Culture & Literature – Page 35 of 35

24Feb

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

American Psycho: The Musical!

“There is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. Though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable… I simply am not there.” If I'm honest, the main draw for me to go and see American Psycho: The Musical at the Almeida Theatre, was that Matt Smith was starring as Patrick Bateman, and also to spite my mother as she was unable to get any tickets. I've never read the book. I hadn't seen the film adaptation. I had no clue what to expect, except to try and get Matt Smith to smile at me in the audience. It was amazing. Everything was perfect to a tee. Every actor really took over their role, every dance move was eye catching and the use of original and 80's music was brought togethe...

24Feb

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Film Reviews: ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ and ‘American Hustle’

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug I do not like fantasy films… There, I said it. Then why am I reviewing this film, you ask? Regardless of my tastes, I know a good film when I see one. The original trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, was stunning, and deserved its colossal Oscar haul. The plot, for me, was the key: Peter Jackson took a fantasy story, and made it entertaining for everyone; not only was there quality in the script, but also in the acting and the direction of photography. What most people were wondering was whether Jackson could repeat those same feats. The first instalment in the Hobbit trilogy, An Unexpected Journey, was a good start, introducing us effectively to this prequel world and its characters. The Desolation of Smaug, however, had to up the ante. We find the characte...

24Feb

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Visual Arts

An Interview with Martin Parr

“It is estimated that more photographic images have been taken in the past twelve months than in the entire history of photography.” – Hannah Redler, Head of Media Space at the Science Museum. His new exhibition ‘Only in England' displays his own early work from the 1970's, ‘The Non Conformists' alongside many of Ray-Jones photographs, some never before seen, picked by Parr himself to be displayed. This exhibition gives great insight into what life was really like in an arguably bleak England for many in the 1960's and 70's and projects a desire to document what both Ray Jones and Parr saw as disappearing way of life in England. Both photographers are cleverly able to make ordinary and somewhat bleak situations interesting and surprisingly funny in their photographs. Though Ray Jones' fea...

15May

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

A Writer’s Lot: An Interview

Charlotte Cole talks to writer and director, Josh King and Jemima Standen-Jewell, of A Writer's Lot, an original play written and performed by Royal Holloway Students. What can you tell me about your lives here as students?JK – I'm a third year English and Creative Writing student. I've done a few things on campus, like Midnight at the Boilerhouse and the Writing Society. It's all built itself up to this from first year, so it is a massive thing for me to be able to do this.JS – I'm a second year Drama student and I've done quite a few shows on campus helping out backstage, but this is my first time to actually direct a show. What can you tell me about A Writer's Lot?JK – It's about William, a playwright, who through his fixation with writing plays about death, has to eventually choose ...

15May

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

Heronshaw: One to Watch

With any luck, Heronshaw is a name you'll be hearing much more in the future. The best way to describe their genre is ‘Alternative Indie Folk Rock' but that doesn't quite do their varied music justice. As they say on their website, defining their music is like finding Wally – exciting, addictive and you can't quite put your finger on it! Most importantly, their drummer, Matt Arnold, is from Royal Holloway! Heronshaw's music is a melting pot of different genres that works a treat. The five band members – Tom Seebold (Vocals, Keyboard), James Gibson (Guitar, Banjo), Miles Walker (Guitar, Violin), Connor Guille (Bass, Vocals) and Matt Arnold (Drums & Percussion) – work together to make enchanting music that's already made an impact, and with their forward planning they look to make even mor...

15May

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Rust and Bone: Review

Jacques Audiard's last feature, A Prophet, is seen by many as one of the best films of the last decade, resulting in a lot of buzz and excitement for his latest film, Rust and Bone, starring the wonderful Marion Cotillard. Arguably two of the best French film-makers of recent years, the film has been greatly revered by critics as a touching love story. However, the film is in many ways Audiard's worst to date. It tells the story of two people in tragic circumstances: Ali, a wannabe fighter, struggling to raise his young son in the absence of his mother and with little money made in illegal fighting rings, and Stephanie fighting through the pain of losing both her legs in a tragic killer whale accident. The two meet, fall in love and help each other correct their lives. It is a plot don...

15May

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

The Great Gatsby: Review

Baz Lurhmann's take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, is an explosion of colour, music and sexual tension, bringing to life what I consider to be a story that trails at a snail's pace. Behind all the glitz and glamour of Lurhmann's directorial style, it is his choice of actors that helps to give life to the otherwise lifeless portrayals of Fitzgerald. Leonardo DiCaprio does well in playing the infamous Jay Gatsby, a man both famous and mysterious for his regular mansion parties, whose relationship with Carey Mulligan's Daisy is made both awkward and increasingly addictive from their first encounter. My admiration of Gatsby's characterisation increases drastically alongside the rapid fall of Daisy's likability, a woman who frustratingly glides through life, child-like and i...

15May

By Laura DenhamNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

The Importance of being Earnest: Quad Production 2013 Review

Over the years the Quad production has seen a lot of Shakespeare and Renaissance plays, but these are not the only classics. It is our hope that this year, with The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, we will re-vitalise the Quad and bring summer to Royal Holloway. After a busy year and a term full of exams what Royal Holloway needs is a bit of fun, and it is for this reason that I chose to bid The Importance of Being Earnest. With muffin fights, cucumber sandwiches and, in the production, a man in drag, we hope to bring back the witty silliness for which British comedy is so renowned. When people asked me what I wanted to do with the play, my answer was to have fun. Indeed my answer for all questions such as ‘What is your director's concept?' was simply the word ‘fun'; I was ...