Issue17

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6th MARCH 2017 / ISSUE 17 FREE

Students’ Union Exec Election Special Pages 6 – 8: This year’s Exec Team candidates

Photo: Gemma Sowerby

Tensions in controversial Israeli Apartheid Week Hana Jafar News Reporter Events and protests organised for the 13th annual Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) by Action Palestine saw interruptions and opposition from local pro-Israel organisations.

The week, which takes place annually between the 28th of February and the 6th of March across Universities in the UK “seeks to raise awareness of Israel’s settler-colonial project and apartheid system over the Palestinian people and to build support for the growing Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement” according to organisers.

Support for BDS was passed by University of Manchester Students’ Union last term, despite Jewish students standing up in senate to express fears over their safety on campus.

On Wednesday, one of the IAW events on campus, ‘Meet the Freedom Fighters’ was disrupted by non-student attendees who were suspected to be from the ‘Friends of Israel’ group.

A student attendee,who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the event to us: “Throughout the speeches there was constant muttering,

and this persisted despite the requests of organisers and speakers.

Towards the end of the third speech, several people began filming on their mobile phones, which Riya [the speaker] objected to (there was already an audio recording for the entire event). One international student who spoke out about being recorded was told by one of the men to ‘learn English before you tell me what to do’.”

After questions were read out and responded to by one of the speakers, a man from the group allegedly accused the speaker of being racist and anti-Semitic. “Amidst the shouting, I heard several rude comments such as ‘Mr Africa, you’re a disgrace to your country’ and ‘why don’t you talk about them lot raping and stabbing everyone?’.”

University and Union staff then called the event to a close, and “most of the party then left the lecture theatre whilst hurling abuse and obscenities. Once out of the lecture theatre the disruptive group were seen lingering outside of Roscoe Building, still shouting, and some students expressed concern about leaving the building, however they eventually disbanded at the request of UoM security.”

One of the Union’s BME officers was also in attendance, and commented on the events of the day, saying: “I was appalled by the behaviour of the non-student pro-Israeli activists.”

They added: “These people exposed themselves for what they are: bullies [and] ideologues with no interest in a respectful discussion on even the most basic terms. It was profoundly sad to see [this] as amongst students and young people I know we can have these discussions and debates, and whilst we may not agree, we can respect one another. These people however were set on the type of spectacle that I have never seen on campus before.”

This wasn’t the only disruption to the events of the week, however.

On Thursday afternoon, two students were seen putting up a large ‘stop arming Israel’ banner above the roof of the Samuel Alexander building. The banner was up for a brief few minutes before it was taken down by building security.

One of the students, who chose to remain anonymous, said: “I fully understood the risk involved with putting up the banner, but feel that unless strong action is taken the occupation will continue to be ignored by the international community — as it has been for the past five decades.”

A wall was also put up outside the Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy: Students covered it with messages like

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Science: TEDxManchester

‘From Palestine to Mexico, the racist walls have got to go’. The wall “was a visual demonstration, students could come and paint messages, it was a way to get them actively involved and be able to see what kind of thing goes on in Palestine. That was the aim, as well as to gain attention for the BDS movement” said Huda Ammori, prominent activist of the BDS movement in Manchester. “[The university] invests a million pounds in Caterpillar. So far they have bulldozed around 25,000 Palestinian homes leaving hundreds of thousands of refugees,” Ammori continued. “We’re trying to get the university to end these divestments [sic], as well as cutting links with Technion, [who] are the leaders of the research and development of the Israeli arms trade test their weapons... on Palestinians. So, we’re trying to end all institutional and investment links and make sure [the university] uphold these values as well.”

Israeli Apartheid Week is considered by some to be controversial, and according to The Telegraph ’s Richard Black, is “a dishonest hate fest masquerad-

ing itself in the language of human rights and social justice”. In an article condemning the week as antiSemitic, Black claimed that “It is about time university chiefs stepped up their legal and moral obligation to monitoring these events and making sure they do not permanently damage relations between students on campuses.”

Naa Acquah, General Secretary of the University of Manchester Students’ Union, responded to claims that the events were anti-Semitic, and said “I think it is right that the events took place as it is all students’ educational right to discuss Israel/Palestine, a topic that has been covered in courses and public life for decades.

“I have had conversations with various students’ groups and what is clear for me is that most students want to be able to feel safe and accepted on their campus whilst being able to have these discussions without the thought of being harassed or put under extra scrutiny, especially from external sources. I want to promise that I will try my best to make sure every student can feel comfortable whilst being able

to express their opinions.”

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The University recognises that freedom of speech and expression within the law is of fundamental importance for universities. Events held on our campus are reviewed under the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech.

“For this event, which was brought forward by a student society through the Students’ Union, the University stipulated a number of controls in accordance with the relevant legislation, and provided an impartial Chair for the meeting to ensure that a wide range of views could be expressed and that all contributors would be listened to with respect.

“Regrettably, when it became clear that this was not happening, the Chair, in consultation with University staff and representatives of the Students’ Union took the decision to close the meeting.”

The University of Manchester Jewish Society (JSoc) were contacted but have not yet been available to release a statement on these events.

Photo:Wikimedia Commons

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Features: Dealing with bereavement at university

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Fashion & Beauty: The Fashion Files

Government U-turns on deportation order The Home Office has delayed the deportation of Shiromini Satkunarajah after hundreds of thousands signed the petition to prevent it Tom Patterson News Reporter The UK Government has delayed the deportation of an electrical engineering student at Bangor University back to Sri Lanka after a petition calling for her protection reached 160,000 signatures.

Shiromini Satkunarajah was only 12 when her family fled Sri Lanka’s civil war and came to the UK. She was originally listed as a dependent on her father’s student visa but he died in 2011. She was granted leave to finish her secondary school studies but her application for a full student visa was denied and despite being only months away from finishing her studies, Shiromini was taken into custody at Yarl’s Wood last Tuesday with her mother to be deported.

The “refusal letter” they were given at the time stated, “you do not have the right to appeal or conduct an administrative review against the decision to refuse your application.”

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Shiromini’s story was picked up by the media and a petition to allow them to stay gained over 160,000 signatures. The Home Office has now delayed the deportation order and has given Shiromini’s legal team 14 days to outline their case. Her lawyer Raja Uruthiravinayagan, of Duncan Lewis Solicitors, told The Guardian “we hope that there will not be prolonged litigation in this case during the period when Shiromini is studying.”

Last week a relative of Shiromini told The Independent “her whole life is here, all of her friends and family are here. She has no one in Sri Lanka, we’re a small family. She won’t be able to continue with her education.”

The Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University wrote to the Home Office to request she be allowed to complete her studies. In addition to this, Iestyn Pierce, the Head of the School of Electronic Engineering at Bangor University also released a statement saying “over the years I have known her she has proven to

Editor-in-chief: Jennifer Sterne editor@mancunion.com Deputy Editor-in-chief: Elise Gallagher deputyed@mancunion.com Postal address: University of Manchester Students’ Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR Phone: 0161 275 2989 Chief Subeditor: Gemma Sowerby Subeditors: Jane Simmons, Hannah Foy, Lauren Bramley, Adriana Elgueta, Lauren Pizzey, Stevie Grieves sub@mancunion.com

Head News Editor: Yasmin Mannan Deputy News Editor: Rosa Simonet & Lily Sheehan Science Editor: Georgie Hines news@mancunion.com science@mancunion.com Head Features Editor: Jacob Nicholas Deputy Features Editor: Emma Shanks features@mancunion.com Head Opinion Editor: Tristan Parsons Deputy Opinion Editor: Marina Iskander opinion@mancunion.com Head Fashion Editor: Sarah Kilcourse Deputy Fashion Editors: Sophie Soar and Talia Lee Skudder fashion@mancunion.com Head Food & Drink Editors: Lily Carden & Miriam Mizzi foodanddrink@mancunion.com Head Film Editor: Eliza Slawther Deputy Film Editor: Shema Begum film@mancunion.com

be exceptionally able and diligent, and has made valuable contributions to the school and the university...” he went on to say “I have no doubt that…

Shiromini would achieve first class honours.”

Universities are one of the areas highlighted by Home Secretary Amber Rudd as needing “tougher” immigration regulations. Speaking at the Conservative Conference in October last year, she said that Ministers will be considering ways of ensuring that “people coming here are filling gaps in the labour market, not taking jobs British people could do.”

Although, as Pierce pointed out in his statement, Shiromini is studying in a “world-wide shortage subject.”

Shiromini herself said she was “very grateful to every single person who has supported [her]” and now “my priority is to get on with my studies. I need time to think and get back to my normal life.”

Head Lifestyle Editor: Rachel Adams Deputy Lifestyle Editor: Araddhna Patel lifestyle@mancunion.com Head Music Editor: Joe Casson Deputy Music Editor: Katie Shepherd music@mancunion.com Head Sport Editor: Harry Newton Deputy Sport Editor: Alex Whitcomb University Sport Editor: Ben Ryan sports@mancunion.com Books Editor: Roma Havers books@mancunion.com Theatre Editor: Brogen Campbell theatre@mancunion.com Arts Editor: Laura Joyce arts@mancunion.com Head Online Editor Rebecca Carr Deputy Online Editor: Holly Smith online@mancunion.com Copyright belongs to the photographers. If you wish to reproduce them please contact them directly

The Mancunion is the official student newspaper of the University of Manchester., established in 1969 with a readership of around 20,000. It is printed weekly for 20 editions and is distributed across campus and the city.

All writers are volunteers and new contributors are always welcome. No previous experience is necessary, just a passion for student media and a good story. You can get involved by turning up to a meeting, the times of which are listed on the Mancunion website’s Join page.

We gladly accept contributors from outside the University of Manchester.

The Mancunion is part of the Manchester Media Group, along with Fuse FM and Fuse TV. This body encompasses all of the Union’s official media outlets, and organises training, outside speakers, and social events for Manchester students interested in student media.

If you have any comments, questions, complaints, or would like to contribute, please e-mail the Editorin-chief or Deputy Editor-in-chief.

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Cambridge University college under fire for “cultural misrepresentation” of food items

Pembroke College Cambridge has reportedly been criticised after receiving complaints from students about its menu Araddhna Patel Senior News Reporter Pembroke College in Cambridge is facing heavy criticism from students as food items with names like ‘Jamaican Stew’ and ‘Tunisian Rice’ have been labelled “cultural misrepresentations.”

The Sunday Times reported that one student commented on Facebook: “Dear Pembroke catering staff, stop mixing mango and beef and calling it ‘Jamaican stew’. I’m actually half Jamaican pls show me where in the Carribean they mix fruit and meat [sic].”

The student added: “I’m used to as a minority student being constantly invalidated when flagging up specific issues but if people feel their cultures are misrepresented they have they right to address this. Microaggressions are a reality of everyday existence for many people of colour.”

Another student complained about a different item, saying: “sorry but what is this we don’t eat these tings in Tunisia [sic].” The item in question was “cauliflower, date, and tofu tagine with Tunisian rice and coriander yoghurt.”

Other students chimed in and identified foods they were unhappy with. One said: “Sort out your Chinese chicken.”

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Another complained about an item closer to home: “Don’t get me started on the Yorkshire puddings!”

Andrew Cates, the bursar at Pembroke College told The Sunday Times: “As a college which prides itself on the high standards of our cuisine and wants all our students of diverse backgrounds to feel a valued part of our community, we encourage our catering staff to take the views of any of our students seriously.”

However, not all students agree that Pembroke College should be so heavily criticised for this.

According to The Times, one student said:”You’ve got to be pretty privileged to have the time to sit and moan about the naming of the food you eat at one of the best universities in the world.”

One student also expressed their concern for the Pembroke College college staff members under fire: “If a member of Pembroke catering staff saw the original post, they might be dismayed, given the relative privileges afforded to all the students at Pembroke in comparison to the work they do to turn around lunch every day.

“So is there a better way to inform them when they’ve misrepresented a culture and that it’s offensive, even perhaps without meaning to be?”

It has since been reported that the complaints were raised at the college food committee meeting. The decision has been taken to “do more to avoid offending anyone else”.

Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Hustings Emma Shanks Features Editor The Greater Manchester Chambers of Commerce played host to another hustings on Thursday 2nd of March, which saw a modest fifty-odd people in attendance.

The most recent event in the race to be the region’s first elected mayor, gave the candidates of the three largest parties the opportunity to set out their priorities on the future of health and social care in the region.

Chaired by The Guardian’s North of England Correspondent, Nazia Parveen, the discussions focused on improving patient care, workforce and innovation.

There was a resounding agreement from all three candidates on prioritising prevention over cure; for Labour’s Andy Burnham, by way bursaries, Janine Dyson from the Royal College of Nursing flagged up the looming crisis of shrinking staff numbers and workforce morale.

While Burnham thinks best “to keep profit out of health care” and proposed a deal of repaying loans to students who stay working in Greater Manchester, Brophy chose to focus on finding new ways of getting revenue, given that 5-7 per cent of those currently in training are from the

European Union.

The Liberal Democrat also recognised, in response to Tony Warne from the University of Salford, that leaving the EU is a big setback in terms of putting research at risk and stressed the need “to fight for funding”. But Anstee described his vision of Manchester as a “global power” — “I’m not in this race just to make up the numbers but to win it”.

Meanwhile Burnham pledged to “put young people at the heart” of his manifesto and drove home his wide-ranging parliamentary experience, but Brophy bit back by calling attention to her own frontline involvement with services, as life-long resident of the region and a carer herself: “Real problems need real solutions, not just the top-down that we’ve had for the last 30 years”.

Though the mood remained relatively calm for the most part of the evening, Burnham did take care to correct the “glossing over” of Anstee’s “positive narrative”, and was quick to reopen old wounds regarding the previous Department for Work and Pensions budget: “Good start Sean, but we need to see much more!”

I caught up with PPE student Charlie Spargo shortly after to hear his thoughts: “Andy Burnham was the clear winner of tonight’s

Preview: Budget ‘Hack’ Day

Georgie Hines Science Editor

On Wednesday 8th March, Philip Hammond will address the nation with his first Budget since he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. In conjunction, Policy@Manchester are hosting their Budget ‘Hack’ Day, new this year, in Club Academy of the Students’ Union from 10am to 4pm.

Advertised as a ‘drop-in’ session, students and staff from the university are encouraged to attend the event, which will be hosting a live stream of the Budget, due to commence at 12:30pm.

From 10:30am external speakers, or ‘provocateurs’, will be giving their expertise and opinions on the forthcoming Budget, and its implications in their field of interest. They are there not only to be

International Women’s Day Rosa Simonet Deputy News Editor Celebrations for International Women’s Day kicked off this weekend! More events will be taking place throughout campus and Greater Manchester this week. Jenni Smyth, Women’s Officer, asks us to #BeBoldForChange and take advantage of “the opportunity to bring together women from different faiths, cultures and societies ... whilst also challenging the issue of gender disparity.”

Here is a list of events happening on the day…

Wednesday 8th March On Campus: The Sisterhood Movement: Tea Party Edition 12:30 - 15:00, Students’ Union FBMH International Women’s Day Celebration: Engendering Change 12:30 - 16:00, Roscoe Building Nancy Rothwell WISE Talk 15:00 - 16:00, Roscoe Lecture Theatre B Wonder Women in the Culture Sector 15:30 - 17:00, Manchester Museum International Women’s Day Spoken Word Event 18:00 - 19:00, UoM Student’s Union Asylum Monologues – Refugee Mother 19:00 - 22:00, Academy 3, Students’ Union For more details and more events during the week see http://manchesterstudentsunion.com/iwd

hustings, though Sean Anstee also came out looking strong”.

“I was surprised, however, that the event, being focused on health and social care, was held far from any of the city’s hospitals and on an invitation-only basis, stifling what could have been an engaging discussion on what is probably the most important issue of the moment”.

Around Manchester: Danish-style bike ride and breakfast 08:00, St Werburgh’s Road Metrolink, Manchester Home-Fires 16:00 - 18:00, Manchester Central Library, Performance Space Levenshulme women’s Group food taster 10:00 - 12:00, Levenshulme Inspire, 747 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme Living History – Strike a light – A match girl’s story 13:15 - 14:00, People’s History Museum What the Feminist Theologians Say… Tuesday 7 March - Sunday 26 March, Manchester Cathedral For more details and events see http://bit.ly/2mmnIcU.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

listened to and learned from, but to spark some discussion, and hopefully debate, amongst the audience.

Professor Andy Westwood, co-director of Policy@Manchester, will also speaking, alongside Angeliki Stogia, Whalley Range Labour Councillor and Head of Partnerships and Development at Discuss Manchester.

The organiser, Professor Westwood, said of the event: “We’ll be showing the Budget live, listening to some of the reactions and hearing from some key people at the university and in the city as we all try and get our heads round what this Budget means.”

“It’s our job to think and write about big issues in public policy.

We’re also trying to make the University of Manchester a ‘go to’ place for commentary and explanation on major political events,” said Westwood.

“To help both of these objectives we’re offering support for staff and students to write about and influence policymaking.”

The event will also provide a platform for bloggers, novice or experienced, to get published on the Manchester Policy Blogs website. In fact, a response to the day is encouraged, with

Photo: University of Manchester Students’ Union

organisers hoping the event will serve as one big creative space for students and staff to discuss the policies and ideas that matter to you.

Prof Westwood told The Mancunion: “The Budget is an ideal time to get people together from across the university community to share reactions and ideas and to turn these into blogs for Policy@Manchester and content for The Mancunion.”

The Policy@Manchester team will be helping contributors throughout the day with advice for both written and video blogs.

Further details can be provided by speakers and experts in attendance.

If all this wasn’t enough incentive, Prof Westwood assures us that “there will be a free lunch and lots of cake too!”

There will also be an appearance from a Mancunion “provocateur” at the Hack event.

Tickets for the Budget ‘Hack’ Day are free and available on Eventbrite.

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The Mancunion does TEDxManchester

Science & Technology Editor, Georgie Hines, takes us through the 10 most important ‘less is more’ lessons The Mancunion learnt at this February’s TedxManchester conference You don’t have to look far to see how technology and money have become uncontrollable obsessions in modern society. This February, TedxManchester and their speakers challenged this growing ‘norm’ and argued that ‘less is more’. After a thought-provoking, and at times comical, session, The Mancunion’s Georgie Hines gives the run-down on the best lessons that the speakers taught us.

Jennifer Arcuri – Hacking doesn’t have to be unethical Hacking doesn’t have the best reputation; the controversial actions of Edward Snowden are a prime example of that. Jennifer Acruri, however, is fighting against this association by teaching young people and companies “the art of ethical hacking.” She argues that despite today’s children attachment to technology, they still lack beneficial cyber skills. This is where her latest project, Hacker House, comes in. A digital security consultancy group, Acruri and her team aim to promote the idea that hacking isn’t about the attack, but about protecting yourself online — an essential skill to have today. “Don’t be a victim,” says Acruri (and don’t contact her about accessing a partner’s Facebook — it’s not worth it).

Andy Burnham – Every voice should matter Taking a break from his Manchester Mayoral campaign, Labour MP Andy Burnham spoke on the emotional topic of the Hillsborough disaster. Born and raised in Liverpool, Burnham struggled with the decision to go to Anfield for the 20th anniversary of the event, after the “Government had nothing to say.” He argues that unfortunately, for some parts of the country, their voices are not heard by politicians in the South of England. The length of time it has taken for justice to come to the victims of Hillsborough makes that obvious. It seems that although this fault has finally been acknowledged, Burnham notes that “Westminster will never fix the mess it has created.” However, he hopes that Manchester can be part of a “devolution revolution,” stating that Manchester has changed the world in the past, and can do it again.

Nicolas Cary – We don’t need banks “What is the future of money?” Cary begins. Our world is constantly evolving, so it would only make sense that the transactions of our hard-earned cash would change too. A novice to finance, Cary’s talk introduced me, and the rest of the audience, to the idea of Blockchain technology, which was originally used for the digital currency, Bitcoin. To put it in the simplest way possible, Blockchain is a huge shared spreadsheet which is constantly updated. Any transaction that occurs will be registered simultaneously on all the databases involved. If successful, Blockchain could replace any intermediates; most likely your bank. The idea could also help the 2.5 billion people in the world who do not have access to financial services. Sound absurd? Cary argues: “10 years ago we didn’t have an iPhone. Imagine what could happen in the next 10 years.”

Helen Czerski – Physics can be fun You’d be forgiven for dreading a talk by a physicist. It’s not uncommon for the normal person to think that physics is full of boring graphs, data, and “hieroglyphics” that you would never be able to understand. However, Helen Czerski is different. Herself noting that physics has an image problem, she shocked the crowd with revelations that physics can be applied to everyday life. She explains, using a graph — “because I’m a physicist there has to be a graph” — that physics is full of extremes, from cosmology to quantum mechanics. That said, there is middle ground. For example, eggs and the Hubble Telescope have a lot in common, shown using an experiment you can do at home. Don’t believe me? Your loss.

Volker Hirsch – Our creativity and empathy can never be replicated The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is growing fast, and no one knows this quite as well as technology wizard, Volker Hirsch. It wasn’t long ago that I would have to turn off the computer so my Mum could make a telephone call. Today, we have robot pizza delivery guys. Uber have even started trialing self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If that wasn’t enough to convince us that “change is accelerating”, Hirsch tells us that a huge 400 million people now work in technology. But can these people be replaced by robots? Not with the skills that make us human, Hirsch argues. Empathy, creativity, and critical thought; these are the skills that make us special. That is why Hirsch is arguing for schools to put more focus on these areas, for a “more meaningful education”.

Jonathon Kay – Never grow up One of the more unexpected talks of the day was given by Jonathan Kay, who characterises himself as an expert teacher of Fooling. His motto for teaching?

“Making [the audience] laugh at themselves to understand themselves. It is what a good fool is supposed to do!” He certainly brought this revolve to TedxManchester, as he shouted “louder you b*stards” as the audience sang and swayed at his every command. Whilst this might seem confusing to an outsider, Kay taught us to break out of our box, to act “uncool,” and most importantly, to never give our light away.

Dan Machen – Our phones are making us dumber Whilst this lesson is commonly taught, it is not often listened to with the seriousness it deserves. Machen, a strategy leader at HeyHuman, “a communications agency reshaped by behavioural science,” was at TedxManchester to change this. Sharing some startling statistics, he explained how our demand for attention has changed since technology. The multi-tasking skill you think you’ve perfected is more likely to be task-switching, which has led recent generations to “lose a tennis ball size of grey matter.” Our addiction to our phones has also caused an unfillable need for affection, says Macken. It’s not surprising considering the average person spends 3 hours on their phone a day — equaling 6 weeks of the year.

