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indigo 08.02.2011

Glamour’s US editor on why female magazines aren’t just about the fashion...

indigo by the door and go out and rock for a change. “Durham’s boring though!” people cry. “There’s nothing to do!”

Bored of Kludioshack? Have you ever been to Market Vaults, the place hidden behind the Market? Or Fishtank?

Have you ever found yourself in Studio on the heavy metal night? Ok, that for me and my bubblegum pop loving ways was a mistake, but it was a fun mistake. It’s something that, like watching water polo matches or playing drunken Boggle with a bunch of strangers, is something that I never thought I’d do.

When was the last time you did something completely different?

Something out of your comfort zone?

If you can’t remember, then here’s Indigo’s advice for you: don’t be vanilla, be rhubarb. D.D

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Seen a film or been to a gig, read a book or heard an album you want to rant or rave about? Have your say... email your short reviews to indigo@palatinate.org.uk

MUSIC

Palace Chapel Club Loog Records

Golden Age of Knowhere Funeral Party Loog Records

««««« Nico Franks

««««« Briony Chappell

Mine Is Yours Cold War Kids v2 ««««« Nico Franks

WWW.BBC.CO.UK

I’ve been in Durham a long time now; for four years or so, but one thing that never fails to surprise me is how one of the best universities in the country, with some of the brightest people (let’s not be modest!) can be so...vanilla. You know exactly what I mean, predictable in every way.

I’m not even going to bother listing the many Durham stereotypes because that in itself would be stereotypical and you know them all already anyway. It’s predictable, it’s old hat. It’s blah. Don’t get me wrong, I love Durham’s peculiar eccentricities, like a seeming resistance most people have to hypothermia for example, and it’s sleepy charm is undeniable.

But occasionally it would probably do everybody a world of good if they left the gillet (should you own one),

Reviews

Indigo Editors: Daniel Dyson and Madeleine Cuff | www.palatinate.org.uk

COVER IMAGE: CINDI LEIVE

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD by Edmund French

1 Pounders demolish Queen-dissenter (11) 6 Reach number one (3) 8 What about teething problems at the last hole?

(10) 9 See 27 11 Act, without son, husband and wife, felt helpless (9) 13 Fiery soldier flipped, so put energy into common sense (7) 14 Collect fool who swallowed degree (5)

20 Intellectual meeting ran over by half (7) 22 Second early-evening meeting, we hear, is ‘Withdrawal’ (9) 23 Cry over flower (4) 24 Argument beginning to bother one who insists to have sandwich (10) 26 Unemotional medicineman is funny at last (3) 27/9 Leaderlessly throw the French fruit at Scandinavian adventurer (11,4)

Down

15 Great – that is, good – composer (5)

1 Putting one’s foot down about a noise that’s invading overturned Grand Square (8)

16 Potential typists lose nothing from speeds (5)

2 An eastern city can annoy a short-story writer (8)

19 Extracted article from re-read novel and made mistake (5)

3 Bizarrely gave a New Zealand rat a kiss in an eccentric piece of theatre (12)

If you liked the single New York Moves to the Sound of L.A. there’s no doubt you’ll adore Funeral Party’s debut album Golden Age of Knowhere. They are one of the most charismatic bands to emerge in the last year and their record boasts 11 new tracks of total rock-pop joy.

Post-punk guitars, jerky beats and chanted lyrics make it very hard not to tap/clap/nod/boogie along and never has the indie-disco dancefloor been quite so inviting. I’m not going to lie, they just sound cool; they’re the product of those L.A. backyard parties you always wish you could’ve gone to.

But while they ooze with potential, they do come with some pretty generic flaws; the songs are all similar to each other and often unmemorable. However, you could just see this as an excuse to push the repeat button.

Cold War Kids’(CWK) charm was once obvious. Their blues-rock tales of alcoholism, thieving from church collections and, most memorably, hanging the washing out, were irresistible to your average indie-rock fan, always a sucker for heavy feedback and even heavier motifs.

On Mine Is Yours, however, CWK’s gutsy spirit seems to have deserted them completely. Only Royal Blue, Sensitive Kid and the uplifting Bulldozer make a go of actually imposing themselves with a memorable riff or melody.

Elsewhere the emotional, overblown climaxes that seem to plague almost every song on the album often go awry. The band has lightened up since their deadly serious second album, but now it’s feebly introspective lyrics like ‘I finally open my arms wide / Finally I let you inside’ will depress. And where once Willet’s yelped vocals grated on some because of their coarseness, it’s his warblings à la Alicia Keys here that really begin to jar. A massive shame.

4 March of the Penguins, sometimes, can result in moments of relief! (3-8) 5 Consume with worry (3) 6 Bob’s Musical party (6) 7 New English test’s radical principles (6) 10 Mafia boss to come back and aggravate what the cleaner ignores (2,3,7) 12 Embarrassing girl’s girl suffers flu (11) 17 It’s abysmal, in geriatric nursing, to feign sickness (8) 18 Policeman Charles provides fish (8) 20 Sailor bandits wrong to leave treasure at first (6) 21 Sculpt the unknown with woolly detritus (6) 25 Eurovision Song Contest starts – the computer closes with this (3)

DAVID DRYSDALE

Across

As the doom-rock formula becomes ever more diluted, it’s getting harder and harder for a band to stamp their own unique footprint on a style of indie that, arguably, was perfected by Joy Division back in 1979. Songs on Palace like The Shore swell to nothing much more than waves of expansive guitars and hefty drumming, producing a powerful yet completely indistinctive sound. If you find it difficult to discern between Editors and White Lies, Chapel Club will only add to your confusion.

The modern reworking of the ancient Dream A Little Dream of Me on the meaty Surfacing shows a rare moment of creative prowess while the sheer force of White Knight Position is impressive. Bowman’s downbeat vocals and wry lyrics combine well with the heavyweight production on show to give the album a lot of clout.

Essentially, the best compliment you can pay Chapel Club is that if they are the new White Lies, at least they’re a better version.

Interview by: Rachel Bailin | www.palatinate.org.uk

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The Cover Story

Cindi Leive on journalism, celebrities and NYC Cindi Leive has been US editor of women’s fashion magazine Glamour since 2001. She has won recognition both for her work in the magazine industry and her involvement in promoting women’s interests at home and abroad. She lives in New York with her husband. Indigo’s Rachel Bailin chats to her about her role as one of the most powerful women in media.

Indigo: As I’m sure you’re perfectly aware, under your guidance Glamour magazine has just skyrocketed – your readership is up, your base circulation is at it’s highest level…what do you attribute your success to?

Cindi Leive: I think probably the most important thing that I learned from the first editor-in-chief I ever worked under at Glamour, Ruth Whitney, was that you always have to listen to the reader, so I feel like that’s been where 99% of my good ideas have come from. I am very religious about reading the reader mail, I’ll read every letter that comes into the magazine.

Glamour, as opposed to being the kind of magazine that thrives on creating this perfect little world that readers can’t belong to, is the kind of magazine that creates an inclusive world, that talks to readers where they are…if you’re going to do that with any kind of success you just have to really listen to what they’re saying and value their opinions.

I: Because we’re coming into an age of redefining what the magazine is, what do you see as the future for Glamour?

C: Well if you’re talking about what medium it exists in, I think we’re kind of entering the “everything” era. I think a lot of people who came from print, like me, resisted digital because it seemed like a threat to print, but now I read books in hardback form, I read them in paperback form, I read them on my iPad, I read them on my Kindle, and same thing with magazines.

I think we’re not really just a magazine anymore, we are a brand. The print magazine and the website are the center of everything we do, but we consider ourselves a brand. I think what won’t change is what that brand stands for, and in Glamour’s case, it’s really about helping women approach their lives in, for lack of a better word, an empowered way.

The idea about Glamour is that you should never, as a woman, feel like you’re not rich enough, not thin enough, not anything enough to get the life that you see in our pages. It’s always supposed to be a very inclusive approach to life, and so we want the reader to feel better about herself after closing the magazine, clicking out of the website, turning off the iPhone, or whatever it is.

I: What do you think sets Glamour apart from its peers?

C: I think we take a very 360 degree approach to women’s lives so that it’s not just about what’s in your closet, what are you going to wear to work this morning. Although, that’s important, and, you know, I’m a woman, I like talking about that! It’s also about your financial life, your family life, your political concerns, who’s representing you in Congress, all that stuff. And that’s something that I think a lot of magazines will say that they do, but then you look at their pages and it tells a different story.

different ballgame, I mean, there are huge parts of the world where women still effectively can’t be educated, can’t own property, don’t have the most basic rights that we take for granted here, so I think in those places, the problems are just a lack of education and still a basic denying of human rights to women.

I: What is the best part of being an editor? And then, conversely, what are some of the downsides?

C: I think the best part is definitely having that conversation with the reader. I mean, it sounds incredibly corny, but I really do love reading the I: So did you always know that reader mail. you wanted to focus on bigger issues Sometimes it can be really signififor women as an editor of a cant. We have an essay contest where magazine? we ask readers to submit their own personal essays and then they’re judged by C: It definitely interests me, person- a panel of five distinguished writers. ally, but it was also very much part of This year the winner was a woman, what Glamour does. The previous this woman Maya Morgan, and she’d editor-in-chief, who I really learned never been published before, and she from when I was an editorial assistant, had experienced sexual abuse at the was really the first editor in women’s hands of her grandfather. We got a magazines who brought women’s letter from a Glamour reader, who had magazines out of the “white-glove” era been through the same thing and had and into this world where it’s perfectly made a plan to commit suicide and had acceptable that we should be able to called it off – I mean, she had bought write about the wage gap, or the practhe pills, she had written the note – tice of marrying girls off young, as well and she called the entire thing off as the new skirt shape for spring. She after reading our story, and said was the first editor-in-chief to put an she just lay there and held African-American woman on the cover the magazine and sobbed of a major women’s magazine, she was because somebody else had the first to cover abortion - it was very put into words what she much in Glamour’s DNA. experienced, and somebody else had come I: So is that attitude at Glamour out the other side. where your Women of the Year It’s that very Awards came from? basic ability to just relate to somebody C: Yeah, the Women of the Year at one of their most Awards, it started in 1990, so we intimate moments. just had the twentieth anniversary. I That’s the kind of was actually an editorial assistant at thing you live for.

