Category: Culture

Culture

Interview | Paul Richards: Serial Showman

By Max Modell The Tim Minchin of drums? An ugly Hugh Grant type? Or just another lanky, awkward, middle class comedian? Who is Paul Richards? Drummer, playwright, comedian, novelist, film maker and all-round nice guy, Paul Richards is certainly all of these things. An Edinburgh Fringe fanatic, Paul performed 85 times at last yearÔÇÖs festival. However, this year he is taking on even more, bringing … Continue reading Interview | Paul Richards: Serial Showman

ilonacabral
Culture

Your Favourite Poolside Reads – I am Malala

By Kiana Stevens I am Malala (2013) – Malala Yousafzai This summer the first book I attempt to devour, before returning to my September reading list, was I am Malala. Published in 2013, when the author was only 16 years old, this novel is an autobiography of the GirlsÔÇÖ Education Advocate and youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate; Malala Yousafzai. In 265 pages Malala answers the … Continue reading Your Favourite Poolside Reads – I am Malala

ilonacabral
Culture

#ITSNOTCOMINGHOME, The Influence Of Meme Culture Surrounding The 2018 Fifa World Cup

By┬áIsabel Cosford With England reaching the semi-finals for the first time in twenty-eight years, itÔÇÖs no wonder that there has been uproar on social media. Our ÔÇÿsuccessÔÇÖ has united the country with one single hashtag: #ITSCOMINGHOME. So, we might not have made it to the World Cup final but, we certainly have triumphed in winning the nation over through the use of memes. Hundreds of … Continue reading #ITSNOTCOMINGHOME, The Influence Of Meme Culture Surrounding The 2018 Fifa World Cup

ilonacabral
Culture

A Farewell to Sun: Rain, Rain, itÔÇÖs nice to see you again

By Harry Dixon The sun has hung in the sky for a long while now and its intensity hasnÔÇÖt waned for the better part of a month. We have internalised the external heat and become closer to the Spaniards, idealistically hoping that the grey clouds will no longer reign in our skies. But, unfortunately these skies will eventually fill with rain again. This all too … Continue reading A Farewell to Sun: Rain, Rain, itÔÇÖs nice to see you again

ilonacabral
Culture

Your Favourite Poolside Reads – The Couple Next Door

By Samantha Harford The Couple Next Door (2017) – Shari Lapena What would you do if your babysitter cancelled last minute? Well, Anne and her husband, decide to leave their six month old baby asleep in her crib whilst they dine with their next door neighbours. With half-hourly check-ups and a baby monitor switched on nearby, what could possibly go wrong? ItÔÇÖs only for a … Continue reading Your Favourite Poolside Reads – The Couple Next Door

ilonacabral
Culture

Book Review: The Idiot

By Samantha Harford The Idiot (2018) ÔÇô Elif Batuman BatumanÔÇÖs intimacy with language will make you fall in love with words all over again. Her heroine Selin Karada─ƒ is a Harvard undergraduate in 1995, a new era of communication and a perfect time period for a coming of age novel. The first line immediately introduces you to BatumanÔÇÖs central theme of the importance of communication … Continue reading Book Review: The Idiot

ilonacabral
Culture

Mischief Movie Night | Theatre Review

ÔÿåÔÿåÔÿåÔÿåÔÿå – A must see! By Hannah Stait This Wednesday I was ecstatic to be among many going to see Mischief Movie Night at CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre. The atmosphere was incredible as we got together for a night of improvised comedy genius! Starring the original cast of ÔÇÿThe Play that Goes WrongÔÇÖ and their BBC counterparts ÔÇÿPeter Pan Goes WrongÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿA Christmas Carol Goes … Continue reading Mischief Movie Night | Theatre Review

mellynch
Culture

Review | Chris Ramsey – Just Happy to Get out of the House

By Hannah Stait ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà This Thursday people flocked to St. DavidÔÇÖs Hall in Cardiff to spend time with the lovable and hilarious Chris Ramsey at his ÔÇÿJust Happy to Get out of the HouseÔÇÖ tour as he jokes about the world he lives in and the things that makes him stop and think. Before he could give us all the giggles, Ramsey opened up the … Continue reading Review | Chris Ramsey – Just Happy to Get out of the House

mellynch
Culture

Review | The Flop

  By Max Modell ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà The Flop, Stand up for a show about not being able to get it up! Absurdist comedies can often go too far and be too ridiculous, as a consequence they are often left convoluted and without laughter. While often presented in broad strokes any performer will tell you it is these absurdist comedies which are the hardest to execute. Not … Continue reading Review | The Flop

mellynch
Culture

Review: War Horse, Millennium Centre

By Abbie Rands ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Arriving at the Millenium Centre, there could be no doubt of the buzz surrounding this play. The excitement was tangible and the moment the first note sounded, I was swept away. The use of song to open the show was genius, as was the use of music and sound throughout. Far from an all-singing, all-dancing Broadway-esque performance, the music was subtle, … Continue reading Review: War Horse, Millennium Centre