Michelle McMagh – Minimalism works A journalist by trade, McMagh’s journey to minimalism started in 2015 when she found a box marked ‘NOT NEEDED’ in a storage locker belonging to herself and her husband. She asked herself: “Why do I have this?” This event, alongside her growing discontent in her role as a consumer, inspired her, and, as she reassures us, her extremely understanding husband, to undertake a ‘no-spend year’ that saved them thousands of pounds. McMagh got rid of an incredible 80 per cent of her belongings, that left her “a weirdly content and happy mess”. The pair enjoyed the experience so much they are starting it again this year. Her story is in parts unbelievable, but teaches us the important lesson that short-term spending should not affect our long-term goals.

Mr Bingo – Don’t waste your ideas on others A self-proclaimed hate-mail comedian, Mr Bingo has done pretty well for himself. Not letting his 1998 Gala Bingo win go to his head, he started out his career as an illustrator, before realising that these days, people will buy pretty much anything, and that he should take advantage of it. He began by writing offensive, and always weird, postcards to people who bought them. Yes, you saw right — people have paid Mr Bingo to be rude to them. He explains he did well, until one day he realised that there are only “so many ways to say f*ck you on a postcard.” By using a Kickstarter campaign, and a rap video that has been credited as an inspiration to Skepta, Mr Bingo published his book, something that he says he could have never achieved if he’d have wasted his ideas on big companies.

Tash Willcocks - Habits can be healthy Tash Willcocks is an incredibly talented illustrator and the creator of Mundane (a day), a project she uses to celebrate the little things. Initially, it was supposed to last a year, but nearly 4 years on Willcocks and her project are going strong. After reflecting on how much time she spent checking her phone, and other unuseful habits she had, Willcocks challenged herself to do one thing a day — to design an illustrated drawing, something she now considers “meditation”. Too often, habits are considered to be negative by association, but she insists they can be healthy.

Her talk encourages use to do the same with something we love and enjoy. I’ve read every day since her talk, and I can’t say I’ll stop anytime soon.

Photos: TedxManchester; Drew Coffman@Flickr

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Feature: Women of Women in science: Science campaign absolutely zero boundaries In honour of International Women’s Day, Science & Technology Reporter, Katie Holmes, takes us through the most influential and inspiring female scientists in Manchester’s history

Manchester PhD researcher, Rhys Archer, speaks to The Mancunion about her journey to empower female scientists around the world, with her inspiring and ‘relatable’ Women of Science campaign

Wednesday 8th March marks International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements, advancements and contributions of women in our society. Women are particularly underrepresented in science, with just 14.4 per cent of the workforce comprising female professionals.

However, more women currently occupy positions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) than ever before.

Women in science are celebrated at the University of Manchester, including our current President and Vice-Chancellor: Professor Nancy Rothwell is the first woman to hold the position, and is an esteemed physiologist and director of pharmaceuticals for AstraZeneca.

She is the embodiment of influence and prestige for Manchester’s women in science, and encourages women to push boundaries in order to achieve greatness.

Throughout history, Manchester’s girls have championed education, driven positive change, and shown limitless potential when it comes to STEM. Today we celebrate them for their success in pioneering research fields, and as role models in the campaign for gender balance in education and society. Here, we pay homage to three of Manchester’s most influential women in science.

Dr Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker Heralded as the ‘Mother of the Sea’ by the Japanese, Dr Drew-Baker was a phycologist whose research revolutionised the development of commercial nori, a type of edible seaweed, in Japan.

Born in Lancashire, she was awarded a scholarship to study botany at the University of Manchester. She graduated with a first class degree in 1922 and continued on to postgraduate study, before specialising in cryptogamic botany at the university.

Her research into the life cycle of Porphyra umbilicas was featured in Nature in 1949, and this publication sparked the development of artificial nori seeding techniques in Japan. Termed the ‘gamblers grass’, nori was and continues to be a staple food resource in Asian countries.

However, harvests were unpredictable and new methods were required to keep up with growing demand for the edible seaweed, which had been in decline since the end of the Second World War. Her research stimulated a new understanding of the organism’s life cycle, and the industry was rescued.

Despite her success in phycology, Drew-Baker faced professional struggles within the university. She was dismissed from her position due to her marriage to Henry Wright Baker, as university policy stated married women could not be employed.

In order to continue her research efforts, she became an honorary research fellow with the Ashburne Hall resident’s fellowship. She continued in her pioneering work before co-founding the British Phycological Society and being elected its first president. Every year Dr Drew-Baker’s work is celebrated during the Japanese ‘Drew Festival’, where her monument stands in Sumiyoshi Shrine Park, Osaka.

Professor Danielle George Currently teaching within the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Professor George is a distinguished contributor to the field of radio frequency engineering. She also holds the position of Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning at the University of Manchester. Her contributions to public outreach and engagement in engineering were rewarded in 2016 when she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Born in Newcastle, George completed her BSc in Astrophysics at the University of Liverpool before continuing to postgraduate study at the University of Manchester.

She specialises in research into low noise amplifiers, and is the UK lead for amplifiers in numerous radio telescope projects. Additionally, George has worked alongside NASA and the European Space Agency in studies exploring the ‘big bang’ theory.

George was honoured in 2014 when she became the sixth woman in 189 years to be chosen to present the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Her lecture was a resounding success as she spoke live with astronauts on the International Space Station and transformed the London Shell Centre into a giant game of tetris.

At the time of the lecture, the 38-year-old professor was eight months pregnant with her first child. The Royal Academy of Engineering Rooke Award accredited these achievements in 2016 as acknowledgement for her successes in public outreach and promotion of engineering.

An inspiration for all aspiring engineers, but particularly for young women in science, George commented: “Hopefully, it sends a subconscious message that as long as your baby is fine and you’re feeling fine it doesn’t stop you from doing anything. So you can get on with your work, still make a difference and still change the world in a positive way — and you don’t have to stop for nine months because you are pregnant.”

Marie Stopes Stopes was a prominent contributor to plant paleontology, and the first woman in history to become an academic at the University of Manchester. Her vast research and publications in paleobotanical papers made her one of the leading paleobotanists of her time.

By attending both day and night schools, Stopes successfully attained a first class degree in botany and geology from University College, London in just two years. In 1901, she became the first woman to hold an academic position at the University of Manchester when she took up the role of lecturer of paleobotany.

Alongside her research, she was an avid campaigner for women’s rights and a pioneer in raising awareness for women’s issues and sexual and reproductive health. Although controversial and divisive, Marie Stopes’ influence lead to the establishment of sexual and reproductive health clinics worldwide.

Stopes moved away from the field of paleobotany after the success of her work regarding women’s issues. She was a philanthropist with a strong interest in birth control. In 1918, her book ‘Married Love’ was published, along with a follow-up entitled, ‘Parenthood: A Book for Married People’.

These publications were regarded as sex education manuals and argued that marriage should be an equal relationship between partners. Although the medical establishment and the church condemned the book, it was a huge success and sold out nationwide.

Women wrote to Stopes for advice, and she regularly engaged in public speaking. She also established the first birth control clinic in the country. Today the Marie Stopes International organisation is the leading independent provider of sexual and reproductive health services.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Photo: The University of Manchester

Georgie Hines Science & Technology Editor

The Women of Science campaign, launched last December by PhD researcher in Materials Science and Widening Participation Fellow, Rhys Archer, features 40 ‘relatable’ female scientists from across Europe Inspired by online sensation ‘Humans of New York’, Archer came up with the idea after winning an online public engagement competition, ‘I’m an Engineer Get Me Out of Here’, in 2015.

From here, she has used the money to market her campaign, bringing out a website, social media channels, and leaflets about women in STEM that will be distributed in schools across Manchester.

Asked what inspired her to start the campaign, Archer says that she has also been heavily involved in public engagement and schools outreach since she came to the University of Manchester in 2009.

“I think there is a really good culture at the university that promotes social responsibility and working within the community, and so really I think that I have been largely inspired by my time here to continue to work with schools and the public and try to use my skills and expertise to help others.”

She says that she originally only had the intention to create leaflets for school children but “it was really through talking to the young people that I decided to make it a more interactive, online campaign as well as the physical leaflets.”

The campaign’s online presence and visualisation of subject’s stories seems to be popular, with Archer remarking that “the combination of a quote and a photograph on Twitter have been an incredibly effective way of telling the stories of people in a relatable way.

“For me that’s how we should be communicating role models to those who will benefiting from them - not sharing their job profiles but instead sharing who they are as people.”

“A really nice impact that we weren’t expecting so much was just how many female scientists and engineers have engaged with the campaign, and how important that has been for those women - to hear these real stories about other women in STEM,” says Archer on the overwhelming support she has received since the campaign launched.

The ‘relatability’ of these stories is a huge reason for their popularity. Archer explains that being a woman in science isn’t just about the job. “Sometimes [the story] can be relating to struggle - feelings towards PhD’s that perhaps aren’t always said, or struggles with mental health that can be invisible and hard to talk about,” she says.

“It has also been great to see how supportive that community have been, congratulating the women when they speak of their achievements and ambitions.”

But Archer is adamant that the campaign isn’t just to inspire female scientists, but to showcase the responsibilities scientists have to encourage women to enter the field. ”Both [female and male scientists] are crucial in being supportive and encouraging mentors for young women interested in STEM subjects. On an individual scale, I think it is about being role models for others.”

And she makes clear “that [this] isn’t about being perfect” and that for her, “it’s about being honest and open - just having a chat, sometimes that can be all it can takes to help someone feel like they belong, or that they are not alone in what they want to achieve.”

This is an excerpt. To read Georgie’s full article, go to mancunion.com

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Exec Election Special

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Activities & Development

Meet the candidates

Kirstie O’Mahony “Being FuseFM’s Head of News and MMG’s Head of Current Affairs has given me a wealth of experience which will be integral to this role. I also have experience in the local community working in local bars, pubs and restaurants, as well as volunteering at an LGBT radio station.”

Kitty Bartlett “I am a 4th year geography student, and I am running because I have loved my time the University so much, I want other people to be able to enjoy their uni expereince as much as I have, and I belive that making a better Union is the way to do that!”

Mei Morrish “I’ve got the organisational, leadership, and creative skills from two years working with Team Pangaea, in which I led both Pan-GAY-a (the university’s only dedicated LGBTQ event space) and the decor team (co-ordinating a team of over 200 people).”

General Secretary

Kirstie O’Mahony

Alex Taylor

Sorcha Floyd

Ben Mugi Mei Morrish

Marah Subahi

Wellbeing

Marah Subahi “‘I’m tremendously passionate about ensuring students have the best experience at university.

I’m the current General Secretary of ManMUN which means I have a great understanding of the ins and outs of the SU. ” Ben Mamicha “After a wonderful year serving as the President of the East African Society, I believe that it is the right time to expand my reach and enact my vision of a University of exuding openness, positivity and prosperity” Sorcha Floyd “Having been Campaigns and Citizenship officer this year, I have the experience of being on the Exec team; therefore I believe I am equipped with the necessary skillset to be your GenSec. “ Alex Taylor “I am committed to this University and want to improve it. My goals are to involve you more in the life of the Union, and develop it into an institution that really offers something for everyone; something we can all be part of.”

Campaigns & Citizenship

Kitty Bartlett

Saqib Mahmood “Having a mental health condition, has allowed me to express my passion about mental health and general wellbeing. I want to help the student population on a higher scale, to reach out to students from all communities, ranging from BME to LGBTQ+.”

Zara Riches “Vote Zara #1 if you want: More free sports available through Sporticipate. A greater range of vegan, gluten-free, halal and kosher food. A “Conversation Corner” for students to talk about family issues they’re facing.”

Dee Dixon “Why vote for me? Well I am pledging to focus on managing and tackling the issues of student isolation throughout university life as well as facing mental health issues with practical solutions that can benefit everyone.”

Erin Dyson “Studying at the University of Manchester for four years has given me and understanding of the successes and shortcomings of our university....I have seen the importance of improving the level of pastoral care offered as well as supporting students who no longer live in halls..” ”Lisa Kudrow “University is a stressful and confusing time for many, something I have experience of having struggled with depression during my studies, it’s vital that the best wellbeing services Erin Dyson possible are provided. I have the experience and ideas to ensure they are”

Deej Malik-Johnson Dom Bennett

Molly Stedman

Molly Stedman “I’m running for Campaigns and Citizenship officer because I wholly believe in the power of the student voice to affect change. My three top priorities are empowerment, fees and refugees.”

Deej Malik-Johnson “As your Campaigns officer I will focus on the 3 E’s Empowerment, Education and Environment to broaden access to education, defend student rights, fight hate crime, divest from fossil fuels and support you to make change.”

Saqib Mahmood

Zara Riches

Dee Dixon

Exec Election Special

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Community

Education

Madeline Martin “I’d love the opportunity to represent you on issues like housing, safety and community cohesion, and look forward to learning about the issues that matter most. See my manifesto for details of my top priorities!”

Enas Hamza “I’m a born & bred Mancunian. I’m involved in our student community (honestly, just find me on Facebook); I’m better suited to represent YOU both inside and outside of it. ”

Farhan Butt “If I won, some of the things that I’d fight for are campaign against cuts to bursaries, Home & International student fee and printing charges. Top 3 Priorities: 1) Campaign against cuts to bursaries 2) Home and International student fee 3) Printing Charges” Emma Atkins “I’ve done a lot this year but my experience has taught me where the University is lacking and what else has to be done, and I’d love to represent you in education for another year.” ”Lisa Kudrow “As Education Officer, I would work to empower students to make their positive impacts. I would work hard to widen access to higher education, lobby against increased tuition fees supported by the T.E.F. and express your views more effectively.”

Enas Hamza

Madeline Martin

Emma Atkins

Farham Butt

Women’s Jessica Mills Gamu Hogwe Sara Heddi

Sol Rose Sara Heddi “I’m running to be Women’s Officer because I’m passionate about implementing policies that will benefit women across not just campus but the community as well.”

Sol Rose “From confronting systematic gendered violence to challenging employment boundaries, I aim to cross-culturally connect, inspire, listen to and empower women from all walks of life here at UoM.” Gamuchirai Hogwe “ I want to bring equality, safety and awareness to everyone. I appreciate that different women have different experiences and needs so I am here to listen to and accept input from each one of you.”

Diversity Riddi Visu “As your diversity officer, I will represent your concerns actively and strive to ensure that every student feels at home and inclusive. I dream to build a diverse Student Union family with unique members, sharing different opinions and skills but unite together to achieve union’s objectives.”

Jeff Ochola “While I’m asleep I think about the world, the things that make us united yet divided in many instances.

The belief that our uniqueness is the basis of our strength is something I hold close to my heart.”

Xin Tang “I believe in passion for inclusion, I believe in the spirit of equality. This position is not just for me, but for that kid who was kicked out of house because his mom and dad didn’t accept for who he was, that kid who got bullied for his skin colour, her weight or nationality. ” Caesar Alam “If elected, I will enhance the overall student experience by promoting the value of diversity amongst all student groups, spanning a diverse range of languages, faiths and cultures.”

Jonathan Ajah #DiversifyDUnion”

Xin Tang

Riddi Visu

Caesar Alam

All students from the University of Manchester are eligible to vote, with voting open until the 9th of March. Students can vote through the MyUnion tab on MyManchester.

The results of the elections will be announced on the night of the 9th. The Mancunion will be liveblogging all the results as they happen.

The Mancunion approached all 48 candidates running in the elections, the 27 printed were the only ones to respond. Their full statements can be found on The Macunion website., You can view all the other candidates standing on the Students’ Union website.

Caesar Alaim

Geoff Ochola

Jonathan Ajah

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8

Feature

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Feature 9

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Photo : Lauren Gibbins

Dealing with bereavement at university

Lauren Gibbins offers advice for students on how to cope with loss while studying

U

niversity is an extremely pivotal part of every young person’s life. It is a huge upheaval and can cause a whole range of different emotions — fear, excitement, nervousness or apprehension. It is coined the ‘time of our lives’ since, for the most of us, we are at that in-between stage of adulthood: Mature enough to move out and fend for ourselves, but still bringing washing home every once in a while. However, for some students like myself there is the added pressure of having to deal with the never-ending struggle that is post-bereavement grief.

I lost my dad on the 2nd of June 2010, the day before my 15th birthday. I still remember the day clearly — we had been to visit a motorcycle dealership in Preston where my dad had booked a track day, and bought my mum a pair of motorcycle gloves. It was a really sunny day and I was sunbathing on the trampoline listening to my iPod when my dad left to go to a dentist appointment. He decided to

take the bike.

I remember something feeling a bit off that day but I just brushed it aside. When my dad kissed my mum goodbye I remember thinking to myself, “tell her you love her”. It was a weird, overwhelming thought and when my dad said bye to me I just responded with that typical ‘yeah, bye’ teenage grunt. I thought nothing more of it until a few hours had passed and a police woman turned up on the driveway.

I didn’t actually notice her myself, but I remember my sister Ceri coming upstairs to tell me, and then I realised that my dad had been gone for much longer than he should’ve been for a dentist appointment.

I went outside and tried to calm down. I rang my dad’s mobile, telling myself that if he picked up everything would be ok: He would be riding his bike, it was a nice day, he would be making the most of it and be back soon. Obviously, he never answered.

The next thing I remember was my grandparents turning up on the driveway and walking over to my mum. I remember them all hugging each other and seeming very upset, but I didn’t think the worst had actually happened. My initial thought was that maybe he had fallen off and was in hospital, but soon we were all summoned into the kitchen where my mum broke the news that my dad had been killed in a motorcycle accident and would not be coming home.

My dad’s accident happened at a very confusing time in my life. As a teenager, I was already very self conscious like most girls, and in the process of trying to work out who I wanted to be — that is not to say that

losing my dad at a different point in my life would’ve been any easier, but it had a huge knock-on effect on some of the most important years of my life to date, including my GCSE’s, A Levels and now university.

One of the most significant obstacles I have had to overcome since moving to university has been exams. As I previously mentioned, I lost my dad in the June of 2010, which is always right in the middle of exam season. Since year eleven, I have had to revise for and sit exams on or around the anniversary of my dad’s death, which is naturally a very difficult time for me. It is something I have had to just get used to because there is no way of getting around it in England — you cannot choose your own exam dates. There are, of course, mitigating

“The world does not stop turning just because something like this happens” circumstances, but I have only used these twice — for my GCSE exams in 2010 because they were directly after the accident, and then again in my second year of university when my grandma passed away.

Writing this now, I truly understand how ridiculous it sounds, but at

the time I felt as if I was making a big deal out of nothing. I accepted results which were not a true reflection of my ability because I thought that when applying for mitigating circumstances I would either be told that it had not occurred in the recent past, or that I would be defined as the girl who needed special treatment because her dad had died. Of course now I know that this isn’t the case at all — I had lots of help in the form of deadline extensions and extra considerations on exam results, but I’m not someone who likes being the centre of attention and I allowed myself to suffer in silence because I thought I just had to get on with it.

The other big aspect of university life is the social element. On the one hand I didn’t want to miss out on the crucial first weeks where you form your friendship groups, but at the same time I was struggling on a personal level which often left me unable to leave my room. I wasn’t overly happy with my halls of residence, which definitely didn’t help, and I didn’t have the support system of living with people I was really close with.

Though there were nice people in the flats around me who would always text asking me to come out, I found myself saying no and settling in for a night in alone with a buffering Netflix every two seconds. After a while, people stopped persisting and I became a miserable recluse on top of the already-existing struggles I faced each day.

In my first year of university, I sat my final Italian exam on the 3rd of June, my birthday, and had planned to go out that night to celebrate.

In the end, I was so overwhelmed from the stress of the past few days surrounding the anniversary of my dad’s death alongside revision that I had a panic attack and didn’t make it out at all. I felt like I had embarrassed myself and let all my friends down, but was at the same time resentful because it seemed as though they hadn’t remembered what was really going on. Looking back on it now, they had no reason to remember the date that I had probably mentioned only once before and were more concerned about my welfare than what had really caused it.

message them whenever for a chat, and I look forward to living with them when we return for our final year in September.

I chose to study a joint honours with a language because it allowed me the chance to improve my employability and live in a foreign country for a year whilst still receiving a student loan.

When applying, I never really sat down and thought about how difficult it could be to uproot myself from a city only an hour’s train ride away from home and live in a country I had never even visited before. I was looking at it through rose-tinted glasses — the thought of getting a year’s break whilst my other friends were slogging over their dissertations was more than mildly appealing.

But I had an enormous sense of guilt when I first arrived — I felt as though I had left my family and friends behind. My grandma passed away in March 2016 when my sister was working in New Zealand on her gap year and I now understood how bad she had felt for not being at home. My mum warned me that my grandma’s death would probably set me right back to where I’d been in June 2010 and she was absolutely right — it came at a time when I was only just really beginning to accept what had happened to my dad. I was tempted to try put off my Erasmus year abroad, since I didn’t feel in the right mental state and, when September came and I was sat alone in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3, it hit me that I was going to be more than just a quick train away from my closest support units for a significant amount of time.

Six months into my year abroad and I can say first hand that it has done me the world of good. Manchester is only around an hour away from my home in Preston, so I rely on the fact that I can go home whenever I really want with little expense, but the truth is, being out of my comfort zone has not only kept me too busy to dwell on things, it has also allowed me a break from the things which were affecting my mental health the most, such as employment and the pressure of constant presentations, assignments and exams. At the end of the day, Italy is only a 2 hour flight away from Manchester — so that if I really do need to go home I can, but I’m still far away enough to have been forced to find alternative coping mechanisms to deal with the grief alone.

A bittersweet by-product of losing a loved one is the amount of people who hurry to support you, telling you that they are always there and if you ever need anything to let them know, but I was only just 15 when the accident happened, and I didn’t really register at the time that I’d be grieving for the rest of my life while these people were just moving on with theirs. The saying ‘life goes on’ really does apply here — I felt resentful towards those who seemed to have forgotten about the situation two weeks later, when meanwhile my life had been turned upside down.

It is a very lonely experience and I understand now, from an outsider’s viewpoint, the reasons why many feel the need to back off, so as not to suffocate the person or to get back to their own lives. The world does not stop turning just because something like this happens. I still have days even now when I feel particularly low and wonder why none of my friends have asked how I am or why they all seem to be having an amazing time while I am moping in my room. The truth about living with loss is that you are never fully over it. Grief can do strange things to your mental state and skews even the most rational of situations but eventually you just learn to deal with this on a dayto-day basis. I think about my dad and my grandma every single day, but the way it affects me differs.

For anyone who has suffered a personal loss, whether it be recently or a while ago, just know that you’re not alone. There will undoubtedly be times when you feel low, numb, scared, angry, but there will times when you feel equally happy, remembering the good times with a smile rather than a tear. You will be able to sit with your loved ones and discuss the time your grandma did a jaeger-bomb at her 70th birthday party (true story) and you will be able to move forward, taking all of this with you as the biggest learning curve of your life.

