Virtual Youtubers – What’s the appeal?

By Laura Dazon It sounds like it’s straight out of Black Mirror: Virtual YouTubers ÔÇô or ‘Vtubers’ ÔÇô are your typical “like and subscribe” influencers, except for one thing: they’re not real. They display human characteristics, they vlog and crack jokes, but their existence is entirely artificial. If the typical appeal of YouTubers is their sincerity and authenticity, why have so many viewers flocked to … Continue reading Virtual Youtubers – What’s the appeal?

The Hothouse | Theatre review

By Saoirse O’Connor Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà There is a moment towards the end of The HothouseÔÇÖs first act where it feels like youÔÇÖve suddenly started watching a different play. Moments previously the audience were rolling in the aisles and with the flicker of a red light (and some well-placed electrodes) they sat transfixed as a man writhed in agony mere centimetres away. It is … Continue reading The Hothouse | Theatre review

My Wales | Exhibition Review

By Cinzia Appetecchia Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà In the heart of Cardiff, the MADE art gallery recently hosted a photography exhibition by a local artist and photographer, Kyriacos Asprou, to which I had the pleasure to be invited to see his work. I found a collection of pictures taken during a long trip around the country to frame the essence of what Wales has to … Continue reading My Wales | Exhibition Review

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Theatre Review

By Neus Forner Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Beautiful: The Carole King Musical follows the life story of Carole King, an incredibly well-known singer and composer. This musical focuses on the tale of love, success and friendship surrounding Carole KingÔÇÖs life. Full of musical numbers, this show is catchy and upbeat, making it hard not to sing along and dance to many of the songs.  Regarding … Continue reading Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Theatre Review

An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

By Lewis Empson Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà J. B. PriestlyÔÇÖs staple of the whodunnit genre is as pertinent as ever within todayÔÇÖs society. Watching it unfurl on stage with social commentary still as relevant as its debut in 1945 is an engaging and thought-provoking experience. We are first introduced to a dirty, dimly lit street inhabited with impoverished children, contrasted with the decadent home of … Continue reading An Inspector Calls | Theatre Review

On Budgeting and What Makes a Good Photographer with Ieuan Berry | A Beginner’s Guide to Photography

In the previous instalment of our photography series, I guided you through all the jargon you need to know when approaching photography. Today I will talk about budgeting and how to navigate the plethora of equipment on offer, another tricky aspect for beginners. To facilitate your journey through photography, I also interviewed the photographer Ieuan Berry, who works in the shop Camera Centre, located in … Continue reading On Budgeting and What Makes a Good Photographer with Ieuan Berry | A Beginner’s Guide to Photography

Acosta Danza Evolution | Review

By Amelia Field Coming all the way from Cuba, International ballet star Carlos Acosta brings his superbly talented company to the Wales Millennium Centre. To give background to the company, Danza started up Acosta Danza in his home Havana where dancers are scouted and enter the company at the age of 12 to undergo eight years of training before they are ready at the age … Continue reading Acosta Danza Evolution | Review

Into the Woods | Theatre Review

By Rachel Nurse Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà The Brothers Grimm hit the YMCA stage with an epic fairy tale about wishes, a witch and the wicked choices we make brought to life by Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Act One society. Laura Martin directs the well-loved musical ÔÇÿInto the WoodsÔÇÖ where a witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales … Continue reading Into the Woods | Theatre Review

Digging Out ‘American Dirt’: What This Controversy Tells Us About the Shortcomings of the Publishing Industry

By Luisa De La Concha Montes In early January, I woke up to find my Twitter feed flooded with very outspoken opinions about Jeannine CumminsÔÇÖ most recent book, American Dirt. As I started interacting with the two main writers that reviewed and criticised the book, Myrian Gurba de Serrano and David O. Bowles, I realized that I was witnessing something quite revealing, and potentially, something … Continue reading Digging Out ‘American Dirt’: What This Controversy Tells Us About the Shortcomings of the Publishing Industry

Cardiff’s Smut Slam: A Place Where Community, Self-acceptance and Sex Stories Connect

