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Year: 2013

Apathetic turnout for Halls Committee elections

Written by Michael Williams on . Posted in News.

Halls of Residence Committee elections were marred by lack of interest, with one halls – Owens Park – having seven positions unfilled after the first election, The Mancunion can reveal.

During the first set of elections for Owens Park last week, nobody ran for the General Secretary, Men’s or Women’s Sport Officer, Environmental Officer, Community Officer, or two Communications Officer positions – seven out of the eleven positions.

Nominations were reopened and a second paper ballot was held, but the Women’s Sport Officer position still remains vacant.

Disinterest was not only limited to the positions themselves. Seven per cent of Owens Park residents voted in the first election – a number which rose to just 13 per cent for the second vote, despite the ballot taking place during dinner-time in the dining hall.

President of the Owens Park Students’ Association, Megan Taylor, defended the turnout.

“Many students showed interest, whether it be nominating themselves or by voting,” said Taylor.  “And we are very grateful for their contributions.

“I am pleased to announce that we had a very successful by-election to fill the vacant positions on the Owens Park Committee.”

In addition to Owens Park, six other halls commitees had positions that nobody applied for. Oak House had four roles unfilled, with Whitworth Park and Wright Robinson having three vacant roles. Opal Gardens, Richmond Park and Victioria Hall had two positions uncontested. Only Grosvenor Halls managed to fill all of their roles.

Information for Ashburne & Sheavyn halls was unavailable when The Mancunion went to print.

Charlie Cook, Community Officer, suggesed student’s lack of confidence in politicians marred voting numbers, rather than a lack of interest in the committees themselves.

“Before they come to University, students are often either unable to vote or feel that politicians offer them very little,” said Cook. “I think this is more likely to be the reason for low engagement rather than not valuing the committees themselves.”

Cook also hinted towards steps being taken to remedy situations such as that at Owens Park.

“One objective of next year’s elections will be to raise engagement levels across the democratic process from candidate nominations to voter turnout,” she said.

Students’ Union to cut staff in face of deficit

Written by Jonathan Breen on . Posted in News.

With over a half a million pound deficit, the Students’ Union is set to implement cuts, including to staff and society funding, as part of a last ditch savings plan.

After an emergency meeting of the Trustee Board on 8 November, £400,821 of budget cuts, and £68,000 of additional income generation was agreed. But, this still left £130,000 of savings needed, for which the Trustees have turned to staff for income-generating and cost-saving ideas, or to ultimately make redundancies.

“There is still an extra £130,000 worth of savings to be made and this can only come from any further ideas that staff may present to us that could assist to bridge the gap,” said General Secretary of the Union Grace Skelton. “Short of that, we will have to concede that job losses will be an eventuality and the Union will be in the regrettable position of initially having to implement a voluntary redundancy programme.”

She added, “We are also currently giving all staff members the option of requesting voluntary redundancy, however the Union reserves the right to decide whether or not to accept the request.”

The University of Manchester Students’ Union conducted a review of its commercial performance in October and found they faced around a £619,000 deficit. Previously, the Union’s Trustee Board received an internal financial report in August, which showed they would end the 2012-13 financial year with a deficit of a similar amount.

A document sent to staff, seen by The Mancunion, showed, among other things, savings of £32,000 were made by reducing staff training and travel budgets, £17,000 by cutting the campaign budget and society grants budget – existing grants will not be affected – £11,500 from not replacing existing minibuses, and £4,500 by replacing student staff from the Activities reception with existing permanent staff or interns.

Other cutbacks include the closure of Biko’s North Cafe on North Campus, which has been running at a loss.

“The closure of Biko’s North Café would have been inevitable at some point in the next few years due to the University of Manchester’s decision to vacant North Campus as part of the Campus Masterplan,” said Skelton. “This process has been brought forward by the Students’ Union as it has been indentified that Biko’s North Café was operating at a significant loss.”

It is not yet clear what caused the significant deficit, but an investigation is underway.

“The Trustee Board is in the process of investigating the causes of the financial situation however at this stage our priority is to deal with the ongoing consultation process,” said Skelton.

Staff with cost-saving or income-generating ideas can go to their Head of Department or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Mystery of moving statue at Manchester Museum solved

Written by Inez Dawoodjee on . Posted in News.

An Egyptian statue in the Manchester Museum that captured the attention of the world’s media as it appeared to rotate on its own, wasn’t cursed after all.

