Venue 358

GUS EDGAR-CHAN Venue Editor

JOSEPHINE DOWSWELL Venue Deputy Editor

Merry Christmas, my bros and ho ho hoes! Well, okay, I’m typing this up in November, and the only white in sight is the overwhelming majority of faces in Norwich, but we’re almost there! This is the last issue of Venue EVER... well until next year. As such, we’ve gone all out: the content is festive, Josie and I have consulted the nation’s top artists to Christmas-ify our editorial headshots, and our sudoku is the toughest one yet. It’s so tough, you’d think it impossible and that us editors have made a mistake. But this time we genuinely haven’t! No, really!

The musical scrunch of soft snow, the green pines peeking out of the trees, the sound of children’s laughter, that magical, unadulterated joy they exude at Christmas time. Celebration. Generosity. Mirth. These festive images, to name a few, are some of the many things that you will not find in the UEA library this part of the term. Really, I know many of us are lacking in that festive feeling as the deadlines kick in - Santa can’t write those darn project proposals. But look at the lovely front cover! Look at those Christmassy colours. Check those tunnel lights. Just give it a little stare. Go on, hold it right up to your face. Look at it. Feeling Christmassy yet? Can you feel the snow and the crackling fire? Can you? Have you forgotten all your revision woes yet? Have you?!

To quench your Christmas thirst and forget about this botched drink-based metaphor, Toby Marquis has written a defence of the holiday - no more shall it be criticised for its capitalist-centric ways (though they totally exist)! Along the way, you can read about Love Actually, find out what to wear for every Christmas occassion, listen to your favourite Christmas anthems, and read poems about emotions (emotions are festive, right?). It’ll take you much less time than attempting that pesky sudoku!

Johanne Elster Hanson

Shelby Cooke

Jordan Hunnisett

Gabriela Williams

Ahem. As well as the festive cover, we have plenty of great content to distract you and get you ready for Crimbo, such as Norwich film fest reviews and a list of the best Christmas songs. So nab your hot chocolate and fluffy blankets, relax, and give it a gander.

Nick Mason

Icons courtesy of Vecteezy

Rabbit by Fay Austen

Jodie Bailey

Rebecca McDonnell

GUS EDGAR-CHAN Venue Editor

JOSEPHINE DOWSWELL Venue Deputy Editor

Johanne Elster Hanson

Shelby Cooke

Jordan Hunnisett

Gabriela Williams

Nick Mason

Icons courtesy of Vecteezy

Rabbit by Fay Austen

Jodie Bailey

Rebecca McDonnell

Ken Kiff: The Sequence The exhibition brings together 60 paintings from The Sequence, the largest presentation of works from the series.

‘The same way Manet rediscovered Goya when he went to Madrid, it is

about time we rediscovered the great value of Ken Kiff’s artwork,’ said Paul Greenhalgh about one of the most original British artists of the 20th century. This winter the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts will showcase Ken Kiff: The Sequence, the first museum exhibition in almost 25 years featuring the artist’s work. Greenhalgh also affirmed that one of Sainsbury’s missions is to bring back artists who have not been discussed that much after their death and, since the rest of the building contains collections with ‘faces and bodies’, Ken Kiff would fit in the most naturally with the rest of the works on display. The Sequence is a series of around 200 acrylic paintings on paper which Kiff started in the 70s and continued to work on until his death in 2001. This series provides an astoundingly insightful rendition of the human psyche, combining fantasy with everyday experiences. Thematically, Kiff drew inspiration from Picasso, Paul Klee, Marc Chagall, Giorgio de Chirico, and historically, Hieronymus Bosch. The ways in which he combined the abstract forms in his paintings with the figurative elements of the images, as well as the carefully selected colour palette, were in response to ideas circulated in modernist and abstract expressionist movements.

Images: The Estate of Ken Kiff

Walking around the exhibition, I am completely transported into his imaginary space. Each wall is tightly packed with paintings; in fact, they are hung so close together that they seem to blend into one another, a never-ending stream of brilliantly

shall grow irreproachably tender: not a man, but a cloud in trousers.’ My favorite piece is probably the triptych, which he began during his National Gallery Residency in 1991. It depicts a female figure in an odd encounter that takes place between two knobbly figures. The woman’s radiance is brought to the forefront by the cave-like space.

interconnected paintings you cannot look away from. There is a sense of poetic primitivism which binds them all together. Some motifs echo stories from various myths and folktales, to which Kiff added his own experience

‘When I was a teenager, I accidently left a fingerprint on one of his paintings. The acrylic was still wet,’ muses his daughter, Anna Kiff. ‘Naturally, he was fuming. He’d been working on it for several years. What I didn’t realise then was the precision with which he painted everything. He’d memorised each brush stroke.’ She also remembers how highly regarded he was as a teacher. According to her, his artistic legacy is not limited to his paintings, but to the knowledge he left behind through his teaching.

of psychoanalysis. The first wall on the left reveals his beginnings when he expressed his ideas tentatively, but the key themes are expressed so clearly by the end that any one of the paintings could stand as a representation of the whole work.

Ken Kiff: The Sequence will be on display at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts until 21 April 2019.

Many paintings stand out to me nonetheless. Kiff’s choice of orange in his painting Untidy, carries positive affirmations which can be identified in his other works. Excrement is a striking painting that introduces humour into the series and addresses humans’ place in nature. The Poet Mayakovsky is a fantastic, but haunting painting of the artist blowing his brains out in his Moscow apartment; it echoes the poet’s famous quote: ‘If you wish, I

Iasmina Voinea

Pointe shoes developed for BAME dancers In a massive step for diversity, ballet shoes for black and Asian dancers have been released in the UK for the first time. The shoes used to only be available in the limited colours pink and cream, but can now be found in brown and bronze shades thanks to Freed of London who have collaborated with the ballet school Ballet Black; the new shoes have been featured all over their Instagram feed. Previously, many women had to hand paint their ballet shoes in order to get them to match their skin tone. This practice was called ‘pancaking’ but made the shoes soften quickly, meaning the dancers had to buy shoes more frequently. Famous ballet dancer Cira Robinson has said that she didn’t think she would be able to find a shoe that would fit her skin colour. With the help of Freed of London,

women from all ethnic backgrounds are able to find a pointe shoe to better match their skin tone. The company have stated that ‘Freed of London are committed to developing shoes to meet the needs of ALL dancers’ and have been praised for using their platform to initiate change. This is a massive step towards diversity and will hopefully lead to the dance industry becoming more inclusive and welcoming to those from BAME backgrounds. Shoes like these have existed in the United States for over a year, but this is the first time that handmade pointe shoes have been made available in the UK. This is a very historic moment in British ballet history.

Jess Barrett

Concrete Book Review

The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting It is uncommon for a book not originally written in English to become popular in the UK, but Norwegian journalist and author Lars Mytting achieved this rare feat when his book Norwegian Wood became a (surprising) hit among British readers. Mytting’s international success is an example of how books about apparently niche subjects can end up having a broad readership (Norwegian Wood details the craft of woodcutting in the some of the coldest areas of Norway). The book, in Norwegian titled Hel Ved (Whole Wood), won the award for best Non-Fiction book of the year in 2016 at the British Book Industry Awards.

The Sixteen Trees of the Somme details young Edvard Hirifjell’s search for clues about his parents’ mystical death in 1971, when Edvard was only three years old. Edvard grows up with his quiet grandfather Sverre on a farm in Gudbrandsdalen, a valley in the east of Norway. The story begins when the boy is 23 years old. Around the same time as Sverre dies, Edvard receives hitherto unknown information about his parents’ death, and sets off on a journey to the Shetlands and France in order to uncover what turns out to be an extensive family history full of dark and tragic secrets.

Mytting’s success, together with that of writers such as Haruki Murakami, Elena Ferrante and Karl Ove Knausgård, gives renewed hope for translated literature in English. Swedish crime writers such as Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell made it possible for Scandinavian fiction to gain a firm foothold in an otherwise impenetrable market. Mytting’s 2014 book Svøm med dem som drukner, (Swim with those who drown) was recently translated as The Sixteen Trees of the Somme and named the Waterstones Fiction Book of the Month for October 2018. The bookshop

This part mystery, part entertainment is well-written, and Mytting’s skills as a journalist and non-fiction writer are apparent throughout; places, landscapes and activities are drawn out with enthusiastic precision. The translator Paul Russell Garrett has kept the Norwegian words for mum, dad, and grandfather, which add a level of intimacy when the narrator describes these characters: ‘Mamma was the one I thought of when I tested the loss inside me.’ Mytting’s simple language rarely falls through in English, and Garrett deserves praise for never allowing the reader

describes Mytting as ‘a European literary superstar’, a phrase that twenty years ago would have appeared oxymoronic in the UK.

to forget that she is reading a work of translated fiction.