Glamour, and I went to the first awards, That was really and I was too junior even to get a seat. incredible. But the I was standing in the back, but it was downsides? I completely amazing. Over the years would just say the it’s become much bigger event, much daily struggles glitzier, with lots of celebrities, but it of managing still has that special intimate and very any large busiemotional feel, so the goal is never ness. There’s the to make it all celebrity, the goal is to reality of long honour women you’ve never heard of budget meetings alongside the ones that you have. in windowless conference rooms, I: So what do you see as women’s and personnel biggest obstacle in today’s world? management, and strategic plans and all C: I think it really depends where of that stuff, but that’s not you live. I think it’s really easy, from particular to my job. the comfort of my glittery, 16th floor office to say that for a lot of American I: So if you could give women, I think the problems are now any piece of advice to problems of confidence and selfyour 20-year-old self, assurance. There’s still a doubt that what would it be? you might deserve the things you want in life, or an unwillingness to really go C: Maybe to relax for what you want, or ask for what you and enjoy it? deserve, both in work and also in your I happened to be a private life. But overseas, in lots of dif- very type-A 20 year old, ferent places, it’s a totally I was always that person

like, I didn’t want to travel around the globe, thank you very much, I didn’t want to go join the peace corps in Thailand, I wanted to move to New York, get the job, get the next job, get the job after that, because that was what was fun to me. And that’s great, but that’s probably going to be the rest of your life, so not a bad idea to slow down and do some more travelling. People who have lived in other cities, can navigate other cultures in some way, are really valuable. But I think ultimately, if you’re type A, you’re type A. I: What would be your ideal dinner party? Any guests, dead or alive.

C:I would definitely have to have Michelle Obama, but I’d need to give her a glass of wine.

If dead people are invited, I’d want to have Victoria

Woodhall, who was the first woman to run for president, back in the 1870ssomething, plus she wore really good hats. [laughs] I think Coco Chanel might need to be in there somewhere, but probably the guest of honor would have to be Brenda Starr, from the Brenda Starr comic strip, who was the first woman journalist I was ever aware of growing up, even though she was fictional. She had like the most fantastic suits, and she was always jetting around the world in her comic strip holding this little notebook and I was like, ‘That’s why I want to be a reporter!’ [laughs] I want to have those hats, and those suits, and hold that little notebook, and be serious and fashionable at the same time, I thought it looked amazing.

So, she would definitely have to be there. Oh, wait, I made it all women, that’s not going to be fun… okay, so she could bring her husband, Basil St. John [laughs].

I: And the other obligatory man?

C: I think I might have to have Matt Damon, and I’d probably have to sit next to him.

Features Editor: Alison Moulds | www.palatinate.org.uk

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Features

FLICKR ID: YTO

Going the distance Erin Garrett

It wasn’t just the long hours, but also the fact that I managed to make myself look like an absolute fool between five oing the Distance (GtD) is a series of articles about the and six times a day. On the first Montrials and tribulations, temp- day of the first placement, I got myself lost for an hour and 56 minutes, only tations and triumphs, of university long-distance relationships in gener- giving in and getting a taxi at four minal, and mine in particular. I am in my utes to nine, and having to bite back second year of study at Durham; my tears when the lovely, friendly driver asked me in a voice full of sympathy if boyfriend (‘the Boy’) is in his third year at the other end of the country. it was my first day at work.

Week two brought new challenges, We’ve been together for five years I fell down some stairs, I spent the and doing the ‘long-distance thing’ morning with someone who didn’t for two of them. This has given even work for the firm by accident rise to an interesting, challenging, because I didn’t ask their name and I, miserable and funny period of our again, was lost. A lot. relationship and lives, which I have Most of the lawyers were friendly taken to chronicling for posterity. and sympathetic to the fact that I didn’t know what I was doing or how I am afraid that this GtD might seem to be helpful, though there were a few like I am trying desperately to perexceptions: an old man who gave me suade you that you should give me his wig to hold, then forgot about me an interview. That would be because for nearly an hour; a lady who told me, I am eating, sleeping and thinking of tersely, not to say anything to make her, nothing else but applications to the or me, look stupid, and; maybe worst grown-up world in its many guises. I of all, the very, very attractive young am a law student, set to spend three barrister who wouldn’t use my name, years at Durham feverishly reading cases and crying over unwritten essays and called me ‘Mini’ for two days, sent me out to get him cigarettes and then in the small hours, in preparation for asked me to leave before the day was the soul-selling that will hopefully follow graduation. At the moment I am over because the case, a rape, might be upsetting for a young girl. applying for work-experience placeAdmittedly, he did think I was ments which are, apparently, almost crying.

This was because something as competitive as the jobs themselves, (I dread to think what) was blown and let me tell you, my CV has never into my eye by the inexplicable indoor looked fuller. winds of the Piccadilly Line, and it So, while I am preparing to join the streamed all day, turning my tasteful corporate rat-race, earning a living make-up into an homage to A Clockfrom other peoples’ misfortunes, the Boy is showing me up spectacularly by work Orange.

The Boy, in contrast, swanned in becoming a doctor (a brain doctor at on time and unflustered on his first that), and doing some actual good for day, charmed all the staff, was invited the world at large. out at the end of the week to celebrate In pursuit of our endeavours, the Boy and I both undertook work expe- his good work and generally managed to look like a competent doctor in rience in the summer and Christmas training. By the end of our playing as holidays. ‘grown-ups’ we had stopped discussing I was working in London for seven our days, because it had all become too week-long placements, while the Boy much for me and frequently caused spent eight weeks in different NHS the work-strop to boil over into a fullpractice areas, with GPs, midwives, blown row. health visitors and in a hospital. My The moral of this, rather depressing, working hours varied wildly from story is, I suppose, that long distance one day to the next; sometimes I was doesn’t seem likely to end any time finished by midday and found myself soon. We might live in the same house on Oxford Street, ready to part with in years to come, but when you factor money that I didn’t have and other days I would arrive home at ten o’clock in our very middle-class combination at night, eat the ruin of my dinner, and of ambitions, our friends and families and the obligatory dinner-parties, I am go to bed. left wondering how much time the The Boy however, had regular nine Boy and I will actually get to spend to five hours most days and, in his together and how true to life our expeusual efficient manner, found a little rience of work will prove to be. known route home that allowed him In the meantime, I have hung up my to be out of his suit and in front of the sensible shoes for now, and am having football by half past. a refresher course in gratitude for what My unpredictable hours, long is, really, quite an easy life... and often hellish commute, and the insurmountable exhaustion as a consequence of the 5.45am starts, meant that the Boy and I hardly saw each other. And when we did, I was usually having what my sister affectionately calls a ‘work-strop’, and counting the hours that were left until I had to board a train again.

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iPad: the next generation student sidekick Does Apple’s iPad spell the death of our past techno-habits?

Jonathan Buckle

If you were to watch Apple’s latest hypnotising ads displaying the many uses for the iPad you might be forgiven for thinking that the keyboard is old news.

Tablets have arrived, and for all their wonders, it seems amazing that we’ve been managing so successfully without them. But is it really time to be ditching our keys and embracing our shiny touchscreen future?

Well, maybe not just yet. One of the major criticisms of the iPad upon its release was that it was little more than a bigger iPhone; the layout is almost identical and additional features are almost non-existent.

In fact, compared to its diminutive brother, the iPad is lacking a front-facing camera for video calls and actually has less memory available for running applications on its larger screen. And it’s the screen that Apple is really hoping will lure you in by suggesting that this is now a viable laptop replacement

capable of handling all your work and leisure needs.

But with numerous essays to write, each of which number in thousands of words, do we really want to be typing on a screen? The experience is slightly disconcerting, it lacks feedback and requires a great deal of focus, not to mention cutting the screen in half.

Of course, there is a keyboard attachment to help you power through those late night writing sessions but it immediately doubles the bulk of your svelte iPad and leaves you questioning why you didn’t just buy a laptop in the first place.

Another concern is the iPad’s inability to have multiple windows open simultaneously; when I get down to working I immediately open dozens of tabs and windows, arranging them artfully around the screen so that I can write whilst I plagiarise research (but perhaps that’s just my chaotic methods).

The iPad’s saving grace however is its fantastic selection of apps which

really make the most of its expansive touchscreen. Here are our favourites to quash your essay anxieties: Writeroom - $4.99 This minimalist word processing app cuts out all distractions taking you back to the days of blinking green text on a blank screen. Retro and sure to boost productivity.

Evernote - Free A virtual notebook that accepts scans of notes, photos and of course text files. Handwriting recognition sets this app apart allowing you to search your handwritten notes for that one fact you just can’t recall. It syncs with your Mac or PC so you can access your notes anywhere.

Wunderlist - Free A beautifully designed To-Do list app allowing you to set tasks, organise them into categories and sync them with your PC or Mac at home.

Features Editor: Alison Moulds | www.palatinate.org.uk

Features

Love Durham, Hate Homophobia - Q Week ‘11 A week of pride in Durham: our LGBTa Campaigns Officer, Katie Reynolds, on why Q Week is for everyone

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grounds of sexual orientation, as well as the only recent addition of sexual orientation into the equality policies of many employers. It seems that the government may have overlooked dealing with homophobic bullying in the past in favour of tackling problems which seemed, at the time, to be more important such as race, religion and gender divides.

Perhaps we should consider ourselves lucky that we do live in a society which is largely accepting of whatever lifestyle we choose to lead, but things haven’t always been this way and this is why LGBT history month aims to raise awareness of the past events that have shaped the way society is today.