Vibrations expert Steve Gosling has solved the mystery. He discovered that vibrations from museum-goers and outside traffic at peak times in the day caused the 10-inch statue to move.

In April, a time-lapse video captured footage of the 1,800 stone statuette rotating inside its sealed display case, causing rumours of an ancient curse. Museum curators had no explanation as to why this happened.

But Gosling was able to provide an explanation, after he placed a three-axis sensor underneath the display case to track vibrations over an entire day.

He found that noise vibrations were loudest at 6pm and then tapered off, but began again in a daily cycle.  Vibrations from the noise propelled the statue’s movements.

“The statue was rotating due to vibrations entering the display case.  We installed an accelerometer and found that vibrations from both road traffic and footfall within the museum were the cause,” Gosling told Reuters news agency.

He added, “The vibration is a combination of multiple sources so there’s buses outside on the busy road, there’s footfall activity. And it’s all of those things combined.”

Gosling discovered a lump at the base of the statue made it more effective at picking up vibrations than other statues with flat bases.

The statue attracted attention from press all over the world when curators at the Museum first revealed that it was rotating.

The 25 cm statue was donated to the museum 80 years ago.  Its portrays an Egyptian man making an offering to Osisris, god of the underworld.

Gosling undertook this investigation as part of a ITV series Mystery Map which aims to solve mysteries.

“Miracle material” graphene to be used in condoms

Written by Inez Dawoodjee on . Posted in News, Science & Tech.

Scientists at the University of Manchester have been given funding to develop a new condom using graphene and latex.

Graphene is made up of only a single layer of carbon atoms, but is stronger than diamonds.  Condoms made from graphene will be stronger, yet thinner and safer too.

Professor Aravind Vijayaraghavan of Manchester’s School of Materials said, “This composite material will be tailored to enhance the natural sensation during intercourse while using a condom, which should encourage and promote condom use.”

He added, “This will be achieved by combining the strength of graphene with the elasticity of latex to produce a new material which can be thinner, stronger, more stretchy, safer and, perhaps most importantly, more pleasurable.”

Professor Vijayaraghavan has been awarded £62,000 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in an attempt to solve health problems in developing countries—particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Researchers Sir Andrew Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov from the University of Manchester won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 for their discovery of graphene.

Nicknamed the “ miracle material,” graphene’s lightweight quality, tensile strength, transparency  and ability to conduct electricity has made it a hit with researchers.

It is currently being adjusted for use in electrical equipment, new types of solar panels, lightweight body armour as well as non-stick coatings on pans.

It is hoped that graphene-based condoms will be more desirable to use and therefore encourage the widespread use of condoms.  This in turn could have a knock-on effect in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and reducing unplanned pregnancies.

Professor Vijayaraghavan  explained his hopes for incorporating graphene into everyday materials.

“Since its isolation in 2004, people have wondered when graphene will be used in our daily life.

“Currently, people imagine using graphene in mobile-phone screens, food packaging and chemical sensors.

“If this project is successful, we might have a use for graphene which will touch our everyday life in the most intimate way.”

 

Request for witnesses after attempted daylight robbery

Written by Jake Bhardwaj on . Posted in News.

Police have urged for two key witnesses to come forward in relation to the attempted robbery of a mobile phone.

The incident took place at 12 noon, Saturday 16th of November, on Oxford road, close by to the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, when a woman’s mobile phone was snatched from her. The thief, who then fled from the scene, was chased down by University security who managed to retain the stolen phone and returned it to its rightful owner.

Police are calling for two members of the public who witnessed the incident to come forward, as they alerted the University security team to the incident and could help with any further police inquiries.

This incident follows a trend of similar crimes occurring in this area of Manchester over the last few months, with over 60 thefts from a person occurring in September alone.

Though the phone was recovered, police remain keen to talk to the two witnesses, in the hope that this sort of criminal activity can be prevented in the future.

If you were the victim of this theft, or of any other similar incident, Greater Manchester Police have requested that you contact university security on 0161 306 9966 or any police officer or go to your local police station.

Opportunist thief burgles unlocked student home

Written by Jake Bhardwaj on . Posted in News.

The Police have issued a warning for students across the Fallowfield area, after a burglary at a student house.