Johanne Elster Hanson

Image: Public Domain Pictures

Why theatre fascinates me I never intended on getting involved in theatre. Sure, I would go to a pantomime every year, and occasionally a play or two, but the idea that theatre was anything more than an occasional distraction never really crossed my mind. That it could be a true art form, that a performance could draw tears, smiles and existential revelations from audiences in equal measure, had never occurred to me. Then I actually started taking part myself. Theatre, for me, is the ultimate art form for self-expression. Though actors spend their time pretending to be other people, in building that façade there is a kind of self-reflection that I have yet to experience in any other situation. A character cannot be built from nothing, and so every role will always be derived in some way, however big or small, from the memories or qualities of the actor. From the heartbroken lover to the enraged psychopath, actors must delve into themselves to find the material of their trade, often having to confront the sadder, darker parts of their lives to do a character justice. There is a level of catharsis in this, which should not be overlooked. However, it is not only the actors that benefit from this. One of the reasons I believe theatre is so powerful is precisely because audiences get to bear witness to the fruits of this emotional labour. There is a humanity to watching people play characters on stage, seeing real people using nothing but themselves to tell stories and make statements. As audience members, we see in them aspects of ourselves and of our lives, and that is what connects those on stage to those in the darkened seats before it. After all, is theatre not the art that most closely resembles life? We see real people doing real things just a

Image: Public Domain Pictures

few metres in front of us, speaking almost exclusively in dialogue, a most fundamental cornerstone of human existence. Plays are a snapshot of life, imagined or otherwise, that cannot be replicated by a musical instrument or a paintbrush. Dance, perhaps, achieves similar effects, though without the use of speech. However, the other performing arts should not be brushed aside. As much as I love theatre, it could not be what it is without the wellcrafted set, good lighting, fitting music and, in some

cases, expertly choreographed dancing. Without all this, a stunning performance could quite easily be reduced to a two hour long bore. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find an art form that is not in some way utilised in theatre. From swordplay to hair and makeup, even the less mainstream forms of artistic expression have a vital role to play in creating the theatre that we all know and love. I encourage everyone to go to the theatre. There will be shows you hate, shows you love and shows that will confuse you to no end, but a broad spectrum of theatre is a priceless experience. Beyond going to see theatre, I implore you to also consider taking part in a production or two yourself. Everybody can act, and, in my opinion, everybody should. The emotional intelligence and confidence gained through performance are fantastic, but even those benefits pale in comparison to the relationships that you will form along the way. On stage, everyone has to have each other’s back, because if something goes wrong, you’re all going down. There exists between cast mates a kind of ‘in the trenches’ mentality, a camaraderie that often translates to some of the strongest and most genuine friendships imaginable. So please, if you can, go and make theatre. I promise you won’t regret it.

Seàn Bennett

A Norwich café crawl Norwich is famous for cathedrals and pubs, but making the trip out there usually deserves a cup of coffee in between. After three years, I’ve found Norwich to be spoilt for choice when it comes to fancy cafés. There are so many different kinds of café all around this great city; it’s nearly impossible to see them all. So that’s exactly what I tried to do. All in one sitting. My reasoning was that if a bar crawl arguably gets you sufficiently drunk, what’s to stop a café crawl; wouldn’t it mess you up in an entirely different way? So without further ado, here is a list of quick fire, high energetic, jittery reviews to know all the best places to hit next time you’re Jonesing for a cup of joe.

MITRE: I decided to start my endeavour at the closest possible juncture cos I just GOTTA have my dang coffee! Mitre

is located on Earlham Road and if you’re situated in the golden triangle it’s the perfect chill spot. The glass door and semi-archaic exterior reveal a cosy minimalist set-up, with a kitchen and diverse menu tucked away inside. I decided to take advantage of said menu, chowing down on a vegan burger and chips along with a latte. (The latte was strategic as I need to stagger my coffee consumption throughout the day). Peaceful and quaint, this is well worth the short jaunt out of the city centre. Happily caffeinated and with a lined stomach ready for more, I set out to the next café.

ALCHEMISTA: Tucked in between a series of barbers, this is almost certainly the best place to take your grandparents

if they’re ever in town. The cake selection alone is tempting enough for them to say ‘Okay! We should sit here awhile!’ As much as I’m down for the hipster minimalist trend, the subtle kitsch touches and faux science jargon on the walls is pleasant and desired, especially when combined with the clean sandalwood decor. Alchemista is definitely one of the top choices to study in when you need a break from the Library or Unio, even when it is busy, it is never distracting or overwhelming. (Plus there’s a water cooler to top up your own water without having to talk to anyone!) It was a great location to slurp down a decent flat white.

STRANGERS:It

would be hard to crawl through the cafés of Norwich without coming across Strangers Coffee; they literally get everywhere! Located right next to the Birdcage, I always feel like I know what they’re talking about when it comes to the ol’ bean juice. For a Tesco-brand-ground-coffee-buying boy like myself, it’s a real treat to sample different blends and styles. Even if you ask for a filter coffee, they want it to suit you down to the ground. I took this opportunity to be a coffee purist and ordered a long black, which turned out to be a mistake. From the outside, one would think it’s a cramped place, but honestly there’s a surprising amount of space, and it’s a nice chill place to hold a warm mug.

MARZANO’S CAFE AND BAR: By this point I had three coffees running around my system so the short walk from

Strangers to the Forum went by very quickly. This is definitely the priciest of the cafés I frequented but you definitely get your monies worth as the coffee is excellent. For this reason, and the fact that the coffee was really starting to make my nerves jangle, I ordered an espresso and just necked it as soon as possible. The plushness is part of the appeal, so relax into the big black leather sofas and enjoy the fact you can’t feel the winter weather that you can see through the glass walls. I tried to do so, but honestly, the fourth coffee of the day was not making it easy to sit still.

LOUIS’ DELI AND CAFE:

This next café, I don’t really remember why I went to it because it’s over the other side of town, but the coffee headache was really starting to bang against my noggin. I’m not going to pretend that the deli aesthetic combined with the additional wares that they sell didn’t absolutely preach to my dumb city boy sensibilities, but it is a genuinely relaxing space to be in, and they also do breakfast, so you can do worse. Afterwards I knew that I was tuckered out for the day and crashed in my bed at home. Do check out all these cafés when you get a chance, just probably don’t do them all at once unless you’re self-destructive.

Daniel McKeon

Images: Unsplash, Images: DanielUnsplash. McKeon.

The imperialistic accessory The Bollywood industry, which consists of big screen Indian movies in Hindi, only came into existence in the 1930s, when colonialism still had a tight grip over the South Asian region. Consequently, the West has had a huge impact on Bollywood films, even if it only manifests in the subtleties of the movies, such as costumes. Western media, and in particular the canon British films, often glorified the upper classes during the Victorian era. Still, to this day, films like Pride and Prejudice manifests Britain’s problematic relationship with an oppressive class order through the guise of historical nostalgia. Costumes from the Victorian era are constantly romanticised while being divorced from classist implications. Hence, due to the deep-rooted effects of British imperialism on India, clothes in the Bollywood industry were not left untouched by Westernisation. During Bollywood’s early conception in the beginning of the 20th century, most stories were about the working class and were set in rural areas. Men wore dhoti, a simple piece of material that was tied around the waist and extended down to the legs, while women wore a modest version

Image Dream Works

of ghagra choli, which consists of a short top and a long flowy skirt. Few urban stories featured Indians wearing Western-influenced clothes, using the West as an elitist symbol of wealth. In many of these Bollywood period dramas, costume designers admitted to using Western actresses such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn to inspire the costumes they created. While using the West to represent a higher status in society has racist implications, it also points to the fact that the white upper class had a monopoly on the representation of Western media in older films. Extravagant Victorian dresses and suits are reserved for the highest ranks in British society, which meant that the beauty of a working-class individual or a person of colour was never celebrated in period dramas; beauty seemed to be an exclusively white and upper-class concept. In the 21st century, people of colour everywhere are dismantling these harmful ideas. In the musical Hamilton, where the cast is mostly made up of people of colour, the costumes were designed to imitate 18th century America. Seeing people

of various darker skin tones wearing these sophisticated costumes with pride is already striking enough, but the producers of Hamilton also went a step further by retaining the cast’s original hairstyles. Black women with big, curly hair looked beautiful in long Victorian era dresses, and black men with afros looked striking in old army uniforms. In William Oldroyd’s Lady Macbeth (2017), Naomi Ackie’s casting came as a surprise, even to the young black actress herself. Oldroyd had done his research and found there was a huge amount of diversity in 19th century England, contrary to the belief of those who criticised him of misrepresenting history. When he asked these people what their reference points had been, they responded that it was other period dramas, proving that the majority of period dramas in Britain choose to feature only white, elite characters. Diversity is not a modern invention, and whether it is a class or race, a genre should never leave people out on accord of their backgrounds.