In many parts of the world homosexual activity is still illegal, resulting in persecution and the death sentence for anyone caught engaging in homosexQUIN MURRAY

very year, the University’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans association organise an awareness week called Q week. This year it’s running from the 28th February to the 6th March and in that short time we’ve been able to pack in more events than ever before. Although it is true that LGBT students are in the minority, that minority is not as small as you might think. As many as one in ten young people identify as LGBT or are questioning their sexuality.

If you think you don’t know anyone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans then think again, LGBT people are everywhere and there are still so many who choose to keep their identity a secret. We all make assumptions about people when we meet them, including assumptions about a person’s sexuality. The woman with the red hair who served you your mocha yesterday, the weatherman on BBC1 this morning or the elderly lady you helped across the street last week. Any or all of these people could be gay. Most of us will have been taught by at least one LGBT teacher at school, but I bet you weren’t told that at the time.

The February of each year is dedicated to LGBT history month. It aims to celebrate the lives, achievements and diversity of the LGBT community as a whole. It has been celebrated in the US since 1994 and the UK since 2005 and was created following on from the example set by Black history month, which was first celebrated in the UK in the October of 1987. This mirrors other developments such as the prohibition of inciting racial hatred, which has been a crime for much longer than incitement to hatred on the

ual acts, so in some ways there is still a long way to go before true equality is achieved.

LGBT history month is not organised centrally, instead events are organised by individual groups throughout the UK. It is important to understand that change isn’t going to be handed to us on a plate. LGBT people have worked hard over the years to promote tolerance and diversity. I recently found out that the University’s LGBT staff network was only formed when a current member of staff wondered why it didn’t already exist. The idea was met with great enthusiasm and support, but it took that one person to step forward and make it happen.

Silence about sexuality breeds a fear of the unknown. Homophobia and ignorance can only be eradicated if we promote tolerance and acceptance, if discussion is encouraged and positive images of homosexuality are presented. You cannot tackle homophobic issues if you do not discuss homo-

sexuality. Through Q week we hope to promote a wider understanding and acceptance within Durham as a whole about some of the issues LGBT people can face. It isn’t easy to fit in with the Durham way of life when you’re different and sometimes it feels as though everybody else shares an intrinsic set of ideas and values that you’re simply excluded from.

LGBT people are far more likely to suffer from mental health problems and are three times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people.

This is not just down to external factors such as bullying and hate crime, but also internal struggles with identity and discovery of who we are. The LGBTA seeks to promote a safe social space where like-minded individuals can come together and feel comfortable being themselves. It isn’t easy to encourage students to attend the LGBTA without making them feel as though you are ‘recruiting’ them to the cause.

We can’t bribe you with chocolate brownies, all we can really do is create a positive reputation and welcoming atmosphere.

Our bisexual ‘Bring-a-friend’ coffee afternoon encourages students to introduce their friends who have never been to an LGBTA event before to come along and see what we’re all about in a relaxed social environment and meet new people. Some people still have preconceived ideas of what the LGBTA is like, but we’re really not that scary! We get a huge mixture of personalities at all our socials and it’s important to remember that, although being LGBT is a big part of our lives, it is not the only thing that defines us.

We are all members of other societies

Could you be a religious fanatic?

Charlotte Poynton

folded away in the fancy-dress box, but I rest my case. For weeks we did nothing but talk about this god, and he became real, to me anyway. I now laugh about the whole incident, but so did Jane.

The fact is we are incredibly susceptible to belief. When you are removed from the ‘rational’ world, and surrounded by people who are telling you something is true, for a month, a week, or in Jane’s case two hours, it is actually fairly easy to be convinced.

Psychologically, this is a worrying phenomenon which occurs frighteningly often in the real world: think about the hysterical Salem witch trials, or McCarthyism and the Communist ‘witch hunts’ in America which inspired Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

Ever since the ‘dishcloth’ incident I have always been very wary of declaring myself impermeable to fanaticism and perhaps, judging by the example set to us by all those important and

respectable American politicians in the 1940s, we might all think about how rational we really are. And by the way, if anybody fancies a ‘dishcloth’, I still have the pattern tucked away with my sewing machine...

FLICKR ID: THE HAPPY ROBOT

My friend (let’s call her Jane), strolled into my room a few days ago and announced: “I think I’ve become Christian: I’ve been reading the Bible for the last two hours”. If you knew Jane, you would find this assertion humorous to say the least, and somewhat baffling.

Lovely as she is, her set of values is largely not one which I would associate with the Christian faith. You might therefore wonder why she would pick up the Bible in the first place, but the answer is less baffling: we are required as part of our English course to read and critique chunks of God’s book.

One of the main points highlighted in the module is whether or not the Bible can be read as a purely literary text, devoid of any religious meaning, and I think Jane’s experience, although mainly facetious, actually brings up some rather interesting points. Can sheer intensity of exposure to a reli-

gious doctrine really engineer conversion to those ideals?

Now I realise that I may be treading on a minefield. I am not religious and, though I have every respect for those who are, I think I would defend my point of view by saying that religion requires faith, whilst I am too rational and scientific to be a believer.

Nevertheless, I have experienced religious fanaticism. When I was about twelve, a group of us, tiring of compulsory Religious Studies lessons, decided to create our own religion. We dubbed it ‘Dishclothism’ (ah, Youth), and had a Lord’s prayer (‘oh Dishcloth, who art in heaven...’), a set of commandments and a Holy garment (a pink Tie-Dyed ‘dishcloth’ fastened over the head with a strap). We prayed to our god several times and day, and disrupted lessons by trying to convert our RS teacher.

I wish I could tell you I was joking.

Sadly, Dishclothism was a religion in decline, and my ‘dishcloth’ is now

and have a healthy and active social life outside of the association too.

During Q week we have also joined together with the staff network. They are leading a panel discussion about what being LGBT means to them, their careers and lives in Durham.

We also have a talk delivered by Dr. J Lawson from the Anthropology department about the scientific and evolutionary perspectives on sexuality.

It is still a widely argued debate over whether sexuality is down to biological, psychological or sociological influences. The week is packed with socials, but also some quieter times like a film night and discussions about a variety of issues that affect the LGBT community, such as the conflict between religion and being LGBT. A lot of people fear the two are mutually exclusive but this is really not the case.

Organising enough events to truly satisfy the LGBT community in Durham as well as fully promote awareness and campaigns when you only have a week is no mean feat. It sounds like such a cliché but all we really wanted was to have something for everyone.

My dream for the week would be for every student in the university to feel as though they could attend an event. To learn more about something they have an interest in, to have an input in one of our discussions or just to come along and make some new friends.

For more information and a full list of events happening in Q week, please visit http://www.durhamlgbta.org.uk/ whats-on/qweek

Food Editor: Charlotte Allen | www.palatinate.org.uk

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Food & Drink Come Dine With Me! Palatinate is hosting its own Come Dine With Me, and places are going very, very quickly! Email food@palatinate.org.uk to apply.

Sweets to treat even the pickiest partner

Aphrodisiacs, and how to cook them Charlotte Allen

A

FLICKR ID: FREAKGIRL

the recipes in Nigella Lawson’s How to be a Domestic Goddess for endless indulgence, or see below for a particular favourite of mine. After this though, I feel more like crashing on the sofa than into someone’s arms.

According to Wikipedia, asparagus was consumed for three courses by bridegrooms in 19th century France.

After perusing an article on lettuce being an Ancient Egyptian aphrodisiac

proudly atop them. Roasting or mixing into a pasta sauce is also distinctly satisfying, with the added bonus of their being much prettier to eat.

Chilli is another additive with abilities. I adore chilli in moderation; as long as other flavours are not obliterated, I thoroughly enjoy the surge of heat they can give to dressings and sauces.

Consuming chilli can speed up your metabolism and make your body tem-

perature rise, although it can be a little hard on the breath. To really double the dose, try a brand of chocolate with chilli in it, fireworks or not, the bite of the chilli against the sugar is something to be tried.

So, whether or not you give these a go (given, of course, that you understand that there is no scientific basis in their effects), it’s always an excuse to get in the kitchen, or to polish off that last bit of pudding.

The Ultimate Comfort Pudding Butter a two-litre baking dish and heat oven to 180c. Put the kettle on.

Put 250g self-raising flour, 140g caster sugar, 50g cocoa, 1 tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl.

Whisk together three eggs, 100g melted butter and 150ml milk, then pour onto the dry ingredients and mix together until smooth. Stir in 100g of dark or milk chocolate, broken into chunks and scrape everything into the baking dish.

Mix 300ml boiling water from the kettle with 200g light muscovado sugar and 25g cocoa for the sauce, then pour this all over the pudding batter. Don’t worry about how strange it looks. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 30 mins until the surface looks firm, risen and crisp.

A three course treat to stay in for this Valentine’s...

Kirstie Hopkin

If this Valentine’s Day finds you without a hot date, why not treat your housemates with this gratifying, restaurant style meal? This three-course delight is quick and simple, requiring minimal effort and expertise. You could even half the ingredients and treat someone special to a candlelit surprise.

All of the dishes will take roughly the same time to cook, so it is very easy to prepare in advance and throw in the oven when you’re ready.

Serves 6.

To start:fried brie with red onion marmalade.

minutes until soft and a little browned.

Add the sugar and vinegar and keep on the high heat for 15-20 minutes stirring often. This can be kept in a fridge for up to a month so can be made in advance.

When ready to eat, dip the wedges of cheese in flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs so each one is lightly coated and place carefully into a heated pan with the oil. Fry gently on each side until golden brown and the cheese has slightly melted.

For the main: chicken wrapped in bacon, stuffed with Camembert and pesto served with homemade potato wedges and balsamic roasted vegetables.