University is tough for everyone, especially so for those battling with their mental health, and it can often seem as though there is no point to any of it — trust me, I have been there. One of the only things which motivated me to continue was the realisation that if I had been able to survive the loss of my dad, I could definitely survive a four year degree course. If you’re someone who is struggling, know that although it never gets easier, you will learn the best way to cope with it and come out the other side.

Got a story to tell or an interview you’d like to write?

“ I felt as if I was making a big deal Come to the Features section meetings on the first floor out of nothing” Although your friends at home probably know about your loss, your new friends might not and you may not have found the right time to tell them. It is difficult telling people who don’t already know, it often causes mild awkwardness, particularly if they have just asked you something along the lines of “so, what do your parents do?” or, in the case of one ex-boyfriend, “when am I going to meet your dad?”.

I was, however, very fortunate to meet some really amazing friends on my course who have been an incredible support network for me over the past two and a half years. Even now when we are all in separate foreign cities on our Erasmus year abroad, I know I can

activities space of the Students’ Union on Tuesdays at 5pm and get involved.

Opinion

10

Get in touch Facebook: /mancunionop Twitter: @MancunionOP Email: opinion@mancunion.com

Have an opinion?

Come to our meetings: Monday 5:15pm, first floor of the Students’ Union

Why I’ve dropped out of the University of Manchester Edie Walwyn Contributor A sigh of relief passed through my lips as I got off the East Midlands train from Manchester on the 29th January 2017, greeted by my mother with open, loving arms. I’d royally effed-up the only exam I had to do that week, in spite of my supposed high intellect and love of Medieval Literature. On top of all of this, I was going to do the unthinkable and drop out of a Russell Group university. That night, my mother and I went to see T2: Trainspotting at the cinema at which I used to work, still manned by my closest friends and ex-colleagues, who looked upon my return with pity and inevitability. [T2 spoiler] Just as Renton returns to his old room at the end of the film with a sense of failure, nostalgia and immaturity, similarly, later that night, I collapsed into my adolescent bed. At least Renton got away from Edinburgh for twenty years, I lasted a mere semester at the University of Manchester.

“The first semester is bad for everyone!” These are the words those of you who are miserable at university will hear at every instance. It’s a valid point, unless you’re a superhuman whose squad synchronised their university choice, the chances are that you will experience some difficulty when you first attend university, in some shape or form. Whether it’s living far away from loved ones, financial struggles, loneliness, or the increased workload, it’s hard being a first year.

“It’ll get better!”, they said.

Maybe they were right. They probably were. After all, most of the people I spoke to about my reservations about continuing university spoke of their first semester very much in terms of “it has to get worse before it can get better”. They got through it, and I should have been able to as well. I was embarrassed that no matter how convincingly my friends and loved ones argued in favour of the remain campaign, I was edging on the side of leave.

So, after a measly one day back in Manchester after the Christmas holidays, I went running back home, tail between my legs, determined to end my short and temperamental relationship with the University.

After a few mental breakdowns, awkward family phone calls, and finding career opportunities in the line of work I wish to pursue, I realised that my decision was entirely reasonable...

This is an excerpt. To read Edie’s full article, head to www.mancunion.com

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Special feature: Feminism Men must listen to feminists In the wake of the recent Reclaim the Night protest, we must look at the role men have in feminist movements On Thursday 23rd, 2500 students gathered outside Owens’ Park for the annual Reclaim The Night march, a demonstration organised by the Students’ Union to protest the continuation of violence against women.

In my own show of support for a cause that I, as a man, have strong feelings about, I donned glitter, neon paint, and my golden bomber jacket to stand against the gendered injustices of our day. One student I spoke to said she was surprised at how many men had turned out for the march.

From Owens’ Park, we trooped up Wilmslow Road chanting a variety of rhyming slogans. In a lull between the chants, a friend turned to me and said I should lead one of the rousing calls to reclaim the night. I said I was happy joining in, but didn’t think it would be right to lead one myself. Amongst the various punladen placards (“My dress is not a yes” and “She just wants the D-estruction of the patriarchy”) and the kaleidoscopic lights of the Curry Mile, I found myself wondering if I should be there at all.

The place of men in feminism has long been debated. There are those who outright reject the participation of men (more specifically, ‘all-privileged’ straight, white, middle-class man) and maintain that feminist spaces must be the reserve of women and other marginalised groups. Conversely, I would argue that men should be considered an acceptable, even necessary, part of emancipation movements.

Throughout history, in areas such as politics, governance, education, finance and commerce, the vast majority of positions of power have been held by men. Feminism seeks to redress this balance and get women (and other minorities) into power.

From this perspective, it doesn’t seem right that I, a straight, white male, should enter into a politics with a central tenet.

“Feminism, to a man, hinges on whether we are willing to listen to what women are saying or ignore their experiences; we all have something to learn from the subjectivities of others.”

Being a male feminist merits a fairly wide range of responses. It tends to excite other feminists, get the lads riled up, or attract a kind of double take, not to mention my housemate’s jokes that, I “only do it because girls lap that bollocks up.” Indeed, I often get asked why I am a male feminist, since the movement, as the name suggests, offers more to women.

For one, I think that feminism has something to offer men in the same way it has something to offer all people. We operate in a world of categorisations, with ‘male’ and ‘female’ being two of the most salient.

The ideals and stereotypes associated with these categories can be damaging to men as well as women, not to mention those who identify with neither. In this way, feminist theories of gender can offer men a liberating alternative to the muscular, aggressive, and in no way effeminate image we are so often presented with.

However, I do not consider myself a feminist primarily because of what it has to offer men. Feminism, to a man, hinges on whether we are willing to listen to what

Photo: Elise Gallagher

David Moseley Opinion Writer women are saying or ignore their experiences. In fact, we all have something to learn from accepting the subjectivities of others.

“I am a feminist and an ally because I have heard stories from women and girls that I care for and do not discredit. ” I happily walk down the Curry Mile any time, day or night, wearing whatever I please, feeling perfectly safe in a public space full of people. Many of my female friends, on the other hand, know that if they walk there, they are likely to be catcalled and made to feel uncomfortable.

When someone tells me this, I could either not believe it, simply because I have never personally experienced it, or I can stop thinking of statistics as to why it is not true,

pay attention, and accept that a woman’s experience is vastly different to my own.

I am a feminist and an ally because I have heard stories from women and girls I care for and do not discredit. That is the place of men in feminism and the role of all privileged people in their engagement with the marginalised: to listen, above all else. I do not think it is my place to speak on behalf of women; men have been doing that for long enough. But, it is my place to tell other men that they should pay attention to what women are saying.

In the throng of wailing megaphones, flags of swearing vaginas and signs telling Donald Trump where to go, I was part of reclaiming the night, but not for myself. It was not about demanding that feminism gives me something, but it was a show of support for the women of Manchester, my friends and the women I know. It was to say: “I am listening.”

Great British matriarchs

Opinion Writer Colm Lock looks at how many of Britannia’s greatest rulers were, and continue to be, women On this island, as in most of the world, our politics and ruling elite have been dominated by men. The less enlightened will quickly knee jerk to blame our JudeoChristian heritage for this. That would would not only be wrong, but the kind of person who believes such a thing probably also believes that air conditioning is sexist and vows to smash the patriarchy every day before breakfast. Instead, blame the Romans; their society has shaped ours in many ways that we don’t know.

But, compared to our continental friends, Britain is much more matriarchal than you might think. It must be remembered that our island is personified in the female form of Britannia. And before anyone says that it was the English who burned Joan of Arc, that was excusable because, above all, she was French.

The Roman province of Britain was troublesome for the empire; we required more than the average number of legions to keep us from rising up and kicking out our continental masters. Rebellions were tried and rebellions failed. But a great annoyance for Romans and the most well-known rebel leader of this time was Boudica, the woman who led the Iceni in rebellion against the empire and gave them hell until her eventual suicide as the prospect of capture became a reality. Her statue, complete with chariot, currently stands proudly on Westminster Bridge outside parliament, emanating a strength and defiance that has so often been the characteristic of our national spirit.

It must also not be forgotten that our three most successful and pivotal rulers have all been in the possession of two X chromosomes. Both of the Elizabeths and Victoria are, I would argue, the greatest monarchs this country has ever enjoyed.

George III, while he did reign for a long time, lost Britain’s colonies in America and was a famous loony who would burry joints of beef in the palace gardens, believing that they would eventually sprout into ‘beef trees’. George V’s reign was also famously stuck in the mud. His drudging rule left us sluggish and unprepared for the latter half of the 20th century, and it was under his watch that the empire weakly gave up its control of Ireland.

“It was Queen Victoria’s pragmatic rule and embrace of technology and science that saved us from the barbarity of republicanism and communist revolution.”

Elizabeth I, however, is a very different kettle of fish. She came to the throne after succeeding her sister, whose rule was admittedly a complete disaster. Elizabeth’s rule is the time that I view as the foundation of the British Empire. It was her provocation of the Spanish and the complete defeat and humiliation of the Armada that left a gap in the market for Britain to stake its claim on the new world. After all, the state of Virginia is named after her. We stole the gold of the Spanish empire, at the time the global superpower, and ceased to be just a provincial backwater on the edge of Europe.

She also firmly safeguarded the place of Protestantism in Britain and finished her father’s work in freeing us from the tyranny and zealotry of Rome, eradicating the

Photo: BarStu @Flickr

possibility of an inquisition on this island.

Then we come to Victoria, a woman whose reign saw the empire rise to meteoric heights, a queen in an age that immensely shaped modern Britain. Were it not for her and her husband Albert’s patronage of causes that advanced the cause of modernism and struck the careful balance between sovereign and parliament, we would not be where we are today.

Instead, we would probably have faced a much stronger republican menace than we have faced. While this opinion is currently shared between pitiful and unpatriotic weirdoes, back then it was a serious issue. Because of the misrule by monarchs of the 19th century, within the first 22 some years of the 20th century, the Emperors of Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire had all fallen. But it was Queen Victoria’s pragmatic rule and embrace of technology and science that not only allowed us to become a super power, but also saved us from the barbarity of republicanism and communist revolution. She is our second longest reigning monarch who, amongst other things, made the modern Christmas tree fashionable in Britain.

Finally, we come to our current monarch, Elizabeth II. Many do not think she is great; when I mention this to people, they usually laugh at the notion of her greatness as our queen. But, we must remember that she has been queen through possibly the most tumultuous period across the globe since the Napoleonic wars. In the wake of the Second World War, our empire, like many others, was in the process of collapse. Some countries dealt with this well. France certainly did not. Like Ziggy from Lazytown, they continued the mantra of pointing at their colonies and saying “this is mine”. As the queen of what was still the biggest empire in the world, she was pivotal in our decolonisation. She could have become involved by arguing for British resistance and entrenchment, which proved so disastrous for Portugal and France, but instead she saw the signs.

She has led us out of empire and into the age of the commonwealth, and for that we should be grateful.

So next time you give a thought to Britain’s rulers, remember that our Queens have proved able captains of the ship of state that our kings rarely were.

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encourages cosmetic companies to refrain from the practice. Similarly, boycotting brands that the Trumps own or run would also make sense.

However, U.S. Uncut recently suggested boycotting amazon.com just because it sells “Trump brand shoes, clothing, and home furnishings.”

“Musk also has recently stated that ‘the more voices of reason the president hears, the better.’”

Photo: Elekes Andor @ Wikimedia Commons

The fallacy behind boycotting businesses

Boycotting products or services for allegedly supporting Donald Trump does very little to help the cause, writes Deputy Opinion Editor, Marina Iskander In a time and age of heightened commercialisation, business and politics have become inseparably mixed together. The simplest example of this is the fact that current US President Donald Trump is better known as a businessman than as a politician. In fact, when he imposed the travel ban, companies like Apple and Facebook were the first to file for court papers against the decision. In turn, for us consumers, it makes sense to speak up through using or boycotting certain businesses. So In the summer of 2016, a friend and I thought it would be interesting to go and see Milo Yiannopoulos talk at an event in London. If you are familiar with Yiannopoulos, you would not have found it difficult to guess the contents of the talk: mockery of transsexuals, rage against feminists, and fawning over the man who was then only a candidate for President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Whilst the contents of the talk were jarring and uncomfortable for a metropolitan London liberal like myself, more memorable were the attitudes of the audience. Despite their recent success in the EU referendum and the unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the Republican nomination process, not many of the people that I talked to seemed at all happy or optimistic. In fact, most seemed to be in despair. When the Q&A section of the talk began, most people who raised their hand to ask a question ended up fumbling out something that was more like a contribution to a group therapy session than a question.

“I saw parallels between these scared and angry teenage boys [at the talk] and the kinds of people who are attracted to radical Islam” After I left the talk, I came away feeling something that I had not expected to feel. I did not feel angry at these people for holding misogynistic or racist views. Rather, I felt sympathy for them. I saw parallels between these scared and angry teenage boys and the kinds of people who are attracted to radical Islam. I went to the talk under the impression that the views these people held were about attacking other people. Upon leaving, I had realised that they were part of a protective shell, a carapace that the attendees had used as a way of responding to the perceived threats of feminism and globalisation.

I concluded that these people do not necessarily hate feminism or anti-racist campaigns because they hate women or are racists, but because they feel that protections are being afforded to other groups that are not being afforded to them. And, like most extremist campaigns, the anger and hatred was at least partially based on legitimate grievances.

when faced with racist policies like the travel ban, we believe we are making a difference by deleting apps from our phones or by not buying coffee from certain chains. By compromising part of our comfortable daily routine for a bigger cause it feels as if we are making a real change. But at the end of the day, these practices are rarely beneficial.

For example, boycotting make-up brands that test on animals would make sense, as it shows discontent with an ethical dilemma and

This makes no sense for two reasons. First of all, the means and the end are barely related: not using Amazon will probably not stop the platform from dealing with Trump. Secondly, even if it did, the action would be very far removed from the reasons so many people are against Trump. Someone somewhere has to provide a retail and logistical outlet for the Trump brand, and online shopping is not the reason for him being sexist and racist.

It is arguable that boycotting these businesses is a form of silent dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies — a theoretical, if impractical, way to stand up to Trump using the language of our time. But, the problem with this method is that it is based on a fallacies alike those mentioned above. For example, protesting racism by boycotting Uber.

This particular wave started when Uber emailed their US employees about Trump’s travel ban.

In this email, they said that they would help staff by offering them support, including legal help and compensating them pro bono if they are not allowed to enter the country. The email also mentioned that the Chief Executive would be working with Trump “from within through persuasion and argument”.

Meanwhile, a company offering a similar service to Uber, Lyft, sent out a shorter email saying that they were “firmly against” the ban. Soon after, social media was flooded with tweets and posts about how we should no longer use Uber — all based on this misconception that Uber worked with Trump and supported his policies. However, simply reading the email shows that Uber had

A sympathetic view of Milo Yiannopoulos

actually meant to do the exact opposite. Some people oppose the mere idea of Uber working with such a regime, even if they might be trying to change it from within. Publicly deeming a service as racist while they were instead trying to do their part is a rough sentence.

Similarly, up two five individuals have cancelled orders on Model 3s from Tesla after hearing that Tesla’s Chief Executive, Elon Musk, plans to work with Trump by being a member of two advisory groups. Before the elections, Musk had publicly stated that Trump was not the “right guy” for the position. Musk and his company are known for their environmental awareness, a topic Trump downright excludes from policy. However, Musk also has recently stated that “the more voices of reason the president hears, the better.” Here, Musk rightly stands for facilitating debate in democracy.

“Other companies commit far bigger crimes” But the matter can be made even simpler: it does not make sense to stop using a service or a company because of the views of their Chief Executive, or any other member for that matter.

We so excitedly jump on the bandwagon and deem people as racist Trump supporters while we know that other companies commit even bigger crimes.

For example, it is widely known that stores like H&M and Primark keep their prices low by paying employees halfway across the world very little for their work. As someone who vehemently opposes Trump, I still believe that these practices are far more harmful than the fact that the Chief Executive of a certain company holds certain beliefs.

Boycotting companies is is a good way to make a point in some instances — but only if it’s done for the right reasons. Most importantly, it should not be because of some social media fad, unsupported by real facts. It also should not be based on a member of the corporation having opinions contrary to our own, as not using their product will not change that.

The left must be more understanding towards the individuals that are attracted to the views of speakers like Yiannopoulos Sam Glover Opinion Writer

Photo: leweb3 @Flickr

When one boy who looked about sixteen raised his hand and talked about how he had failed at his school and hadn’t felt adequately helped by his teachers, and that he felt his teachers had been more receptive to the problems of female students, my mind jumped to the studies that have shown that some teachers are likely to give male students worse marks for the same quality of work, and that white working class boys are the group in the UK that are the least likely to go to university. These boys and young men were not angry because of efforts to help women who suffer sexual violence or immigrants who struggle in their new country, but because they felt that no one had any interest in their experiences.

“Like most extremist campaigns, the anger is at least partially based on legitimate grievances.”

At the time of the talk, my sympathies only really extended to the people who were asking questions, rather than Yiannopoulos himself. He, I thought, was taking advantage of these young men to promote two things. Firstly, an extreme right-wing political package that offered hollow solutions for people who were facing real difficulties; and secondly, his own brand.

My opinion has changed in the last few days, since Yiannopoulos was forced to resign from his position at the far-right media group Breitbart. He has also been uninvited as a speaker at CPAC — a Republican conference in the United States that is so screwy that one of its talks was titled ‘If Heaven Has a Gate, a Wall, and Extreme Vetting, Why Can’t America?’ — and has had his book deal cancelled.

All of this has been triggered by renewed interested in comments Yiannopoulos made last year in support of the idea that boys as young as thirteen ought to be able to have relationships with older men, and often that these boys can be just as coercive in these relationships as the older men.

The context of these comments has been largely ignored. Yiannopoulos was talking about these kinds of relationships from the perspective of somebody who was involved in a relationship as a young teenager with an older man. When I listen to Yiannopoulos talk about the issue, it comes across to me as though they are the comments of a young boy who has been sexually abused and has struggled to come to terms with the fact that it was abuse.

Because of my interpretation of these comments as both genuine and harrowing, I have found the response of many on the left to be unsavoury. There are moments to have your glee at the downfall of a hate figure (if Donald Trump loses in 2020, I will certainly be celebrating), but this does not seem to me to be such a moment. Many left-wing pundits have questioned whether Yiannopoulos is lying about the abuse, despite the fact that almost all of these people have in the past taken the view that the default position on a victim of abuse ought to be one of belief.

“I can’t help but sympathy for both people who go to events he holds, and man himself.”

feel the the the

I can see why people get so angry about Yiannopoulos’ remarks, and, as someone in a group that Milo Yiannopoulos is very unlikely to offend, I appreciate that my own indignation about the response of the left may come across as the opinion of someone who hasn’t been hurt by the things that Yiannopoulos and his fans have said. But I still can’t help but feel sympathy for both the people who go to the events he holds, and the man himself.

Music

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Live Album

Feature

23rd February at Gorilla

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

While the dancefloor thankfully stays murder-less, Sophie Ellis-Bextor still takes care not to kill the groove, writes Lewis Thomas-Hargreaves Lewis Thomas-Hargreaves Contributor Sophie Ellis-Bextor (SEB) is back to rock the stage with her 6th studio album Familia, just three years after her last tour visit to Manchester for her album Wanderlust. Demonstrating that variety is the spice of life (second only to paprika, of course), SEB played a thumping set list containing material new and old, covers and intimate acoustic renditions.

Like a posh gazelle, she struts on stage in near-darkness to a powerful, grooving beat, and without saying a word plunges straight in to the first two tracks from her latest album. Although they sound great, her movements seem slightly awkward and tense. However, after a few minutes of saucy flirtation both she and the audience are visibly more at ease.

The first part of the set is formed predominantly of songs from the new album. While these are lively pop songs, they’re all met with slightly muted appreciation from the audience. However, an ultrafast rendition of ‘13 Little Dolls’, the live version of which can only be described as nü-folk-pop, sends an upsurge of energy throughout the audience and the entire room is finally on the same wavelength.

Musically, the band are tight and put on a polished and well-rehearsed performance, including some fantastic backing singers/violinists. Most songs seem to be driven by the bass guitar,

8/10

Photo: Lucian Crusoveanu @flickr

although the levels in the venue were slightly off as keys and guitar were quiet at times. The band provided an understated and modest backing, allowing the focus to be on our Sophie.

Throughout the rest of the set, SEB communicates superbly and even takes a slight break to give an insight into the development of her song writing process over the past half-decade. This

even involves deconstructing some lyrics that she now feels “dissociated” from.

This interlude is followed by two acoustic numbers requested by her Twitter followers. An “overwhelming majority” of fans had requested ‘Get Over You’ and ‘Mixed Up World’ (from her first and second albums, respectively) and the energy of the sing-a-long is something to behold.

Following these more intimate moments, the energy is regained with a few tunes from her recent discography, leading up to the much-anticipated climax of disco-pop that SEB does so well.

During a musical interlude, she takes a minute to change into her “sparkly disco leotard” and gives the audience fair warning that things are about to get properly popping. Over the course of

the next twenty minutes, covers of Cher, Moloko and Freemasons are thrown at the audience, along with her major hit ‘Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)’ by Spiller, all of which go down an absolute treat with the boogieing crowd.

This unrelenting orgy of nuanced 00’s dance sends them wild, and is topped off with a fantastic rendition of ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ (nearly burning the “god damn house right down”). In a classic case of misdirection, SEB leaves most of her band playing the outro and sneaks off stage, only to reappear at the sound desk in the middle of the venue.

Accompanied by an acoustic guitar and two violins but without a microphone, SEB delivers a delicately passionate rendition of ‘Here Comes the Rapture’. It’s delivered with tangible emotion, and is a fitting way to end the show.

Throughout the evening, Sophie created an atmosphere in which she was a friend first and an entertainer second (and, after her attempt to promote some tea-towel merchandise, probably a saleswoman third). After 18 years in the business, Sophie Ellis-Bextor can still put on a damn good show, and is surely the only artist that can cause a predominantly 40+ male crowd to passionately roar “and if you’re feeling life is just too tough, just remember you’re a real tough girl”.

Live

Elvana — Elvisfronted Nirvana

The world’s only Elvis-fronted tribute to Nirvana is a glorious mongrel that works better than it should, writes Oscar Talbot

Oscar Talbot Contributor

Forming a cover band used to be so easy. Learn to play the songs of another band, appropriate their particular timesensitive aesthetic and adopt a name similar enough to create nostalgia while also being possible to Google. (cf. The Smyths, Noasis, The Clone Roses etc.)

Then sit and wait for the bookings at pubs, strange venues on a Tuesday or weddings of those too boring to escape sentimentality to roll in. Who wouldn’t want to begin their nuptial bliss to the sound of a coiffured man from Bolton singing ‘your song’ about getting creamed by the 142.

