Review – Page 7 of 8

The Christian Union present the Mark Drama

8Feb

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Sports & Socs

The Christian Union present the Mark Drama

"It's about 80% shouting and 20% crying" was one reaction to the Mark Drama, a 90 minute exploration of the gospel of Mark by the Christian Union. Perhaps this is an exaggeration, but this comment expresses how immersive the experience is. The show is in-the-round, with three aisles and action going on all around the audience, as well as in the centre of the circle. You are truly part of the performance and it's hard not to join in at points. The cast interact with you and address you, as if you were truly there. And so it is that you experience what the book of Mark has to say. Being run by the Christian Union it is about Jesus, but not aggressively so. Not every character believes what he has to say, and even those that do show their doubts and changes in opinion. The acting is ...

Review: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty

26Jan

By Louise JonesNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Review: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty

Matthew Bourne (or so I should say), Sir Matthew Bourne (New Year’s Knighthood and the likes), famed for his successful take on two of the great Tchaikovsky ballets, reinventing a dark, Dickensian Nutcracker and a wild Swan Lake, has taken to the stage to complete the Tchaikovsky trilogy with Sleeping Beauty. Yet, in tackling Sleeping Beauty, one would consider it to be a much harder challenge. A simple story with much loved, well-known characters, and the Disney retelling cemented in the public consciousness, in theory and on paper, Sleeping Beauty seemed a much harder ballet to reinvent. But Bourne delivers with style and excellence. (more…)

7Dec

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

RAG’s Cinderfella Reviewed

“I wish I could go but I just can’t face going out in the cold. I’m also not a great fan of pantomimes…” And within three hours of uttering those words I was out of the house, on my way to the SU to see Cinderfella, this year’s RAG Christmas Panto. As a self-confessed pantomime sceptic, I was slightly concerned about being sat in the aisle for something that heavily involves audience participation, but when we established that 'custard pie-ing' the audience was a pantomime tradition that only exists in Cornwall, I relaxed into the panto atmosphere. What is evident from the beginning is that this is an original production tailored to Royal Holloway, making it relatable to the audience. From Monkey’s to Medicine and the new Stumble Out, there are few places familiar to Holloway students t...

Savoy sets sail with the astounding ‘Anything Goes’

1Dec

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Savoy sets sail with the astounding ‘Anything Goes’

Beth Carr reviews the latest production from Savoy Opera Society. Photo from rehearsals, credit: Harriet Kennerley Jane Holloway Hall, as the old swimming pool, seems a fitting venue for the Savoy's Autumn term production of Anything Goes, following the SS American's voyage from America to Britain. As the oldest society on campus, Savoy Opera Society has been delivering fantastic shows for almost 50 years and this one was no exception. It was not an easy journey from bid to production but from the amount of smiling amongst the cast and crew, it is not hard to tell that they all love the show. One of the strengths of the show was its inclusivity. The production team and cast included members from all years and from departments such as History, Geography and English as well as the usu...

24Nov

By Nebiu SamuelNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV, Music

‘Amy’ Documentary Review

Many documentaries struggle to find a cinematic style and voice which warrants it to be released in cinemas however in the case of ‘Amy’, it delivers on giving you an emotional, cinematic and musical experience. The documentary focuses on the rise of Amy Winehouse, through her time in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and singing in blue clubs in North London to her international success, her problematic personal life and her tragic death. The main feature of ‘Amy’ is how director Asif Kapadia (Senna) and editor Chris King uses Winehouse’s poetic and autobiographic lyrics from songs like ‘Stronger than Me’, ‘I Heard Love is Blind’, ‘What is it About Men’, ‘Rehab’ or ‘Back in Black’ to build the narrative around and is able to make it seem Amy has a voice in the film. Through the documenta...

24Nov

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Di and Viv and Rose

Beth Carr reviews The Student Workshop's first production of the term. Upon reading the synopsis for Di and Viv and Rose, it became impossible to resist buying a ticket and heading to see it. Following three girls from the beginning of their friendship at university into adulthood and the changes it brings, the Student Workshop's rehearsal room production brought the story to life intimately. With only 35 seats at each performance, the audience is sucked into the drama and humour of the lives of the three characters, and it is hard to imagine the play being performed in any other way. Putting three unknown first years in the spotlight was a risk that paid off and each reflected the different personalities of the characters with ease. To the women watching, as well as I hope the men, ...

24Nov

By Olivia AtkinsonNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

A Royal Review

Based on the novels by Lily Blake and dramatised by Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie SenGupta, the new television series, ‘Reign’ has stolen the spotlight on The CW - a popular American channel - and, of course, the wonderful Netflix. Following the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and her engagement to the future King of France, Francis; a politically arranged union based on forming an alliance against the English Queen, Elizabeth I, this American, historical, fantasy has proven to be worthy of not just my praise but renowned awards. Examples include the People’s Choice Award and Hollywood Post Alliance Awards, and as Series 3 unravels this month, I am sure there will be many more awards to come. Filming takes place in a variety of stunning locations, some of which include Toronto and Irel...

7Jun

By Harry BrownNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Mad Max: Fury Road Review

In the midst of a time where the typical action film can’t go a scene without extraordinary amounts of CGI, Mad Max: Fury Road delivers the most exciting film of the summer using practical effects. Directed by George Miller, the film follows Max (Tom Hardy) as he teams up with Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa to steal cargo and escape from villain Immortan Joe. The film plays out as one long chase scene as Max is followed by Immortan Joe and his fleet of maniacal supporters, their conflict growing more explosive by the minute as Max travels through violent sand-storms to darkened swamps. One of the most striking things about the film is the imagination given to world-building. Almost everything is detailed enough to give the audience an understanding of this post-apocalyptic world...

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...

28Jan

By Harry CrawfordNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Tolkien’s Cinematic Hurrah

It’s slightly past Christmas, and the final Hobbit cash-in has arrived. Sadly, this is it people - Tolkien will never reach the big screen again - but you’d be surprised to hear it’s not because this is the final film in The Hobbit trilogy. Alas, the decision lies with the Tolkien estate. His descendants have claimed they hate this trilogy, and that his stories have been modernised beyond recognition. Adaptation is a cruel business indeed. What of the film itself? Well, Sir Ian McKellan will forever make a superb Gandalf (nothing new there), same goes for Christopher Lee as Saruman. There’s nothing special about the rest of the cast however; Martin Freeman continues to be as Martin-Freeman-ish as he can whilst the rest contribute to a potent display of overarching masculinity. Director ...