Thieves entered through the front door of the home on Lombard Grove between the hours for 6.30 am and 10.30 am on Saturday 16th November, stealing both an Apple iPad with Manchester Medical School and the university logo printed on its back, as well as a Samsung laptop, before leaving.  It seems that the front door of the property was left open, allowing the burglars to make both an easy entrance, and exit.

Police have warned that leaving doors and windows unlocked may lead to similar incidents over the course of the festive season. Police Constable Matthew Harvey, from West Didsbury Police Station said, “Unfortunately, the front door of the property was left ajar and an opportunist thief has struck inside.”

He went on to say that as Christmas soon approaches, “Thieves will be testing doors and windows to see if they are open.  Don’t give them an easy opportunity and ensure you keep them locked.”

In order to help the police with their investigations, Constable Harvey has also stated, “If you have been approached by anyone trying to sell electrical goods under suspicious circumstances, I would ask you to contact police.”

This incident comes after recent news that less than one in ten burglaries which took place in Greater Manchester between January and March resulted in charges being made against the thief and fewer than 2% saw the thief being jailed.

Anyone with any new information is urged to contact the police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police also recommend any electrical goods be registered for free at, www.immobilise.com, which can help to return stolen electrical items to their rightful owner.

Manchester students protest privatisation of student debt

Written by Sean Doherty on . Posted in News.

Students from the University of Manchester took part in a series of ‘debt-ins’ around the University campus last week as part of a ‘National Day of Action’ protesting the privatisation of the student loan book.

The students who took part in the protest on Wednesday 20th November morning lay on the floor under a pile of red boxes representing student debt. The protest began in University Place before moving on to Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, the Stopford Building, the Library and the Roscoe Building.

“Manchester Students’ Union and the Defend Our Education campaign group will continue to take action against government proposals to privatise student loans,” said Clifford Fleming, Campaigns and Citizenship Officer. “The privatisation of the student loan book will see debt sold to private organisations and in order for this deal to be profitable private organisations would either need to change the terms and conditions of payments (including raising interest rates) or for the deal to be subsidised by the UK taxpayer.”

The government has announced its plans to sell off all student debt to private companies by 2015. A secret government report last year proposed that in order for the student loan book to be profitable to private companies, the cap on interest rates for repayments of loans would have to be removed.

Such a move would affect all students who graduated after 1998, meaning that current students would be faced with accumulating a higher debt than they believed they would when they agreed to the terms of their student loans.

Protests such as the one seen in Manchester took place in over twenty campuses all over the country, in a day of action co-ordinated by the Student Assembly Against Austerity.

Fiona Edwards, of the SAAA said, “We recognise that the privatisation of our student loans will cause interest rates to rise. We are demanding that they drop this outrageous policy immediately or expect further protests in the New Year.”

David Willetts, the Universities Minister, claims that privatisation of student loans will not lead to students having to pay back a greater amount of money, “There will be no change to the terms of repayment so students shouldn’t be affected by the privatisation of their loans.”

Harriet  Pugh, Undergraduate Humanities Faculty Representative and the primary organiser of Defend Our Education was critical of the move.

“It is almost certain that the privatisation of student debt will lead to an increase in the interest we have to pay back in the future. This affects ALL students who still have debt to repay, including those who have already taken out their loans.

“The government claims they are doing this as part of their plan to tackle national debt. What this really means, is that they are going to shift responsibility of student debt away from the government at the expense of graduates and, ultimately, (and ironically) the tax payer because the government is likely to have to subsidise the extra interest to private companies anyway.

As well as being a ridiculous financial decision, the privatisation of student debt is likely to have disastrous social consequences. It is already far more difficult for young people from ‘lower socio-economic backgrounds’ to go to university; you only have to look at the stats to work that one out.
This decision will only add to the financial burden of graduates and deter more people from getting the formal qualifications that open up so many opportunities and career prospects.”

Those at Defend Our Education are calling on students to contact their local MPS in an effort to persuade them not to sell the student loan book.

Those who would like to support the campaign can send an email to their local MP by visiting:
www.thestudentassembly.org.uk/lobbying-tools.html

Jabez Clegg closes

Written by Sean Doherty on . Posted in News.

Jabez Clegg, the popular student venue located next to the University of Manchester campus, has closed its doors after being sold to the University.

The former home of the controversial BOP club night, prior to its move to 256 in Fallowfield earlier this year, officially closed for business on Monday after being open under its ownership since 1991.

