Indigo Issue 736

indigo 31.01.12

: e v i t a e r c s t e g indigo

g n i k a m i n m u l a m a h r u D e h meet t d l r o w y r a r e t i l he t n i s e v l e s m e a name for th

2

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

indigo

Indigo Editor: Larry Bartleet indigo@palatinate.org.uk

contents

editor’s letter

W

ell, it’s finally here. 2012. The big one. It’s event after event this year: the Olympic Games, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the US Presidential election, and, erm, Steps’ comeback UK tour... and we can’t forget the Sequoia, the supercomputer to be completed this year whose performance will be measured in ‘Petaflops.’ I’m not sure what a Petaflop is exactly, but I think we can all agree that it’s pretty hilarious. So much excitement is in store, readers, that here at indigo it’s difficult for us to sit still. We’re approaching the New Year bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and in the most avuncular of ways, we hope you are too.

There’s so much change to get used to – from our new Chancellor, Sir Thomas Allen, to Facebook’s Timeline, a feature that should have the tagline ‘all the better to stalk you with’. Facebook’s other venture, the lame attempt at keeping up with Twitter’s trend monitoring by helpfully announcing “Joe Bloggs and twenty others posted about Christmas” hasn’t added much to the mix either. But hey, we’re all about encouragement, and we say: Well done Facebook, the Timeline is amazing. Especially the emotional video about growing up with Facebook. That really touched the cockles of our metallic, bleeping hearts. Naaaaat. What we really saw was good material for a new episode of ‘Black Mirror’.

In the words of Alphonse Karr, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In one obvious instance, people are still making unachievable New Year’s resolutions. To quit smoking, (you already would have if you wanted to) to drink less, (but you’re at uni!) to exercise more (Why? Just why?) We’ve kept it simple. indigo’s New Year’s resolution is to be even more awesome. It’s a toughie, but we’re feeling pretty confident about it. We just have to ask ourselves, “What would Chuck Norris do?” and life is a whole lot simpler. Nay, readers, I jest. Obviously we’d be asking what Oprah would do. All right, I’ll stop. Seriously though, our goal is to be as relevant as possible to you, the students of Durham, because without you, there wouldn’t be an indigo.

However much Durham life is to change in 2012, from the management changes at Klute and Studio to those pesky, happinessstifling resolutions, it seems best to approach the New Year with the kind of unfettered optimism that we routinely use to build ourselves up for Christmas. Why burn out now? Why not power on through? There are always reasons to be cheerful. Yes, the festive season might have left you out of pocket; yes, another term means another mountain of work, but then again, in your very hands you are holding the perfect remedy to all of these problems: a beautiful, colourful procrastination tool. Sit back, relax, get yourself a cup of tea and let indigo’s erudition and wit help put things in perspective. Or rather, out of perspective. You know what I mean. LB

Page 4: “Create a project you believe in”: An interview with the arts journal of Europe’s ‘Golden Triangle’ - London, Paris and Berlin Pages 6&7: Get Healthy: indigo’s food specialists give you all the help you need to get back in shape Pages 8&9: Music on Our Radar: Our esteemed Music Editors bring you the best music of the year ahead

Page 10: Blood, Sweat and Tears: A look at Covent Garden’s Don Giovanni

Page 12: Courting controversy: The biopic We ask if modern biographical films are too close to the bone Page 13: The Art of the Adaptation: Where is the line between innovation and meddling?

Page 14: Spring Blues: A season of colour approaches Page 15: Not Your Usual New Year’s Eve: A taste of celebrations around the world

the indigo playlist The Film

Directed by Michael Hazanavicius, The Artist, a silent film about the end of the silent film era, has been nominated for a whopping ten Oscars. Catch it while you can at the Gala.

The Musical

Ooook Productions’ parody, Orcs The Musical, held in Fountains Hall, Grey College, looks set to be completely unique.

2nd-4th February, 19:30

The Gig

The NME Awards Tour comes to the O2 Academy in Newcastle on the 9th February. Two Door Cinema Club and Metronomy headline while NME introduce Azealia Banks and Tribes.

The Event

The Durham Film Festival includes a screenwriting workshop and networking sessions with experts. 3rd-4th February. www.durhamstudentfilm.co.uk/ durham-film-festival-2012/

The Album

Lana Del Rey: Born to Die The divisive internet phenomenon’s highly anticipated album will in all likelihood only stoke the flames of debate.

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

books

Books Editor: Izzie Bengoechea books@palatinate.org.uk

The future of fiction Hannah Shaddock talks to novelist and teacher Fadia Faqir about creative writing, education, and e-magazines

F

adia Faqir has achieved a great number of ‘firsts’.

This is the main thing I learn from our interview – that, and that Faqir was destined to be a writer. There is something serendipitous about her life that makes me think how it could so easily have been different.

And yet so predestined does her career seem that it is difficult to imagine her doing anything else but writing.

Born in Jordan, she completed a BA in English, before working as a journalist for the Jerusalem Star. Whilst there she wrote of the plight of Palestinian ex-prisoners, and her piece was published and broadcast on national radio – it was then that she knew she wanted to write.

She received a scholarship to study an MA in Britain, and chose Creative Writing at the University of Lancaster.

She arrived “probably unequipped”, both the subject and the environment unfamiliar – “A lot of Scottish people were in the class and I couldn’t understand them. I thought ‘What am I doing here?’, and that feeling has happened a lot of times in my life” – but soon came that elusive thing all writers want but very rarely receive: encouragement.

The praise came from one of her teachers, novelist Maggie Gee. “She rollicked everyone, she was so critical.

I was

shaking in my seat. Then she put my piece on the table and she said ‘Now this, this is powerful!’”.

She went on to complete a Creative Writing PhD at the University of East Anglia (UEA).

And here is an instance of that serendipity: a friend, unbeknownst to Fadia, applied for her.

“

You can’t make a writer in a classroom. Writing is a lifelong commitment

It was pure speculation, as the UEA didn’t even offer a Creative Writing PhD. However, the fates aligned, and Malcolm Bradbury himself decided that if they could judge an MA they

could judge a PhD too.

The novel she wrote for her MA was snapped up by Penguin, before she even had an agent, but such early success seems to have done her no harm.

The novel she wrote for her PhD, Pillars of Salt, was published in both the US and the UK, and translated into five languages.

Her next novel – which she wrote after taking a break from lectureships at Exeter, Oxford, and then Durham – did even better; My Name is Salma, written in just eight months, has been translated into fourteen languages and is about to be made into a feature film.

Faqir is somewhat of a trailblazer, with positions and roles created just for her (there’s the serendipity again): she was the first person in the UK to gain a PhD in Creative Writing, the Creative Writing fellowship at St Aidan’s college, which she currently holds, was created especially for her, and she was instrumental in creating Durham’s MA in Gender Studies.

As part of the St Aidan’s fellowship, she teaches a free creative writing class, Inkapturing, which is open to everyone.

In an environment where creative writing courses are becoming a lucrative industry, Fadia sees a real value in being taught to write. “We introduce the tools, the skills, the methods.

You can’t make a writer in a classroom.

Writing is a lifelong commitment, but you can help them along the way, make them feel okay about calling themselves writers”.

Having been taught by her, I can attest to her enthusiasm and skill as a creative writing teacher.

In our interview, she says “the trick is to find that bit of criticism that is right for you”, and that is Fadia’s great ability.

She pinpoints that exact word or sentence that doesn’t work and tells you why it doesn’t work, giving you a lesson in miniature, revealing a truth about writing – about your writing - that will stay with you.

Her classes are very popular, and their success led to the creation of a new literary e-magazine called Inkapture, which is edited by a group of Faqir’s students, both past and present.

Faqir acts as a consulting Editor for the magazine, and speaks very highly of the project.

“I’m terribly proud of my students and of Inkapture because they created

3

Fadia and her class at St Aidan’s Photographs: Nicoletta Asciuto something out of nothing. They In response to this, Faqir and had to set up the website, they a group of female academics and had to publicise it, they had to writers have set up the Durham look at templates and the deSanctuary for Women Writers, sign… It’s a mammoth job”. which plans to “give shelter to a It is all thanks to St Aidan’s woman author who is from an that the classes and the magaarea where there is conflict, to zine were possible. Fadia lift them out of their living conpraised the college for helping ditions and give them a respite its students “to be engaged, to at St Aidan’s”. be inspired, and to feel appreciPat Barker, author of the ated. We are teaching democimmensely successful Regeneraracy everyday”. tion trilogy, has agreed to be the And democracy must be very project’s patron. dear to Faqir, who has been Although she has already closely following recent events achieved so much, there is in the Middle East. undoubtedly more to come from The situation for writers Faqir, and her students. and artists in the Arab world is For more about Fadia, includprecarious, as it is in many areas ing her tips for writers, go to of conflict. www.fadiafaqir.com.

Inkapture magazine

If you’d like to submit to Inkapture, Fadia offers the following advice: “What they’ve published so far is original, with a sense of humour, and it’s fresh.

We’re looking for something exciting, because we’re tired of what gets published in other places”.

She also stresses that the journal is unique in its interaction with contributors. “The editors actually look at your work carefully, they converse with you, and they give you feedback. And that’s something you will not find with other journals. It’s a nurturing relationship”.

For aspiring writers, Fadia also has some more general tips. “These days it is exciting to be a writer, and part of being a writer is understanding the world you’re in, and part of that is learning about the possibilities of the technology

around you”.

She is a frequent user of Facebook and Twitter to discuss interesting stories and runs a blog, something which she recommends, as she says it is noticeable when her students are bloggers, as they possess “a speed and fluidity”.

Despite the many voices claiming the death of the publishing industry, Fadia remains confident in Inkapture’s future, and the magazine has big plans.

“Plan number one is to set up a short story competition, and that would strengthen Inkapture and will bring in exciting new voices. And then down the line we’ll start publishing anthologies”.

Go to www.inkapturemagazine.co.uk to read more about Inkapture, to read past issues and to find guidelines for submissions.

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

features

4

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

“Create a project you believe in”

Features Editor: Sarah Murray feature@palatinate.org.uk

Bayo Adelaja: founder of Unicreate.co Photograph: Katie Merchant

Mrs Elvet sorts you out

Rachel Aroesti catches up with the minds behind a new international arts journal

H

ow/when did you get the idea for A Tale of Three Cities?

Alex: We both took years abroad and I think it was Rosa who first suggested that we created an arts journal: we called it the Fun and Beautiful Journal.

We worked so well together and enjoyed working on it so much that we didn’t want to call it a day when we graduated. I moved to London, Rosa moved to Paris and Ralph (who launched this project with us) moved to Berlin; uniting the three cities in some way was the logical solution.

Rosa: We decided to do the Fun and Beautiful journal over Skype. I was living in a mental home in Bordeaux (an accident), Alex was in Buenos Aires. A Tale of Three followed naturally.

How easy was it to get started and secure funding?

R: At first, I thought to myself “this is such a brilliant idea!

Why hasn’t anyone done it before?” Now I know why! It’s difficult. Working across Europe over email, takes time and there can be delays and miscommu-

nications. But it’s more than worth it.

Funding-wise, we realised pure print was never going to be a money tree, so we decided to launch events hand-in-hand with the magazine. We do The Book Club in Paris, and The Book Swap in London.

The premise is simple: you bring a book you have loved and swap it for a book someone else has loved.

We have up to 350 people at each one, DJs and ‘literary cocktails’. E.g.Tequila Mockingbird.

What has the general reaction been like?

A: The journal has been received really well. Just by being gutsy and walking in to bookshops we’ve managed to get ourselves stocked in wonderful places such as the Wapping Project (East London), Shakespeare and Co (Paris), the B-Store (London) and Colette (Paris).

Through our media contacts we also got ourselves some very good coverage in magazines such as Esquire, It’s Nice That and i-D. We get a lot of emails from people in New York and

Creative centre: Paris Photograph: Tom Dimsdale

San Francisco asking to buy copies of the journal – it’s obviously a great sign that the word’s out.

and AnOther Magazine as well as writing for the odd travel guide.

A: I’d love to see a full collection of the journal with each spine a different colour, lined up in interesting little bookshops all over the world. At the same time I don’t think we want to plan ahead at this stage, things like this are better to evolve organically with each issue.

A: It’s a lot easier than you think. It took quite a while from the conception to actually creating A Tale of Three. But it’s that first step you take which suddenly makes everything happen. I was so nervous about how the magazine would be received but it all just fits in to place in its own way and works. You just have to be confident and really create a project you believe in and want to put a lot of time into.

What advice would you give to students who would like to do something similar?

What are your plans for the future with it?

Was it important for you to do something independent when you graduated instead of working for a newspaper, etc.?

R: I decided to give myself a creative sabbatical. I think it’s best to do more than one thing, and not to put all of your eggs in one office.

A: It’s funny, you have so many ideas before graduating and it all pans out very differently. I think I was always going to do my own thing because that’s how I like it; there are bills to pay though so on top of the journal I’m a freelance journalist.

I contribute to various publications such as Wallpaper*, Tank

A bookswap and Alex & Rosa Photographs: Alex TieghiWalker & taleofthree.com

“

We get a lot of emails from people in New York and San Francisco asking to buy copies

R: I agree. It is scary.

Is it a full-time job? Or do you both do other things?

R: I have a day-job as receptionist at a two-man commercial property company. I open the door, smile and make coffees every now and then, but mostly I’m writing, and they’re happy with that. When I left Durham, I wrote a novella which won this year’s Paris Literary Prize, and I’m starting a novel about a boy called Benjamin, and two people that live in a phone-box.