ilonacabral
Culture, Music

Elvis Costello & The Imposters review: a banging Closing Night to #FoV2018

by Dylan Graham ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå This yearÔÇÖs Festival of Voice welcomed numerous wonderful artists from a wide range of countries, genres and backgrounds. However, all good things must come to an end, and this yearÔÇÖs festivities closed with a mammoth set from the British legend that is Elvis Costello. Costello, along with his band The Imposters, were the only act of the evening. Their performance lasted … Continue reading Elvis Costello & The Imposters review: a banging Closing Night to #FoV2018

andreagaini
Culture, Music

Utopia review: Festival of Voice turns imagination into reality

by Andrea Gaini ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà IÔÇÖve always been fascinated by the idea of a utopia. A magic place where everything is just perfect, everything is consistent and pure, there are no mistakes and people are simply happy. In my head, utopia meant ÔÇÿimpossibleÔÇÖ. Something that would never happen in this world. But then, I met Utopia, the show-gig curated by Charlotte Church, and realised what utopia … Continue reading Utopia review: Festival of Voice turns imagination into reality

andreagaini
Culture

Rhondda Rips It Up review: a magical commemoration of the suffragettes movement

by Olly Hearn ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå The term ÔÇÿFeminismÔÇÖ gets thrown around a lot these days, and people who identify as a feminist are all too often met with prejudices of trouble making and self-righteousness. By its very nature, the feminist movement is controversial; as any other political or cultural movement, it aims to disrupt and recalibrate the status quo, which those that are ÔÇÿcontentÔÇÖ are predisposed … Continue reading Rhondda Rips It Up review: a magical commemoration of the suffragettes movement

andreagaini
Culture

Double Vision review: an elegant and inclusive show

by Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Loosely based on Alfred Hitchock and Ernest LehmanÔÇÖs unfinished script, ÔÇ£The Blind ManÔÇØ, Double Vision is a thrilling Murder mystery/ gig which is new on the scene at the Festival of Voice. Co-produced by the Millennium Centre and Cardiff Theatre Company Gagglebabble the female-led production showcases GagglebabbleÔÇÖs signature dark humour and haunting original scores. From the moment we step in the … Continue reading Double Vision review: an elegant and inclusive show

andreagaini
Culture, Music

Susanne Sundf├©r + Novo Amor review at the Festival of Voice

by Maxwell Modell ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Novo Amor The night opened with Welsh singer-songwriter Novo Amor (ails of Ali Lacey), who skilfully provided a beautiful performance built on the foundation of vocal harmony and gorgeous, airy, guitar tones. His quietly emotional delivery added weight to the atmospheric music to create a mesmerising sonic experience. Ali Lacey himself was self admittedly nervous being a Cardiff based musician who … Continue reading Susanne Sundf├©r + Novo Amor review at the Festival of Voice

andreagaini
Culture

Interviewing Jonny Costen from the National Theatre Wales production “English”

by Hannah Marie Stait As part of Festival of Voice at the Wales Millenium Centre, The National Theatre Wales are performing a production inspired by language and the way in which it connects people in this ever-changing world. Jonny Costen performs the piece which explores the theme of identity, talking about who we are as people and how we say who we are to the … Continue reading Interviewing Jonny Costen from the National Theatre Wales production “English”

andreagaini
Culture, Music

Gruff Rhys review: #FoV2018 bringing out the voices of Wales

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Jessica Heap To start the evening we were treated to H. Hawkline, a Welsh singer-songwriter not dissimilar to Rhys himself and from my seat, almost identical bar a maroon shirt. Perfectly timed, Hawkline delivered multiple songs with no introductions to fit as many in as possible, including 3 whose lyrics were written that morning. As a solo act, Hawkline offered a different sound … Continue reading Gruff Rhys review: #FoV2018 bringing out the voices of Wales

andreagaini
Culture, Music

Camille O’Sullivan shines at Festival of Voice with her new show “Cave”

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà by Maxwell Modell There is something uniquely beautiful about the love we have for musicians and their music. Over time they become some of the most important emotional figures in our lives, remaining prominent through lifeÔÇÖs highs and lows. They never leave our sides, never question us and always embolden us. Yet, this relationship is entirely unrequited and internal. As such, it is something … Continue reading Camille O’Sullivan shines at Festival of Voice with her new show “Cave”

andreagaini
Culture

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang review at the New Theatre

ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå by Sarah Thompson As somebody who recently saw the Millennium centre performance of this show, the New Theatre had a lot to live up to in my eyes. First of all, I want to announce that this performance has 2 dogs in it, and that immediately makes it worth watching. ThereÔÇÖs no denying that this show was often lacking in set design and props, … Continue reading Chitty Chitty Bang Bang review at the New Theatre

andreagaini
Culture

ÔÇÿArtÔÇÖ, the comical canvas of emotion

A play that goes beyond white men arguing over a white painting. ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå by Jess Warren Among a crowd of grey hairs and balding heads, one would assume that ÔÇÿArtÔÇÖ was going to be an un-relatable production. Sat in the audience as the lights dimmed and the play began, it would have been easy to predict the performance as being a sitcom of the bygone … Continue reading ÔÇÿArtÔÇÖ, the comical canvas of emotion

andreagaini