Category Archives: Blog

REVIEW: ‘Closer’


Reviewed by Agathe Dijoud

Cardiff Uni’s drama society Act One played ‘Closer’ by Patrick Marber last week, and it was a really great experience! A dozen scenes take us on the decade-long love journey of a quartet. Anna (Miriam Hopkins), Alice (Michaela Minkin), Dan (Alec Cook) and Larry (Luke Merchant) experience love, marriage and heartbreak with each other, with nothing ever feeling fully right, and with their personal backgrounds always catching up.

I don’t know if the comedians study drama, but all four are really talented, and got the audience into the play easily, making us forget the stage set hardly changes in between scenes. The set was by the way pretty well done, with the bed in the middle of four walls filled with pictures of people. There were details reminding us of all four characters in each scene. A really inventive and funny moment in the play is the online conversation between Dan and Larry, projected on the wall behind them.

Special shout-out to whoever made the screen actually look like the late 1990’s; it got us even more into the context of the play! I would recommend everyone to check out Act One’s plays, because there are probably other talented comedians, directors and else in the society!

REVIEW: ‘Posh’

Reviewed by James Evans

The last Act One production I watched was A Midsummer NightÔÇÖs Dream. Considering I had seen several adaptations of the Shakespearean play I was slightly concerned about being bored, but Act One did not disappoint with a unique and exceptional take on the classic love story. Fast forward two years and theyÔÇÖve taken on the challenge of Laura WadeÔÇÖs satirical play about the obnoxious and frankly brutal ten members of the infamous Riot Club.

ItÔÇÖs a play about the arrogant nature of a group of entitled individuals that believe they have the right to special treatment and are willing to fight to reassert themselves. The comedy is played off their ridiculous egos and snobbery and whilst itÔÇÖs not a particularly complex comedy, itÔÇÖs impossible not to find yourself laughing most of the way through. Posh is a play that makes you think and gets you talking afterwards. At the end of the first act you find yourself arguing with the potential facts that people of this class actually believed the opinions voiced by the characters in the play. It becomes all too apparent the evil undertones that run through this play, when youÔÇÖre laughing at the ridicule of the victims and supporting the barbarity of the villains. Posh makes you feel sorry for a group of Toffs that beat up a landlord and ransack his property, and as the last scene reveals, are also going to get away with it.

The cast were fantastic, arguably perfect at relaying the message of the play. Every character was distinctive in their role and drew you into the chaos that was unfolding. The ten members of the Riot Club were especially entertaining with their varied and hilarious outbursts of snobbery, their brilliant performances quickly made you fall into the trap of loving them. The comedy was punchy and comedic timing was faultless. There were a few moments of dialogue that were lost due to the background noise of other actors, but it didnÔÇÖt do much to detract from the overall performance. Special mention has to go to Jack Kelly (Alistair Ryle) for his fierce and gripping monologue that marked the tipping point in the play and also Jake OÔÇÖNeill (Guy Bellingfield) who was hilarious throughout. Benjamin Southgate (Harry Villiers) and Chris Brunskill (Dimitri Mitropoulos) were also a pleasure to watch. Even someone irreverent to politics would be able to understand the message of the play and this is all thanks to a brilliant cast and director.

The lighting, set and sound all worked to further the production and were appropriate for the play. I particularly enjoyed the use of lighting and sound during small segments that acted as scene changes. The music and sound effects were especially effective with pinpoint execution from the team during certain scenes. The choice to have a mixed gender cast was interesting but didnÔÇÖt really do anything to further the message of the play.

Act OneÔÇÖs production of Posh was extremely fun and surprisingly thought provoking to watch. There were a couple of breaks in the pace, but the cast and crew led you effectively to a climatic finale that was shocking and didnÔÇÖt disappoint. I canÔÇÖt wait to see what Act One does next.

Specialist Takeover Highlights

The weekend of November 25th saw our highly successful Specialist Takeover raise over £2000 for our station.

Members were on air from 12pm on Saturday 25th all the way through to 1pm on Sunday 26th, dedicating their days to the cause of helping raise funds for Xpress Radio.

Here are some highlights from those 24 hours. As you would expect, everyone went a little crazy…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hewHER1E3s&feature=youtu.be

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Highlights included Boogie For Your Breakfast

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Featuring LIVE performances from the live music society.