5

indigo’s very own Agony Aunt solves all your problems

Unicreate: Durham’s newest social network Sarah Murray chats to Bayo Adelaja, founder of website www.unicreate.co who decided to complement her studies with a creative venture

W

hat is UniCreate?

It is a web exhibition space for Durham University students and creative societies to show everyone what creative things they are doing - just a space to get people involved and aware of whatever creative stuff you or your society are into.

Why did you set up UniCreate?

I saw a problem and wanted to solve it. There are so many amazing creative societies at Durham and sometimes it is difficult to pick which ones to join or to know what is generally going on in the creative scene.

I figured UniCreate could be an easy way to help the societies advertise themselves and for creative students to share their talents with the rest of us.

Who can join UniCreate?

Any Durham University student or society involved in anything creative. It can be writing, music, art, films, dance, the list goes on.

Is it just for creative students?

Well, I believe in a thing called ‘vicarious creativity’. It basically means, if you are like me and you don’t do anything creative yourself but you are interested in patronising the arts, then you can join to check out the creative stuff your fellow students are doing.

Who should we be looking out for?

Well, there are some amazing talents around, but here are some of my favourites. Ok, first up is Tom Ryder. If ever you need cheering up, ask him to sing to you - not just any song.

Ask for a song he wrote himself, particularly “the procrastination song” and if you are in love, ask for the song he dedicates to Hannah.

Second we have Lucy Walling, another beautiful singer who I could honestly listen to for days. Same kind of feeling was conjured by the faultless Anna Costello - after listening to her I was sad that there was no album on sale!

Other creatives of the poetic

persuasion to watch out for and possibly invite out to coffee (for the specific purpose of having them read their work to you) are Danielle Dennis, Emily Somerville, Jamie Baxter, Amal Vaidya, Ralf Webb, Bex Hainsworth, Matthew Griffiths and Nick Toseland (make sure he does the one about cheese).

Is there a way to enhance creativity?

Not being creative myself I can only tell you what I assume. Like most things, all you have to do is practice and of course there is a lot of dedication to it as well.

I was watching the Sky 1 TV show ‘Bigger than Beyonce’ and apparently Beyonce is in dance rehearsals when preparing for a tour for up to eight hours a day... it takes work.

What has been the response to UniCreate so far?

It is a labour of love, so I try really hard not to care about page views, Google analytics and all that really annoying stuff. As long as I am enjoying it, that’s all that matters.

Dear Mrs Elvet, Since arriving at Durham I’ve been completely bemused by the way that male students act with each other. They all seem to hate each other, yet they hug topless in Klute whilst singing along to Journey! Where I live we’d never think of doing such things!

However, I really do want to fit in, and as hard as I’ve tried all my embraces have so far been rebuffed – any tips?

Confused - Collingwood Oh you poor thing, take it from me, this social strangeness you’ve described is what us in the know like to call, ‘banter’.

It’s mainly a way of diffusing sexual tension in boy’s schools although it may just be a way of making friends through friendly abuse. Try joining a sports team, slapping your fellow teammates on the back and be sure to learn a few sexist phrases at the start. Later on, adopt a nickname, preferably a pun, ‘The Archbishop of Banterbury’ is a good place to start, and darling you’ll soon be on your way to becoming a true Durham lad.

Dear Mrs Elvet, There’s no easy way to say this, but I’ve exhausted all of my male options at college.

I’ve tried them all and even some of the fairer sex, and let’s just say I’ve not been particularly satisfied. I feel like I need to move on to pastures new, which college should I target next?

Searching - Castle Darling, do not fret, you don’t have to go far for some great college talent. Stick to the Bailey

of course for the ‘old money’ that us ladies really need to keep us in Manolos. We all know that the Hill will only leave you with damp sheets and a feeling of extreme disappointment.

Dear Mrs Elvet, I’m proud to say that I’m a true Lad. I’m also a bit of a babe so I literally smashed this girl for bantz and she’s now tagging along with me and the lads telling everyone I’m her boyfriend. How do I get rid of my current bit of skirt and shack up with a newer model?

Excess baggage - Hatfield

Oh dear, you do have a bit of a problem on your hands. You sound like a total babe and I can see why your latest lady might feel that way, but you need to keep your options and the fairer sex’s legs open. Tell her Daddy’s taken his credit card back and I’m sure she’ll be out of your hair in no time.

Dear Mrs Elvet, Durham is too cold for my liking, coming from the south I am simply not built for such a climate! How can I equip myself for such a freezing city?

Shivering – St Johns Ah, I see you are of a delicate disposition like myself! Whilst I’m in Durham I do enjoy a fine fur coat but I also take care to spend a sojourn in warmer climates. Treat yourself and head to the continent this weekend. I hear St. Tropez is simply divine at this time of the year.

Sarah Murray

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

features

4

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

“Create a project you believe in”

Features Editor: Sarah Murray feature@palatinate.org.uk

Bayo Adelaja: founder of Unicreate.co Photograph: Katie Merchant

Mrs Elvet sorts you out

Rachel Aroesti catches up with the minds behind a new international arts journal

H

ow/when did you get the idea for A Tale of Three Cities?

Alex: We both took years abroad and I think it was Rosa who first suggested that we created an arts journal: we called it the Fun and Beautiful Journal.

We worked so well together and enjoyed working on it so much that we didn’t want to call it a day when we graduated. I moved to London, Rosa moved to Paris and Ralph (who launched this project with us) moved to Berlin; uniting the three cities in some way was the logical solution.

Rosa: We decided to do the Fun and Beautiful journal over Skype. I was living in a mental home in Bordeaux (an accident), Alex was in Buenos Aires. A Tale of Three followed naturally.

How easy was it to get started and secure funding?

R: At first, I thought to myself “this is such a brilliant idea!

Why hasn’t anyone done it before?” Now I know why! It’s difficult. Working across Europe over email, takes time and there can be delays and miscommu-

nications. But it’s more than worth it.

Funding-wise, we realised pure print was never going to be a money tree, so we decided to launch events hand-in-hand with the magazine. We do The Book Club in Paris, and The Book Swap in London.

The premise is simple: you bring a book you have loved and swap it for a book someone else has loved.

We have up to 350 people at each one, DJs and ‘literary cocktails’. E.g.Tequila Mockingbird.

What has the general reaction been like?

A: The journal has been received really well. Just by being gutsy and walking in to bookshops we’ve managed to get ourselves stocked in wonderful places such as the Wapping Project (East London), Shakespeare and Co (Paris), the B-Store (London) and Colette (Paris).

Through our media contacts we also got ourselves some very good coverage in magazines such as Esquire, It’s Nice That and i-D. We get a lot of emails from people in New York and

Creative centre: Paris Photograph: Tom Dimsdale

San Francisco asking to buy copies of the journal – it’s obviously a great sign that the word’s out.

and AnOther Magazine as well as writing for the odd travel guide.

A: I’d love to see a full collection of the journal with each spine a different colour, lined up in interesting little bookshops all over the world. At the same time I don’t think we want to plan ahead at this stage, things like this are better to evolve organically with each issue.

A: It’s a lot easier than you think. It took quite a while from the conception to actually creating A Tale of Three. But it’s that first step you take which suddenly makes everything happen. I was so nervous about how the magazine would be received but it all just fits in to place in its own way and works. You just have to be confident and really create a project you believe in and want to put a lot of time into.

What advice would you give to students who would like to do something similar?

What are your plans for the future with it?

Was it important for you to do something independent when you graduated instead of working for a newspaper, etc.?

R: I decided to give myself a creative sabbatical. I think it’s best to do more than one thing, and not to put all of your eggs in one office.

A: It’s funny, you have so many ideas before graduating and it all pans out very differently. I think I was always going to do my own thing because that’s how I like it; there are bills to pay though so on top of the journal I’m a freelance journalist.

I contribute to various publications such as Wallpaper*, Tank

A bookswap and Alex & Rosa Photographs: Alex TieghiWalker & taleofthree.com

“

We get a lot of emails from people in New York and San Francisco asking to buy copies

R: I agree. It is scary.

Is it a full-time job? Or do you both do other things?

R: I have a day-job as receptionist at a two-man commercial property company. I open the door, smile and make coffees every now and then, but mostly I’m writing, and they’re happy with that. When I left Durham, I wrote a novella which won this year’s Paris Literary Prize, and I’m starting a novel about a boy called Benjamin, and two people that live in a phone-box.

5

indigo’s very own Agony Aunt solves all your problems

Unicreate: Durham’s newest social network Sarah Murray chats to Bayo Adelaja, founder of website www.unicreate.co who decided to complement her studies with a creative venture

W

hat is UniCreate?

It is a web exhibition space for Durham University students and creative societies to show everyone what creative things they are doing - just a space to get people involved and aware of whatever creative stuff you or your society are into.

Why did you set up UniCreate?

I saw a problem and wanted to solve it. There are so many amazing creative societies at Durham and sometimes it is difficult to pick which ones to join or to know what is generally going on in the creative scene.

I figured UniCreate could be an easy way to help the societies advertise themselves and for creative students to share their talents with the rest of us.

Who can join UniCreate?

Any Durham University student or society involved in anything creative. It can be writing, music, art, films, dance, the list goes on.

Is it just for creative students?

Well, I believe in a thing called ‘vicarious creativity’. It basically means, if you are like me and you don’t do anything creative yourself but you are interested in patronising the arts, then you can join to check out the creative stuff your fellow students are doing.

Who should we be looking out for?

Well, there are some amazing talents around, but here are some of my favourites. Ok, first up is Tom Ryder. If ever you need cheering up, ask him to sing to you - not just any song.

Ask for a song he wrote himself, particularly “the procrastination song” and if you are in love, ask for the song he dedicates to Hannah.

Second we have Lucy Walling, another beautiful singer who I could honestly listen to for days. Same kind of feeling was conjured by the faultless Anna Costello - after listening to her I was sad that there was no album on sale!

Other creatives of the poetic

persuasion to watch out for and possibly invite out to coffee (for the specific purpose of having them read their work to you) are Danielle Dennis, Emily Somerville, Jamie Baxter, Amal Vaidya, Ralf Webb, Bex Hainsworth, Matthew Griffiths and Nick Toseland (make sure he does the one about cheese).

Is there a way to enhance creativity?

Not being creative myself I can only tell you what I assume. Like most things, all you have to do is practice and of course there is a lot of dedication to it as well.

I was watching the Sky 1 TV show ‘Bigger than Beyonce’ and apparently Beyonce is in dance rehearsals when preparing for a tour for up to eight hours a day... it takes work.

What has been the response to UniCreate so far?

It is a labour of love, so I try really hard not to care about page views, Google analytics and all that really annoying stuff. As long as I am enjoying it, that’s all that matters.

Dear Mrs Elvet, Since arriving at Durham I’ve been completely bemused by the way that male students act with each other. They all seem to hate each other, yet they hug topless in Klute whilst singing along to Journey! Where I live we’d never think of doing such things!

However, I really do want to fit in, and as hard as I’ve tried all my embraces have so far been rebuffed – any tips?

Confused - Collingwood Oh you poor thing, take it from me, this social strangeness you’ve described is what us in the know like to call, ‘banter’.

It’s mainly a way of diffusing sexual tension in boy’s schools although it may just be a way of making friends through friendly abuse. Try joining a sports team, slapping your fellow teammates on the back and be sure to learn a few sexist phrases at the start. Later on, adopt a nickname, preferably a pun, ‘The Archbishop of Banterbury’ is a good place to start, and darling you’ll soon be on your way to becoming a true Durham lad.

Dear Mrs Elvet, There’s no easy way to say this, but I’ve exhausted all of my male options at college.

I’ve tried them all and even some of the fairer sex, and let’s just say I’ve not been particularly satisfied. I feel like I need to move on to pastures new, which college should I target next?

Searching - Castle Darling, do not fret, you don’t have to go far for some great college talent. Stick to the Bailey

of course for the ‘old money’ that us ladies really need to keep us in Manolos. We all know that the Hill will only leave you with damp sheets and a feeling of extreme disappointment.

Dear Mrs Elvet, I’m proud to say that I’m a true Lad. I’m also a bit of a babe so I literally smashed this girl for bantz and she’s now tagging along with me and the lads telling everyone I’m her boyfriend. How do I get rid of my current bit of skirt and shack up with a newer model?

Excess baggage - Hatfield

Oh dear, you do have a bit of a problem on your hands. You sound like a total babe and I can see why your latest lady might feel that way, but you need to keep your options and the fairer sex’s legs open. Tell her Daddy’s taken his credit card back and I’m sure she’ll be out of your hair in no time.

Dear Mrs Elvet, Durham is too cold for my liking, coming from the south I am simply not built for such a climate! How can I equip myself for such a freezing city?

Shivering – St Johns Ah, I see you are of a delicate disposition like myself! Whilst I’m in Durham I do enjoy a fine fur coat but I also take care to spend a sojourn in warmer climates. Treat yourself and head to the continent this weekend. I hear St. Tropez is simply divine at this time of the year.

Sarah Murray

6

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

food & drink

Healthy chocolate recipes Livia Carron With the start of another year, once again comes the inevitable list of resolutions. For myself and many others, the barrage of ‘New Year, New You’ themed campaigns drives me to dieting extremes and causes my Januarys to consist of one fad eating regime after another. From Beyoncé’s fortnight of solely drinking a maple syrup and pepper concoction to the ‘What Would Jesus Eat?’ diet – you name it, I’ve tried it. However, from the get go, failure is imminent as my fatal crutch is – and will most likely always be – chocolate.