Beverly Devakishen

Costume dramas for a costume society Period dramas are the pride of British cinema. They are addictive, entertaining, and oftentimes endearing. The servants are written as funny, the women seem to transgress societal norms, and the men are just adorable in their slowly changing misogyny. The smallest gesture of rebellion is a revolution. Yet this is precisely where the danger lies. As Ken Loach said about BBC dramas: ‘Don’t bother your heads with what’s going on now, just wallow in fake nostalgia. It’s bad history, bad drama. It puts your brain to sleep.’

are ultimately selfish, helping only themselves and their own social class. The romanticisation of British history shows a blatant disregard for its real history. Even in dramas that supposedly deal with the industrialisation of Britain, such as North & South, the capitalist owner

keep us comfortable in our idea that, as long as we are minimally transgressive, we are changing the world. The fact that the middle class was constructed on dirty, imperialist money is overlooked in this narrative. Instead of changing the system, we are encouraged to try and make it ‘better’:

Jane Austen’s heroine walking through a field holding up her dress is seen as an act of rebellion; women learning to drive is seen as rebellion; women standing up for their fundamental rights is an act of rebellion. And while it’s true that these were all acts of transgression, and oftentimes acts of bravery, the way they are now romanticised as the ultimate display of feminism holds back the

of the factory, who exploits his workers and treats them appallingly, is given a redemption arc, and finally gets to be with the girl (who, of course, helps poor people). Loach is right in saying that these dramas put our brains to sleep they enforce the belief that society is perfectly fine as long as people are ‘good’, that there is not something inherently wrong with its system, and that all our

real change is hidden behind shiny colonial diamonds and ‘the good old days’.

The transgressive characters in these stories

The current middle class loves these stories: they

development of rebellious spirit.

true

problems can be blamed on a few evil characters.

The aesthetic of these dramas is perhaps the most deluded aspect of them. The scenery is clean and flowery; everyone looks healthy and beautiful; the reality of gruesome medical methods, hygiene, and poverty is not shown. The characters in films like

Bright Star die in polished ways, such as from illnesses that cause a light sweat but are not too unpleasant to watch.

This genre being named ‘costume dramas’ alone alludes to the fact that the romanticisation of the clothes the characters wear is central to their popularity, and subsequently a crucial part of the problem. The national nostalgia for an entire era of British history being based on dresses and top hats is an issue that relates to society’s current obsession with fast fashion escaping from the problems that surround us in the real world by burying o u r s e l v e s in material possessions and constantly chasing after new things to wear, in an attempt to define ourselves through our wardrobe. Perhaps we find something calming in the fashion of period dramas, in the slow countryside and the conversations free from politics. But this is pure denial: the world of the 20th, 19th, or 18th century was never still, and was certainly not peaceful. The ballrooms of Jane Austen’s novels are

as far removed from reality as the living rooms we consume them in.

Yaiza Canopoli Image Warner Bros

Lust, Actually It’s that time of year again, when the films on TV change from reruns of Bridget Jones to holiday classics… including Bridget Jones. Of course, the holiday classic that gets us Brits the most excited is the star-studded Love, Actually. Now, before I begin going in on one of this country’s most loved Christmas film, I just want to say that I myself don’t go a year without partaking in a family viewing of Love, Actually, and I always enjoy it – however, I do think it was poorly named. The film is full of relationships, old and new, but one thing that is consistently lacking is love! If you go systematically through the relationships, they nearly all come down to lust. Let’s start with my favourite storyline: Jamie (Colin Firth) and his housekeeper Aurelia (Lucia Moniz). I love Firth and always thought this was one of the cutest parts of the film, but when you actually think about it they don’t know each other! They don’t speak the same language, they only hang out while she is working and Jamie, having been cheated on by his wife, is clearly on the rebound. I’m sorry, but they both just really fancy each other. Nothing deeper. It’s cute that they learn each other’s languages but that doesn’t make it love (but at

Photo: Universal

least they can now actually have a conversation). Next, let’s take a look at the deeply pathetic Mark (Andrew Lincoln) who for some reason is convinced he’s in love with his best friend’s wife, despite never really speaking to her. He just has a massive hard-on for her, not that I’m blaming him – it is Keira Knightley. And because of this, he somehow thinks it’s acceptable to go after her ‘because its Christmas’ even though she is newly married – TO HIS BEST FRIEND! Back to some cute characters, who we thought were charming but are still just motivated by lust when you really look at it: The Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) and Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). In defence of these two they do actually talk to each other, but only really in the way that a nice boss talks to one of his employees. She clearly just fancies him and he fancies her - not that deep. I would make a point about the relationship being a weird abuse of power, but in the PM’s defence, he doesn’t act on anything until after she leaves her position (take note, Bill Clinton). Perhaps the most obviously lust motivated relationship is the one between Harry (Alan Rickman) and his secretary Mia (Heike Makatsch) – the most universally hated characters in the film. She purposefully seduces him knowing full well he’s married and he

goes along with it, pure and simple. One character you have to admire for being so openly motivated by sex is the both creepy and adorable Colin (Kris Marshall), who, from the get-go, is just after a hottie. And boy, does he get one or two or three or four. Good for you, Colin. At least you were upfront about it, not masquerading your lust as love. Now that I’m done addressing the lust, it’s actually time to look at the love, because admittedly there is some, but it isn’t the romantic kind. There is the beautiful and sincere love between the bereaved Daniel (Liam Neeson) and his adorable stepson Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), who is going through some ‘love’ (it’s a crush – let’s be real) issues of his own. Their relationship brings heart and warmth to the film and when I think of the love in Love, Actually, I think of their Titanic scene. The other example of real love is between the scene-stealing Billy Mac (Bill Nighy) and his manager Joe (Gregor Fisher). There’s a real platonic love between them, even if it takes Mac a while to show it. And there you have it, the examples of love in Love, Actually; more bro love than anything else. At a push, I’d say another example of love would be Rowan Atkinson’s shop worker and his love of ornate wrapping, but for a film that advertises an abundance of romance, I’m not sure it delivers.

Emily Taithe

Christmas occasion outfits An upcoming event for Christmas can evoke a great deal of panic. ‘What do I wear?’ is typically the first thought to flash through your mind. If you are stuck for ideas or just want a little inspiration, look no further.

Going all out? Go for glitter If it’s a big event and you’ve got to dress to impress, bring out the sparkly attire. The shape of the dress hardly matters; if it’s got some glitter, it will stand out. Pair with some killer heels for the added wow factor or go double sparkle with a matching handbag.

Match the seasonal colours If you aren’t sure about colours, match the festive themes and go for rich reds and deep greens. These colours not only look expensive but are sure to add to the Christmas look; you could even add a Santa hat or appropriately matching headband to take the look even further.

Jumpsuits for that added edge Perhaps dresses aren’t your thing, in that case why not opt for a jumpsuit. With so many options on the market, from short to long length, sleeveless to more conservative, there is a jumpsuit for everyone.

Dazzle with a suit

Not really into the girly look? How about a fitted suit with a special Christmas bow tie for that fancy yet smart look?

Somewhere in between? Body suit and skirt Not sure of the vibes? If so, why not go for a bodysuit and skirt. A skirt is a safe choice because it can be dressed up or down and suits a lot of different occasions. Bodysuits come in all varieties. If you aren’t sure about the appropriate attire of the event may be, go for a white ribbed bodysuit. White will match the Christmas spirit and give you an added element of elegance. If you know it’s a slightly nice event, you could go for white lace, but otherwise a plain style will still ensure you look the part, feel comfortable,

and not break the bank.

A more toned-down event? Break out the jumper For more relaxed events such as family parties or hanging out with friends, a festive Christmas jumper is always a good shout. You can go for both comfy and casual, with a funny jumper and pair of jeans that will accommodate plenty of room for extra cookies. Or pair the jumper with a skirt and some cute snowflake tights for that winter look with an elevated element. Complete the outfit with a pair of cute boots.

What about a onesie? This will only work if you know the event is going to be very casual - if so, exploit it and go for ease and comfort. Just because it’s comfy doesn’t mean you need to substitute style, why not go for a polar bear, a father Christmas, or a gingerbread man. All are perfectly suited to Christmas and all ensure you look and feel adorable.

Leia Butler

Images: Flickr

Beauty Blenders: Is the brush outdated? YES The ongoing debate of our times. Some people swear by them, others don’t buy into the fuss. Personally, I’m in the latter camp; I’ve dipped my toes in the murky, foundation coloured waters, but have not emerged a more aesthetically pleasing person. I do enjoy a good makeup routine, but certainly for my day-to-day look, I like to include as few steps as possible. Preparing my tools of choice before I can even use them?! No thank you. You can always trust a brush to be reliable and ready to go. Maybe I’m just impatient, but it seems to get the job done in at least half the time too. Here’s to a few extra minutes sleep, a few extra pounds saved by sticking with the tools already in our make-up bag, and an end to this debate.

