City Hub 24 November 2016

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We Give a Fig: Sydney Light Rail in the hot seat

BY LANI OATAWAY On Monday November 14 upwards of 200 Sydneysiders rallied against the ripping down of a centuries old fig tree to make way for the city’s new light rail project.

Organised by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, the group met outside Langton Clinic on Surry Hills’ South Dowling Street, standing against the destruction of a tree that the City of Sydney Council had proved could stay standing.

“In a shameful and cowardly and lazy act, they came in the middle of the night with chainsaws,” said the City of Sydney.

The project is subject to Compliance B48 in the Council’s Tree Report, which stresses finding ways to avoid removing trees, minimising damage and to guarantee the health of trees marked to stay standing.

The Council created 3D modelling to exhibit the fig’s root structure and to demonstrate that the tree would not affect the route of the light rail.

But a spokesperson for Save Sydney’s Trees, Margaret Hogg, said Sydney Light Rail scrapped the research to save money.

“Rather than cost them money and time they considered it was all too much. The contract purely says if there is a way to save the tree it should be done. City of Sydney said there was a way - this was a complete slap in the face,” she said.

But a spokesperson for Transport for NSW said this tree was already slated for removal in the original 2013 Environmental Impact Statement. She said the Council’s proposal ignored the significant amount of pruning the tree would suffer, which would be detrimental to its health.

“Transport for NSW considers that the

Group protesting against Sydney Light Rail ripping down a century’s old fig tree in Surry Hills. Credit Margaret Hogg

increased costs and time delays that would be associated with the redesign are completely unjustified given the tree’s health would still be at significant risk and pedestrian safety would be jeopardised,” she told City Hub. The project has worked on a tree by tree basis,

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claiming to have saved over 120 trees originally intended for the axe, with an extra 140 new trees already planted in Centennial Parklands.

It is promised over 1,800 new saplings will be planted to compensate for the chopped fig trees, but Ms Hogg says this isn’t good enough.

“It is inadequate. The canopy cover on this one project alone leaves us 10 hectares down. How is it a compensation package when we are moving backwards? You do the maths on this. Eight trees standing two to three metres high doesn’t equal a 30-metre-high, 30-metre-canopy fig,” she said.

Cutting down this fig tree fits into the wider narrative of the project not delivering what the public expected.

Cr Moore is threatening to withhold vital payments of $47 million to the government, claiming the project is not living up to its agreements.

The City of Sydney Council says, “What we’re getting doesn’t match the vision we were promised.”

The Council is shocked by the government’s planned 67-metre-long trams for the rail, making them the second longest in the world.

The tram shelters planned along the heritage precinct of George Street have been criticised as being too big and spoiling the streetscape, a proposal the Council is fighting against.

Cr Moore argues these plans are suited to a heavy rail, not the light rail promised for the city.

But Sydney Light Rail argues the global city’s explosive population needs more public transport, and says the new line is an environmentally friendly answer.

The line is claimed to take pressure off city buses and trains, promising to cut greenhouse gases by over 600 thousand tonnes. The light rail trams are guaranteed to be almost 100% recyclable by the end of their lifetime.

The Sydney Light Rail network will cost $2.1bn, and will run from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kensington, through Moore Park and Surry Hills.

The project is currently under construction and is due for completion in 2019.

Jenny Leong takes aim at Climate Change policy

BY LUCAS BAIRD Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong, has used the second reading of the Greens 2016 Climate Change bill to criticise past and present governments for their lack of action on “the biggest challenge that we face as a society”.

The bill, which was introduced last month, aims at tackling climate change in NSW by setting a target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by July 2040, establishing a NSW Climate Change Commission, and preparing a new Climate Change Action plan every four years.

According to Ms Leong, former Australian governments had “fallen short” in the fight against climate change because previous schemes hadn’t been able to make a sustained impact.

She believes that the solution to this is a more integrated response between state and local governments, the private business sector, and the wider community.

The key to this would be the new Climate Change Commission, which would “provide independent advice and recommendations about climate change to the Minister, and to consult with and provide information to communities, local government, nongovernment organisations and businesses relating to action on climate change”.

Ms Leong labelled the proposed cooperation as “crucial”; citing calls from the

Jenny Leong (left) criticised previous efforts to combat climate change and introduced a bill which called for greater cooperation between governments and the private sector.

Source: Pigmypossum (Wikimedia Commons)

health, agricultural, and renewable sectors for this as evidence.

“This bill will require current and future New South Wales governments across all departments, in coordination with local councils, to plan for and deliver effective action for climate change mitigation and adaptation,” Ms Leong said.

“Climate change is real. It is happening, and it is clear that we need to step up our efforts massively not just in this place and in New South Wales but also across this country and around the globe if we are to

prevent the most catastrophic impact of this reality on our planet.”

However, the bill is unlikely to pass through the NSW Lower House after Greens member of the Legislative Council, Jan Bardham, had a similar bill voted down in the Upper House this March.

The Government also voted through their own Climate Change bill earlier this month. That legislation targeted zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and introduced the NSW Climate Change Fund. city hub 24 NOVEMBER 2016

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Refugee Rally

Protestors rally against the Government’s proposed lifetime ban on asylum seekers entering Australia.

Credit Refugee Action Coalition Sydney.

Photo: Benedict Brunker

BY MICHAEL FORNO On Tuesday 23 November a crowd of over one hundred people gathered at Customs House Square in a show of solidarity with the some 1800 asylum seekers detained by the Australian Government.

The meeting was organised by the Refugee Action Coalition Sydney and was in protest of Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s plans to ban all asylum seekers in detention from ever entering Australia.

Spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition Sydney, Ian Rintoul, told City Hub that he is deeply concerned about the Government’s stance towards asylum seekers.

“We want to see the lifetime ban legislation defeated and it is important that is defeated.

The arguments that the Government is putting forward are entirely spurious.

“I think it’s got everything to do with the Government’s declining popularity and their attempt to use anti-refugee sentiment to try and prop up their declining electoral

popularity,” he said.

Despite his concern Mr Rintoul is confident that the bill will be rejected by Senate crossbenchers.

“There are very good indications that the crossbenchers will oppose the bill in the Senate. The Government doesn’t seem to have crossbench support and it is crucial,” he said.