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Special thanks to Milo Moran for putting together this highlight reel.

SAVE XPRESS – Xmas Single Release

It’s here! What you’ve all been so anxiously waiting for has arrived!

The Xpress Xmas single has finally been released! This has all been possible thanks to your generosity over at our GoFundMe page! Although we didn’t make our┬áofficial stretch goal for our single, we were so thankful that we decided to go ahead and ‘bless’ your ears with our soothing tones accompanying Band Aid’s tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7tlN-lQnm0

So have a watch over on our YouTube above and once again – thanks for your generosity! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Xpress Radio.

Performed by Xpress Exec 2017
Written and directed by Emma McGuigan
Produced by Michael Ash
Filmed by Adam Thomas

*NEW* Xpress Podcasts

The time has come to announce that we have an officially up-and-running podcast section! Our Head of Creative Arts, Keiran Manetta-Jones, has been working tirelessly over the previous month to set up and organise all sorts of podcasts.

There will be plenty to entertain and inform you over the coming months. Stay tuned!

Coming soon:

  • Best of Xpress
  • Y Ddadl Episode 4 – The War On Drugs
  • Xpress Delivery

You can find the link on the banner of the home page or click here.

CUOS Presents: Susannah Preview – An Interview with Conall Keaveney

A dark twist on the apocryphal story of Susannah and the Elders, Carlisle FloydÔÇÖs Susannah is one of the most-performed American operas of all time. Susannah Polk, a wide-eyed and lovely young woman, lives a simple and happy life with her older brother Sam, who raised her. She finds herself viciously ostracized by her small Tennessee mountain village after a group of church elders discover her bathing nude in a secluded stream near her home. Though her intentions were entirely innocent, she is painted as a sinning seductress by the elders, in part to conceal their own lustful feelings, and the entire town turns against her.

Xpress Radio’s own Charlie Knights went down to catch up with Conall Keaveney the other week to find┬áout more about the performance and what to expect from the show.

The full interview can be heard here:

For tickets and more information check out the Facebook event.

Independent Venue Week

Independent Venue Week has come once again. With the recent closure of The Moon Club, DempseyÔÇÖs, and Glam nightclub up for sale, celebrating the week surely seems to be more important than ever. However, the music lover should not be too downbeat, as Gwdihw, Clwb Ifor Bach, Buffalo, Undertone, and its newly developed adjacent establishment, The Big Top have got a wide range of events in store, celebrating and exhibiting all that makes their independence wonderful in the music scene.

fossette┬áKicking off the week alternatively on a Tuesday, Gwdihw are supported by the independent promoter label Luckyman Records, who are presenting the headlining band ÔÇÿFossetteÔÇÖ. With a promoter like Luckyman, expect a lot of entertaining and catchy indie-rock, a great way to start the week.

ÔÇÿBeans On ToastÔÇÖ are playing Clwb on the Wednesday as part of their non-stop week-long tour to celebrate the week especially. A cautiously optimistic folk band, guaranteed to keep feet tapping, heads nodding and cheerful sing-alongs with chorus. If folk isnÔÇÖt really your thing then Undertone are promoting a more pop-punk genre with ÔÇÿAmerican GraffitiÔÇÖ. Alternatively, Gwdihw are holding the EP launch of the up and coming producer ÔÇÿ5th SpearÔÇÖ. His sharp, electro beats promise to deliver slow, enchanted grooving. Perhaps a great warm up for the brand new night Buffalo are launching: ÔÇÿEntropyÔÇÖ. It is described as an ÔÇÿall-encompassing tribute to some of the very best dance & electronic music Planet Earth has yet producedÔÇÖ. Maybe Entropy is BuffaloÔÇÖs answer to a demand for an independent and alternative Wednesday club night.

jim-jonesThursday is another jam-packed music night covered by all venues. Clwb boasts to hold ÔÇÿJim Jones & The Righteous MindÔÇÖ, formed after ÔÇÿThe Jim Jones RevueÔÇÖ. A must-attend for anyone who wants to have a head bang and jump around, especially with the hiphop Brooklyn Zoo club night taking place afterwards. Gwdihw promote ÔÇÿThe WolfhoundsÔÇÖ, a brassy indie band with a nostalgic heart, a great compliment to the ears, while Buffalo have their biggest Shelter DJ night yet, Number 06:Fish. Meanwhile, The Big Top is breaking into the Independent Venue scene with ÔÇÿDream WifeÔÇÖ holding a sleek, seductive sound.

