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Day: 5 February 2016

BME students still struggle to access top universities

Written by Emily Hulme on . Posted in News, Opinion.

The debate at Oxford University regarding the Cecil Rhodes statue seems to have shed light on the low numbers of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students attending top universities. In comparison to their White counterparts, the number of BME students are considerably fewer across the UK.

Here at the University of Manchester, almost a quarter of students are from BME backgrounds, exceeding the Russell Group average, but there is still room for improvement.

Between 2010 and 2015, at Russell Group Universities the number of Black students starting courses at our universities rose by 62 per cent, the number of Asian students rose by 28 per cent and the number of mixed ethnicity students rose by 43 per cent.

However Dr. Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, has said: “We are far from complacent. Russell Group universities spend hundreds of millions of pounds on outreach activities in schools and colleges, and on bursaries and scholarships that support disadvantaged students throughout their degree course.”

As reported in last week’s Mancunion, in 2013, only 48 African, Caribbean or mixed background students were accepted into Oxford out of the total 2,233 places available. David Cameron condemned these recent statistics in The Sunday Times, and wrote the shocking statement: “If you’re a young black man, you’re more likely to be in a prison cell than studying at a top university.”

The Prime Minister highlighted that his 2020 goals are to achieve “not just greater numbers at university, but many more jobs, apprenticeships and start-up loans. And I am determined to fix that stubborn problem of under-representation in our police and armed forces.” He also insists that other universities should publish their statistics about applicants and successful students.

But there has been a considerable amount of rebuttal to this. An article in The Spectator argues that Cameron is wrong about who is to blame for lack of Black students in top universities and that Oxford University is not institutionally racist as the article suggests. Toby Young writes that, “even if every Black Caribbean student that applied to the University was successful, they would still only make up 1.34%.”  Young also highlighted that these statistics are fairly representative to the BME population in Britain. For example, the average amount of BME students at Russell Group Universities is at 18 percent, which is a direct reflection of the BME population of 13 per cent, according to the 2011 census.

In the same article from The Spectator, Young says to look at the reasons behind why fewer BME students, compared to their White counterparts, do not apply for top universities. He suggests looking at BME student’s grades at GCSE and A-Level before we deem Oxford University as racist. He also points out that BME students are more likely to apply to over-subscribed subjects such as medicine, PPE, law or economics—affecting statistics of BME students at top universities; explaining that this could be a reason as to why there are so few BME students at Oxford University.

The Runnymede Trust—led by the University of Manchester’s own Professor Claire Alexander—looks into race inequality and diversity in higher education. They have acknowledged an increase in BME students in higher education over the last twenty years, thought there is a concern because this increase has not really occurred in top universities. Runnymede want to encourage universities to aim for the “race equality charter mark” which aims to encourage BME students to apply to the university of their choice and do well in their studies.

Preview: Field Music @ Fopp Manchester

Written by Henry Scanlan on . Posted in Music.

Who doesn’t love an intimate mid-afternoon record store gig? Particularly when it involves Sunderland favourites Field Music, who’ve reliably continued in their rich vein of form on their latest album Commontime (reviewed by The Mancunion here). 

They are scheduled to perform in store at Fopp Manchester (address below) at 3pm this Saturday. Your ticket for entry will be a copy of the new LP, which you can buy on the door.

Fopp Manchester
19 Brown St
Manchester
M2 1DA

Review: Spotlight

Written by Charlotte Gough on . Posted in Film.

Directed and co-written by Tom McCarthy, Spotlight—nominated for three BAFTAs, six Academy Awards and a recent SAG Awards 2016 winner for Best Ensemble—recounts the true events of The Boston Globe’s investigative journalists who revealed decades worth of silenced child molestation cases involving multiple priests in the local Boston area, resulting in scandalous implications for the Catholic Church as a whole.

