Editorial A note from the editor “Be kind to yourself and approach everything you do and everyone you meet at university with an open mind” I feel so lucky to be back at UEA for another year, ready to start my Masters. It’s so strange to think that this time three years ago I was starting my history degree as a hopeless fresher. I couldn’t cook, I had no idea how to budget, and the laundrette was a terrifying mystery to me.
-Tom Bedford
Deputy Editor Hi, my name is Tom Bedford. Now you probably see my little editorial column here and see that I am a ‘deputy’ editor and think to yourself ‘he’s not a real editor!’ In the same way that people forget Sam Gamgee for Frodo Baggins, Pikachu for Ash Ketchum and hummus for garlic bread, it might seem like I’m just another forgettable sidekick who coasts on the hard work of the hero. But that’s not the case. I do hard work. I know hard work. I spent lots of time thinking up ideas (in bed). I worked on a computer once for seven straight hours (and managed to turn it on after only three). And on top of that I make sure to spend a lot of time on quality control for the bar and shop, to make sure my fellow editors always get the best booze. So rather than dismiss sidekicks as silly little tokens, I think we should celebrate them for doing the work no-one else wants (like in bed or at the bar). Good work, me.
Everyone tells you how amazing university is, and they’re right, but it’s also a huge challenge. For me, and likely plenty of others who won’t admit, first year was the best of times and the worst of times. So please please don’t panic if right now university isn’t exactly what you thought it would be. I know that for me in my first week it certainly wasn’t. But three years and one undergrad degree later I can tell you that it was 100% worth it. In this issue of Venue, we’ve tried to make the transition a little easier for you. We’ve provided a handy calendar of arts events going on in UEA and Norfolk, so you don’t miss out. We’ve got loads of great content, including reviews, arts news, and thought provoking opinion pieces. Check out page 23 to see why one of our writers wants Cersi to end up on the Iron throne. It doesn’t get much more thought provoking or controversial than that. Finally, I wouldn’t be doing myself as an editor (or Venue) justice if I didn’t tell you how amazing it is to write and illustrate for Venue. We’re always looking for more writers and artists, no experience AT ALL necessary. Be as creative as possible. We’re all about celebrating UEA artistic talent. Please don’t be shy, we’d love to hear from you. So be kind to yourself and approach everything you do and everyone you meet at university with an open mind. It’s going to be amazing.
Arts Editor - Mireia Molina Costa Film Editor - Gus Edgar Fashion Editor - Leah Marriott Creative Writing Editor - Saoirse Smith - Hogan
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-Kate Romain
Venue Editor Gaming Editor - Charlie Nicholson Television Editor - Dan Struthers Music Editor - Nick Mason
Arts and Design Assitants - Yaiza Canopoli & Emily Mildren
Contents 23rd September 2017
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Arts
Film
Fashion
Tony Allen talks us through the best place to find art in the city.
Oscar Huckle reviews the new film adaptation of Stephen King’s IT.
Fashion editor Leah gives some top tips on how to stay dry and look stylish in this unpredictble weather.
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Music
Gaming
Television
Hattie Griffiths reviews LCD Sound System’s “much anticipated” new album, though she admits she may not be the most impartial reviewer...
Vince Gaffney considers which video game characters he’d take along for a night out on the town.
Dan Struther’s takes us through the best depictions of university life on television.
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Creative Writing
Features
Tom Cascarini reflects on his first semester as a UEA fresher.
Deputy Editor Tom Bedford tells us what we can expect from this years UEA Literary festival.
Front and Back Cover Credit Kate Romain
concrete.venue@uea.ac.uk
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Arts
Oh, UEA is wonderful
Photo: Flickr, mira66
From names such as Ian McEwan to Kazuo Ishiguro, UEA has been home to acclaimed and successful authors who have benefited from the university’s prestigious creative writing courses. UEA’s award winning and pioneering MA in creative writing has been offering writers the chance to develop since 1970. Whilst UEA is most renowned for its literary excellence, the university is also home to some impressive artwork pieces. Ian Tyson’s Proximity sculpture can be found on the grass between Norfolk and Suffolk Terraces. Like much of his work on display at Tate Britain, Tyson’s sculpture acts as a frame for something in the middle, enclosing Lasdun’s concrete Ziggurats. The work is thought to be connected to the mathematical ‘principle of proximity’, which observes how placing objects closely together leads them to be seen as unified. In social psychology, the same term refers to how people are more likely to have compassion for each other when they are situated close together. The Ziggurats are no stranger to idolatry (or ire), but Denys Lasdun also designed the blueprint of UEA’s campus. Just like Tyson did almost fifty years later, Lasdun focused on spatial closeness as the key to community. The Lasdun Teaching Wall, more commonly referred to as something like “that really long corridor”, might not
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be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of art at UEA, but Denys Lasdun’s concrete campus is itself an architectural curiosity. Having everything on campus connect back to a centre point was the driving force behind Lasdun’s “five minute campus”. Students continue to use the Square to sit on the steps sipping snakebites in the sun, protest the world’s injustices with banner-drops and huddle under the Multi Faith centre in downpours. There’s a sweetness to the dystopian maze, see? The concrete brutality of the main campus doesn’t appeal to everyone, but you’d be hard pressed to find a student unimpressed about UEA’s possession of Picasso and Degas. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art (SCVA) is home to many famous European pieces, such as Picasso’s Female Nude with Arms Raised, an early sketch for his larger painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. However, the gallery also offers visitors a chance to encounter the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, as well as weekly workshops for anyone interested in a diverse range of artistic practices. UEA’s sculptures are by no means confined to the limits of galleries. The grass surrounding SCVA features three Henry Moore sculptures
on long-term loans from the Tate. Speaking of one of his statues, Moore said: “A reclining figure can recline on any surface. It is free and stable at the same time. It fits in with my belief that sculpture should be permanent, should last for eternity.” Moore’s work also focuses on the link between the human body and its natural landscapes. The university is endeavouring to feature more artwork in the main campus, a project that started with Antony Gormley’s statues and is continuing, in a less controversial fashion, with the installment of the Tatlin Tower sculpture behind the Sainsbury Centre.
-Emily Hawkins
Illustration: Emily Mildren
Arts
The heart of Norfolk When you decide to venture beyond campus, you’ll find that Norwich is home to some great arty venues, events and collectives. Here are just a few of Venue’s favourites…
and Norwich University of the Arts has facilities right in the city centre. NUA students exhibit their work at the East Gallery on St Andrew’s Street which is free to enter and open most afternoons.
Firstly, if you paid attention to the road signs on your way into the city, you might have noticed that Norwich is one of Unesco’s Cities of Literature. This accolade recognises not only the inspirational writers who have spent time here, but Norwich’s ongoing literary scene. For example, Norwich Writers Centre’s Dragon Hall base (currently closed for renovation) regularly hosts readings, workshops, courses and other writing events.
There’s loads of great theatre in Norwich. The Theatre Royal hosts the biggest ballets and touring productions, but some real gems can be found at the city’s smaller theatres. The Maddermarket and the Playhouse, also with a very trendy bar open to non-theatregoers, host some top local plays and musicals. For a more quirky theatrical experience, the Puppet Theatre - exactly what the name suggests - is the place to go. Norwich Arts Centre, based in a former church, has seen visits from bands like Oasis and Nirvana and still regularly hosts intimate indie gigs and theatre performances.
Many UEA societies hold events both on campus and around the city to showcase the university’s most talented artists. The Drama Society, Live Music Society, Headlights Comedy Society and Burlesque Society among others are all worth a ‘like’ on Facebook to find out when they’re next putting on a show. Norwich is home to several art galleries and print festivals, plus more serious art shops which are always fun to browse, even with no intention of buying! Norwich Castle houses a variety of both permanent and temporary exhibitions
The Arts Centre is located on St Benedict’s Street, which is one of Norwich’s trendiest areas. It’s part of the ‘Norwich Lanes’, a series of small, mostly-pedestrianised streets and alleys, home to a collection of independent shops, cafes and bars which attract the bohemian young people of the city. St Benedict’s has several record shops, while the Lanes are home to some cool new and second-hand boutiques, tea rooms and art retailers. The Lanes is also the location of the
Birdcage pub, which regularly hosts open mic nights with Norwich’s Poetry Collective. A particular favourite of students, here you can listen to some of the best local poets or even perform yourself. Cinema City is known as one of Britain’s best small cinemas, and it’s located right in the heart of Norwich. Whether it’s a particularly niche British indie flick or a foreign film that takes your fancy, chances are you’ll find it in Cinema City’s eclectic listings among the Hollywood blockbusters, documentaries and theatre live streams. Norwich is home to an interesting array of alternative options for nightlife. At Open, the former Barclays Bankturned-venue, the Soul Train club night, Common People ‘90s event and Craig Charles’ many past visits have all proved popular. Bunk Collective and Tropico’s pop-up events draw house and techno fans to the cosy Karma Kafe. With all this and more on your doorstep, Venue urges you to get out there and explore all that Norwich has to offer!