Becca Allen

NO I don’t use makeup, but I still love beauty blenders. Unless your name is Bob Ross, you can’t brush my face, but anyone can put a mushy foam egg to my face and I will eat that up. Brushes are old hat. You aren’t decorating a shed, put down the DIY tools. Your face deserves better. It deserves a piece of tan foam that does the same task without fraying, splaying or itching. You can coat every surface of it with the makeup of your choice, not just the one bit. It’s freeing, something that can change your very being, not just your makeup routine. You could even use them as a colour chart. Match your face to the blender, then match your makeup to the blender. No more running through Jarrolds’ cosmetics department testing so many different foundations on your skin that you end up having a full patchwork coat. Delicate, versatile and soft, the beauty blender is the Bob Ross of makeup tools.

Nick Mason

What is the most comfortable pair of jeans? I have a very love/hate relationship with jeans. There will be weeks when I live in them and remind myself for days on end that I need to wash them, but I can also go a month at a time without touching them. There will always be a jean that I come back to time and time again though: the humble mom jean. With most articles like this you can expect a slightly biased review of a very specific type of jean from a potentially over-priced high street chain, but as a fickle student with an unstable bank account, I’m less loyal to a shop and more loyal to a style. Most often, I think we expect an uninventive gush about Joni Jeans, honestly. Joni Jeans are horribly overrated, okay, and Topshop fail time and time again to adequately cater for anyone with a clothes size larger than a 12. This is where I have found the underdog TK Maxx to pull through in times of plus size need. Admittedly, they can be a bit hit and miss, but they have proved to be more consistently successful than a lot

Image: Flickr

of other (what I think of as) ‘nice’ high street shops. I now own two pairs of TK Maxx jeans – with embroidered flowers, no less – because after my first foray with them, it was absolutely necessary that I keep a pair at uni and a pair at home. Cambridge and Norwich are the places to shop, just as a heads up. Comfy yet chic; flattering yet practical; appropriate for t-shirt days and ‘jeans and a nice top’ days, what’s not to love? I was always a little sceptical, I have to say. As a gal who has to buy a few sizes larger than she’d like, I am very aware of what will flatter me and what won’t. The cinched in waist is a pro, but the baggier bottoms are usually a con for me. And then one day I decided not to care. In summary, mom jeans tick the comfort box and let me live my chic and stylish dreams. 10/10, would recommend.

Becca Allen

Beauty on a budget Best Foundation Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless in 110 is a good medium to high coverage foundation. It is very buildable and is not prone to streaking. For £6.99 you get just over one fluid ounce or 30ml which puts it in the very affordable range of foundations that are available in the drugstore. It works well with either brush or beauty blender, but my preference is to use a flat topped kabuki brush for this to get the higher end of full coverage.

Best Primer The Ordinary High Adherence Silicone Primer is excellent quality and there are many variations of this type of primer. It has a silky feel and fills pores very well. But for those that have foundations that are oil based, you will need to seek out a silicone free primer because it can cause a lot of separation between the layers. £3.99 for 30ml is not bad considering the popularity of this product online.

Best Eyeliner This was a tricky category because a big issue with many cheaper eyeliners, especially waterproof ones, is that you can end a 24-hour period with just a faded smudge. Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner comes with 0.5ml for £16.00. This may seem like a mid-range priced item, but I think that it is worth spending a little bit extra on this eyeliner to achieve true waterproof, smudge free and a black colour that doesn’t fade after more than 24 hours!

Best Skincare Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore and Shine In Shower Mask gives you that added feeling of luxury in the shower. It is a great exfoliant and has a refreshing tangerine and lime fragrance. Most drugstores will offer a ‘2 for the price of 3’ deal on this brand, which is great because the range that Neutrogena has is very varied. For £4.99 on average per 150ml this is a great buy and gives you the option to exfoliate in the shower, as well as cleanse when just washing your face.

Best Mascara Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black is the drugstores answer to the Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara that we have heard a lot about online. Be sure to get the shade ‘Blackest Black’ for a bold look. This works well as a mascara that is applied before lashes and has the benefit of a smaller wand so that you can reach the bottom lashes without smearing mascara underneath your eyes. £5.99 per 12.5ml makes this a much cheaper alternative to the high end branded mascaras that claim to give you voluminous lashes. This mascara is incredibly buildable and does not clump as easily as other drugstore mascara options.

Gabriela Williams

Image: Flickr

NORWICH FILM FESTIVAL Our writers give their highlights from 2018’s Norwich Film Festival... This year’s Norwich Film Festival has come and gone, brightening up the streets of Norwich for half of November. It flaunted a number of Q&A panels, a gaggle of featurelength films, a murder of short films

and Christopher Eccleston was also there: in short, it was a success, and our writers thought so too. Here three of our literary faithfuls have put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to give their highlights of this year’s iteration.

We have a talk on the costume designs of a galaxy far, far away, more shorts than we know what to do with, and yup, Christoper Eccleston too. Read on, enjoy, and be jealous that you weren’t at the events yourself...

IN CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON This year’s Norwich Film Festival kicked off in style with a screening of Danny Boyle’s deliciously dark 1994 debut film Shallow Grave, followed by star Christopher Eccleston in conversation with The Guardian’s chief film critic Peter Bradshaw. The first actor to step into the role when the series was rebooted in 2005, a certain percentage of the audience undoubtedly attended to hear him speak about his experience in Doctor Who. Preceding the event with Shallow Grave was a stroke of inspiration as it introduced a completely different side to this extraordinary actor to those who might only know him as the Doctor. A noir-ish tale of greed and jealousy with no-one you can trust and

everything to lose, Shallow Grave is wonderfully nasty. Eccleston shines as the comparatively moral David who soon becomes trapped in a downward spiral of murder and madness.

Eccleston spoke about his workingclass upbringing in Salford, his parents’ love of literature, and their support of his ambition to attend drama school. As a young actor he was inspired by the greats of the British social realist movement - particularly Albert Finney’s performance in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. He was most passionate when speaking about how it’s actually become harder for young workingclass actors to break into an industry dominated by Oxbridge as costs increase and prejudice prevents them being offered classical roles. He lamented that working-class actors like himself, Sean Bean and Maxine Peake won’t emerge as they are excluded by lack of opportunity, and acknowledged that it’s even harder for working class women and people of colour. He

highlighted

some

Image: Gramercy Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

the

projects he’s proudest of, including Hillsborough, The Leftovers and The A Word, as well as the challenges of playing Macbeth on stage for the Royal Shakespeare Company. He also discussed with remarkable candour his time in Hollywood and unashamedly taking roles for the money, such as villains in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and Thor: The Dark World. ‘I was a whore,’ he admitted with a smile. While his experience playing the Doctor sadly seemed to be negative overall due to disputes with the BBC, he responded to questions about Doctor Who appreciatively and expressed enthusiasm for Jodie Whittaker taking on the role. In one of the more poignant moments, he described one of his young children asking him ‘My friend says you’re the best Doctor, does that mean you make people feel better?’.

Laura Venning

COSTUME DESIGN FOR THE BIG SCREEN Despite the fact that I was sat at the very back of the room, and the lack of a microphone meant I found it very difficult to hear what was being said, I really enjoyed the sold out ‘Costume Design for the Big Screen’ Q&A with Glyn Dillon, the fashion designer who worked on The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and Solo. I’m a huge fan of both sci-fi and Star Wars (including the fun, but not too critically acclaimed spin-offs), but the costume side of movie-making has never been one I’ve really been too knowledgeable on. Thus it was really interesting to learn more about it even if I did have to lean forward in

order to catch every word - all while seeing early concept designs for a myriad of characters. The best part for me was probably when Dillon talked about the process that went into designing Kylo Ren’s costume, and especially the ideas that went into developing the helmet he dons for a good part of The Force Awakens. We were also treated to concept designs from early in the movie’s conception, where Ren was going to have a more ‘biker gang’ feel to his design. Unfortunately not everyone who was billed to make an appearance was

able to. We missed out on the chance to see Janty Yates who had worked with Ridley Scott on Gladiator, and her replacement, Bohemian Rhapsody’s costume designer Julian Day, also couldn’t make it. David Crossman (who worked with Dillon on Solo and Rogue One) was the last to pull out of what was originally meant to be a ‘panel’ of costume designers. While I enjoyed myself, I can’t help but wonder what could have been if the roster of expected costume designers weren’t so flaky. Maybe there would even have been a microphone.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY SHORTS

The Norwich Film Festival showcased an array of 14 film shorts last weekend and these are my top picks, perfect for young and old adults alike:

The weekend kicked off with Catch of the Day, an Irish independent film about a husband coping with the fact his wife is dying. The movie seamlessly juxtaposes bleakness and beauty, whilst perfectly capturing the magic of the sea and, rather interestingly, the magic of old age. One of the most heart-wrenching shorts was an untitled black-andwhite number about an elderly gay couple. The partner’s terminal illness is visually represented by a grotesque set of dark roots growing from his chest and chin, which powerfully compounds the pain and unease that illness causes. There is not one moment at which the audience are comfortable, facilitating feelings of

strong empathy for the couple as the healthy partner is eventually pushed to end his dying husband’s suffering.