This film has all the tension of a crime thriller without any of the usual features, as a small team of journalists are depicted as if they were hungry FBI agents—armed with nothing but phones and notepads—unyielding in their hunt for answers. Indeed, despite being set in quiet, mundane newspaper offices and cramped meeting rooms with a monotone colour palette throughout, Spotlight delivers continuous, ever-building excitement. The team’s progress is enough to set a gripping pace without pointless sensationalism and each new piece of evidence leads to a bigger, more shocking discovery—stemming from the corrupt web of Boston’s Irish-Catholic system. Michael Keaton plays Walter ‘Robby’ Robinson (who prefers to consider himself an approachable ‘play-coach’ rather than an officious leader of Spotlight’s team), delivering an expertly conflicted performance as he unearths the rotten core of the community in which he is a well-respected member. He must butt heads with old friends and face pressures from the city’s power players who want him to keep his mouth shut as he pursues the truth.

Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams’ characters are very much the heart of the investigation with their fierce determination and shared crises of faith as the chaos unfolds. Sacha Pfeiffer (McAdams) is played with an intense compassion for the case and the personal stories of the victims—‘the survivors’—and will stop at nothing to get their stories told. Ruffalo shines as the diligent, leather-jacket-wearing livewire Mike Rezendes, who continually comes up against institutional red-tape and delivers an enraged, heart-wrenching monologue as a disillusioned churchgoer who must come to terms with the appalling magnitude and reach of the abuse.

Mitchell Garabedian, (Stanley Tucci) the victims’ barbed-tongued lawyer of Armenian heritage and Marty Baron, The Globe’s new editor (“an unmarried guy of Jewish faith who hates baseball”), played with under-stated brilliance by Liev Schreiber, are the perfect underdogs; outsiders struggling against the iron-clad collusion of Boston’s ‘small town’ mentality and old White male Catholic bureaucracy that perpetuated the conspiracy. Garabedian states: “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.”

An almost tangible silence hangs in the air in the background of every scene, evocative of the very silence that characterised the abuse cases—shrouded in secrecy by the Catholic Church and its powerful political connections. Spotlight also emphasises the importance of language for the article’s readership, as well as the film’s audience. As Pfeiffer asserts: “It cannot be sanitised.” We are confronted with the sexual abuse and the painful—often tragic—psychological after effects for the victims in horrific detail.

The film’s tone is difficult to achieve, yet it manages to be at once an unflinching exposé and without being an all-out crusade against Catholicism. It criticises those in authority who take advantage of that very faith. To use Keaton’s words from his SAG award acceptance speech, Spotlight is a voice “for the powerless” and it will leave audiences—much like The Globe’s writers—squirming with the sheer injustice and large scale of the cover-up. An extensive list of areas affected by similar cases even plays over the end credits like a cenotaph for victims’ untold stories; urging people not to forget or ignore what took place and was allowed to continue—being so hidden and unnoticed in our culture worldwide—to uphold the established order.

4/5

Fashion in Film

Written by Sarah Kilcourse on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

The 2016 Oscar nominations are shrouded in controversy from every angle in society. The films nominated are no longer a cause for celebration but the topic of equality debates; however, enough voices have weighed in on this conversation that I shall leave mine out. Instead, let us draw our eyes to the beautiful fashions of this year’s cinema.

The AW15 Gucci runway was cause for many comparisons to one of cinema’s most unique style icons—Margot Tenenbaum. Gwenyth Paltrow’s portrayal of Wes Anderson’s character was given a new lease of life thanks to the Italian powerhouse. This awards season sees the relationship between fashion and cinema set to continue on its dizzying romance.

My favourite film of last year was, by far, Carol. Every detail was considered in this spectacular piece of art: the lighting, the camera angles, the acting, the mise-en-scene all built to a beautiful viewing experience. Best of all was the costumes. Cate Blanchett’s Carol is a perfectly-tailored, put-together 50s glamazon. She exudes wealth and luxury, creating the kind of character that rarely exists in the twenty-first century, who can wear furs, hats, and brooches to go Christmas shopping. The detail is so great that her make up and hair are reflective of her state of mind. Therese is the complete antithesis of Carol, style-wise; she looks like she is wearing a Catholic school uniform, in the best possible way. The tartan bobble hat is sure to become a thing, I’m certain of it.