There were calls at the rally to close all detention camps run by the Australian Government and for crossbench senators to vote against the proposed lifetime ban. It’s a sentiment Mr Rintoul believes is shared throughout the Australian electorate.

“It is certainly the case that recent opinion polls show that a large majority of the electorate is in favour of resettling refugees from Manus and Nauru in Australia,” he said.

NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi spoke at the rally and has a longstanding opposition to Government’s position on asylum seekers.

“The brutality, inhumanity, racism and xenophobia of Turnbull and Dutton policies must end.

“Locking up people who seek asylum, especially in conditions that lead them to self-harm and attempt suicide, is government policy of the lowest order. The Australian Government must close the offshore detention centres at Nauru and Manus Island as a matter of urgency and relocate all detainees to Australia,” she says.

Earlier this week Minister Dutton attacked the pro-asylum seeker policy of the former Fraser Government. In parliament he also made the link between people of Lebanese heritage and terrorism.

“The advice that I have is that out of the last 33 people who have been charged with terrorist-related offences in this country, 22 of those people are from second and third generation Lebanese-Muslim background,” he said.

Mr Rintoul expressed shock at Minister Dutton’s comments.

“I don’t think anyone would have expected to find the comments from Peter Dutton about Lebanese Muslims would have been acceptable a few months ago, but it has now become the parlance of Peter Dutton and unfortunately it is supported by Malcolm Turnbull,” he said.

Given the positive response from Tuesday’s rally and the likely defeat of the bill, Mr Rintoul sees this as a possible turning point for Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers.

“The fact that this lifetime ban is likely to be defeated, the fact that the government has been pushed to declare some kind of resettlement is an implicit admission that the offshore arrangements have been a failure.

“They have finally had to concerned that Manus and Nauru have no future and have to be closed,” he said.

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Bondi Pavilion facelift given the green light

BY BENEDICT BRUNKER Waverley Council has voted to go ahead with the first stage of redevelopment of the historic Bondi Pavilion, passing the plans at a council meeting last Tuesday.

The council has split the controversial redevelopment of the Pavilion into separate “phases,” with the first phase now about to begin.

The first phase of the plans will focus on areas of redevelopment the council deems “critical,” such as restoring the building’s heritage status, renovating and expanding the pavilion’s public toilets and addressing waste-management issues.

The push to restore the building’s heritage status will include work on the beach-facing façade as well as the demolition of the ‘Bucket List’ restaurant, which the council considers to have fallen short of heritage standards. But critics are calling a move to secure a commercial advantage for élite restauranteurs seeking tenancy in a redeveloped pavilion.

More controversial and less critical aspects of the redevelopment plans will be put on pause until after the expected amalgamation of Waverley and Randwick councils.

Waverley Mayor, Councillor Sally Betts, said the council wanted to “get the project moving and start on the critical things.

“In that way we can address all the community’s concerns because we’re not making a decision on anything the community’s worried about.

“A lot of people in the community have recommended a phased approach, so we’re taking a phased approach.

“The community have made a lot of points that they are concerned about, such as the pottery studio – we can quite easily build a new one in the first phase.

“We have put aside the music studio to be decided on by the new council. They’ve also talked about the new theatre, we’ve said that the new council could make that decision.”

The plans also include a proposal to ‘put solar panels on the roof to transform the pavilion into a ‘green-star’ building.’

When asked when the redevelopment plans would start, Mayor Betts said the council was “aiming to launch a development application early next year.”

But member of the campaign Save Bondi Pavilion, Peter Winkler, was sceptical about the move, pointing out the council only two days prior to the meeting had received a report which was an “overwhelmingly negative response from the community. One that was fundamentally negative about the plans, and two days later passed stage one of the plans.”

The report was the third community consultation commissioned by the council so far on the issue, all of which have highlighted opposition to the council’s proposals.

Mayor Betts claimed that all the report’s recommendations had been taken into consideration, and that community concerns were part of the rationale behind splitting the redevelopment into separate phases.

Mr Winkler was also critical of the council’s extravagance with regard to the redevelopment:

The historic Bondi Pavilion, currently slated for major redevelopment. Photo: Supplied

“The architect commissioned by the council has been paid nearly $2m to date and has only produced concept drawings promoting the plans.

“What on earth has this architect done that would value him at $2m?”

Mayor Betts herself questioned the $2m figure, saying she thought it “highly unlikely to be that much.”

Mr Winkler also questioned the council’s

motives in proposing to demolish ‘The Bucket List’, suggesting that it would “give commercial advantage to restauranteurs earmarked for the top floor of the pavilion.”

Mayor Betts confirmed “the addition that was placed onto the front of the building some years ago will be removed,” but insisted that the move was designed to restore “the beautiful symmetry on the front of the building,” in order to conserve the Pavilion’s heritage.

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MP’s Call To Arms against WestConnex

BY MICHAEL FORNO On Sunday 20 November more than one hundred concerned locals gathered at Badu Park, Annandale in opposition to WestConnex. The protest was a call to arms to halt the progression of Stage 3 of the WestConnex project, which involves linking the M4 and M5.

Plans include tunnelling under large parts of Sydney’s inner west including Annandale, Leichhardt, Rozelle, Enmore and Erskineville, and building a freeway exit outside Sydney University on Parramatta Road.

The protestors were supported by car horns honks of solidarity from traffic on the surrounding Booth Street and Wigram Road.

Jamie Parker, NSW Greens MP, was among the several speakers addressing the protest audience. Mr Parker has a long held opposition to the WestConnex project.

“It’s been a tough few weeks in parliament, we’ve seen the endangered species legislation abolished, we’ve seen the ICAC commissioner effectively sacked. All of these go to the attitude of this government.

“WestConnex pays witness to the lack of consultation and to the fleecing of people in our community done by this government,” he said.

WestConnex enjoys little popular support in the community and from experts from business and traffic management according to Mr Parker.

“We have not found a single traffic planner who thinks WestConnex is a good idea. Looking at the traffic modeling in Stage 3, it says that at the moment about 20,000 cars go through Broadway each day. Under these proposals it will be 38,000,” he said.

The audience welcomed Mr Parker’s invocation to take a stand against WestConnex’s Stage 3. The final Environmental Impact Statement for Stage 3 is due in early 2017, at which point works will go ahead. Mr Parker said at this point any opposition will be too late.

