‘Manic’, Halsey: Review

By Maja Metera The world gets darker than we all would like to admit. It is full of tragedy, broken hearts, self-hatred and sickness. Mania is one of two phases of bipolar personality disorder which is also known as manic depression. This album is the first in HalseyÔÇÖs career that she, suffering from that disease, has ever written manic. It is one written ÔÇ£By Ashley … Continue reading ‘Manic’, Halsey: Review

Review: Wild Thing, Grangetown

Peter Wolinski kindly reviewed Wild Thing for Quench. I thank the heavens each day that I met my partner after she became a vegetarian. As the son of a Pole, and therefore a vociferous meatatarian, such a conversion dans relationship wouldÔÇÖve ended in each party being disappointed in the other; her displeased with me for not following suit, me with her for abandoning lamb shank. … Continue reading Review: Wild Thing, Grangetown

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

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

Review: Vivo Latino, Canton

Peter Wolinski kindly reviewed Vivo Latino for Quench. An annoying culinary trope is the use of the pan- prefix. The worst application is pan-fried, primarily used instead of deep- or shallow-fried to tart something up that otherwise sounds rather boring. Masterchef are seasoned offenders: ÔÇ£Barry is serving pan-fried boeuf with twice cooked potato strips.ÔÇØ Translation: Barry is cooking steak and chips. Close behind is pan-[insert … Continue reading Review: Vivo Latino, Canton

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

Mini Series: The Evolution of A Star is Born

By Amelia Field  A Star is Born has served us the classic tale of the journey to stardom, revamped across four distinct eras showing us that the path to success never does run smooth. The story stays pretty much the same across the four films, however, the type of industry and traits of the characters changes with the time. We are first introduced to the … Continue reading Mini Series: The Evolution of A Star is Born

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

Review: Sequin in a Blue Room

By Cynthia Vera A heart-warming debut from director Van Grisnven, ÔÇÿSequin in a Blue RoomÔÇÖ is a queer thriller that unfolds itself like a teenage fantasy; a stunning tale of obsession, seduction, and ultimately, loneliness. Sequin in a Blue Room is a story that follows 16-year old Sequin (Conor Leach), an endearingly mysterious boy who chooses instant sexual satisfaction with older men over meaningful relationships. … Continue reading Review: Sequin in a Blue Room

Photography Season 19-20 at the National Museum | Review

By Sarah Anne Griffiths The National MuseumÔÇÖs latest photography exhibition includes work curated by four of the most prestigious photographers within the photography world. Upon attending the press preview of the exhibition it became apparent that Cardiff, and Wales as a whole, is truly honoured to have such important photographic work on display in our capital city. One of the four photographers is August Sander. … Continue reading Photography Season 19-20 at the National Museum | Review

Frankenstein | Theatre Review

By Rhian Lock Ôÿà Ôÿà As a big fan of Gothic horror and theatre respectively, Rona MunroÔÇÖs theatrical reworking of Frankenstein was a show that I had been desperate to catch. Rather than leaving Mary Shelley – the author of Frankenstein – behind the pen, Munro transports her into the play itself, lending her the driving narrative. Eilidh Loan is zany as Shelley, manically whizzing … Continue reading Frankenstein | Theatre Review

Review: The Dough Thrower, Cowbridge

Cardiff Masters student, Peter Wolinski, kindly reviewed The Dough Thrower for Quench. By Peter Wolinski There isnÔÇÖt much that tops a stodge binge. Whether itÔÇÖs whilst youÔÇÖre drastically hungover on the sofa, at a late-night takeaway or perhaps out somewhere slightly more cultured, bolting down a dangerous amount of carbohydrate is rarely an unenjoyable experience. And one evening, after a particularly miserable Cardiff afternoon, my … Continue reading Review: The Dough Thrower, Cowbridge

Graphic Novel Review: Mozart in Paris

Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Mozart in Paris is a compelling graphic novel by French creator Frantz Duchazeau, recounting MozartÔÇÖs adventures in Paris. The 22-year-old Austrian composer notoriously sought refuge in the French capital after being disappointed by the scarce recognition he was getting in his hometown of Salzburg. Mozart travels to Paris with a bag full of hopes and dreams, which, however, are quickly shattered by … Continue reading Graphic Novel Review: Mozart in Paris