-Tony Allen
Images: (L-R) Fickr, Roger Blackwell; Yaiza Canopol; Geograph, Keith Evans
Mireia Molina Costa
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Arts
Angels in America: reviewed a play that deals with some hard-hitting, gritty themes, and Marrinae Elliot, who previously directed the National Theatre’s War Horse and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is bold and unflinching in her approach, making this revival fresh. Making theatre ‘fresh’ is imperative, and this production certainly succeeds. When Kushner wrote Angels, it was 15 years before the new millennium. Now, 17 years after the millennium, globally so much seems to have changed, but simultaneously, and rather sadly, so little. The hype is real. With a star-studded cast, including the likes of Andrew Garfield, it is no wonder that this is the most highly anticipated theatrical event of the year. But is it safe to say Kushner’s two-part epic – also subtitled “gay fantasia on national themes” – is a theatrical extravaganza like no other, offering audiences the chance to immerse themselves in seven and a half hours of pure, unadulterated theatre. This is like the Theatrical equivalent of a Netflix Binge-watching session of Breaking Bad, except even more glorious. Yes, imagine that. Set during 1980s New York, Angels offers a glimpse into what life was like in an increasingly Conservative America, where Reagan was in the White House, and the fear of AIDs was rife. Undoubtedly, it is
This revival feels intentionally topical; in our rather godforsaken Trump and Brexit world, a play that tackles themes of immigration, intolerance, homophobia and religious and national values is fairly apt right now. This is a deeply pertinent production on many levels. And Kudos must be given to the cast, who do a stupendous job of portraying such complex, richly drawn characters. Denise Gough and Russel Tovey play Mormons trapped in a loveless marriage, Tovey playing a closeted man struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and Gough playing a Valium-addicted wife.
lawyer. And of course, Garfield – who is nothing short of magical as Prior Waltor, the anguished man dying of AIDs, and craving to be loved. With hell-fire erupting from the stage, and angels descending from what actually could be the Heavens, the staging really is as downright bizarrely beautiful as it sounds. Largely, all the scenes take place inside boxes made of neon lit tubes, which is the perfect backdrop for the surreal, hallucinatory nature of the play. As the stage revolves, and characters can flit between normality and dreams, we can find that one minute, we are in a telephone box in New York, and the next, we’ve seamlessly crossed over to an otherworldly location. Visually, the National has outdone themselves, defying the seemingly unstageable. This breathtakingly brilliant production is everything you could want from a play, and I urge you all to go and see it. The play stopped running in August, but the next best thing would be finding a way to watch it on screen. This larger-than life production, epic in scope and ambition, is not one to be missed.
Then there is Roy Cohn – played by Nathan Lane – who is as explosive as the macho, crooked, yet deeply vulnerable
Images (top to bottom): Flickr, Gerald Geronimo, modified by Mireia Molina Costa; Amy Bonar
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-Amy Bonar
The summer recap Though the university year may have ended, there was still plenty going on in the arts world over the summer
Arts
Television
Comedian Robert Webb released a biography entitled How Not to be a Boy about gender pressures in his childhood, to high praise and coverage. Other applauded works released over the summer include Friend of my Youth by Amit Chaudhuri and Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, who will be visiting UEA in October for the Literary Festival
New seasons of beloved shows like Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, and Orange is the New Black punctuated the summer release calendar. Netflix shone with celebrated new series Atypical, Glow, and Dear White People. Another new series, The Defenders crossed over four existing Marvel TV shows to create The Avengers of TV.
Gaming
Fashion
E3 kicked off the summer, stoking the hype of many gamers by showcasing upcoming games and devices. Popular releases over the summer incluee Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Marrio + Rabbids Kingfom Battle and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.
Pop Singer and actress Rhianna releases a popular line of makeup called Fenty Beauty (further coverage on page 13). Here in England, Chatsworth house in the Peak District put on an exhibition celebrating five centuries of fashion.
Film
Music
As to be expected superhero blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Wonder Woman drew massive audiences. However some other summer flicks, like The Emoji Movice and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets perform poorly. Critical attention goes to the likes of Dunkirk and Wind
A remix of the song Despacitow (by Luis Fonsi) featuring Justin Bieber swiftly became the song of the summer. Other artists released albums all through the summer, including Arcade Fire, Alice Cooper and The Cribs.
-Tom Bedford
Arts For the first time in history, Van Gogh’s five famous sunflower paintings are united across various galleries via Facebook Live. In another show of unity Solange, sister of Beyonce, launches a Tate Modern exhibition exploring and celebrating black womanhood and identity.
Image credits: Seagull - Pixabay (GregMontani) Kite - Wikimedia Commons (Jonathunder) Chairs - Pexels Bucket - Wikimedia Commons (Dave) Fish - Flickr (Susanne Nilsson) Sea - Pexels (Sara)
Film
Wind River Wind River is the first major directorial excursion by screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, a stark piece that follows the investigation of a murdered girl from the Wind River Native American Reservation in Colorado, US. Featuring Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Graham Greene, Wind River is fueled through performance and through truth - the story’s premise derives from true statistics of missing Native women. From the very beginning of the feature, Wind River entrances you with mystery placed against the harsh environment of a snow storm - stirring on an unsettling sense of anxiety as you watch evidence get covered and forgotten. Sheridan maintains this sense of unease throughout the film, as you are presented with brutal images of animal-killing and a grieving mother self-harming.
The cinematography is stellar and the soundtrack haunting. Technically, Wind River is remarkable. And yet, by the end of the film, there’s a distinct feeling of “oh, is that really--is that it?”. Despite Sheridan’s accomplishments as a screenwriter, what fails in Wind River is the writing. Throughout the first two acts of the film, the audience is sent on a steady investigation with the police department, a one man operation, who finds assistance in a fish-out-of-water FBI agent Jane Banner (Olsen) and moody-and-troubled cowboy Cory Lambert (Renner). It makes for easy and calm viewing - a long episode of a crime show if you will - but enjoyable. However, what truly hinders Wind River is its third act. The conclusion is suddenly thrown at you, and audiences are shown, in far too much detail, the events that
transpired to murder as quickly as Jane knocks on that door. And that’s all it takes for Wind River to spiral - a quick knock on the door by Elizabeth Olsen. Ironically, therefore, it is Elizabeth Olsen who truly deserves credit for pulling this film through the snow; she straps the weak characterisation on her back and with an element of nuance makes Jane Banner not only watchable, but enjoyable. You root for this scared and naive FBI agent to just get through more than you feel inclined to care about the plot. So Wind River itself is like snow. It’s cold and it’s harsh, and at a particular point you want it to go away because it gets really rather annoying.
-Beth Bennett
IT
IT is the highly anticipated film adaptation of the 1986 Stephen King novel, focusing on the cursed town of Derry, Maine. This is where a demonic presence (taking the form of Pennywise the dancing clown) terrorises and murders children every 27 years, shapeshifting into their worst nightmares. The narrative follows a group of misfit children that call themselves ‘The Losers Club’, who together attempt to end this malevolent curse. There was previously a miniseries in 1990, perhaps most famous for Tim Curry’s electric performance as Pennywise. This 2017 iteration is directed by Andres Muschietti, his second film after the grating, cliche-ridden Mama (2013). Muschietti replaced Cary Fukunaga, who is only represented by the film with a writing credit. IT is hypnotic and tension-fuelled for the first half, flowing very naturally. Fukunaga’s influence in tone remains, fully fleshing out its captivating characters. The film wildly succeeds
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in its casting, with ‘The Losers Club’ members, Jaeden Libeher and Finn Wolfhard giving particularly genuine performances as group leader Bill and foul-mouthed Richie, respectively. Facing stiff competition from Tim Curry, Bill Skarsgard makes Pennywise his own
with a supremely sinister and charismatic performance. The film also features a thoughtful and melodic score by Benjamin Wallfisch and is handsomely shot by Chunghoon Chung. Unfortunately, IT becomes rather wearing in its second half and its scares cheap and uninventive. The ending is quite predictable, with too much concern of setting up the upcoming second part. The visual effects are also surprisingly ropey despite the film’s modest budget. If you’re looking to be suitably scared, prepare to be disappointed. This is more ‘funhouse’ scary than truly neckprickling - more in the vein of Richard Donner’s The Goonies (1985). Although IT may not do much to advance the horror genre, it’s certainly thrilling enough, particularly in its first half, to pass the time well.
