Venue 391

The Nutcracker- a truly cracking ballet

By louise collins

venue editor

At the back end of November, The Northern Ballet came to Norwich with their rendition of The Nutcracker. I’ve been going to the ballet with my mam since I was a young child – in fact, The Nutcracker was the first ballet I ever saw! So, of course, I had to take myself to the theatre and revisit the classic tale. The Nutcracker was first created in 1892, choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, scored by the masterful Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Each adaptation varies to some degree, but it generally follows the story of a girl on Christmas Eve, where she receives a wooden nutcracker soldier from her uncle. During the night, he brings the nutcracker to life and the newly transformed Prince takes young Clara on a magical journey, defeating a mouse army along the way. If you haven’t seen this dance before, I can’t recommend it enough. It isn’t one of my favourite ballets, but it was so much fun to watch. The dancers were incredible, and their technique was breath-taking. Even the Mouse King had an excellent performance – bringing some slightly modern moves to the stage. In a moment I swore was a fever dream of mine, when taunting the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King flossed, did a bit of Thriller, and channelled his inner John Travolta with some Night Fever. If the audience hadn’t been laughing away, I would have assumed I’d imagined it. Kirica Takahashi took on the main role of Clara in the performance I saw, stunning us all with the genuine excitement and joy she portrayed throughout. She perfectly embodied the childlike wonder of a girl on Christmas Eve, experiencing true magic for the first time. Archie Sherman was incredibly mischievous, flying across the stage as the troublemaker brother, Frederic. Sarah Chun dazzled in both her roles; the beautiful and sensible older sister, Louise, and as the ever-mystical Sugar Plum Fairy, wowing us all with her amazing solo. Gavin McCaig was incredible as the mysterious and magical Herr Drosselmeyer, flourishing his cape and acting with full dramatic flair. The costumes and set designs impressed me throughout – I couldn’t choose where to look throughout the ballroom scenes, as all the dresses were beautiful, and the Christmas tree sparkled. You’ll leave the theatre feeling lighter than ever, as the show ends in such a wholesome manner, proving, once again, that dance really can make an impact.

Ethical book gifts for Christmas

by louise collins

venue editor

It’s nearing Christmas, and many of us are starting to panic about what to buy our loved ones. If you’ve got a bookworm in your life, you may be concerned about shopping mindfully. How do you give them a gift that they’ll appreciate and won’t end up in the bin? How do you get them the perfect gift whilst being ethical, all without breaking the bank? Well, as an intense bookworm with a ton of book lovers in my life, I may have a few ideas for you. First off, Etsy will be your best friend. There, you can find an abundance of bookish gifts from a whole range of prices. You can support small businesses, find something personal for your loved one, and still not break your budget. On Etsy, you can find handmade bookmarks, bookends (gorgeous stands to keep all those overfill books in one place), beautiful book sleeves (to carry their book or e-reader around without it getting damaged), or artwork of their favourite books. If you’re wanting to put the choice into their hands, you can’t go wrong with a bookstore voucher. Head on over to their favourite bookshop and find out whether they do vouchers—it’s that simple! You can always create a little wrapping paper parcel to put your own creative spin on the gift. Alternatively, if you’re wanting to buy them a physical book, head to your local charity shop or second-hand bookstore. You’ll be able to find some beautiful copies of all the best classics for little to no money at all! I’ve found some absolute bargains in my locals and seeing how loved these books have been before always makes me smile! My final idea can cost you no money at all, and it’s something even more personal than any previous ideas. If you have a book that you love, and you believe your loved one will enjoy, it can be so special to give them an annotated copy. Whether it’s your own copy you don’t mind parting with, or a brand-new copy, it’s up to you! Highlight and underline your favourite moments; the ones which made you laugh, cry, gasp, whatever! Stick in a few tabs here and there, colour-coded or otherwise, I can guarantee you it’ll create excitement in them. It creates an adorable atmosphere in the book, as the two of you are sharing something beautiful regarding a book which you’ll both love.