For me, nothing can destroy a health kick like chocolate can; one square of Cadbury’s can lead to a whole cake and once I’ve fallen off the wagon, there’s no getting back on. Then one year I discovered that I could still get my chocolate fix, but in a much healthier and guilt free form. Here are two of my favourite chocolate quenching recipes, both of which include at least one of your five a day and cut down on ingredients such as butter in order to lower the overall fat content. That said, like any meals which contain confectionary or sugary products, these dishes should be eaten in moderation; but by occasionally integrating them into your food routine they allow you to have a yummy treat whilst still forming part of a nutritious and balanced diet.

Chocolate and Mushroom Risotto

based on a recipe from the Hillmots Fitness Meal Plan (Serves 4) Ingredients: 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 100g dried porcini mushrooms 20g butter 400g Arborio rice 1L stock (chicken or vegetable) 50g chocolate (55% cocoa), finely grated What to do: 1. Fry the onion and garlic in a tbsp. of hot water. At the same time place the mushrooms in a pan and cover

with boiling water.

2. When the onion and garlic are soft, place the butter in the pan and when it’s melted, put in the rice.

3. Add the mushrooms and the water they were cooked in to the pan and stir until the liquid has been absorbed. After this slowly add a spoonful of stock and stir until absorbed, then repeat this process until all the stock has been added.

4. Season the risotto and then sprinkle the grated chocolate on top. You can also add some grated parmesan for an extra kick.

Year being welcomed with fresh and exciting opportunities, it often comes with an excess ten pounds that we are left feeling determined to shed. There are countless weird and wonderful diets out there but which ones actually work?

Atkins, low carb and starvation are all common crash diets but isn’t there a healthier way to lose weight that doesn’t involve depriving our taste buds of yummy foods and exercising on empty?

This year I’ve chosen the I-diet which is based on a book written by Gino D’acanbo. ‘The Italian Diet’ is a fantastic book that focuses on eating tasty Italian dishes.

The book has hundreds of healthy Italian recipes that not only help you lose weight but taste fantastic.

Getting your 5 a day is an easy way to eat healthily, but there are far more interesting ways to ensure you’re eating well this new year.

Photographs: Molly Fowler

“

Chocolate and Beetroot Cupcakes

It’s acquiring knowledge about foods that really helps us to shed the weight and remain healthy

based on a recipe from Cook Yourself Thin (makes 12)

Ingredients: 2 eggs 150g soft brown sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 2tbs golden syrup/honey 60g plain flour ¼tsp salt ¼tsp bicarbonate of soda 20g cocoa 40g ground almonds 2 raw beetroot, finely grated 50ml black coffee 20ml sunflower/ vegetable oil 150g chocolate (55% cocoa), melted

What to do: 1. Preheat the oven to 160°c 2. Blend the first third of ingredients until the mixture is pale in colour and light and flurry.

3. Combine the second third of ingredients in a bowl and them add to the egg/ sugar/syrup mixture, after stirring this add in the remaining ingredients.

4. Pour into cupcake cases and bake for 30 minutes. I decorated mine with a tsp. of Nutella, a raspberry and some fondant icing stars!

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

Get healthy Tessa Fowler gives you the tools to eat yourself healthy this new year

A

fter Christmas many of us have eaten far too many unnecessary treats and resolve to make ourselves feel better by vowing to make next year a healthier one. With

all the delicious food on offer during the festive period, it’s no wonder that many of us give into temptation and put on a pound or two. I don’t know about you but I definitely overate this Christmas; on Christmas

day alone I managed to squash in a full roast dinner followed by three sticky toffee puddings and numerous chocolates, and at just five foot tall, that’s a lot of food for a little person to consume. Instead of the New

Not only does the book give you healthy recipes but it also tells you what constitutes as a good sized portion. For example – did you know that just three dried apricots constitutes for one of your five a day? It’s acquiring knowledge about foods that really helps us to shed the weight and remain healthy.

For every recipe the book tells you how many calories, fats, sugars and salts are present.

You can buy this fantastic recipe and diet book for just £2.39 on Amazon. A tasty diet that you can stick to is definitely a winner in my eyes.

For all of you with a smart phone there are some excellent apps on the market that can help you take control of your weight.

One of my personal favourites is ‘My Fitness Pal’ which doesn’t cost a penny and can be downloaded from iTunes.

When you first get the app it asks you to enter your current weight and your target weight

Food & Drink Editor: Molly Fowler food@palatinate.org.uk and the time period in which you want to lose it. ‘My Fitness Pal’ will then calculate the number of calories, fat etc that you should eat each day in order to achieve your goal.

The app has a massive database and you

What to do:

1 2 3

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas mark 4 and preheat the grill to hot.

Pour 2 litres of water in a large saucepan with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to the boil.

Cook the aubergines in the boiling water for two minutes and drain. Allow to cool slightly, then pat dry with kitchen paper and place on a baking tray.

4

Brush with a

can find almost any food by typing it into the search bar – from cherry tomatoes to ocra to twix bars – it’s all on there.

This app is great for people really interested in health and is nowhere near as time-consuming as it sounds. Careful not to become addicted!

‘The Italian Diet’ book and ‘My Fitness Pal’ application combine to make the perfect healthy weight loss plan. And at £2.39 for a book and a free app you’ve got no excuses not to make 2012 the healthiest year yet!

Chicken breast with parmesan, tomatoes and mozzerella

349 calories, 16.7g fat, 6g saturates, 6.7g sugars, 1g salt Serves 6

Ingredients:

3 aubergines, about 200g each, cut lengthways into 0.5cm slices 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons skimmed milk 60g freshly grated parmesan 60g breadcrumbs, toasted 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 100g each 1 large onion, finely sliced 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes 1 teaspoon dried oregano 100g mozzarella, drained and sliced Salt and freshly ground black pepper

little oil and cook under a hot grill for two minutes on each side until browned.

Mix the egg and milk together. Mix the parmesan and breadcrumbs together. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture and then coat with the parmesan breadcrumbs.

Heat two tablespoons of the olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the coated breasts for two minutes on each side until coloured. Drain on kitchen paper.

Heat the remaining olive oil in a medium saucepan and fry the onion for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Tip in the tomatoes with the oregano and season with salt and pepper.

Stir everything together and continue to cook for a further five minutes.

Spoon the tomato mixture into a 2-litre shallow, ovenproof dish and place the chicken breasts on top.

Cover with overlapping layers of aubergine and mozzarella and

5 6 7 8

“

this article is proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean living off carrot sticks and low fat hummus

then top with any remaining parmesan breadcrumbs. Cook, uncovered, in the centre of the oven for 35 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot.

Ricotta and vanilla tiramisu Tiramisu alla ricotta

292 calories, 14.7g fat, 5g saturates, 23.5g sugars, 0.2g salt Serves 8

Ingredients:

500g ricotta 250g fat-free Greek yogurt 80g caster sugar 6 tablespoons crushed hazelnuts 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 200ml cold, strong coffee 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 24 savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits) Cocoa powder, for dusting

What to do:

1 2

Mix the ricotta cheese with the yogurt and sugar in a large bowl.

Add the hazelnuts and vanilla extract and stir until well combined.

7

3 4

Pour the cold coffee into a small bowl and mix in the cinnamon.

Quickly dip half the sponge fingers in the coffee and then place in the base of a rectangular serving dish (30 x 22cm, and at least 5cm deep).

Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top. Repeat the process with the rest of the ingredients.

Cover the dish with cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for 15 minutes. Just before serving, dust the top with the cocoa powder.

5 6

So there you have it. For those of us who like our food, the idea of dieting can often seem like a hopeless one, but this article is proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean living off carrot sticks and low-fat hummus. Plus the best part is it doesn’t have to cost a fortune (especially good for students) - it’s all about knowing how to get the tastiest foods, for the lowest cost, and, of course, with the fewest calories!

Quick and easy dinner idea: thai prawn noodle salad

Poppy Goldsmith If you’re looking for something quick, easy and healthy to make for dinner then look no further.

This fresh and healthy salad is substantial enough for an evening meal, virtually fat-free, and tastes great too. The prawns could be replaced with slices of lean steak or chicken breast, making this dish a versatile one that you can use again and again. Plus the whole process from start to finish only takes about 5 minutes, so it’s perfect for anyone stressed with essay deadlines and looking for a quick, satisfying meal.

(Serves 1)

For the salad: 1 packet Thai rice noodles 1 carrot, grated 1/2 cucumber, peeled using a vegetable peeler into thin strips Handful cherry tomatoes, quartered Handful chopped green beans 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced Handful coriander leaves, roughly chopped Handful cooked king prawns Handful crushed peanuts or cashew nuts (optional)

For the dressing: 3 tbsp soy sauce 1tsp Thai fish sauce (nam pla) 1tsp brown sugar Squeeze or lime juice Pinch of dried chilli flakes (optional)

What to do: 1.Wash and chop all the vegetables 2. Cook the Thai rice noodles according to packet instructions, drain, and set aside 3. Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl.

4. Mix dressing ingredients well and pour over the salad.

5. Enjoy!

6

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

food & drink

Healthy chocolate recipes Livia Carron With the start of another year, once again comes the inevitable list of resolutions. For myself and many others, the barrage of ‘New Year, New You’ themed campaigns drives me to dieting extremes and causes my Januarys to consist of one fad eating regime after another. From Beyoncé’s fortnight of solely drinking a maple syrup and pepper concoction to the ‘What Would Jesus Eat?’ diet – you name it, I’ve tried it. However, from the get go, failure is imminent as my fatal crutch is – and will most likely always be – chocolate.

For me, nothing can destroy a health kick like chocolate can; one square of Cadbury’s can lead to a whole cake and once I’ve fallen off the wagon, there’s no getting back on. Then one year I discovered that I could still get my chocolate fix, but in a much healthier and guilt free form. Here are two of my favourite chocolate quenching recipes, both of which include at least one of your five a day and cut down on ingredients such as butter in order to lower the overall fat content. That said, like any meals which contain confectionary or sugary products, these dishes should be eaten in moderation; but by occasionally integrating them into your food routine they allow you to have a yummy treat whilst still forming part of a nutritious and balanced diet.

Chocolate and Mushroom Risotto

based on a recipe from the Hillmots Fitness Meal Plan (Serves 4) Ingredients: 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 100g dried porcini mushrooms 20g butter 400g Arborio rice 1L stock (chicken or vegetable) 50g chocolate (55% cocoa), finely grated What to do: 1. Fry the onion and garlic in a tbsp. of hot water. At the same time place the mushrooms in a pan and cover

with boiling water.

2. When the onion and garlic are soft, place the butter in the pan and when it’s melted, put in the rice.

3. Add the mushrooms and the water they were cooked in to the pan and stir until the liquid has been absorbed. After this slowly add a spoonful of stock and stir until absorbed, then repeat this process until all the stock has been added.

4. Season the risotto and then sprinkle the grated chocolate on top. You can also add some grated parmesan for an extra kick.

Year being welcomed with fresh and exciting opportunities, it often comes with an excess ten pounds that we are left feeling determined to shed. There are countless weird and wonderful diets out there but which ones actually work?

Atkins, low carb and starvation are all common crash diets but isn’t there a healthier way to lose weight that doesn’t involve depriving our taste buds of yummy foods and exercising on empty?

This year I’ve chosen the I-diet which is based on a book written by Gino D’acanbo. ‘The Italian Diet’ is a fantastic book that focuses on eating tasty Italian dishes.

The book has hundreds of healthy Italian recipes that not only help you lose weight but taste fantastic.

Getting your 5 a day is an easy way to eat healthily, but there are far more interesting ways to ensure you’re eating well this new year.

Photographs: Molly Fowler

“

Chocolate and Beetroot Cupcakes

It’s acquiring knowledge about foods that really helps us to shed the weight and remain healthy

based on a recipe from Cook Yourself Thin (makes 12)

Ingredients: 2 eggs 150g soft brown sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 2tbs golden syrup/honey 60g plain flour ¼tsp salt ¼tsp bicarbonate of soda 20g cocoa 40g ground almonds 2 raw beetroot, finely grated 50ml black coffee 20ml sunflower/ vegetable oil 150g chocolate (55% cocoa), melted

What to do: 1. Preheat the oven to 160°c 2. Blend the first third of ingredients until the mixture is pale in colour and light and flurry.

3. Combine the second third of ingredients in a bowl and them add to the egg/ sugar/syrup mixture, after stirring this add in the remaining ingredients.

4. Pour into cupcake cases and bake for 30 minutes. I decorated mine with a tsp. of Nutella, a raspberry and some fondant icing stars!

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

Get healthy Tessa Fowler gives you the tools to eat yourself healthy this new year

A

fter Christmas many of us have eaten far too many unnecessary treats and resolve to make ourselves feel better by vowing to make next year a healthier one. With

all the delicious food on offer during the festive period, it’s no wonder that many of us give into temptation and put on a pound or two. I don’t know about you but I definitely overate this Christmas; on Christmas

day alone I managed to squash in a full roast dinner followed by three sticky toffee puddings and numerous chocolates, and at just five foot tall, that’s a lot of food for a little person to consume. Instead of the New

Not only does the book give you healthy recipes but it also tells you what constitutes as a good sized portion. For example – did you know that just three dried apricots constitutes for one of your five a day? It’s acquiring knowledge about foods that really helps us to shed the weight and remain healthy.

For every recipe the book tells you how many calories, fats, sugars and salts are present.

You can buy this fantastic recipe and diet book for just £2.39 on Amazon. A tasty diet that you can stick to is definitely a winner in my eyes.