-Oscar Huckle
Illustration: Kate Romain
Film
Prying the celebrity away from the artist After watching Jim Carrey’s short documentary on being an artist, I found that it elicited respect and coaxed to the foreground a humble relatability. A succinct article written for the Guardian, claiming that “the most talentless of all celebrities who try their hand at art tend to be Hollywood actors,” awoke a vehement counter-perspective and stimulated my thoughts on who expresses their passion, how they do it and what the media’s response to it is.
would the judgments still deem him talentless? As for the perspective that actors may dedicate themselves to a role to such a great extent that they have nothing left to give elsewhere, this is to suggest that a human can be spent. “The
There is an alienation and illusion accompanying the thought that stars can’t try their hand at other outlets, through multiple platforms, just as countless creatives do, and as I do with free tasters of pastries and cakes. Art and politics are frequently twins conjoined, whether they like it or not. Carrey’s work is often concerned with Donald Trump. This seems relevant, does it not? After all, nuclear war is knocking at the door with its fangs, cloak and pale skin, waiting for its invitation to pass the threshold. One should not dismiss the tenacity and political ambition of actors straying from the path of acting. May we be judged for our (good) intentions. Carrey’s work was also labelled “a joke.” Is this due to the reputation of typecasting? If Carrey posed under a pseudonym,
mind,” as Plutarch taught, “is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” The clock strikes 13:00. Carrey leaves the auction with a masterpiece tucked proudly under his arm and proclaims: “Upon this hour the world’s finest art
Detroit
There was a sense of scepticism when the trailer and cast list for Detroit was first released, that for a film from a big Hollywood director such as Kathryn Bigelow, it seemed very understated. The cast’s biggest name is John Boyega, who, despite having shot to fame through Star Wars, hasn’t been in much else. Being aware of the events of the film, this seemed to me like it was going to be another piece of black cinema that would be ignored by Mainstream Hollwood, but with good reviews from Empire and the Guardian it seems it’s being widely recognised.
specialist has materialised immediately!” He vanishes under a cloud of dramatic, authoritative smoke. This outlook belittles the telling of Carrey’s childhood days experimenting with poetry and sketching. I’m sure others reminisced this too. To say that the nascent development of his craft is an encroachment on a ‘celebrity addled market,’ as the Guardian article suggested, connotes that art can reach no further than stardom’s branding and capitalism’s interest. Art is subject to personal taste. It may be used as an umbrella term. It may often play devil’s advocate, inspiring certain rage, for example: Mark Rothko loves colourful toast. Tracey Emin’s “My Bed” is a perfect example of contemporary art’s flaw, ‘whoever did it first.’ I suppose it is all a matter of perspective, however, with the world’s political climate, financial worries, the keys you lost and the other item you’re yet to realise is gone, Trump’s hideousness, and the cramp keeping me seated for longer than I want to be, it’s nice to be distracted for a little while. After all, perhaps we should realise, as Carrey puts it, “something inside you is always telling a story... Every single thing that you see and hear is talking to you.” Let creatives be creatives. Jim, you do you.
-Anisha Jackson
Detroit is a masterfully immersive film that really places you right into the heart and soul of the narrative. There are points where you feel both uncomfortable and guilty for the events unfolding in front of you on screen - that there is nothing you can do to stop what is happening. The cast, lead by Will Poulter, as a Detroit police officer, captures the brutal horror of the institutional racism of the police brilliantly. Overall, the film can only be described as a horrific masterpiece that too closely resembles police racism and brutality in both past and present day America.
-James Mortishire
Image: Youtube, JimCarreyIsHere. Modified by Gus Edgar
Gus Edgar
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Film
10 great spy films
To celebrate the release of Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle, our writers share their greatest spy films...
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Originally derided, OHMSS has been steadily reappraised down the years and is now (rightly) considered one of the best Bond films. With Diana Rigg stealing the show, an amazing alpine location and the most emotional conclusion to a 007 adventure, it was ahead of its time and blew us away. - Rohan Gotobed
MI: Ghost Protocol
Reinvigorating the genre, this fourth installment is as close to a perfect spy film as you’ll ever watch. Simon Pegg injects some welcome comic relief into a franchise which had previously taken itself a bit too seriously. Memorable set pieces include the opening prison escape, the Kremlin and – of course – the world’s tallest building. - Dan Struthers
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Identity,directed by Doug Liman,is one of the great spy thrillers. It creates riveting suspense as Jason Bourne’s true identity is revealed, while also delivering spectacular action scenes like the Paris car chase, the Jason Bourne vs. Clive Owen showdown, and many expertly choreographed fight scenes. - Alex Caesari
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is an elegant thriller that finds its many rapturous twists and turns in the subtlety of an expression or a modest exchange, where others of its genre rely on guns and explosions. With stellar performances from Gary Oldman et al, this is a complex and enigmatic masterpiece. - Edward Whitbread
License To Kill
Perhaps one of the most underrated and under-appreciated entries in the James Bond canon, Timothy Dalton shines in a film that takes a darker turn from previous instalments. Robert Davi’s villain is particularly menacing and cold-blooded, and the film contains multiple gritty and violent action sequences. This is certainly not a Bond film for kids! - Oscar Huckle
Kingsman: The Secret Service
A sort of sugar rush Bond, Kingsman rosily tints Connery suaveness like a time-served spy fan. From the Red Herring and Inside Man to Tech-Heavy Shootdown, Kingsman celebrates cliché with balletic visual spectacle, blaring a colourful silliness that fits this grinning pastiché better than its index of tailor-made suits. - Charlie Nicholson
Austin Powers
Away from the stone cold seriousness of James Bond, here comes sex-crazed sixties spy Austin Powers. Powered with memorable phrases such as ‘'oh behave!”, “mojo”, and adding “shag” to anything and everything, we are suited and booted for an oozing of grooviness. Not to mention antics from The Fat Bastard and pinkie-smooching Dr. Evil. - Elodie Mayo
Johnny English
Peter Howett’s 2003 comedy plays into and pokes fun at the Spy film genre. Rowan Atkinson plays a half-rate spy tasked with protecting the Crown Jewels from John Malkovich’s Pascal Sauvage. Playful yet gripping, Johnny English will make you cringe and laugh - a British comedy classic worth watching - Matthew Nixon.
Spy Kids
Robert Rodriguez orchestrates the best family spy film from both sides of the American border. Its McDonalds microwaves and super-spy treehouse are by now fond memories of every millennial’s noughties tweenhood; as are the giant thumbshaped people and insane gadgets that make Carmen and Juni the envy of every kid in the playground. - Harriet Griffiths
The Manchurian Candidate
Capitalising on 60s’ red paranoia, this political thriller transforms a US war veteran into a brainwashed communist spy, plagued with woozy nightmares that threaten to breach Hollywood storytelling convention. Keeping its cards (namely the Queen of Diamonds) close to its chest, Frankenheimer directs mounting tension towards a terrific finale. - Gus Edgar
Images clockwise: Karen Arnold, Flickr; Themeplus, Pixabay; Public Domain Pictures, Karen Arnold; Wikimedia Commons, Emoji
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Fashion
Purple power Stop whatever it is you’re doing and listen closely, because it’s official: purple is the colour trend of 2017. And more specifically, lipstick is the way to wear it. Apologies to all you dedicated followers of fashion out there, who are rolling their eyes at me and saying is that all?! - I realise that this is not news to you. Purple of all shades and sizes has been appearing on runways since all the way back in February, and in a big way. A quick Google of 2017 London Fashion week reveals models clad head to toe in lilac, lavender and mauve. Even the Queen has been seen embracing the trend, opting for her signature matching coat/hat combo in a bright shade of purple at this year’s Ascot. It was clearly only a matter of time before purple started appearing on our make-up counters. For people like me who are slightly less tuned into such fashion developments, however, the sudden and recurring appearance of purple lipstick on my Instagram feed was a surprise, albeit a welcome one. I have read that purple is notoriously hard to pull off. Research for this article lead me to some of the top fashion publications, who told me that purple is best worn in small doses and by those
with the know-how: in short, a trend best left to the experts. But I was not deterred, and neither should you be. Though I am neither particularly brave nor daring when I do my makeup in the morning (I’ve only just learned to contour) I am not afraid to be experimental when it comes to fashion. Or rather, I am not afraid to risk looking a bit weird for a unique piece of clothing, accessory, or shade of eyeshadow that I really like. Also, my school uniform was purple for some reason. I know I can wear purple, I wore it five days a week for four years. So I decided to take myself down to the Mac counter and treat myself. For those looking to follow suit, I can tell you that Mac does a wide range of purple shades – definitely the widest I’ve seen of any make up brand - ranging from violet-y blues to rich red-y purples. It was a bit overwhelming.
I settled on two different purple shades and asked the sales assistant to cast the deciding vote. She told me that the deeper, more purple-y purples are far more versatile and easier to wear (highend fashion publications, take note) than the bluer shades. Also, did I mention that purple is the colour of this year? The more purple the lipstick, the better. I tested the everyday wearability of the lipstick by trying it out first at Nandos (where else?). Though it is probably more of a night colour, I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t feel out of place during the day. Not only did I not feel out of place, I had that rare great feeling you get when you find a piece of clothing or accessory that you love. I decided that purple equals empowerment and confidence. If purple is good enough for the Queen, after all… So don’t let the experts tell you that you can’t pull of purple. Get that purple jumper, those purple tights, a purple t shirt. And if you are feeling extra daring, pick up a purple lipstick. I promise you won’t regret it.
There is also a general consensus that Mac is the best middle-range make up brand for lipsticks. Though I don’t have a lot to compare them with, I think this is a fair assessment. I would even go so far to say that in terms of staying power, I prefer my Mac lipstick over my YSL lipstick.
-Kate Romain
Images (top to bottom): Kate Romain, Pixabay; OpenClipart-Vectors/27449 images modified.
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concrete.fashion@uea.ac.uk
Fashion Fashion Horoscopes Aries March 21 - April 19
You’re stuck in a fashion rut, Aries, and this is your week to change it. Get yourself to Chapelfield and treat yourself to something bold that you’d normally shy away from. You deserve it.
Taurus April 20 -May 20
You’ve been spending a lot of money recently and it’s time to get thrifty. That student loan wont last forever. Try the charity shops this week. You’ll be surprised at the fashionable bargains you’ll find.
Gemini May 21 - June 20
Geminis are renowned for always looking their best, but sometimes less is more. Dress down this week and let your natural beauty shine through. You’ll be surprised at how many compliments you’ll recieve.
Cancer June 21 - July 22
Don’t let the rain get you down, Cancer. Bright and bold patterns will look best on you this week and help to lift your mood. The weather might be drab but your wardrobe doesn’t have to be.