In reality

by louise collins

venue editor

CW: depression, suicidal thoughts Every morning, I wake up at Six AM, brew a mug of coffee and get ready for the day ahead. I make lunches for my family, sort something else out for myself. I hop in the shower, put today’s suit on, and wake my two children up. I put the TV on, take my wife a fresh coffee in bed, kiss my children goodbye, and make my way to work. It’s a routine I’m used to. A routine I’ve never complained about. I love this routine. I like helping out and seeing my family. The routine works. I’m happy. I have a great family dynamic, an excellent job, with wonderful freedom. I couldn’t be doing any better. Except. Under the surface, I’m struggling to stay afloat. Every day, I wake up at Six AM and think ‘do I have to do this again and again?’. I brew my coffee, hoping it’ll do something, anything. But the truth is, I don’t even like coffee. The lunch part, I enjoy. I make something new every day. Something I know my family will enjoy. But even still, the rest of the day is hard to face. I stand underneath the scorching water for ten minutes. Not washing myself, just standing. Trying to breathe. Trying to draw up some semblance of joy. But eventually, the air gets too humid and I have to leave. Whenever I kiss my wife goodbye, I think ‘please just let me stay here.’ Sometimes, the thoughts are worse. I go to work with a smile, greeting all of my colleagues, making jokes with them. I’m ‘the kind, funny one’ at work. Little do they know how much I’m struggling. Little do they know how miserable I am. You see, you get put into a box. I’m the working guy who has it all. I have an excellent job, a gorgeous and loving wife, two incredible kids, and a strong group of friends. So why do I feel like the world around me is collapsing? Why do I feel as though I can barely breathe? Why do I feel like ending it all? Of course, I can’t. I won’t. But sometimes, when the pain gets too hard to bear, I do wonder. What if? No one suspects that I’m not breezing through life as easily as I present. No one realises that, in reality, perfect doesn’t always equal happy.

Festive outfit inspiration

by tshequa williams

fashion editor

The festive season is such a magical time of the year – and a great excuse to get dressed up and celebrate with your friends and family! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, December is the month for parties, so here’s some inspiration for your outfits across the season. As always, make sure you re-wear what’s already in your wardrobe and consider buying second-hand before you splash out on new outfits! Party Season Whether a work do, or your flat’s ‘friendsmas’, there are bound to be several parties that you can attend. Like NYE, the perfect party outfits feature luxe fabrics (think silk or velvet), and enough glitter to rival a mirror ball. Whatever you wear, make sure it’s something which makes you feel confident so that you can focus on having fun! Christmas Eve While each family will have their own traditions for Christmas Eve, I feel like it is universal to sit down with a hot chocolate and festive snacks to watch a Christmas film. A pair of Christmassy pyjamas and a thick blanket is the best for this, and it can be a really nice tradition to open a fresh pair of pyjamas on Christmas Eve, so that everyone can feel cosy and ready for the big day! Christmas Day For those who celebrate, Christmas Day is the main event of the season, and the day encompasses everything festive. Many people opt for traditionally festive colours such as deep reds, pine green, cream and metallics, but it is down to the individual whether they dress up for Christmas lunch or stay comfy in their Christmas pyjamas from the night before. New Year’s Eve For most, New Year’s Eve marks the biggest party of the year as across the globe people wave goodbye to the year gone by and make wishes for the new year. Such an occasion calls for bold colours, glitzy glamour and a customary ‘2023’ headband. Many opt for metallics, black tie, or rich greens and blues to make a sophisticated entrance into the new year. New Year’s Day After welcoming in the new year until the early hours of the morning, the New Year’s Day attire will most likely be your cosiest joggers, and a big warm jumper, accessorised with a large glass of orange juice and a Berocca. Whether or not alcohol was consumed the night before, everyone will be equally as tired from staying up late, so something comfy is acceptable the whole day.

