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Day: 5 June 2018

“Like Carmen, but more moonshine”

Written by Millie Nettleton on . Posted in Theatre.

I didn’t choose to come out: it sort of happened by accident. I was mincing around the house to sumptuous crescendo’s of Puccini’s Tosca when it happened: my housemate walked in on me. “You like classical music?!” She asked, alarmed. I hung my head, turning down the music as my cheeks began to burn: “I do.” No longer was I a closet classicist; I had been outed.

Classical music can get quite the bad rep, especially at University, where anything the least bit middle class, like eating prosciutto ham, is likely to get you branded a Tory (the student equivalent of being a pariah). It is this elitist reputation that Manchester based arts collective The Opera Shack are trying to shake off: with their unique formula of interspersing key scenes in opera with spoken word narrations aims to break down the stereotypes surrounding the art form and to re-contextualise works into more relevant and engaging settings for audiences today.

You might not know you know it, but you probably know Carmen, the Opera Shack’s up and coming production. Based on a 19th Century French novella by Prosper Merimée, Bizet’s Opera is perhaps one of the most iconic in the classical canon, boasting not just one but two really famous arias: the Habanera and the Toreador’s song. It’s music tells the story of a passionate romance between the naive soldier, Don José, and a fiery gypsy that traditionally causes him to desert and undertake a life of crime, debauchery, and freedom. Told afresh, The Opera Shack’s production envisions the tale set in 1920s prohibition, a world of gangsters, flappers, and moonshine.

More than just a night of spectacle, the production’s musical director, Abi Kitching, and the director of the Opera Shack, Emma Doherty, believe Opera can be a force for good. They both shared with me their thoughts on the role Opera plays for young people today:

Abi : “Art and music has a really positive impact on our wellbeing and is deeply important in society because of the way it can make us think and feel. Opera is no exception. […] I also think creativity provokes creativity and it is so valuable to go and watch a piece of performance art and then digest it afterwards, preferably over a pint. Because opera, particularly in the high-end opera houses, is less popular now, the debate around seems to have also decreased. But it’s really positive to see opera companies popping up and giving audiences lots to talk about.”

Emma: “The Opera Shack team are dedicated to the accessibility of art, particularly in a climate of cuts, and we believe arts education and participation are integral to the well-being, empowerment and development of all people. This belief is integral to our ethos and we strive for our work to directly impact the communities we are working within. Alongside regular performances, in the future we hope to run workshops in various settings including schools, youth groups, and centres for those in temporary accommodation, using our performances to engage and empower people from all walks of life.”

“I don’t believe that music should ‘belong’ to any group of people – particularly not just those who are the ones making it professionally – we all have a right to music and the arts and its up to those creating it to reach out and share it with anyone and everyone who wants to engage. Opera doesn’t need to be stuffy and elitist and old-fashioned, it can be funny, exciting, and touching and that’s what we try to depict through our productions.”

The Opera Shack places a particular importance on Carmen’s role. Reinvented as a jazz singer for a speakeasy that acts as a front for prohibition defying gangsters, Emma was determined that Carmen’s sexuality does not override her violent fate: “More often than not when I read about Carmen, the language used to describe the protagonist is quite alarming: the calculating femme-fatale, the temptress who manipulates her prey, Don Jose, leading to his unfortunate downfall.

Instead, in this production I chose to explore Carmen’s story as an example of domestic violence – a depiction of manipulation, possessiveness and aggression – engaging a protagonist who we witness become isolated and fearful. Through my work with Manchester Rape Crisis, I’ve seen first hand the impact of domestic violence on survivors. The message we aim to highlight in this production is that violence against women and girls does not reflect on the victim, no matter how flirtatious, sexual or seductive they are. “

In the light of this, a percentage of the proceeds will go toward Manchester Rape crisis. Despite the potentially challenging take on the infamous Carmen, the audience can look forward to a lively and enticing performance by Manchester’s rising stars from Royal Northern College of Music and The University of Manchester. Performances run at the Kings Arms in Salford, 19:30 – 21:30 on the 14th-16th of June, and tickets range from £6 (concessions) to £12 for adults. Audience are encouraged to wear their best twenties attire. Don’t miss this new, exciting and topical take on a age-old classic!