Leo July 23 - August 22
You’re best known for being bright and out there, but this week you will turn heads if you dress in black. Think Audrey Hepburn. Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple and classic.
Virgo August 23 - September 22
No one pulls off statment accessories like you, Virgo. Try looking for treasures in places you wouldn’t normally, and don’t be afraid to get something particularly colourful or out there. Plastic neon 80s earrings? Why not!
Transitional fashion
The transition from summer to autumn can be a difficult one as the weather is so unpredictable and it can be hard to decide what to wear. One minute it’s raining, and the next the sun decides to come out. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your summer clothes and what you need to help as the seasons change. Hopefully these tips will help you avoid walking out in the cold with a jumper, only to find the weather warms up. Layering is key as the seasons change, light weight tops such as camisoles will be comfortable to wear if the weather warms up. Pairing them with outer layers, such as a cardigan or jacket is perfect for colder weather. There are a few transitional staples worth investing in, such as a trench coat; they tend to be light and versatile in relation to colour and length etc. They can easily be layered and aren’t too much hassle if you end up taking it off. Cardigans are also a good staple to throw on when the air gets cooler and they’re just as versatile. I’d also recommend rain macs, they’re light but obviously very helpful when it rains. Autumn doesn’t necessarily mean falling into the pattern of wearing darker shades of clothing, unless you want to do that of course. A good way to get good use out of your summer dresses would be to simply layer them with a jacket, perhaps a biker jacket. If it works for you, you could always wear tights too. Reds and oranges are in this season, so it’s likely you’ll see these colours pop up a lot in stores. Adding colours to your wardrobe is a great way to refresh your style. If you’re someone that tends to go for more neutral colours, there are a lot of muted colours you could try out. This is the perfect time to mix up your style rather than falling into the same habits you’re probably sick of by now.
12 concrete.fashion@uea.ac.uk
-Leah Marriott
Image: Kate Romain
Fashion
Fashion for equality When Rihanna says something’s good, it’s good. The world trusts her with our Saturday night playlist and now she offers us more than music. With Fenty Beauty, Rihanna gave us a whole new world overnight by single handedly fixing the beauty industry. Through releasing 40 different shades of face make-up she gave consumers what they wanted and reminded big brands that exclusion is no longer acceptable. It’s about time. The release of Fenty Beauty on 7th September set a new standard of quality for celeb makeup brands. It’s ethos is simple; Fenty offers something for everyone. After developing the brand for two years, and teasing anxiously waiting fans, she made the world a fairer place by starting with our faces. Most brands seem to think a 10 shade range is fair, and by 10 shades that means mostly pale and pink toned. However, Rihanna did what smart business people do; saw a gap in the market. When consumers are demanding more and more from their brands she chose to address what the people want by widening options and representation. She simply recognised there was a problem and dealt with it, unlike other brands who bury their heads in their restricted selection of nude lipsticks. Something else Ri Ri seems to know about is quality. With the rise of instafame, anyone who’s anyone can bring out a beauty line. It seems all you need is 15 minutes on reality tv and you can release a collection of matte lipsticks that look exactly the same to make a tidy profit. It has made marketing easy too. Brand ambassadors simply have to stare vacantly into a camera and add hashtag ad to get those wannabe Kylie lip kits flying off the shelves. If they struggle for a caption “guys I just can’t get enough of my new line” and
the heart eyes emoji works just fine. But if we look to Fenty Beauty there is none of that. Instead of pouting pics Rihanna’s ads champion diversity. Look to models such as Halima Aden, who became famous after competing in a beauty pageant wearing a burkini. She proudly graces our screens for Fenty Beauty and sides with what the brand stands for. The ads have a fresh and simplistic feel while subtly finger pointing to other brands that their far less inclusive lines should be things of the past. Rihanna has always done trendy very well and with Fenty Beauty she made equality look cool. The optimist in me hopes she will lead the way for other brands to widen their ranges and representation. If they don’t, they should wave their sales goodbye and make way for Fenty because Rihanna has truly claimed her place in beauty.
-Sophie Bunce
Libra September 23 - October 22 Fashion doesn’t have to be stressful! Stop overthinking your wardrobe choices in the morning, because sometimes the best looks are fashion accidents. If it feels right, wear it.
Scorpio October 23 - November 21
That dress hiding in the back of your wardrobe you bought six months ago and have been too scared to wear since? Now’s the week! Try pairing it with thick tights and boots for a winter look.
Sagittarius November 22 - December 21
This week, it’s all about the shoes. Treat yourself to that statement pair that you’ve had your eye on. And if you can find a bag to go with them, even better.
Capricorn December 22 - January 19
Go back to basics this week, Capricorn. Sometimes there is nothing more flattering than a good pair of jeans and a classic top. Stylish, and comfortable. Dress it up with statment accessories.
Aquarius January 20 - February 18 It’s all about investment pieces. You’ve been buying lots recently but sometimes buying less works better. If it’s abit more expensive, but you’ll wear it all the time, it’s totally worth it.
Pisces February 19 - March 20
You’re a slave to the trends, and there is nothing wrong with that. But this week, try thinking more outside the box. Start looking in the shops you wouldn’t normally, and soon you’ll find something incredibly eye-catching and uniquely you.
-Kate Romain Image: Flickr, celebrity abc
Leah Marriott
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a year of arts September
October UEA International Literary Festival 11th October - 24th November
Noirwich - 14th - 17th September
Weekly talks from world-renown authors, journalists, politicans, and other celebrated writers, are what makes the twice-annual LitFest so popular. For more info on this year’s lineup take a glance at page 30.
This collection of talks and writing workshops is perfect for any would-be crime writers or fans of the genre. Noirwich is a perfect, albeit gruesome, way to start the artistic year.
December
February
Sleeping Beauty - 13th December - 14th January
Everyone loves a Christmas pantomine, and this year the Theatre Royal is putting on a production of Sleeping Beauty for all to enjoy! If you want something more traditional, however, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will also be being performed
KAOS Fashion Show - February/March
Move over New York and Paris, for the KAOS Fashion show at UEA becomes the centre of fashion! With students modelling clothes from high street brands but also created by student societies, and the show supporting great charities, UEA KAOS’ fashion show is a great university event to attend!
Pimp My Barrow - End of Year
The most important event of the year for any UEA student is, without a shadow of a doubt, Pimp My Barrow. Thousands of students converge for the most wacky, energetic pub crawl with wheelbarrows the world has ever seen, and any student who misses it is filled with a year of regrets. This is the perfect way to finish the academic year.
March UEA vs Essex Derby Day - Spring
One of the most important events in the university calendar is that of UEA’s sports teams beating all of Essex’s sports teams. The annual Derby Day, this year hosted at their university in Colchester, is a huge party event but also a fun day to support our great teams.
Norwich & Norfolk Festival - 11th 27th May
Events in and around Norwich celebrate the whole spectrum of arts with dancing, music, literature and many more events to attend, some of which are free! This is one of the country’s most respected arts festivals, and as such shouldn’t be missed.
Image credits: (top to bottom, left to right) Pixabay by OpenClipart-Vectors/27449, Pixabay by maciej326, Wikimedia Commons by Henry Meynell Rheam, Public Domain Pictures by Dawn Hudson, Pixabay by AhmadArdity, Kate Romain
If you were looking to go to university somewhere that celebrates the arts to their fullest, then you came to the right place! Norwich is always abuzz with events and activities to stimulate the artist or art fanatic in you - so here is a helpful map packed with some of the most important events!
-Tom Bedford Dizzee Rascal LCR Concert - 9th
Nor-Con - 7th - 8th
The perfect blend of arts, Nor-Con is Norwich’s response to all other comic conventions. Hosted in the Showgrounds just outside of the city, Nor-Con celebrates games, T.V., films and any other part of nerd-dom that people love.
Throughout the year, the LCR and Waterfront put on a host of great shows, from rock or indie legends like Feeder and The Hoosiers to Rap and R&B heroes like Dizzee Rascal. The Bonkers star will be playing to all his Bassline Junkies in what must be one of the best gig venues in the country- right here on campus.
November Norwich Film Festival 9th - 19th
The big screen hits Norwich! Featuring talks with industry veterans like Tim McInnery and Michael Palin and a range of shorts this is an event film buffs can’t miss!
The Russia Season Sainsbury Centre Exhibition - 14th October - 11th February
The Sainsbury Centre on campus is a renowned art centre, and the ease at which students can visit make it a popular haunt for fans of the arts. The first exhibition of the academic year, The Russia Season, features works by acclaimed artist Fabergé and creations preceding the revolution.
Norwich
Fashion
Week
-
March
Combining Norwich’s status as a great shopping town, and the rich culture of the city’s independent shops and design communities, Norwich Fashion Week celebrates the range of different fashion perspectives the city offers, with special focus on fashion that has come from the two universities in the city.
Norwich Gaming Festival - Easter
The Forum in town will host a weeklong extravaganza celebrating gaming. With local developers showcasing their games, industry talks by people who make and report on games, and art exhibitions about games, this all-ages event is a really interesting look into the gaming culture that exists in Norfolk.
UEA Go Global - May
May
Food, dance and music converge for UEA’s optimal celebration of other cultures. Students from a range of different ethnic and national societies put on a fair to showcase the best of their respective cultures, with tasty foods and exciting music bringing the best of the outside world to the LCR. Of course, all students are welcome to attend!