Friday starts with ÔÇÿTempleÔÇÖ at Undertone, and ÔÇÿCirque du SambaÔÇÖ at The Big Top. Clwb finish their week here with hard hitting lyrics and rhythm from ÔÇÿFuture of the LeftÔÇÖ followed by their classic and popular Zerox club night, while Buffalo is going garage with the club night Bassline. Yet it is Gwdihw which claims the most exciting night this Friday. Dr Syntax and Pete Canon take to the stage, a deluxe hiphop duo which will be undoubtedly provoke the biggest grooves of the week.

shake-up┬áBuffalo are open until 4am with their ÔÇÿShake UpÔÇÖ club night, guaranteed to fulfil any R&B, funk, and soul needs. Yet Undertone seem to be the bigger pull, theyÔÇÖre going house with ÔÇÿHoney DijonÔÇÖ a Chicago born artist, while upstairs The Big Top are holding ÔÇÿJohnny Cage & The VoodoogrooveÔÇÖs Rock nÔÇÖ Roll RevueÔÇÖ, very different genreÔÇÖs but both a delightfully intriguing. Gwdihw, too seems to be shaking up their Saturday with ÔÇÿTypesunÔÇÖ and ethereal electro producer, influenced with jazzy notes.

At the end of a musically stimulating week, I would recommend heading over to The Big Top on Sunday and finishing Independent Venue Week there. With music from voices such as Benedict Benjamin, Rhain, and Joseph J Jones, expect to be soothed and mellowed with their exquisite sounds. Rounding off a fantastic week in store, Independent Venue Week in Cardiff should be a fantastic display of all the best the city has to offer.

 

Post by Eleanor Stephens, Head of Music.

Our festive film picks

Here at Xpress Radio, we love a good ‘ol film at Christmas. So, to save you some time, we’ve trawled through the festive edition of the Radio Times (can you actually get a copy┬áon paper nowadays?) and chosen our favourite films that are on TV over the next few days.

Christmas Eve – 24/12/16

Despicable Me: ITV, 11:20 AM

101 Dalmatians: ITV, 4:20 PM

Christmas Day┬á- 25/12/16 🎅

Despicable Me 2: ITV, 9:55 AM

The Snowman: Channel 4, 11:50AM

The Wizard of Oz: Channel 5, 2:10 PM

The Lion King: ITV, 3:10 PM

Frozen: BBC One, 3:10 PM

Home Alone: Channel 4, 6:00 PM

Mr Bean’s Holiday: ITV 2, 7:15 PM

Love Actually: ITV, 11:00┬áPM (we highly suggest watching this if you haven’t before. Guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.)

Boxing Day - 26/12/16

Sleeping Beauty: ITV, 2:40 PM

The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Channel 4, 4:10 PM

Pitch Perfect: Channel 4, 11:10 PM

27/12/16

Happy Feet: ITV, 2:10 PM

Stuart Little: Channel 4, 4:20 PM

28/12/16

The Muppet Movie: Channel 4, 10:45 AM

Wallace and Grommit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit: ITV, 2:40 PM

29/12/16

Chicken Run: BBC One, 10:50 AM

30/12/16

Kung-Fu Panda 2: BBC One, 2:20 PM

1/1/17

ET the Extra-Terrestrial: ITV, 4:30 PM

Monsters University: BBC One, 5:00 PM

If you like Harry Potter then make sure you check out ITV every day this week (24th – 31st) as they’re showing every single film, yes, EVERY SINGLE FILM, throughout the week.

If you don’t fancy watching films and just want some amazing festive┬ámusic then we’ve also got you covered. Xpress Xmas is playing 24/7, advert-free Christmas music all this festive season!┬á

And that’s it! There’s many more hours of fantastic TV shows that we won’t delve in to but for now, from everyone here at Xpress Radio, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!┬á🎄

┬® 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Images courtesy of Cinemablend, The Telegraph, Presto, Vogue, ytimg.com and jeded.com.