Review: The Seagull @ The Nuffield Theatre

Having studied Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard earlier this year, I was so excited to hear that The Seagull (one of his most famous works) is currently being shown at The Nuffield Theatre. 

From the first scene, I was sat on the edge of my chair and was throughout the rest of the play.

I tried to read The Seagull a few months ago and the classic literary text is quite difficult to comprehend as I did not really get the jist of what was going on, until last night. The way that the actors and actresses on stage performed it was absolutely incredible!

The language was so fluent and 'normal' if that is the right word to say... Chekhov being a Russian playwright, many would expect the linguistics to be quite tough to understand  but the way it was performed was marvelous and very comical.

©Tristram Kenton

Director Blance McIntyre did an phenomenal job of making the play come to life, by the actors continuously asking the audience what theatre is, what does it do, what is its role?

Through this, we were left with these questions running round our heads whilst the play went on to philosophise on what the human condition is.

"We are sleep walking into oblivion, we need to wake up"

©Tristram Kenton

The play centers itself around the act of passing time and lost time and encapsulates major themes of hope and despair.

For me, the 4 main roles of this play are concerned with a famous writer Boris Trigorin, Masha: a broken soul who would give anything to be loved, Nina: an aspiring actress and a frustrated abstract artist: Konstantin.

©Tristram Kenton

Each are a reflection of each other; what they want to be, who they used to be and what they wish they weren't. All the characters are put through the harsh reality's of life and are forced to face their brutal ending, with the particularly dark scene of Konstantin's death.

The co-production from Headlong Theatre and The Nuffield Theatre Company is an absolute must see. Even if you are not in to going to the theatre, this play will teach you about life and you will leave the theatre with a great sense of enlightenment.

The Seagull is showing at The Nuffield until Saturday 20th April. Click here to find out more details.

Jenny Lupton

Review: Imagine Dragons Gig at Bristol O2 Academy (2nd April)

Photo credit: Billabong Design for Humanity

It's been a while since I went to a gig to see a rock band and was especially excited to find that Imagine Dragons were on tour in the UK so scooped an £11 ticket; it’s no wonder it was a sold out gig at the O2 Academy, Bristol. This Las Vegas indie rock band  are soon to be the next big thing in the charts. Their song Radioactive is currently in the top 20 of the UK pop charts (and still climbing) and their debut studio album Night Visions entering the albums chart at 2 (as of 07/04/04).

All photo credits: by Nisha Haq

I first was introduced to Imagine Dragons by my boyfriend and after listening to their Night Visions album I quickly became a fan. They played the 2nd April and being an O2 customer I was able to skip the giant queue and get close to the stage which was great. At 8pm an alternative electronica support act called The Good Natured came on to entertain the crowd however the lead singer and bassist's lacklustre performance didn't wow the audience, only made us more impatient for Imagine Dragons. All the singer projected was non-confidence, a weak and mumbled voice which resulted with many 'boos' at the end of each song.

Dan banged the drum so hard it broke!

By 9pm we were becoming impatient and eager to see the main act especially after being unimpressed with the support. So when the lights went low and a gradual strange sound echoed through our ears; the sound of crickets, drums and synths getting louder and louder we all burst with anticipation. Finally Imagine Dragons came on stage and the crowd roared with excitement (mainly teenage girls screaming). We were all fascinated by the giant Adams concert bass drum on the stage and to my surprise the lead singer, Dan, played percussion and drove emphasis on loud drums that got us all clapping along.

Adams concert bass drum

They played a range of songs most notably from their successful first studio album, Night Visions and songs from their EPs. My favourite performance was Radioactive; the crowd went wild, everyone pushing and shoving and having a great time. What I loved most was the band’s brilliant energy, especially the lead singer which we all instantly felt and bounced off from. There’s no other place to feel this kind of energy than being stuck right in the middle of the crowd soaking up the rapturous atmosphere ; it was amazing. Other great performances were It’s Time and On Top of the World plus an intimate acoustic song that really connected with the audience. The distinctive drumming really made their gig unique, unlike any other performance I have seen and that is what really drives their individual sound.

Intimate acoustic performance was lovely.

In the Night Visions album there is a song for everyone with genres crossing over from rock, indie, pop and influences of dubstep and folk penned by British producer Alex Da Kid, it’s great to see how well their album is being received in the UK. It’s one of my favourite albums this year and I look forward to what they have to offer in the future. This gig was their first in the UK leg of their Night Visions tour, it certainly was a fantastic experience and I would love to relive it again.