Image credits: (top to bottom, left to right) Wikimedia Commons by Achim Raschka, Wikimedia Commons by AlpsAlpsAlps, Wikimedia Commons by Ziko-C, Pexels by Pizabay
Venue’s Summer Anthems New Rules Dua Lipa
Lipa became the first woman to top the UK singles chart on her own for nearly two years this summer thanks to her empowering anthem with an audacious video to match.
-Tony Allen
Everything Now Arcade Fire
The undisputed song of the summer. The ABBA-esque melody and positive glam rock vision is enough to make any frown revert to a whopping grin.
-Alex Caesari
Music
The LCR : From A-List to Coldplay What is UEA’s finest asset? Perhaps it is the wonderful and versatile Sainsbury Centre (Avengers, anyone?) Or maybe it is the vast greenery and hundreds of adorable rabbits that inhabit the campus. Both good guesses, but you would be wrong. It is, of course, the LCR: UEA’s very own music venue. Home of Damn Good and A List club nights on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as well as being a stop for bands on tour, it is the place to be for a UEA student. The LCR is a firm favourite of UEA students and has played host to some of the biggest names in music from Coldplay to Kasabian and, more recently, Stormzy and The Kooks graced our treasured little venue. So what can you expect from UEA’s clubnights: Damn Good and A List? VKs and sticky floors galore, attending these nights out is necessary to experience the LCR in all its dimly lit glory. And if you go enough times, maybe you’ll win the coveted Damn Good t-shirt. All your mates want one, and if you do manage to find one clasped in your (probably sweaty) hands, you’ll be the envy of all
Angels/Your Love Mr Jukes
Former Bombay Bicycle Club singer Jack Steadman’s vocals take a back seat in his new jazz infused single ‘Angels/Your Love’, under his new pseudonym ‘Mr. Jukes.’ Jukes’ single gives a fresh spin to 70s jazz by combining samples of Jorge Lopez Ruiz with BJ The Chicago Kid’s RNB infused vocals. The result is a sensationally catchy 5-minute piece, ideal for the modern listener.
-Hali Brown-Onigbanjo
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Image: Wikimedia Commons, Karl Axon
those around you. Does A List even have such a merit? There’s an ongoing battle between students as to whether Damn Good with its throwback tunes or A List with its ‘chart hits’ is the best club night. If you enjoy drunken singalongs to Mr Brightside and the very tempting 2 for £5 offer on VKs, then Damn Good is the place to be. There’s always theme nights as well, so don’t miss out on the chance to dress up. A List is good too, but if it’s theme nights you want then you won’t get them there. Either way, be ready to drown that Snakebite-induced hangover in tea and a cheeky Campus Kitchen fryup the next day. There’s nothing nearly as good as the LCR at other universities and with some great acts visiting in the next couple of months, including Dizzee Rascal, J-Hus and Scouting for Girls, make sure you don’t miss out on some great nights ahead, and get your Panda costumes sorted for the first Damn Good of the year!
-Charlotte Manning
Music
Swifty the superstar Three years after the release of the critically acclaimed “1989” Taylor Swift is back with new music, but this new image is a world away from the pop princess of the 1989 era. The promotion for her previous albums have often been a media frenzy, with multiple press appearances, live performances of her lead single and constant social media posts. However, before the announcement of her upcoming album, “Reputation” Swift wiped her social media presence, causing most of the world to pay attention. Throughout the following week, Swift released short video clips of a snake until her lead single “Look What You Made Me Do” was released on 25 August. The clips of the snake were significant. In her year long hiatus following her 1989 world tour, Swift was caught up in a number of controversies. The most noteworthy was between Swift, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West when Kim leaked a phone call between Swift and West about those “Famous” lyrics. The news rocked the entertainment world and caused a huge backlash against Swift, with many Kimye fans claiming Taylor was a snake and flooding Swifts Instagram comments with snake emojis. In posting videos of snakes before announcing her highly anticipated sixth album Swift chose to
use the snake image to her advantage. “Look What You Made Me Do” is a powerful lead single. Taylor Swift is one of the most scrutinised artists in the music industry, from her summer fling with Tom Hiddleston, to her on-going feud with Katy Perry. Swift is often painted as manipulative and playing the victim, yet with LWYMMD Taylor takes the narrative that has been created about her and completely rewrites it. The innocencet sixteen year old country singer is long gone, and in her place is a powerful pop star who no longer cares about the medias opinion of her. In deleting her social media presence, declining to give any interviews and only posting about her upcoming album, Taylor is letting her music do the talking. For the first time in Swift’s ten year career she is forcing the media to comment only on her music as she withholds any information about her personal life. It is a move only an artist as successful as Swift can make, and is truly working for her. Swift has claimed her first UK number one single with “Look What You Made Me Do”, as well as breaking the record for the most views of a music video within 24 hours.
-Molly Burgess
Reservoir Pup
It’s a song about drinking with friends at a reservoir, so change ‘reservoir’ for ‘lake’ and you have a song just for UEA. But we can’t really do that, so we should just enjoy what the Canadian punk-rockers actually bestow upon the world
-Nick Mason
Mother Ethiopia Paul Weller
Recorded with various collaborators, this catchy three-part single sees Weller wearing his latest influences very much on his sleeve. Perhaps not a permanent change of direction for the Modfather but an interesting African detour nonetheless.
-Tony Allen
Tay-tay the tout
Earlier this year, Ticketmaster released their Verified Fan system to keep touts out of presales for in-demand tours and shows. It was widely praised and worked wonders in keeping touts away from Bruce Springsteen, Paramore and Twenty One Pilot tickets. As someone who has missed out on shows and had friends miss out on shows due to touts gouging prices (I once went to a show where a £25 standing ticket ended up being worth £1000 on StubHub), this system represents a beacon of hope. At least it did, until Taylor Swift got involved. Swift used a modified version of the Verified Fan system for her upcoming US tour that allowed fans to boost their place in the queue using ‘fun’ activities (read into that at least ten inverted commas), from watching her video for “Look What You Made Me Do” on YouTube, for a modest boost, to buying merchandise or a pre-order of her new album for a big boost. The album, if
one would like it delivered for the day of release, costs $50 once P&P is added in. To get the maximum boost, a fan can buy the album up to 13 times a day to get an increased chance of presale access. So, to get an increased chance at an increased chance at securing a ticket, fans are expected to spend hundreds of dollars a day. Spending hundreds on a chance of admission sounds no better than touting. Except, of course, this boosts Taylor Swift’s position in the album charts. Touting is a blight on live music. Ticketmaster had finally offered a solution to mass touting, but instead used it to exploit fans and give giant record labels more money. The touting is still happening, but it is now in the form of verified touts: Ticketmaster and Taylor Swift. If this system catches on, the poorest fans will find it even harder to get tickets to the biggest artists. -Nick Mason
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Nick Mason
Music
Release of American Dream could not have come at better time
Most followers of modern indie disco would call themselves LCD Soundsystem fans. Personally, James Murphy could record ten fingernails dragging themselves down a glittery blackboard backwards with two tomcats battling to the death in the background and I would consider it auditory spun gold, so perhaps I’m not the most impartial reviewer. However, I do maintain that it’s a pedestal that they’ve certainly earned their place on. LCD Soundsystem’s muchanticipated return to music comes after their controversial reforming in 2016, allegedly from the sound advice of the late David Bowie.
anyone for days/I still have yet to leave the bed”. Many such lines are dropped
Dream” and its place in our current Western climate.
Since its official release date on 1 September, media has exploded with accolades and praise for the band’s latest triumph. “American Dream” is at times sombre, and often desperately relatable. Take for example the lyrics “I ain’t seen
between heavy drum beats, with synth rhythms woven through like silvery ribbon. These often bittersweet words begin to paint a picture of modern America, and, like the album’s namesake, the haunting concept of the ‘“American
From screaming house party playlists to the sombre soundtrack of teen breakups, Mr Brightside by The Killers has been stapled in the heart of a generation for more than a decade. Since its release, thirteen years ago, pop culture has seen its fair share of rise and falls in popularity. Mr Brightside, on the other hand, has never quite abandoned our memories and stopped infiltrating our post-ironic Spotify playlists. Its infectious melodies and contagious hooks engrave it as a masterpiece of the 21st century.
greatest riffs of the decade.
this tune resonating after all these years.
Secondly, the lyrics. Heart-wrenching and relatable to every lovesick teen, Brandon Flowers sings about themes such as jealousy and infidelity. Whether it be screaming “COMING OUT OF MY CAGE AND I’VE BEEN DOING JUST FINE” into the hairbrush in your room or yelling “I’M MR BRIGHTSIDE” at a drunk stranger’s face at Propaganda, the cathartic release of energy is what keeps
Thirdly, the melody. However overplayed and uncool it is to genuinely like Mr Brightside, you’d be lying if you said you haven’t had the chorus stuck in your head at some point and received intense flashbacks of your high school crush. Three minutes packed with up-tempo singalongs has eternally cemented Mr Brightside into the lives of many music lovers.
“American Dream’” is an album presented as a completely immersive experience, like a giant house, with every track transporting your dazzled mind to a different room. It seems reminiscent of Roger Waters’ “Amused to Death” album, or Arcade Fire’s “Reflektor”. Hopefully LCD will continue producing quality music for years to come – their release could not have come at a better time.
The Verdict
Don the eye glitter, close your eyes and start dancing; James Murphy is back, and better than ever.