Best clubs for electronic music in Norwich

by thomas porteus

music writer

I am like many others am huge fan of electronic music. When I first moved to Norwich, I was hugely disappointed at the first glance of what the city had to offer when it came to seeing my favourite DJs live which is something that big city unis have on offer regularly. However, Norwich is a hidden gem place in the middle of a bunch of farmlands where some of the best names in the electronic music scene frequently visit. If you’re like me and aren’t a huge fan of going to A- list every week and want to delve deeper into the fine selection of electronic music that this small but great special city has to offer, then keep reading for this article is for you. Norwich Arts Centre: As you walk down St Benedict’s Street at night, you’ll notice a church with Neon lights glowing with people gathered outside socialising. This is Norwich Arts centre which is a small 260-person venue that frequently holds electronic musical guests and other bands. The venue has a great atmosphere for experimental, alternative, intimate gigs. The venue has previously been named Britain’s Best Small Venue by the NME. The venue really gives off a really unique, exclusive vibe that you will not find anywhere else in the city. Previous electronic names that I have made appearances include artists like Jockstrap, Max Cooper, and Floating Points. Space Studios: Space Studios is also a great club which I enjoy going to on the regular for a boogie. It is tucked away in the centre of town opposite Turtle Bay. As you enter up the staircase with the red neon lights beaming up to you feeling like you’re going up to a house party that you finally had the balls to throw. Not to mention the place probably has the best smoking area in the whole city with rooftop views. Space also has a huge spectrum of different things that happen throughout the year, with them just setting up their own radio station with broadcasts through the week. Gonzo’s Two Room: Gonzo’s Two Room is the titan of electronic music here in Norwich with the 200-capacity venue constantly coming through and booking some of the best talents in genre. Music there spans throughout many genres. Whether you like techno, house, garage, drum and bass or electronica, they’ll for certain be an upcoming event for you there. Names like Maribou State, Ross from Friends, Haai, Prospa and so many other current artists and DJs have all made appearances there which has had my friends and I dancing until the early hours of the morning. Gonzo’s sound-system also stands alone in the city as the sonics in there are completely incredible. In the summer they even throw events on the rooftop with DJs playing until the sun goes down. If you do choose to go you’ll be jamming in front of the DJ cage all night, guaranteed.

The man with the golden legacy: 60 years of Bond

by libby hargreaves

editor-in-chief

Diamonds certainly are forever, as the James Bond film franchise celebrates its 60th anniversary. The saga burst onto the big screen in October of 1962, with Dr. No, and just last year came to a dramatic crossroads with No Time to Die. In that time there have been six (official) Bond actors, 25 films and up to 80 Bond girls (depending on who you count). The films hold a very special place in my heart and have such great cultural significance, even today. I think you can tell a lot about someone by their favourite Bond films, certainly mine is very telling (Casino Royale, of course), but the best Bond is an entirely different discussion. Certainly, it took the producers a couple of attempts to perfect the 007 formula- to achieve the balance of action, flirtation, and timelessness. This is not to say some aren’t dated, I often cringe rewatching parts of The Man with the Golden Gun in its portrayal of Nick Nack, though the same can be said for many of the villains, and many of the Roger Moore films have laughable moments between Bond and, well, anything with a pulse (though I believe this is part of the charm). Over the past 60 years, we’ve seen the key elements of a great Bond film form; the production of the film (cinematography, storyline, soundtrack), Bond himself, the villains, and of course the infamous Bond girls. Perhaps the best 007 is the original, Sean Connery, as he epitomises what it means to be a 1960s ‘gentleman’ with a license to kill. Since his portrayal, the character has grown- most significantly he has faced the death of those he loved, resulting in the sinister Daniel Craig representation the majority of readers likely recognise as ‘Bond, James Bond’. As for the best villain, for most 007 superfans the answer is clear: Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The head of criminal organisation SPECTRE, he first ‘appeared’ in From Russia with Love (yet another personal favourite of mine) and has featured in several other films as the main threat to MI6. Donald Pleasance played him in You Only Live Twice, and is sometimes credited with inspiration for the infamous cat in 1972 film The Godfather. As for Bond girls, the franchise has developed from the likes of Honey Ryder to Vesper Lynd…not to mention the evolution of Miss Moneypenny. This evolution is reflected in its cultural influence, the films have always set the standard in cinema- Dr. No defined the spy genre and Skyfall broke ground in cinematography, winning 34 awards. Though the films led the way in many such categories, others have criticised the franchise’s lack of social awareness. I think often people confuse the recasting of Bond with the regeneration of the Doctor- the Doctor subconsciously chooses their face, it provides some sort of lesson for the Time Lord, whereas Bond is merely a long-standing singular character; he can’t simply change his being to reflect social politics of the time. Certainly, the casting of the protagonist is not the only social issue in the franchise- Bond is misogynistic and his treatment of disabled individuals often hits a nerve with me, whilst for a long-time people of colour weren’t even featured, let alone treat with respect. There’s simply no excuse for this, we all know by now that representation matters- though this doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the films as art and entertainment in their simplest form. Of course, filmmakers will learn from these mistakes- the Daniel Craig era certainly featured a more diverse writing and production team, for instance, which is reflected on screen. It is important to ensure the audience is laughing with 007, an inside joke to chuckle at his own misdemeanours, and not that Bond targets members of the audience and is somehow exempt from criticism. So, 60 years on, what happens to Bond? Is he truly dead? Will the series continue? My hope is that the 007 franchise continues to evolve, but without James Bond. I would love to see Lashana Lynch carry the mantel, and for the creators to push the boundaries of Fleming’s original work- just so long as they keep Q’s gadgets and flashy cars.