Hale Leisure Group, the owners of the site who also own The Thirsty Scholar, were granted planning permission by Manchester City Council to convert Jabez Clegg into 79 student apartments. However, it is believed that they were unable to find a developer willing to buy the venue and instead it was sold to the University.

A representative from the University has confirmed that the building was purchased as part of the £1 billion Master Plan, a ten year investment plan which aims to create a world-class campus at University of Manchester, a move which will include the integration of the sites which currently form North Campus into the main campus.

Although it is likely that Jabez Clegg will be part of a proposed biomedical campus in the area, there has been no decision made as regards its specific purpose.

Jabez Clegg confirmed the closure early on Monday morning as they posted a message on Twitter, “The rumours are true – I’m sorry to say we’re closed indefinitely. Good luck to all our friends. PEACE OUT.”

The XS Malarkey comedy club, a night which was based in Jabez Clegg, is currently seeking a new home. Although the banner on their Twitter page reads, “Currently homeless…” they have posted, “We’re not closing down, it’s just our venue. We plan to be back better than ever in 2014 :)”.

The news of the closure came as an abrupt shock to some of the staff. Krystie Kate Norcliffe, former employee at Jabez Clegg and a second year English Literature student at the University of Manchester felt that the venue’s shutting down on Monday was a sudden surprise.

“It came as a massive shock and I can’t quite believe it still, I knew that we were struggling as a business but I didn’t have any idea about the extent to which we were struggling.

“I have no choice but to look for a new job, I live permanently in Manchester now over the holidays as well as term time and I cannot afford to live here on my student loan alone.”

Krystie was told that while the owner of Jabez Clegg would attempt to find the staff jobs in other sites owned by the Hale Leisure Group, such as The Thirsty Scholar, that there were currently no jobs to be had. The staff received redundancy pay amounting to a week’s worth of wages as well as any holiday pay or wages that they were owed.

Top 5 Songs… in the field of Pulling

Written by Patrick Hinton on . Posted in Music.

Joy Orbison – Elipsis

It’s been an unsuccessful night so far, you’re a stuttering mess every time you approach a potential lover. Time for another drink to boost your confidence.

MK – Love Changes

The night wears on, the club is emptying and still no luck. Time to lower those standards, and have another drink.

Levon Vincent – Man Or Mistress

You’ve found someone and they seem interested. After all those drinks, you can’t be certain that they’re the gender you desire, but that’s neither here nor there.

Scuba – Adrenalin

Your excitement peaks as it finally happens. You’re kissing! You’re in a taxi home! You’re under the sheets! *Fade to black*

American Football – But the Regrets are Killing Me

It’s morning. Ouch, your head. You roll over and now it’s not just the sun that hurts your eyes. Time to make a hasty, sheepish exit.

Fury over students ‘blacking up’

Written by Aidan Gregory on . Posted in News.

Students across the UK found themselves embroiled in different race rows in both York and Edinburgh last week.

A group of Law students were subject to serious criticism after deciding to ‘black up’ as Somalian pirates for a Law Society ‘around the world’ themed social.

The Edinburgh University students donned camouflage trousers, scruffy shirts, bandanas, and painted their faces black before heading out to the party.

Pictures of the event were uploaded to Facebook, where they were seen by journalists from The Student, Edinburgh University’s student newspaper.

The choice of costumes has been met with condemnation from several student societies at the University.

Keir Barlas, President of the Law Society, personally apologised to anyone who was offended, and said that he was “shocked and mortified” by the incident.

The law society then issued a statement on its Facebook page, declaring that the LawSoc is “vehemently opposed to discrimination in any form”, and that “insensitivity is intolerable and is “something that we are completely opposed to”.

In a statement to The Student, Nadia Mehdi, Edinburgh University Students’ Association Vice President for Societies and Activities, said:

“I’m really shocked to see that in this day and age these students weren’t aware of or chose to ignore the offence they would cause by painting their faces black. It’s not acceptable and should not be condoned.

“The Law Society is not a EUSA society so we can’t discipline them but I will be bringing this to the attention of the Law School.”

The incident happened in the same week as another incident involving students ‘blacking up’ at one of the UK’s most prestigious universities.

A separate race row at York University was triggered by a group of students deciding to black up as the Jamaican bobsleigh team from the film Cool Runnings, and causing £2000 of damage in a drunken rampage across the campus.

The four students have been described as “completely shameless” by Kallum Taylor, the York University Union President, and the story even made it into the Jamaica Observer.