-Hattie Griffiths
Mr Brightside: a musical masterpiece
Mr Brightside has proven that, regardless of location, company or mood, it can unleash a side of you devoid of narcissistic tendencies and attempts to keep composure. Something magical happens inside those three minutes and forty two seconds which is indescribable. A comforting blanket of nostalgia sweeps over your body and a sense of belonging renders the soul. For these reasons, it
There are many components which have made this early 2000’s indie banger stand the test of time. Firstly, the guitar hook. The locking of eyes with your friends across the sweaty nightclub floor when that first note kicks in is a situation we’re all too familiar with. This unforgettable opening riff was proclaimed by MusicRadar as being one of the 50 Image credit: Flickr by Danny Wilson
18 concrete.music@uea.ac.uk
Image: Flickr, Danny Wilson
-Joe Macguire
Gaming
Life is strange: before the storm A breakout in the ‘choices matter’ subgenre of games monopolized by Telltale in recent years, Dontnod Entertainment’s Life Is Strange provided a striking look into bullying, domestic conflict, accepting the consequences of ones actions, and the dark, demented side of artistry among other sensitive issues. Leaving a strong impression on players with its conclusion, the prequel Life Is Strange: Before the Storm, and new developers Deck Nine, had high expectations to live up to. Set three years prior to the original, this return to Arcadia Bay follows a 16 year old Chloe Price, a punk still trying to deal with the death of her father, on top of other obstacles life throws her way like her mother’s disciplinarian boyfriend, her best friend abandoning her in her time of need, and trying to sneak her way into the hottest underground gig. It’s during the latter that she has a fateful encounter with one Rachel Amber, the apparent epitome of perfection, and form a duo to help each other fight their respective demons, and finally allowing us to see Chloe interact with the person who served as her main
driving motivation throughout the whole first game The first major positive to this episode was its excellent recapturing of the ambience in th original game through its art style and impressive soundtrack, taking on more of Chloe’ punk tastes while still maintaining the calming acoustics of before. Furthermore, the return of many characters and locations helps install a sense of familiarity, presenting the game as a smooth expansion of the established setting. However, that doesn’t simply mean this game is a nostalgia trip; a younger Chloe brings with her some extra parts of naiveté and awkwardness – particularly when around the very forthright and commanding Rachel. One huge gameplay feature of Life Is Strange was protagonist Max’s supernatural ability to rewind time. Chloe has no such powers, but this doesn’t detract from the gaming experience thanks to the new Backtalk system, in which Chloe engages in arguments with people, employing a combination of sharp
wit and scathing insults to resolve – or worsen – a situation. This mechanic suits Chloe far more, as while Max’s more selfdoubting nature would lead her to reverse time to see the results of different choices, Chloe’s straightforward personality and tendency for diving into a situation with no heed for the consequences. Now for some of the negatives, the first being a minor point regarding camera and general movement, sometimes coming off clunky and hindering the exploration of areas. Unfortunately the larger issue comes as a flip side to the Chloe-Rachel relationship, which feels very much rushed as a romance angle is shoehorned in towards the end of the episode. While romance in the first game felt more organic, developing based on your choices, the decrease in overall episodes this season offers less time for that growth. This by no means lessens the impact on Chloe’s personal depression, with a fantastic sequence showing the thin line between her vulnerability and rage, but it is noticeably out of place so early in the narrative and their relationship. With that said, both Before The Storm and the original Life Is Strange are phenomenal games which (while not perfect) offer a very engaging and empathy-inducing perspective on sensitive issues in our modern society. It’s a must-play for anyone who values the consequences of certain actions and characters who strike an emotive balance between their good intentions and personal shortcomings. Finally, while the game’s familiarity creates great appeal towards returning players, Before the Storm is by no means inaccessible to new players – in fact, if you’re looking to test the waters, this episode is the wperfect opportunity! Just have a box of tissues at the ready, because you’ll unearth plenty of feels by the end.
Image: Flickr, BagoGames
20 concrete.gaming@uea.ac.uk
-Vince Gaffney
Gaming
Video game drinking buddies The thing that turns a night out on the town from good to great is having great friends to ride it out with. Here are five characters who are no strangers to drinking and will stick it out with you for a night of bevs – for better or worse.
Conker from Conker’s Bad Fur Day The nutter with an adorable face. The game begins with the titular squirrel getting ridiculously hammered and going on one of the most mature adventures on the N64, which includes fighting xenomorphs, blackmailing the game’s developers and fighting an opera-singing crap named ‘The Great Mighty Poo’. No matter how wild your night, nothing will compare to this crude critter’s adventure
Siegried of Catarina from Dark Souls The ever trusty and jolly onion bro, Siegfried is the kind of guy you’ll find in all sorts of absurd states of misfortune, like getting stripped naked and shoved in a well. Fortunately, you’re always there to help him out, and he’s always got a few jugs of his patented Siegbrew to knock back with you as thanks.
Princess Peach from Super Mario The first lady of gaming is definitely not afraid of her drink. After a few rounds of go carting with her friends, instead of spraying a bottle of champagne, Peach would rather chug until coming up for air (in the Japanese version at least). Seemingly a magnet for shady guys, she can take care of herself – this is one
princess who’s not afraid to smash a fool if necessary!
Bo’ Rai Cho from Mortal Combat
Another cheery fellow here, Bo’ Rai Cho is a martial arts master of the Drunken Fist style, though actually drunk more often than not. But all the same, with words of wisdom from years of teaching, when it comes to teammates for a pub brawl look no further than this guy. Just steer clear of his signature Puke Puddle ‘attack’.
The Normandy Crew from Mass Effect
THE squad. When they’re not tearing the place up and hunting down bad guys (not mutually exclusive activities there) the crew of the SSR Normandy know how to let loose and party. Despite the embarrassing dancing, blatant sexual tension, and occasional fight over incredibly stupid things, you’ll look back on a night with this motley crew fondly until the day you die.
-Vince Gaffney
Indiepenchant: Songbirder Professing an adoration for the 8-bit classics, Songbringer is an actionRPG with an interesting take on world building. Told from the perspective of adventurer Roq and robot chum Jib, level design draws amply from the Zelda series, bolstering enemyridden overworlds with puzzle-filled dungeons from a top down perspective. The vulnerability heightens some, however, when you’re asked to shove that world into existence. You do this by typing any six letter word you like, in order to create a ‘seed’ that could spawn desert. From sparse, deserty terrain to boggy monstermarshes, worlds (and their difficulty) vary across seeds - worth a shot if you’re partial to roguelike elements. An iOS and Android port could serve Songbringer particularly well; its intense encounters and intriguing (yet comfortably un-boggling) puzzles makes Songbringer an effective, engaging portable escape.
-Charlie Nicholson
Illustration: Emily Mildren
Charlie Nicholson
21
Gaming
Feeling nostalgic? While the ‘retro throwback’ proliferates the indie sphere, many attempts to homage original formats have merely been criticised for feeling clunky and unpolished. Yet, some use older designs to explore current trends in gaming and wider society, so if you want to reignite your childhood fancies with a touch of modern flair, here’s a list of indie titles that might well end up charming.
One.
childhood friendships after a wayward adolescence has left her outcast. Sporting a twee 2D layout and anthropomorphic cast, things resemble a Disney-inspired puppet show, but as Mae’s social odyssey continues, the aesthetic becomes more obvious as a ruse for deeper issues, using carefully-penned dialogue to navigate divorce, drug abuse, mental health and employment in a poignant observation of millennial culture.
resembles a WinAmp skin. But beneath its retro look, Kingsway is deceptively complex. Not only do PC ‘progress bars’ decide how effective you are in combat, but windows will constantly move around the screen, making accurately-timed attacks challenging (yet rewarding) to execute.
-Charlie Nicholson
Undertale (PS4, PC)
This Earthbound-inspired RPG may be the genre’s only game in which you needn’t hurt a fly, but its sunny art style and Pixar-like monsters are but thin veils for its mature, often disquieting depths. Of course, dating an obsessive skeleton amid reams of meme-culture references is undeniably adorable, but your ability to truly hurt characters has perfectly heartwrenching potential.
Two,
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment (PC, PS4, PS3, Vita, 3DS, Nintendo Switch)
Shovel Knight has been a choice platformer for anyone experiencing NES withdrawal, but its latest standalone expansion may feel particularly rewarding for SEGA fans. But though its Sonicmeets Ninja Gaiden mechanics may tickle your nostalgic funny-bone, its world of deranged plague doctors and theatrical usurpers bleed with an eccentricity entirely their own.
Three.
Night in the Woods (PC)
After dropping out of college, Mae Borowski returns to her hometown, Possum Springs, hoping to rekindle her
22 concrete.gaming@uea.ac.uk
Four.
Skylar and Plux: Adventure on Clover Following an anthropomorphic lynx and plucky owl friend, Skylar and Plux’s detailed, sci-fi world and comic bookstyle cut scenes help it to stand out, while its simple combat scheme, toonish visuals and dynamic protagonists tap some of the most famous titles on the PlayStation 2 and N64. If you grew up alongside classic duo mascots such as Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank or Banjo-Kazooie, Skylar and Plux makes one of the more pleasant nostalgia trips available on the PS Store.
