Culture & Literature – Page 31 of 37

6May

By Jordan ThorneNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

The Vote

The Vote is a groundbreaking new play by James Graham which covers the final ninety minutes before the polls close in this year’s general election. Dame Judi Dench, Mark Gatiss and Catherine Tate are among the ensemble cast of fifty actors who have been brought together to star in the production which is set in a fictional polling station with the action taking place in real time. Being staged at the intimate Donmar Warehouse in London from the 24th April to the 7th May, The Vote marks a monumental national event, as the play will be broadcast live on television on the 7th to coincide with the closing of the polls. James Graham’s previous political drama This House premiered at the National Theatre in 2012 and went on to be screened nationwide in cinemas through the NT Live scheme. As a y...

6May

By Laura LawrenceNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

It’s All About The Waistline

It's All About The Waistline Last month saw the release of Disney's new live-action re-telling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. Kenneth Branagh's masterpiece has obviously been a success making over $70 million on its opening weekend. However the film has already sparked controversy among the parents of its target audience due to Lily James’ unbelievably small waist. Before its release the film was accused of using digital trickery to enhance James’ waistline in the movie promotion advertisements. However, Disney reacted by insisting that this was not the case and that her waist in the movie is natural but enhanced by the corset of the dress. Although, Lily James, who plays Cinderella, did admit to undertaking a liquid diet throughout the filming process in order to fit into the icon...

6May

By Chloe WrightNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

A ‘Posh’ Performance by RHUL Drama Soc

Royal Holloway Drama Society will be putting on the play 'Posh' by Laura Wade which is highly relevant in light of the upcoming general election in May. 'Posh' is based upon the infamous Bullingdon club - an exclusive but unofficial all male students' club at Oxford University noted for its wealthy members and riotous rituals such as trashing restaurants and university dorm rooms. The prestigious club has had famous members such as David Cameron, Boris Johnson and George Osbourne (Prime Minister, Mayor of London and the Chancellor of the Exchequer). The 2014 film version of 'The Riot Club' is an adaptation of the play which you may have encountered. So, if you have read the play or seen the film then you know the basic plot; a group of ten wealthy youths from Oxford University go to ...

Anything But Casual: Art Direction, The Casual Vacancy and Recent TV Aesthetics

16Mar

By Douglas KnightNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Anything But Casual: Art Direction, The Casual Vacancy and Recent TV Aesthetics

Discourses in the public media don’t usually revolve around the way television looks or sounds, musically or otherwise. All things considered, such a state of affairs is pretty bizarre. At the end of an average working week it can be guaranteed that a sizeable proportion of the populus will be enjoying the companionship of their sets, or torpidly watching catch-up services on their iPads or laptops, the more likely option for those under 35. In other words most people divest a significant proportion of their free time to looking at the stuff. In part, this can be attributed to TV’s trenchant position as an inherently narrative-driven medium. Increasingly eulogised as the definitive apparatus for telling gripping yarns, TV over the past few years seems to be in the state of receiving tri...

BAFTA, Backstage- An Exclusive Exhibition

27Feb

By Jordan ThorneNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

BAFTA, Backstage- An Exclusive Exhibition

With both a passion for film and photography, I was excited to get tickets to a free exhibition at the BAFTA Headquarters in London showcasing the best work of eight talented photographers who are well known for capturing the BAFTAs throughout the years. This was a rare opportunity to see behind-the scenes of one of the most celebrated nights in the UK film calendar. The afternoon at BAFTA began with an introductory Q&A where the audience were given a chance to quiz the photographers on their experiences in the industry. Jessie Craig was the official backstage photographer at the 2014 BAFTAs and it was interesting to hear her discuss how they are only given two minutes with each person to capture their perfect image before they have to move on. As if photographing the likes of Leonard...

26Feb

By Safi SyedNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

Froot – review

The phonetically correct sounding tree offering titled song, Froot, is the latest release from marina Diamandis aka Marina And The Diamonds. Released on her birthday, she uploaded the lyrics to her Instagram a day before , naming the day “Frootmas Eve”. Co produced by marina herself, the song has been described as “dark disco”. Fans of marinas sophomore album effort , Electra Heart (charting top 40 in Americas Billboard Hot 100), will be pleased that in the this introductory song for the new album the upbeat and synth vibes are symonomous throughout. . Electra (her side character) is clearly not dead and her sound can be clearly heard in this song. Songs with hooks to rival We Found Love by Rihanna, Marina has a rare knack for producing brilliant dance music but with profound(i...

26Feb

By Molly HarrisNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

The Theory of Everything

One of the films nominated for multiple Oscars this year, The Theory of Everything is based on Jane Wilde Hawking’s book ‘Travelling to Infinity: My life with Stephen’, a memoir dealing with her marriage to Stephen Hawking, his deterioration due to Motor Neurone disease and of course his legendary success in the world of physics. Although the film has brought with it great success, there have been some debates regarding using a non-disabled actor to play a disabled part. In a recent Guardian article, this enactment of a disabled character was compared to that of an actor playing the part of a different race to their own. ‘We wouldn’t accept actors blacking up, so why applaud ‘cripping up’?’ Personally when watching The Theory of Everything I felt uncomfortable through some scenes, in wh...

26Feb

By Tanya KlyasovaNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Literature

Top three books of the month

With so many books being published each month, it is difficult to find the right ones. To help you, here`s my top three books to go straight to your reading list: The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins A debut psychological thriller, which will grab you from the first page! Rachel takes the same train every morning and on her way observes the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them and gives them names.Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. The Secret Wisdom of the Earth, by Christopher Scotton Another debut novel, emotional and inspiring! After witnessing the death of his younger brother, 14-year-old Kevi...

26Feb

By No Comments

Culture & Literature

The sound of 2015

2014 was a great year for music with George Ezra, Royal Blood and Sam Smith all bursting into the public sphere and it seems that the trend is set to continue. James Bay, 23 year old singer-song writer, has a similar sound to George Ezra and Ed Sheeran and has had success supporting the likes of Tom Odell and Kodaline. Mellow and raw, his stripped back style has led him to be long listed for the BBC sound of 2015 award. Hot on his heels is American singer-songwriter Ryn Weaver whose song Octahate caught the attention of Charlie XCX and Hayley Williams to name but a few. The track held #1 on Billboards emerging artist track for 8 weeks. She self classifies her sound as “fairy pop” and lists influences the like of David Bowie and Fiona Apple. But if you’re looking for something a li...

26Feb

By No Comments

Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

The feminist behind the flash

Feminism as an ideology has snaked throughout all elements of the media, all the more prominently in the last couple of years. I use the word ideology, as Feminism unfortunately does not yet hold a quintessential place within modern societal norms. Photography as one of these media outlets, and one very close to my heart, has become an instrument through which the Romanticised image of woman can finally portray festivities of feminism as well as femininity. Francesca Woodman was a striking photographer who has always remained on my radar- a beautiful woman whose inner turmoil and intelligence sent her to her demise, yet during her shortened career, she was able to portray with conviction, the concept of hiding herself in plain sight. Her monochromatic self-portraits utilised rustic yet fam...