, Stephen would be there. He was an enthusiast for the gay scene and loved our annual Boyz awards at The Two Brewers, often presenting some of the certificates to the winners.
Before his work in gay publishing Stephen had worked as a personal assistant to Lionel Ritchie and for Yves Saint Laurent, the French luxury brand.
Since he was diagnosed with cancer almost three years ago, Stephen had gone through gruelling periods of treatment, but was always positive about the future. Most recently saying that he had a dream about bringing out another print edition of Boyz: “Just had wonderful dream,” he wrote, “we resumed the printed mag for mid Dec with Jan 2023 cover date: ‘BOYZ will be Boyz’. Pink and blue, perfect bound, announcement on social media…. I live in hope of course and it will be hard work but the end result will be rewarding.” Sadly it was not to be, but this was just one example of Stephen’s extraordinary passion for and commitment to Boyz magazine and his personal relationship with our advertisers and readers.
The Boyz website has continued with very strong editorial because of the huge effort Stephen put in to reaching out to our clients, writing content and organising photographs, and this was despite regular hospital appointments for chemotherapy sessions and the enormous impact of the disease on his body.
Only a few weeks ago Stephen was still going out and doing theatre reviews and book launches; meeting up with David Hodge for his book launch at Gay’s The Word bookshop and attending the Apollo Theatre for the massive hit Cruise – a show he had seen before lockdown and a show he loved. He wanted to be there at The Apollo to support its Shaftesbury Avenue debut.
Stephen had extraordinary will power and perseverance, as all of us who have been with him in recent months will avow. A true fighter – and a loyal and hardworking stalwart of the Boyz team for so many years.
Stephen was the life and soul of so many press night parties, of gay club and bar nights and Pride day Trafalgar Square receptions. Stephen believed in the gay scene and was a living embodiment of the importance of supporting its business community.
We send our deepest condolences and our thoughts to Stephen’s mother and his long term partner Michael, and all his many friends in the theatre world and on the gay scene. Stephen was a unique man, and we will sorely miss him.
Stephen, we love you – rest in peace.
The arrangements for Stephen’s funeral will be announced soon.
Stephen Vowles: A Life in Pictures
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