Five
Kingsway (PC) If you thought Rattler Race and Pipe Mania were about the best Windows 3 could handle, Kingsway will attempt to prove you wrong by being the most efficient operating system ever. Probably. Resembling the interface of an old Windows 95, this roguelite RPG revisits early PC software through a medieval lens – including enemy encounters via ‘popups’, double-clicking icons to use items, and accessing quests via an email window. Even the in-game music player
Inspired by the classics... Image Credit: Wikimedia commons, Dussstt , Drat, and Linuxerist
Television
My unpopular opinion: Cersei Lannister is the real hero of Game of Thrones
The world of Song Of Ice And Fire is one of the most morally challenging worlds in all of fiction. It’s one of the few narratives where you can watch someone blow up a historical monument with fantasy-Napalm, eviscerating everyone inside – family, enemies, and Jonathan Pryce – and as the Queen Regent sips wine from the balcony, you, the viewer think “well played.’” That’s right, no matter what you think of Cersei Lannister and her penchant for brother loving, it is an undeniable fact that whenever she’s on screen she’s always the centre of attention. We love watching and waiting to see what devious machination she will whip out to sweep the rug out from beneath her opponents. The nature of the show, with each great house jostling for the top spot in Westeros, means that it’s perfectly legitimate to throw your support behind any one of them you so please. And so, following her actions of the past two seasons, I challenge anyone on why she can’t be considered a hero who we can happily cheer on and hope she emerges triumphant in the game of thrones. Now, if the first hurdle blocking you from this enlightened way of thinking is “Oh,
but she’s pure evil! How can you call an evil person a hero?” then first – hush – and second, I will direct you to one buzzword which can often go forgotten in this epic TV series featuring dragons and ice zombies: prophecy. While the big ones you might be aware of are regarding the prince that was promised and the dragon with three heads; as a child, Cersei herself was told a prophecy regarding the deaths of not only her children, but also herself. Imagine being informed about the death of those you love most in the world. I think that information would justify being a bit sour as an adult, especially when it’s dropped on your developmental years. Not just an evil person after all now, is she? Furthermore, while certain other characters spend seasons brooding or taking forever to reach where the action is, Cersei has always been in the thick of current affairs and playing a prominent role through it all. Whether it was arranging the death of her husband, or installing a new religious regime to thwart her enemies (even if it did backfire on her). Cersei has always been getting things done, going so far as to become the first ruling queen of Westeros, extremely progressive
considering attitudes towards women in this climate. When Daenerys’ army invades, she uses effective propaganda and wordplay to help turn houses like the Tarlys from their duties as bannermen of House Tyrell to instead serve the Crown. Simply put, Cersei knows how to play the game and get things done. But for every reason I can give, stretching the truth in places and employing creative hyperbole to assert my point, the single, undeniable fact is that Lena Headley is likely the single greatest actress on Game of Thrones now and we love her (even if that’s loving to hate her). Her mastery over her character built up over seven seasons is evident in how she’s capable of dominating every scene, whether it’s effortlessly swatting away Euron’s roguish witticisms, or in gathering various Houses and the Golden Company to fight for her. In this regard, charisma is the greatest reason one can have to support Cersei in her bid to retain control over Westeros, and reign over all as Queen.
-Vince Gaffney Image credit: Wikipedia, Thrashie
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concrete.television@uea.ac.uk
Television
Freshers on the small screen Fresh Meat, The Young Ones, Community. What do these seemingly random bunch of shows have in common? Why, university of course! University life is a tough one to pin down on TV, most shows tend to portray students as lazy creatures, their student houses as chaotic tips and the freshers experience as a crazy few weeks full of drinking, sex and drugs. While this may indeed be the case for some, do any shows go further to flesh out the reality of university life in all its glory, shame and mundanity? Well this is the perfect excuse to examine if there has ever been a realistic depiction of university the freshers experience and general student life on our small screens. The Young Ones (ask your parents – it was a sitcom in the 80s) may be one of the earliest and most mainstream examples of university students on TV. The series focuses on a student house occupied by, surprisingly, four students – one hippie, one anarchist, one punk and one cool kid (it was the 80s after all, these were your four main choices as a student). The problem with this absurd and surreal series is that these are less characters and more caricatures. You’ll have more difficulty believing in these characters than you will believing the set is not made out of cheap polystyrene. They pretty much live in squalor, a house deemed so filthy that the council threaten to knock it down in the first episode. Needless to say this is an exaggeration of student life, as is the absurd style of the series, feeling closer to
Image: Pixabay
a parent’s worst nightmare than reality. However, they are continually visited by an overbearing landlord and rarely seem to be at university itself, so maybe not too far from reality… Community may be the most tenuous link to the student/freshers experience, as while the characters are indeed students they are actually attending college and in another continent. Not satisfied? You try and find TV shows about university. It’s pretty hard! Having said that the show perfectly captures the melting pot of students that you find at university – different ages, religions, races, sexualities and ways of life. The central group of friends itself highlights exactly how random and suddenly your friendships can form with the people you least expect. While Community may be technically the furthest away from the British university experience, its presentation of the eclectic bunch of students is one that we can all relate to particularly when making friends with the most unlikely people during freshers’ week. And finally, perhaps the most familiar series – in both the chances that you have seen it but also recognising elements of it in your life – Fresh Meat. The title refers to the nickname for freshers as well as meaning ‘a group of people who arouse one’s interest as a new target for deception, humiliation and ridicule’. Pretty much the first few weeks of the freshers’ experience in a nutshell. What the show does well though is simultaneously capture the mundanity and drama of student life: from arguments over food to someone being taken to hospital for alcohol poisoning. The characters are a vast array of real people you know from university but dialled up to 10. You have J.P. the obnoxious posh one who talks in clichés - “my gap yahhh ‘dotes are the stuff of legend” - having come from a privileged
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background. Not quite to this exaggerated extent, but every university has their rendition of a J.P. – someone who talks in gap yahhh anecdotes and sounding like they’ve stepped out of the 1960’s British Broadcasting Company. Kingsley is the soul patch bearing, hat wearing, guitar playing student, perhaps the most obvious student stereotype that many imagine and some of us embrace to varying extents. Oregon is the self-conscious student who views university as the chance to reinvent herself – don’t we all a bit? We find out that her real name is Melissa and she’s actually just as posh as J.P. but wants to start over again, which is after all what the crucial first few freshers’ weeks are for. Howard represents the socially awkward student, the guy that you would never really talk to or see outside their room but when you get to know them is actually endearing, which again many of us are like at the start. Vod is a larger than life, no nonsense character, probably that freshers’ legend you heard about – the one who had 50 Jägerbombs in a row and strolled into the club as if it were nothing. We all know that guy/gal. And finally we have Josie, slightly cold and prickly on the outside but when you dig deep actually very loyal, loveable and innocent but also incredibly nervous around others. Let’s be honest this nervousness applies to all of us in the first year – and anyone who denies this is lying. Fresh Meat offers more nuanced characters representing student life than the former two shows. Even though they sometimes fall into obvious stereotypes there is something in each character we can all relate to. They are less characters and more traits that we all possess or adopt at uni, for better or for worse.
- Dan Struthers
Television
Victoria set to dominate critics’ charts On Sunday, as I was perched on my sofa with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a cup of tea that my Mum had brewed, I felt rather like royalty – quite apt for what I was about to watch for the next hour.
that her former chef, Francatelli return to her kitchen, and inviting the fierce Duchess of Buccleuch into her house as her new Mistress of the Robes – finding comfort in her authoritative decisions whilst Albert controls official decisions.
A few weeks ago we saw the return of ITV’s hotly anticipated historical drama, Victoria. With the first series gaining rave reviews, and with more than a few million households tuning in for the premiere, the second season had a lot to live up to.
Episode two is then aptly named The Green-Eyed Monster. Still struggling to come to terms with her recent birth, and concerned that she may be pregnant again, Victoria becomes suspicious of Albert and his new interest, Lady Lovelace - an attractive, extremely intelligent mathematician. Playing with fire, Victoria then returns to Brockett Hall to find Lord Melbourne and ask for his advice on marriage, and whether she should be worried about Albert’s desires for a large family. Assuring her that there is nothing to worry about and sending her back home, you can’t help but wish that history could re-write itself, and to see Victoria return home with Melbourne, instead of Albert – who is becoming a bit unlikeable with his new-found power when he refuses to return to the palace after he is demanded by the Queen. As the two had such an on-screen chemistry that dominated the first series, it is such a shame to see Melbourne brush her away in the second, despite him simply respecting the Queen’s new life.
The end of the first series saw some large transformations in the Queen’s household; Mr Francatelli, the dishy Italian chef, left the kitchen when his proposals to run away together were rejected by Ms Skerrett; Sir Robert Peel drew ever-closer to Prince Albert in their growing friendship; and the Queen herself successfully gave birth to hers and Albert’s first-born child, Victoria, much to Lord Cumberland’s disappointment. Series two picks up around six weeks after Queen Victoria has had her baby. Despite her household insisting that she rests – even pushing her around the house in a wheelchair – Victoriwa refuses, and returns to her royal duties as soon as possible. However, what she doesn’t know is that whilst she has been off-duty, and her doting husband, Albert, has been managing her affairs, he has also been concealing secrets. Cautious that he would make her ill with worry, he chooses to refrain from telling the Queen distressing news about her British soldiers in Afghanistan. Instead, he confides in his new friend and Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel – which does not please Victoria at all. In true brazen Victoria-fashion, unable to change official affairs, or the fact that Albert’s family have descended on the palace for the Christening of the Princess Royal, the Queen asserts her authority within the household instead – demanding Image: Wikimedia, Alexander Bassano
With domestic life clashing with official duties, the tremors for an explosive climax have certainly began to appear in the second series. Will an already powerful friendship between Peel and Albert test Victoria’s wishes? Can Victoria learn to love motherhood as much as she does her dear Dash? And will Lord Melbourne stick around? Not to mention all the other trivialities that are occurring in life downstairs. Will Francatelli and Skerrett ever find happiness together? Can Penge ever crack a smile? And what dark secrets may the new timid dresser, Cleary, hold? Whatever the answer to those questions and many more may be, there is no doubt that Victoria is set to wow the audiences once again. With special guests appearing and explosive spoilers appearing all over the web, it is clear that this show is set to dominate the critic’s charts as one of the top royal and historical dramas.