The nights were also studded with comedy shorts with the aim of dispersing any intense emotions the audience might find themselves having trouble letting go of! Sump was a highlight for me. A wife’s partner is trapped in a flooded cave with six hours of air left and time running out. The police officer is hilariously blunt and completely hopeless and the wife can hardly be described as beside herself with worry; if anything, she’s just annoyed at the inconvenience. That annoyance turns to anger when the wife discovers her husband’s fiancé has turned up to the office, and that anger turns to fury when she is asked to identify the body of her husband’s wife, his other wife! Then there’s Leash, a post-Brexit

Alex Viney

protest film which will leave even the most nonchalant of viewers shaken. A young female street cleaner of Polish descent is brutalised by a Welsh girl gang, its ringleader stealing her hi vis jacket emblazoned with the words ‘Keep Wales Clean’ (the viewer is given time to come to terms with this double entendre). This highly symbolic piece - with an absolutely shocking ending - is gripping, but also culturally necessary in this political moment. Ending on a festive note, the last of the films I watched was BFI’s Earthly Encounter, a heart-warming piece about brotherly-love with an allhealing alien plant thrown in. As you can see the Norwich Film Festival really caters for all types of film goer - I challenge you to go to a screening and not leave having both learned and laughed.

Jake Walker-Charles

Image: Norwich Film Festival

Best of 2018 Best album: Foxing – Nearer My God

Less than four hours before Nearer My God dropped, I was chatting to Foxing frontman Conor Murphy; he was bricking it. The album is a delve into apocalyptic paranoia completely unlike anything that the St Louis indie outfit had done before. Opening the show with Grand Paradise, the band finally delivered on the potential of their earlier releases. A critical darling and my AOTY (Album of the Year) from the second I heard it, Nearer My God’s epic scope, dense instrumentation and uniqueness will shape the indie world in the years to come. From the dark electronics of Slapstick to the triumphant closing to Lambert, there isn’t a second wasted. I’m still listening to it (in full) weekly.

Best song: Foxing – Won’t Drown

Surprise, my favourite song comes from my favourite album. Won’t Drown scratches an itch for dark indie-emo that hasn’t been touched upon since the less-than-graceful implosion of Brand New. Won’t Drown is a song that any band on the scene right now would dream of writing, showcasing the raw musical talent of the band who made 2018 their own.

Best event: the return of ‘Three Lions’

This summer could be defined by a number of things, but it being stiflingly hot and England fans singing Three Lions again made this summer the one for me. The initially ironic meme surrounding the song took on true belief as England reached the semis of the World Cup, making it all the more crushing when the team bowed out. Am I excited to sing it again for the Euros 2020? Of course I am.

Nick Mason

Best album: KIDS SEE GHOSTS - Self-titled

Following his eighth solo effort ye, Kanye West formed a hiphop supergroup with long-time collaborator Kid Cudi, releasing their self-titled KIDS SEE GHOSTS. The album is only seven tracks in length, yet feels far longer. The production is unique, blending styles of psychedelic rock with traditional hip-hop. Kanye raps at a far higher level than to ye, partly due to the more polished nature of the record, and Kid Cudi’s performance is consistently excellent throughout, peaking in the song Reborn in which he delivers his signature humming.

Best song: Bloody Waters - Ab-Soul

Consistently underrated by even devout fans of the hip-hop genre, Ab-Soul emerges on Bloody Waters with clever wordplay relating to water and violence. The production is reminiscent of the rhythmic dripping of water, which Ab-Soul flows over effortlessly alongside Anderson .Paak who delivers a shrill hook to break up the two verses. James Blake also contributes some gentle, distorted vocals in the song’s intro and outro segments, contrasting heavily with the other performances in this trio.

Best event: Camp Flog Gnaw

Tyler, the Creator’s yearly festival rarely disappoints a hip-hop fan, and this year was no different. As well as headlining it, Tyler also managed to call in KIDS SEE GHOSTS to coheadline, performing for the first time as the act. Other notable acts included Brockhampton, Earl Sweatshirt, Post Malone and A$AP Rocky.

Jack Oxford

Best album: Dilly Dally Heaven

Toronto grunge-rockers Dilly Dally’s sophomore effort includes all the ingredients that made 2015’s Sore such a captivating debut, but this time with slower, even more considered songwriting. Katie Monks’ arresting vocals and Liz Ball’s signature screeching lead guitar lines remain, but I Feel Free feels like a refreshing start to the band’s next chapter. The exquisite title track reveals Dilly Dally’s more tender side for fans of Green, while introspective single Sober Motel builds up to a glorious peak around Jimmy Tony’s throbbing bass line. Sorry Ur Mad and Doom have two of the band’s best melodies to date and Marijuana is already a fan favourite. They tour the UK in January.

Best song: George Ezra Pretty Shining People

While Shotgun may have been the anthem of the summer, the breezy opening track of Staying at Tamara’s is equally boppy. In the year in which George Ezra became Britain’s most important pop star by dominating the charts and selling out an arena tour in a few hours, this was the perfect soundtrack to the now-distant days of suntans and football. A slice of unadulterated joy from an artist, it’s extremely hard to dislike.

Best event: Weller charms the Festival Hall

Paul Weller is making a habit of marking big birthdays with big musical achievements. Turning 60 this year, he scooped Q Magazine’s award for Best Act in the World and GQ’s Songwriter of the Year, also finding time to release a new album, True Meanings. What better way to promote the contemplative, acousticorchestral record than with two intimate shows with a full orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall?

Tony Allen

Beginning to sound a lot like Christmas When it comes to Christmas shopping you’ll want to get in the mood no matter where you are. Whether you are trawling through Intu Chapelfield for the perfect gift or ordering your loved ones something online and struggling to make the minimum delivery spend, you need a good Christmas tune to make it all more enjoyable. After all, Christmas music isn’t just for shopping; you can listen to it whilst wrapping gifts, writing Christmas cards, and decorating your house with a thousand fairy lights.

shopping and buy the rest of the gifts online, so that you cut down the amount of time that you have to spend only half hearing the songs over the screams of children and the shouts of parents threatening to tell Santa about their behaviour. Find a chilled café where the Christmas music is tasteful and relax whilst having a mince pie and a coffee. Don’t get swept up in the Christmas frenzy of discounts and bargains; this is ultimately not what the time of year is about and should not be encouraged.

Part of the fun of Christmas shopping is getting to listen to different varieties of Christmas music, but the main focus should always be the shopping. The disadvantage you will encounter in the shops will be that you are at the mercy of the shop managers Christmas tastes, and some of these can be pretty dire! Given the choice, I would only go Christmas window

Why not make your own playlist, order the gifts online and have yourself a relaxed night in whilst singing along to a few of your favourite Christmas songs? There are some songs that should always be included into your Christmas playlist no matter what activity you are doing. Fairytale of New York has to be on there, but I would not put it at the beginning of your playlist - that way you’ll look

forward to it unexpectedly popping up. Plus you have the added bonus of singing along in your own home so that nobody hears that dreadful version of Slade!

Gabriela Williams

Curved Air: live at Waterfront Studio My father first discovered Curved Air’s unique blend of electronic, folk-influenced rock through a school friend as a teenager - a chance discovery that lead to his

UEA - musical differences between band members caused their break up. Reforming in 2008, the band currently features guitarist George Hudson, bassist Chris Harris,

Singer Sonja Kristina has been the only constant member since the band’s formation in 1969. Their debut album Air Conditioning was released in 1970, resulting in BBC Radio One sessions with John Peel and supporting slots with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Jethro Tull. However, in 1976 - the same year they played at

Tonight, the venue may not be filled to capacity, but it is full of people who have come here to see only one band, who humbly take the stage before showcasing exactly why their fans are still thrilled by their music. Early singles It Happened Today and Backstreet Luv are received just as well as new songs from the band’s most recent

disbelief and excitement at us witnessing their live show together more than 40 years later.

Image: Phillip Chevron

drummer Andy Tween, keyboardist Robert Norton and violinist Paul Sax.

album, North Star, such as Images and Signs. Each band member appreciates the skill of the other, whether it’s during Sax’s violin at the start of Vivaldi, Hudson’s guitar solo or the emotion of Norton’s keyboard playing.