For all of you with a smart phone there are some excellent apps on the market that can help you take control of your weight.

One of my personal favourites is ‘My Fitness Pal’ which doesn’t cost a penny and can be downloaded from iTunes.

When you first get the app it asks you to enter your current weight and your target weight

Food & Drink Editor: Molly Fowler food@palatinate.org.uk and the time period in which you want to lose it. ‘My Fitness Pal’ will then calculate the number of calories, fat etc that you should eat each day in order to achieve your goal.

The app has a massive database and you

What to do:

1 2 3

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas mark 4 and preheat the grill to hot.

Pour 2 litres of water in a large saucepan with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to the boil.

Cook the aubergines in the boiling water for two minutes and drain. Allow to cool slightly, then pat dry with kitchen paper and place on a baking tray.

4

Brush with a

can find almost any food by typing it into the search bar – from cherry tomatoes to ocra to twix bars – it’s all on there.

This app is great for people really interested in health and is nowhere near as time-consuming as it sounds. Careful not to become addicted!

‘The Italian Diet’ book and ‘My Fitness Pal’ application combine to make the perfect healthy weight loss plan. And at £2.39 for a book and a free app you’ve got no excuses not to make 2012 the healthiest year yet!

Chicken breast with parmesan, tomatoes and mozzerella

349 calories, 16.7g fat, 6g saturates, 6.7g sugars, 1g salt Serves 6

Ingredients:

3 aubergines, about 200g each, cut lengthways into 0.5cm slices 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons skimmed milk 60g freshly grated parmesan 60g breadcrumbs, toasted 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 100g each 1 large onion, finely sliced 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes 1 teaspoon dried oregano 100g mozzarella, drained and sliced Salt and freshly ground black pepper

little oil and cook under a hot grill for two minutes on each side until browned.

Mix the egg and milk together. Mix the parmesan and breadcrumbs together. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture and then coat with the parmesan breadcrumbs.

Heat two tablespoons of the olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the coated breasts for two minutes on each side until coloured. Drain on kitchen paper.

Heat the remaining olive oil in a medium saucepan and fry the onion for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Tip in the tomatoes with the oregano and season with salt and pepper.

Stir everything together and continue to cook for a further five minutes.

Spoon the tomato mixture into a 2-litre shallow, ovenproof dish and place the chicken breasts on top.

Cover with overlapping layers of aubergine and mozzarella and

5 6 7 8

“

this article is proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean living off carrot sticks and low fat hummus

then top with any remaining parmesan breadcrumbs. Cook, uncovered, in the centre of the oven for 35 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot.

Ricotta and vanilla tiramisu Tiramisu alla ricotta

292 calories, 14.7g fat, 5g saturates, 23.5g sugars, 0.2g salt Serves 8

Ingredients:

500g ricotta 250g fat-free Greek yogurt 80g caster sugar 6 tablespoons crushed hazelnuts 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 200ml cold, strong coffee 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 24 savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits) Cocoa powder, for dusting

What to do:

1 2

Mix the ricotta cheese with the yogurt and sugar in a large bowl.

Add the hazelnuts and vanilla extract and stir until well combined.

7

3 4

Pour the cold coffee into a small bowl and mix in the cinnamon.

Quickly dip half the sponge fingers in the coffee and then place in the base of a rectangular serving dish (30 x 22cm, and at least 5cm deep).

Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top. Repeat the process with the rest of the ingredients.

Cover the dish with cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for 15 minutes. Just before serving, dust the top with the cocoa powder.

5 6

So there you have it. For those of us who like our food, the idea of dieting can often seem like a hopeless one, but this article is proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean living off carrot sticks and low-fat hummus. Plus the best part is it doesn’t have to cost a fortune (especially good for students) - it’s all about knowing how to get the tastiest foods, for the lowest cost, and, of course, with the fewest calories!

Quick and easy dinner idea: thai prawn noodle salad

Poppy Goldsmith If you’re looking for something quick, easy and healthy to make for dinner then look no further.

This fresh and healthy salad is substantial enough for an evening meal, virtually fat-free, and tastes great too. The prawns could be replaced with slices of lean steak or chicken breast, making this dish a versatile one that you can use again and again. Plus the whole process from start to finish only takes about 5 minutes, so it’s perfect for anyone stressed with essay deadlines and looking for a quick, satisfying meal.

(Serves 1)

For the salad: 1 packet Thai rice noodles 1 carrot, grated 1/2 cucumber, peeled using a vegetable peeler into thin strips Handful cherry tomatoes, quartered Handful chopped green beans 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced Handful coriander leaves, roughly chopped Handful cooked king prawns Handful crushed peanuts or cashew nuts (optional)

For the dressing: 3 tbsp soy sauce 1tsp Thai fish sauce (nam pla) 1tsp brown sugar Squeeze or lime juice Pinch of dried chilli flakes (optional)

What to do: 1.Wash and chop all the vegetables 2. Cook the Thai rice noodles according to packet instructions, drain, and set aside 3. Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl.

4. Mix dressing ingredients well and pour over the salad.

5. Enjoy!

8

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

music

Harriet Casey

Yuck jam in Los Angeles Photograph: Arlie Carstons

Yuck Lucy Rose Listen to: ‘Middle of the Bed’

With electronic music in various forms becoming growingly prominent in the sounds of modern music and the rise of SBTRKT and Skrillex in 2011, Zedd’s fusion of thumping electro, house and dub should be the formula for success.

His sound is so distinctive it

Will Sutton

Yuck’s eponymous debut early last year, combined with an infamously electrifying live experience, set light to the touch paper of their growing reputation and led to an explosive 2011.

The London-based indie quintet have often been labelled as 90s

Sam Jones

first release was one of the great indie records of 2011.

With plaudits coming from as high as the deity that is Jools Holland, and playing one of the coolest gigs of the century in ‘The Weezer Cruise’ earlier this month, Yuck’s star is fast rising. Be sure to be on the bandwagon before it picks up too much pace.

Listen to: ‘Love Lust’ He may have toured with the likes of Noah and the Whale, but beneath his regal disguise, Charles is one of our kind. He studied Sociology at Durham for a year and will be gracing Live Lounge in early March.

Described as “Bob Dylan-inspired glorious psychedelic folk”, the King’s debut album, recorded in the glamourous environs of Hollywood, is set for release this spring.

If all this doesn’t sound flamboyantly fabulous enough, fans of Pirates of the Caribbean will notice the distinctly dandy touch of Jack Sparrow about him.

Jess Denham

Dry the River Listen to: ‘No Rest’

It was not too long ago that the folk-pop genre burst into mainstream consciousness with Mumford & Son’s release of Sigh No More at the end of 2009.

Ever since, the music world has been flooded with folk-pop/ folk-indie/folk-rock bands from all walks of life, to an increasingly appreciative audience.

But with standards set high, it is becoming difficult for original folk artists to really break through. Dry the River, however, are an exception.

Shortlisted for the BBC Sound of 2012 poll, the quintet from London are accumulating success at lightning speed, receiving widespread critical acclaim

from a range of music gurus.

Frontman Peter Liddle describes their music as “folkygospel played by a post-punk band”, and their polished sound is heart-wrenchingly good.

With emotive vocal harmonies, a plethora of instruments and great beards, the band’s newest EP, Weights and Measures, has the potential to shoot them from playing to quiet, intimate listeners, to being received by a gaggle of screaming fans.

The EP’s title track and additional single ‘No Rest’ have an anthem-like quality, and should soon firmly cement Dry the River as folk-pop royalty.

Briony Chappell

Dry the River’s live gig in London Photograph: Tim Ferguson

Listen to:‘Plan Z’ One of a number of ‘blog’ rappers out there at the moment with a tendency to sample indie and pop songs, Hi Rez stands out as the most talented. Building on the ground covered by artists and groups like Chiddy Bang, and Hoodie Allen, the young Florida native’s first release was his ‘A Walk To Remember’ mixtape.

While not perfect, here is a passionately ambitious artist with an ear for a catchy hook. His love for hip hop is clear from his work, and based on the releases so far the potential is there for Hi Rez to be a big star in 2012.

Will Sutton

Will Clement

Records on our Radar for 2012 indigo don’t do mix CDs, but if we did they’d probably be the best in the world...

Hi Rez

Michael Kiwanuka Listen to: ‘Home Again’ Born to Ugundan refugees, Michael Kiwanuka hit the music headlines earlier this month when he won the BBC Sound of 2012 poll.

While his sound may not be outwardly innovative and original, laid-back meandering guitars form the optimum canvas for richly honeyed vocals.

Comparisons to Bill Withers, Van Morrison and Otis Redding are not misplaced, but few are likely to complain at such an alignment with the greats.

A self-confessed ‘music geek’, Kiwanuka studied Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music and Popular Music at Westminster after being inspired by his guitar teacher at school in North London.

His performance at Green Man festival last August saw Kiwanuka cover Bill Withers’ underrated ‘I

Don’t Know’ to evident appraise, while his supporting slot on Adele’s recent tour showcased his musicianship to thousands of concertgoers.

Photograph: Rene Passet

P

For more new music visit palatinate.org.uk

An indisputable talent, Kiwanuka promises to finally inject some soul and meaning into the too-often vacuous ipod generation.

Jess Denham

The Slice of Soul

Listen to: ‘Shave It’

has been branded ‘zedd style’, called such for its combination of layered melodies and crunching bass.

With remixes of Lady Gaga, B.O.B, Swedish House Mafia and Skrillex, tours with Skrillex and Deadmau5 and solo songs including ‘Slam the Door’ already under his belt, this producer is destined for big things.

Listen to: ‘Get Away’

and YouTube. With solo shows already selling out and a slot supporting Bombay Bicycle Club on their North American tour, Lucy has begun recording her first studio album, which we can expect from summer onwards.

The Pastoral Pulse

Zedd

The Electro Enigma

Best known for her vocal work on Bombay Bicycle Club’s albums Flaws and A Different Kind of Fix, 21 year old Lucy

Rose’s solo material has been gathering praise and acclaim throughout the latter half of 2011.

Official singles ‘Red Face’ and ‘Scar’ showcase her softedged vocals and catchy guitar, while a host of other tracks can be found on Soundcloud

revivalists, with catchy, if underproduced, melodies.

In the post-Oasis ennui of the British rock band scene, where vacuous folk and soft-rock bands rule, Yuck’s unique blend of US college radio rock with a distinctly modern British twist is eminently refreshing.

From the driving anthemic force of ‘Get Away’, to the mellow and beautifully layered ‘Stutter’, Yuck’s

King Charles

9 The Fresh Urban Edge

Whether you realise it or not, you’ve undoubtedly heard ‘Video Games’, a husky, bittersweet love song that seems somewhat out of place amongst other radio successes like Rihanna.

This is Lana Del Rey’s first single (in fact, the song won Single of the Year before it was even released thanks to internet circulation) and her follow up song, ‘Born to Die’, looks set to follow the same success.

Critics are divided over Del Rey, some hailing her originality in a sea of mediocrity, others

Music Editor: Jess Denham music@palatinate.org.uk

The Monarch of Madness

Listen to: ‘Born To Die’

dubious of the fakenamed singer’s push to success by her millionaire music producer father. Originally named Lizzy Grant, she clearly knows how to play the fame game.

Whatever the case, this is certainly a name you’ll be hearing in 2012 if you haven’t already.

Look out for her debut album, ‘Born to Die’ which was released yesterday.

The Post Brit-Pop Punk

Lana Del Rey

The Pop-Noir Star

The Indie-Folk Fairy

Lucy Rose plays an acoustic set Photograph: Alessio Michelini

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

8

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

music

Harriet Casey

Yuck jam in Los Angeles Photograph: Arlie Carstons

Yuck Lucy Rose Listen to: ‘Middle of the Bed’

With electronic music in various forms becoming growingly prominent in the sounds of modern music and the rise of SBTRKT and Skrillex in 2011, Zedd’s fusion of thumping electro, house and dub should be the formula for success.

His sound is so distinctive it

Will Sutton

Yuck’s eponymous debut early last year, combined with an infamously electrifying live experience, set light to the touch paper of their growing reputation and led to an explosive 2011.

The London-based indie quintet have often been labelled as 90s

Sam Jones

first release was one of the great indie records of 2011.

With plaudits coming from as high as the deity that is Jools Holland, and playing one of the coolest gigs of the century in ‘The Weezer Cruise’ earlier this month, Yuck’s star is fast rising. Be sure to be on the bandwagon before it picks up too much pace.

Listen to: ‘Love Lust’ He may have toured with the likes of Noah and the Whale, but beneath his regal disguise, Charles is one of our kind. He studied Sociology at Durham for a year and will be gracing Live Lounge in early March.

Described as “Bob Dylan-inspired glorious psychedelic folk”, the King’s debut album, recorded in the glamourous environs of Hollywood, is set for release this spring.

If all this doesn’t sound flamboyantly fabulous enough, fans of Pirates of the Caribbean will notice the distinctly dandy touch of Jack Sparrow about him.

Jess Denham

Dry the River Listen to: ‘No Rest’

It was not too long ago that the folk-pop genre burst into mainstream consciousness with Mumford & Son’s release of Sigh No More at the end of 2009.

Ever since, the music world has been flooded with folk-pop/ folk-indie/folk-rock bands from all walks of life, to an increasingly appreciative audience.

But with standards set high, it is becoming difficult for original folk artists to really break through. Dry the River, however, are an exception.

Shortlisted for the BBC Sound of 2012 poll, the quintet from London are accumulating success at lightning speed, receiving widespread critical acclaim

from a range of music gurus.