Carol offers an opportunity to witness two different fashions reacting to each other, and is sure to excite trends. For this, it has received an Oscar nomination.

One of the other films that had a bigger budget connection to the fashion world was Disney’s live action, Cinderella. Sandy Powell and Jane Law designed and created the fairy tale dress that caused a slur of controversy about Lily James’ waist. In spite of all the press, both designers insist her tiny waist was an optical illusion created by the size of the skirt. Cinderella is one film in which the dress and shoes will always be important—Disney did not disappoint. Swarovski created the eponymous glass slippers, reflecting a dream of desires. Cinderella is definitely another strong contender for the Best Costume Design Oscar, but I don’t think we’re going to start wearing glass slippers anytime soon…

The other nominees include The Revenant, The Danish Girl and Mad Max: Fury Road. I could go for a bit of mountain-wear chic à la Leonardo DiCaprio, or sport Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander’s 20’s dressing, but I think I can pass on the tortured and bionic style of dystopian Mad Max.

Nails, nails, nails

Written by Perisha Kudhail on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

People often forget that nails are an accessory, too. Keeping our nails in pristine condition is a great way to snazz up your look. We understand, with the stresses of being a student, that your nails are not always on your list of priorities, but we have some sure-fire ways to keep your nails looking gorgeous with minimal effort.

For a basic manicure, it’s always best to stick with a block colour before you begin nail designs. Keeping your actual nails healthy and looking great is always the way to go, rather than caking your nail with layers and layers of nail varnish. This is our simple manicure to get your nails on point.

1.     First begin by cleaning all the old nail varnish from the nail.

2.     Then file your nail into the desired shape. You could go rounded, square, or pointed.

3.     Then run your hands under some warm water.

4.     Next, pop on some hand cream and push your cuticles back.

5.     After this step you can choose to buff and paint your nails or simply leave them natural.

This quick-time manicure will mean that your nails strengthen over time and, even without nail varnish, your nails will look fantastic.

So now you’ve got the base sorted, you can start experimenting with colours. Here are a few tips to get a professional look.

If you don’t want to go be too outrageous, you could start with simple statement nail. The statement nail can be anything from an out-of-the-norm colour to a pattern that you can have some fun with. Check out these great nail options that will make you look like you’ve come straight out of a nail bar.

Photo: ASOS

Barry M Aquarium Nail Paint Collection, £3.99.

This nail paint is a quick and easy way to funk up your nails. The glitter will provide an extra glam factor and is perfect for a statement nail. Barry M are renowned for their heavy duty brushes, making the application process that little bit easier.

Photo: Essie

Essie ‘Fall in the Lobby’ Nail Polish, £7.99.

Essie nail polishes are brilliant for achieving a nail salon look without the price tag that comes with it. This nail paint is long lasting and gives the appearance of gel, so you can get a professional look without even leaving the house.

Photo: Boots

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish, £9.99.

When it comes to nails, you can’t leave your nail polish collection free of Sally Hansen. This selection of nail colours not only look fab, but help strengthen your nails as well. That’s our kind of nail polish!

Album : MONEY – Suicide Songs

Written by Dominic Bennett on . Posted in Music.

Released 29th January via Bella Union Records

9.5/10

With their second album, MONEY move above and beyond the lazy comparisons that get thrown at every Manchester band, creating a singular work of great depth and power. It is understandable to approach the album with some trepidation—the title and cover potentially making new listeners expect a morose and maudlin album. Suicide Songs is neither of these things; however, the spectre of death undeniably hangs over the album (just as it does in the artwork, and over all of us…), but the album acts more as an exploration of how thoughts of death impact our lives and the ways in which we try to carry on nonetheless. “I know that some of us need to turn the light into dark” vocalist Jamie Lee comfortingly sings on the title track. A beautifully sparse number, Lee backed only by guitar and sweet horns.