Afterwards the band take photos, sign merchandise and chat with their fans, acknowledging the decades of commitment their music has inspired. Whilst signing a CD, Kristina tells one fan: ‘I never would have thought in 1974 that I would be here with you!’

Frances Butler

A very Concrete Christmas Wham! - Last Christmas

Laced with catchy lyrics and deep rich tones, the Wham! hit is an absolute Christmas classic. This song is as integral to Christmas as is the turkey itself. From the background sounds of jingle bells, to the upbeat rhythm, Last Christmas is more than just an ordinary Christmas song. It’s a Christmas anthem.

always warms me; I love to listen to it as I’m travelling back home after completing my summatives!

Jodie Bailey The Pogues – Fairytale of New York Do you know the lyrics to Fairytale of New York? I don’t, but every year it is the song we all pretend we know the lyrics of. It’s a miserable and depressing Irish rock number which documents the collapse of a marriage. But if you look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t love it, I will treat you with suspicion for the rest of eternity. The true pinnacle of Christmas music, if Fairytale of New York isn’t on your Christmas playlist, then you don’t have a Christmas playlist.

Michael Bublé - It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas:

3:26 minutes of heaven; from Bublé’s smooth buttery voice that tastes like soft spiced cookies, to lyrics depicting ‘candy canes’ and ‘silver lanes aglow’. Every single note smells like a cinnamon and vanilla candle and this song is the musical equivalent of a hug from Christmas itself.

Leia Butler Chris Rea - Driving Home for Christmas

Driving Home for Christmas has become one of my favourites since

joining UEA. It pretty much sums up how I feel come the end of the semester. The universality of everyone making their way home for Christmas to be with their families

The Darkness – Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) Despite the single worst professional band I have seen live,

there is still a special place in my heart for The Darkness. Whether it is primarily down to the fact that my Music GCSE was based on playing covers of I Believe in a Thing Called

Love and Love Is Only a Feeling on a Squier Jazzmaster that didn’t work is an academic matter; my love is definitely somewhat due to Christmas Time. This is to Christmas music what The Room is to cinema: something so terrible that it actually adds something to the medium.

All Time Low – Merry Christmas (Kiss My Ass) There’s a part of me that wants to forget that I own four All Time Low albums, saw them three times and once wanted to model my hair on frontman Alex Gaskarth in the Dear Maria, Count Me In video. But the other part of me will forever live on, the part of me that enjoys a music video in which a puppet goes postal to a song which makes the best of a clear contractual obligation to write a Christmas song for the label. For those who like having guilty pleasures, it won’t get guiltier than this.

Nick Mason

Bethesda fans go nuclear over Fallout 76 Last fortnight, Bethesda released one of the most speculated but anticipated games of 2018. This is Fallout 76, the new post-apocalyptic, vault-based and mutant-ridden action role-playing game that, for the first time in the Fallout series, features online multiplayer gameplay. Without further ado, let’s get our jumpsuits on and get right into what Vault 76 has in store for players this winter. Playing with friends online adds interesting multiplayer elements to the game that haven’t been seen in previous Fallout titles. However, its additon means that Bethesda have made plenty of other changes. There are stunning additions to the universe, such as the mesmerizing open world environment of Appalachia, which is four times the size of any other Fallout setting. As a representation of how West Virginia would remain in the wastes of Fallout’s America, players can explore twisted in-game versions of destinations like West Virginia State Capitol, Camden Park and New River Gorge Bridge, soured by an expanded variety of enemies inspired by local folklore. If you fancy a tussle with the infamous Mothman, now you can, with Fallout 76!

With the gameplay situated within

Image: steamXO, Flickr

dedicated player servers, there’s also reductive features to the game. In an effort to counter griefing and other nasty aspects of PVP (player versus player) mode gameplay, Todd Howard, the game director behind Fallout 76, let down expectations of there being public servers, as seen in other popular online open world role-playing titles, such as Bethesda’s recent fantasy title Elder Scrolls Online. The developers also decided not to feature any human NPCs (nonplayer character), meaning players represent the only survivors in the area. From the moment you leave Vault 76 behind you, the rest of the map can become both enchanting and lonely as you explore it. The narrative is told through robots and holotapes if you’d like to pursue it, but otherwise, Appalachia is all yours to mess around in - which honestly seems to be what the game was made for. Fallout 76, in a sense, enables you to create your own story through reevaluated settlement features. You can build structures wherever you’d like

to on the map. Players also have the ability to fire nuclear weaponry into areas of the environment, irradiating them for a while and revealing rare items. This late-game feature presents

the real horrors of Fallout 76 - once struck with a missile, areas attract the most powerful enemies. Taking the game’s alternate-history narrative of a war that destroyed Earth into these mechanics creates an intoxicating, semi-interactive action adventure like there hasn’t been seen before. Or at least, that’s what players are meant to experience. Over the last two week, reviewers like The Guardian, Business Insider and Metacritic have described the game as a bizarre and aimless post-apocalyptic tour, that leads to little less than longdead and unconnected narratives left behind in machines. This may still sound enjoyable if you’re a fan of the franchise - but for new players, Fallout 76 might feel like a pointless wander around a horrific and strange version of West Virginia. Reviewers have slated it further, complaining of a lack in thought-through technical performance and near-consistent glitching. At the centre of the criticism is the lack of NPCs and PVP. Take away the-dog-eat-dog attitude and the mistrust of everyone it brings with it, and you sort of take away the spirit of Fallout, as well as what could’ve been really fun about the game.

Jordan Hunnisett

Game opinions: why Animal Crossing is the most necessary game right now

Since 2016, when the Trump administration took over, there has been a growing trend in the media produced and presented to us on our phones and TVs, on Netflix, and in the games we play. Is this simply a coincidence or a product of this harrowing political landscape? Either way, it has a name… Nicecore. A term coined by writer David Ehlrich, it defines the shows and entertainment produced in the last two years which have become defined by their focus on altruistic relationships and an optimistic view of the world, such as The Good Place and Queer Eye. So, after six years since Animal Crossing: New Leaf, the last console game in the Animal Crossing series, it’s new instalment on the Nintendo Switch, which will be released in 2019, couldn’t be coming at a better time.

debut for the Nintendo 64 in 2001, with later games on the Nintendo DS and Wii, as well as several spin off games such as the mobile app Pocket Camp. In the game, you play the only human in a village populated by anthropomorphic animals, with different personalities and endearing quirks, who go about their day in a virtual utopia where most of your time will be spent harvesting fruit, searching for fossils and fishing. It simulates the real passage of time and with no rush to ‘complete’ the game, which itself has no real end; you’re free to live your virtual life however you please, without the seriousness of ominous real-world responsibilities. Even the so-called ‘debt’ you owe to the town’s entrepreneurial raccoon Tom Nook has no time constraints and is interest free.

Animal Crossing is a video game series that has been developed and published by Nintendo since its

Perhaps the most comforting aspects of the game are its grounding realworld elements, such as its simulation

Image: Bagogames, Flickr

of ‘real time’. While you can spend your entire day catching bugs and saving all your ‘bells’ (the game’s currency), you’re still limited by the village shops’ opening times and the four seasons in each year. It still gets darker in winter when the snow starts to fall, and lighter in the summer when the cicadas are out. It is rare that a game operates like this, even similar ‘real life’ games such as The Sims allow for you to speed things up to an unnatural degree. And, right now, it feels nice and very much needed, to be able to slow things down when every other part of your life can feel chaotic and overwhelming. The game’s focus on creating wholesome, positive moments in a virtual world that contrasts so drastically from our own real one contributes to this reactionary moment in media, and we deserve it.

Abbigail Steer

2018 favourites and picks for 2019 If I’m not in the Media Office I’m likely watching Grey’s Anatomy. While I still miss Christina Yang (I like to think we’re quite similar) I am beyond obsessed with the latest series and have fingers crossed that Meredith and DeLuca get together. I can’t wait for the next season of Peaky Blinders to come out. After the last series, I spent the following month wearing nothing but shirts and black trousers attempting to impersonate them in a strange period of mourning; I’m not very good with closure.

Sophie Bunce, Editor-in-Chief

As the mess of a Cumberbatch fanatic I am, my favourite TV programme this year has to be Patrick Melrose. The defiant story, fantastic technical elements and Cumberbatch’s career-defining performance may or may not have forced me to watch this programme about 100 times since its release. To continue my reign, I’m most looking forward to Channel 4’s Brexit movie - Brexit: The Uncivil War, starring Cumberbatch as Leave strategist Dominic Cummings.