Frontman Peter Liddle describes their music as “folkygospel played by a post-punk band”, and their polished sound is heart-wrenchingly good.

With emotive vocal harmonies, a plethora of instruments and great beards, the band’s newest EP, Weights and Measures, has the potential to shoot them from playing to quiet, intimate listeners, to being received by a gaggle of screaming fans.

The EP’s title track and additional single ‘No Rest’ have an anthem-like quality, and should soon firmly cement Dry the River as folk-pop royalty.

Briony Chappell

Dry the River’s live gig in London Photograph: Tim Ferguson

Listen to:‘Plan Z’ One of a number of ‘blog’ rappers out there at the moment with a tendency to sample indie and pop songs, Hi Rez stands out as the most talented. Building on the ground covered by artists and groups like Chiddy Bang, and Hoodie Allen, the young Florida native’s first release was his ‘A Walk To Remember’ mixtape.

While not perfect, here is a passionately ambitious artist with an ear for a catchy hook. His love for hip hop is clear from his work, and based on the releases so far the potential is there for Hi Rez to be a big star in 2012.

Will Sutton

Will Clement

Records on our Radar for 2012 indigo don’t do mix CDs, but if we did they’d probably be the best in the world...

Hi Rez

Michael Kiwanuka Listen to: ‘Home Again’ Born to Ugundan refugees, Michael Kiwanuka hit the music headlines earlier this month when he won the BBC Sound of 2012 poll.

While his sound may not be outwardly innovative and original, laid-back meandering guitars form the optimum canvas for richly honeyed vocals.

Comparisons to Bill Withers, Van Morrison and Otis Redding are not misplaced, but few are likely to complain at such an alignment with the greats.

A self-confessed ‘music geek’, Kiwanuka studied Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music and Popular Music at Westminster after being inspired by his guitar teacher at school in North London.

His performance at Green Man festival last August saw Kiwanuka cover Bill Withers’ underrated ‘I

Don’t Know’ to evident appraise, while his supporting slot on Adele’s recent tour showcased his musicianship to thousands of concertgoers.

Photograph: Rene Passet

P

For more new music visit palatinate.org.uk

An indisputable talent, Kiwanuka promises to finally inject some soul and meaning into the too-often vacuous ipod generation.

Jess Denham

The Slice of Soul

Listen to: ‘Shave It’

has been branded ‘zedd style’, called such for its combination of layered melodies and crunching bass.

With remixes of Lady Gaga, B.O.B, Swedish House Mafia and Skrillex, tours with Skrillex and Deadmau5 and solo songs including ‘Slam the Door’ already under his belt, this producer is destined for big things.

Listen to: ‘Get Away’

and YouTube. With solo shows already selling out and a slot supporting Bombay Bicycle Club on their North American tour, Lucy has begun recording her first studio album, which we can expect from summer onwards.

The Pastoral Pulse

Zedd

The Electro Enigma

Best known for her vocal work on Bombay Bicycle Club’s albums Flaws and A Different Kind of Fix, 21 year old Lucy

Rose’s solo material has been gathering praise and acclaim throughout the latter half of 2011.

Official singles ‘Red Face’ and ‘Scar’ showcase her softedged vocals and catchy guitar, while a host of other tracks can be found on Soundcloud

revivalists, with catchy, if underproduced, melodies.

In the post-Oasis ennui of the British rock band scene, where vacuous folk and soft-rock bands rule, Yuck’s unique blend of US college radio rock with a distinctly modern British twist is eminently refreshing.

From the driving anthemic force of ‘Get Away’, to the mellow and beautifully layered ‘Stutter’, Yuck’s

King Charles

9 The Fresh Urban Edge

Whether you realise it or not, you’ve undoubtedly heard ‘Video Games’, a husky, bittersweet love song that seems somewhat out of place amongst other radio successes like Rihanna.

This is Lana Del Rey’s first single (in fact, the song won Single of the Year before it was even released thanks to internet circulation) and her follow up song, ‘Born to Die’, looks set to follow the same success.

Critics are divided over Del Rey, some hailing her originality in a sea of mediocrity, others

Music Editor: Jess Denham music@palatinate.org.uk

The Monarch of Madness

Listen to: ‘Born To Die’

dubious of the fakenamed singer’s push to success by her millionaire music producer father. Originally named Lizzy Grant, she clearly knows how to play the fame game.

Whatever the case, this is certainly a name you’ll be hearing in 2012 if you haven’t already.

Look out for her debut album, ‘Born to Die’ which was released yesterday.

The Post Brit-Pop Punk

Lana Del Rey

The Pop-Noir Star

The Indie-Folk Fairy

Lucy Rose plays an acoustic set Photograph: Alessio Michelini

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

10

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

stage Dark and disturbing: Don Giovanni Photograph: © ROH / Mike Hoban 2012

In Rehearsal With... OrcsThe Musical!

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

stage

Stage Editor: Anna Bailey stage@palatinate.org.uk

11

Oklahoma!

As Ooook! Productions prepares for the debut of its newest musical, Anna Bailey catches up with its writer, director and choreographer, Reesha Dyer, about the show taglined, ‘The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Screaming...’

So Reesha, tell us a little about the show.

Reesha: It is a very silly parody musical, about two rival groups of Orcs, and some star-crossed lovers. Full of recognisable tunes, with very different words... the whole thing originally started as a joke, then I accidentally wrote it.

Blood, Sweat and Tears Anna Bailey attends the Dress Rehearsal of Covent Garden’s Don Giovanni

A

t the beginning of term, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Royal Opera House to watch the dress rehearsal of Mozart’s darkest and perhaps most disturbing piece. Charting the exploits and eventual downfall of opera’s most notorious philanderer, I had high expectations for The Royal Opera House’s interpretation of Don Giovanni.

Before I begin, I must stress that this was foremost, a dress rehearsal, which was not without its imperfections. It is rare in an actual performance that members of the cast are unfamiliar with the set (predicting the speed and movement of the giant revolving wall proved a little too much for some singers - one hopes their heads were too full of top B flats to employ spontaneous spatial awareness).

Nor is an actual performance accompanied by a steady ostinato of clicking from an orchestra of press cameras; or so the original score suggests. However, such unpolished moments were,

of course, understandable in rehearsal, admitting an ‘insight view’ into that most inner of sanctums: the making of an opera.

The production itself is not new; it is rather a revival of a production first conceived at Covent Garden in 2002 by American director, Francesca Zambello.

“

The production was almost too disturbingly visceral to watch

Controversially at the time, Zambello described Don Giovanni as “a woman’s opera” unusual for a story very heavily revolving around the escapades and sexual conquests of the infamous rake. The interpreta-

tion, however, seemed to me to be anything but feminine.

The production was beset by a sense of dark deterioration, almost too disturbingly visceral to be comfortable to watch. The revolving set consisted only of a huge curved wall, on one hand adorned in a hellish, decaying cage like structure, but equally dominated by a brash, ever watchful Virgin Mary.

The decrement extended further, to a very corporal and humanly primitive interpretation of decay; fitting for an opera exploring sex, death, and base human instinct. The hair of all male characters lies very long, and disgustingly slicked back at the crown with a greasiness that only Draco Malfoy could be proud of. Don Giovanni, too, appears on several occasions partially or fully naked, joyously clutching, in the final tableau, a naked female figure (having said that, my older associate was unimpressed by the amount of nudity in the production, preferring, apparently, the Bologna

production, featuring an orchestra of bare-breasted ladies).

Constantinos Carydis directed the music with energy and finesse, bringing a delightful lift and sense excitement to the score, considering it was only a dress rehearsal. Supported by a very strong cast, Gerald Finley embraced the interpretation of a physically overpowering Don Giovanni, at one point climbing a swinging rope with the power and athleticism of a man half his age. The show, however, was undoubtedly stolen by Lorenzo Regazzo’s inept Leporello, providing an intelligent awareness of his humourous physicality.

Overall, I was impressed, but left disquieted and uncomfortable; the opera was by no means pleasant to watch. Nor was it particularly in keeping with Mozart’s notoriously easy-to-listen-to score, but my god, it was powerful, despite not achieving Zambello’s original vision of “a woman’s opera”.

Don Giovanni runs at the Royal Opera House from the 21st January - 29th February 2012.

How long has the production been in progress?

R: The idea was initially coined this time last year, and I wrote the show over the summer, but rehearsals have been going since late November.

What has been the most challenging aspect of the production?

R: Definitly organisation. We have never put on a show before, we had no idea what we were doing a lot of the time!

Why Orcs?

R: Orcs are so wonderfully unsuitable for musical theatre. They don’t dance. They don’t sing. They throw axes and shout a lot. Thus they were the obvious choice of fantasy creature to work with.

Did the cast make use of any method-acting for preparation?

R: Well, a lot of the cast are involved in Durham University Treasure Trap, so they are all well practiced at putting on green make up and running around the woods, so it was just a case of applying those skills to the stage.

What can the show offer the non-Orc enthusiasts among us?

R: It is going to be very funny, whether you are a fan of the Orc or not. There are a lot of people being incredibly silly on stage, and also a hat shaped like a teapot. That is not an opportunity you will get twice.

Sell the show to us in three words.

R: Orcs. In. Lycra.

Ooook’s ‘Orcs- The Musical!’ runs from 2nd - 4th February 2012 in Fountains Hall, Grey College.

Alex Wingfield saddles up for success Photograph: Nicoletta Asciuto Oklahoma DULOG The Gala Theatre

««««« Sarah Johnson

F

or those of you less au fait with classic American musical theatre, I shall begin with a little précis. The year is 1906. The location somewhere in rural Oklahoma. Cowboy Curly loves farm girl Laurey.

Laurey loves him too, however, the pair both feign indifference born of pride, engaging instead in a banterous battle of wits.

One morning, Laurey rebuffs Curly’s invitation to the farmer’s social, agreeing instead to go with sinister farm hand Jud, sparking a battle between the two men for Laurey’s affections.

Joining them down on the farm

are loved-up cowboy Will and his wandering-eyed fiancée Ado-Annie, Matriarch Aunt Ella and Persian peddlar Ali-Hakim.

Two weddings, a death and a whole lot of line-dancing later, our story arrives at its dramatic, tragic conclusion.

This production was anchored by two outstanding performances from Guy Hughes, as charming cowboy Curly, and Elissa Churchill as sweetheart Laurey. Hughes, with boundless charm and a superb voice, was a joy to watch as Curly. It might just be me, but the moment he looked at Laurey and proclaimed “You gotta marry me, I just don’t know what I’m gonna do if you don’t”, I sensed a subtle collective sigh from every female audience member. Fresher Elissa Churchill commanded the stage as ballsy, quick-witted farmgirl Laurey, the Beatrice to Curly’s deep-south Benedick, with a perfect southern drawl

and a delightful coquettish manner.

Felix Stevenson, however, easily stole the show, with perfect mannerisms and heaps of hysterical one-liners as peddler Ali Hakim. He must be further commended for commitment to his art for undergoing some serious fake-tanning in order to attain his Persian complexion. Elsewhere, David Stodel impressed as menacing, misunderstood farmhand Jud, his quietly threatening performance successfully giving depth to a plot which could have otherwise quite easily been a frivolous love story.

This was a cast entirely at ease with their piece, no clearer than in the spectacular dance scenes. From line-dancing to can-can, to a twenty-minute glorious ballet sequence, choreographer Emma Cave’s innovative, slick routines were nothing short of astounding, whilst this

talented cast performed them with impressive precision.

Seasoned Musical Director Seth Miall, meanwhile, made Rodgers and Hammerstein’s glorious scores soar, helped in his endeavour by an astonishingly good orchestra.

announced in August, citing poor ticket sales.

Betty’s premature exit from the West End means that Billy Elliot remains the only totally original British musical written within the last ten years still playing in London. The rest of the West End’s musical offerings consist mostly of the Phantom, Les Miserables -stalwarts, American imports, and the Dream Boats and Petticoats jukebox genre.

It’s a rather worrying state of affairs, but not one that is mirrored across the pond on Broadway. Wicked, Avenue Q, In the Heights, Legally Blonde and The Book of Mormon are all new American musicals which have enjoyed huge success since opening in the last decade.

So why is the outlook so bleak in the West End? Those searching for an explanation for this drought of new British musicals suggest that the economic downturn is to blame.

With ticket prices in London remaining high - the average ticket price is around £50 - the public are avoiding new productions and sticking to established hits, such as Phantom of the Opera or Mamma Mia, which are guaranteed to provide a good night out.

Subsequently, producers are steering clear of new material which is seen as ‘risky’ in this difficult economic climate.

To add to the woes, industry experts are predicting that, with the Olympics Games coming to town, this summer will be

disastrous for the West End. The summer months are peak season in London theatre, with thousands of tourists filling the city.

However, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games set to clog up London throughout July and August, and with sport, rather than theatre, at the top of any visitor’s schedule, theatres may be left empty.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose Really Useful Group owns seven theatres in London, recently stated that he is predicting a theatre ‘blood bath’ this summer.

He revealed that advance bookings in his theatres were at 10% of their normal levels and stated that “most of the theatres in London will shut” during the Games.

“

Director Julia Loveless managed to breathe new life into this old classic.

Let’s be honest, Oklahoma isn’t really the coolest of musicals. There are farmers. There is barn dancing. There is a LOT of gingham. Written in the 1940s,

and set in 1906, the world of Oklahoma, with its antagonisms between farmers and cowboys, sweet-potato pie making contests and vague xenophobia could appear stale and outdated to a modern viewer. However, from the wild applause and exuberant laughter which greeted the end of each scene, it was clear that director Julia Loveless had managed to breathe new life into this old classic.