- Katie Broadbent
Still worried, Victoria is then reassured by Lady Lovelace herself, who reveals that she is mother to three children when she visits her workplace. Yet, rather than calming her, this new-found knowledge simply haunts Victoria, now knowing that she is pregnant for a second time. Concerned that it will dominate her reign and life, it raises the question which still resonates with many women today – can you make the most of your career whilst having a family?
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Dan Struthers
if you could do something different this year, what would it be?
r u o y d n tell us, a e m o c e b n a c s a e id a reality uea.su/dsdsurv ey opportunities
C. writing
Milk and Alcohol I still remember the very first song I played as I put up the art postcards in my bedroom at uni. The tinkling piano notes played as a marimba to Kate Bush’s warbling voice, crying out over Wuthering Heights, as I began the first row of Marlene Dumas paintings. The window overlooked green grass, and a tree that looked like a dandelion seed head, behind which stood the Sainsbury Centre — something I had been really excited about living next to when I first found out about it. The following year, I was living next to Aldi, half an hour’s walk from uni, and so I felt some slight regret at not going more often. I compiled a mix CD for the three hour journey to Norwich, during which I began reading a novel called You Had Me At Hello. From then on I would continue reading it during every journey to and from Norwich. It was an 800 page novel, but it flew right by with its unfaltering optimism, and dialogue that’s about as bubbly as cava. In fact, as I sit typing this in my bedroom at home, about to go into my third and final year, I know I’ve another forty pages of the novel to read when I head back up — the very last section of the novel.
I remember driving past the Norwich sign, and seeing all the other students dragging suitcases up to the student village. Outside Constable Terrace, SU helpers were ready and waiting to help with my suitcases; they are the annoying old Samsonite kind where the wheels are so close together, that they keep toppling over as you pull them along. I can still think back to that moment two years ago, standing alone in my bedroom for the very first time, and feeling that sense of liberation which comes with independence, and of feeling just right being amongst people my own age – all mixed with repressed fear, and not knowing what was around the corner. The second day was different, in a weird sort of way. My first night hadn’t gone too badly in terms of sleep. But waking up the following morning, thinking ‘I’m gonna have to feed myself all of today,’ and then coming downstairs to an empty kitchen for the first time, unsettled me a little. Thankfully, the spirit of the first night returned later that evening. And what was my first dinner? Brazilian BBQ Steak… in a Pot Noodle.
I spent most of my first semester walking across the broads listening to This Mortal Coil. There was a kind of fragile, tender beauty to be found in adding a soundtrack to my walks across the dew-frozen grass. One moment, I was in sadness, and slightly homesick. The next, I was in a house that came alive after dark, what with all the dancing, and all the drinking, and all the joking. It was a great balance. During my first semester I discovered curly fries — aka. UEA’s ambrosia, come straight from the Food Gods of East Anglia – and every Sunday morning I would take a black bin bag full of dirty clothes across the UEA broads, past the Ziggurats, and then buy myself a sausage and bacon bap and an Emmi cappuccino from the shop, sit in the launderette, and read the week’s book. It was a routine that I missed during my second year — the year I stopped drinking coffee and alcohol, and when food from the gods now also came with chicken goujons. But I was just so glad I was at UEA.
-Tom Cascarini
Image: Wikipedia Commons, IWAM2009
concrete.creativewriting@uea.ac.uk
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C. writing
Nightlight
What do you feel for me?
The curtain in the corner is Tucked around the bars (which are Black And cold to touch).
You ask me what I feel for you After telling me you regret me After telling me it hurts you to be around me to talk to me After saying you knew it hurt me too You keep coming back Pretending to use plasters but actually sticking knives in each of the cracks Like acetone on cuts you burn into me They hadnt even healed before you changed your mind twice more
I watched the planeless night until Unlit, morning fogged the pane. Mist. The wet window. In fairly far apartments The night dance flits. The hiss of hard strip lighting. Hissing, silent, silence.
You think im crazy and i agree But what am i to think if youre really not doing anything maliciously I know i need to stay away but im somehow drawn to you My fear of losing you has already made me forgive you But i shouldnt be the one losing you You should be losing me Should have lost me So what do i feel for you? I’m standing somewhere between stockholm syndrome and love and i don’t know which is worse.
Mist.
A windfall feather drifts, Brushing the window Wet with warm bath wrinkled fingertips. The curtain in the corner is Tucked around the bars. The sounds Which enter with the light from far Halogen strips are cold, Cold and white.
- Tom Ryan
- Anna Curtis Image: Wikipedia, Michelamgelo
Image: Pixabay
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C. writing
Birdsong Away into the night she flew, That is what she did best, After all If all birds were meant to be caged Then may the function of the heart be bound to its cardiovascular constraints, Never learning to soar beyond those twelve by twelve rungs. You could try and find her in someone else, But I can assure you, it is futile Because some things cannot be captured and contained Within the bell jar of human simplicity. Away into the night she flew, Where she will make herself at home and sit high amongst the stars Because no matter what the stakes are, Or how many arms wait below for her to fall into, That is what she does best.
- Eva Wakeford
Image: Pixabay
A Dull Day in May A concrete jungle, the dullest day of May. I pray, please stay, in the laborious grey, As the world begins to fray. Its edges wearing and tearing, Disguised by the continuous blaring Of all this grey. It won’t stop staring! Darkness, devilish destruction, gnawing, on replay, At those who sway from the laborious grey. If I may, Let me say there is not a single ray Of anything except grey. But now I am staring With eyes wide open, glaring at those who are daring To slice; slash; crash; tear; rip themselves away. I pray, if you do anything today, please stray from the laborious grey.
Image: Pixabay
- Saoirse Smith-Hogan
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Saoirse Smith-Hogan
The literary profiles Who’s who at the UEA Literary Festival
The beginning of term sees the twentyfifth year of the UEA Literary Festival’s Autumn series. Every Wednesday for the next few weeks Christopher Bigsby, the Festival Director, will interview a literary figure on their life and works. There are novelist, screenwriters, politicians, journalists and others visiting, and with discounted tickets for students, this is an event we should monitor closely.
Rebecca Stott - 18th Oct Some of you may recognise Rebecca Stott’s name, as she is in fact a professor at our university. Stott doesn’t spend her time at the Red Bar, however. Instead she has authored numerous political thrillers and biographies including an account of her time growing up in a fundamentalist Christian community.
Richard Flanagan - 1st Nov
Richard Flanagan is another writer to have moved to England. Born in Tasmania, Flanagan was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University and has been writing ever since. Having written well-known works such as The Narrow Road to the Deep North and The Sound of One Hand Clapping, his soon-to-be-released First Person will likely be the focus point of his interview.
Stephen Westaby - 15th Nov
Whilst most of the names C. on this list are those of writers, Stephen Westaby is a heart surgeon. He isn’t a stranger to the world of writing however, having recently published a memoir of his experiences as a heartD. surgeon in Fragile Lives: A Heart Surgeon’s Stories of Life and Death on the Operating Table.
A.
B.
Kazuo Ishiguro 11th Oct (Exhibit A) If you were made to read Never Let Me Go in school then you know Kazuo Ishiguro. Despite being born in Nagasaki, Japan, Ishiguro is a UEA Alumnus, having taken a Master’s in Creative Writing here. As well as his famous work he’s also written screenplays, music lyrics, and other books (including The Remains of the Day).
Kamila Shamsie - 25th Oct (Exhibit B)
Kamila Shamsie grew up in Pakistan, where she published her first novel when she was still in college. She followed such a young debut with a quick succession of novels, most recently Home Fire earlier this year.
Jon Snow - 8th Nov (Exhibit C)
A very different person to the Game of Thrones character, Jon Snow is the longest running presenter for Channel 4 News and is one of the most recognised faces in English journalism. Holding many acclaimed appointments for various universities and charities, he can be found on various new shows, presenting political documentaries, or fighting white walkers.
Kenneth Clarke 24th Nov (Exhibit D) If there was an award for holder of longest titles, Kenneth Clarke would be a nominee. A Conservative politician, he is amongst other things the Father of the House and has served as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, Education Secretary and Health Secretary. He has run to be the leader of the Conservative Party three times. -Tom Bedford
Image credits: Kazuo Ishiguro - Wikimedia Commons (Kubik) Kamila Shamsie - Wikimedia Commons, Jon Snow - Wikimedia Commons (Steve Punter), Ken Clarke - Wikimedia Commons, Paperclip - freestockimages (valessiobrito) Post-it-note - Wikimedia Commons (Desk Depot)