Night Visions Tour Dates (2012):

April 2 - Bristol, O2 Academy
April 4 - Liverpool, O2 Academy
April 6 - Glasgow, Garage
April 8 - Manchester, O2 Academy
April 9 - Birmingham, HMV Library
April 11 - London, The Forum 

Buy the Night Visions album here: Amazon.co.uk




Nisha Haq
Creative Director

Review: Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (21 Mar)

Photo: Sell a door

I have always been a lover of Shakespeare. I was that kid in the classroom that secretly absolutely adored studying Romeo and Juliet amongst other of Shakespeare’s works. This affection then led onto studying a degree in English Literature and I am coincidentally currently studying Shakespeare in my second year.

With this passion for Shakespeare comes a deep feeling for sticking to traditions. I detest films, plays and any production that puts a 'modern twist' on something that was created centuries ago, especially if it involves Shakespeare. For example, I cannot stand Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet, and the fact that directors are creating films out of Shakespeare's plays just seems absurd to me in the first place; Shakespeare wrote for the stage, not the screen.

However, in this instance, it was not the case. I chose to head over to Worthing today and catch A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This particular production that was put on at the Connaught Theatre, had a slightly contemporary twist to it, as the characters were wearing modern day clothing. Yet, thank God they kept to the script; when directors change Shakespeare's language, there is more or less no point staging the play. 

Photo: Sell a door

A Midsummer Night's Dream has always been so enchanting to me; from when I first picked it up, I am constantly drawn back to it and during this performance, I felt that same feeling as when I first read it. The actors and actresses on stage invited the audience into magical being of the play, through their notable ability to transform themselves into every character they played; all of them doubling up roles.

The company that staged this production was the 'Sell A Door' theatre company and as quoted in The Scotsman:“Sell a Door has gained a reputation as one of the liveliest theatre companies in the UK”, shows just how dynamic and energetic the actors and actresses were.

To find more productions from this company head to: Sell A Door. 

Click here to find out what's being staged at the Worthing Theatre's.

Jenny Lupton
Fashion/Literature Co-Editor

Review: 'Juneau Projects - I Am The Warrior' at John Hansard Gallery Central

Photo: Courtesy of John Hansard Gallery

‘Juneau Projects: I Am The Warrior’ celebrates not just art, but the drive to create it. It focuses on the creativity that exerts itself in countless ways, with countless outcomes and continues to transform day by day. By embracing this, ‘I Am The Warrior’ reflects our desire not only to view, but to create art, to produce it, in any way possible. The way the exhibition changes over time re-evaluates the gallery environment itself. Work is not fixed, but is placed temporarily, on show and then not, or repositioned as new works are thrown into the mix. A force, itching to find something new, drives the project to grow and develop.

There is an air of graffiti art to the curation of the show. Vivid colours are splashed over the walls along with huge blocks of pink and yellow, while the artists’ names are chalked onto the wall. There is a sense of spontaneity, things are in motion, go back tomorrow and there will be more work, more scribbled names, forming an erratic, sensational display of creativity.

For me, the standout work was by Ning-Ning Li. Her line reminded me very much of Warhol’s early illustration work, with the simplicity and pastel palette emphasised by the bold surroundings of the gallery. Literally anything goes here, from written and framed poetry, to model painting, an animal made of empty milk bottles, bracelets and an impressive sculpture by Chris Cudlip, titled ‘Drum Fish’.

Photo: Courtesy of John Hansard Gallery

The show captures the impulsiveness and temporality of street art, but its biggest success comes from its democratic approach to the selection and display of people’s work. The project celebrates art that is made for the sheer joy of making it. It is also important to note that this is the Central gallery’s final exhibition (its main building remains open), so it is clear to see why an exhibition of this style was chosen, as it reflects the galleries own spontaneity in terms of its location and short tenancy.

‘I Am The Warrior’ sends out the Central gallery in a flourish of colour, but the story is far from over. Despite major cuts to budgets across the country, Southampton’s Cultural Quarter looks to grow exponentially. In 2015, work will be completed on the new arts complex, which will play host to the new John Hansard Gallery, as well as new performance spaces and a selection of other related ventures.

Photo: Culture Southampton. Artists impression of the new arts complex

For now, head over to the ‘Juneau Project’ exhibition, then go back after a few days and see what has changed, as new work is being added almost every day. Submissions are open and are still being taken, so if you have anything you would like to show, be it photography, sculpture or hobby craft, be sure to send it over to the gallery (follow the link to the Hansard website for more information).