My only criticism would be the length of the show. Sticking closely to the original, the first half alone clocked in at almost two hours. Long, though lovely, musical numbers repeatedly broke the momentum built elsewhere in the show. Gripes aside, this was truly brilliant theatre, with DULOG once again exhibiting the wealth of truly amazing talent that exists in Durham and indisputably proving that life is much more fun in cowboy hats and chaps.

How do you solve a problem like a British Musical?

Musical Theatre has a long and prestigious history in Britain.

From Gilbert and Sullivan to Andrew Lloyd Webber, British writers have written some of the greatest musicals in the world.

However, the fact is unavoidable that the Great British Musical is in a worrying state of decline.

A rumbling of trouble came back in September when new British musical Betty Blue Eyes closed suddenly, just a few months after opening night.

Based on a play by Alan Bennett and hailing from Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s production power-house, the musical should have been a sure-fire hit. However, despite a string of five star reviews, the show’s closure was

Amid all this doom and gloom, however, there is a glimmer of hope, in the shape of Matilda - the brain-child new musical of the RSC. With lyrics by Tim Minchin and direction by Dennis Kelly, the production transferred from Stratford-Upon-Avon to London for the Christmas period and achieved astonishing sales and rave reviews, so much so that the limited run has been extended until next autumn.

One can only hope that producers take note of its success and re-invest in new musicals, before we’re left with a West End with nothing to offer but Phantom of the Opera 4 or Meatloaf - The Musical.

Sarah Johnson

10

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

stage Dark and disturbing: Don Giovanni Photograph: © ROH / Mike Hoban 2012

In Rehearsal With... OrcsThe Musical!

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

stage

Stage Editor: Anna Bailey stage@palatinate.org.uk

11

Oklahoma!

As Ooook! Productions prepares for the debut of its newest musical, Anna Bailey catches up with its writer, director and choreographer, Reesha Dyer, about the show taglined, ‘The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Screaming...’

So Reesha, tell us a little about the show.

Reesha: It is a very silly parody musical, about two rival groups of Orcs, and some star-crossed lovers. Full of recognisable tunes, with very different words... the whole thing originally started as a joke, then I accidentally wrote it.

Blood, Sweat and Tears Anna Bailey attends the Dress Rehearsal of Covent Garden’s Don Giovanni

A

t the beginning of term, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Royal Opera House to watch the dress rehearsal of Mozart’s darkest and perhaps most disturbing piece. Charting the exploits and eventual downfall of opera’s most notorious philanderer, I had high expectations for The Royal Opera House’s interpretation of Don Giovanni.

Before I begin, I must stress that this was foremost, a dress rehearsal, which was not without its imperfections. It is rare in an actual performance that members of the cast are unfamiliar with the set (predicting the speed and movement of the giant revolving wall proved a little too much for some singers - one hopes their heads were too full of top B flats to employ spontaneous spatial awareness).

Nor is an actual performance accompanied by a steady ostinato of clicking from an orchestra of press cameras; or so the original score suggests. However, such unpolished moments were,

of course, understandable in rehearsal, admitting an ‘insight view’ into that most inner of sanctums: the making of an opera.

The production itself is not new; it is rather a revival of a production first conceived at Covent Garden in 2002 by American director, Francesca Zambello.

“

The production was almost too disturbingly visceral to watch

Controversially at the time, Zambello described Don Giovanni as “a woman’s opera” unusual for a story very heavily revolving around the escapades and sexual conquests of the infamous rake. The interpreta-

tion, however, seemed to me to be anything but feminine.

The production was beset by a sense of dark deterioration, almost too disturbingly visceral to be comfortable to watch. The revolving set consisted only of a huge curved wall, on one hand adorned in a hellish, decaying cage like structure, but equally dominated by a brash, ever watchful Virgin Mary.

The decrement extended further, to a very corporal and humanly primitive interpretation of decay; fitting for an opera exploring sex, death, and base human instinct. The hair of all male characters lies very long, and disgustingly slicked back at the crown with a greasiness that only Draco Malfoy could be proud of. Don Giovanni, too, appears on several occasions partially or fully naked, joyously clutching, in the final tableau, a naked female figure (having said that, my older associate was unimpressed by the amount of nudity in the production, preferring, apparently, the Bologna

production, featuring an orchestra of bare-breasted ladies).

Constantinos Carydis directed the music with energy and finesse, bringing a delightful lift and sense excitement to the score, considering it was only a dress rehearsal. Supported by a very strong cast, Gerald Finley embraced the interpretation of a physically overpowering Don Giovanni, at one point climbing a swinging rope with the power and athleticism of a man half his age. The show, however, was undoubtedly stolen by Lorenzo Regazzo’s inept Leporello, providing an intelligent awareness of his humourous physicality.

Overall, I was impressed, but left disquieted and uncomfortable; the opera was by no means pleasant to watch. Nor was it particularly in keeping with Mozart’s notoriously easy-to-listen-to score, but my god, it was powerful, despite not achieving Zambello’s original vision of “a woman’s opera”.

Don Giovanni runs at the Royal Opera House from the 21st January - 29th February 2012.

How long has the production been in progress?

R: The idea was initially coined this time last year, and I wrote the show over the summer, but rehearsals have been going since late November.

What has been the most challenging aspect of the production?

R: Definitly organisation. We have never put on a show before, we had no idea what we were doing a lot of the time!

Why Orcs?

R: Orcs are so wonderfully unsuitable for musical theatre. They don’t dance. They don’t sing. They throw axes and shout a lot. Thus they were the obvious choice of fantasy creature to work with.

Did the cast make use of any method-acting for preparation?

R: Well, a lot of the cast are involved in Durham University Treasure Trap, so they are all well practiced at putting on green make up and running around the woods, so it was just a case of applying those skills to the stage.

What can the show offer the non-Orc enthusiasts among us?

R: It is going to be very funny, whether you are a fan of the Orc or not. There are a lot of people being incredibly silly on stage, and also a hat shaped like a teapot. That is not an opportunity you will get twice.

Sell the show to us in three words.

R: Orcs. In. Lycra.

Ooook’s ‘Orcs- The Musical!’ runs from 2nd - 4th February 2012 in Fountains Hall, Grey College.

Alex Wingfield saddles up for success Photograph: Nicoletta Asciuto Oklahoma DULOG The Gala Theatre

««««« Sarah Johnson

F

or those of you less au fait with classic American musical theatre, I shall begin with a little précis. The year is 1906. The location somewhere in rural Oklahoma. Cowboy Curly loves farm girl Laurey.

Laurey loves him too, however, the pair both feign indifference born of pride, engaging instead in a banterous battle of wits.

One morning, Laurey rebuffs Curly’s invitation to the farmer’s social, agreeing instead to go with sinister farm hand Jud, sparking a battle between the two men for Laurey’s affections.

Joining them down on the farm

are loved-up cowboy Will and his wandering-eyed fiancée Ado-Annie, Matriarch Aunt Ella and Persian peddlar Ali-Hakim.

Two weddings, a death and a whole lot of line-dancing later, our story arrives at its dramatic, tragic conclusion.

This production was anchored by two outstanding performances from Guy Hughes, as charming cowboy Curly, and Elissa Churchill as sweetheart Laurey. Hughes, with boundless charm and a superb voice, was a joy to watch as Curly. It might just be me, but the moment he looked at Laurey and proclaimed “You gotta marry me, I just don’t know what I’m gonna do if you don’t”, I sensed a subtle collective sigh from every female audience member. Fresher Elissa Churchill commanded the stage as ballsy, quick-witted farmgirl Laurey, the Beatrice to Curly’s deep-south Benedick, with a perfect southern drawl

and a delightful coquettish manner.

Felix Stevenson, however, easily stole the show, with perfect mannerisms and heaps of hysterical one-liners as peddler Ali Hakim. He must be further commended for commitment to his art for undergoing some serious fake-tanning in order to attain his Persian complexion. Elsewhere, David Stodel impressed as menacing, misunderstood farmhand Jud, his quietly threatening performance successfully giving depth to a plot which could have otherwise quite easily been a frivolous love story.

This was a cast entirely at ease with their piece, no clearer than in the spectacular dance scenes. From line-dancing to can-can, to a twenty-minute glorious ballet sequence, choreographer Emma Cave’s innovative, slick routines were nothing short of astounding, whilst this

talented cast performed them with impressive precision.

Seasoned Musical Director Seth Miall, meanwhile, made Rodgers and Hammerstein’s glorious scores soar, helped in his endeavour by an astonishingly good orchestra.

announced in August, citing poor ticket sales.

Betty’s premature exit from the West End means that Billy Elliot remains the only totally original British musical written within the last ten years still playing in London. The rest of the West End’s musical offerings consist mostly of the Phantom, Les Miserables -stalwarts, American imports, and the Dream Boats and Petticoats jukebox genre.

It’s a rather worrying state of affairs, but not one that is mirrored across the pond on Broadway. Wicked, Avenue Q, In the Heights, Legally Blonde and The Book of Mormon are all new American musicals which have enjoyed huge success since opening in the last decade.

So why is the outlook so bleak in the West End? Those searching for an explanation for this drought of new British musicals suggest that the economic downturn is to blame.

With ticket prices in London remaining high - the average ticket price is around £50 - the public are avoiding new productions and sticking to established hits, such as Phantom of the Opera or Mamma Mia, which are guaranteed to provide a good night out.

Subsequently, producers are steering clear of new material which is seen as ‘risky’ in this difficult economic climate.

To add to the woes, industry experts are predicting that, with the Olympics Games coming to town, this summer will be

disastrous for the West End. The summer months are peak season in London theatre, with thousands of tourists filling the city.

However, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games set to clog up London throughout July and August, and with sport, rather than theatre, at the top of any visitor’s schedule, theatres may be left empty.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose Really Useful Group owns seven theatres in London, recently stated that he is predicting a theatre ‘blood bath’ this summer.

He revealed that advance bookings in his theatres were at 10% of their normal levels and stated that “most of the theatres in London will shut” during the Games.

“

Director Julia Loveless managed to breathe new life into this old classic.

Let’s be honest, Oklahoma isn’t really the coolest of musicals. There are farmers. There is barn dancing. There is a LOT of gingham. Written in the 1940s,

and set in 1906, the world of Oklahoma, with its antagonisms between farmers and cowboys, sweet-potato pie making contests and vague xenophobia could appear stale and outdated to a modern viewer. However, from the wild applause and exuberant laughter which greeted the end of each scene, it was clear that director Julia Loveless had managed to breathe new life into this old classic.

My only criticism would be the length of the show. Sticking closely to the original, the first half alone clocked in at almost two hours. Long, though lovely, musical numbers repeatedly broke the momentum built elsewhere in the show. Gripes aside, this was truly brilliant theatre, with DULOG once again exhibiting the wealth of truly amazing talent that exists in Durham and indisputably proving that life is much more fun in cowboy hats and chaps.

How do you solve a problem like a British Musical?

Musical Theatre has a long and prestigious history in Britain.

From Gilbert and Sullivan to Andrew Lloyd Webber, British writers have written some of the greatest musicals in the world.

However, the fact is unavoidable that the Great British Musical is in a worrying state of decline.

A rumbling of trouble came back in September when new British musical Betty Blue Eyes closed suddenly, just a few months after opening night.

Based on a play by Alan Bennett and hailing from Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s production power-house, the musical should have been a sure-fire hit. However, despite a string of five star reviews, the show’s closure was

Amid all this doom and gloom, however, there is a glimmer of hope, in the shape of Matilda - the brain-child new musical of the RSC. With lyrics by Tim Minchin and direction by Dennis Kelly, the production transferred from Stratford-Upon-Avon to London for the Christmas period and achieved astonishing sales and rave reviews, so much so that the limited run has been extended until next autumn.

One can only hope that producers take note of its success and re-invest in new musicals, before we’re left with a West End with nothing to offer but Phantom of the Opera 4 or Meatloaf - The Musical.

Sarah Johnson

12

Tuesday 31st January, 2012 | INDIGO

film&tv The Iron Lady told from a post-dimentia point of view Photograph: BBC Pictures

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

Film & TV Editor: Ed Owen film@palatinate.org.uk

Courting controversy: The biopic

Student Cinema

Bede Film Society Johnny English Reborn 21st, 22nd January Tintin 28th,29th January

Matthew Lee looks at the Hollywood biopic trend and asks if real life is ever enough

A

haggard, feeble old lady shuffles onto screen. Her posture is crooked, her eyes glazed over with the semidelusions of an addled brain. It is difficult to believe that beneath the withered exterior and absent mutterings resides Meryl Streep, an actress who epitomises the timeless glamour of Hollywood.

Even more disconcerting is that the decrepit figure she portrays is Margaret Thatcher, a behemothic politician who has polarised opinion for generations.

Streep is certainly deserving of the critical acclaim that has already landed her a Golden Globe

for Best Actress, but The Iron Lady proves that, even in fictional form, Maggie is unparalleled in her ability to provoke debate.

The main source of contention amongst film critics and even politicians concerns the sometimes brutal depiction of Thatcher’s dementia.

Before the film was even released, The Daily Mail claimed that a screen test of the film in August was met with “revulsion”, and how some viewers thought it was a distasteful portrayal of “a granny going mad”.

Max Pemberton of The Daily Telegraph claimed to have felt

“sickened at what I’d been party to” in an article only two weeks ago. One gets the impression that if this had been a glorified documentary that simply reconstructed the events of the Thatcher years, in the ilk of 2009’s tame TV drama Margaret, a lot of fuss would have been avoided. However, biopics like ‘The Iron Lady’, are not without precedent.

