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

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

Beethoven, The 1808 Concert: A masterful journey to the past | Review

By Ana Beatriz Ferreira Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà On the evening of the 22nd December 1808, at the Theater an der Wien, Beethoven held a performance of absolutely remarkable proportions, displaying an orchestra, a chorus, vocal soloists and the composer himself as the pianist. The audience, reportedly freezing cold on that historic night, heard the premiere of the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, the Fourth Piano … Continue reading Beethoven, The 1808 Concert: A masterful journey to the past | Review

Cinderella: The Fairy Godmother of All Pantomimes | Theatre Review

By Laura Dazon and Mary Stephanie Israel Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà As an international student in the UK, I have been surprised many times by aspects of the British culture (seriously, please stop putting beans everywhere). But if anyone had told me about pantomimes before, I would have been a much happier person. The bright blue posters for the show are everywhere on the streets … Continue reading Cinderella: The Fairy Godmother of All Pantomimes | Theatre Review

The Godmother | Theatre Review

By Devika Sunand Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà This pantomime will take you on a roller coaster of fun, laughter and entertainment with its amazing storyline and perfect mix of music, lights, costumes and yes, not to forget, the super cool audience. A must-watch show written, directed and performed by the talented members of Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Act One Drama Society, ‘The Godmother’ takes us back … Continue reading The Godmother | Theatre Review

The Curious Muchness of Stuff and Nonsense | Theatre Review

By Sofia Brizio Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Alice in Wonderland is one of those classics I love going back to from time to time, be it by reading the book, watching DisneyÔÇÖs cartoon or Tim BurtonÔÇÖs films. So, of course, I couldnÔÇÖt miss the chance to review ÔÇÿThe Curious Muchness of Stuff and NonsenseÔÇÖ, a re-imagined version of Lewis CarrollÔÇÖs classic by Hijinx Odyssey. … Continue reading The Curious Muchness of Stuff and Nonsense | Theatre Review

How do you stay creative? 8 Tips to Find Your Inspiration Again

By Rhiannon Humphreys ItÔÇÖs a timeless struggle for all creatives ÔÇô how does one stay inspired and motivated on the days where your mind seems to be blank and your ideas run dry? ItÔÇÖs hard enough when your art is just a personal (unmonetized) passion, but even harder when your job requires you to pump out content on command. IÔÇÖm a poet, and lately IÔÇÖve … Continue reading How do you stay creative? 8 Tips to Find Your Inspiration Again

Behind The Label | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Pathak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà During this festive time, where everything is about joy, love, lights and hope, the performance of ‘Behind The Label’ at the Wales Millennium Centre took us away from all the sparkle and glitter for a few hours. The 120-minute show by Theatre Versus Oppression sheds light on the harsh reality of the lives of homeless people. While traditional festive … Continue reading Behind The Label | Theatre Review

Book Review: Impeccable

By Will Humphrey Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà If you are a fan of Ronan BennettÔÇÖs gritty, unpredictable crime thriller Toy Boy, then I would highly recommend Jameel SandhamÔÇÖs crime novel Impeccable. SandhamÔÇÖs narrative follows a similar road to BennettÔÇÖs exploring the dark underworld of drug dealing ÔÇô thriving on the highs and trying to survive in a world of enemies.   The story draws on the … Continue reading Book Review: Impeccable

Anonymity In Art | For and Against

In a world dominated by social media, where everything seems to be public and privacy is a tricky subject, where should we stand in regards to the anonymity of well-known artists? Transparency can be key to building a relationship with fans, but what happens when anonymity is the key to success? Our contributors Molly Sedgemore and Sabrina Sherchan discuss both sides of the debate.┬á   … Continue reading Anonymity In Art | For and Against

How Can One Be Original in the World We Live in Today?

Words by Lafan Hasan ThereÔÇÖs one thing that has stayed consistent about people throughout all of time and that is our ability to continuously change. That being said, these changes arenÔÇÖt necessarily things that weÔÇÖre always conscious of doing. These changes come in all forms, from changes that make us improve ourselves to those that worsen us but what all change has in common is … Continue reading How Can One Be Original in the World We Live in Today?

The Girl On The Train | Theatre Review

By Elly Savva ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Although following the classic murder mystery story arc, what really entices the audience into this particular story is the venture it allows you into the messiest parts of peoples lives. From just the 12th to the 16th of November, The Girl on The Train is stopping at the New Theatre in Cardiff. Under the direction of Anthony Banks, the story has … Continue reading The Girl On The Train | Theatre Review

Hela | Theatre Review

By Pratiksha Patak Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Hela, by the up-and-coming playwright Mari Izzard, is the closing segment in the Other RoomÔÇÖs Violence Series. It gives a glimpse into a dystopian world, and is the most violent indeed since it involves children. Its themes, visuals, characters and wordplay are certainly not for the faint-hearted. The two characters Hugh, played by Gwydion Rhys, and Erin, played … Continue reading Hela | Theatre Review

Hedda Gabler | Theatre Review

By Elly Savva ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà As somebody who was infatuated with Henrik IbsenÔÇÖs Dollshouse, I jumped on the opportunity to watch the Sherman TheatreÔÇÖs production of its darker sister play Hedda Gabler. Under the vision of Chelsea Walker, the production takes a new stylistic direction, leaving the audience dazzled and spellbound. It is not the type of performance that you can enjoy from the comfort of … Continue reading Hedda Gabler | Theatre Review

The Place I Call Home | Photography Exhibition Review

By Sarah Anne Griffiths ÔÇÿHomeÔÇÖ is a word which embodies many things: a sense of comfort and closure, protection within four walls; home is a place where you should feel most yourself, most at ease and free to express yourself without inhibitions. FfotogalleryÔÇÖs latest photography exhibition embodies these characteristics in a cross-cultural photographic exploration of what ÔÇÿhomeÔÇÖ is within and around various GCC countries as … Continue reading The Place I Call Home | Photography Exhibition Review