Ingredients: half kilo red onions, 1oz butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, 4oz Thornton’s light brown sugar, ¼ Ingredients: 6 chicken (www.thorntons.co.uk) pint red wine vinbreasts, 6 rashers Although it can look a little lazy. what with of unsmoked there being two of these in Durham, Thornton’s egar, one large brie (enough back bacon, do provide a lovely personalisation service,, as for two reaFLIC 6 tsp pesto, KR ID well as some delicious chocolate selections. : CH sonable sized triangles per EZ L 6 slices of OU Their Classic Selection caters to all tastes from LOU person), 1 egg beaten, 2 tbsp flour Camembert, turkish delight to prawith seasoning, breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp 8 large potatoes line, without getting olive oil. cut into wedges, selection of too extravagant or vegetables (for example, 2 carrots, 2 experimental.

Start with the red onion marmalade, white/red onions, 1 pepper, 1 cour8/10 which is easier than it sounds. Peel and gette, or anything that you like or that slice the onions thinly. Fry on a fairly is in season olive oil, balsamic vinegar, high heat in the oil and butter for five FLICKR ID: CHOCOLATE REVIEWS

garlic, salt and pepper.

Oven at 180 degrees.

Cut the vegetables into bite-size pieces and cover with some crushed garlic and drizzle with three parts olive oil, one part balsamic vinegar and seasoning on a large baking tray.

Add two teaspoons of mixed herbs or rosemary, to suit your taste.

For the wedges, clean, dry and slice the large, unpeeled potatoes in half, then cut wedge shapes. Place on a large baking tray and cover with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper. Pop in the oven for 40 minutes.

To prepare the chicken, cut a slit in the middle of each breast and insert one slice of cheese and 1 tsp of pesto, then wrap it all in bacon. Place in the oven for 20-30 minutes, shaking the vegetables and wedges from time to time.

To finish: chocolate fondant Ingredients: 6 buttered ramekins, 125g butter, 25g plain flour, 200g dark chocolate, 2 whole eggs plus 2 yolks, 100g caster sugar.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure that the bowl does not touch the surface. Stir until smooth and allow to cool. Whisk the eggs and sugar together until thick, pale and fluffy. Fold the chocolate in and sift the flour and gently fold it in. Place the mixture into the ramekins. Put in the oven for 8-10 minutes so that the middle is gooey; sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with dollop of cream or ice cream. All you need now is a grateful housemate to wash up.

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This is a local firm, dealing in up market cupcakes. You can personalise by calling them direct, and they all come specially boxed and presented. Again, this is an expensive option, starting at £21.95, but the cupcakes are large and go a long way.

The cakes are soft and spongy without being dry, but do not throw me into raptures.

The icing is effective, but not extraordinary, considering the price you are paying.

Additionally, there are some other, smaller firms in and around Durham offering a wider variety of flavours and options at a smaller price. See for example, Lady CupCake and Heaven Sent Cupcakes.

7/10

FLICKR ID: GORGEOUX

FLICKR ID: GNUF

basis google search for ‘aphrodisiac’ flags up all number of frightening-looking substances.

Adverts claiming to boost your drive proffer indeterminate drugs, and substances such as rhino horn and Spanish fly are lauded for their virility increasing abilities. I don’t think Tesco are up to this particular challenge.

Scary suggestions aside, a hot favourThe English Cheesecake Company ite is oysters. It has been put forward (www.englishcheesecake.com) that the shape and texture of an oyster With free resembles certain parts and deeds, but delivery, a skinny option, personally, the fishy, gungy, wobbly and downright unpleasant texture of a variety of this seafood is just too much to be even flavours and remotely sexy. Give me a good prawn the option to anytime, or even a plate of moules. personalise, Purists like their oysters raw, downed you can’t go with a hearty dash of vinegar and wrong. They are a little pricey, starting at £19.99 and once arrived need several hours swallowed whole. Those feeling a little more reserved can opt for cooked, casto defrost, but for a special occasion they really deliver. Creamy, light cheesecake seroled or fried oysters, although the settled on a good layer of crunchy biscuit element of texture and the act of downbase. It would be quite difficult to match ing the oyster is removed. Scientifically this in the kitchen, not to mention the cute, speaking, they contain a lot of zinc, chunky designs that promise indulgence at something that helps one replenish first glance. oneself. I may chicken out on this one; 9/10 a feeble dash of Chinese oyster sauce in my stir fries may not suffice, but it’ll The Anticipation Cupcakes do for me. (www.theanticipation.co.uk) Dark chocolate, with its high levels of serotonin is said to trigger happy, con-

tented feelings not altogether separate and phallic imagery in early art, not in the brain from pleasure. Although to mention endless comments on the I like my 80% cocoa, 100g bars to be affect asparagus has upon urination, I consumed in their entirety after a spate gave up my quest for the truth. With of nine o clock commitments, dark or without the effect, asparagus are chocolate can be at its most satisfying delicious steamed gently, with a good in naughty puds and desserts, although helping of hollandaise (see Delia for an the ‘naughty’ very definitely refers to all in one simple method if you’d rather the ingredients rather take out the risk) and a FLICKR ID: CHOCOLATE REVIEWS than the feelpoached egg ing. Try sitting any of

Travel Editor: Jess Jones | www.palatinate.org.uk

Stage Arts

Travel

Exploring Israel: the Jewish Birthright tour Ben Kastaan

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choice for them; they wear a uniform which hides underneath the fact that they are our age, with our hopes and our ambitions for the future. After nattering away on the Israel-Palestine question, it was obvious that, like us, most even wished for the two state solution and for the peace it would eventually bring.

If truth be told, I and many people on the trip were a little worried that we’d all be beaten with pro-Zionist sticks, however the guides went out of their way to give us a balanced perspective.

For example, the week included a lecture given by a Palestinian teacher who co-authored Learning Each Other’s Historical Narrative with a Jewish teacher, and aside from it being an interesting read, it’s an amazing step in both sides’ acknowledgement and acceptance of each other’s existence. The trip even laid bare the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank through a chilling photography exhibition, ‘Local Testimony’ (definitely worth Googling).

Another highlight of the trip was staying with Arab Bedouins in the desert and sampling their way of life. Here we received their famous Middle Eastern hospitality, and tried their lightly spiced and scented food as well as their sweetened tea.

The next morning was equally unforgettable, as we woke up at 5am to hike to Massada, a site of ancient struggle against the Romans where we took in thousands of years of history amidst the beautiful sunrise.

After doing more exercise that morning than in my 22 years of existence, I was relieved to be swimming in the natural oasis of Ein Gedi and drying off in the warm Negev sun.

But if that wasn’t relaxing enough,

The Western Wall, Jerusalem

within hours we were floating in the Dead Sea and experiencing yet another piece of Israel’s natural beauty.

Trip over, Birthright was an exciting and intense journey in every way, and it’s difficult to do it justice in just a few paragraphs.

The trip taught me the stories and traditions which my grandfather did not want to pass on, and it brought me to the land where these stories originated, so it was my birthright to finally experience this and to pass on what I learnt one day.

I’ve definitely left Israel with more questions about my Jewishness than answers, but it has strangely reaffirmed my Britishness; especially as I was held in security for three hours, escorted at all times, had my toothbrush posted to Durham and my electric razor inspected and broken.

But I can now pen this article and understand that the actions Israel takes aren’t always supported by its citizens.

No, Israel is not the perfect democracy, but which state is? Was the war in Iraq or the increase in tuition fees backed by the British public?

From Birthright I’ve taken away that experiencing Israel and talking to everyday Israelis, both the average Yoseph Bloggstein and those serving in the army, is vital in order to form your own opinions on the situation.

FLICKRID: MEGHAMAMA

irthright is a free ten day tour to Israel and it’s available to anybody with one Jewish parent or grandparent. The trip provides a fantastic opportunity to experience Israel, and it enables participants to explore Judaism and to form their own opinions of Israel.

The very name and nature of the trip posed sensitive questions.

Am I Jewish? Is it my birthright to visit Israel? Perhaps I’m what my friend would call Jew-ish, the type of Jew ‘that “real” Jews despise more than they do anti-Semites’.

However, after writing and rewriting this article, I think in a bittersweet sense the answer is yes, yes it was my birthright.

My grandfather lost his family in the Shoah. Everything went with them to Auschwitz, from family stories and traditions to the roots which descendents need to grow, in order to understand their heritage and identities.

After liberation, my grandfather took a step back from Judaism, so my dad (and in turn I) lost the chance to learn about Judaism and to actually understand what Israel is really all about.

So, Winter 2010 saw me flying to Israel on what was affectionately known as ‘Jews on Tour’, and immediately after touching down the tour began in the Galilee.

As well as being introduced to the natural beauty of the Kinneret, we visited an ancient town called Tsfat which held the memories of centuries gone by, right from the Crusades to the bullet holes imprinted in buildings during the War of

Independence. In this beautiful antique city, we munched on falafel and were introduced to Kabbalah, a spiritual form of Judaism which didn’t fail to inspire.

Next we headed to Jerusalem, which for me were the most incredible few days of the trip. New Year’s Eve was spent at the Western Wall, and I can’t describe how incredible it was.

I was standing in the place where so many people prayed, hoped and dreamt to be for thousands of years.

I wasn’t too sure what I was actually meant to be doing, but the guides made sure I stuck out less like a sore thumb and more like a dancing Jew-ish boy.

Whilst in Jerusalem we visited Yad Vashem, a striking museum which aims to collate a piece of information for every victim of the Holocaust, so that they wouldn’t fall into history without being remembered.

Here, we received a talk given by a Holocaust survivor and I asked him ‘what should Israel mean to us?’

As he rolled back his sleeve to reveal his tattooed serial number, he murmured “to protect us”. At that moment, I think I began to understand the need for Israel, for whilst there’s a place on Earth for the Jewish people, nothing like that could happen again.

At this point we had eight members of the army accompany us on our travels, and at first I was a bit unsure of how to be around them. We in England see so many negative reports of the IDF, and in a way they are demonised, yet here they were sitting in front of me talking about their dreams and plans to travel after the army.