Sadly in these turbulent times this will simply no longer suffice. As Engels wrote from Manchester, the giants of the past

7/10 ‘direct history from the grave […] causing everything to be re-enacted twice over, once as grand tragedy and the second time as farce.’ Both Elvis and Kurt Cobain defined the sound of a generation before becoming overwhelmed by the evils of deep fried food and being married to Courtney Love* respectively.

Out of these ashes, like the musical equivalent of fusion food, Elvana was birthed. Striking out at the heart of the fundamental purpose of a cover band, verisimilitude, they have attempted to twin the 1950s innuendo of Elvis with songs about abortifacients.

The Nirvana portion was very well done, carrying the band. Crowds of

Tracks of the week selected by Tara Bharadia

You’re not the only one longing for summer in the midst of this winterspring slump: let Tara Bharadia’s picks from the past week help

pissed leather-jacketed men tend to react badly to a man in a sequinned jumpsuit, but their ability to crank out songs like ‘Aneurysm’, ‘You Know You’re Right’ and ‘Sliver’ was testament to their overall above average rendition of Cobain’s back-catalogue. Furthermore they managed to avoid simply repeating the litany of over-played hits a less accomplished group would perform.

On the flip-side, the Elvis act felt like a bit of a novelty, mostly staying on the right side of gimmicky by occasionally throwing in a ‘yuh-huh’ in between yelling ‘Rape Me.’ Much like fusion cuisine, Elvana promise the same things that a curry pizza does; two things you like

crushed together in a beautiful mess, but you know that one of them will always win out.

During ‘Suspicious Minds’ Elvis came into the crowd and was lifted up so he could experience the sweat stalactites forming on the roof of Ruby Lounge’s cramped ceiling. Standing underneath this man from Stoke-on-Trent pretending to be Elvis pretending to be Kurt Cobain, wedged between his upper thigh and his left buttock the farce became exposed.

What would Cobain have thought?

Would he approve? Sure, they didn’t play ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, but at what cost?

How would Elvis have viewed these long-haired punks moshing about while

a strange man yells about how shit life is? He probably would have liked all the bits about ice cream though. Regardless, Elvana struck a chord with the audience, being similar enough to enjoy but ironic enough to not take too seriously. Maybe this represents a new era of cover bands.

Mexrrissey (Mexican Smiths) have already taken Manchester by storm. Why stop there? Personally, I can see a whole sub-genre of hybrid cover-bands. The Velvet Monkeys? ‘Cause every bady knooows you’re a fem’ fetale. Or Märelyhead? Elvana worked, form your own ungodly mess now while the pickings are rich. *views are writer’s own

3. ‘Lookin Exotic’ by Future

2. ‘Victoria Falls’ by Flyte

Whether you are a fan of Future or not, there’s

If you’re a fan of up-and-coming bands, then

1. ‘Slide’ by Calvin Harris (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)

something for everyone on his recently-released

Flyte are the ones for you. With a wealthy

This collab was teased a mere week before the track

back-to-back albums. ‘Lookin Exotic’ is off HNDRXX,

library of singles released over the past few

dropped, and it’s fair to say fans weren’t disappointed.

the second of the two releases, and features a new

years, this track has been released in the run-

Harris’

and brighter spin on his heavy trap influences. It’s

up to their eagerly-awaited new album. The

development with less of the heavy drums we’ve

the epitome of current hype tracks and shows off

London-based group have found their sound

been getting just a little bored of. But Frank and Migos

Future’s talents in the best way. His never-fading

with elusive lyrics, ever-changing styles and

totally steal the show in a way that makes it a song

passion is so clear in this track that it’ll make you

their newest stuff is definitely trance-worthy.

we’ll still be listening to in a few months’ time, while

feel stronger after just one listen.

production

is

finally

showing

sprawled out on the beach.

some

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Feature

Remembering 2016’s lost LGBTQ+ pop icons

Following February’s LGBT history month, Jack Ashworth looks back over some of the dominant LGBTQ+ pop icons of the late 20th century Jack Ashworth Contributor

Top 5: Disney songs

Three words. I know them. You know them. You probably spent the majority of the past three years trying to escape them.

And no, it’s not ‘I love you’.

‘Let It Go’ not only saw Frozen take over pretty much the entire Western world, but it completely changed the game for animated movie soundtracks. It dominated the charts, it won several prestigious awards and it has captivated children and adults alike with the magic of Disney. But while ‘Let It Go’ is fantastically catchy, here are five other songs from animated Disney movies that deserve just as much recognition.

Katie Shepherd Deputy Music Editor 5.’You’re Welcome’ — Dwayne Johnson The second song from Moana on this list, Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of demi-God Maui in this track captures everything needed for a Disney hit. This is the perfect song to get you revitalised and remotivated during those long hours of the study period.

Photo: Matt Brown @flickr

It has become a well worn cliche to state that 2016 saw the demise of some of our greatest cultural icons — from comedic legends like Victoria Wood and Caroline Aherne, to acting stalwarts Alan Rickman and Gene Wilder, to literary icons Harper Lee and Richard Adams. Few areas of the entertainment industry were left unscathed in a year that saw social media feeds dominated by eulogies to dead stars, the subjects of which seem to change on almost a daily basis.

Novello winner George Michael on Christmas Day. In fact, 2016 was a profound year of mourning for the LGBTQ+ community — the homophobia-motivated attack on Pulse, an LGBTQ+ club in Orlando, Florida horrified the world and left 49 people dead.

2016 also witnessed the highest murder rate for trans* people in the US, with 27 deaths being recorded by Advocate. Compounded with the global surge of right-wing political factions and the election of openly anti-

“One cannot help but feel a profound sense that society, whilst continuing to be a dangerous place for LGBTQ+ people to live authentically anyway, is beginning to regress” No area of the entertainment industry seemed to have suffered as disproportionately from the ‘curse of 2016’ than the music industry. Beginning in January with the unexpected death of David Bowie, as the year progressed a plethora of musical icons crossed the great divide to play that ‘great gig in the Sky’ — including Prince, Leonard Cohen, Pete Burns and ultimately culminating in the tragic loss of four-time Ivor

LGBTQ+ legislators in the US, one cannot help but feel a profound sense that society, whilst continuing to be a dangerous place for LGBTQ+ people to live authentically anyway, is beginning to regress.

The tumultuous political landscape makes the death of trailblazers such as Bowie, whose androgynous image revolutionised the way in which masculinity was conceptualised and navigated in

popular music, all the more difficult to comprehend. Bowie was one of the first commercially successful musicians to challenge conventional norms regarding gender and sexuality, and although remaining notably ambiguous about his own sexual preferences he gave visibility and validation to people who didn’t conform to the overwhelmingly heteronormative hegemony of the 1970s.

With the release of Hunky Dory in 1971, only four years after the legalisation of homosexuality in Britain, Bowie introduced a still sleepily conservative society to his androgynous, flamboyant and genderdefying Ziggy Stardust, and in tandem with the emergence of glam rock and artists such as Marc Bolan and Brian Connolly used costume, makeup and theatricality to defy the conventions of the overtly masculine music industry and pave the way for following generations of musicians and queer icons.

Hugely influenced by artists like Bowie, as well as the punk movement, the 1980s saw an emergence of many gay musicians who, living under the social conservatism of Thatcherism and the shadow of the AIDS epidemic, produced some of the most seminal works of the decade. Frankie Goes To Hol-

lywood (whose ode to gay sex ‘Relax’ was one of the biggest selling singles of the decade, despite massive media censorship), Bronski Beat, Boy George and the late Pete Burns of Dead or Alive (who is perhaps more famous for his stint in Big Brother and his controversial persona than his musical career) all became some of the most celebrated artists of the 1980s.

Although not openly identifying as gay until the late ‘90s, one of the greatest tragedies that befell the LGBTQ community in 2016 was the loss of George Michael. Arguably the most recognisable male musician of his generation, Michael achieved huge success not only domestically but also internationally (including the elusive US markets) throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Equally renowned for his personal life as his musical prowess, Michael was one of pop music’s first megastars to come out as gay and spent the latter half of his career campaigning, supporting AIDS charities, and championing LGBTQ+ causes.

Hounded by the tabloid press throughout the 1990s, culminating in the media storm around his arrest over the now infamous ‘lewd act’ in a Beverly Hills, Michael used the furore around his sexuality as a platform to speak out against the

societal prejudices that were still prevalent at the time. An outspoken and articulate critic of homophobia, his loss was mourned greatly by many in the LGBTQ+ community — not just for the excellent body of his work, but also for the content of his character.

“George Michael used the furore around his sexuality as a platform to speak out against the societal prejudices that were still prevalent at the time.”

With the advent of 2017, and the political landscape starting to look dark for many within the LGBTQ+ community, the loss of icons within the music industry is a hard pill to swallow. The very fact that these people existed within the mainstream media and were visible eased the isolation that many LGBTQ+ teens feel. With few openly gay musicians dealing with explicitly gay issues, or attempting to deconstruct hegemonic norms — as was so prevalent in the latter half of the twentieth century — it seems we will never see the likes of the stars we lost again.

4.’Zero to Hero’ — The Muses The Hercules soundtrack was done dirty. The female chorus, The Muses, bring the Greek mythology behind this film to live with their celebratory Gospel style and sharp, witty lyrics, and deserves so much more recognition.

3.’Hakuna Matata’ — Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver and Joseph Williams The Swahili phrase became internationally popular through this song, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, who found it in a Swahili phrasebook. The song remains one of the most well-known and iconic Disney songs, which can easily have you singing and dancing all your own worries away.

2.’How Far I’ll Go’ — Auli’i Cravalho If you’ve seen Disney’s latest, Moana, you will know how contagiously feel-good this song is.

Auli’i’s beautiful vocals combined with the empowering lyrics result in a song that makes you feel like even you could pick up an oar and sail off on a world-saving adventure across the Pacific.

1.’I’ll Make A Man Out of You’ — Donny Osmond I am a firm believer that there is no problem that will not be made easier by listening to this song.

One line in of this powerful track and there is nothing to stop you defeating the Japanese Huns, or indeed, that essay you’ve been putting off for three weeks.

Music

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Album Album

Feature

Released 17th, 24th Feb via Epic

Future — FUTURE vs. HNDRXX Tara Baharadia pits Future’s two eponymous albums against each other

Tara Bharadia Contributor One fateful week of this February brought us two studio albums by prominent rap artist — Future.

Self-titled FUTURE was released first and is full of his classic rap style with fast lines and expert production. Then, the long-awaited HNDRXX slid onto the scene and launched Future in a whole new light.

Any fan of Future will recognise the first of the two releases as a huge step up in his heavily-associated trap game. The album states no credited track features, yet boasts a solid set of exclusive producers. Here, we see Future sticking to what he knows best, mumbled yet energetic bars over a heavy hihat and kick-drum beat.

Future waited until his fifth studio release to release an eponymous album, maybe because FUTURE showcases the talents, he has been working once since 1983, best. ‘Flip’ and ‘Zoom’ contain a similarly conducted skits at the end, reminiscent of early Kanye works, which make not-so-subtle digs at rapper Desiigner and the women he has come across who are more interested in his money than his music. The angry side of the rapper is quite prominent in this album, for example, in ‘Rent Money’ he states ‘Ya baby mama fuck me better when the rent’s due’. Easily the most vulnerable track off

Interview Album

Photos: album artwork

FUTURE, ‘Mask Off’ samples a sped-up version of a Tommy Butler song with some references to drug addiction and carelessness from Future.

The seventeen-track album is packed with solos that can only be described as instant yet classic trap, he even states so himself in ‘Super Trapper’: “911 Turbo Porsche cause I’m a super trapper”.

Beats crafted by experts and then drenched in Future’s thick and syrupy voice, FUTURE is argu-

ably the best that he can get in the trap. Tracks like ‘I’m So Groovy’, ‘When I Was Broke’ and ‘POA’ show the best and limits of storytelling in trap. FUTURE doesn’t explore new ground and the extensive run time exhausts the genre but this is where HNDRXX comes into play.

It’s no surprise that two of the best tracks on HNDRXX are the ones that feature The Weeknd and Rihanna – ‘Comin Out Strong’ and ‘Selfish’ respec-

tively. Such big names carry the potential of them taking over the song and while that can be argued for both of these tracks, this album is more about Future trying something new and pushing himself creatively, especially trying his hand at singing, so we can excuse this.

The album seems a lot more apologetic and thankful than any other Future records we’ve heard before. In an interview with Beats 1 he stated, “This is me opening up and letting it all out so I can move past it and certain things, I won’t have to speak on it again”, but I’m sure I’m not the only one hope this side of Future sticks around a little longer. Three starkly different tracks are ‘Sorry’, ‘Incredible’ and ‘Lookin Exotic’ but because this is an album of change, they almost summarise the story Future is trying his best to tell in the best way.

Listen to both albums and you’ll be able to tell which tracks belong to which. The differences between the two are stark and obvious. Both possess an extensive track list but HNDRXX’s cover art features a static, monochrome body, in contrast to FUTURE’s bright and blurred face, which shows how HNDRXX is more honest, true and could potentially be Future’s new style moving forward.

Is this the end of Future and the start of Hendrix?

Interview: Lower Than Atlantis Eddy Thrower, drummer from Lower Than Atlantis, discusses the band’s new direction in their latest album release with Emily Pite

Emily Pite Contributor I was given the opportunity, despite the technical hitch due to Storm Doris and her effect on telephone lines, to interview Eddy Thrower, the drummer for Lower Than Atlantis.

The band has produced five albums, their first being in 2010, so I was pushed for original questions. Hoping to get an impression on their future prospects I asked about where the band expects to see themselves after their tour. Although he couldn’t divulge much, Thrower did say: “Hopefully bigger and better things really” while also suggesting “new fans, bigger audiences and to travel across the world”. This can be heard in their music as the band appear to dip their toes into the ‘mainstream’, but is also one of the stronger criticisms against the album Safe In Sound that was released early February this year.

Keeping with the theme of easy questions, Eddy told me his favourite song from the new album was ‘Had Enough’ which took him no time to answer: “It defines everything about LTA: heaviness and the electronic side and the groove.” As it opens the album it would make sense that it attempts to set the mood of their new release, although looking at other reviews older fans are disappointed by the band’s new direction. Their first album, Far Q was categorised as hardcore punk music, however in time with the development of the band they are what Spotify would define as ‘melodic indie rock’ maybe even pushing the boundaries to pop in the catchy, if a little repetitive, first song of Safe In Sound.

Before I properly broached the topic of their ‘new’ genre I wanted to ask about the practical method of creat-

while I can understand the criticisms, it is also fair-game to the band to want to get their music heard by a wider audience.

“You’ve just got to be you and not get caught up in what’s ‘rock’ and what’s ‘pop’, if it’s a good song, it’s a good song and if it’s shit, it’s shit!”

Photos: Autumnlewisphotography@flickr

ing their music. Out of pure interest I wanted to know if Eddy was ever technically challenged by their songs but he answered: “They don’t really test me, I don’t have to think or practice.” His response took an interesting turn as to my mind he started to confirm the allegations that the band is now trying to aim for arenas with the music they produce.

He admitted that he was challenged in some way because, “you want to cater to everyone, especially non-drummers, you want to write parts that are digestible to larger audiences, not necessarily the skilled drummers in their mum’s bedroom.”

Eddy, while playing for Lower Than Atlantis, also has done session work for One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer but he has clearly been able to retain his distinctive style of playing despite the challenges made against the new album. Describing the process of creating the new album Eddy explained that “we didn’t really care about indie, rock, metal, pop, on the last album we wrote music and things stuck so we know what works for us” defining the classic style as “the heavy songs with the pop chorus”. However he also maintained that “you’ve got to be original, music is so throwaway these days, you

have to have your own thing, you can’t constantly adapt to what’s cool.”

Bouncing off his use of the word ‘cool’ I pushed to ask about their song ‘Boomerang’ which has been pigeoned as the one to pull in the masses. I’ve seen articles use the phrase ‘engineered for the airwaves’ so I was intrigued to see how Eddy would respond. “It sounds different, it’s mainly electronic, it wasn’t like ‘we need a song for these people’ ‘we need a song like Boomerang to get us on the radio’, it doesn’t happen like that, it’s a natural thing and we hope people are into it.” At this point I should say that I really enjoy the album so,

Possibly again touching on a soft spot for the band I brought up the comments about their polished new sound. Eddy responded saying: “If it had rock drums in it, it wouldn’t be different, just because it has electric drums, it has a few synths instead of a guitar, and people assume it’s a completely different world apart.” While what he said was true I couldn’t help but question it; surely the instruments make up a strong part of the identity of a genre? Although, he did continue to say, “a song is a song and that’s what people forget, especially in the rock world, you’re limited in what you can do, people have really stubborn opinions about things that are different, they don’t listen to the song, they just listen to the instruments and it’s kind of frustrating.”

As a final note he added “You’ve just got to be you and not get caught up in what’s ‘rock’ and what’s ‘pop’, if it’s a good song, it’s a good song and if it’s shit, it’s shit!”

G R E AT E R MANCH ESTE R M ETRO M AY O R - P O L I C Y H USTI NGS 29 MARCH / THE UNIVERSITY O F M A N C H EST E R

Fashion & Beauty

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ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

THE FASHION AND BEAUTY FILES Guardian Angel or glamorising arms?

Product: Bag Brand: VLIEGER & VANDAM Style: With caution Is there a danger in sporting a fashion accessory without understanding its power as a political message? How aware of we are the statements we make? By Deputy Fashion and Beaut Editor Sophie Soar

Photo: Laughinsquid @ Flickr

Bask in Balm

The fashion industry is no stranger to controversy. In fact, it thrives off it. At the forefront of artistic culture, designers regularly dictate what’s new and exciting in the coming months, frequently with a pinch of contention. To cite the obvious, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood immediately come to mind.

The industry reflects upon, if not instigates, political controversy. For one, Autumn/Winter 2017 runways seemed laden with feminist slogan t-shirts in light of the international uprising against Trump’s inauguration. The President’s misogyny continues to fuel feminist fashion but his political stance towards America’s Second Amendment appears to fall short of representation.

The Second Amendment states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Considering the number of deaths caused throughout the US for the unsafe keeping of firearms and readily available access to the weapons, the Second Amendment continually sparks heated debate across the globe.

It is therefore perhaps time for VLIEGER & VANDAM’s line ‘Guardian Angel’, launched in 2002, to return to the controversial limelight. The accessories featured embossed outlines of guns on the outside of handbags, backpacks and purses for both men and women in luxury leather. Their website states that the design arose when designers Carolien Vlieger and Hein Van Dem witnessed the ‘street violence in the city of Rotterdam’ after moving there. The line has since grown to feature styles sporting embossed kitchen knives, claws, handcuffs and dachshunds (in case weaponry isn’t your style).

Despite its launch occurring fifteen years ago, VLIEGER & VANDAM continue to be immensely popular amongst celebrities and designers; the gun bag can boast high profile outings with the likes of Rihanna and model Irina Shayk.

However the bag comes with a warning. Printed inside each ‘Original Guardian Angel’ is the message: ‘Do not use it for self-defence purposes. The weapon feature at the front is fake. To avoid any problems, do not take this bag on a plane as hand luggage and do not take this bag to the bank to pick up cash. Please do enjoy it!’ It would seem the ‘Guardian Angel’ is more likely to cause a problem than act protectively.

In 2015, despite the designs’ built-in warning, a proud owner traveling from Bremen Airport in Germany became a subject of suspicion. The airport since banned the bag to avoid any further false security threats. This is hardly surprising however — it is a loud passive aggressive statement, especially if styled in an emboldening orange.

So in light of the controversial politics reverberating around America, should one still sport the VLIEGER & VANDAM

Product: Eyeshadow (and most other make-up) Brand: theBalm Style: Both day and night, on matte trend

Where Soap and Glory meet Benefit, but with a more appealing price tag. Zoe Dukoff-Gordon reveals the top products from the up and coming makeup brand theBalm cosmeticsmake?

Photo: theBalm.com

accessories? The underlying message may be supposed to reflect self-protection but does that translate appropriately?

I became aware of this bag when my housemate showed me its recent appearance on a fashion blogger’s Instagram account. After posting a picture of the bag and stating her love for it, the Instagrammer’s followers raised some reasonable concerns. One questioned whether it was ‘glamorising violence’ whilst another asked: ‘Slogans and symbolism are so often used to make a fashion statement, but do you feel your platform as a fashion blogger has made you more aware of what you might be promoting?’ These are perfectly reasonable questions to ask, especially considering the influence bloggers and fashion Instagrammers have on young people.

Is this really something they should, perhaps thoughtlessly, post? I believe in this particular blogger’s ignorance, for she replied to one criticism: ‘It’s just an item of clothing. I like it, sorry you don’t x’. It is not just an item of clothing; controversial fashion is a statement that you must consider before publicly displaying it, especially if you are not willing to face a backlash.

Of course, the impressionable masses that choose not to read into the political implications also had their say. One writes ‘as if your style wasn’t killer enough now it looks like you’re carrying a gun’. This just demonstrates the appropriation and skewed symbolism of a bag that was once a statement of self-protection. Most frustratingly however was the comment: ‘The gun cannot hurt you, it is an inanimate object. You need an evil person to do harm to another person.

“M” doesn’t look like the dangerous type :) Gun is a symbol for badassness or protection’. Firstly, guns are a symbol of violence. They are a weapon designed to cause physical harm. Granted, this may perhaps be in self-defence but not to reflect a fashion blogger’s ‘badassness’. Secondly… Doesn’t look like the dangerous type? Smiley face? So if someone doesn’t look dangerous, clearly they cannot possibly do anyone any harm? This is the fundamental problem of the comment: making the assumption about one’s violent inclination based upon their physical appearance.

Personally, the appropriation of weaponry as fashion falls into a dangerous category. It is unfortunate that the original message of the ‘Guardian Angel’ has lost its previously intended symbolism but this was perhaps inevitable considering the fifteen years of political and social change since its release. Therefore should one choose to purchase an item of controversial clothing, there are several factors to consider.

Firstly, be aware of what message you may be presenting to the public. Secondly, be conscious of what offence you may cause. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, you must be prepared to defend your decision with well-informed reasoning.

TheBalm are an up and coming makeup brand based in the US. They have a full range of beauty products, from highlighters to foundation; mascaras, eyeliners, and even a collection of lip products. But it is their eye shadow pallets which have proved to be most popular.

Currently, their eye shadow pallets come in two ranges: Nude Tude/ Dude collection and Meet Matt(e). The play on words the brand has adds to their unique quality.