Uplifting films such as 2008’s Milk are contrasted with more whimsical approaches such as Oliver Stone’s W. What all of these films have in common is their penchant for the shocking and scandalous.

Hollywood is an industry that relies almost completely on captivating an audience who may only be semi-interested to begin with.

Despite the disclaimer at the start of Nixon that claims the film is a quest for the truth, directors and studios have no problem crossing the thin line between honesty and insensitivity. The Iron Lady is no different. It has only two hours to hammer home a message about age, power, grief and remorse.

It seems that a lot of this controversy is based on a crucial misunderstanding. Having real people transferred onto the big screen creates a sense of familiar-

ity that dupes people into believing the film must be one hundred percent accurate. The Queen is an excellent film but its attraction is based on the creation of fiction within a framework of familiarity.

Understanding the context draws people in and, for everyone’s benefit, exacerbates the entertainment value.

There is no doubt that film studios will continue to produce political biopics that court controversy. It is also likely that the uneasy relationship between compromise-orientated politics and money making entertainment will continue.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn 4th, 5th February Hugo: Adventures 14th, 15th February Sherlock 2 18th, 19th February Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 25th, 26th February The Iron Lady 4th March Mission Impossible 4 10th, 11th March

Sherlock: an adaptation done right Photograph: BBC Pictures

“The truth is stranger than fiction”

The art of the adaptation

Christian Kriticos gives us an insight into the eclectic world of the documentary

Matt Robinson discusses what makes a good screen adaptation

Critically panned kids’ movie Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked was released in theatres last month and has already made more money at the box office than any single documentary ever in the history of cinema.

Am I the only one who is staggered by the fact that a film described by one of its stars as “literally, without question, the most unpleasant experience I’ve ever had in my professional life” and described by critics as “uninspired and instantly forgettable” could receive more interest from the general public than any documentary?

Sadly I am not here to debate the merits of Chipwrecked (a film which I am yet to see), but rather to hopefully convince you that the documentary genre is more worthy of your time than Hollywood’s latest.

The main reason I champion documentary cinema is simply because it shows you something different.

daptations have long been the bread-and-butter of scriptwriters, with a diverse array of authors, from Dickens to Tolkien, Shakespeare to Christie, having had their works grace the small and silver screen.

It is easy to understand why producers are drawn to these existing stories rather than original scripts: they have proved popular with audiences time and time again.

Yet with popularity comes a problem - with so many versions of the same story being produced, scriptwriters and directors often feel that they have to innovate, to bring something fresh to the table.

This leads to writers not just adapting the book but re-interpreting it; they play around with the story to see whether they can distil new meaning and new direction, be it comedic, tragic or action-based.

This can have dire consequences; without wishing to say that

It is the only mode of cinema that can truly take you into someone else’s life and, for a short time, change your perspective on the world.

“

Ultimately, documentaries are so powerful because the audience is aware that what they are watching is real

In the comfortable Durham bubble it is easy to forget about the rest of the planet, yet documentaries provide a showcase to the world outside.

Whilst many of us choose to simply ignore the unpleasant realities of the world, the documentary

can often be unflinching. Roger & Me shows families evicted on Christmas Eve, there are parents scoring drugs in front of their children in Hoop Dreams and Confessions of a Superhero follows a homeless man’s impossible dream.

However, that is not to say that documentaries are all about depressing us and presenting a bleak image of the world - they simply depict the world as it is, without the safety net of a Hollywood ending.

Sometimes the results are dark and at other times uplifting that’s life, and it’s fascinating.

Ultimately

documentaries are so powerful because the audience is aware that what they are watching is real, lending a disarming truth to what unfolds onscreen. For instance, whilst Tom Hanks may have won critical acclaim for his performance as a mentally handicapped man in Forrest Gump, his performance can never move us in the way Phillip Wohl’s real mental handicap does in Best Boy. Likewise, Dear Zachary is a film that could never be dramatised, as the story,

Documentaries: a different point of view Photograph: BBC Pictures

though true, is simply too unbelievable.

Such films show us that whilst it might be a cliché to say it, the truth is often much stranger than fiction.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that we ban fiction films and impose documentaries upon everyone - I just think that many of these films don’t get the attention they deserve.

They are often found on the periphery of mainstream cinema, playing second fiddle to horror shows such as Alvin and the Chipmunks (coincedentally, the only films to make sequels entirely out of a pun).

Though the commercialised fantasy worlds of Harry Potter and Twilight may be more comfortable, taking a risk with reality can often prove to be much more rewarding.

The Documentaries Society meets on Mondays at 7pm in ER147.

Email doc.soc@durham.ac.uk to join the mailing list.

13

A

all modern adaptations are bad, it seems that for every delicious morsel of television drama there are four rotten tomatoes.

“

With so many versions of the same story being produced, scriptwriters and directors often feel they have to innovate

Take the Treasure Island miniseries, adapted from a story most people are familiar with. Sky’s version of Treasure Island, for me at least, was unrecognisable.

Squire Trelawny had changed into a man driven by greed, becoming no better than the pirates he was fighting, and Dr Livesey was portrayed as a coward rather

than the brave and noble man of the book.

Existing source material can be problematic - whilst these character traits would lead to a very interesting drama usually, such changes will only be noteworthy for negative impact - it is not the Treasure Island being conveyed.

To ignore how the characters are written is irritating to those who know the book but also unfair to those who don’t, for they are led to believe that what is on the screen is the same as the book.

In contrast there is the BBC’s Sherlock; hailed as a brilliant piece of television drama, with some even going so far as to say that this series alone justifies the license fee.

I would agree that it is fantastic: suspenseful, witty, and entertaining - it manages to capture the heart of Conan Doyle’s stories whilst still bringing them into the present.

Certainly the writers have not followed the stories word for word, but they have remained fundamentally loyal to the characters, for there lay Conan Doyle’s genius; one may change the story, but keep the characters the same and it will still be Sherlock Homes.

I suppose some people would say that you should not expect what appears on television to be the same as the book, that we should treat the two mediums as completely separate.

But I will always feel that if you are going to adapt a book, then the result should be instantly recognisable as the story it claims to be.

P

For details on the upcoming Durham Film Festival, see palatinate.org.uk

The Bede Film Society run the only fully functional student cinema in Durham, with surround sound, seating for 200 and a working 35mm projector.

The films are shown on a large screen, holding the honour of being the largest screen in Durham, eclipsing the Gala’s own.

Now entering its 50th year, (its name is a throwback to when Hild and Bede were seperate colleges), the society continue to put on the latest releases at a discounted price, as well as offering sweets and refreshingly for a student city, the chance to bring alcohol into the showing from the adjacent bar.

All films are put on by students from the College of St. Hild and St. Bede.

In honour of its 50th year, the society is taking the remarkable step of throwing its own formal at Hild Bede, and showing a mystery film codenamed ‘Cannonball’.

The above films are those confirmed for Epiphany term.

The Bede Film Society’s films are shown at Caedmon Hall in Hild Bede.

The films start at 8pm, and admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members.

Email hildbede.filmsociety@ durham.ac.uk to join the mailing list.

12

Tuesday 31st January, 2012 | INDIGO

film&tv The Iron Lady told from a post-dimentia point of view Photograph: BBC Pictures

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

Film & TV Editor: Ed Owen film@palatinate.org.uk

Courting controversy: The biopic

Student Cinema

Bede Film Society Johnny English Reborn 21st, 22nd January Tintin 28th,29th January

Matthew Lee looks at the Hollywood biopic trend and asks if real life is ever enough

A

haggard, feeble old lady shuffles onto screen. Her posture is crooked, her eyes glazed over with the semidelusions of an addled brain. It is difficult to believe that beneath the withered exterior and absent mutterings resides Meryl Streep, an actress who epitomises the timeless glamour of Hollywood.

Even more disconcerting is that the decrepit figure she portrays is Margaret Thatcher, a behemothic politician who has polarised opinion for generations.

Streep is certainly deserving of the critical acclaim that has already landed her a Golden Globe

for Best Actress, but The Iron Lady proves that, even in fictional form, Maggie is unparalleled in her ability to provoke debate.

The main source of contention amongst film critics and even politicians concerns the sometimes brutal depiction of Thatcher’s dementia.

Before the film was even released, The Daily Mail claimed that a screen test of the film in August was met with “revulsion”, and how some viewers thought it was a distasteful portrayal of “a granny going mad”.

Max Pemberton of The Daily Telegraph claimed to have felt

“sickened at what I’d been party to” in an article only two weeks ago. One gets the impression that if this had been a glorified documentary that simply reconstructed the events of the Thatcher years, in the ilk of 2009’s tame TV drama Margaret, a lot of fuss would have been avoided. However, biopics like ‘The Iron Lady’, are not without precedent.

Uplifting films such as 2008’s Milk are contrasted with more whimsical approaches such as Oliver Stone’s W. What all of these films have in common is their penchant for the shocking and scandalous.

Hollywood is an industry that relies almost completely on captivating an audience who may only be semi-interested to begin with.

Despite the disclaimer at the start of Nixon that claims the film is a quest for the truth, directors and studios have no problem crossing the thin line between honesty and insensitivity. The Iron Lady is no different. It has only two hours to hammer home a message about age, power, grief and remorse.

It seems that a lot of this controversy is based on a crucial misunderstanding. Having real people transferred onto the big screen creates a sense of familiar-

ity that dupes people into believing the film must be one hundred percent accurate. The Queen is an excellent film but its attraction is based on the creation of fiction within a framework of familiarity.

Understanding the context draws people in and, for everyone’s benefit, exacerbates the entertainment value.

There is no doubt that film studios will continue to produce political biopics that court controversy. It is also likely that the uneasy relationship between compromise-orientated politics and money making entertainment will continue.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn 4th, 5th February Hugo: Adventures 14th, 15th February Sherlock 2 18th, 19th February Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 25th, 26th February The Iron Lady 4th March Mission Impossible 4 10th, 11th March

Sherlock: an adaptation done right Photograph: BBC Pictures

“The truth is stranger than fiction”

The art of the adaptation

Christian Kriticos gives us an insight into the eclectic world of the documentary

Matt Robinson discusses what makes a good screen adaptation

Critically panned kids’ movie Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked was released in theatres last month and has already made more money at the box office than any single documentary ever in the history of cinema.

Am I the only one who is staggered by the fact that a film described by one of its stars as “literally, without question, the most unpleasant experience I’ve ever had in my professional life” and described by critics as “uninspired and instantly forgettable” could receive more interest from the general public than any documentary?

Sadly I am not here to debate the merits of Chipwrecked (a film which I am yet to see), but rather to hopefully convince you that the documentary genre is more worthy of your time than Hollywood’s latest.

The main reason I champion documentary cinema is simply because it shows you something different.

daptations have long been the bread-and-butter of scriptwriters, with a diverse array of authors, from Dickens to Tolkien, Shakespeare to Christie, having had their works grace the small and silver screen.

It is easy to understand why producers are drawn to these existing stories rather than original scripts: they have proved popular with audiences time and time again.

Yet with popularity comes a problem - with so many versions of the same story being produced, scriptwriters and directors often feel that they have to innovate, to bring something fresh to the table.

This leads to writers not just adapting the book but re-interpreting it; they play around with the story to see whether they can distil new meaning and new direction, be it comedic, tragic or action-based.

This can have dire consequences; without wishing to say that

It is the only mode of cinema that can truly take you into someone else’s life and, for a short time, change your perspective on the world.

“

Ultimately, documentaries are so powerful because the audience is aware that what they are watching is real

In the comfortable Durham bubble it is easy to forget about the rest of the planet, yet documentaries provide a showcase to the world outside.

Whilst many of us choose to simply ignore the unpleasant realities of the world, the documentary

can often be unflinching. Roger & Me shows families evicted on Christmas Eve, there are parents scoring drugs in front of their children in Hoop Dreams and Confessions of a Superhero follows a homeless man’s impossible dream.

However, that is not to say that documentaries are all about depressing us and presenting a bleak image of the world - they simply depict the world as it is, without the safety net of a Hollywood ending.

Sometimes the results are dark and at other times uplifting that’s life, and it’s fascinating.

Ultimately

documentaries are so powerful because the audience is aware that what they are watching is real, lending a disarming truth to what unfolds onscreen. For instance, whilst Tom Hanks may have won critical acclaim for his performance as a mentally handicapped man in Forrest Gump, his performance can never move us in the way Phillip Wohl’s real mental handicap does in Best Boy. Likewise, Dear Zachary is a film that could never be dramatised, as the story,

Documentaries: a different point of view Photograph: BBC Pictures

though true, is simply too unbelievable.

Such films show us that whilst it might be a cliché to say it, the truth is often much stranger than fiction.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that we ban fiction films and impose documentaries upon everyone - I just think that many of these films don’t get the attention they deserve.

They are often found on the periphery of mainstream cinema, playing second fiddle to horror shows such as Alvin and the Chipmunks (coincedentally, the only films to make sequels entirely out of a pun).

Though the commercialised fantasy worlds of Harry Potter and Twilight may be more comfortable, taking a risk with reality can often prove to be much more rewarding.

The Documentaries Society meets on Mondays at 7pm in ER147.

Email doc.soc@durham.ac.uk to join the mailing list.

13

A

all modern adaptations are bad, it seems that for every delicious morsel of television drama there are four rotten tomatoes.

“

With so many versions of the same story being produced, scriptwriters and directors often feel they have to innovate

Take the Treasure Island miniseries, adapted from a story most people are familiar with. Sky’s version of Treasure Island, for me at least, was unrecognisable.