Joining the army is not a

Israel and the Palestinian Territories Books: The Innocents Abroad , Mark Twain (1871). No trip to the Holy Land is complete without Twain’s sharp humour. _______________________ For an insight into the lives of Palestinians in Israel, read Amelia Thomas’ The Zoo on the Road to Nabius (2008) which chronicles the last Palestinian zoo and the no-nonsense Palestinian vet who runs it. ____________________ Films:

Oscar nominated Waltz with Bashir (2008) follows an IDF soldier during the 1982 Lebanon War. Miral (2011) tells the story of Hindi Hussain and her quest to open an orphanage in Jerusalem.

Fashion ‘The Celine Effect’ Antonia Thier

What happened to fashion?

Flicking through the Paris Fashion Show photos trying to find inspiration, all I could find was minimalism. Understated, beautifully tailored pieces, perhaps with a few pleats or ruffles thrown in for effect. No beginning of the season feeling that makes you think ‘no way no how’ and by the end you find yourself strutting down the street in a pair of socks and clogs or jeans and a denim jacket.

According to fashion critic Sarah Mower this is called ‘The Celine Effect,’ describing the power of one fashion designer, in this case Phoebe Philo, to change the course of fashion. For those who have been living a fashionshielded existence, her peak was in 2010 with her autumn/winter line, reviving the classis camel coat and magnificently tailored trouser suits. Although I fully appreciate tick all the right buttons for a successful collection (stylish yet practical, flattering yet ontrend) it seems to have toned down the industry.

This seasons trends, as selected by Style.com include double-denim, block bright colours, understated nudes and a nod to the 70’s…sound familiar?

But not only were the collections uninspiring, the shows have become catwalks. No holograms of Kate Moss, or models dressed in burqas; simply a string of models walking up and down a catwalk.

So yes, minimalism is good, and yes it’s stylish and classic and all the rest. But it’s not fun.

It’s not jaw-droppingly inspiring.

It’s not robots spray-painting dresses, or models riding on merry-go-rounds. Its pure, subtle, understated minimalism which has taken over.

CELINE SS/11 THEFASHIONSPOT.COM

Urban Grunge

Fashion Editor: Antonia Thier | www.palatinate.org.uk

Stage Arts

Fashion Editor: Antonia Thier | www.palatinate.org.uk

Fashion Stage Arts

With Thanks To: Stylists: Antonia Thier Laura Gregory Models: Francesca MacFarlane Lauren Ballard Photography: Laura Gregory Hair & Make-Up: Ella Norman Clothes: Republic Warehouse Alexander McQueen (scarf)

Film & TV Editor: Rachel Aroesti | www.palatinate.org.uk Stage Arts

Film & TV

127 hours between a rock and a hard place

Could a film about a man cutting off his own arm be palatable to the masses? We brave the gory scenes to find out

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PREMIER PUBLIC RELATIONS

Waiting Game: James Franco as mountain climber Aron Ralston in his infamous predicament

As a production, the film is intelligently made, carefully building up the tension throughout by deploying all camera resources in the context of a breathtaking setting. What carries the film from ninety-minute nail-biter to something really worth the price of the ticket, is how unafraid it is to bring out the quieter emotions of humour and thoughtfulness that contributed to Ralston’s experience. Established early on in the film as something of a reckless charmer, significant depth is added to the canyon by the conditions it provides for him to contemplate what matters most. As the story nears its climax, his vivid, hallucinatory flashbacks reflect the extent to which he values his family and the potential to have one of his own someday. But the film never once strays into the realms of twee or overly sentimental any more than it becomes gratuitously gory.

The soundtrack is electric, featuring everything from Chopin to Bill Withers and back again via Sigur Ros. The bulk of the tracks, though, come from Indian composer A.R. Rahman, whose subtly haunting melodies incorporate natural sound and provide the perfect backdrop for Ralston’s decline.

I’d like to hope it’s a shoo-in for an Oscar. It’s not often you get such a spine-tingling action film without the lead actor budging an inch. At the heart of the production is the trademark presence of Danny Boyle, whose career since he directed Shallow Grave has shaped up to be the stuff of cinematic legend. He has an incredible ability to permeate your conscience and sandblast you with the power of his characters’ humanity. It’s a talent that most directors would give their…

Well, let’s just say they’d give a lot for it.

BELLA FRANKS

who had to leave the room when I got a paper cut last week. Goodness knows what drew her to this, but needless to say that I had to give up my pick n’ mix ««««« in order to keep her quiet when things got real.

Sophie Zeldin-O’Neill For those of you who have been hiding under a rock for the last month, anny Boyle’s latest movie 127 Hours is inspired by the true story seems to have earned itself of mountain climber Aron Ralston. something of a bad rep. Utter It chronicles the remarkable five days its name and the majority of those within earshot will squeamishly recoil he spent trapped beneath a boulder in the isolated Utah canyons, his futile and verify that you are in fact discussattempts at escape, and his landslide ing “that film where the guy chops decline into the darkest crevices of his own arm off”. If you ask me, it’s his conscience. Ralston described the precisely this kind of narrow-minded movie as being “so factually accurate it ignorance that had people giggling is as close to a documentary as you can when Dobby died.

Thankfully there were a substantial get and still be a drama”. James Franco number of bums on seats in the screen- shines in the role of the film’s protagoing I went to. I had made the mistake of nist, capturing his gruelling ordeal in all going with my mum - the same woman its visceral surrealism.

127 Hours Danny Boyle Film4 Productions

Hanging out in the toilet: an iconic scene in the 1996 film ‘Trainspotting’

Life on Film: Danny Boyle

Indigo takes a look at the director’s celluloid history Shallow Grave (1994)

The Beach (2000)

Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston and Kerry Fox find Keith Allen dead in their exceptionally nice Edinburgh flat, with a suitcase full of cash. They decide to dispose of the body and keep the money. Psychological disintegration ensues.

Leonardo DiCaprio tries to have a holiday like no other in a sinister Thai paradise. He succeeds, but not quite in the way he planned.

Trainspotting (1996)

Ewan McGregor’s back, but this time him and his friends are drug addicts with nothing to lose. The opening scene sees the characters running round Edinburgh choosing heroin instead of ‘life’. After a long and messy battle with sobriety, McGregor’s Renton chooses loads of money instead.

28 Days Later (2002)

The best of British star in this dystopian zombie horror, proving Mr Boyle can put his hand to pretty much anything.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Nail-biting whistle-stop tour through the slums, TV studios and oppressed women of India, through the fail-safe narrative device of an episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Exceptional end-credit dance routine.

The TV Debate: Is Offensive Comedy Ever A Good Thing?

‘No’ says Emma Chapman

‘Yes’ says Harriette Douglas

There is nothing more insufferable than people who complain for the sake of it. Do they have nothing better to do? Russell Howard brands them the ‘what next brigade’ - those who invent their own misery to go with the news and get angry about everything. Their latest victim is Frankie Boyle and his Channel 4 show ‘Tramadol Nights’.

Boyle has most recently been criticised for a joke about Jordan’s son Harvey and using some racist words, but Channel 4 is backing Boyle, claiming their use was intended as satirical.

Boyle came under fire previously on ‘Mock the Week’ for a joke he made about Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington looking like a ‘beagle’. Given that he has made far more offensive jokes on the subjects of 9/11 and paedophilia – just as two examples – it was a bizarre thing to pick him up for.

How about Reginald D. Hunter’s joke about Josef Fritzl on ‘Live at the

Apollo’? He effectively praised Fritzl for his ability to build a dungeon and keep it a secret from his wife. That could easily be called inappropriate, but he has not been lynched by the media. Boyle’s reputation is based on his habit for walking the line and more often than not stepping over it. That is what he does, and to a large extent what makes him funny.

The same can be said about Russell Brand, Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais and Jimmy Carr, who all make jokes that could be deemed offensive. What people forget is that these comedians do not necessarily believe in the things they say – Reginald D. Hunter does not really think Fritzl is some sort of hero. They are just using a situation that everyone knows about and trying to break the taboo surrounding it.

The furore is largely hypocritical. Why are these comedians so successful if people do not

find them funny? These complaints do not represent the majority. If you find a comedian’s jokes so offensive that you do not find them funny, then don’t sit down and watch the show. It really is that simple.

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Comedy is designed to make people laugh. Or at least it should be. So why are comedians delivering increasingly offensive jokes, to the point where complaints are being made, comedians are threatened with being banned from television, and an audience’s reaction is often more of a collective groan than actual laughter? There’s nothing wrong with comedy being shocking, but personally I wouldn’t call making lewd and insulting remarks about a disabled child entertainment - something which Frankie Boyle has done on more than one occasion. Don’t get me wrong, he can be a very funny man, but surely he should draw a line somewhere?

According to comedian Shappi Khorsandi, Boyle’s joke about Katie Price’s disabled son “wasn’t so much designed to make you laugh or be shocked, it was like someone putting shit through your letterbox.” I don’t believe that he intends to be malicious,

but it certainly seems as if he enjoys testing how far he can push the limits of comedy before it spills over into unadulterated abuse. If you’re being that offensive, it’s always going to end in tears for someone. Of course there’s the age old ‘freedom of speech’ argument, and I don’t think comedians should be censored, but surely they know that if they push offensive comedy too far they’ll only be losing fans.

It’s not as if comedians who don’t tell abusive jokes aren’t getting any business. There are plenty of hugely popular British comics, for example Michael McIntyre, who aren’t controversial and don’t incite complaints about the vulgarity of their material.

So once all the taboos have been broken, once we’ve unleashed every controversial insult we know, and the list of debasing jokes has finally been exhausted, what will we be left with?

Hopefully something that produces a throw-your-head-back laugh, rather than making us squirm in our seats.

Frankie Boyle: A beacon of respectability?

Visual Arts Editor: Tamara Gates | www.palatinate.org.uk

Stage Arts

Visual Arts

Durham’s active and masterful art scene

Dave Lawes, Blossom The Durham University Art Society held their annual exhibition of student artwork at the Teikyo University on Sunday the 23rd January. The display ranged from large oil paintings to elegantly executed sketches.