The great thing about Meet Matt(e) is that it’s exactly what it says on the tin: they are all matte shades, meaning that you get a good range of one style. Matte eyeshadows, along with the liquid matte lipstick craze, are currently a huge trend. It is also particularly good for everyday wear as it can be subtler than a more shimmery eye look. However, although matte is on trend for the moment and trends are temporary, don’t let this put you off. Matte eye shadows are timeless. Plus, the range of brown shades in each of theBalm’s eye pallets can also double up for your brows.

Meet Matt(e): Nude pallet has some lovely muted purple, pink, and brown tones: perfect for smoking into the crease of your lid. Their darker colours like ‘Matt Johnson’ and ‘Matt Wood’ have a subtle, more muted undertone, so they don’t appear too striking. If you want some colour tones which are a bit more distinct, Meet Matt(e) Trimony has some richer shades, giving the tone of their colour more depth. The shades ‘Matt Lin’ and ‘Matt Lopez’ break up the pallet, giving you a few good possible options for the base colour. They also work well as transition shades with the stronger shades. ‘Matt Kumar’, ‘Matt Moskowitz’, and, ‘Matt Reed’ are all nice warm tones that can be dulled down for day wear, or used more heavily for the evening. These colours all work nicely when smoked along your lower lash line.

If glitter is more your look, theBalm has Nude Tude and Nude Dude pallets. These come at a lower price; RRP at only £32.00 for the 12 shades. The good thing with this collection is that the pallet comes with a brush; very similar in style and usage as the brush in Urban Decay’s Naked range. Nude Tude offers more ‘feminine’ shades you could say, with some shimmery coppers, silvers, and golds; as well as a few lighter tones, which serve well for highlighting the brow bone and inner corner of the eye.

They also have ‘Sexy’, ‘Serious’, and ‘Sleek’, three shades which have more depth to them. Nude Dude, however, offers a range of pink, red, and purple tones.

One major plus about this brand is that they claim to not test on animals, stating on their website: ‘Our line of cosmetics is not considered a vegan line as some of our ingredients may have animal by-products (such as bees wax or carmine) but do not contain any ruminant extracts or derivatives. Distributors of theBalm Cosmetics from all over the world do not test our products on animals.’ Recently they have released a new vegan matte pallet to add to their range Meet Matt(e) Ador.

You can purchase theBalm products at Superdrug, Look fantastic, and ASOS.

Fashion & Beauty 17

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Feathery Getting a little bit lippy fun

Deputy Fashion and Beauty Editor Talia Lee-Skudder reveals why the ostrich feather jacket should be the reason that you take out another loan

Shannon Winterbone talks through the perks of NYX’s cult liquid lipstick that won’t break the bank and will last all night Product: Liquid Lipstick Brand: NYX Style: A colour to match every outfit - perfect with a pout!

Through the power of social media there are so many makeup brands today that are finding fame when high-profile individuals switch their products and review them for their followers. After realising that there was a gap in the market for a quality brand at a ‘drugstore’ price, Toni Ko launched NYX Cosmetics and propelled it to true cult fame. I first saw this product all over Instagram and YouTube, and immediately fell in love with one of NYX Cosmetics’ most prominent products; the Soft Matte Lip Cream.

As a cruelty-free brand, NYX Cosmetics is suitable for everyone, and the 34 colours available means that you’re sure to find something to suit your complexion! The formula is stunning and so lightweight that you’ll genuinely forget you’re wearing it. The product has a doe-foot applicator which is slightly angled to make application as easy as possible, and is also scented with a very light vanilla smell for an extra perk. Each lip cream is priced at £5.50 which, when considering the durability, amazing colour and matte finish, seems almost like a steal.

As to whether these creams are all they’re hyped up to be, I tested some darker tones (‘Dubai’ and ‘Madrid’) on a few nights out which easily lasted through until the early hours. For these darker shades, I would definitely recommend using a lip pencil as it makes the formula so much easier to apply and ensures the colour lasts for as long as possible. For example, I use the NYX Retractable Lip Liner in ‘Dark Red’ underneath ‘Madrid’; the liner

Photo: The Mancunion

Product: Feather jacket Brand: Mimi & Bow Style: Instant glamour The feather jacket has been making the rounds on Instagram for the past year or so now, thanks to celebrity endorsements from the likes of Jess Woodley of ‘Made in Chelsea’ and blogger Sarah Ashcroft. Mimi and Bow, the brand behind the jacket have proved to be a must-have on countless girls’ wish lists. Available in a huge range of colours from the classic black to wine red and emerald green, these jackets are perfect for throwing on with jeans or adding to your Saturday night outfit for an extra bit of fabulous. The feathers are soft, full, and luxurious and the jacket has a silk lining with a hook and eye fastening. The jackets come in two different lengths, either short or longer styles. I purchased my first Mimi and Bow jacket last January, opting for the navy blue, and at Christmas this year I added black to my (hopefully) growing collection.

Whilst it is on the pricey side, each jacket is handmade which means that whilst it can take a while to arrive, the quality is great.

The jackets are priced at £79.99 which is admittedly a steep price to pay, especially for students, but I like to look at it as an investment.

I like to think of my jacket as an alternative to a winter coat which makes the cost of it seem entirely reasonable, winter coats are expensive after all. The ostrich feathers are great for insulation and you can barely feel the cold wind when you have it thrown over your shoulders. You may be wondering whether this jacket is really equipped to withstand the bitter torrential rain that frequently blasts Manchester. The answer is yes! Another reason to purchase this jacket. Whilst it is probably not recommended to wear the jacket when you know it is going to rain, if you find yourself stuck in an impromptu downpour then you can be safe in the knowledge that this will not ruin your jacket. Rather, in my experience, I have found that once you have dried off from the rain, your jacket looks as good as new, in fact, it looks as if it is fresh out of the hairdressing salon after having a blow dry and is as fluffy as ever.

The jackets are the ultimate wardrobe staple. They are unique, great quality and the colours are so rich and striking. The ostrich feather jacket is the perfect buy for any fashion conscious girl. You won’t regret it, your bank account might, but you definitely will not.

Photo: The Mancunion

makes the lip cream go on without any patchiness to be seen! I have also tested some of the lighter shades for when I’ve been out during the day for a longer period of time: I wore ‘Athens’ to the Language Ball last year and couldn’t believe how I only had to top up the colour once, even after a three-course meal!

So many aspects of these lip creams come together to make them my go-to lip colour of choice. If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of the lip creams, then you can find them in counters at Boots in the Trafford Centre and the Arndale Centre, or online with ASOS, Selfridges, Feelunique and many more!

Let’s talk about thongs Product: Thongs Brand: Anywhere and everywhere Style: With a peachy bum

Photo: victoriasecret.com

Potentially the most controversial item you’ll find in your lingerie draw - or if it’s not, we don’t judge! By Fashion and Beauty Editor Sarah Kilcourse Your choice of underpinning for some reason is seen as a reflection as what sort of girl you are - and the thong says all sorts of things about you. Some people believe that thongs are the antithesis of class - a strip of fabric between your cheeks! Not for nice young ladies! Instead choose briefs, choose hiphuggers, choose brazillian knickers.

The early noughties trend for low rise jeans and g-strings over the hips has in many respects ruined the reputation of thongs, however, I, like Sisqo, am a big fan of thongs. All ladies knickers inevitably rise up the derriere so as far as I’m concerned, its best to start with them there in the first place. Otherwise the sensation of wedgie (I can think of no better term) is enough to ruin ones day!

Why spend your day worrying about when you can adjust yourself to feel comfortable? Or catching a glimpse of yourself with a horrific VPL so you look like you have double bum?

With a thong this problem never exists!

I must admit I have certain favourites for thongs, I am a big fan of Victoria’s Secret lingerie in all ways and the thongs do not disappoint. Available on a 5 for £25 deal or 3 for £30, so its not cheap but they’re definitely some of the best thongs on the market. If you’re looking for more of a student budget thong Primark’s £1 thong cannot be knocked, with the variety of colours and the very lovely price.

A few tips for choosing the correct thong, don’t go too stringy or it can be a bit too like a cheese cutter; also, look out for where the seems are — this applies to all knickers to be fair — just think of where the seems may end up, that’s all I’m saying.

So in my opinion, throw caution to the wind, ignore what your grandma would think, embrace the thong, let your bum cheeks jiggle free when you walk.

Film

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Feature

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Manchester Film Festival Opening Gala

Eliza Slawther Head Film Editor

The Manchester Film Festival kicks off to a flying start

After the immense build up to the third year of the Manchester Film Festival, the opening gala certainly lived up to its high expectations. The atmosphere itself was warm and friendly, with filmmakers, journalists, and actors all being photographed and chatting to one another in the same area. After our informal interview about our favourite film stars and cinema snacks — and after filling up our pick’n’mix tubs — Mancunion Science editor Georgie and I headed into the screening room.

The evening consisted of three shorts before the screening of Alfie Boe on the Wheels of a Dream (dir. Lisa Edwards), before the directors of each film came to the front for a brief Q&A.

Hendy also sung the praises of the actors, describing them as “brilliant”, “disciplined”, and Damien Williams as “the funniest guy [he] know[s]”.

Photo: Manchester Film Festival

Photo: Manchester Film Festival

The first film to be shown was Paul Hendy’s The Last Laugh, a short with only three characters — Eric Morecambe (Bob Golding), Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright), and Tommy Cooper (Damian Williams). The short is as funny as it is dark, the dingy changing room in which it is set is brought to life by the huge personalities of the comedians. In the Q&A, Hendy explains that he wrote the film because he “knew the actors”.

“Once I had those three people I knew… I knew I had the characters and I could film around them.”

He went on to add, in response to a question about whether the gags were original, that although he wrote “some of them”, some also came from the careers of the comedians themselves.

“There’s some famous gags in there, that Tommy did, or the speech where he says about how he used to open his cabaret act, he genuinely used to do that, he used to stay in the dressing room for ten minutes just not saying anything and the people would just laugh, you know, just in anticipation.”

“Some of the other stuff in there I tried to write in the style of comedians.”

The next short film on show was Luke Losey’s One Last Dance. It was a beautiful and moving short, set in a “forgotten seaside town” (Losey’s words to me following the film), and the colour palette truly captured the bittersweet nostalgia which the film conveyed. After the event I asked Losey about a particular scene in the film where the lights dim and flicker, as it contrasted with the realism of the rest of the film. Losey described the “magical realism” of the scene as adding something to the film, creating a detachment from reality. During the Q&A the audience fixated mostly on the plot of the short, and of the parts of the story which we didn’t get to see, but One Last Dance is a short which, in my opinion, is best watched for the cinematography and meaning.

It is brief and fleeting for a reason, capturing the nuances of life and the experience of the individual that are often forgotten.

Finally, the much anticipated Taubman is shown. The third in a string of somewhat emotionally draining films, it deals with some very serious subject matters. To explain the plot would be to ruin it, but yet again only two actors (Jack Shepherd and Ian Puleston-Davies) in an entirely white room. It’s sinister and futuristic, and although the very obvious comparison to make of the film would be with Black Mirror, its length and simplicity caused Taubman to feel completely original.

In the Q&A, director Ben Price explains the significance of a certain aspect of the film to his family. The film is deeply related to being Jewish, and what it means to be a Jew or have originated from Jewish ancestors. He also unravels his characterisations, explaining that “you want to hate” Jack Shepherd’s character, but ultimately he’s just “bored” and ends up being a different character than the audience initially thought. Taubman is certainly a sinister watch, but one with a poignant and surprising ending.

Finally, the screening of Alfie Boe on the Wheels of a Dream began, described by a currently unknown source to us as “like David Brent on wheels”. This was certainly apt, Alfie’s hilarious personality was the true centre of the film. His story was also incredibly interesting,

documenting his rise to Opera singer stardom, transformation to rocksinger, and eventual move back to the theatre. Boe certainly has an incredible voice, but is clearly a humble and genuine man, as well as being funny and a natural on stage. His Lancastrian upbringing is shown through old home videos and interviews with family, contrasting with Alfie’s very much Americanised life and career. Director Lisa Edwards follows suit, and the Q&A with herself and one of the producers of the film was handled very well. Questions about the purpose of the film, and why they ended it as they did were calmly and confidently answered, sarcastically retorting “really?!” back to an audience member who described them as American. (Both the director and producer had strong American accents).

The opening gala night really did set the precedent for the rest of the weekend, and also proved that the short film selection is as good a quality as that of the feature-length films.

Photo: Manchester Film Festival

Review

Logan

The final installment of the Wolverine trilogy brings Hugh Jackman’s iconic role to a successful end

Shema Begum Deputy Film Editor In the year 2000 Hugh Jackman took on the role of Wolverine, an animalistic mutant with healing powers, and retractable claws within his hands, in the first instalment of the X-Men franchise. Seventeen years later this iconic role comes to an end, in what is easily the best film out of the Wolverine trilogy. Jackman is one of the very few actors that can embody a character to such a great extent that you can’t possibly imagine anyone else playing them.

It is Wolverine’s laidback attitude, ferocity and inner depth, which make him the popular anti-hero, and no doubt audiences will be saddened that Hugh Jackman won’t reprise this role again. Additionally, Sir Patrick Stewart, who plays the older version of Charles Xavier, has also stated that he will no longer return to the franchise after seeing the film open at the Berlin Film Festival.

Logan takes place in 2029, where the titular hero is bruised, scruffy, and drunk. The opening scene sets out the much more mature tone of the film, with it’s graphic and bloody fight. A certificate of 15 has been given by the BBFC and it is clear why; Logan does not hold back as heads are ripped apart from bodies, eyes are slashed out, and violent deaths are suffered as a whole. This heightens the impact

of the fights scenes, as audiences are able to see for the first time the power of the Wolverine.

However, being set in the future Logan is not as strong as he used to be, his healing powers have diminished and his blades don’t pop out as swiftly. James Mangold provides a more intimate story focused Logan in what seems to be a dystopian western, making it unlike any other superhero film, but allowing Jackman to really take charge.

Logan hides out in Mexico with Charles, who now needs black market medicine in order to prevent brain seizures, which cause telekinetic earthquakes around him, paralysing everyone.

It is believed there are no more mutants, that is until Logan encounters a mysterious young girl named Laura (Dafne Keen) who has familiar powers. With a shadowy agency after Laura and Logan, the pair along with Charles head to ‘Eden’, a refuge for mutants in North Dakota. This journey at the heart is about the relationship between Charles and Logan, and the conflict Logan has with himself. Mangold has not created a simple road film, as suspense is there and even some surprises reminiscent of the previous films. Unexpectedly Charles provides the comical aspects of the film, and Laura with her piercing eyes and few words

comes across as a better version of Eleven from Stranger Things.

However, Logan does leave many questions unanswered. No context is given as to how Logan and Charles had ended up in the state they are in. You would expect there to be perhaps some flashbacks or an explanation alluding to the past, but this all too vague.

Considering this is the last of Wolverine

Photo: Marvel Entertainment

arguably the X-Men should have made an appearance at some point. Though ultimately, Logan provides a satisfying ending to the Wolverine trilogy. It is raw, personal, and thrilling. Hugh Jackman bids farewell to the franchise with success.

4/5

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Review

It’s Only The End of The World

Review Feature

The Fits

First-time feature director Anne Rose Hol-

Xavier Dolan’s brutally honest and claustrophobic new work shows us “home is where mer’s composes an uncanny coming of it hurts”, but its emotional disconnection makes it hard to relate, writes Joe Casson age film which will leave you mulling over There are some films that may be good, but are certainly not enjoyable. It’s Only The End of The World, the latest work from divisive Québécois director Xavier Dolan, is one of those. The narrative of an imploding family is relentlessly claustrophobic and at times excruciating, but this melodrama does well to honestly portray how hard it can be for families to communicate when it matters the most.

The film follows acclaimed playwright Louis (Gaspard Ulliel) as he visits his estranged family after a twelve-year absence to tell them he is dying. The film is structured so as to give Louis time alone with each family member, hinting at the wounds lying below the pleasantries: mother Martine (Nathalie Baye) resents Louis’ failure to reach, younger sister Suzanne (Léa Seydoux) has become bruised and insecure in his absence, while abrasive older brother Antoine (Vincent Cassel) feels Louis doesn’t respect or care about his life, and cruelly projects this towards those around him.

These resentments then explode in the dining scenes where most of the action happens.

Rarely, though, are they expressed clearly; between the strained pleasantries and messy yelling, there’s a dearth of real communication.

For the most part, the characters are so withdrawn that they are incapable of telling each other how they really feel. Accordingly, they say everything apart from what they mean: Louis recounts his travel itinerary while Martine discusses perfume with him. What’s important is what isn’t said.

This means that there’s little conclusion in It’s Only The End of The World, just mounting discomfort. The film’s smothering tension is expertly communicated by the cinematographer’s choice to focus so closely on characters’ faces that they hardly fit in the shot, giving the effect of brutal intimacy while still

leaving much obscured.

The film’s lack of emotional clarity or resolution has attracted criticism, but I feel this misses the point. When it comes to confrontations about issues that matter, you always expect yourself to spill your guts out and say your piece. More often than not, though, you end up saying nothing at all, and when all is said and done, little has in fact been said or done.

Dolan captures this painful, deflating reality better than most. If the characters’ failure to relate by the end of the film feels deflating, it’s meant to be.

But it also leaves the characters underdeveloped, coming across as caricatured film archetypes. Suzanne plays the perpetual teenager, her smoky basement life soundtracked by Grimes and Blink-182.

Catherine is a timid wife who spends the little time she is listened to tongue-tied. And, while Cassel is impressively irascible as Antoine, huffing and bristling almost constantly, without any clearly-communicated emotional underpinning it feels unrealistic and forced.

Additionally, Dolan doesn’t provide quite enough context to make sense of the film and

let it resonate. We’re never given any indication of why Louis left home in the first place, and it’s hard to tell if it was his departure that shattered the family or if it was this very dysfunction that pushed him out. One possible route that Dolan never explores is Louis’ homosexuality: little is made of the LGBT context that informed the Jean-Luc Lagarce play this film is adapted from. We are led to assume Louis is dying of AIDS, and some asides suggest his family are uncomfortable with his sexuality (see Antoine’s tirade against Louis’ “la-di-dah” lifestyle), but this theme is never developed to a satisfactory degree.

In the end, then, It’s Only The End of The World is a film that is painfully honest but not quite satisfactory. To a degree, this is acceptable: Dolan ably expresses the traumas and resentments that can fester at the core of a family. At the same time, though, this emotional disconnection impedes us from getting enough detail to really relate to or understand the characters. The result is a film that is at once both smothering and strangely distant.

2.5/5

Photo: Sons of Manual

Review

The Great Wall William Green Film Critic Claims of ‘whitewashing’ have plagued the release of Zhang Yimou’s latest movie since the first promotional image of leading man Mat Damon in his authentic Chinese armour was revealed.

However, upon watching this Chinese-American co-production it is apparent that this is not the movie’s biggest flaw.

The film revolves around Damon’s character, a western traveller and thief named William, looking for the illustrious and powerful ‘black powder’ (gunpowder). He, along with one other traveller Tovar (Pedro Pascal), are captured by the Chinese warriors of the ‘Nameless Order’ who guard the Great Wall of China from a monstrous threat that attacks the wall every 60 years.

Damon plays his typical brooding but flawed hero figure who comes in to save the day, achieving ovation after ovation from the native soldiers as the story (or lack of) unravels. The seemingly unqualified thief in combat outranks and embarrasses the professionally trained and vast army and it is this sort of western superiority narrative that may seem troubling to some audience members and may leave a sour taste in the mouths of the Chinese side of the co-production.

Regardless of controversies, going into this film there was no expectations of a critical masterpiece and naturally there are problems with elements of the movie. Primarily, the film struggles with real pacing issues throughout, and the turbulent journey feels as if you were watching Lord of the Rings but skipped ahead to the last battle in the final film. Within the first half an hour the viewer is flung into a battle sequence that in any other film would be the grand finale. It makes the slower character driven sections feel like filler until the next seismic battle. The action itself comes at you so quickly and so frequently it becomes increasingly jarring to watch, not even thinking about what the 3D version must be like. I must admit though that the frequent action and unique visual spectacles, as many headaches as it may ensure, does a good job at keeping the audience entertained and is what makes the film at the end of the day good action-adventure fun.

Some more positives in this movie come in the shape of the

While this Chinese-American fantasy adventure may succeed in visual spectacle, there’s little else ‘great’ about Damon’s latest blockbuster reliably solid acting from Damon and Pascal, even if no one is quite sure what Irish-American accent Damon was going for. However, the real star of the show is Commander then General Lin (Jing Tian).

She delivers an empowering performance of a strong leader who above all else has the most integrity of any of the main characters.

The film also delivers stunning visuals, despite the Chinese armour looking like the Power Rangers costumes. The bold aesthetic choices do well to complement the tone of the film as a more light-hearted drama, purposed for entertainment rather than alienating its mass demographic with a more gritty piece with more emotional attachment.

Ultimately, The Great Wall is a great film to go and enjoy with friends when there’s nothing else on. It delivers heart racing action at the expense of character development and any sort of coherent story but will satisfy the needs of the many who enjoy a good action adventure film with larger than life battles.

2/5

what you have seen for days to come Alasdair Bayman Film Critic Thinking of a cliched coming of age dance film doesn’t instantly spring to mind as thought provoking raw cinema. Looking at the likes of the Step Up franchise and unavoidably the iconic Dirty Dancing, dance films are saturated with the same cliché tropes; a final liberating dance number where said boy and said girl restore a new equilibrium etc. Yet, Anna Rose Holmer’s feature debut The Fits rejects all these generic conventions.

Following 11-year-old tomboy, Toni’s (Royalty Hightower) movement from her brother’s boxing group to a dance troupe at their local community centre, her change of groups provokes numerous girl’s to experience the titled fits. Clocking in at tight 72 minutes, Holmer’s first piece of film channels the atmospheric feel of Mica Levi’s scores, as well as The Shining’s eeriness, whilst be able to present contemporary African-American adolescent communities.

Toni is an outsider in many regards. Being the only girl in her brother’s boxing class, she seeks to be like male counterparts.

Strong, athletic, and agile; she is a binary to the girls she voyeuristically views in the neighbouring dancing class. Her idealised gender equals are tall, confident, and expressive in their dance. The distant she feels towards her fellow females is expressed in Hightower constantly being shot through barriers, window incision doors, and the ropes of a boxing ring. Working out with her brother on a motorway bridge — confined by a steel barrier — Toni enjoys bonding with her brother through exercise. Yet through the cinematography, she is separated from each group.

Royalty Hightower’s performance captures a teenagers awkwardness and reserve. In one of her first dance sequences, the audience gain the sense that she is unable to fully let go of her body and resorts to tight boxing movements, juxtaposed to the aggressive yet flowing dancing. Practice makes perfect and as Toni develops her rhythmic movements everything comes tumbling down. Holmer is not afraid to push the camera right into Hightower’s face. As a result of shooting Hightower in such a manner, the confined space of the community centre is specifically stressed. Extending this compact illusory atmosphere is the overall lack of paternal figures — enabling the attention to be focused on the girl’s, instead of cutting away to a domesticated environment.