Squire Trelawny had changed into a man driven by greed, becoming no better than the pirates he was fighting, and Dr Livesey was portrayed as a coward rather

than the brave and noble man of the book.

Existing source material can be problematic - whilst these character traits would lead to a very interesting drama usually, such changes will only be noteworthy for negative impact - it is not the Treasure Island being conveyed.

To ignore how the characters are written is irritating to those who know the book but also unfair to those who don’t, for they are led to believe that what is on the screen is the same as the book.

In contrast there is the BBC’s Sherlock; hailed as a brilliant piece of television drama, with some even going so far as to say that this series alone justifies the license fee.

I would agree that it is fantastic: suspenseful, witty, and entertaining - it manages to capture the heart of Conan Doyle’s stories whilst still bringing them into the present.

Certainly the writers have not followed the stories word for word, but they have remained fundamentally loyal to the characters, for there lay Conan Doyle’s genius; one may change the story, but keep the characters the same and it will still be Sherlock Homes.

I suppose some people would say that you should not expect what appears on television to be the same as the book, that we should treat the two mediums as completely separate.

But I will always feel that if you are going to adapt a book, then the result should be instantly recognisable as the story it claims to be.

P

For details on the upcoming Durham Film Festival, see palatinate.org.uk

The Bede Film Society run the only fully functional student cinema in Durham, with surround sound, seating for 200 and a working 35mm projector.

The films are shown on a large screen, holding the honour of being the largest screen in Durham, eclipsing the Gala’s own.

Now entering its 50th year, (its name is a throwback to when Hild and Bede were seperate colleges), the society continue to put on the latest releases at a discounted price, as well as offering sweets and refreshingly for a student city, the chance to bring alcohol into the showing from the adjacent bar.

All films are put on by students from the College of St. Hild and St. Bede.

In honour of its 50th year, the society is taking the remarkable step of throwing its own formal at Hild Bede, and showing a mystery film codenamed ‘Cannonball’.

The above films are those confirmed for Epiphany term.

The Bede Film Society’s films are shown at Caedmon Hall in Hild Bede.

The films start at 8pm, and admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members.

Email hildbede.filmsociety@ durham.ac.uk to join the mailing list.

14

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

fashion

Fashion Editor: Tom Weller fashion@palatinate.org.uk

2012: what you’ll be wearing Goldie

G

oldie started off in the bustle of Spitalfields Market a few years ago and have since grown to a global position, albeit a relatively unknown one.

Their strengths come from creating beautiful, fun and ultimately, wearable pieces that manage to be both fashion forward and daintily feminine.

Pixie Lott and Florence Welch are amongst the brand’s many supporters, if that gives you an idea.

Basically their collection is a great mix of ‘whimsical, fairytale’ and ‘rock-chic’. It’s sure to do well this spring/summer; find it either online at www. goldielondon.com, or in certain independant stockists with a great eye for unique design.

Season of ‘soft’ This year it’s been all about heritage. Everywhere you look, from Mr Porter to Esquire, people have been pushing the ‘pretend you’re Cary Grant, but with skinnier jeans’ look and it has been pretty good to see guys sharpening up their wardrobes with a bit of tweed, a bit of cord and the odd pair of chinos every now and then.

Of course there are those that got a bit carried away with the look. See this blog lookatmyfuckingredtrousers.blogspot. com for a good idea of how to do it badly.

So what’s next?

There’s still going to be a strong retro-inspired drive, and it’s moving straight into the 70’s. Knitted polos, turtle neck & blazer combinations will be back: think Burt Reynolds,

slightly drunk, by a poolside in California, circa 1974 and you’ll be on track.

Thankfully not everything is going to be quite as terrifying as that sounds.

The key word in tailoring this spring is ‘soft’.

The rigid, boxy shape characterising men’s jackets last season is being done away with and deconstructed blocks being brought in by most places.

This is certainly a good thing for hotter climates: a relaxed silhouette means you stay cooler.

As another heat-aid, linen will be coming back in full force, the more crumpled the better.

Combine with heavy-wash cotton and quality denim and you’ll be on for a winner.

Key Colours

Wolsey

W

olsey have been around for a while - since 1755 in fact.

They’ve been fitting out explorers for treacherous expeditions for over 200 years, and now they’re beginning to refocus on mens’ fashion. Given their expertise in creating rugged, hard-wearing clothes, this knowledge has crossed over into their high street line and the result is fantastic. Heavy twill shirts, soft knits and lightweight jackets make it the perfect transitional brand.

Spring Blues Brace yourselves, colour is coming Things are looking pretty bleak at the moment. It’s January, it’s frosty (but not quite snowy - this is England people, we aren’t exactly known for our distinctive weather cycles) and festive cheer is distinctly below par now we all have to trudge back to work.

For most of us students, however, “work” consists of doing a questionable amount of hours a week, so here we are instead, to provide a cosy little nugget of fashion for the oncoming seasons, and a promise that it will definitely get hot and sunny again soon.

But what’s going to be on the

table for womens’ fashion this spring?

When the sun kicks in, the high street is going to be just as bright.

This winter saw an abundance of sequins, sewn into pretty much every garment you could think of.

In spring we’re still going to see that same kind of radiance, but much subtler.

Silk and high-tech fabrics are going to be at the forefront of the glitterballs on the dance floor, but shapes will remain clean and classic.

Wouldn’t want to be overwhelmed, would you?

VACANCY Lucky you! Positions are now available for two brand-spanking new Fashion Editors. This involves commissioning articles, organising beautiful photoshoots and working with the rest of the Editorial Team to produce fantastic content. If you fancy taking on the role, email us at

fashion@palatinate.org. uk for an application form.

No prior experience necessary.

INDIGO | Tuesday 31st January 2012

travel

Travel Editor: Alexandra Groom travel@palatinate.org.uk

15

Paradise was neatly finished with just one minute to.

With a twenty second digital countdown to the start of 2012, the final song, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, got under way to tumultuous applause before the night culminated with another magnificent fireworks display on the Corniche.

Caroline Small

A colourful start to 2012: New Year in Harbin Photograph: Ivan Yuen

Salalah, Oman

Not your usual New Year’s Eve indigo asked how you welcomed in 2012, and our contributors certainly did not disappoint. A warning: ‘jealous’ doesn’t quite cover it...

Harbin, Northern China Winter in Harbin, the capital city of China’s most northern province Heilongjiang, is all about ice and snow. As night fell and the temperature dropped to a -30°C, my family and I entered a magical world made entirely of ice and snow.

Castles, pagodas and statues constructed out of ice blocks from the local Pine Flower River were beautifully illuminated with different shades of colourful lights, as the masterpieces of the world’s most skilled ice and snow sculptors were shown off.

The cold forced us to leave this wonderful spectacle and head for the downtown area, which features many Europeanlooking buildings. There we sampled Harbin’s finest gourmet and drinks - Harbin was the first city in China to produce beer!

As we went for a post-dinner wander through the night market and eventually plucked up the courage to have an icecream each, the fireworks from

the central ice tower went off and the numbers 2012 lit up the whole sky.

Ivan Yuen

a heady mix of alcohol, festive cheer and excitement for the coming year, continued the party until the wee small hours.

Georgia Gray

Granted the moniker of the “World’s Best New Year Celebration”, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay had a lot to live up to, but the Scottish capital didn’t fail to deliver as the festivities went off with a bang - literally.

As ever, the focus was on the huge street party, a vibrant affair that sees Edinburgh’s majestic cobbled streets buzzing with party atmosphere that belies Scotland’s dreary winter weather.

Crowds huddled together like penguins to watch the highlight of the night, the countdown to midnight marked by a dazzling firework display set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh’s imposing, iconic castle.

This is followed by a traditional rendition of Auld Lang Syne sung by an 80,000-strong choir of revellers who, fired up with

Orlando, Florida

Edinburgh, Scotland

New year wasn’t the same as most this year, we spent it in sunny Orlando Florida instead of the cold Cotswolds.

Having visited Seaworld on Christmas Day, we decided spending New Year’s Eve at Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure was a fitting progression.

We packed our rucksacks with sandwiches and water and set off.

We went around Harry Potter World to start with (I know you’re jealous), trying on all of the stash and pretending we were in Hogwarts.

We got soaked on the various water rides, had a photo with Shrek and shot aliens on Men in Black.

As the New Year bells chimed we shot out of the Hulk rollercoaster and made a Coca-Cola toast (I’m not yet 21) to 2012. It wasn’t the conventional family New Year we have had in the past, but it was one to remember!

Stef Jones

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates On New Year’s Eve, I was in Abu Dhabi watching Coldplay.

The concert got underway with Chris Martin sitting down at his signature upright piano, playing a mix of Coldplay favourites and newer material the lively 20,000 strong crowd who got into the spirit of the evening with much screaming, cheering and applause.

As the New Year drew close with a laser show, screen graphics, glitter, smoke and giant balloons, the propulsive Clocks was performed with 10 minutes to midnight, and the cinematic

I spent New Year’s Eve in the region of Salalah in Oman. Salalah is one of the biggest cities in Oman, but drive just outside it and you can reach true wilderness. I was camping in the middle of nowhere on a deserted beach in a place called Sadh as part of a week long trip and we had driven for more than 30 hours to get there.

This region of Oman is more like old Arabia, not reflecting the increasingly modern and Western influences that are visible in the capital area of Muscat. Here, you can drive for hours and not see another soul and rare animals are found here, such as the Arabian wolf, hyenas, genets and foxes.

Driving along the coast you arrive at very different places, stretching from the beautiful fishing village of Dhalqut near the Yemen border, to the spectacular views from the mountains above Mugsayl, and the deserted beaches of Sadh.

I spent New Year’s Eve scuba diving on one of the many beautiful reefs in Oman, looking for the two-faced toadfish, a creature which has only ever been spotted in this area. Sadly we didn’t find it, but we did find some huge barracuda as well as the usual variety of spectacularly-coloured tropical fish that live in the seas off Oman.

In the evening we sat on the beach, watching the sun set behind the mountains, in what surely must be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Louise Macmorran

Taghazout, Morocco

After spending a week at surf camp, surfing every day, the guests at “Surf Maroc” celebrated New Year’s Eve with a delicious barbeque followed by cocktails and dancing, all the while hearing the waves rolling onto the beach.

It was a truly fantastic way to welcome in the New Year, with people from all over the world who shared a keen interest in surfing celebrating together at Taghazout.

Tuesday 31st January 2012 | INDIGO

The Art of the Adaptation Innovative or meddlesome? i13 On Our Radar for 2012 indigo music’s tips for this year, i8&9 Get Healthy A helping hand towards a successful New Year’s resolution, i5&6

the back page crossword

Across: 1 Vermin reversed into shining light (4) 5 Calendar missed Friday first in confusion (5) 8 Dutch painter would revere me with a pearl earring (7) 9 Helped almost up Durham’s longest flight of steps (5) 10 To fix scattered gold on Elizabeth’s head (5) 11 Not odd after 5th August to see this number (5) 12 Often comes exactly average (7) 13 Sounds painful to be watched (3) 15 Most of the French sword in an Indian tent (6) 18 To have second thoughts after regarding the fortress (7) 19 Slips across the fumbled stakes (6) 21 Record of noted timber? (4) 23 He always comes equipped (3) 24 Runs quickly from a sound liar

(7) 25 Machine cannot rob others, we see (5) 26 Armadillo makes the post office before you! (5) 27 Some lava illustrates the advantage (5) 28 Way to shorten the trip across the river (7) 29 Where lords and ladies play their games (5) 30 Scorch into a curve (4) Down: 1 Shard of shattered metal (6) 2 Just one location of the street (6) 3 A bookish colour (3) 4 She slows the traffic (5) 5 Removed by Adele, tediously (7) 6 Apple’s contribution to Weasley’s domestic chores! (4) 7 Cooked the last of the pear, and scrambled egg, to music (6) 11 Such tales are mostly gas whichever way you look (5)

13 Disrupted the banana split (5) 14 Milk left out on the scales, we hear (5) 15 A stingy leg warmer (5) 16 All you have to do (3) 17 A necessity of night-time sport (3) 18 Fast turbulent water (5) 20 Japanese clothes want £1000, 999 or nearest offer (6) 21 Eve, when lost in the bar, looks for wood? (6) 22 Crude exclamation when something’s on the line! (6) 24 Boy Charlie replaces missing first violin (5) 25 Romeo snatches oar with a growl (4) 27 Source of hot air in “11 Down” (3)

Emily Woodhouse

Find solutions in the next issue

sudoku

Popolo bar, lounge and kitchen in Durham city centre marks its first birthday in 2012 and we’re giving one lucky winner the chance to join in the celebrations with an evening out for four people.

The stylish venue at New Elvet in the city centre is famed for its urban interior, laid-back atmosphere, extensive array of cocktails and wide range of affordable, mouth-watering food including breakfasts, salads and Italian-style favourites such as pizza and pasta.

£100

The money YOU could win to spend at Popolo on an evening out for four people

Our lucky winner and three friends will have the opportunity to sample this for themselves with food and drinks up to the value of £100. To be in with a chance of winning simply email food@palatinate.org.uk by February 9th with your name, college and mobile number.

For full menu details or to book visit www.popololeisure.co.uk or call 0191 375 7933 T&C: Prize will be provided in the form of a £100 voucher, which must be spent on a combination of food AND drinks for four people. Each person must order at least two courses from the food menu, with £100 being deducted from the total final bill. Voucher will be valid until March 16th 2012.