The four responsible have since unreservedly apologised in a letter addressed to the students and staff of York University. It explains that “We are writing to apologise for the offence we have caused following our idiotic choice to ‘black up’ for our Halloween costumes, where we dressed as the characters of ‘Cool Runnings’, the Jamaican bob sleigh team of 1988 winter Olympics. There was no intent of malice or offence, the costumes were not chosen to mock or insult the BME students of York, or any members of the wider community.”

They continue further, confessing that “We were not aware of the connections between black painted faces and the minstrel shows of the 19th and 20th centuries, which promoted the mocking of stereotypes, the perpetuation of which is harmful to the stability of our increasingly multicultural society. Had we been aware of this at the time, we would have never have considered this a Halloween costume.”

We are also profoundly sorry for the damage we have done to the University’s reputation and stature.”

Live: Mount Kimbie

Written by Patrick Hinton on . Posted in Music.

7th November

Gorilla

8/10

Whilst Mount Kimbie are ostensibly a band now and this is ostensibly a gig, they hit the stage at the relatively late time of 11pm showing an enduring connection to the club scene.  The late start time allows for the audience to get suitably alcohol fuelled during danceable support slots from producers Lapalux and oOoOO, eliciting an exuberant atmosphere for the arrival of the main act.

Mount Kimbie need no introduction as they launch immediately into ‘Carbonated’ amidst greeting roars of approval from the assembled revellers.  The addition of a live drummer and a host of new gear for this tour means their sound is considerably amped up from when I last saw them in 2010, a wholly positive progression. In a live setting their songs are reworked into elaborate constructions involving any number of guitar pedals and synthesizer settings; the effect is thrilling.

During ‘So Many Times, So Many Ways’ stuttering synth loops cut through the room atmospherically before fading into a bass guitar groove. This continues through the song, building to a climactic swell of reverb soaked sounds that wash over the enthralled crowd. When the familiar drum machine loop of ‘Made To Stray’ emerges out of this the euphoria of the room peaks; the anthem of many summer festivals impressively has the same impact in a dimly lit Manchester venue as on a blazing beach in Croatia.

After leaving the stage to wild applause, Mount Kimbie return for an encore of ‘Mayor’, the standout track from debut Crooks & Lovers. Kai Campos leaps around the stage, mirroring the audience who are induced into movement by the chopped up vocal samples and infectious synth hook, ending the night triumphantly.

Alumni donations reach £460,000

Written by Inez Dawoodjee on . Posted in News.

The Alumni Association has raised £460,000 in the last academic year to fund scholarships and research projects across campus.

It has also raised over £100,000 in the last three months.

The money was raised from a variety of sources, including telephone campaigns conducted by current students.  The recent Autumn campaign has led to donations from 450 alumni, including recent graduates.

The majority of donations will be directed towards the Undergraduate Access Scholarships. The beneficiaries of this scholarship are students from Greater Manchester who complete the Manchester Access Programme.  They receive financial support of £1,000 per year from alumni, in addition to the support they already receive from the University.

Annual Fund Manager Rob Summers said, “There are so many students, especially in the local area, that have the knowledge, talent and potential to really make the most of University education.  University shouldn’t just be for people that can afford it; it should be for people who have the capacity to succeed.”

The donations are currently supporting 550 students at the University this year. Along with Undergraduate Access Scholarships, the funds are used to provide Masters Scholarships for students from developing countries, Hardship Grants for students facing financial difficulty and Research Scholarships for PhD students.

Developmental Biology PhD student Rebecca Williams received a grant to fund her research into breast cancer. Williams won the New Researcher Prize for her work earlier this year.

She said, “At the end of the year, I just want to reiterate how grateful I am to my Alumni donors for funding this PhD. It makes a very personal difference to me, and my life, but also to the lives of so many people suffering with breast cancer.”

This year the Association is aiming to raise £500,000 from over 4,500 donors and to widen participation to students. It also aims to widen alumni engagement on campus.

Summers added, “We get alumni back on campus to provide careers talks and engage with students to offer advice on the opportunities available to them once they graduate. There’s a big focus on graduate employability at Manchester and getting alumni involved in this way is really important.

“By providing this support, donors are doing something absolutely amazing.”

From The Vault: Erykah Badu – Baduizm

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Music.