As one girl suffers the first fit, Holmer decides alongside her DoP Paul Yee to move across a crowd of huddled girls. In another fit sequence, numerous girls cram around with their phones recording the events — Yee focusing his action through the phone screens. Not only does this work as a nuanced piece of cinematography; it works to reflect the reliance we as a human race now have towards phones and the problems that arise from social media et al. At first, it is unsure if these fits are parts of impulsive dance or not. The continual repetition of such fits take on different means for different girls. Sexual connotations natural orientate such events, yet each fit is expressionistic of each girl’s adolescent personalities. It is only until Toni’s newly found friends have all experienced these out of body experiences that she openly searches to be part of this particular group of girls.

The Fits’ snappy running time makes it inexcusably to avoid watching. Unlike previous lengthy releases like Scorsese’s masterful Silence and Toni Erdmann, Holmer’s film lacks any unnecessary fat and positively impacts the sustained ethereal eeriness.

Josh Larsen from FilmSpotting recently compared Holmer’s debut to another feature debut from Robert Eggers’ The Witch.

The rawness of film-making on show in both works merges into the ominous ambience. The Fits is worth 72 minutes of your day and will play upon your consciousness long after the final credits have rolled.

4/5

Photo: Universal Pictures & China Film Group

Photo: Yes, Ma’am!

Books

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Top 5

Top 5 books from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Brocha Goode suggests five Terry Pratchett books that are an excellent entry point to Discworld

Terry Pratchett holds a place in the hearts of many for creating a fantasy world of characters and places so distant from the world you know yet somehow so familiar. Unlike other series, you don’t need to read all of the books from start to end. Rather you can follow certain characters along their paths and use them as introductions to Discworld. In fact, many think it is best to start later on in the chronology, when Sir Terry Pratchett knew his world more and had perfected his flow. Here are the books to pick up if you’d rather not start with The Colour of Magic.

1. Guards Guards The first of the City Watch books, it follows the story of a dragon invading the great and odorous city of Ankmorpork and the efforts of the police force to stop it. One of the first books of Discworld, the book does an amazing job at introducing you to the city and its politics through the eyes of a Dwarf named Carrot. To tell you more of it would give away too many aspects of the mystery, but suffice to say it contains murder, suspense, cults, explosions and a million-to-one chance which just might work. Even if it’s not the first book you pick up, add it to your list. You won’t regret it.

2. The Wee Free Men Tiffney Aching’s training as a witch starts at age nine in The Wee Free Men and continues until she is a capable young woman in The Shepherd’s Crown – the last book Terry Pratchett wrote

for Discworld before his passing.

The series starts off as Young Adult but continues into a full adult series by the end. Although I would hold off on reading The Shepherd’s Crown until you have read at least every Witches story as well as every Tiffany Aching story, I can think of fewer books better for introducing his world than her first outing. A witch of the chalk, and someone not to be messed with, she comes up against the Queen of the fairies with little more than her wits to help her. That little more being the Nac Mac Feegle, a group of rough Scottish fairy folk led by the enigmatic Rob Anybody.

When it comes down to it, I know this will be one of the books I read to my children someday.

3. Wyrd Sisters The three witches in Macbeth give witches a bad name. They aren’t all cackling evil beings.

Some are important pillars of the community. And none come more stony and important than Granny Weatherwax.

Weatherwax was Terry Pratchett’s favourite character, and it’s easy to see why. When the king dies and his brother takes over, she knows something must be up. And it’s not just Nanny Ogg’s knees when she’s had a few. The story is solid, the world well built, and the land is just as much a character as the protagonists’ themselves.

Filled with clever references and characters that jump off the page, Wyrd Sisters shows that stories have power and that you don’t have to be a knight in shining armour to save the day.

4. Monstrous Regiment In a one-off story set in a far off land on the disc, a young woman runs off to join the army; except women aren’t allowed in the army and this is not a Disney kind of war. It’s muddy, and bloody and most people don’t come home.

Going by her brother’s name, with her hair cut short, she is placed into a regiment of outcasts. A troll, a vampire and an arsonist make up some of the regiment she must fight with and the people they are fighting are far more powerful and backed by far richer nations than their own little rural state.

This is a book I’ve reread at least five times since I first picked it up, it is one of the best places to start to get into his writing style, his character creation and the wider world of the disc.

5. Mort Mort is considered one of if not the best Discworld book.

It focuses on Death, and his search for an apprentice so that Death could finally enjoy living a little. Death was one of if not the most prevalent and human characters Terry Pratchett ever wrote. He wasn’t evil, or cruel. His adventures raged from saving the Discworld version of Christmas in Hogfather to playing guitar in Soul Music, but this is the story that defined him. It ranges across the Disc, visits many different religions and made me laugh enough for me to drop it at one point and spend a few minutes teary-eyed trying to find my place. Read this book.

Photo: steeljam@flickr

Poet of the Week

Poet of the Week Toreh O’Garro The Pulsing Forest

Photo: Northern Lights Writer’s Conference

He was in awe of the pulsing forest’s glow, deciding to capture this perfect picture: to contain and cabin this image into his treasured black box piled with distant and cherished memories, the growing oak tree stood tall and arching standing firm like the lamppost ingrained in concrete and there she sat, the Moon, with her back on the growing Sun, her elegant shape fixed by the Painter for he knew what the perfect painting had to be, the Moon ever so still, so that she does not disturb nature as it grinds its gears, grunting over its decaying state, for it wishes to hold the same fate as the slender Moon: to be put into deep slumber swiftly by the grim painter, so that it can remain in rigid position, never able to grunt in pain again: a deep sacrifice to be remembered as an immortal figure.

If you would like to be considered as Poet of The Week please email a selection of poetry to books@mancunion.com Photo: Saraia77@flick

Friday 3 - 9 March & CHOOSE THE FUTURE OF YOUR STUDENTS' UNION This year’s Exec Officer Team will not only represent you and your Future but they will be the first to influence the development of your Future Union. Make your voice heard and VOTE for the candidates that have your future in mind.

manchesterstudentsunion.com

Food & Drink

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ISSUE 17/ 6TH MARCH 2016 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Karen and her life of Pi(es)

Patrick Young Contributor Me: What was the inspiration to leave housing and start your own Deli?

Karen: I got redundancy, they basically paid me lots of money, and I’ve always wanted to start a Deli, so I used the money wisely, or unwisely maybe to set up the Deli.

Me: I probably should have asked this earlier, but what is the name of your Deli?

Karen: Postbox Deli, it’s an old post office, hence the name.

Me: Do you have aspirations to grow the business?

Karen: I would definitely like to grow the business, the problem is that it isn’t that busy at the moment. I think Heaton Chapple is the wrong area for my Deli if I’m perfectly honest.

Photo: Patrick Young

The Fallowfield Buy/Sell Facebook group has over fourteen thousand members, if you are one of those members you may well be familiar with Karen Everall’s pie delivery service or the pink wig she wears in her profile picture. Karen has been using the Facebook group as a platform to promote her Deli and homemade pie delivery service to the student market. Last weekend I ordered a range of Karen’s pies and invited her in for a chat about her business.

Me: Do you have a background in catering?

Karen: Not really no, I opened my Deli back in December 2015, so it’s been running for just over a year. I used to work in housing before, but I’ve always been making pies, pastries, quiches, and things like that. Before I started the Deli I was mainly baking on request for friends parties.

Me: Whereabouts is your Deli?

Karen: It’s in Heaton Chappel in Stockport, about 3 miles down the road from the Fallowfield area.

Me: So do you always cycle the pie deliveries from your Deli?

Karen: Pretty much! Most of the time, I can get about a maximum of 4 pies in the basket of my bike. Occasionally I will get the bus if have an order bigger than that.

Me: What gave you the idea to use the Fallowfield Buy & Sell Facebook group, and get the student market?

Karen: Just before Christmas I started advertising on social media in the Stockport area, and I had about 50 orders for pies all over Christmas. So that gave me the idea to look at some other buy and sell groups from around the Stockport area, and I thought I’ll try the Fallowfield one. I tried other ones as well and didn’t get much response from them, but the Fallowfield group seemed to generate a lot of student interest.

Me: So is it just pies you sell at your Deli?

Karen: No I sell homemade bread and Lasagne as well, I do my own focaccia bread, and make focaccia sandwiches to sell at the Deli. I’ve also started to make quite a bit of Spanish, ‘Tapasy’ food for things like parties.

Me: There is definitely a large student delivery market in Fallowfield and Withington, which has potential to be very lucrative.

Karen: Yes, I might possibly look at moving my business, as I’m not getting the kind of footfall in Stockport I would expect at the moment. One of the various options I’m looking at is possibly running the pie delivery business from home.

Me: How many covers of pies are you doing a day, and which flavour is the most popular?

Karen: The most popular I would say is the lamb and roast garlic, most people are going for that. The amount of covers seems to depend on the time of the year, the pies were very popular around Valentine’s Day, I did about 15 covers that week mainly in a heart shape. But I would say it is normally about 7 pies on an average week. I’m expecting a surge around Mother’s Day and Easter, as people tend to have parties at these times of year, and everyone likes pies at parties for some reason!

Me: Do you have a favourite cook-book?

Karen: I used the Paul Hollywood bread book when learning how to bake bread, but when it comes to pies I’m open to trying any new recipes. Lots of customers come to me with ideas for pie fillings, a recent suggestion is the butter pie which is a Lancashire delicacy apparently, something I have never heard of before, it is basically just potato and butter in a pie! Really, really basic, apparently the recipe comes from Preston.

Comptoir Libanais If you were to ask most people what their favourite Indian food is, you could expect them to reel off a list of their favourite curries. Even the those with the least adventurous taste buds will realistically enjoy a korma! The same goes for their favourite Chinese food, Italian food, even their favourite Mexican. But, I will bet you now that most people would be stumped when asked for their favourite Lebanese food, myself included, which is why I took the trip down to Comptoir Libanais.

Located in the heart of Spinningfields, Comptoir Libanais specialises in Lebanese and Middle Eastern food, with a menu comprising some more familiar dishes such as hummus and tabbouleh along with some less familiar dishes such as kibbeh and lahme man’ousha.

If you are someone who likes to go to a restaurant, order their own food and eat only their own food, then this is not the place for you. The whole essence of Lebanese cooking is about grabbing a little bit of this and that and sharing, creating an immersive experience for the whole family to enjoy. Grab a pitta bread and try the hummus. Try some tabbouleh with the baba ghanuj.

Try mixing the batata harra with the moudardara and the shish taouk – That’s small cubes of fried potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce mixed with grilled chicken and lentil salad to you and me.

With so much on offer, it is hard to imagine even the fussiest of eaters not finding something they like here. The cold mezze plate arrived first, with a rich, thick hummus, smoky baba ghanuj, fresh and zingy tabbouleh, lentil salad and pitta bread. It has to be said the hummus was thicker and stronger than most people will be used to, but after the shock of the first taste it goes down a treat. The strong citrus flavour

from the tabbouleh cuts perfectly through the richness of the dips and the pitta bread provides the perfect plate on which to pile mouthful after mouthful. Quickly after the arrival of the cold mezze came the mixed grill. Containing a lamb kofta, chicken kofta, and shish taouk (grilled chicken pieces) this provided the perfect way to sample the best of the grilled meats that Comptoir Libanais has to offer. All served with vermicelli rice, the shish taouk stands out as the pick of the bunch.

Succulent chicken pieces that require very little flavour other than the method of cooking, grilled over a charcoal fire, this is an excellent dish I would happily recommend to anyone. The lamb kofta was soft and flavoured just enough with cumin and mint so as to stand up against the flavours of the dips with which it went so well with. The only disappointment in the mixed grill was the chicken kofta, somewhat limp and lifeless it did not do justice to either the grill on which it was cooked or the collection of mezze ingredients around it on the table.

To complete our table we ordered batata harra, cubes of fried potato in a tomato sauce (think of a sort of Lebanese patatas bravas), lahme man’ousha, a flatbread topped with lamb mince fried onion and fresh herbs, kibbeh, small balls of deep fried bulgur wheat and lamb mince and finally a small salad. The batata harra were lacking the touch of spice and a couple of minutes extra frying which would have elevated them from pleasant to excellent, but they added some much-needed texture to the meal as a whole. The flatbread was a somewhat acquired taste. That is not to say it was unpleasant but let’s just say there was more flatbread left than anything else when the waitress cleared the plates…

Overall, with its modern street food-inspired décor, friendly ser-

Me: What is the inspiration behind focusing your Deli on pies?

Karen: I just love pie! It’s because I just absolutely love the taste of pies, and there are so many different flavour possibilities to experiment with. I also like the slight romance of decorating the tops of pies with pastry lettering, I can take requests to put names on top of the pies.

Me: What would your Desert Island Pie flavour be?

Karen: I think I would have to keep it classic and basic, as I really like the cheese and onion as it is so different from all the meaty flavours. My personal recommendation: Chicken, Leek & Mushroom. Someone else has been requesting a feta, roast squash and roast veg, which I haven’t made before but am planning on trying.

Me: How big is the oven that you have in the Deli?

Karen: It is just a standard size oven, but I have a stone pizza oven I can use as back-up if I get a rush.

But normally I’ll just run the pie business out of the standard size oven, and a slow cooker to increase the flavour of the fillings. For the Christmas surge, I was up till 2 in the morning baking pies on the night before Christmas Eve and then set my alarm at 5 the next morning as I had 4 more pies to bake.

Me: Are most of the deliveries to student houses?

Karen: For Fallowfield its all students houses and halls, in Stockport it’s families that are ordering the pies, and I get quite a lot of orders of the smaller, two-person pies from elderly people.

Me: Are you running the Deli on your own?

Karen: I do run the Deli on my own at the moment, I have help a couple of days a week, or if I’m running pizza parties for kids or kids cooking sessions, so if there’s anything like that going on I’ll get a bit of help.

The Deli is running three days a week at the moment, as early in the week is generally really quiet.

I’ve actually got a part-time job back in housing, working for a private landlord to put some money back into the Deli, so that I can get it fully running and more profitable on the busy weekend days.

To order, find Karen on Facebook.

Samuel Pigott Contributor

vice and convivial approach to food, this is a restaurant I would highly recommend. Each individual item of food was enjoyable, but the meal came into its own when eaten as a whole. The various elements all worked together extremely well and when all washed down with a bottle of Almaza, a thoroughly enjoyable Lebanese lager, made for a delicious and enjoyable meal.

Photo: Samuel Pigott

Food & Drink 23

ISSUE 17 / 6TH MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Lunya Photo: Lunya

There’s a little hotel tucked in the hills above Ronda in Southern Spain that my parents have been going to since before I was even a thought. In fact, my grandparents stayed there the first year Molino del Santo opened. We returned last Easter for some much needed R&R and to enjoy their phenomenal food. It was there that, for the first time, I ate secreto ibérico, a succulent cut of shoulder from acorn fed pigs.

The memory of a taste flitted through my head when I visited a tapas restaurant in Liverpool but I failed to pin it down. The meal was excellent and I was happy to find that another had opened in central Manchester. It was called Lunya. I promptly forgot all about it. Fast forward to my return to Manchester and a chance shortcut through Barton Arcade bought me face-to-face with a sunshine yellow

Serving freshly made tapas with a deli attached, Lunya is a brilliant Spanish restaurant in the city centre

Lily Carden Food & Drink Co-Editor Mini Cooper with Moritz logo decals and a sign that had Lunya swirled across it. Remembering my trip to its sister restaurant, I promptly found a friend, Z, who was willing to visit and off we went.

Left in charge of the menu, I was delighted not only to find, but to recognise, the elusive secreto ibérico. I chose not to mention to my companion that it was served pink (perfectly safe with certain cuts and a chef who knows what they’re doing but can be off-putting) and ordered it. My other choices? Albóndigas (pork and beef meatballs), the classic patatas bravas, calamari, Catalan tomato bread, and my favourite, croquetas.

Despite the comparatively early hour (we arrived at 12:30), we thought a bottle of wine was the best way to start our catch up. I asked the sommelier to base his recommendations on the memory of a full-bodied red drunk at Molino. Peter Kinsella, chef-proprietor and resident wine expert, suggested a Catalan wine with a similar flavour profile and after tasting it, we happily took his advice. If you ever want to get the most out of a wine list then make sure you ask for the sommelier, they are generally very approachable and eager to share their knowledge in order for you to chose the perfect bottle.

The tomato bread arrived rapidly, slightly warm and drizzled with an excellent olive oil.

It had a fresh, clean taste — just as it should.

The albóndigas, patatas bravas, calamari and croquetas followed in quick succession.

Speaking as one who dislikes squid, their calamari is a revelation; slightly chewy but not in the least bit rubbery, unlike the horrors of my childhood. The rings of squid have been fried in a light yet crisp beer batter and are served sprinkled with sea salt, a well flavoured mayonnaise on the side.

If you ever want to get the most out of a wine list then make sure you ask for the sommelier To my advantage, Z announced he didn’t like allioli so I scooped up the top layer of crisp patatas bravas and enjoyed them alongside the small but perfectly formed albóndigas, the spicy sauces blending well with the cool allioli. The ham and cheese croquetas, normally the tapa I reach for first, were perfectly tasty morsels but could not stand up to the earlier, more punchy dishes.

As we came to the last of the potatoes, I reflected that it was nice to have a well executed meal that left me sated but not unpleasantly full. Then came the pork that, despite my delight in it’s presence on the menu, I had forgotten about. Six little slices, glistening with

fat thanks to the pigs’ diet of acorns, were arranged on top of a smooth beer and shallot purée and a tart red onion marmalade. As I ate the first slice, those wisps of memory became fully formed. This was the pork of my Spanish tinted dreams.

Despite proclaiming myself full, I never could resist a dessert menu, and summoned up even less restraint at the appearance churros on the list. We agreed to share. Four pretty little churros soon came to the table, stacked next to a mug luxuriant hot chocolate. It was the sweetest full stop to the meal.

Half drunk bottle of wine tucked into my bag, we went downstairs to the deli attached to Lunya, exclaiming over an Aladdin’s cave of Spanish treats. With the bill came a feedback card and that gave 10 per cent off deli items, an impossible thing to resist when faced with so many quality ingredients. Z bought a Great Taste Award winning olive oil and I picked up some wonderful Catalan almonds, a firm favourite and excellent snack.

7 Barton Square Deansgate Manchester M3 2BB

@gorgeousgateaux

Chicken Kiev Burger with Triple-Cooked Chips Samuel Pigott Contributor Serves 2

bring this to the boil. Boil the potatoes for approximately 7-8 minutes or unIngredients til they are beginning to flake and are nearly falling apart. Transfer the chips 3 large floury potatoes – Desiree, Maris to a wire rack to steam dry.

Piper or King Edward for example Vegetable/Sunflower oil for frying Heat oil in a deep fat fryer or a heavybottomed pan to 140°C and, once dry, add the chips to the oil, frying in two 3 large cloves of garlic batches to make sure the oil temperaBunch of flat leaf parsley ture doesn’t drop too low. Fry the 100g butter (at room temperature) chips for approximately 5 minutes, or just until a crust has begun to form. At 2 chicken breasts this stage the chips should not begin to Plain flour, seasoned colour. Remove the chips from the oil 1 egg, beaten and once again leave them to steam Panko breadcrumbs dry.

1 tsp cayenne pepper 1tsp garlic salt While the chips are drying make the filling for the chicken kiev by finely 1 large red onion chopping the garlic and the parsley 1tbsp light brown sugar and mixing together with the softened 1tbsp balsamic vinegar butter and a pinch of salt. Spread the mixture onto a sheet of cling film and 2 Brioche rolls roll the cling film up, twisting the ends together to form a roll – this can then Start off by peeling the potatoes and be kept in a freezer for up to a month. cutting them into chips — approximately 1/2cm by 1/2cm height and Take the chicken breast and insert width. Place the potatoes into in a pan a knife into the fattest portion. Slowly of salted water to soak. This allows move the knife around to create a cavsome of the moisture and starch to be ity before adding as much garlic butter drawn out of the potatoes ensuring as the gap allows. a light, fluffy inside. At this point the chips can be left overnight, but want Once stuffed, prepare three bowls to be left for a minimum of two hours. ready to coat the chicken, one with seasoned flour, one with beaten egg Drain the chips and run them under and one with panko breadcrumbs to cold water for a couple of minutes. Add which the cayenne pepper and garlic them to a new pan of cold water and salt has been added.

Take the stuffed chicken breast and roll it in flour, then egg and then the breadcrumbs.

Peel the onion and cut into 1cm rings.

Add a tablespoon of the garlic butter to a frying pan on a low heat and add the onions, sugar and vinegar. Leave these onions to sauté on a low heat, turning only occasionally. This will take approximately 15 minutes until soft, Turn the oil up to 190°C and add the chicken. This will take approximately 7 minutes, but a food thermometer to check if you’re unsure.

While the chicken is cooking cut the brioche buns in half and place in a toaster or under a grill to lightly toast.

Once lightly toasted remove the buns from the heat and add a small amount of garlic butter to melt into the bun.

Once the chicken is cooked remove it from the oil and add the chips for their final cook. This will take approximately 5 minutes at this temperature and it is now that the chips should being to colour.

Assemble the burger, laying the rings of soft onion onto the bun, before topping them with the chicken kiev and lettuce. Remove the chips from the oil and season to taste. Add them to the plate and enjoy!

@sampigott01 Photo: Samuel Pigott

Arts

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Feature

Wonder Women Festival Lands in Manchester The breakdown of our top art picks from the feminist festival of the year Laura Joyce Arts Editor Wonder Women 2017 marks the fourth in a five year creative countdown to the 100 year anniversary of women gaining their first right to vote. Continuing until March 12th, the feminist festival will explore radical feminism through various mediums, including workshops, tours, talks, theatre, music and exhibitions.

All of these events will take place across Manchester, celebrating the city as the birthplace of the suffragette movement, and the success of activism almost a century after the fight for female rights were won.

Brought to us by the People’s History Museum and Creative Tourist, the latter states “Wonder Women 2017 asks how far we’ve come in 100 years — and how far we have yet to go.”

But with so much happening over the city, and just one week left how are you possibly supposed to make a decision? Well, we’ve picked our favourites for the final seven days of feminist celebration to help you come to a decision.

6th March ‘Enriqueta Rylands: behind every man is a great woman’ at The John Rylands Library Enriqueta Rylands is the founder of the distinguished John Rylands Library, dedicated to the memory of her beloved philanthropist husband. This free tour takes you on a journey through this great woman’s vision for this worldclass building, including an insight into her life and work.