Christmas TV for that festive feeling

by louise collins

venue editor

It tends to be films which get all the attention at Christmas, but what about those days where you don’t have time to sit down for 90+ minutes to get into the festive spirit? Or, you might be bored of the same old Christmas films, and you want something new. Well, there are plenty of TV episodes out there! I was feeling festive as early as July this year, so my friend and I turned to Netflix, and started watching the cutest Christmas TV show ever, Dash and Lily. It features a whirlwind romance between the ever-joyful Lily and the far-more-cynical Dash. Only, they don’t actually know each other. They communicate through a series of truths and dares, left in a diary and placed in different locations around NYC. Over time, their feelings for each other pass ‘exciting new friendship’ and turn into something deeper. It’s festive, fun, and oh so romantic. I can absolutely see it gracing my screen more than once this upcoming Christmas. Last year, I spent my Christmas break watching Hawkeye. If you’re wanting something a lot less romantic, and a lot more action filled, this show is the one for you. It features Clint Barton teaming up with newcomer Kate Bishop as they face off against some of Barton’s enemies. All the action paired with the determination for Barton to get back to his family in time for Christmas makes it a Die Hard-esque show, an excellent change from the typical Christmas media tropes. If you don’t have time to watch a whole show, there are some incredible episodes out there. One of my favourites is The 23rd from Season One of New Girl. It’s full of chaos, and cringing, and in the typical New Girl way, flirty banter and tons of arguing. However, the ending is truly magical. It ends with the whole gang working together to get Jess the perfect Christmas gift, and it never fails to make me smile. Doctor Who’s sixth Christmas special (post 2005 revival), A Christmas Carol, reimagines the tale in its own sci-fi way. Featuring the Eleventh Doctor with his companions Amy and Rory, and Michael Gambon stars as Kazran Sardick, a Scrooge-like character. The Doctor travels through time, altering Sardick’s past to make him more willing to help save a troubled spaceship. Classic literature mixed with sci-fi? Yes please! So, if you’re feeling festive, hopefully these recommendations can help meet your Christmas cravings.