Released February 1997

Kedar/Universal

Few albums have done for music what Erykah Badu’s debut ‘Baduizm’ did for R&B on its release in 1997. Winning a Grammy for Best R&B album, ‘Baduizm’ sounds just as relevant to the charts today as it did over 15 years ago – the proof of a timeless album that surpasses the passing whims of its period.

The album has elements of old-school Soul that earned Badu comparisons to Billie Holiday and Diana Ross by Rolling Stone Magazine critics of the time. This comparison is most apparent on ‘On and On’ that won a second Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance and proved arguably the most commercially successful of the tracks. Capturing the humble daily chores of much of the USA’s Afro-American society in the South, ‘On and On’ resembles Holiday’s ‘Summertime’ in Badu’s vocal inflections that give an honest sincerity to anything she sings.

The album’s success is unsurprising considering the star-studded line-up that made up the production team. Former Miles Davis bassist Ron Carter complements the rich tone of Badu’s voice on the funky yet heartfelt “Drama” whilst renowned trumpeter Bobby Bradford and R&B producing legend James Poyser helped create the profound “See You Next Lifetime” and freestyle skit “Afro” that transport the listener back to the underground Jazz clubs of 1950’s New York.

Badu headed the Neo-Soul movement that was to pass the baton onto household names Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Lauryn Hill. This considered, it’s surprising how little ‘Baduizm’ is recognised today outside of today’s R&B community for helping establish the sounds of the 21st century.

Turner Prize ’13: David Shrigley

Written by Jack Sheen on . Posted in Arts.

Ever since it’s establishment in 1984, the Turner Prize has become possibly the most colloquial yet controversial award for the visual arts, having previously been won by Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley, as well as being drunkenly discussed on live television by Tracey Emin.

In the run up to the Turner Prize being announced on December 2 four Arts & Culture contributors give introductions to the four nominees of 2013. This week Jack Sheen introduces David Shrigley…

Shrigley was born in Macclesfield in 1968 and now currently lives and works in Glasgow. His work manifests itself within a variety of medias, however he is mostly known for his series of bizarre cartoons released in postcard packs. They seem to flirt with the idea of absurdity in subject matter, presentation and technique. His drawings often bizarerly depict the seemingly pedestrian and inconsequential everyday occurrences,but with an unusual twist. His freehand drawing is purposely lacking in detail, strength or virtuosity, yet is often contrasted with the stark, clinical use of rulered straight lines, creating an unsettling presentation of his subject.

Shrigley’s work also displays a very critical and self aware engagement with contemporary art and its public perception, often playing with the everyday questions of ‘is it art?’. His exhibition opens with a 7ft naked male model, as crudely constructed as his freakish cartoons, creating a life class scenario where visitors can sit down and attempt to draw his already subtly distorted figure. Many already have, with the many further misrepresentations of the human form lining the walls of the constantly evolving exhibition of possibly the most exciting and talked about artist nominated this year.

 

Giving Opera a Go: Peter Grimes

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Arts.

Long associated with being solely enjoyed by the upper classes and those with a taste for ‘the finer things in life’, opera has a reputation for being an exclusive art form appreciated only by people with knowledge of classical music and those ‘in the know’. Mattie Roberts and Jamie Bulman explore how much someone with no knowledge of classical music can gain from a performance of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes.

Peter Grimes is a tale of woe, set in a desolate fishing village in Suffolk. The story focuses on the town’s response to the unfortunate and mysterious death of Peter Grimes’ apprentice and the fisherman’s ostracism from the bawdy social life of the town as a result. It is an eerie, psychological exploration of feelings of guilt and gossip, portrayed through an unusual and progressive musical style.

 

Jamie, using his prior knowledge of opera, lets us know what he thought:

 

I am a music student who, as the son of an opera singer and living a stone’s throw away from the notorious Glyndebourne opera house, has been saturated with opera from an early age. I have been to operas at Glyndebourne every season, and this is where I first encountered the work of Benjamin Britten. First performed in 1945, Peter Grimes is an English opera, very much divorced from the Continental traditions which are often more popular in standard repertory. In earlier European opera the text, or libretto, tends to repeat its self constantly, whereas Britten approaches the text at a running pace. This blurs the lines further between opera and drama, with text that could also work spoken, as in a play. 