By Tabitha Jukes The open-mic storytelling platform is crafting safe-spaces in Cardiff to share, laugh and discuss inclusive sexuality, real-life sexual stories and experiences in an evening of inclusive entertainment.  So, what exactly is Smut Slam? Created by artist, performer and sex activist Cameryn Moore in February 2011, the first Slam took place in Boston. Zoom ahead nine years, and the ÔÇÿdirty-story telling open micÔÇÖ … Continue reading Cardiff’s Smut Slam: A Place Where Community, Self-acceptance and Sex Stories Connect

Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

By Tabitha Jukes Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà As part of The OtherRoomÔÇÖs eight-week Spring Fringe programme, which champions native and non-native alternative theatre, and showcases innovative performance in Cardiff. I was able to enjoy CB4ÔÇÖs debut show Back to Berlin. The show does exactly what the grassroots and developing Cardiff- based theatre company intends: presenting theatrical storytelling, with a difference. It is informative, entertaining and … Continue reading Back to Berlin: Iron Curtains, Iron Ladies and Border Breaking | Theatre review

Work To Be Done | Photography exhibition review

By Luisa De la Concha Montes Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Last weekend, Ffotogallery launched their latest exhibition ÔÇ£Work to Be DoneÔÇØ, a visual meditation on gender stereotypes in Europe. The collection showcases the work of Beta Bajgart, Johan B├ñvman, Katrina Neiburga, Mikko Suutarinen, and Nella Nuora. The exhibition starts with Johan B├ñvmanÔÇÖs ÔÇ£Swedish DadsÔÇØ, a series of portraits depicting dads that have decided to take time off work to … Continue reading Work To Be Done | Photography exhibition review

Ghost Stories | Theatre Review

By Molly Govus Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà NO SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW Jeremy Dyson and Andy NymanÔÇÖs production of ÔÇÿGhost StoriesÔÇÖ has been touring around the globe since February 2010, but this in no way means the performance has lost its fear factor. With a running time of 80 minutes and no interval, before I even sat down in my seat I … Continue reading Ghost Stories | Theatre Review

AI and Discrimination

By Amelia Field Artificial intelligence has been around as long as technology has but we have seen its rise in recent years due to the introduction of such devices as AmazonÔÇÖs Echo and smart devices. From Netflix suggesting us films to being able to open our phones with purely our faces, artificial intelligence has permeated its way into our everyday existence without us even knowing. … Continue reading AI and Discrimination

Stacey Dooley | Theatre Review

By Indigo Jones Stacey Dooley has paved the way for a new wave of female journalism and as a result, has inspired many young women to follow in her footsteps. Throughout her career, she has presented numerous documentaries on various topics, most recently including a documentary on the goings-on of a psychiatric unit which aired last week on BBC Three. This event which was hosted … Continue reading Stacey Dooley | Theatre Review

Stories Told by the Media

Words by Muskan Arora From listening to the radio to having our news a few touches away, media has rapidly grown to be the biggest storyteller. Mostly, our perception of any event that has happened across the world is influenced by the way media platforms project it. Media chooses what should be consumed by the reader and vice versa. As a media student, I understand … Continue reading Stories Told by the Media

A Murder Is Announced | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Pathak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà NO SPOILERS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW There was a time when people would wait patiently, with unwavering curiosity, for the next murder mystery by Agatha Christie. Although that time has passed, the novels still generate similar interest, making them popular even today. As a result of this interest, even decades later, the novels are being adapted … Continue reading A Murder Is Announced | Theatre Review

Banff Mountain Film Festival 2020 | Preview

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is back for 2020 with a brand new selection of adventure films! With events all across the UK and Ireland until the 26th of May, the festival brings you the most inspirational stories told through stunning cinematography from the wildest corners of the planet. The short films are a must-watch for anyone who loves adventures, and every evening is ÔÇ£a … Continue reading Banff Mountain Film Festival 2020 | Preview

A Beginner’s Guide to Photography: Brief Glossary of Technical Concepts

One of the main reasons why people shy away from exploring photography is that the idea of finding the right equipment, and understanding how to use it can be quite daunting. From high prices to strange terms (what on earth does ISO stand for?), photography often seems too complicated. In this second article of our photography series, I will try to break down the practical … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Photography: Brief Glossary of Technical Concepts