Throughout the album, Lee’s poetic lyrics seem in perfect balance with the more varied accompaniment given by bandmates Charlie Cocksedge and Will Byron. Acoustic guitar was little used on their debut, but here it acts as the lead instrument on several songs. The heartfelt atmosphere it brings fitting the subject matter. The Indian Dilruba finds its place, too, matching the detached spiritual restlessness of the opening songs: “I’m not trying to say that I want to be God, I just don’t want to be human”. The arrangements rise and fall along with the vocals on the intoxicating eight minute sprawl of ‘Night Came’,;Lee continuously shifting from a heavenly falsetto to a guttural snarl, and back again.

The band have stated in interviews that there are few moments of redemption on the album, but vitally, there are some. The delicate title track acts as a turning point that gives way to a more hopeful second half. “When I was a child I made a deal against the sun, that if it died out I would carry on” Lee defiantly sings on lead single ‘I’ll Be The Night’, rousingly backed by pounding drums and strings. This is followed by the cathartic rush of ‘All My Life’, the grand and emphatic lyrics (“Hold me close and don’t ever let me go”) being propelled by soulful backing vocals and strings that seem to rise endlessly before collapsing into an atmospheric outro.

Sparsity is once again brilliantly used on the closing track, ‘A Cocaine Christmas And An Alcoholic’s New Year’. This hungover horns and piano ballad describes the vices mentioned in the title as wastes of time, Lee now declaring himself “as happy as a child, because you don’t have to ask me why”.

“I’m tired of things that just aren’t real, in a hopeless world” goes one line. With Suicide Songs, MONEY have crafted the perfect antidote to this. This is an album that makes clichés like transcendental and life affirming actually make sense, rightfully exploring the darkness in the human experience to then find authentic hope and beauty.

House Hunting

Written by Alice Williams on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Whether finding a house for the first time in second year, moving in with a different set of people from third year or choosing somewhere for a 4th year or MA, students are often so panicked they end up choosing the first house they encounter without mould and a dodgy landlord. While leaving it until the last minute can make it tempting to move into the first place you find, it’s worth considering a few things that you otherwise wouldn’t that can have a greater impact on your living environment than you would think.

In an attempt to avoid arguments or brewing resentment, most people find that the best way to decide on who gets which room is drawing straws – but sometimes it can work out better to have a discussion about which rooms will suit different people. For instance, if there’s one small room that no-one wants and someone who is in a serious enough relationship that they’re not likely to be sleeping in their own bed every night, it might be worth them taking this into consideration and one of them taking a not-so-good room that they won’t be sleeping in. If you’re living with more than 4 people, then it’s likely that someone will have to have a downstairs room. Not everyone loves having the room that’s next to the living room or kitchen as, if they are the type that go to bed early or don’t go out much, they can be kept awake by other people in the house so maybe a night owl is best for this room.

If you are going to be living in a house with lots of people, then you should also take a good look at the communal areas. Taking into account personalities, sometimes people need to be coaxed out of their rooms and communal areas where you can socialize are perfect for this. A combined kitchen and living room might seem like you’re getting less space at first, but it could work out better when you can cook your dinner and talk to your housemates at the same time as they watch TV. If you end up living in a big house with lots of people then you should consider that you’ll have to communicate well with each other about who is and isn’t in to avoid the last person out in the morning leaving the bathroom window wide open, thinking that there’s still people in.

Living in a bigger house can also seem more like halls at times. Letting agents have segmented the houses out in such a way as to fit as many rooms in as possible and this can lead to gloomy corridors with lots of individually locked doors. However, this is great if you like time on your own and, on the flip side, living in such a small house that you can hear everything through the walls can drive some people crazy.