“Every single person here needs to write letters and emails to the Premier, the Minister and to the Sydney Motorway Corporation opposing this wrong headed project.

You need to do that now before Christmas, because when the design comes out early next year it will be way too late.”

“This is not a NIMBY campaign. We’ve fought hard not just against it being in our backyards but in any backyard, that’s what we’re fighting for,” he said.

Former Leichhardt Councillor and outspoken opponent of WestConnex Dr Cassi Plate also addressed the audience.

“Public transport is always the better option,” she said.

“When WestConnex was first proposed, public transport infrastructure was no where on the agenda. Constant clamouring for public transport instead has lead to the current state of the metro and light rail projects, poorly planed and not integrated.

“We have to stop WestConnex altogether, don’t lose heart. People think it’s already happened. It hasn’t, it’s barely started and most importantly it remains unfunded.”

Mr Parker’s final invocation to the crowd was met with broad enthusiasm.

“So we know that we can oppose it, we know that we can be successful and together we can make sure we build a Sydney that is environmentally friendly and public transport focused.

“We can send this government a message that we want to protect what’s special about our community and we’ll stand together to do that.”

Young girl protests against WestConnex. Photo: Joel Tarling

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Powerhouse inquiry to drag on

BY ELIOT BARHAM A number of contradictions in the planning of a new, relocated powerhouse museum have been exposed in the fifth hearing of the Inquiry into Museums and Galleries.

Deputy Secretary of Arts and Culture, NSW Justice, Samantha Torres, said a commercial partnership was among the options being considered for the proposed Parramatta museum, but this suggestion put her at odds with previous testimony given by a MAAS representative.

President of the Board of MAAS Trustees, Professor Barney Glover, has previously said the new site should be free of commercial ventures and ‘should standalone on the [new] site.’

Greens MP Jamie Parker said any talk of a commercial agreement for the museum is due to the extreme costs involved in relocating the venue.

“If there’s to be a museum which is even close to replicating the size and the scale of the existing Powerhouse, then it’s no surprise they’re scrambling for ideas and funds to keep this foolish proposal afloat,” he said.

Experts including the Powerhouse Museum’s founding director, Dr Lindsay Sharp, have suggested that moving the museum to Parramatta would cost in excess of $1 billion, while documents obtained by Fairfax under FOI laws suggest a total cost estimate of $450-500 million.

Co-founder of the Save the Powerhouse campaign, Patricia Johnston, said that any shortfall in the funding will have to be paid for.

“Who will pay for this? Where would the rest of the money come from? Would taxpayers fund it? How is this expense justified when it would be far cheaper to build a new museum in Parramatta?” she said.

Under the MAAS Trustees criteria, any new museum at Parramatta ‘will improve the MAAS exhibition and programs presently provided and not diminish the scale and scope of those presented currently at Ultimo.’ But the government’s preferred site – the old David Jones car park - is prone to flooding, and is more than 15,000m2 smaller.

“The surrounding land that is available at the Parramatta site should the government purchase it - would just about make the size they need, but will obviously raise the cost even further,” said Ms Johnston.

But it was Ms Torres’ admission that the Ultimo site has the potential to remain a museum that provided a glimmer of hope for the activist.

“It’s interesting because that is the first time any government representative has even mentioned the possibility of retaining the powerhouse as a museum,” she said.

Mr Parker said talk of retaining the Ultimo site as museum is a ‘face-saving’ way of discussing a “proposal that doesn’t work financially, culturally, and meets objectives set out by its own government.”

Both Mr Parker and Ms Johnstone are in favour of a museum that would reflect Parramatta’s history as an immigration and multicultural centre.

Mr Parker said: “No one consulted the people of western Sydney when Infrastructure NSW proposed the sale of the Powerhouse museum.”

“It’s clear Parramatta has an incredible story to tell, and there’s no doubt the locals would much prefer a museum that reflects the spirit of western Sydney and their own history, rather than transplanting an inferior version of the current Powerhouse Museum,” he said.

A sixth and final hearing has now been scheduled for next February before the committee presents its recommendations to government later in 2017.

Ultimo community members at the Powerhouse Museum.

Photo: Chris Peken

Opinion

The cars that ate Sydney

By Andrew Woodhouse FERDINAND Verbiest, a Chinese Jesuit missionary, built the first steam-powered “automobile” in 1672: just a toy for the Emperor.

In 1911 there were only 3,978 cars in New South Wales After WWII car manufacturing solved two problems: employment in the post-war economy and improved living standards by providing better mobility to modern suburbs.

Car parks proliferated during the 1950s as did petrol stations, highways, car washes, parking metres, drive-in cinemas and the motor hotel or motel. New homes still retain a driveway with façades dominated by blank double-garage doors for mega-SUVs (banned in some European cities).

We became a car-centric society.

Cars began eating Sydney as freeways increased. Freeways created more traffic as car use expanded to fill the space. Tolls increased: commuters now pay up to $3,000 a year.

Poor, unreliable public transport still offers no alternative to that direct, private, computergadgeted, cooled cocoon and status symbol - the car.

Sydney traffic congestion has exploded as has “road rage” and deaths. 348 people have died so far this year, a complete waste of lives.

And an independent firm, Traffic and Planning Consultants, studied Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross, last month. They concluded: “there are 25,500 daily car movements [on average per annum] in Darlinghurst Road … delays are experienced … in the peak periods largely as a result of parking … in this busy area.”

Meanwhile, Sydney Council fast tracks DAs without any car spaces, overriding its own site density FSR rules. Developers bleat, saying customers demand them and add value.

In uber-dense Potts Point in May a two-car space sold for $240,000! ”Lunacy,” said the agent.

Into this mix comes money-motivated Sydney Council. It has introduced its oxymoronic “car-sharing” scheme. It gives 700 of locals’ pre-paid on-street parking spaces to 10

city hub 24 NOVEMBER 2016

commercial operators to operate at their profit.

Council’s November 2016 report notes: “Point 84. Administration of the draft Car Sharing Policy is estimated at approximately $150,000 per annum. 85. If adopted, the revised fee for each Authorised Car Share Vehicle Permit will raise approximately $72,000 per annum.” Easy money if you can get it.

In local media on 9th April 2015 Clover Moore correctly stated: “Driving is part of how our city operates ...”. You betcha.