Find out more at theoperashack.co.uk or on Instagram @theoperashack

Carmen @ the Opera Shack. Credit: the Opera Shack.
Carmen @ the Opera Shack. Credit: the Opera Shack.
Photo: Kirstie O'Mahony @The Mancunion

Review: Shoryu – vegetarian special

Written by Kirstie O'Mahony on . Posted in Food & Drink.

Piccadilly Gardens has had a tough time keeping its reputation afloat; The Manchester Evening News recently explored why the council has supposedly found it so difficult to make it a place Mancunians actually want to go.

Places like Shoryu though, are giving it their best shot to turn its reputation around. Its launch in winter 2016 was met with a warm reception, and it seems to have gone from strength to strength ever since.

The restaurant prides itself on their tonkotsu ramen; it’s a fatty pork stock that hails from Hakata in Japan, served with straight ramen noodles. It’s extremely rich, salty, and delicious, but quite rightly would make most vegans and veggies turn away in search of something a little more up their alley.

Photo: Kirstie O'Mahony @The Mancunion
The white natural – Photo: Kirstie O’Mahony @The Mancunion

But Shoryu’s vegetarian options are not to be sniffed at (although they do smell delicious). They offer two ramens:  the first is the ‘white natural’, which has a base of tonyu soy milk and is filled with tofu, kigure mushrooms, bamboo shoots and seaweed. The second is the ‘spicy vegetarian’, which is essentially the white natural with an extra fiery kick, and some tenderstem broccoli added. I obviously had to try both.

The spicy vegetarian really packed a punch. The chilli is warming and you can definitely feel it hit the back of your throat, but it isn’t so overwhelming as to completely dull the flavours of the vegetables within it. My only slight qualm was with the tofu, as it’s something that’s notoriously unpopular, but can be made to taste absolutely delicious if well marinated. Whilst the tofu in both soups was cooked to perfection, it tasted quite bland.

The white natural had the same issue, but the broth itself was exquisite. The soy gave the impression of a rich tonkotsu, but I felt much less bloated after it than if I had had the meatier alternative.

Photo: Kirstie O'Mahony @The Mancunion
Black sesame tofu (not for the faint hearted) Photo: Kirstie O’Mahony @The Mancunion

My partner and I also had some sides. He insisted on trying the black sesame tofu, which sounded amazing but I have an extreme aversion to anything remotely gelatinous, so silken tofu is something I can’t really abide by. He assured me it was delicious however, if only for people who have a penchant for interesting textures. There was some toasted sesame on the top of it which provided a crunch to balance the softness, and had an excellent and complex flavour to it. Who said vegetarian food had to be boring?

Photo: Kirstie O'Mahony @The Mancunion
Vegetable tempura – Photo: Kirstie O’Mahony @The Mancunion

I, however, opted for the far safer option of vegetable tempura. The batter itself was light and crispy and perfectly cooked. The vegetables included the more classic sweet potato, but also tenderstem broccoli, which I’d never had in tempura batter before. It worked incredibly well; the batter clung to its flowering head and provided varying texture. It also came with a vegetable croquette, which was definitely a fancier version of one you might find in Iceland, but it was a croquette nonetheless; it’s hard to make what is essentially a rounded ball of potato taste that exciting. They were all served with curry salt, which gave the whole dish a depth that it may not have otherwise have had if only served with soy sauce.

Photo: Kirstie O'Mahony @The Mancunion
Matcha cheesecake – Photo: Kirstie O’Mahony @The Mancunion

What really made this meal though was the dessert. We opted for the matcha cheesecake and the chocolate matcha sundae. Matcha is typically quite bitter, but in both desserts it was paired beautifully with its sweeter counterparts. The sundae was a particular highlight; it was refreshing and light, whilst still feeling somewhat indulgent. It’s the perfect treat for a summer’s day. The cheesecake was a final delicate finish to the meal.

Photo: Kirstie O'Mahony @The Mancunion
Matcha chocolate sundae – Photo: Kirstie O’Mahony @The Mancunion

Overall, I think my high expectations of the rest of the Shoryu menu left me somewhat wanting when it came to their vegetarian options. However, the desserts were incredible, and definitely worth a visit just for them. I’m Shoryu will love them!