While these are things to keep in mind, don’t be the person making crazily unreasonable demands when looking round houses. Decide whether you’re more bothered about how big your room is or if you’d rather have a nicer communal area beforehand and chat to the people that you’re living with as well and all come to a reasonable conclusion.

Really, you should be more bothered about the people that you’re living with than the house but your living experience can be even better if you’re in a house best suited to everyone living there.

City off to Wembley: Manchester City vs. Everton

Written by Patrick Harvey on . Posted in Sport.

Manchester City have secured themselves a place at Wembley in the Capital One Cup final amid controversial circumstances, winning the North West’s battle of the blues.

Both sides lined up with strong outfits. For City, only Joe Hart, Aleksandar Kolarov and Kevin De Bruyne were rested, in place of Willy Caballero, Gael Clichy and Fabien Delph. As for Everton, John Stones deputised for Seamus Coleman at right back, Joel Robles replaced Tim Howard, and Leon Osman made a rare start, as one of the three behind an in-form Romelu Lukaku.

City made a shaky start to the game, as Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to play the energetic Delph and thus push Yaya Touré further up appeared to back fire. Despite enjoying the majority of the possession, it was Everton who posed the greater attacking threat early on, with the pace of Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku, repeatedly stretching the reshuffled City midfield on the counter attack. This resulted in Everton taking an early lead through the impressive Barkley, with his eighth of the season. The goal came in the seventeenth minute as he took the ball from just inside City’s half, evaded a challenge from Nicholás Otamendi and proceed to fire a vicious right footed strike into Caballero’s bottom right.

However, the goal did seem to wake up the blue half of Manchester. And only six minutes after going behind, Fernandinho levelled the scoring. It was a Phil Jagielka block from a timid strike from Sergio Aguero that created the perfect lay off for Fernandinho. His follow-up, though, involved a large slice of luck, with his shot taking a significant deflection off Leighton Baines and cruelly looping over the head of the immobilised Robles.

From then on, it was a largely City-dominated affair. Hitting the post through both Aguero in the thirty-fifth minute and David Silva in the fifty-fifth. Interestingly, Pellegrini also decided to reverse his decision to start Delph and replaced him with Jesús Navas at half time, as city reverted back to their conventional midfield of Touré and Fernandinho. Early in the second half, he also decided to bolster the attack by bringing on the prolific De Bruyne

The city pressure finally paid off in the sixty-ninth minute as the substitute De Bruyne levelled the tie on aggregate. It was a goal, however, riddled with controversy. On second viewing, it seemed clear that Sterling’s cutback to the young Belgian was made out of play. This left Everton boss Roberto Martinez once again furious at the officials, with him branding the decision ‘hurtful and unfair’. With decisions not going the Everton team’s way in recent weeks, they will feel aggrieved again, although City fans will be chuffed after being denied a penalty in the first leg.

Despite this, the game still had 30 more minutes, and it was only six minutes later that City found the goal that would take them to Wembley. Yet again, it was the substitute Kevin De Bruyne at the heart of it, as his perfectly whipped cross found the head of Aguero. The Argentine managed to find space in between Everton captain Jagielka, and Stones, who seemed uneasy at right back all night. His header was placed perfectly into the left corner of the goal, beyond the Everton backup keeper.

There were jubilant scenes at The Etihad upon the full time whistle as Manchester City ensured their return to Wembley in late February to face Jürgen Klopp’s red side of Liverpool. For Pellegrini, the win marked his second Capital One cup final in three years, giving him some respite, amid the relentless rumours surrounding the future of both him and Pep Guardiola. Despite this, there was some very worrying news for the Chilean as his saviour on the night, De Bruyne, was stretchered off late on, with what is reported to be knee ligament damage. Reports are surfacing that the Belgian could be out for ten weeks.