Source: Andrew Woodhouse

But council’s scheme reduces parking for tradies, visitors, ferrying Olivia and Jack to and from school sports and delivering Aunt Valerie to hospital.

People need their cars. Not everyone has a pool of ratepayer-funded chauffeured cars like Clover Moore.

Many locals now wake up to find their usual spot gone. No DAs are lodged. I’ve never received one notification.

Go- Get car hire charges car batteries

and services vehicles in the street, allowing carcinogenic engine oil to run into drains and thence Sydney Harbour: it’s an environmental hazard and unsustainable. Any legitimate garage would be severely fined by the EPA for this.

And it encourages use of more cars: many residents now say they have two cars per family. Claims by council-paid-for studies the scheme magically takes cars off the street, a nonsense on stilts. It makes more cars more readily available to more people more often.

That’s the point of it.

It worsens climate change and increases congestion points confirmed by overseas German studies.

We need less council overdevelopment and better public transport instead.

Nor does council’s scheme “reduce ... competition for parking spaces” as claimed by Clover Moore in her 2015 letter to residents.

It creates parking uncertainty and more competition for spaces by putting more vehicles in the same area with the same number of spots.

Many hire cars in our 2011 postcode area just sit there for days, unmoved, unused. Car hirers should use council-owned car parks instead.

And car hirers who’d normally travel by bus, bike or train, especially in the wet, create even more car congestion.

Meanwhile, residents who have pre-paid for a parking spot can’t find one: council sells more spots than are available. Council created this problem by approving too many apartments without car spots in its anti-car quixotic quest.

So why not allow residents to “buy” the spot outside their house on the same terms and rent it out themselves to the public via apps, car share operators or as designated visitor parking that could be shared with adjacent properties?

Too obvious? Or out of synch. with council’s abacus myopic mentality?

Andrew Woodhouse is President, Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage & Residents’ Society

FEATURE

The genius ideas taking on the Sydney restaurant business Another novel culinary concept that has popped up in Sydney is EatWith.

Founded in in 2012 and originating in Barcelona, EatWith can be described as a conscious effort to democratise the food industry, spreading over 200 cities worldwide. But, what does the “Airbnb for meals” entail exactly?

Foodies log onto the EatWith website or app and browse menus uploaded by hosts in their current city.

When they find one of fancy on a suitable date, they book a place – and the menu is served up at the chef’s own home. Sydney host and chef Jamie Dyball simply explains:“It’s like going to a restaurant but at a chef’s home sitting at a chef’s table with a set menu.”

Who is it for? Of the attendees, Jamie cites “everyone who likes to try new things and meet people”. Of the hosts, it’s a little more restrictive. Prospective hosts receive a visit from an EatWith representative, who event two years ago. Of the romance, Paddy said;“She will judge their cooking for quality and home for blew him away with her sticky-honey gammon.” hosting suitability. Once they pass, hosts are free to set Sydney Soirée is undeniably successful.Yet, they do up their profiles and advertise brunches, lunches and minimal advertising or marketing. “We use dinner parties – often with themes. Hosts also fix a recommendations as our currency,” explained Suz. donation per place at the table.

“Friends of friends of people who have taken part.” There’s no denying it’s an inspired idea. For an average And it’s a strong currency – events are often price of $50, you can ensure a restaurant standard oversubscribed and require booking far in advance. three-course meal and the chance to meet the creator Paddy highlights the technological disconnect in in return.Admittedly, the restaurant atmosphere of today’s social world a key popularity factor: service and pomp is missing. For some, this may be a “Nowadays, people meet new acquaintances behind a turn-off. For most, that’s the beauty of it – it’s the screen first. Sydney Soirée is anti that; you actually chance to connect chef and foodie and meet people meet face-to-face, where factors like body language and from all walks of life over an intimate communal table chemistry play a part.And it’s not daunting, like Tinder, and love of food. It’s not unheard of for Michelin star because you’re with three friends.” chefs to open their homes.

Ahead of the next event in December, Suz provides For any aspiring hosts, Dyball recommends keeping tips for a successful Soirée:“Be original and get noticed. menus simple and full of passion. He tells City Hub: “All I want is to share my passion for comfort food and show We’ve had Soirees aboard yachts, mariachi bands my home cooking style, but with a restaurant twist.” following groups from house to house, the works!”

Photographer: Rosie Levine

PROPOSAL TO INSTALL A TEMPORARY MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION FACILITIES AT DAWES POINT PARK, HICKSON RD DAWES POINT AND MRS MACQUARIE’S CHAIR, 4A MACQUARIE STREET SYDNEY. Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) wish to inform the community of a proposal for the operation of temporary telecommunications facility at the north-western corner of Dawes Point Park and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens that will provide additional services to the people in the area during the New Year’s Eve Celebrations. The temporary facility will operate from the 12 December 2016 to 2 January 2017.

The proposal involves the following activities:  The delivery and set up of the equipment room and radio mast;  The installation of three (3) panel antennas and one (1) radio dish on the top of the radio mast at a height of approximately 15 metres;  The placement of a diesel generator adjacent to the base station trailer if required;  Associated and necessary works to ensure the proper functioning of the telecommunications facility including guy wires, fencing, cabling, electrical works, signage and safe access.

The proposal does not require development approval. The proposed infrastructure complies with the ACMA EMR regulatory arrangements. If you have any questions or wish to obtain further information, please contact Mark Byrnes on (02) 9363 3815 or email info@commplan.com.au. Written submissions on the proposal should be addressed to VHA C/- CommPlan Pty Ltd, PO Box 267, Edgecliff NSW 2027 by 9 December 2016.

Photo courtesy of Daniela Cevallos

BY NINA BEESTON Sydney’s food scene is undergoing a revolution. Foodies are increasingly moving away from the conventional evening in a restaurant, and towards new exciting ways to combine a love of food and socialising… in the comfort of the home, in the presence of strangers.

One such concept is that of Sydney Soirée.

Founded in 2014, Sydney Soiree prides itself on providing a unique city dining experience unlike any other.“It’s essentially a roaming dinner party,” one founder Paddy Millington-Buck tells City Hub.“We aim at those who want to eat great food, drink nice wine, but also meet new people.” A popular combination it seems, the last Soirée attracted 600 foodies.