The music ebbed and flowed throughout the piece, emulating themes of the sea dominating the work. The dark orchestral colours were perfectly coupled with an excellent portrayal of the solitary fisherman Grimes by Jeffrey Lloyd Roberts. His haunting high tenor voice carried the emotional turmoil of a lonely forty-something year old, haunted by the guilt of the accidental death of a young boy in his care. A hearty cast supported him, playing the seedy inhabitants of the bleak Borough. There were some strong individual performances such as Giselle Allen’s portrayal of the schoolteacher, Ellen, who Peter Grimes is awkwardly enamored with. Along with Captain Balstrode she’s the only person who tries to understand his troubled mind. She is a soprano, or high female voice. Overall it was an amazing performance from the lead roles, supported by a powerful chorus and orchestra.

 

Mattie, ignorantly, lets us know what she thought:

 

For me opera is an alien art form, never having given classical music, and in particular opera, a chance. With no musical ability or education, I was interested to see how much I could enjoy and understand it.

The crowd was more down to earth than I’d expected. No black tie or evening scarves, the whole affair was low-key. With minimal staging and props, presumably partly due to it being a touring performance, the desolate stage really set the scene of a bleak Surrey seaside town. The way they made use of their minimal set was creative and economical using wooden crates to form the courthouse, the bar and docks. A large net proved to be an imaginative way of creating separate spaces within the stage, as well as being pulled around by the chorus in time with the music creating the feel of a storm. The set, all black except the yellow of fisherman’s waterproofs and spotlights, comprised of only props related to ports, showed much can be done with very little.

It took time to adapt to the epic way in which subjects that are seemingly banal, such as fishing, were sung. However before I knew it I had been drawn in by the music’s hypnotic pulse that seemed to emulate the themes of the sea and the ever-present threat of the storm. The moments at which I was really able to engage with the music was in the pieces where I was not straining to hear words. Instead I let the sound of many voices merge together until incomprehensible, propelling me into the story with the sheer scale and variety of sound. The familiar melodies built up throughout the opera moved me when used at the end of the performance in a way that I had not expected it to.

 

Opera is an art form on an epic scale. Performances involve over a hundred musicians, actors and dancers, blurring the lines between art, music, drama and dance to create a real spectacle. And things are changing: Ticket prices no longer break the bank, and it was refreshing to see a lot of young faces in the crowd at the Lowry. If you want to try something a bit different, or just impress a fit humanities student with your appreciation of culture, then give opera a chance!

The “soft” arts

Written by Jack Sheen on . Posted in Arts.

The Sunday Times recently announced that the government has planned to cut GCSE subjects such as P.E. and Drama, with many other “softer subjects” placed in the firing line, including many arts subjects. Jack Sheen tells us what he thinks…

 

For the remainder of this brief article, ‘arts subjects’ will be defined as those that focus on creative and often abstract practices, such as art and design, music, drama and film. Putting aside arguments as to whether or not GCSEs are an effective way of assessing certain subjects, this plan epitomises an attitude held by a majority of people that studying the arts is easy, and those who do are skiving off of real work by choosing a ‘soft’ subject. As someone with an A level, GCSE and (hopefully soon) a degree in music, as well as a GCSE in art, I find it baffling that educational institutions fail to see the truly challenging side to these subjects, and haven’t designed curriculums that tap into the rigorous academic potential that the arts have.

 

For years I’ve wondered why this is. Perhaps the creative side of the arts dominates its image; we are all bought up in a culture where successful artists are the recipients of some mysteriously metaphysical and indefinable source of inspiration, which cannot be simply taught and passed on to any old student. Despite this, curriculums seem to try and gently do so, creating assessments that seem to gently foster a student’s imagination and technical skill within a vague set of rules and regulations. It seems as though educational bodies are saying that ‘genius’ can’t be taught, but it’s worth trying anyway, ultimately creating the wishy-washy approach towards assessing the creative side to arts subjects which is seen as so ‘soft’. It doesn’t take a specialist art critic to understand that practically no GCSE art student will paint or think like Monet, nor will any teenage drama student act like Binoche, and thus taking part in a subject which attempts judge you as part of that culture anyway seems patronising and absurd, especially when some people actually get decent grades.

 

What would be infinitely more beneficial is a focus on the more academic approaches to these subjects, an assessment of the social and cultural contexts surrounding certain artists, periods or works, an analysis of the basic mechanics of music, plays, films or visual artworks s well as the sociological impact the arts have on contemporary culture. These examples would supplement and enhance the creative focus of subjects such as art, music, drama and film, whilst also nurturing the critical and analytical skills of its subjects, found in idolised subjects such as English, history or philosophy. This analysis of the artist, the art itself and its context is essential to not only understanding its true power but also the potential to create such powerful new work.