Photo: Ian Carroll @flickr

Photo: Creative Tourist

7th March ‘Daughters of Manchester: The Intriguing Story of the Jewsbury Sisters’ at The Portico Geraldine and Maria-Jane Jewsbury were both writers during a Victorian age that required them to be something less intelligent. Geraldine Jewsbury wrote six novels, along with hundreds of literary reviews for The Athenaeum, though she was advised to abandon her ‘foolish’ and ‘unwomanly course forever’. Maria-Jane died at only thirty-three, though William Wordsworth believed she had true talent and even dedicated a number of poems to her and her memory. This exhibition reveals the fascinating lives of these female incredible writers.

Tickets for the event cost at £4.71.

Photo: Leonard Bentley@flickr

8th March ‘Wonder Women Guided Tour’ at the People’s History Museum This event is exactly what it says on the tin. You will be taken on a guided tour of the museum’s main galleries including their current headline exhibition Never Going Underground: the fight for LGBT+ rights. The tour will take you through the ways in which women campaigned for equality and for better working conditions, as well as equal rights for working class women.

9th March ‘Thursday Lates: Drawing from the Wider World’ at The Whitworth The University of Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery hosts Deanna Petherbridge as she talks of the incredible places and spaces that have inspired her artworks, and literary triumphs. Her stories will guide us through her travels across the Middle-East, South and East Asia over the life-long career. Taking place alongside Petherbridge’s current exhibition, the evening’s event will include a live performance from Asian female musicians to accompany her artwork.

Photo: Creative Tourist

11th March Girl Gang Manchester #2: ‘Bridesmaids’ at 53two While a lot of the events are free, this one has tickets for £15.00, but don’t let that put you off!

Firstly, it’s an immersive screening of our favourite modern comedy classic Bridesmaids. It’s also by the celebrates Girl Gang Manchester, who just know how to give their audience a good time. There’ll be prosecco, party bags, and you’ll even get to attend Lillian’s over-the-top Parisian themed bridal shower, the wedding, and a wedding disco to end the night. We can only dream that Wilson Phillips will attend. Oh, and fancy dress is encouraged.

Photo: Creative Tourist

10th March ‘Gendering Revolution’ at the Irish Heritage Centre Gendering Revolution will be the opening piece for Con & Eva, which explores the lives of the aristocratic Anglo-Irish sisters, Constance Markievicz and Eva Gore-Booth. Both women were of privileged backgrounds, though neither settled for the life that was given to them. Markievicz became a revolutionary nationalist, suffragette, socialist and was one of those who led the Easter Rising. Gore-Booth became a poet, dramatist, pacifist and committed suffragist. She spent much of her life in Manchester where she and her partner Esther Roper campaigned for equal employment and voting rights for working-class women. This event explores the lives of these brave women and their huge contribution to the LGBT community.

Photo: Creative Tourist

12th March Sophie Willan: On Record at The Lowry This event is also a paid one, tickets start from £12.00, but it’s set to be a stand-out event. The piece is also part of SICK Festival, and takes us through the true, unconventional upbringing of Sophie Willan using real records and her own take on the experts involved in her assessments. A deep, and personal one-off performance.

So, if the Spice Girls didn’t give you enough girl power in your childhood, explore the power of women through the Wonder Women festival.

Women rule.

Feature

Does contemporary art have a bad reputation?

What does it take to be a contemporary artist? Liv Clarke investigates the modern art scene During the summer I watched two documentaries, the first was about American artist Georgia O’Keefe, the other focused on British artist Cornelia Parker.

O’Keefe is well known for her floral and landscape paintings which capture the essence of the American west. Contrastingly Parker explodes sheds, crushes objects and suspends things to create surreal installations. These women and their work are both generally praised by the art world, yet without a doubt the majority of people prefer the paintings of O’Keefe over Parker’s abstract sculptures, sticking to the comforting safety of the familiar and taking a sceptical approach towards the unknown.

Contemporary art can often be dismissed as being a bit pointless and lacking in skill. The

clichéd “my five year old could do this” phrase is mentioned if an artists’ work looks too simple, and there’s always the jokes about staring at random aspects of art galleries, believing that used tissues and emergency exit signs are part of exhibitions.

Yes, a lot of contemporary artworks do seem a bit basic at first glance, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t contain complex concepts — in fact, the ideas contained within these works are frequently more profound than those in much older (however more popular) paintings. And surely the more recent the artwork, the more relevant the message is for the modern viewer, right?

Rachel Maclean’s recent exhibition at HOME is an example of this. It featured bizarre wall hangings in clashing colours, grotesque sculptures and a

disturbing video. It wasn’t an easy exhibition to experience and not to everyone’s taste, but the message it expressed of our relationship with social media and technology really struck a chord, more so than a lot of other artworks I’ve seen. There seems to be this ongoing belief that art should be pretty, a visual pleasure and nothing more. But art should conjure up emotions and provoke thoughts, even if they are uncomfortable and cause unease.

But is contemporary art worthy of our appreciation, even if it doesn’t require the skills used by more traditional artists? The sheer nerve to push the boundaries of artistic expectations surely deserves our respect; taking a risk is just as (or more) impressive than painting a half smiling woman. Furthermore, to publicly deal with issues

that often remain unspoken, makes works such as My Bed by Tracey Emin culturally significant.

It’s time contemporary art lost its undeserved bad reputation.

Photo: clogsilk@flickr

Theatre 25

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Review

Feature

Dreamboats and Petticoats Oscars 2017 The Rock ‘n’ Roll hit musical comes to the Palace Theatre till the 4th March

The 89th Academy Awards took place on the 26th February at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

Brogen Campbell Theatre editor

Photo: Palace Theatre

Samuel Pigott Reviewer Buddy Holly. Chuck Berry. Billy Fury. If these names are met with confusion, then perhaps look elsewhere. If, however, like the three and a half million fans who rushed to buy the Dreamboats and Petticoats compilation albums, you are a fan of these names then look no further. Be it the toe-tapping tunes or simply the nostalgia, Dreamboats and Petticoats is a thoroughly feelgood musical displaying some of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll songs from the 50’s and 60’s. With songs like ‘Let’s Twist Again’, ‘Runaround Sue’ and countless other favourites it is hard to imagine a rock ‘n’ roll fan not finding a few of their favourites amongst the hits.

Dreamboats and Petticoats flows from hit to hit to tell the story of a collection of aspiring musicians

from St Mungos Youth Club as they aim to write a hit song to enter into a national song-writing competition.

Swept up with the usual emotions found in a sixteen-year-old, and infatuated by the beautiful Sue, Bobby fails to notice both the admirations, and the unique songwriting talent of Laura. In fact it is not until she joins forces with the oh-sopopular Norman that her talents and her feelings come to his attention.

Will Bobby realise in time that his best shot of writing a hit song, and perhaps of finding love, lie with the somewhat more shy and retiring Laura? To find out you’ll have to visit!

One criticism of the musical may be that there are simply too many songs in a short space of time. The songs are all performed live, and exceptionally so it must be said, however on more than one occasion a song moves into another song

without any linking dialogue making following the story a touch more difficult than perhaps it needs to be.

That said, the quality of music on show is stunning — so much that at times it was hard to believe that it could be entirely live. Not one vocal performance let down any one of the others and, with the exception of a couple of jokes that fell a little short of the mark, the general quality on show from the relatively small cast was exemplary. A particular mention to the vocal performance of Norman, the perfectly coiffured dreamboat himself, must be made. Bearing a striking resemblance to one Billy Fury, both the vocals and the dance moves to accompany them were quite something to behold.

Featuring a ten minute “audience participation” section at the end of the musical which saw numerous members of the audience take to

Features Reviews

Killing Curtis Drake

Part of the MIFTAS season by the University of Manchester Drama Society, this play doesn’t quiet live up to expectations Rhiannon Symonds Reviewer Advertised as a “dark, psychological, nonlinear epic”, Killing Curtis Drake was, to be frank, underwhelming. With a run time of 2 hours and 45 minutes, the show was indeed physically and emotionally exhausting, however for the wrong reasons.

The Wonder Inn is a fabulous venue, and something about the inconvenience of the place gives it an exclusive feel, but for this production everything fell on the side of overkill. The bare bones set, the fold up chairs and lighting crew sat in the corner came across as unprofessional rather than intimate, and the frequency of long, relatively impassioned monologues bemoaning the human psyche was simply frustrating. What was an original and curious plot-line was swamped by waves of conceited pseudo-intelligent text, which is a terrible shame considering the potential of the plot.

That being said, Catherine Snow does deserve credit for her consistent and clinical portrayal of Doctor Knight. In a cast of unfortunately stereotyped characters and stereotypical performances, Snow stands out as giving depth to the character and handling the reveal of a somewhat weak plot so well that it does

not induce a groan. Whether it is writing or performance is unclear, but sadly George John is very one-dimensional as our protagonist Sam, although his line delivery is slightly more consistent than other performers. One very well written — or just performed — character is Philip, portrayed by Lucio Gray. A sweet-natured, honest man, he aids our protagonist Sam despite the fact that he bullied him at school. The doe-eyed Gray is beautifully innocent, delivers lines with ease and is all-round a wonderfully sympathetic character. Unfortunately, the dark, brooding antagonist he is faced with, Joseph, played by Sid Sinha, induces laughter as opposed to fear, and the clunky physical violence somewhat spoils Philip’s demise.

Although they were rather obvious, the lighting and music deserves praise for elevating a bland script with a smooth run and technically excellent lighting design. The original music, also

by Lucio Gray, adds to the show immensely, and is at times the saving grace.

Overall, this should have been an excellent show that was let down by some rather key moments of weakness through acting and writing. Sadly, this seemed more like an A-Level student performance than a university one.

the aisles to dance, Dreamboats and Petticoats is the epitome of “feel-good”. While I can’t decide if this final section was a thoroughly enjoyable chance to witness couples nostalgically reliving their teens or a somewhat bizarre moment observing some questionable dance moves which surely only come out after one too many wines, there is no denying that it was enjoyable. In fact, the word enjoyable goes a long way to describing this musical entirely.

Some very impressive individual displays, coupled with music that I happen to thoroughly enjoy, an immersive live performance and the almost-tangible sheer joy with which the audience met the majority of songs means that this musical is one, so long as you like rock ‘n’ roll, that is not to be missed.

Like any award ceremony the Oscars is always surrounded with cynicism. There are always disagreements over both who was nominated and the eventual winners.

Yet this year was especially dramatic.

The awards evening was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel who had to deal with the unfortunate incident (spectacular mess up) that occurred at the close of the night.

La La Land took home 6 awards on the night, including another Best Actress award for Emma Stone and Best Director for Damien Chazelle.

However, it failed to win the major prize of the night: Best Picture.

An incident with the envelope which holds the results meant that presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty wrongly announced La La Land as winners of the award.

The envelope they opened read Emma Stone, La La Land, who was the winner of Best Actress award earlier in the night.

Seeing La La Land written, Dunaway and Beatty simply

announced them as the winners. This resulted in chaos on stage as it was announced it was eventually revealed that Moonlight had actually won. It was a rather messy end to the awards evening.

Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose in Fences. This means Davis is the first ever African-American actor to win an Oscar, Tony and Emmy for acting.

There was controversy over awarding Casey Affleck winning Best Actor, due to the sexual harassment allegations which surround the actor.

The entire awards evening was scattered with political references, such as Gael Garcia Bernal’s impassioned speech against Trump’s wall to divide Mexico and the US. The Oscars seemed to have diverted away from its #OscarsSoWhite stigma this year, but it remains to be seen if diversity is here to stay in Hollywood or not. All that will be remembered from the Oscars 2017 is that it is the year when the wrong film literally did get awarded Best Picture.

For a full list of Oscar award winner please go to www.mancunion. com.

Breathing Space

Created and performed by students at the University of Manchester this space adventure shouldn’t be missed Lily Brittain Reviewer Breathing Space is a play completely put together by students at the University of Manchester, all of whom have evidently worked incredibly hard to produce this piece of theatre.

It is a somewhat thrilling play, centred on six individuals undertaking a mission into outer space. When technical problems stop them in their tracks, the tension rises and the drama begins.

The 3 Minute Theatre was an ideal location: this small venue allowed the audience not only to further connect to the anarchy unfolding on stage but, in some sense, empathise with the characters trapped aboard this ship with no way of escaping. The audience becomes invested within the play and the helpless situations of those trapped in outer space, with the situation’s reality being made very clear by events like the tragic suicide of Maria — played by the talented Ele Robinson. Glimmers of hope for the crew throughout kept me longing for a way for them to escape, remaining hopeful in the very same way that they were, with clever switches between situations involving an imaginative use of light and sound, bringing this further to life.

Breathing Space, however, is not all doom and

gloom, with much dark humour strategically placed throughout the play, most notably by character Josef Meek (Sam Williams). This was, I believe, essential to the play as it allowed the audience to laugh and feel at ease in the same way as the characters amidst high levels of tension.

Of course, there were moments where I felt that perhaps the tension was encompassing the play entirely, although the main point was the breaking down of the relationships between the characters, including shocking revelations throughout.

However, sometimes I felt that perhaps this was simply too much. Perhaps a deeper connection with the audience and understanding of characters could have been achieved without the blazing rows. This was depicted beautifully in a scene between the Captain and character Isaac, both played by wonderful young actors, in which emotional confessions were made without the fiery tension of two characters yelling viciously at one another and is definitely something that I would have liked to see more of throughout.

Nevertheless, this was a play that I enjoyed watching, with a particularly stunning ending. All of the cast and the creative team should be proud of it.

Breathing Space is being performed at The Three Minute Theatre from the 2nd to the 4th of March.

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Lifestyle

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Learn to forgive yourself

We talk about accepting regret as part of life, learning how to forgive yourself, and letting go of the things you can’t change Ella Kashti Lifestyle Contributor

As we get older, life presents situations of more weight and importance, more opportunities seem to arise, which consequently gives us all have a bank of regrets. Some of us only regret a few, significant things of weight. We might regret not going to the gym, or making a nasty comment whilst in a bad mood, but either way, everybody has a few memories in their mind, which make them feel a little uncomfortable.

Recently, my dad sent me a link to a radio podcast he suggested would help with my work (I study Philosophy). It didn’t at all, but it did help me heal a little more in terms of guilt.

In this podcast, Bishop Richard Holloway gave his insight into forgiveness and looking back.

Obviously, I’m 20 and (hopefully) far from the end of my life, however the podcast was relevant. It can be understood by anyone who’s lived at all, unless you literally don’t care at all how you treat others or yourself, you’re unlikely to not have one regret.

The first idea Holloway introduces is the idea of free will. We all seem to think we get to choose our actions and, consequently, be and become the person we want to be. We can decide ahead of time how we will act and therefore generate the outcome according to our idea of who we are. But perhaps this isn’t the case, and we don’t get to always decide how we act. If we did, and if we had always contemplated our actions to be perfect each time, surely we would regret nothing.

Instead, it’s suggested time is the weaver of our lives. All the times I can remember saying or doing

Photo: Jack Greeney

Photo: duncanc @Flickr

something less than ideal, and of which I have suffered consequences, I never meant to do. I have never intended to perform an action that would make me anything less than a perfect person. But moments are so fast and unique and decisions can be thoughtless, and before you know it you’ve done it, and before you know it you’re pacing your room at 4am wondering if sleep is something you’ll ever know again. But this is the thing — we don’t always have control! Yet we tell ourselves we are fully responsible. For some reason it must always be a person that takes responsibility for an

action; they executed it, they are to blame.

But what if we stopped looking at it like this?

What if we realised we didn’t mean to do the ‘bad’ thing we did? It wasn’t a conscious decision made with our desired character at heart. We cannot be exactly who we want to be all of the time. We don’t have the control. To illustrate this point, Holloway uses the betrayal of Jesus by Peter. I’m not religious but this story really helped me consider my own forgiveness. Peter was a passionate man, he loved Jesus, and after hearing the police were coming for Jesus, assured him of his support and protection.

He had every intention of behaving that way, as it was who he was, and he wanted to. But, when he was faced with the reality, he failed himself and refused any connection to Jesus, letting him be taken. The point Holloway makes is that Peter really didn’t want to do this. He really was amazed and filled with anguish over what he had done.

The conclusion Holloway draws from this story is that Jesus understood human nature; ironically, that we do not know our own nature. But when it is revealed to us, in the moment, we must accept however we react. Until it happens, we cannot know ourselves. Peter has the chance to repent, and announces with the same amount of passion the love he has for Jesus, as he did deny his love for Jesus. In doing this, the act has not been forgiven, as perhaps it was (as some of our actions are) inherently wrong, but rather the actor, who has had the chance, upon reflection, to understand what they really mean and want.

One philosopher, says “our tragedy is, that though we did not know what we were doing when we acted, our actions were irreversible.” This, I think, forgives one’s actions in a situation of which one has never found themselves before, because how could we expect them to know how to act? One’s actions in response to being put in such a situation is who they were in that moment. It is not who they are full stop. And, as a favourite quote of mine says: “Part of being human is that we can’t go back, we can only hope that if we come across that moment again, we’ll do it the right way.”

Could you be an au pair this summer?

Get paid to travel, build relationships, and develop your skills by working as an au pair — a definite option for your summer plans

Lauren Valentine Lifestyle Contributor

By the time you reach university, the novelty of the lengthy summer holidays begins to wear off. You get a little tired of spending days in your pyjamas, and of nobody ever finding true love on Dinner Date. You dream of travelling, but haven’t come up with a way to make your student loan cover your adventure. The solution? Become an au pair. I spent an amazing month last summer as an au pair for a Spanish family, but not before months of scouring the internet for advice and experiences. Here are some key questions and answers to aid (and hopefully persuade) your decision.

What does it take to be an au pair?

To be an au pair, you’ll need to be flexible and open-minded in order to adapt to the new routine, expectations, and culture. There is no essential experience required, though it is useful to have some previous contact with young children.

There is also no set time period, as all families have different requirements.

How do I find a family?

This can be done efficiently through the internet, and there is no need to pay for agencies. Personally, I used NewAuPair and AuPairWorld, and spoke to quite a few families. There are more, but do check reviews and be precautious when using new sites.

Will it make me more employable?

Yes. Being an au pair will improve your

adaptability, develop your cultural awareness, make you more understanding of others, and perhaps allow you to learn or improve your language skills.

Is it expensive?

Not at all. Au pairs are often expected to pay for flights, but generally accommodation and food is all provided at no cost. You should be paid in return for your work with the children, and for me this meant that I came back in profit (even after buying endless fridge magnets at the airport…).

Do I need to speak another language?

If your host family speak English, then speaking their language is not essential as they often want you to interact with the children in English to help them to learn. However, it is useful to have a grasp of the local language to be able to socialise and have a greater sense of freedom.

How many hours will I be expected to work? / How much free time will I have?

Questions like these are ones that must be arranged beforehand with the family. I hadn’t been made aware that I was actually expected to give daily classes to the children, which led to me hastily preparing PowerPoints in the early hours of the morning!

What will I gain from the experience?

It’s difficult to summarise the benefits of being an au pair, so a list will have to suffice: greater

cultural awareness, lifelong friendships, language skills, new recipes or music, different perspectives, and most likely some adorable drawings from the children.

Overall, if you’re looking for a productive way to spend your summer that will allow you to see more of the world and meet some great people, I

would definitely recommend trying out au pairing.

If you’re still unsure after reading the advantages, consider it from the opposite perspective: there are no disadvantages. Provided that everything is organised and discussed in advance, you will feel completely comfortable and come back with plenty of stories to tell!

Photo: beth19 @Flickr

Lifestyle

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Advice column 2

Are you #VEGCURIOUS?

Curious about the vegan lifestyle that’s taking the world by storm? Come along to Vegan Week at the SU to find out more Sophie Manley Lifestyle Contributor

We’re here to offer you some advice, and answer your questions that have been submitted this week

Araddhna Patel Deputy Lifestyle Editor

Photo: rockspindeln @Flickr

Ted Baker: What is the best way to successfully juggle work, university, and social life?

That’s a tough one – you definitely aren’t alone as I’m not sure any student has really succeeded in balancing the three perfectly. I know it can sometimes feel like you have to sacrifice one aspect, but you could always try to integrate a few of them. For instance, you could have study groups with friends on your course. Even something as simple as joining a society could help; you’d make new mates, it looks good on your CV, and you’d probably be going to regular socials.

Nick: I’m in first year and I’m struggling to integrate myself into uni life. What can I do to make it easier?

First things first, try to understand why you’re struggling with this.

Most of the time, first years are worried they won’t ever meet someone with the same interests as them. But that’s the great thing about uni — you’re bound to find someone you’ll get on with! Have a look at the wide range of societies available to join on the Students’ Union website and pick out a few that you’d be interested in, or just make an effort to get involved in something totally new. Just remember that first years all have this same worry, but that soon disappears!

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Have you been having some affectionate thoughts about vegetables lately?

Perhaps you’ve been wondering about alternative sources of protein but you’re not quite ready to talk about it with your mates? Come along to Vegan Week at the Students’ Union to indulge in your curiosity, and learn a bit more about why vegan is the new black.

In the UK, over half a million people are completely vegan, almost two million are vegetarian, and new figures are showing that many more people are vegcurious and want to know more about this plantbased lifestyle. In the US, the figures are even higher, and a staggering 40 per cent of the population of India follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. Veganism is drifting into the mainstream as research is showing that it’s a win, win, win situation.

Good for the animals, good for the planet, and good for us.

Animal welfare and ethicality is, of course, still a really important issue, however it’s no longer the most popular reason for going vegan. Veganism is becoming as much an environmental cause as it is an animal welfare cause. Agricultural studies show that rearing cattle for food is the main effector of deforestation and has the biggest impact on global warming. A

Silent Monkey: How do I nicely ask people in the library to stop talking loudly? I don’t want to be offensive but they disturb me working!

You’re going to come across people who aren’t considerate to others’ needs. The best way to solve this issue would definitely be to speak to them rather than to suffer in silence. Explain calmly that you can’t concentrate on your work with the noise, and you’d appreciate it if they lowered their volume. I think most people will be understanding and listen to you, but if they don’t, you might have to jump ship and abandon that study area whilst they’re there. There are tons of places on campus you can study in, so unless you’re really attached to that one spot in the Main Library, that may be your best option.

As always, if you’re really struggling with something and need advice, you can always talk to someone, be it your academic advisor, a friend, Chloe Hatton or even someone at Nightline if you want to remain anonymous.