Fellow founder Suz Klean explains the logistics:“Each Soirée consists of three groups of females and three groups of males (you sign up as a group of four friends). If the female groups are ‘hosting’ (this alternates each event), they prepare a three-course dinner at their house. For each course, they meet and entertain a different group of males for one hour – and the males rotate around their Soiree.”

Of course, the concept of a roaming dinner party is not a new one. “They’ve actually been around since the 1960’s,” Paddy tells us. Sydney Soirée is set apart in that the attendees do not know who their hosts/guests are going to be until they arrive – so each course is the chance to make new friends (as well as eat great homemade food). There’s also the chance to reconnect at their infamous after party events – some of Bondi’s finest live acts and DJs will takeover Jam Gallery for the next one.

There’s also a potential romantic side to Sydney Soirée.

Patrick and Suz are excited to celebrate the first Soirée wedding between a bride and groom who met at an

Considering the rising popularity of concepts such as Sydney Soirée and EatWith, Cesar Chavez’s words resonate more and more:“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.”

Sydney Soirée Next event: Saturday Dec 10, 6pm.

Various private locations including the Eastern Suburbs, City, Inner West and Lower North Shore. $66.30. Bookings & info: www.sydneysoiree.com.au (bookings close this Sunday Nov 27) EatWith Browse various dates and menus at www.eatwith.com. Locations vary.

Average price $50.

Fine dining or restaurant food at home

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Summer Rain

Morgan Stern

Photo: Chris Lundie

Beatles, Bedlam and pills. The stories of two men heeding from two separate centuries clash and combine in Gina Schein’s Morgan Stern.

The Gent is over 200 years old when he reluctantly finds himself the guardian of a young man with a head filled with voices.

But who is leading whom to salvation?

“The Gent is quite cold and very… unemotional,” explained playwright Gina Schein. “I couldn’t think of a more different person to tell this story… he’s from a different century, he doesn’t understand modern medicine, he’s very proud…”

The story Schein refers to, that she sought to tell in this work, is that of her brother and his condition – this is a play about schizophrenia.

With a legacy of scripts and writing awards to her name, Schein counts this as the most difficult task to date, taking three and a half years to write the play and almost abandoning it along the way.

Morgan Stern’s debut will be the second production from Company of Rogues, headed

by Goldele Rayment, who bring Schein’s imagination to life with the assistance of veteran actor Graeme Rhodes.

“Graeme, who is extraordinary, he is doing all the voices,” said Schein. “He plays Morgan, he play’s Morgan’s mother, he plays his own daughter… It’s all down to him… I’m very excited about how he’s done this.”

With an eerie sound design by Tegan Nicholls

New Theatre presents Summer Rain, an old school Broadway style musical with an Australian twist.

Set in rural NSW in fictitious Turnaround Creek, from Christmas Eve 1945 right through to New Year’s Day 1946, the show follows the exploits of a vaudeville troupe, Slocum’s Travelling Family Tent Show.The vaudeville circuit started dying out by the 1940’s with the introduction of the movie pictures, and Harold Slocum’s gambling means he doesn’t have the funds to pay the troupe.

“It shows the outback during a drought, and when the drought breaks they’ve got flooding, so it really highlighted the struggles that people on the land in Australia face, and they still face today, battling the harsh elements,” said Trent Kidd, Summer Rain’s director/choreographer.

“Not only does it have an incredible score, very rarely do you get to see an Australian musical. Most of the musicals are from America. Here’s an incredible Australian story that’s very relatable to today. I try to give the show heart.They are just a mad capped troupe of vaudevillians that tap dance, sing and do a bit of everything. It’s upbeat and an uplifting story… There’s a six-piece band and a cast of 17 including a chorus of four,” said Kidd.

All the characters are on a quest for love like any good musical, and then there’s redemption, symbolised with the rain.With the troupe is the coming of rain, when the troupe leaves, the town is reborn just like the surrounding environment. (MS) Until Dec 17,Thu–Sat 7:30pm, Sun 5pm. New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown. $17-$32.

Tickets & info: www.newtheatre.org.au

Hurried Steps

Hurried Steps is an oratorio style enactment of stories compiled from reports and statements provided to Amnesty International from around the world. This specially commissioned work comes to Australia as part of the Stop Violence Against Women and Girls campaign.

On stage, five actors tell stories of abuse ranging through rape, discrimination, trafficking, forced marriage, honour killings and female genital mutilation from numerous countries.

Playwright Dacia Maraini has written an additional story especially for this Australian production, bringing the total to ten.

Asked about performing such harrowing material, producer and cast member Olivia Brown admits “it is difficult for the actors – it’s very emotional and disturbing material”.

The experience is, however, somewhat mitigated by the text: “The writing is very beautiful…it’s very compassionate… I think it’s more moving than confronting.”

Although the actors are reading from scripts on music stands, Brown insists “it actually is quite animated, it’s very strong and emotional, powerful storytelling”.

The idea of the play is not just to expose the atrocities, but also to explore the reasons why.

“It’s never excusable, but it’s not without reason,” says Brown, describing the less examined motivations of the men who commit these acts – much of which stems from culture, ignorance, social pressure or even transference of their own past abuse.

The one hour performance is followed by a discussion session with an expert panel where audience members can ask questions, share thoughts and gain practical information on what they can actually do to help. (RB) Nov 25 (11am + 2pm) + Nov 26 (2.30pm + 7.30pm) NIDA Playhouse, 215 Anzac Pde, Kensington. $24.50-$45.90.

Nov 27 (11am) New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown. $27.

Tickets & info: www.hurriedstepsaustralia.com

a&e

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city hub 24 NOVEMBER 2016

12 STAGE 13 Sounds 14 SCENE 15 SCREEN

Photo: Chrissie Ianssen

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

and a theatre in the round approach, this production takes over the cosy confides of barcome-theatre-house Blood Moon Theatre.

Don’t miss this fantastical and moving new work of independent Australian theatre. (AM) Nov 25–Dec 3, 7.30pm*. Blood Moon Theatre @ The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point. $20-$27.Tickets & info: www.companyrogues.com (*Low wage performance Nov 27, 3pm.

Email: goldele@companyrogues.com)

The Screwtape Letters

CS Lewis was a writer with strong Christian values who infused his work with religious morals. But rather than sermonising, he used literary devices and inverted logic to delicately deliver his message.