Shelby Cooke, Film Editor

There is no way that I can whittle down my favourite TV shows to just one. Bodyguard was so tense that I could not stay sat on the sofa. Sharp Objects filled a True Detective-shaped void in my life during the summer and The Handmaid’s Tale proved that the series had a life beyond the events of Atwood’s novel. A Discovery of Witches also proved to be an unexpected favourite of mine that I binged guilt-free with my mum over the course of a weekend. 2018 has certainly proved a fruitful year for TV. What am I looking forward to in 2019? Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of The Witcher.

Jodie Bailey, Television Editor For me and Andrew, the two things which have been our favourite TV watches this year have been Killing Eve and Bodyguard. Never have we been so hooked on a storyline before, but we became so engrossed in the shows that they have left a void awaiting another series. I’m personally looking forward to The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, on Netflix. The seasons to date have all put a smile on my face every time I watch it, and I will be sad to see it end next year.

The highlight of 2018 for me was undoubtedly Killing Eve, the spy thriller with a twist of dark humour. As for 2019, I’m already counting down the days until the final season of Game of Thrones starts.

Jake Morris, Senior Global Writer

Considering I’ve spent most of my life as a panicking existentialist, generally speaking, I have to say that my favourite TV show of the year has to be The Good Place. It’s a refreshing comedy that works with the deeper moral questions and approaches them in an accessible and light-hearted way through magnificently relatable yet hyperbolic characters. Not only that but it’s fantastically told with unpredictable twist and turns and, most importantly, heart. Regarding TV in 2019, I’m looking forward to the last season of Jane the Virgin! I’m excited to see how it all wraps up.

Beth Bennet, Social Media Manager

I’ve gotta say the best show I watched this year was Bodyguard. Although it fizzled out a little in the final episode I was hooked up to then, and I loved it. In terms of next year, I’d be lying if I didn’t say Game of Thrones is on my mind, but even more than that I’m looking forward to the fifth season of Peaky Blinders - I just can’t wait.

Chris Matthews, Comment Editor My favourite this year (and yes, I know I’m late to the club) has been Jane the Virgin. While away over the summer, I binge watched all the available seasons of it; I love the Telenovela style of the show, and how light and easy it is to watch. I am looking forward to the new season coming out. On the other side of the spectrum, I’m really looking forward to the next - and final - season of Game of Thrones coming out next summer; this has been longawaited and I hope it will tie up quite a lot of plots and unanswered questions!

Chloe Howcroft, Features Co-Editor

My favourite show this year was The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina because I really liked Riverdale and was a fan of the original TV show. My most anticipated show of 2019 will definitely be the final season of Game of Thrones.

Gabriela Williams, Fashion Editor

George Goldberg, Global Editor

Image: Sharon McCutcheon, Unsplash

Christmas telly highlights Christmas TV often gets a bad rap; there’s too many repeats, not enough decent films on, and the comedy specials are cringeworthy. So, what is there going to be on the gogglebox this festive season that’s actually worth watching?

seeking a new home after foreseeing the destruction of their warren by humans. If you remember the book or the film adaptation, you’ll remember that Watership Down is not short of upsetting and emotional scenes; you have been warned.

Watership Down looks set to be the big event on BBC One this Christmas. A co-production with Netflix, this new animated two-parter has a starstudded cast with the likes of James McAvoy, John Boyega, Olivia Colman, Nicholas Hoult, and Gemma Arterton, to name a few, as well as an original theme song by Sam Smith. The drama is based on the bestselling children’s novel of the same name by Richard Adams, about a band of rabbits

If you have previously enjoyed other Agatha Christie adaptations, such as And Then There Were None and Ordeal By Innocence, then you’re in luck. The ABC Murders is the latest Christie novel to get adapted by the BBC. With John Malkovich stepping into the role of Hercule Poirot and Rupert Grint playing Inspector Crome, this three-part adaptation promises to be another dark and intriguing murder mystery.

Lastly, to round off a selection of dark and emotional dramas, another must-see adaptation is War of the Worlds (also on the BBC this Yuletide) with Eleanor Tomlinson and Rafe Spall starring as the drama’s protagonists. Whereas Speilberg’s film version of H.G. Wells’ infamous sci-fi was updated with a change of period and setting, this three-part series will be more faithful to the show’s original source, keeping the Victorian London setting. From hunted rabbits to serial killer murder mysteries and dystopic alien invasions, there’s plenty to keep us glued to our screens this festive season.

Jodie Bailey

Doctor Who New Year Special Christmas is all about tradition. But if sitting down to watch the Doctor Who special has become part of your Christmas Day routine, you might be slightly disappointed this year. After thirteen consecutive Christmases, the Doctor Who special is moving to a New Year’s Day slot. This year, if you want to watch a long-running British institution whilst tucking into your turkey sandwiches, it looks like you’ll be stuck with the Queen instead. Whatever the reasoning behind this move, I can’t help but think this feels like a bit of a downgrade. At the time of writing, practically nothing is known about the special apart from the fact that it is written by Chris Chibnall

and stars Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. Whilst I haven’t been terribly impressed with most of the episodes written by Chibnall so far, hopefully he can write a good episode that will help ease the transition to the New Year. The special won’t be the only outing for the Doctor in 2019 either, as it’s already been confirmed that another series starring Whittaker will air in the autumn. Various rumours have been flying around the internet claiming that both Whittaker and showrunner Chibnall could make an unexpected early exit after this next series, which would be a shame in some ways if true, because Jodie Whittaker’s

Images: Markus Spiske, Unsplash; Jeremy Thomas, Unsplash

performance as the Doctor has been one of my highlights of this year’s series. Whether this proves to be true or not, I think Doctor Who has a long future ahead of it. The show is too well-loved and has inspired too many people creatively to ever leave us for good. So come the New Year, put your feet up, grab the last remaining mince pie and enjoy the latest instalment of one of Britain’s most iconic TV series knowing; if you’ll forgive the obvious allusion – it’s only just begun.

Ewan Macleod

The power of Christmas adverts

Why does a two to three minute-long advert with a heart-warming story behind it cause so much anticipation and emotion around Christmas? Whether it is John Lewis or Sainsbury’s or Coca-Cola, the UK eagerly wait in anticipation for that weekend in midNovember where these big companies release a special Christmas advert. This year we’ve seen John Lewis retell Elton John’s life story, Sainsbury’s show us a children’s performance of a classic 90s song, and the return of Kevin the Carrot in Aldi’s ad. We now have associated different companies with Christmas; gone are the days where the Coca-Cola ad came on during an X Factor break. We’ve also seen a shift in the way companies advertise. Who actually sees the advert on live TV now? As students, most of us see Christmas adverts on social media or online. Most advertisers, this year, spent less money on their Christmas TV advertising, but they still spend more than usual. For those of you who saw the Iceland advert this

year, it proved that advertisements are no longer restricted to TV. The Iceland ad is a collaboration with Greenpeace but was banned from mainstream broadcasting due to being ‘too politically biased’, as it showed the story of an orangutan’s environment being destroyed due to the production of palm oil. The advert was later released on their social media and caused outrage towards the advertising regulators. Christmas ads change our view of Christmas. It all started a few years ago, when we saw Sainsbury’s tell the emotional tale of WWI soldiers and John Lewis told the story of the bear and the hare. However, the Christmas ad quickly became a staple of the commercialisation of Christmas. Since then, we’ve seen different takes on what means most at Christmas. The common theme is family and how important it is to have family around at this time of year - even if that family is portrayed on TV as animated characters. This year the Sainsbury’s advert shows us the spirit

of children and parents in a school show and the Aldi advert shows us family bonds in the form of animated carrots. The stories change each year and somehow continue to grab the nation’s heart. But what’s the big hype for? I think because it’s part of the Christmas build-up it’s worth the excitement and buzz, but some see it as an expansion of commercialism in Christmas - with Aldi selling Kevin the Carrot toys and Iceland selling cuddly ‘Rang-tans’. The hype will always remain around Christmas, whether advertising changes or not. Lots of these ads also have positive messages about family and the community sense that Christmas brings. So, whether you’re a huge Scrooge or all Buddy Elf about Christmas, Christmas ads serve a purpose to put us all in the festive spirit while we’re enjoying a good bit of Christmas telly.

Lauren Baxter

Image: Heidi Sandstrom, Unsplash

Acceptance

The Pleasure of A Broken Rib It can be hard to explain The pleasure of a broken rib. Bruises bloom across the soil beds of your chest, The warmth of the consistent ache Almost like a friend in its constancy. Fingers press and jab and fondle just to remind yourself that Yep, still stings like a net of nettles. But the sting sings with feeling, The pain flicking the switches of your long abandoned limbs, A prompting note that yes, This will be okay How could it not? The bandages now clean of blood say it all. When one’s body has been bathing in boiling water for so long, The water just teasing the line below your bottom lip, The sharp crack of broken bone is nothing. It is a gentle nudge that some bends can be eased back into place, That this body can still feel, That this body can still hurt, That this in itself is not detrimental. Don’t smile in spite of the pain, Smile because of it. Your ribs are a reminder that Darkness does not have to seize you. You can take its hand and walk it home.