'Juneau Projects: I Am the Warrior' runs until April 27th at the John Hansard Gallery Central, visit their website for more information on how to submit your work. A new exhibition, 'Performance/Audience/Film' opens at the main John Hansard Gallery on March 26th. 

Joe Rose

Co-Editor

Review: Peter Hook and the Light (The Brook, 18th March)

Photo: Seekernews.co.uk

I arrived at the Brook early, not knowing what to expect, questions raced around my mind about the reasons for this tour – these questions have now been laid to rest, and I hope that this review will answer those questions for you too.

We began as strands of people in four different corners of a room until slowly but surely the venue hit full capacity, and we found ourselves stood as one movement. The barriers of age mean nothing to a true fan because the ideas that the music conveys transcends generations. We are the unrepresented youth, and Joy Division is our saviour.

As we were cast into darkness, our focal point was directed by the multitude of lights towards the area everyone was already fixated upon, a football chorus of ‘Hooky!’ roared around the room as a mob of forty-somethings yelled passive-aggressively towards the man with the bass guitar.

Hooky then squatted slightly, lowering the bass to his knees and introduced us to the world he had helped to create. I’ve always had a slight reservation when it comes to people singing Joy Division songs, generally because I’ve never witnessed a cover where the singer hasn’t attempted to don Ian’s trademark baritone and this gig was no different. What was different was the quality of Hooky’s voice; it soared miles above any cover I’ve ever heard.

Photo: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

This raised another question within me, “can it be classed as a cover or a tribute band when one of the original members is playing it?” to begin with I thought the obvious answer was a yes. Looking back at the gig over the last couple of days though, I’m left entirely uncertain and this is why - Peter Hook embodies what Joy Division is, as do the other members, and therefore in my mind, he isn’t just covering their songs – he is Joy Division.

The other members, the Light, were absolutely fantastic in their own fields. The drummer and keyboardist kept everything nicely held together whilst keeping the crowd entertained in between songs by keeping the beat going continuously as if you were listening to the albums on iTunes with seamless playback.

The bassist was also incredible though perhaps not in commanding the stage, but it was his job to keep the bass rolling whilst Hook was singing – he did his job too well at one point and broke a string. It was in this moment that my mind about Peter Hook was made, in an instant he took his bass off and passed it to the other bassist whilst the roadies were restringing it, joking afterwards “I feel naked without this thing, I take it to bed with me.”

The guitarist though was by far the superior musical being on stage, not only did he play the songs perfectly, he also commanded the stage in such a way that it felt that he truly believed the songs and it was because of this that it felt to me that he was making the songs his own.

The magic of the music is that Joy Division alienates each and every one of us. It does not invite us to sit down and have a cup of tea with it but through this isolation, we are left with the knowledge that there are millions that feel the same as we do. Though we may never become friends with each other or perhaps even acknowledge each other but it allows us to know we are not alone.

The Brook, 466 Portswood Rd, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD. For more information and upcoming gigs visit: http://www.the-brook.com

Ed Neal

Film/Music Editor

Free E4 Slackers Club Film Screenings at Harbour Lights Picturehouse

Photo:  Emma Townley

I'm an avid cinema goer however I feel limited to only going on Orange Wednesday's 2-4-1 tickets as it's so costly to see a film at peak times. As a student I'm always on the hunt for freebies so when I discovered E4 Slackers Club I was excited to find they do FREE film screenings once a month at Picturehouse cinemas throughout the country. This is my forth time at Harbour Lights Picturehouse and I always enjoy my experience. Picturehouse cinemas screen many indie films as well as award winning blockbusters in a relaxed chilled out environment with a bar and comfy sofas downstairs; it truly understands the art of film in all genres so it's great having one in Southampton's Ocean Village.

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/SlackersClub

E4 Slackers Club is exclusively for students (you sign up at the Picturehouse showing your student/ NUS card and get a membership for free) and usually have screenings nationwide on Thursdays once a month. On Thursday 14th March I watched The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. I must admit I was a bit dubious as freebies tend to be a second rate or I thought it would be a pretentious art film that was all 'concept' and no meaning or narrative. But to my surprise I realized the cast starred funnymen (and woman) Steve Carrell, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, James Gandolfini, and Alan Arkin and after laughing hard at the trailer I was sold on definitely making the trip to Harbour Lights the highlight of my week and it certainly was. This film doesn't seek to be award winning, thought provoking or a giant blockbuster but a family fun film with lots of classic laughs and Steve Carrell awesomeness which is just enough for me.