Soft music echoed throughout the building and around fifty pieces of work, from twelve student artists, greeted the visitors. The display featured a great variety in both medium and style, leading to a stimulating and involving experience.

The exhibition revealed some of the artistic talent that Durham contains.

A particular highlight was ‘Ginkajkuji

temple’ by Emily Maudsley, who created a delicate and tranquil landscape that demanded attention, despite its modest size, due to her skill, precision and love for her work.

Another noteworthy piece was by Katie Pavid, whose ‘Untitled 1’ portrayed a beautiful moment of delight.

The effortlessness of her drawing let the joy in her subject shine through.

Fabiana Harrington is also deserving of a mention; her selection of abstract visions were brimming with life, motion and colour.

One of the more imposing works were four multicoloured canvasses,

each made up of a patchwork of acrylic relief prints. These were communal pieces, which were completed when the Art Society joined others at the Teikyo Festival, back in October. The work seemed to capture the essence of the exhibition.

The Art Society President, Dave Lawes, explains, “the last 6 months have been about trying to integrate as many people and cultures into our society as possible. The exhibition, for me, feels like a culmination of our efforts. I also wanted to work on a project where we could give something back to the University, as they have

New talent at the Empty Shop dated atmosphere into a temporary artistic space. Empty Shop focuses on ‘art.regeneration.collaboration’ to Although Durham is a fantastic ensure that art work is injected into our city for its history and entertainment local community. throughout the year, it is missing one On Friday 28th January, I checked factor for students. Art. But all is not lost, due to ingenious idea of collabora- out for myself what Empty Shop has to offer on the first anniversary tors Nick and Carlo. of their annual exhibition. Donna Together Nick and Carlo created Empty Shop, a non-profit organisation Grant’s collection, named ‘The Gender Agenda’, was particularly captivating, designed to using beautifully crafted ceramics to promote the work of unknown artists in the North-East. Although Empty produce a part- autobiographical, part black humour perspective on gender Shop has been greatly welcomed, it stereotypes. has also been missed by the student This is an ongoing project, and she population of Durham, which, in Nick wants your help! She proposes a piece and Carlo’s opinion, is a great shame. called The Gendered Ceramic Object Empty Shop takes, as you could Experiment. Just email her to find out probably gather, empty shops and more: grantdna@hotmail.com. properties, and rejuvenates the dilapi-

Tamara Gates

There were so many great pieces on display that it would be impossible to write about them all; the night certainly did not fail to impress.

Empty Shop is a fantastic opportunity for any closet artists among our student population who wish to promote their work. Or even if you are just a culture enthusiast, Empty Shop creates the atmosphere to admire the work of those within the same city.

If you are interested in Empty Shop please visit their website at http:// emptyshop.org/ or email them at thefolks@emptyshop.org.

given us so much support throughout our existence.”

In fact, several pieces on display were donated to the Teikyo University. Dave comments, “producing art always means so much more to me if the final result can be used in such a fulfilling way.” It was obvious that a great amount of time and effort had been put into the exhibition, and was a testament to the skill and dedication that lies on our doorstep.

It is not always apparent that there is an artistic community amongst the

students of Durham, but the Teikyo Exhibition has proved that it is both active and masterful. While the exhibition is no longer on display, I would urge you to visit the next one, whenever that may be.

If you are feeling inspired, and want to get involved with The Art Society, then email them at art.society@durham.ac.uk to find out about their upcoming events.

Katie Pavid: Untitled 1 A clear reflection of some of the artistic talent on offer in Durham

Stage Editors: Kathy Laszlo and Lyndsey Fineran | www.palatinate.org.uk

Stage Arts

Stage

DULOG’s got it and boy does it flaunt it HARRY GATT

DULOG’s Gala Show: “Shocking, outrageous, insulting...and I loved every minute of it!”

deal of physical comedy, and used their wildly differing heights to excellent advantage. Their voices were well-matched, and their emotional reunion towards the end of Act ««««« Two, whilst still amusing, was really Gabbi Freemantle one of the more genuinely touching moments of the show. One number When You Got It, Flaunt It!” which deserves particular praise And the cast of DULOG’s is ‘Betrayed’, in which Bialystock The Producers spent last week reprises almost the entirety of the doing exactly that. Their applicaproduction at high speed. This was tion and talent turned Mel Brooks’ executed to perfection, and demaward-winning 2001 musical into onstrated Hughes’ depth of talent, a production which I have heard along with his natural and charming rapturously described several times voice. as the best student show ever seen The cast of superb supportin Durham. Sterling performances ing characters includes a Swedish

by DULOG regulars and newcom- Broadway actress named Ulla (Kate ers alike formed the backbone of a Hunter), an overtly homosexual truly stunning theatrical experience, theatrical director (Ben Gittins) which was brimming with real life who keeps his own harem of male and sparkle, and was absolutely dancers, and a playwright who also suited to the Gala’s stage. The musi- happens to be a former Nazi and cal, which centres around the unpigeon enthusiast (Doug Gibbs). likely alliance between washed up The casting was certainly excelBroadway producer Max Bialystock lent – Gittins seemed perfectly at (Guy Hughes) and timid account- home as he pranced enthusiastiant Leo Bloom (James Hyde), is a cally about the stage, and praise is hybrid creature bred from a mixture due to Hunter for both her strong of out-and-out farce, caricature, and vocals and the self-assured sexuality theatrical jokes. Hughes’ sarcastic, which she lent to her portrayal of ruthless and yet totally compelling Ulla. Finally, Gibbs’ larger-than-life portrayal of Max was offset perfect- German accent (and lederhosen) ly by Hyde’s stammering, lovable provided moments of real hilarity Leo. The pair made use of a great which really boosted the show.

The Producers DULOG The Gala Theatre

“

Every member of the chorus, down to the last dancing girl, was a star turn in his or her own right.

This was especially evident when it came to Alex Wingfield’s soaring tenor rendition of ‘Springtime for Hitler’ at the beginning of the second act, and also Callum Cheatle’s brief turn as an all-singing, all-dancing Hitler hopeful. In fact, all of the singing and dancing was of an almost professional standard from the very first, and choreographer Maddy Mutch deserves a lot of praise for her role in the creation of the slick, polished performance. And if the direction was almost too reminiscent of the 2005 film, directed by Susan Stroman, well, who cares? The production team, headed by director Bobbi Nicholson, were simply making the most of the old adage – If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Of course, one of the stars of the show which just can’t be overlooked is the amazing set, hired straight out of the West End. Along with the spectacular costumes, this provided the perfect backdrop for the actors’ wonderful exploits.

Here, all credit must go to producers Sarah Peters and Daniel Turner for securing such stunning

equipment.

Hopefully, they, unlike the protagonists of the show, are able to sit back and enjoy their indubitable success in peace and quiet!

Issues which generally come to light in stage reviews, such as technical problems and musical balance, were kept to an absolute minimum during this DULOG performance.

Whilst it is true that the lights and sound were sometimes a little rough around the edges, there were no major disasters, and any small glitches were righted immediately by the technical team so that they were often barely

noticeable. Praise is also rightly due to the highly proficient band, ably directed by Andrew MacFarlane, which added considerably to the professional veneer of the production. The balance was excellent, even from our position right next to the pit, and the music-making was polished and sympathetic to the various needs of the actors.

As the audience left the Gala Theatre last Thursday night, it was clear already that The Producers had made a lasting and profound impression.

It was difficult to go anywhere in Durham for the rest of the week without hearing snatches of the catchy score whistled in the street, or recapitulations of the most amusing jokes told in the corridors. Anyone who didn’t manage to see this spectacular performance is almost certain to be regretting that omission now that the run is over. In fact, the only way to finish this review is probably to fittingly quote the show itself. As Brooks wrote; “It was shocking, outrageous, insulting… and I loved every minute of it!”

Stage Arts

Music Editors: Olivia Swash and Nico Franks | www.palatinate.org.uk

Music

“DJs need to get an artistic identity”

Radio 1’s Judge Jules talks to us about rave culture and returning to a different kind of Bar

I don’t think raves were political per se. They were something that many party goers had never experienced before, but the music was the key statement.

Simultaneous to raves being clamped down, club licensing laws were dramatically liberalised. I think this had far more effect on reducing demand for raves than the CJA, as for the first time in the UK, clubbers could go to clubs pretty much 24 hours a day. They’d never enjoyed this luxury before.

As both a radio personality and a club maestro who has been on the

Is it true that your name, ‘Judge Jules’, originates from the fact that you have a law degree?

Yep. I studied law at LSE, but was DJ’ing before going to university, and by the time I graduated, my DJ career was very much in full swing. My longterm plan is to return to media law though, to share some of my experiences and turn them into useful advice.

The broader a musical church dance music becomes, the stronger its influence grows. I’m a big fan of all three, but I guess you can’t aim to please all the people all the time, so I stick with where my expertise lies.

You made your name with the legendary KISS FM, back when it was still pirate. Do you think pirate radio is still as dominant a cultural force as it used to be?

I love the (better) pirates in my hometown of London. They’re a counter-culture to established stations, where legal radio norms don’t apply.

Distorted mics, talking over the vocals in tracks, and talking personally to mates on air are just a few examples of things that we’d never do on legit stations, but add to the excellent vibe.

And of course there’s the music...

Your new single, ‘The Greater Good’, is seen by some as pushing further into deep-trance than you’ve been before. What influenced this?

My music taste is very broad, and with a succession of singles forthcoming, the aim is avoiding sticking to too-rigid a musical platform.

Loads. I love D-Mad, Arty, Uri Fefelove and Abramski, and W&W. Judge Jules played Lloyd’s Bar in Durham last Wednesday.

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Probably best-remembered for confusingly trying to define raves as containing “sounds wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats”, the 1994 CJA introduced far more draconian anti-rave powers than had previously existed. However, many would argue that the most influential rave era had already passed by that point.