How diverse is the gaming industry?

by chris njoroge

games writer

As the gaming industry continues to grow and is now worth around $208.7 billion (US) and is projected to grow every year according to (Clement, 2022). The current gaming industry is pushing the boundaries of technology to create cutting-edge and highly immersive entertainment experiences. Not only do we have the continuous advent of new consoles, PCs and devices that are putting us right into the game, but we also have the opportunity to watch some of the best gamers in the world compete in the esports arena and online through streaming platforms like Twitch and Mixer. Although, throughout this development this industry as with many others tends to be dominated by in western white male cultures and brands. Additionally, according to a report from (Lin, 2022) which based on the 100 top-selling and major games released since 2017, shows that nearly 80% of main characters are males, while nearly 55% are white, which isn’t representative of the vast amount of diversity the world has to offer. Following from what was stated earlier at least in terms of representation in characters within games there is still some way to go before being a true and accurate reflection of the diversity of modern society. Within all online media platforms, you can be represented by an influencer or gamer who has the same/ similar characteristics, race, gender, disability, or values as you. As a result, there are so many influential gamers across the world who can become successful with a large fanbase because they are relatable. For example, Pokimane, Myth, Mackenseize, Sykkuno, Valkyrae, Im_Dontai and Momofifa are some of the more famous non-caucasian gamers either using platforms such as Twitch or YouTube in this industry. All these content creators, gamers, influencers whichever you’d like to call have been able to build their brand by having that sense of relatable and intangible feelings their viewers get from watching them. They understand their upbringings or stories they share about their own personal lives, yet this sense of understanding and relatability is rarely shown or is only slowing start to be present in the gaming world. Why is this? It’s a complicated question that you can go on and on to answer, but there are ways to increase how the gaming industry can become diverse and one can only hope that further development can continue.

Committee culture

from anon

I’ve been having some issues with feeling appreciated within my society. I’m on committee and generally love it and am so proud of what I do, but recently it’s been feeling like I’m undervalued and undermined quite a lot. The president and other committee members will joke about my role and how it’s less important or less work than theirs, and to a degree, I do understand. It’s just hard having something you’ve worked so hard on joked about and dismissed. It’s making me feel very small, but I don’t want to leave committee because it means so much to me. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but it’s really starting to get to me. Hi! Thanks for your submission. I completely get where you’re coming from, the overall invalidation and mocking culture of your committee must be really hard to deal with. The most important thing to recognise here is that you are not being ‘’dramatic’’, feelings exist out of morality, they simply are what they are. How you feel is how you feel, and how much you feel it is simply how much you feel it. Making space for the magnitude of your feelings helps one to respond to them in the best way. Moving on to the action part of approaching your problem, my advice to you is to consider the specifics of what they have done/said to make you feel undervalued and undermined. Then, I would write them down, this may prove to yourself that you aren’t being ‘’dramatic.’’ Instead, there are solid, tangible reasons as to why you are feeling this way. I also urge you to think about whether you feel able enough to confront them. I realise if it is multiple people, this could be quite daunting, but if you could speak to the president especially about how you feel, then I think this would be very helpful for you. You don’t have to name names; you could literally just talk about how you are feeling undervalued and undermined for the hard work and effort you put in. And if they push you for further information, you can always say that you don’t feel comfortable naming anybody, that is totally fair enough to do. I’m a firm believer that in order to solve conflict you need to confront the issue through open and honest communication, so if you feel able to do this, I think this is the best option for you. Prior to doing this, really ground yourself in acceptance and validation of your feelings, you don’t necessarily have to agree with them, but making peace with these feelings is integral. Without validation of self, we don’t have the safe foundation of self which is needed when voicing these feelings in what may be a confrontational/uncomfortable situation. Another aspect of this issue that I feel needs to be recognised is that whilst it is blatantly not okay for people to make comments degrading your efforts and work on a committee, you must have confidence of your own. In life, as nice as it would be, we will not always be met with compliments and appreciation from those around us, regardless of how much we deserve it. And because of this, we need to do it for ourselves, as my mum always tells me ‘’You’ve got to be your own best friend!’’ With this in consideration, you’ve got to big yourself up! On one level, you need to disregard their comments, and give yourself the compliments and encouragement for your work in the committee. You’re not in that committee for them, you’re in it because of your passion for the committee and most importantly, for you. When all is said and done, apart from the comments being hurtful (which matters), the comments themselves don’t matter, your work in the committee does. And the true recognition and value for your work comes from yourself (cheesy but true)! Wishing you all the confidence in the world, and well done you for your commitment to the committee considering all the negative vibes.