Photo: Warner Bros http://www.theincredibleburtwonderstone.com

Synopsis from Warner Bros: 

 'Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas Strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt's growing ego. But lately the duo's greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they've grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerrilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each outrageous stunt, even their show is starting to look stale. But there's still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act—both onstage and off—if only Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place. "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" stars Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi as long-reigning headliners and one-time best friends Burt and Anton, and Olivia Wilde as their glamorous magic assistant, Jane. Alan Arkin stars as old-school illusionist Rance Holloway; James Gandolfini as casino mogul Doug Munny; and Jim Carrey as the team's number one rival, Steve Gray'

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is being shown at the Odeon and Cineworld in Southampton. Click here for showtimes.

Next month's E4 Slacker film is 21 & Over from the writers of 'The Hangover' on Thursday 25th April, Harbour Lights Picturehouse, Ocean Village. Don't miss it!

Useful Links:

http://www.e4.com/slackers/

http://www.theincredibleburtwonderstone.com/index.html

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Harbour_Lights/

Nisha Haq

Creative Director

Review: Vinyl Memories Exhibition at Southampton Showcase

Photo Credits: Ed Neal

Vinyl Memories is an exploration of the connection between people and vinyl. It’s been said from the beginning of the deterioration of the vinyl era, that vinyl holds a certain magic with the people that still collect them - the beauty of feeling the disc itself and knowing that there was an artisanship in its creation, gives it a powerful character.

What I found incredible about this exhibition was that it was not the vinyls themselves that stood out, but the meaning they held for their owners. I found it outstanding that some of the people really had a strong bond with their prized possessions; it reminded me slightly of being a youngster with a toy that you just can’t sleep without.

The vinyl that stuck out most for me was a copy of Exodus (Bob Marley, 1977). I find it prudent to mention that I actually own a copy of this same vinyl, so it was not the disc or sleeve that grabbed my attention except, perhaps, for a slight moment of recognition but the story that had been posted beneath...

Lindsey Darking, Consultant Copywriter and Editor, MCS:

“Later on I saw Bob Marley again at a concert at Crystal Palace in 1980. I had a boyfriend from Zimbabwe at the time, who was determined to speak to Bob Marley. I didn't rate his chances, as the band was heavily guarded in a compound with a high wire fence and Dobermans. But my boyfriend – no doubt because he looked like he could be with the band – just walked confidently past the guards and got in. He told me afterwards he had sat down and chatted to Bob Marley and shared a smoke with him. I’ll never know if it was true, but I think it was.”

In our era of instantaneous everything, I find myself unable to garner a connection with anything because of how quickly we achieve gratification. No longer do people spend hours, days and weeks wondering what that song they heard in the shop is – we have Shazam for that. No longer do we spend hours in the record shop flicking through mountains of crap for that one speck of gold we've been searching for – we have iTunes for that.

Having left the exhibition with images of a signed copy of The Queen is Dead (The Smiths, 1986), a picture-disc of Disintegration (The Cure, 1989) and the infamous photo of a cow acting as the sleeve of Atom Heart Mother (Pink Floyd, 1970) spinning circles around my brain in desire – I find myself thinking about my own vinyl collection, and the connection that it holds with me.

(the signature is on the other side,
so you’ll have to go if you want to see it!)

My friend Michael Davies was moving house and we were clearing out the garage, and we found boxes of vinyls stacked up at the back of room. I thought I was going to have a heart attack from happiness, having just been purchased a vintage record player (1973) for my birthday and only owning two vinyls at the time, I asked if I could take my pick. I ended the day with a box of over a hundred vinyls (which once you've experienced vinyl, you know is enough to break a weak man’s back) and a smile so wide that I probably looked like the Cheshire Cat.

My vinyl collection, which has now grown in size, is one of my prized possessions – containing multiple 1^st UK prints in mint condition from Led Zeppelin IV to Genesis: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway with a message “A Porky Prime Cut” etched by hand into the run-out groove, by the most accomplished record cutting engineer in the business, George Peckham.

In retaliation, perhaps, to modern society and technological evolution in all of its clinical glory – we find ourselves within a war between cultures old and new, as the resurgence of vinyl becomes ever stronger. I’m not one to take sides in a fight, generally attempting to understand both points of view but taking all of this into account, it haunts me to admit that iTunes is the anti-Christ.

Vinyl Memories is exhibited at the Southampton Solent Showcase (Sir James Matthews Building, Above Bar, Southampton SO14 7NN) from 1 March - 20 April to coincide with SMILEfest 2013. Admission free. More info.

Ed Neal

Music/Film Editor