The Screwtape Letters is written as a correspondence between the demon, Screwtape, and his aspiring nephew,Wormwood. Screwtape is mentoring Wormwood in the ways of temptation, but through Screwtape’s flawed arguments and Wormwood’s failure to corrupt a human, Lewis surreptitiously presents his apologist case for Christian ideals.

It’s not the kind of text that screams “put me on stage!” and yet actor Yannick Lawry and his business partner, Hailey McQueen, owners of Clock And Spiel Productions, have successfully done just that.

McQueen wrote the adaptation, making only minor edits to the original text.

“It basically takes those concepts of ‘good’ and ‘evil’, turns them on their head and gets you questioning…whether it’s possible that outside our human understanding, there may be other people pulling strings,” explained Lawry.

He also quotes a Screwtape comment that could easily be applied today: “It’s easy for humans to become so distracted that they spend

Arts Editors: Jamie Apps - Alannah Maher For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

hours of an evening not socialising but staring at a dead fire in a cold room.”

With regard to playing a character like Screwtape, Lawry admits he had to swerve around clichés:“The temptation is either to make him kind of a bit camp and ridiculous… or to make him just horribly evil, which again goes into parody, so I try to just play him as myself.” And he is chillingly convincing. (RB) Until Dec 10,Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm.

Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, City Rd, Chippendale. $39-$45.

Tickets & info: www.seymourcentre.com or www.screwtapeshow.com.au

Contributors: Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Alicia Sim, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Emily Shen, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn, Caitlin Burns, Zeiya Speede, Rita Bratovich, Chantal Walsh, Raffaele Piccolo, Barbara Karpinski, Taylah Felice, Georgia Fullerton, Bobby Stephenson, Olga Azar, Kaiti Haviland, Daniel Jaramillo, Nina Beeston.

Review: The Jungle Book

Rose Byrne, Damon Herriman and Lachy Hulme. Photo: Lisa Tomasetti

Review: Speed-the-Plow

The Sydney Theatre Company round out their 2016 season with Speed-the-Plow. David Mamet’s oddly titled 1988 satire of Hollywood has nothing to do with agriculture but much to do with hard work.

The “hard work” is the work of Bobby Gould (Damon Herriman), who has just been elevated to the position of head of production for a major Hollywood studio.

Bobby’s subordinate Charlie (Lachy Hulme) tells Bobby that film star Doug Brown has agreed to make a movie of a script Charlie had sent him months before, and urges Bobby to report this to his studio head immediately.

Bobby’s temporary secretary Karen (Rose Byrne) laps up the conversation between the two men and later expresses the desire to be involved in the industry, so Bobby gives her a book which he has taken on as a “courtesy read” – a book he has no intention of making into a film. Karen loves it and persuades Bobby to take it on.

The ethical choice Bobby faces is to make a bad film that will put bums on seats or green light a worthy film that will satisfy his conscience, but could bomb at the box office and upset his longtime friend’s hopes to finally become rich.

The subject of Mamet’s play may have been revelatory in 1988, but seems somewhat old hat now.

The strongest character is Charlie, who had a powerful stage presence and exemplified the ruthlessness of the American businessman.

Rose Byrne underplayed her role in the first act, and only partly redeemed herself in the second.

However, she offered glimpses of a serious talent.

The packed audience seemed to enjoy it so perhaps it is I who am somewhat jaded, having seen too many bad Hollywood movies. (ID) Until Dec 17, evenings & matinees. Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. $84-$116.Tickets & info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

Sydney Live Guide LIVE WIRE Music

By Jamie Apps

Royal Croquet Club: A new festival joining Sydney’s landscape this year for summer, bringing with it a diverse lineup of musical acts, burgers, pop-up bars, fashion stalls, markets and health and wellness events all down by the beach for 11 days. This is an all ages event with entertainment flowing every night courtesy of Bag Raiders, Jarryd James, San Cisco, KLP and Kilter. To keep you fuelled up for the entirety of the festival some of the cities best fare will be supplied by Milky Lane, Hoy Pinoy, Mamak, Butter, Bar Stop, Old City Kitchen and Bar and finally Messina as a sweet ending treat.

Nov 24-Dec 4, Bondi Park Jack Derwin: On slide guitar, resonator, open tunings, unique vox and rack harp, Jack is a taste of the best in Nu Kool blues. His songwriting brings insight and bite to the Australian experience with sonic expressions over amplified finger styles and stomp box.

Thu, Nov 24, Django Bar Allan Smithy: After a full throttle year which saw Allan release his debut EP, sign an international management deal and charm audiences across the nation as a support act – Sydney fans will now be given the chance to see him perform a live headline show for free.

Fri, Nov 25, Waywards I Heart Songwriting Club: This online community of songwriters present their first secret concert in Sydney this weekend, The Ripple Effect, which is is symbolic of the real-life ripple effect that the club is creating.

Performing on the night are founder and director Francesca de Valence along with members Helen Perris, Mariamma

Mitchell and Colleen O’Donnell along with guest performers Freya Lindblom and Louise Charman-James.

Fri, Nov 25, Secret Newtown Location The New Noise 2016: A free all-ages event that will showcase Australia’s most exciting up and coming heavy bands. In it’s dynamic and diverse fifth year, this is the biggest lineup yet. Kicking things off for the festival are Ocean Grove, Our Past Days, Harbours, Diamond Construct, Arteries and Ghosts on Broadway.

Sat, Nov 26,The Lair Band Of Skulls: To celebrate the release of their fourth album By Default, Southampton rock trio Band Of Skulls are back in Australia this weekend.

Joining them are local band FLOWERTRUCK who have have a sound that has been described as instantly catchy garage pop-rock.

Sun, Nov 27, Oxford Art Factory Gizzfest: For a band that always does things their own way on their own terms, it is with great excitement that KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD announce the 2016 instalment of GIZZFEST. It is an opportunity for the band to take a bunch of their mates on tour and bring their own very special kind of multi-act madness to big stages across the country.

Tue, Nov 29, Big Top, Luna Park EMCPlay: Bringing Sydney’s electronic music community together for its fifth year is Electronic Music Conference 2016. On Wednesday EMCPlay, a curated program of acts, takes over a wide array of Sydney venues to showcase Australia’s greatest talent from the genre.

Wed, Nov 30, various venues

Photo: Greg Piper

Lane Cove Theatre Company’s production of The Jungle Book is an absolute family must see.