For Everton, it was hugely disappointing night as Martinez scorned the opportunity of an all-Liverpudlian final, in what was arguably the biggest game of his reign. The defeat has subsequently heaped more misery and pressure on the Spaniard in what has been a disappointing season.

Salford Crescent

Written by Elizabeth Gibson on . Posted in Books.

It’s cold

and I don’t know how long I have to wait for

the next train that will get me

where I want to be

and I remember I used to think this station was beautiful

because of all the lavender. It was wild,

I think I saw squirrels once,

scurrying about and vanishing into the scrub.

And the industrialism beyond that fence

seemed almost part of the charm

—it was a forgotten land, though people were here everyday

catching their train.

Today

it is sunny, and the sky is blue,

all the colours are saturated; the pine with the pigeon nested in its bows

is a green so green you could dip a brush in and paint with it

like my cat’s eyes.

The pigeon flies off—it seems… inevitable. Yet while he was there it didn’t

seem possible that he could go.

I look for the lavender, remembering it as

foxgloves in my mind, and it’s there but the beauty isn’t.

It’s in the sun, and the colours,

and the sadness that one day I’ll want to come back to here, to today, to this scene.

Yet I can do nothing to make the most of being here but look, and yearn

for that green to somehow wedge itself in my mind

and never leave.

One day maybe the squirrels will come back,

one day maybe there’ll be foxgloves

like in the Lakes

or bees will buzz around the lavender

and I’ll pass through this passing place,

this ephemeral station

with its new entrance, whenever they finish it

and I’ll remember why I loved it once.

The passing place.

Place of beauty.

Place of peace.

Where I can wait for my train

and feel outside of time.

Wherever I want to be in my life,

I am here

with one purpose:

to wait for a train.

And I’m cold

but it’s beautiful here.

Preview: Manchester City vs Leicester City

Written by Harry Newton on . Posted in Sport.

At the start of the season very few would have entertained the idea that Manchester City vs Leicester City would be a game between two title contenders and therefore one of the biggest games of the season. However, that is the situation we find ourselves in now, despite how Manuel Pellegrini tried to play it down in his pre-match press conference. He labelled the game as an opportunity to close the gap with plenty of points still available after the game, but this will not curb excitement from football fans ahead of this match.

Main Battle

Jamie Vardy vs. Martín Demichelis

In his day, Jamie Vardy could terrorise Manchester City’s whole four, so City’s only two fit first-team centre backs Nicolás Otamendi and Martín Demichelis will have been studying the Englishman all week. City’s back four have had some struggles this season but have played themselves into form of late with a more frequent supply of clean sheets. “Stop Vardy: stop Leicester” is how many people see this game, and although this isn’t quite fair on Leicester—it certainly wouldn’t harm City. With Demichelis’ good reading of the game and lengthy experience in world football, this could be a tasty clash.

Photo: Pioeb @Flickr

Last Time

Goalless draw in the midlands… the least said about that one the better.

Injuries

·         Vincent Kompany: training and could be back next week.

·         Eliaquim Mangala: should return couple more weeks.

·         Wilfried Bony: expected to be in training next week.

·         Jesús Navas: minimum of three weeks out.

·         Samir Nasri: long-term.

·         Kevin de Bruyne: long-term.

Pellegrini’s future

It’s been a big week for City, with the announcement that Pep Guardiola will be taking over the Blues come next season. However, Pellegrini was quick to make sure that the focus was put on the game and not on his or Guardiola’s future, during his pre-match press conference. “It’s important for everyone to know that I knew what was happening and that no-one was doing anything behind my back” Pellegrini said, but then quickly switched the focus by stating “just ask me about the team, the game and nothing else.”

Photo: joshjdss @Flickr

Quote of the Presser

“I was so bored in the last press conference that I tried to make it interesting!”—Manuel Pellegrini, on his big mid-week press conference.