Naturally, there have been a number of key changes that I could point my finger at. The internet is the biggest revolution- it’s difficult to think what life was like in the pre-internet era.

From a DJ and music perspective, the upfront tunes that DJs could once showcase are generally in the public domain almost immediately. This has brought about a shift in focus towards DJs playing their own material, making music and creating whilst performing.

DJs were once accused of being little more than jukeboxes, some kind of lesser being, especially compared to ‘real’ musicians. The combination of new DJ technology, and the need to create to establish an artistic identity, have changed all that.

How do you think house/trance has handled the competition of d’n’b, dubstep and jungle?

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id the 1994 Criminal Justice Act cause a sudden snap-shot politicisation of rave culture, or was it a more drawn out development? Is rave inherently political?

scene since its inception, how do you think clubland and the general dance community has changed since the late 80s?

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Finally, which DJs/Producers should we watch out for in 2011?

What is the most ludicrously extravagant club you’ve ever played?

Vegas takes some beating for huge money invested in venues. Just about every casino has an in-house club, and it’s in their interest to create the most lavish sonic palaces, to keep you within the walls of the casinos.

Superstar DJ: did Law as an undergrad at LSE

Durham’s music scene explodes into life at last Withered Hand, Woodpigeon, O’Messy Life and Our Imaginary Friends Adeerforyourlamb Sessions, Alington House ««««« Alex Parkyn-Smith

For those who yearn for a night that combines opportunities for deep

contemplation and a unique kind of sociability, keep an eye out for the Adeerforyourlamb Sessions. In an attic room of Alington House on the Bailey, with a felted teapot textile as a backdrop and a warmly glowing audience, your first impression may be that you’ve gatecrashed your grandmother’s tea party. But that’s all part of the charm.

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Support at last week’s gig came from Newcastle-based bands O’Messy Life and Our Imaginary Friends, who both did well to bring the crowd around to the quirky atmosphere. Cult singersongwriter Withered Hand delivered songs with his characteristically spiky wit, which cuts through their melancholic mood.

Woodpigeon (pictured) began with a restricted meekness that faded as the loops and layered harmonies in the songs emerged, saturating the room and drawing people into quiet reverence. Search ‘Adeerforyourlamb Sessions’ on Facebook for information on future gigs, which, if anything like this one, are not to be missed.

Next up are This Is The Kit, Richard Dawson and Cath and Phil Tyler on the 16th Feb at Alington House.

Tickets are £4.

What’s On 10th Feb - Miles Kane - The Cluny, Newcastle 11th Feb - Frankie & The Heartstrings - Durham Live Lounge 12th Feb - The Spare Room - Vane Tempest Sessions @ DSU 16th Feb - This Is The Kit - Alington House 17th Feb - White Lies - Newcastle O2 Academy 18th Feb - Sister Rose - Durham Live Lounge 19th Feb - Flight Brigade - Vane Tempest Sessions @ DSU GRAMMAR @ Fishtank every Tuesday night from 10:00pm

Music Editors: Olivia Swash and Nico Franks | www.palatinate.org.uk

Stage Arts

Music

North-East’s finest draw big crowd

DSU’s Vane Tempest Sessions are proving to be a big hit with Durham’s music aficianados

Cattle & Cane Vane Tempest Sessions «««« Larry Bartleet

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ack by popular demand after their winning performance last term, Cattle & Cane again returned to Durham and played to a packed Vane Tempest room. Taking to the stage after self-assured and impressive performances from Durham students Sophie Hammill and George O’Brien, the North-East band went straight into the immediately affecting ‘Sail Home’.

With their audience hooked, the six-piece band, half of which are siblings Joe, Helen and Frank Hammill, shared vocal duties. Helen took the lead for one song, which allowed her to showcase a breathy but potent voice. Cattle & Cane are defined by their precise choral harmonies which, clearly very well rehearsed, provide a strong foundation for their expansive, rootsy melodies.

The band really hit their stride on ‘Sold My Soul’, which had previously been cherry-picked by the Vane Tempest Sessions in order to lure in potential gig-goers. It’s an intensely strong

song, and showed off both the band’s instrumental skill, and their accomplished songwriting ability. In an amusing bit of stage patter, Joe Hammill told us that they’d recently shot the video – which had been “the most awkward experience of my life.” He then said, seeing as our expectations were raised, “I hope the song’s alright”, with more than a hint of modest self-deprecation.

Met with the loudest applause of the night, it could be a song you come to hear again and again in the next year, especially if Radio 1’s love of spirited folk rock continues.

Among their influences are contemporary bands like Stornoway and Fleet Foxes, while the BBC describes their music as “life-affirming blue-eyed soul tinged with a pop sensibility”. Their music is indeed uplifting – you can easily imagine the euphonic ‘Sold My Soul’ on an advert for Natural World or at the end of Grey’s Anatomy. But not in a bad way.

The final song of the night, ‘The Poacher’, was a uniquely bluesy number from their setlist, a moody, stomping and stormy song, with Joe Hammill convincingly declaring “I’m a gamekeeper / get your hands off her / I’m the jealous type / I wouldn’t cross me.” The song revealed the versatility

of his voice, which expertly moved between a low growl all the way up to falsetto, and culminated in a riotous climax, leaving the crowd pleading for more. They returned and performed ‘Belle’, which like ‘Sold My Soul’, had its sights set on instilling a sense of grandeur. The casual listener may write this

band off as merely another Mumford & Sons, but doing that would be both unfair and unjustified. Cattle & Cane’s anthemic, warm harmonies and varied melodies prove them as a group of ambitious, skilled and enthusiastic musicians who bring their own identity to the blossoming folk rock scene.

Check them out at www.myspace.com/ cattleandcanemusic. Headlining the next Vane Tempest Session will be The Spare Room this Saturday and Flight Brigade and Richard Walters on 19 February.

Doors open at 7:45pm.

Local heroes: Cattle & Cane come from nearby town Thornaby

anti-Scottish brigade in the U.S. Are you glad to be back from miserably sunny California, where you’ve been recording your new album Free, for this intimate headline tour in the UK over the next few weeks?

Will Clement

to have missed the crazy blizzards, but we’re happy to be back. It’s pretty important for us to be doing this headline tour, visiting towns and cities we haven’t necessarily been to before.

CHUFF MEDIA

The reputation of North Road’s Live Lounge as Durham’s premier live music venue continues to grow after an electrifying performance from You’ve been a successful touring promising Glaswegian alt-rockers band since forming in Twin Atlantic.

R: [laughing] 2007. Are you glad Taking to the stage with We’d got sick of forthcoming single ‘Edit Me’, the sun to be Sam McTrusty grinned as honest! dedicated fans belted back the B: We’re song’s lyrics towards him. glad They then tore through classic tracks from Vivarium, with faux-Scottish accents from the crowd ringing out during the sing-along choruses of ‘Audience and Audio’ and ‘Lightspeed’.

After previewing another blistering track from Free, the band left the stage and then returned for the deliriously received encore. But before all that brilliant madness, I caught up with Ross McNae (bass) and Barry McKenna (guitar) to discuss the weather, their new album, and the Friends in high places: TA have played support slots for huge acts like Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance

you’ve left it this long to record your first full-length album?

but did you receive any pressure in America to tone it down a bit?

R: Well… It wasn’t 100% by choice.

I mean, if someone had turned up two years ago with the money, we wouldn’t have said no.

B: That said, we have released two EPs (Audience and Audio and Vivarium), but it’s been important for us as a band to grow. I know that Sam (vocals and guitar) has definitely matured with his lyrics, and we all know each other better, so this album came out pretty easily.

R: Ha! Well, I won’t name names, but someone did approach me when we were over there to ask if we’d ever considered looking for someone with a more ‘universal’ singing voice.

How has it been working with producer Gil Norton, who has worked with big American bands such as Foo Fighters and the Pixies?

B: It’s been great. This guy has produced some of the bands that have been most influential to us as musicians. My first band was named after a Pixies song, and it was the drumming on a Foo Fighters album that inspired Craig (drums) to start playing.

The essential “Scottish-ness” of Twin Atlantic and Sam’s voice is one of the band’s huge appeals,

Just to finish, you’ve hit the festival circuit over the last few years, what was your favourite festival moment?

B: Well we’ve had plenty of good times, but the best is easy to remember.

We all used to go to T in the Park when we were younger, so getting a pretty huge crowd when we played there was really special. Clichés aside, it really was a dream come true!

Twin Atlantic release their single ‘Edit Me’ on February 14th and their second album Free is out on May 2nd. Check them out at www.myspace.com/twinatlantic

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The new giants of alt-rock: Twin Atlantic

Books Editor: James Leadill | www.palatinate.org.uk

Stage Arts

Books In praise of sensationalism: Mary Elizabeth Bradden Emma Grimwood

When asked to think of the great Victorian novelists, your average reader might begin with Dickens, Hardy and Eliot. They’ll mention the Brontës (definitely Charlotte, sometimes Emily, never Anne), or perhaps Wilkie Collins and Arthur Conan Doyle.

However, one of the most widelyread and popular authors of the century is barely remembered. Hailed as the “Queen” of her genre, sensation fiction (so called because of the exciting and often shocking narratives they told), Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a bestselling author of her time.

She quickly rose to fame with Lady Audley’s Secret, and was consistently successful, producing many excellent novels. Lady Audley’s Secret was written notoriously quickly - the last volume in less than a fortnight. The speed at which it was penned seems to shine through the words, not through carelessness, but through the spark and wit and sharpness of the developing plot.

As much as I adore Victorian writing, I cannot deny that some works can have tediously long sections, to say the least, and it becomes something of an effort to carry on reading.

One needs frequent breaks to gaze out of the window, or to get up and make yet another cup of tea. This particular novel is quite the opposite – I was entirely enthralled; the scenes outside remained unobserved, and the tea pitifully unmade.