This lively and enthusiastic play has a mainly youth cast, all except four, and is directed by the talented 18-year-old Bedelia Lowencev.

The relatively small theatre didn’t hold back the cast and production team from transforming the stage and surrounding area to make you truly feel like you are in the jungle. As you walk in you are instantly transported into a new world, ready to go on this whirlwind adventure with young Mogli and her accompanying and loveable friends.

The whole cast is truly wonderful to watch.

Charlotte Pugh, Mogli, is an energetic character whom you find yourself routing for by the end.

When watching, you can really see that a lot of

By Jamie Apps Aaron Livingston, better known as Son Little, will be making his Sydney debut this upcoming Wednesday with his rarely performed one-man show. Born to a preacher and a teacher in Los Angeles, the songs of Son Little draw inspiration from the diaspora of American music to create something that is both familiar, recalling the warm vinyl of a beloved classic, while sonically rooted – with it’s staccato beats, echoing guitars and rumbling bass.

Throughout his youth Livingston says he had a vast array of inspirations: “I came up listening to Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, who at a later age I came to appreciate even more, I also listened to a lot of De La Soul, Radiohead and Nirvana, I was all across the map.”

Even today Livingston says he finds “something to get excited about” from contemporary musicians at least “a couple of times a week”, so much so

Jones – New Skin

time and preparations went into this production and it shows by their fantastic performance.There is humour, some audience participation, and modern day music, in addition to some heartfelt moments that make this play truly wonderful.

To reproduce a Disney classic can be daunting task, but Lane Cove Theatre Company have made this old story into something new and great. It is truly an irresistible musical that portrays a wonderful lesson on the importance of standing up for what you believe in and the importance of family and friends. (KH) Until Dec 3, Fri-Sun, varied performance times.The Performance Space at St. Aidan’s, 1 Christina Street, Longueville. $15-$25.

Tickets: www.trybooking.com/KIIF Info: www.lanecovetheatrecompany.com

Son Little Son LIttle. Photo:Anthony Saint James

that he actually enjoys being on the road because “that’s the only time I get a whole lot of time to sit and listen to music and catch up.”

Taking on board all of these influences, Livingston actually “scrapped” his debut

London has a new voice, an unassuming young woman without the smoothed over edges left from being pulled and pushed, tweaked and tuned by others. Jones emanates individual and informal music, she creates pleasant vibes and surprising rhythms.

An earthy sound, atmospheric, confident without affectation, Jones breathes into her music, she pulls it back in with control and pure talent. New Skin has an organic strength that comes from years of building it up, learning and filling each note with it, slowly growing without force.

Jones has a wonderful EP in New Skin, one that is definitely worth listeners hooking their ears up to. They will hear the strength in Jones and in her music and they will feel it in themselves as well. Take a few minutes out to imbibe the sound of Jones. (SP) WWW

album twice and “almost had to start from zero”. The outcome was certainly worth the rewrites as he is now “so proud of this particular collection of songs.”

Ahead of the Australian tour Livingston is incredibly excited and jovial, which was obvious as he joked about what fans could expect by saying, “lots of dance moves… no, probably not.”

Fans can however expect to see Livingston performing solo, which he hasn’t done for almost two years: “After basically two years of touring with a band I’m approaching the one man show format with a very different mindset, so I think the shows are going to be great. To be honest I don’t even know what to expect from the show, I just think they’re going to be great.”

Nov 30, 7:30pm. Newtown Social Club, 387 King St, Newtown. $28.24+b.f.Tickets & info: www.newtownsocialclub.com

Birds of Tokyo – Brace

After a slight departure in recent releases, Birds of Tokyo have returned to the dark, numetal sound that made them a success in their early years.

In order to burn their radiofriendly process to the ground, Birds of Tokyo enlisted producer David Botrill, who’s previously worked with Tool and Muse, to bring out a much edgier and darker sound. This decision has proven to be a master stroke as Brace is one of their best records to date.

Standout tracks are ‘Brace’, ‘Pilot’ and ‘Discoloured’, which features guest vocals from The Jezabels’ Hayley Mary to add a lovely new dimension and layer to the sound.

Brace is sure to satisfy long-time fans and new comers alike.

(JA) WWW1/2 city hub 24 NOVEMBER 2016

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THE NAKED CITY

JAILHOUSE ROCK With Coffin Ed Anybody who has ever worked for any period of time in the music industry, be they a musician, sound engineer, venue owner or promoter can remember a ‘catastrophe’ – a night where just about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Whether it was a PA that blew up at the last minute or a drunken lead singer who exploded in the band room, almost everybody has a story to recall.

But what about a gig where not even the word catastrophe could apply to the unmitigated mayhem that was to eventuate?

Yes, I can remember one! It was the late 70s in Sydney, a time when the kind of overregulation we have with licensing and music venues today, was virtually unheard of. BYO gigs were a recipe for overindulgence, but hey, all you needed to do was find a venue.

Together with a group of friends, I decided to stage a night at the atmospheric Cell Block Theatre in the grounds of the National Art School, housed in the old Darlinghurst gaol.

The show was aptly named ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and from what I can remember featured Melbourne band The Auto Drifters along with Sydney’s Rugcutters, Hawaiian Housewreckers and MC Mort Fist. The Art School took some persuasion to allow us to hire the venue, but after we had provided a hefty deposit and a guarantee we would reap no damage, the green light was somewhat reluctantly given.

The first portent of impending disaster came when the two girls, employed to look after the

door, took ill from food poisoning after they had bought some ill-advised takeaway in nearby Oxford Street. That meant I alone was left to collect the tickets and control the door, a tiny single entrance that barely accommodated a hobbit. Coinciding with our cell block show was a drunken art students’ party which had

Street Food Circus

Photo: James Broadway

Rootstock Sydney

already seen an ambulance called when a fire eater had set himself alight.

When the boozy students’ party finished early, both teachers and students descended on our gig, demanding to be let in for free, as it was part of their territory. Suddenly I found myself wrestling furiously on the ground with a

tubby little art teacher who had tried to barge his way through the tiny hobbit door, almost somersaulting backwards as I resisted his push and shove. At the same time a nasty fight had broken out in the cell block, with one unlucky punter rushed to hospital with a broken jaw. As more and more zombie like art students attempted to crash the party, the BYO charged crowd inside got even rowdier.