Lifestyle Contributor

common misconception is that soy bean plants are causing deforestation, however 85 per cent of these plants are used as feed for cattle and not human consumption, and therefore are also a part of the animal-product industry. Many of you will have heard the devastating news about the Great Barrier Reef last year caused by overfishing and global warming; moreover, the planets rapidly decreasing biodiversity is being dubbed by experts as the sixth extinction crisis. I think it’s time humans took responsibility for the harm we’ve caused, take a long hard look at the evidence, and realise that it is the production of animal products for food which is exerting the greatest damage in our environmental crises.

If you’re not much of an environmental activist, that’s fine. But surely you care about yourself? Your health? With the popularity of veganism growing, so has the demand for scientific studies identifying the effect of this diet on your body, and whether or not a plant-based diet is able to provide adequate nutrient acquisition. The results are astounding, and show that not only is a vegan diet adequate, but it also decreases your risks of getting various diseases including different forms of cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease,

and even osteoporosis. The risk of certain deficiencies are higher in vegans because most people were never taught how to eat a well-balanced, vegan diet and therefore miss out key macro and micronutrients, and it’s important to transition your body safely into this new lifestyle as it is quite a drastic change in diet if you’ve always been a meat eater.

That’s why MUVVS (Manchester University Vegetarian and Vegan Society) is presenting vegan week at the SU. The timetable is as follows: Monday the 6th of March (11:00-15:00) Room 8 — free vegan food fair, come along for free chocolate, cheese, and other foods, as well as free vegan recipe booklets.

Tuesday the 7th of March (13:00-14:00) Room 8 — The Vegan Approach, 10 steps to going vegan workshop. Come along to find out how easy it is to be vegan.

Wednesday the 8th of March (12:3014:00) Room 3 — Screening of ‘Forks over Knives’, the film that converted Russell Brand, Ozzy Osborne, and Ben Stiller to veganism.

Thursday the 9th of March (12:30-14:00) Room 2 — Screening of ‘Cowspiracy: The Sustainable Secret’, whose executive producer is Leonardo DiCaprio.

Friday the 10th of March (13:00-14:00) — Social event for new and existing members of MUVVS (still to be determined).

Join the MUVVS Facebook page for more information or to connect with some like-minded people. We’re all really nice, open to lots of conversation topics (vegan or otherwise) and we’re giving away free food. Why wouldn’t you come?

You are a student.

Your festival guidelines Festival season is right around the corner, and around about now you’re probably checking how far your overdraft goes and planning this summer’s festivals. Here’s a very rough guide of what to factor in whilst you’re going wild.

Baby wipes: These are an absolute must for any festival that you’re camping at.

Showers are often either disgusting, have massive queues, or just simply unavailable.

Nobody wants to be drowning in their own sweat for an entire weekend, so these are the solution. Portable, cheap, and coming in resealable packets, these are little gems of freshness that’ll help you remove the grimy traces of yesterday’s glitter, and leave you at least somewhat clean and ready to go for the next day.

Be careful around your drinks: Festivals can be nasty places when it comes to spiking drinks, so try not to accept any from strangers in tents. You can always get alcohol elsewhere and if it’s water you need, security will normally provide some.

Obviously not every drink will be spiked, but it’s not worth the risk if you end up being taken seriously ill because of some dodgy drinks. That being said, it is really important to keep hydrated at festivals, so make sure you do get hold of some water

Photo: wurzle @Flickr

from time to time, especially in tents where it can get really hot and crowded.

Glitter: I absolutely love glitter, and personally think everyone should wear it to every event, but for festivals it can be seriously great. Even though everyone else will probably also be bathed in it, there is no such thing as too much glitter.

It’s fun, it’s sparkly, and having a pot on you is guaranteed to make you friends. It also helps to cover up any eye bags that will certainly develop over the course of a weekend.

Plan your weekend: This is an absolute must, especially if you’re invested in the music and not just the atmosphere. It can get very stressful if you’re constantly running from one stage to the next and only catching bits of acts before they finish because you haven’t planned and prioritise who you want to see. Sit down and take some time before the festival to set out who’s playing at what stage at what time, and you’ll have a much less stressful weekend.

Photo: carolc @Flickr

FINAL YEAR STUDENTS! The University will use the National Student Survey (the NSS) to put up tuition fees.

Tuition fee increase

You will be told to fill in the National Student Survey (the NSS) from the 30th of January to the 29th of April.

What you will NOT BE TOLD is that the NSS, your feedback, will be used to increase tuition fees for future generations of students.

Genuine student feedback

SAY YES

Student feedback is important, so fill out the Manchester Student Survey (MSS) instead to have your say. The MSS, unlike the NSS, will not be linked to tuition fees.

Fill in the MSS to say NO to increasing tuition fees!

Find out more: manchesterstudentsunion.com/nss

Sport

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Zlatan’s United defeat the Saints The EFL Cup final between Manchester United and Southampton, saw the red devils emerge victorious winning 3-2 Photo: Dom Fellowes @Flickr

Joe Murphy Sport Reporter An inspired Zlatan Ibrahimovic guided Manchester United to their fifth EFL cup in a dramatic encounter with Southampton. There were many talking points from Wembley in a contest which ended 3-2 in favour of the ‘Red Devils’.

In the opening stages, less than ten minutes in, Southampton were denied a clear goal by an incorrect award for offside on Manolo Gabbiadini, after he sneaked behind the United defender to tap past David de Gea. This was yet another example of poor officiating in a season where performances of officials have come under more scrutiny than ever before. It is mistakes such as these which lead to the debate on whether or not technology should be

used by referees to check such decisions as important as this. This being a cup final, it is crucial for such decisions to be correct, as highlighted by Southampton’s manager after the game.

To rub more slat in the womb of Southampton, it was mere minutes after this of when United got the opener.

Romeu fouled Ander Herrera about 25 yards out, and Ibrahimovic struck the resulting free kick sweetly past a scrambling Forster. There is the argument that the keeper could have done more, but the pace and swerve of the ball makes it a little harsh to criticize the keeper too much.

Not long after United went 1-0 up, Jesse Lingard doubled their lead with a tidy finish after a clever move involving Martial, Mata and Rojo. At this point, Southampton were still playing the better football, it was just that Unit-

ed were more clinical in putting away their chances.

Southampton kept pushing, however, and finally got their deserved reward in first half stoppage time with a goal back. After having the earlier goal disallowed, Gabbiadini once again got behind Eric Bailly to poke through the keepers legs, and go in at half time only 2-1 down. A goal that is often seen in a five a side game where the striker ghosts through the defence, like my mate Rodd may score. The Italian just knew where to be and when to be there for Redmond’s cross.

Despite the introduction of Michael Carrick for Juan Mata, United continued to look vulnerable and it was still Southampton who were dominating possession and creating the chances.

Shortly after Romeu hit the post from a corner, Gabbiadini grabbed his and

Meet Tomokazu Harimoto : 13-year old table tennis wonder kid

Japanese 13 year old, Tomokazu Harimoto has taken the professional Photo: Martin Thomas @Flickr world of Table Tennis by storm Josh Jenkins Sport Reporter When I think back to what I was doing when I was 13 years old it’s hard to think past messing around with my friends in school and then spending endless carefree hours on my PlaySta-

tion when I came home.

There were no life pressures and the biggest worry I had was whether the girl I had a crush on in school noticed who I was.

Yet for Tomokazu Harimoto 13 is the where he has taken the professional world of Table Tennis by storm.

Table Tennis — a game of technique, agility, and explosive speed, has been dominated in the last decade by China.

The current top four in the world are from the nation, and they have held a firm grip over the sport’s three biggest events — the Olympic Games, the World Singles Championship, and the

Southampton’s second goal to get a deserved equaliser. The ball was heading back in to the box, Pogba missed it, and the Italian turned Chris Smalling and hit the ball first time to score a brilliant goal. It was with about half an hour to go and Southampton were level and playing the better football.

Having blown a two goal lead, United started to press more, with Jesse Lingard firing over from a great position when he should have done much better. The Saints also forced a couple of decent saves from de Gea before the crucial moment happened. With 3 minutes left, and Jose Mourinho about to introduce Wayne Rooney to the fold, Martial went around two defenders on the edge of the box, picked out Herrera on the corner of the box, who in turn delivered an inch perfect cross to find Ibrahimovic who was never go-

ing to miss. He headed straight past the keeper, to send the united fans behind the goal (and in my local pub) into frenzy. Zlatan was the match winner, as United held onto the ball for the final minutes and saw the game out. A truly enthralling game, in which the better team may have lost, two strikers stole the show and a poor officiating decision threatens to overshadow what was great cup final.

World Team Championship — for over a decade.

It’s hard to think of another sport that is more dominated than the autonomy that China has over Table Tennis.

Their grip is so strong the sport’s governing body, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) had to cap the number of Chinese players allowed to play in the World Championship, with only five allowed to enter.

The Table Tennis world has been desperately seeking for a talent who can potentially defeat the all-conquering Chinese.

There have been times where the world thought they found their man — Jun Mitzutani and Dimitrij Ovtcharov were seen as the people to do it in modern times, but they have never been able to truly stop the leading Chinese players.

However, with Tomokazu Harimoto, the world may have just found that person.

Born in 2003 in Japan, Harimoto was destined to be a record breaker in the sport. Both his parents competed for China in the 1990s and placed a bat in their son’s hands when he was at the age of two.

In his short time on tour the records are already tumbling: in October 2015 he became the youngest player ever to progress to the first round of an ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles event at the Polish Open. In June 2016, he became the youngest male to ever win an under-21 world tour event at the Japan

Open. In December, he became the youngest player to ever win the Junior World Championship, an event for the globe’s best players under the age of 18, where the previous youngest winner was 15. Last month, he became the youngest male player to ever reach a pro-tour final after getting all the way to the last game at the Indian Open.

Harimoto has already placed himself firmly in the Top 100 in the world rankings and astonishingly is the youngest player in the Top 250.

At times it’s felt that the world has been so desperate to find a player to match the Chinese that they gave the torch to people who were no way ready or able to handle the pressure, but everything just seems different with this young man.

In a recent interview Harimoto declared “My ultimate dream is to be 2020 Olympic champion in Tokyo.”

The Japanese sports authorities certainly believe this dream can be — they recently placed him at the centre of their new and extremely expensive Olympic Medal programme.

He seems to relish having the spotlight shined firmly on him, proven by the ease in which he competed in front of thousands of watching countrymen in his home tournament last summer.

There is no doubt we are witnessing the beginnings of a future superstar who finally, after years of torment, could be the world’s answer to the Chinese medal-winning monopoly.

Ratings – Southampton – Forster 6, Soares 6, Stephens 6, Yoshida 7, Bertrand 6, Ward-Prowse 7, Romeu 7, Davis 6, Redmond 8, Tadic 6, and Gabbiadini 9.

Man Utd – de Gea 7, Valencia 8, Smalling 6, Bailly 6, Rojo 5, Herrera 6, Pogba 5, Mata 4, Lingard 6, Martial 6, and Ibrahimovic 9.

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Sport 31

ISSUE 17 / 6th MARCH 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

The Six Nations Italian Controversy Toby Webb offers his opinion on the big story arising from round three of this year’s Six Nations On paper, England’s home game against Italy was predicted to be their easiest, by some margin.

All were forecasting a blow out, with some fearing that the record score for this fixture, 80-23, would be surpassed.

It was not. While the result, 36-15, was still very convincing, the manner in which it was achieved was not. England, for large parts of the tournament thus far, have been average, pulling themselves over the line with several moments of brilliance. We are yet to see a complete performance from Eddie Jones’ team, a performance alike those displayed on the triumphant tour of Australia last summer. I was hoping the game against Italy would give England a chance to rediscover their mojo, to set a benchmark for the crucial closing rounds of the tournament.

Italy’s stultifying defensive tactics, denying any contest at the ruck, caused England huge problems, provoking a range of responses from the media and people involved in the game.

For clarity, I will outline what they did. Rucking is a crucial aspect of rugby, particularly at international level. Ruck dominance can feed flowing attacking play and result in defences moving backwards swiftly; on the contrary, the ruck offers defensive players an opportunity to enact a turnover, retrieving the ball or causing the attacking team to be penalised.

A ruck is formed when an attacking player is tackled to the ground and at least one player from either team compete at the breakdown, the attacking team seeking to retain possession while the defensive players attempt to steal it. With this comes an imaginary offside line, the width of the pitch, at the back of the ruck on the defensive side. The defence must stand behind this line, until the attacking team begin a new action from the ruck, while defensive players entering the ruck must do it from behind the line through an imaginary 1 metre entry ‘gate’. They cannot enter at the side.

When the team in defence refuses to engage in rucking, there is no pitch-length offside line, merely a 1 metre circle around the tackled player.

For large parts of the game, this was the tactic employed by Italy. With no offside line, Italian

Photo: Antonio Cinotti @Flickr

players could stand beyond the tackler, blocking the passing lanes and stopping the scrum-half moving away with the ball. It has since come out that Conor O’Shea, Italian head coach, visited the match referee the day before the match to clarify the nuances of the tactic his team would employ. The tactic was stifling and confusing, but completely legal. In footballing terms, the Italians ‘parked the bus’.

England were bemused, seemingly unable to find an answer to the Italian tactics until the secPhoto: In Mou We Trust @Flickr

Jos é Mourinho XI Who makes the Special One's all-time XI? Dane Massey Sport Reporter Goalkeeper: David De Gea (Manchester United) Probably the hardest choice of the XI, Mourinho has managed a wealth of world-class goalkeepers. Vitor Baia, Petr Cech, Julio Cesar, Iker Casillas and Thibaut Courtois have all played for and won trophies with the Portuguese boss, but De Gea trumps them all. He is undoubtedly one of the best in the world in his position, and if he stays at United, he will be a permanent fixture in their goal over the next 10-15 years.

Right-back: Antonio Valencia (Manchester

United) Mourinho recently said there was “no better right-back in football” than the Ecuadorian. Like De Gea, Valencia is one of the best in his position right now. Valencia has been at the club for seven and a half years and counting. This speaks volumes for his consistency, and while Mourinho is still the manager, there are many more appearances to come for United’s Mr. Reliable.

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) Ramos never lets anyone down. He has been the same for every manager he has played for and is perhaps one of the best defenders ever to play the game. Over the last few years, he has written his name firmly into Real Madrid’s illus-

ond half. This was exemplified in English conversations with the referee during the match, James Haskall and Dylan Hartley demonstrating an ignorance towards the laws of the game; referee Roman Poite responded “I’m not your coach, I’m the referee” to English questions of how the tactic could be counteracted.

Eddie Jones, in his post-match interview, was undignified and, frankly, rude: his answers all centred on the notion that, in the tactic employed, the Italians had refused to play “rugby”.

trious history. Mourinho began Ramos’ transition from marauding right-back into the complete centre-half.

Centre-back: John Terry (Chelsea) Terry was Mourinho’s equivalent of Ramos while he coached at Chelsea during two spells.

Terry is referred to by Chelsea fans as ‘Captain.

Leader. Legend,’ and it was under Mourinho he became recognised as one of the best centrebacks in the world. Terry was the lynchpin of Chelsea’s defence, as he captained the Blues’ to three league titles under the guidance of Mourinho.

Left-back: Javier Zanetti – Captain (Internazionale) Just as Terry was Mourinho’s captain fantastic at Chelsea, Zanetti lead Internazionale by example. Zanetti spent almost two decades playing for the Nerazzurri, and he racked up 143 caps for Argentina in the process. In his time playing for Argentina, he achieved five silver medals, but at Internazionale he regularly struck gold, including winning the treble under Mourinho in 2009/10.

Centre-midfield: Claude Makelele (Chelsea) Makelele was so good he had a position named after him. Defensive midfielders have become priceless in today’s game, and it is the Frenchman that they all idolise. Makelele is an icon of the role. Costinha, Esteban Cambiasso, Xabi Alsonso and Michael Carrick, all manged by Mourinho, are also exceptional in this role, but Makelele will always be the commander-in-chief of defensive midfielders.

Centre-midfield: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) The greatest player in the history of Chelsea football club. Lampard scored 211 goals when he played in his beloved royal blue, making him the clubs all-time top scorer. When Mourinho coached Lampard, his game reached a whole different level, as he played an integral role in Chelsea’s title triumphs of 2005 and 2006, scoring 20 goals in each season from midfield. Astonishing.

Jones, evidently frustrated at his team’s inability to adapt, refused to discuss the team’s performance in detail. This was telling. Many England players were significantly low par, plagued by indiscipline, Owen Farrell having his worst game for England on his 50th appearance. Dan Cole was awful; Mako Vunipola’s return to fitness cannot come sooner. Joe Launchberry (man of the match for the second consecutive game) lead from the front, while Jack Nowell proved he must be a starter. They were the bright lights in an otherwise dreary performance.

While I can see why Jones was angry postgame, his comments about the Italian tactics were petulant. England’s inability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances was worrying; it is not an unknown tactic, with both international and club teams utilising it in recent years. Several commentators have rightly pointed out that New Zealand, who England are looking to compete with as the world’s best team, would’ve quickly adapted.

Right now, while England have the talent and potential to compete, New Zealand are far superior in terms of rugby intelligence.

The main criticism of Italy’s tactics were that they did not abide by the ‘spirit of the game’, that vague term that angered sportspeople and coaches throw about when they are outsmarted by the opposition. In my opinion, these types of stifling tactics say more about the team in enacting them: contained within them is the implicit acknowledgement of the opposition’s clear superiority. I disagree that Italy’s tactics were against the ‘spirit of the game’. Teams are completely in their right to choose stifling, negative tactics. In response, a coach should take the opportunity, rather than moaning petulantly, to praise their own team, highlighting the evident bridge in quality implied by the opposition’s tactics.

In other games of Round 3, Scotland recorded a famous victory at home to Wales, 29-13, while Ireland were victorious in a heavyweight clash with France, 19-9. Round 4 consists of Wales vs Ireland on Friday night and Italy vs France and England vs Scotland on Saturday.

Right-wing: Eden Hazard (Chelsea) Hazard is a truly sensational footballer. The Belgian is a nightmare for any full-back, he can win games single-handedly, at just 26 years of age his prime could still be ahead of him. Mourinho’s star man won PFA Player of the Year in 2015 – Hazard was Mourinho’s shining light when he won his third title with Chelsea.

Attacking-midfield: Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale) Mourinho’s Internazionale were a stubborn, water-tight defensive unit, they always kept the door shut. At the other end, however, they had players capable of making the difference at the crucial time – one of these players was Sneijder. If the Netherlands won the FIFA World Cup in 2010, Sneijder could have picked up the prestigious Ballon D’or in the year he also won a domestic treble, playing under Mourinho in Milan.

Left-wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Is there anything else left to say about him? Cristiano Ronaldo is any managers dream. Ronaldo averages over a goal a game for Los Blancos as he has raced to becoming their all-time top scorer.

Mourinho’s white machine in his time in charge of Real was fuelled by the Portuguese megastar, he hit 46 La Liga goals for Mourinho as Real marched to their only title in eight years.

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Internazionale/Manchester United) Mourinho’s Swedish striking sensation says he felt like a “terminator” when he played for him at Internazionale. Now the pair are re-united as Ibrahimovic has become Mourinho’s equivalent of when he coached Ronaldo in Spain. Ibrahimovic has took the Premier league by storm, his prolific goal scoring and all round play combined with his brute strength earns the Scandinavian superstar the right to lead the line for Mourinho’s ultimate XI.

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6th MARCH 2017 / ISSUE 17 FREE

Claudio Ranieri Sacked: Right or Wrong?

Jack Greeney Sport Reporter

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On the 23rd of February, Leicester City fired their one and only top flight title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri. The champions of England brought football fans around the world together in awe over their unlikely Premier League victory last year; however, in sacking the veteran Italian coach, the Foxes have produced one of the most divisive and controversial decisions of the season. The club languishing only one point above the relegation zone, the team’s shock summit of the league tables now only a distant memory, chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha chose to remove Ranieri from his managerial post.

A mess of allegations against the club’s players followed after reports of a revolt in the squad cumulating in a supposed meeting with the club’s Thai billionaire owner which sealed the manager’s fate.

However, since then players have appeared in multiple media outlets to deny these allegations, striker Jamie Vardy labelling them “untrue” and reiterating his “complete respect” for the genial Ranieri.

The exact circumstances leading to the tipping point may never truly be known, but guilty or not of disloyalty, there is one thing that the Leicester players are most certainly guilty of: a direly lacklustre drop in form.

Vardy was the focal point last season, netting 24 goals. This season, the former Fleetwood forward has struggled to get

on the scoresheet, suffering a nine game goal drought by mid-February. However central to the style of play, blame does not rest on Vardy’s misfirings alone: His inability to find the back of the net is a symptom of a wider underperformance from the whole team. Not one of Leicester’s title-winning team had reached the heights of last season other than midfielder N’Golo Kanté, since transferred to Chelsea. Perhaps the loss of such an integral defensive player doomed Leicester right from the start.

Ranieri’s dismissal split fans and pundits like the red sea. Irish pundit Niall Quinn remarked the club had “lost their soul”.

Presenter Gary Lineker admitted that the sacking, coming just nine months after the 5000/1 title win, made him “shed a tear”, describing the move as premature, disloyal, and gobsmacking; other pundits were less sentimental. Retired manager Graeme Souness “fully understood” the sacking, putting it down to the “harsh reality of modern football”. Even he, however, saw that ultimately the blame lies more on the players than the manager: “They have to hold their hands up,” the Scot said.

What is almost more widely agreed to be curious though is the timing of the decision. Only the day before Leicester had looked on the verge of a turnaround, with Vardy breaking his goalscoring duck and a wonderful second half defensive display against an exceptional Sevilla. A crucial away goal to take back to the King Power Stadium for the reverse fixture kept

Photo: Diego Sideburns @Flickr

them in the tie. Former Tottenham player Jermaine Jenas denounced the timing as “ludicrous”, and not without reason: Why remove Ranieri, especially after last season’s triumph, when the team looks to be right on the point of a recovery?

A turnaround so it proved to be. In the biggest opening night for a Shakespeare since Henry VI, the club’s caretaker boss oversaw a superb display, thumping Liverpool. Two more goals from a Vardy reminiscent of last season and a volley of incredible technique from Drinkwater, who lashed home his first goal of the campaign from outside of the box. A run of five top-flight defeats ended in spectacular fashion, and they played like the champions they are. Some used the result as evidence the sacking was premature; others that it worked. Most exasperatingly of all, though: Where had these players been all season?

Ranieri may have been back home in Rome but his presence was felt all over the stadium, which manager José Mourinho said should be named after him. The team that won the title returned to fans bearing messages of “Grazie Claudio”, brought close to tears by Nessun Dorma, stirring memories of the Italian’s celebrations just nine months previously. Whether right or wrong, the loss of Ranieri is a sad one. At the 65th minute of play, the whole ground rose and sung Ranieri’s name in remembrance. However, this was a night just as much about Ranieri as it was the players he left behind. 3-1. Turnaround.