I found it hugely enjoyable and easy to read, without feeling patronised or that I was reading something overly frivolous. There is heartache and anguish, but thankfully it never roams

into the depressing. There is mystery and secrecy too, but no tiresome confusion. There is scandal and disgrace, but a satisfactory conclusion.

In the true Victorian style, the wrongdoers get their comeuppance and the heroes their rewards. In the modern world, there seems to be a growing tendency to have deliberately ambiguous endings, but I admire the Victorians (at least, the majority of Victorians – there are still a few devils who delight in thwarting the reader’s anticipation of closure – Thomas Hardy, to name and shame…) for usually giving a proper ending. It could be joyful, or perhaps tragic, but at least it’s decisive.

Lady Audley’s Secret centres around Robert Audley, a foppish but decent chap, intent on uncovering the circumstances of his close friend’s sudden disappearance (an obsession that some modern critics find almost borders on homosexual).

Of course, the novel also features the charming Lady Audley herself.

She is beautiful in a pale, listless sort of way, with plenty of descriptions of her “showering flaxen curls” and “soft and melting blue eyes”, not to mention her “slender throat and drooping head” – the very model of frail Victorian perfection.

I speak entirely without bitterness (and as someone with dark hair and a tanned freckly complexion – I would probably have been described as swarthy, sallow - and possibly degenerate and/or masculine - in a Victorian novel, of course!) but I see little attraction in these weak depictions.

Everything about our heroine speaks of feebleness – she is constantly described as “childish”, both in appearance and attitude.

However, this makes her secret – whatever that might be – all the more shocking. Braddon constructs Lady Audley’s character, and the readers’ opinion of her, very carefully indeed.

Her graceful, girlish persona soon changes into a calculating, almost menacing, presence as the reader comes closer and closer to discovering her real nature.

It is interesting to examine whether one feels sympathy for Lady Audley, when the extent of her crime is discovered. Many Victorians saw her as a “fair-haired devil” and justly deserving of any punishment coming her way, but it is perhaps interesting to see her as a helpless victim, driven to desperate measures by the rigid society of the time.

As Victorian novels go, this is a fairly short one, and, as previously mentioned, one that is very easy to read. It is fast-paced and very funny in parts, Braddon having a clever grasp of words and storyline. It is a gentle introduction to the joys of sensationalism (especially if the many-paged Wilkie Collins classic The Woman in White seems a step too far). Contemporary reviews praised her as thrilling, and condemned her as immoral, yet nowadays her name is little recognised. Hopefully, soon, as her work begins to be more widely read, Braddon will be featured somewhere on the mental list of great Victorian novelists, as she certainly deserves to be.

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Reviled by critics but adored by the public, Lady Audley’s Secret has never been out of print

Book review: Ian McEwan’s Solar Solar fails to stand comparison with MeEwan’s earlier works, Amsterdam and Atonement

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Adam Withnall

Upon hearing that he rejected an invitation to appear at this year’s Durham Book Festival, any student might be forgiven for taking a dim view of Solar, the latest offering from the English literary heavyweight Ian McEwan. His own act is a tough one to follow – eleven novels of diverse focus and subject matter, but unvarying success.

The question with McEwan isn’t really “Is it good?”, but rather “Is it as good?” as the Booker-winning Amsterdam (1998), the haunting The Child In Time (1987), or the eloquently brilliant Atonement (2001), to list the finest examples of

his work. In Solar’s case, the answer is unfortunately (and completely objectively) a simple but emphatic “No”.

The one word which best describes this literary attempt to tackle the hot topic of climate change is ‘admirable’.

McEwan has for some time shown a strong interest in science as a subject for his fiction – for his ninth novel Saturday (2005) he spent the best part of two years’ research looking into the finer points of neurobiology.

Yet there is a sense with Solar that perhaps this great author has spent altogether too much time in the company of scientists. Faced with the problem of writing about climate change without seeming simply to preach a cautionary tale, he has done his calculations, thrown in the appropriate variables, and come out with an answer that is, regrettably, a bit too formulaic.

McEwan’s main character, Nobel laureate Professor Michael Beard, is shown at three different points in his life – in 2000, 2005, and 2009, in the novel’s three parts.

Yet throughout he is a greedy, welloff, inconsiderate, lazy, solipsistic womaniser. One scientist/reviewer, who helped McEwan with his research for the novel, views Beard as: ‘Actually quite unlike any scientist I know, but certainly less boring than the most of us.’

This in itself isn’t the problem with the novel. It is generically a satire, and many of the best satirical works see thoroughly unlikeable characters receiving their ‘comeuppance’. But the mechanics behind Beard’s route through the novel are just a little too evident – from an unfortunate Arctic incident involving a male appendage and an iceberg (and they say Freud is clichéd), to a rival (both scientific and romantic!) being killed by a collision with a coffee table after tripping on a polar-bear rug (seriously?).

The main symbolism of the novel – Beard’s constant physical ‘sickness’ mirroring the condition of the planet, and his own greed and amorality representing that of a public unwilling to change – aren’t exactly buried deep within the

narrative. As readers we might appreciate the literary flair of such an eminent artist, if only he didn’t make it quite so obvious.

By the time Professor Beard’s fall is complete – a swift shift from potential global saviour to a man bankrupt, despised, and chased by his angry lovers – the emotion wrought, at least in this reader, is one of mere indifference.

The novel simply does not engage the reader on an emotional level. We are impressed by how it is put together, but are not made to care about its protagonists.

Solar is never going to make it as a literary classic. Yet it really is admirable for the attention it draws to the very real issue of climate change. It could be argued that McEwan has gone soft since the shocks of his early work, but for his fans there is still much here to recommend. If you’re new to McEwan, however, I would suggest starting elsewhere.

Games Editor: Jon Zhu | Photography Editor: Quin Murray | www.palatinate.org.uk

Stage Arts

The Back Page

In Pursuit of the Durham Happiness Society Zenobia Homan

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urham – this amazing place, up North. The first thing that probably comes to mind is the Castle, the second is likely Harry Potter, and third the terrible weather (never mind the university). We complain about the cold and we dread the rain, but, as with every cloudy winter day, there is a silver lining. In the snow chaos of ’10 we built snowmen, made snow angels and had snowball fights of epic proportions. Rainy days became puddle jumping parties, and chances to find ways to make the time huddled inside more interesting.

An absolutely amazing game is college hide-and-seek, or sardines (as each person finds the hider, they must join in the hiding place). Mind that you make the bar off-limits, or you will lose most of your players. Another

ZENOBIA HOMAN

all-time favourite is Twister. There is nothing like forgetting about your essay deadlines by getting tangled up in your friends. This might entail crossing some boundaries and personal bubbles, but that makes it all the more fun.

Then there are the consumption games, such as the chocolate game, which involves challenging your friends to cut up a large bar of chocolate with knife and fork while wearing winter attire. Doughnuts-on-a-string (or the Dutch variety: ‘koekhappen’ which uses cookies) is a highly entertaining venture that involves trying to eat a doughnut hanging from a string without using one’s hands. This is sure to result in a mad competition with entertaining doughnut-licking or mouth-wide-open photos to place on Facebook. These games may be followed by drinking games - all the sugar will make one thirsty.

Chances are if you live in college, that even if you and your friends do not have a board game with you, someone on your corridor does. Why not get your hands on a copy of

something like Absolute Balderdash or Monopoly? Or gather for a game of Mafia (a narration game where you try and work out who the murderer is – if you do not know the rules, ask your friends).

Do not write off museums as being merely homes to the wise and dusty. There is a side of these lovely buildings we tend to forget about, however, our memories made foggy by our newly developed pretence of mature fascination and serious interest. If your friends will not pay admission for the Durham University Empty Beer Bottle Museum in your room anymore, why not see what Durham has to offer? Both the Oriental Museum (across from Van Mildert) and the Archaeology (Fulling Mill) Museum by the river offer dress-up opportunities, and games varying from paleontology-sandboxes to playmobil pyramids.

If you venture into Newcastle, try the Great North museum: here you

From another angle 1st Place (right) Chris Ward Reflections Sony DSC-W50 f/2.8 Exposure 1/125th 2nd Place (left) Jonny Miller Hartleypool pier Canon 500D 70mm

Next theme: Colour All entries to : photography@palatinate.org.uk by 15th February 2011 3rd Place (middle) Will Nicholls Canary Wharfe Canon 450D 10mm

Any photographers still using non digital/ film cameras please get in touch for a project running for several issues in the future

will find a Life to Death virtual Nile tunnel, you will get to piece pottery back together, design your own digital shield, and play an amazing palaeontology board-game (which lights up, too!).

Back then we had the videogame classics - Mario, the gamers’ equivalent to the Iliad - whether it is the DOS version, in pixel art with limited colours, or Super Mario Galaxy for Wii. They can be played alone (when you got a streak of bad marks or all your friends are particularly frustrating or absent that week) or with friends in coZENOBIA HOMAN op mode - recent versions can still pose a challenge.

When Mario is mentioned, Sonic pops to the head. To some he is known as ‘that annoying blue hedgehog’, but it is always intensely satisfying to rush through a level gathering points

wherever you run. These games are not simply childhood memories, they have continuously evolved, and not just from pixels to 3D. They have found relevance in a new generation. Do we really outgrow games, or do they simply not adjust? If games have been, and still are, a source of happiness, then who are we to ignore that?

And if all else fails, make something up. You would be surprised what you can come up with if you are bored and silly enough. If you have got an old phone, try phone curling (sliding your phone along the floor and trying to get is as close to the end of the corridor, or a marker, as you can without hitting any walls or doors). Spare blankets?

That is just a blanket fort asking to be made! Tag, the floor is lava, never-haveI-ever – this is just the beginning. Give yourself and your friends a ‘do nothing’ afternoon and see what happens.

Find out more about the Durham Happiness Society at happydurham.tumblr.com

Want to get involved? games@palatinate.org.uk