At the end of the night the venue resembled a rubbish dump and we stayed behind for what seemed like an eternity to clean up the mess. Unbeknown to us a young woman had crawled under the stage during the gig to sleep off her intoxication, awaking about 3.00am to find a spotlessly clean venue.

Outside in the grounds of the Art School, she was soon pursued by an aggressive security dog, a less than friendly Alsatian who regularly patrolled the old gaol at night. With the massive gate firmly locked she managed to climb the wall facing what was then the active Darlinghurst Police Station.

When the cops finally heard her screams for help, they were forced to ring a very grumpy caretaker to come and unlock the gate and rescue the damsel in distress. Needless to say the Art School was not impressed, the tubby little art teacher had also complained he had been assaulted, and our sizeable bond was promptly forfeited. It’s long been said that the Cell Block Theatre is haunted, and whilst I am not a believer in ghosts, the poltergeist had certainly been unleashed that night! If you have a bad gig story to top this one, I would love to hear it.

This weekend Rootstock Sydney – the sustainable and artisan food, wine and cultural festival – returns to Carriageworks in Eveleigh.

Promoting sustainable farming in food and wine production with little to no additions in winemaking, Rootstock Sydney is a not-forprofit organisation and event aimed at bringing together wine and food lovers in an iconic Sydney venue that is also the largest and most significant contemporary multi-arts centre of its kind in Australia.

Rootstock will include a wine festival, food markets, talks surrounding food, wine and agriculture, and parties each night. The wine festival involves two ticketed sessions per day, offering attendees the chance to meet the artisans and taste their natural wines. In collaboration with the Carriageworks Farmers Market, the food markets will be a special 14

city hub 24 NOVEMBER 2016

edition of the former with a focus on native food and produce, including Rootstock Sydney’s iconic orange wine and sake bars. The Saturday night party is set to feature a group of winemakers, showcasing their connection to culture, food and music, while the Sunday night event features chefs, Duncan Welgemoed, Analiese Gregory and David Moyle.

Carriageworks Director Lisa Havilah said: “We’re excited to present the return of Rootstock Sydney at Carriageworks for its third year. This world-class event is an opportunity for visitors to engage first-hand with some of the best chefs and creative leaders in the food and wine industry, from around the country.” (ES) Nov 26-27. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh. Free & ticketed events $20-$90.

Info: www.rootstocksydney.com

To kick off the summer in a delicious way Musicland is turning the last weekend of November into a food pop-up bonanza.

Street Food Circus will be held at Fraser Park in Marrickville with some of Sydney’s best food in one location.

In it’s debut year this festival was created by some professional individuals in food, bar culture and nightlife. Street Food Circus is all about exploring cutting edge street food vendors, concept bars and upcoming live music.

If you’re anything of a foodie this is must attend event where you can sink your teeth into some food you otherwise might not try.

Vendors attending include Big Papa’s with their internationally inspired burgers, Fritto + Co create authentic Italian that will make you want to book a trip to Europe ASAP, and

there will be dumplings by Let’s Do Yum Cha bringing your favourite trolley food to the streets.

For those who have a sweet tooth Torch Me Brulee, Waffles and Donut Dealers are the vendors to hang around. Waffles and Dom has joined forces with Over The Moo to create dairy free ice cream for those who can’t have or don’t want dairy anywhere near their body.

There will also be alcoholic beverages provided by Archie Rose and Mountain Goat and to get the dance party started for this yummy weekend a number of vinyl DJs will be playing non stop. (AMal) Nov 25 + 26 from 4pm, Nov 27 from 12pm.

Fraser Park, Marrickville. $22.95. Tickets & info: tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=66943

Servant or Slave

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and requires welfare assistance. He meets a single mother (Hayley Squires) with two children who is also caught up in the welfare bureaucracy.

Together they quickly learn that they are dealing with a robotic and merciless welfare system which shows no respect for the unemployed and which never breaks the rules, regardless how inappropriate and insensitive they are.

This is a rewarding, but emotionally draining film which uses humour and farcical scenarios to paint a very dim picture of a welfare system which sadly may never be improved. (MMo)

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Once in a while, a most significant motion picture surfaces which is not entertaining and is not meant to be enjoyed, but its sole purpose is to stimulate audiences and spread awareness of socially inept systems which govern our lives.

This award-winning film is a raw, gritty and brutally honest depiction of the flawed social welfare system in England, a heart wrenching cry for help which will strike a nerve and make audiences want to stand up and scream.

The story surrounds Dan (Dave Johns) a carpenter in his 50’s who for the first time is deemed medically unfit for work owing to a heart condition

invariably suffered more abuse and were criminally underpaid.

It is a well-scripted documentary, with a good balance of facts, editorial and emotional commentary.The investigative narrative is supported by re-created scenes and the monologues are often floated over ironically beautiful landscape and child-play images.

There are so many aspects of this awful history that have not been told, and that makes Servant or Slave essential viewing.

(RB) Premieres Wed Nov 30, 9:30pm on NITV WWWW

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

J.K. Rowling once again welcomes us into her magical wizarding world, however this time without the affable Harry Potter. In Potter’s stead we’re taken on a journey with the quirky introvert Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), who Potteraficionados may recognise as the author of a Hogwarts Textbook for first year students.

Fantastic Beasts takes place in 1926 New York when Newt arrives, under the blessing of professor Dumbledore, to research his future book.Things quickly get derailed however as the beasts within Newt’s magical briefcase escape into a city already being ravaged by an unknown threat.

With this film being the start of a new franchise, there is understandably a need to lay new foundations, ranging from the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) and the

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term no-maj (America’s term for muggles). Due to this fact the film feels like it is moving at break neck pace for the entirety of its over two hour run time.

By having Rowling pen the screenplay herself, Fantastic Beasts certainly captures the spirit of the Harry Potter universe, but perhaps an edit by an unbiased third party could have helped.

Unfortunately they had the perfect ending in sight multiple times before increasingly sentimental and unnecessary scenes were tacked on.

The two somewhat compartmentalised plots of the escaped creatures and the dark threat upon New York converge awkwardly in the final act, which detracts slightly.Thankfully the beasts in the film fulfil the lofty claims of the title, I just wish we could spend more time in that briefcase.

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