Rose Ramsden

I stand on a tear-stained street Caught inside an endless commute. I pour my fingers into the eyes of strangers In search of you. Off beat, intrinsic jazz shakes my body Our hands make love Ejected, rejected Thoughts exit my mind. I am in a muddling mind maze, These thoughts were only ever meant for you Broken Parts Shattered Scattered Eyes roll Aerosol Choking And after all this I wish I could run into your arms And tell you I am proud But, I am Dripping From the sweat stains you left in my Bed.

Katherine Childs

Jealousy

You appear as a dark shadow; small, black, faceless, getting bigger and bigger. Engulfing until your circumference becomes traceless. You sound like sharp green nails on a blackboard, scratching and screeching. Your voice bores into me, shrill and defeating A fiery burn as you suck and bite at me, a parasite slowly killing its host. Yet a cold icy breeze rushes through me, like the kiss of a ghost. You smell sour like an acidic pitcher of cloudy lemonade, a stale, putrid linger that just won’t fade. You taste salty, like trickling wet tears, because you taste like one of my biggest fears.

Leia Butler Image: Deviant Art & Flickr

Soup I can’t eat my soup. I told mum that I wouldn’t eat it, but she heats it up for me anyway. ‘Just in case’, she says. Just in case. I watch her hook her finger under the metal latch and begin to peel the lid off. I watch it hesitate, and bend over in a strange angle; hunched old man. A final tug, it releases its grip. Orange splatter over the counter. I look at the splatter and think that if my insides looked like my outsides then I would be just one big splatter, too. Like the time that deer hit our car and left a huge one all over the front of the bumper. And mum moaned disgustedly that she would have to get it cleaned, because she didn’t want to touch it herself. Which I remember thinking was strange, because there is so much of it inside of her, and she doesn’t seem to mind about that. But she said ‘blood is supposed to be on the inside, not the outside, honey’. I now realise what she meant. She wipes the soup splatter off the counter with a sponge. The outside of the sponge is green and the inside is red and it looks like Christmas. The room smells like tomatoes and cold. She pours the tin’s contents into a bowl, it splatters on her face as the lumps splash into the sauce: angry orange freckles. I can’t eat my soup. I told mum that I couldn’t eat it, but she tries to feed it to me anyway. ‘Grief is a strange thing’, she says. It is. ‘But you mustn’t stop eating, or you will feel worse.’ Worse. I try to tell her that the thought of putting anything inside of my body makes me sick. I try to tell her I try to describe

a hole punch has riddled my stomach with holes and that I am certain soup would just leak through the gaps. That my body is a warzone and I am on the defence, alone on the front line. There is an arsonist inside of me who lit a fire, a fire no one has worked out how to put out Images: pixabay and pexels

yet. How somebody filled my throat with coins and the more I swallow the bigger they become. I tell her I’m not hungry She looks at me through eyes that cannot see. And goes to the kitchen to retrieve a spoon ‘Just in case’. I can’t eat my soup. I wonder if this is how my mum felt when he left, and she let her armpit hair grow long like grass and her eyelashes clumped together like tiny bunches of flowers, when the top of her head iced over with a frost that ate up the sunshine yellow, when her face was the colour of candy floss. When her eyes looked as if they had been sucked out of their sockets. When she was the daughter and I was her mum, and I held her and let her Bleed all over me And soup filled her eyes and her ears and her mouth and flooded the sheets and clumped her hair and ran down her cheeks, her paper skin Dripped like wax down her crumpled chin. Trying to catch each drop for later When she put herself back together And we cleaned the car to hide the evidence And we cleaned the sheets to hide the innocence When I told her to shower and dress and I untwisted her hair from the knot on her head and bought her some soup in bed. I wonder if she ever thinks about it. I wonder if she remembers. Mum fetches me salt to add flavour Salt stings Salt heals. She wipes my face and feeds me my soup.

Ella Louise Rowdon

Loneliness is a Fucking Drug Loneliness is a fucking drug. Once you first taste loneliness, It is as addictive, As hard to quit As the hardest drug I know. The hardest drug I know Is cocodomol. Cocodomol became my friend When at 13 I hurt my hip And I needed a full night’s sleep, When at 15 I first felt the bitter cold Of loneliness wrap its arms around me And I needed a few hours of calm, When at 19 it revisited with Hands wrapped tight around my neck And I needed the relief of the dark. ‘Life’s not fair’ They teach you as a 5 year old Learning the futility of pleading for Five more minutes. They teach you as a 16 year old, A summer birthday, so young in your year, Forever chasing to keep up with the rest. They teach you as a 19 year old Having not eaten properly for two days, Your throat and stomach are tied in so many Knots. You never thought of yourself As someone who used people before. But when you crave the touch of a lover Like your throat craves to be detangled, Like your lungs crave a full intake of air, It is difficult not to. When you need the comfort of a friend Like a flower needs the sun, Like your heart needs to stop breaking, It is impossible not to. Loneliness is a fucking drug.

Becca Allen

Out of Time ‘Time is running out of time’ and I’m not happy with myself ‘Time is running out of time’ in the absence of mother’s help ‘Time is running out of time’ and I’m not virtuous nor keen ‘Time is running out of time’ in this era of antiquity we are out of halos and horns and the presence of cause//reason we are out of ourselves and the crowned prince is here to judge us -at the end of time -in the of time -in the absence of it.

Indigo Ife Image: Vecteezy

In defense of Christmas Christmas: the monstrous turkey on the horizon, the holiday to end all holidays. Whatever your view on the matter, it seems like it’s here to stay. Maybe this invincibility is why we find Christmas so easy to swing at – we’ll never be rid of it, so we can rage against the gift-wrapped punching bag all we like. The stress, the tired kitsch, and the bloated consumerism all begin to show through the cracks once we’ve had to deal with Christmas as adults. To make an example of it, it’s the Beatles of the holidays – huge, unavoidable, and increasingly trendy to hate – but it’s rare to hear someone say that the Beatles are bad, rather than just overrated. I’m not getting into that here, but the principle is the same: Christmas in the cold light of adult day can hardly match up to its image, and the carefree ones we might have had as children. But are we confusing these unmet expectations with faults in the holiday? Do our rational (if slightly un-Christmassy) criticisms justify abandoning it altogether? It is fun to pick at Christmas spent with loved ones: I’d go as far as to say it’s tradition. Why do we all make jokes about having a weird uncle, whether he exists or not? Why do we get so incredibly drunk just to fall asleep on the sofa at 5pm? Why does anyone still play charades? It’s a strange time no

matter how you celebrate, but without it the winter would drag on that much longer. Getting together with the ones we love is becoming more and more of a privilege in an ever-busier world, and whatever tradition you follow, the holiday season is a perfect time for it. We might never recover the magic of a childhood Christmas, but we can still keep it special. Eat, nap, drink eggnog in the bath - it’s the little things, after all. It’s a time to enjoy yourself in the midst of a long winter, however massive the pressure is to ‘do it right’. Gift-giving is a lovely thing. Driving ourselves into debt from the pressure, is probably not. A season to indulge with your loved ones, great! The waste and excess whilst others go without food and a roof over their heads, definitely not. But the problem is hardly with Christmas alone: we gorge at Easter, and recently we’ve been going nuts on Black Friday – the layover from a holiday that few in this country even celebrate. The commodification of our holidays is as inevitable as the commodification of anything else, but as long as a shred of the Christmas spirit remains, need we give up on it? In Norwich alone, charities like The Basket Brigade and Norwich Open Christmas work through the season to make sure local people aren’t going without. More widely, foundations like Refuge, Crisis, and Missing People

Images: Pixabay Blogspot, Wikipedia.

have Christmas drives to help make the season a better time for everyone. It’s easy to resent those charity adverts over the season, needling us through the TV at our warm homes and rich food. But if goodwill is dead in the commercialised, debt driven world we find ourselves in, guilt might just have to do. We might not be able to count many CEOs who will have a Scrooge-esque change of heart this year, but with a little gift-giving between ourselves, we might start to take Christmas back out of their offices. Don’t overload on guilt, though: this isn’t a call for a puritan Christmas. In fact, it’s the opposite. If we boil Christmas down to money and stress, what’s left? After the giving is done, Christmas is about having fun, something to look forward to while the rest of the year drags on. It’s the title fight, the blockbuster of holidays, and though we’ve seen it a million times – we know the script by heart and all the plot holes, the cheesy scenes and cliché message – it’s still more than worth turning up. The spirit of the day keeps it special, whether it’s food, family, presents, or rubbish TV. Christmas is a stress, but that’s because it’s a high point – and I’m sure we’d all miss it if it were gone.

Toby Marquis

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Image: Izzy Voice