Leicester City

A word used to describe Leicester often throughout this season has been ‘surprise,’ as they find themselves sitting pretty at the top of the league in February. A team that some predicted would be relegation candidates this season are taking the league by storm and will be tough opponents for City this Saturday.

Pellegrini was quick to reject the idea that Leicester are a surprise though. “We cannot continue to say surprise about Leicester” the Chilean stated, as he went on to say he is also not surprised by the form of Jamie Vardy either. He compared his time at Villarreal CF to where Leicester are now, as his Villarreal side found themselves in the semi-finals of the Champions League and second in La Liga.

Pellegrini states that he spoke to his players like they were equal—that the other teams in the league were on their level. The respect Pellegrini showed towards Leicester, highlighting their good team play, will hopefully find itself being represented on the pitch this Saturday, as City’s big boys need to make sure they do not underestimate the Premier League leaders.

Something to look out for

With both David Silva and Riyad Mahrez likely to play, keep a close eye on the ball being used as a prop in their dance. The two players will be trying to out-do one another with entries to the showboat with their quick feet.

Photo: Leon Queeley @Wikimedia Commons

The start of something new?

With Leicester leading the pack, Tottenham just behind City, and Chelsea struggling near the relegation zone, this seasons has seen a big change. Pellegrini noted that he thinks this is “very good for the Premier League,” stating that “for me, this is the best season.” He even went as far to include six teams in the running for the Premier League trophy; “I don’t think it’s just four teams going for the title—West Ham and United are involved too.” You can make up your own minds about that one.

The Premier League has always been regarded as one of the best in the world, and this is mainly down to the fact that it is so unpredictable! This shift will only see the league improve and offer more hope for smaller teams and potentially a much more open and exciting season ahead.

Prediction

You would like to think that City have the capabilities to see off Leicester at home, but anything could happen when the league leaders come to town.

That being said, Barclays Player of the Month, Sergio Agüero, will be raring to go. If City get the first goal this game could see them use their experience to get the win, but if Leicester get the goal and the momentum, City will be sailing against the wind.

City 2-0 Leicester.

Review: A Shrektacular Performance

Written by Harry Newton on . Posted in Theatre.

It can often be risky when you take something so well-known and completely change it; whether that be a book into a film, or in this case a film into a musical. Shrek the Musical at The Lowry, however, has ignored this risk and triumphed in a fantastic adaptation of the much-loved film.

With classic lines from the films, constant laughs, and even the odd innuendo for the older watchers. The audience was full to the brim with many ages, and it was difficult to find a face not smiling with a glance around the audience, evident by the numerous members of the audience who stood up at the end to clap off the actors.

With big shoes to fill after big names having played Shrek and Fiona in the past, both Dean Chisnall and Bronté Barbé respectively lived up to expectation and put in a flawless and funny performance for the masses. Despite this, it was Gerard Carey who stole the show with his hilarious characterisation as Lord Farquaad. Despite his standard height, the actor brought himself down to his knees to carry out the performance, using fake legs to hilarious effect. Carey’s knees will no doubt be aching for weeks after spending the whole performance on them running up and down the stage, but I’m sure it will be quite a pain relief knowing that he performed so well.

Changes to the usual Dreamworks plot include the introduction of the Pied Piper and a back story to Shrek’s life as a child, however it was another big change that brought about my highlight of the night. Despite the film being famous for bringing to life animals and objects and giving them a voice, whether that be a talking donkey or a talking gingerbread man, the character of Dragon has always remained silent. However, silence no more! Dragon has a voice, and what a voice it is! Candance Furbert, who also played the Fairy Godmother, voiced the dragon and brought about the best song of the musical with “Forever” in act two, as her soulful performance brought rapturous applause from the audience and lived up to the high standards expected of from the audience as soon as the fantastically designed dragon puppet came out.

A night to remember for all the family, with all the expectations the film set before the musical—and then some! Whether you’re six or sixty, this is one for everyone to enjoy at The Lowry, until Saturday the 20th of February.