 

The government is trying to push people further away from the arts and I think the current curriculums built around the arts are clearly disadvantageous and academically shallow. Maybe the more academic side to these subjects is not what makes them so appealing in the first place anyway, despite their ability to ultimately demystify their practice and benefit its creation in the future. It is their ability to do this that, I think, should be something that encourages students to engage with their surrounding culture.

Do you lead a double life?

Written by Lauren Arthur on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Coming to university is a strange in-between. You live away from home for prolonged periods of time yet you haven’t officially ‘moved out’. You live with people you haven’t long met whilst trying to squeeze in Skype dates with those you grew up with. You’re the drunken youth that staggers around at four in the morning and the ‘clever, mature young adult’ that your family are so proud of. But are you the same person at university and at home? Is it balancing act or a complete switch of character; is there a uni you and a home you?

Some of my friends act completely differently in Manchester than they do at home. In Manchester they might drink, smoke or do drugs whilst their home self rolls their non-dilated pupils in disapproval. Others thrive on their degree, forming a worryingly intimate relationship with Ali G that they choose to not to mention to their not-so-academic friends at home. In a city so vibrant and diverse, it seems relatively easy to both lose and find yourself.

For many, coming to university changes young people for the better, myself included. Clichéd case of girl in small inconveniently situated southern village moves to big buzzing northern city. I had no attachments or commitments; it was my chance to redefine myself. What I found was that redefining yourself is near impossible unless you’ve been pretending to be someone you’re not for the first eighteen odd years of your life. Instead the side of me that I knew had been there for a while was able to come out. Still shy, awkward and prone to going red when someone looks at me for longer than five seconds, but not all the time, and not quite so much.

Unless you were a) clingy and/or b) stupid, choosing to follow half of friends from home to the same university, chances are few people from home know you in this city. You don’t have to worry about your past: what you did, how you acted, who expects what of you: it’s liberating and refreshing.

Obviously people change all the time; you’d change in three years wherever you were, but university seems to provide a sort of bubble of non-reality. It’s a safety net zone in which you can experiment and become a better version of yourself instead of being so sculpted by your upbringing and home surroundings.

So I suppose this is my little tribute to Manchester. I wouldn’t say I live a double life but this rainy city has certainly done me a helluva lotta good.

Top 5: Wedding Speeches

Written by Andriana Hambi on . Posted in Film.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

In one of the most accurate portrayals of Greek family life, this patriarchal speech captures the essence of family relations, and brings home the true message of the movie; everything comes from the Greek.

Friends  (2001)

Although not a movie, Joeys speech/audition reel at Monica and Chandler’s wedding is and always will be hilarious.

Bridesmaids (2011)

Female version of The Hangover? I wasn’t so taken, but that’s a story for another day. I’ll give it to Kristen Wiig though; she knows how to write a good duelling maid of honour speech!

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

This has a permanent place in my Top 5 films ever, and has a killer wedding scene. What’s a wedding without a soviet state demonstration? The song Sunrise, Sunset acts as a speech, and would break the heart of any parent with empty nest syndrome.

The Wedding Singer (1998)

This toast is sibling rivalry at its finest, and who better to give it in an already great wedding movie but Steve Buscemi. He gives the drunken, bitter performance that one can only dream of having at their wedding.

 

British beauty boffins: Lisa Eldridge

Written by Nikki Patel on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Images: Lisa Eldrige YouTube

Britain’s very own Lisa Eldridge is one of the world’s leading celebrity makeup artists and beauty bloggers. Having worked with a wealth of high profile clients such as Heidi Klum, Cameron Diaz and Yasmin Le Bon, her undeniable expertise has inspired a global fan base, and transformed her into an icon for beauty lovers everywhere….

Considering her astronomical success as a celebrity makeup artist, it is perhaps unsurprising that Lisa’s passion for beauty was ignited at the tender age of 6. Eldridge recalls rifling through her mother’s old vanity case and being fascinated by the glamour of her Mary Quant crayons, Coty lipsticks and Elizabeth Arden eye shadow.

Eldridge has of course come a long way since the days of playing ‘dress up’ in her mother’s bedroom. After being booked by ELLE to work with supermodel Cindy Crawford in the 90s, Eldridge rapidly became THE go-to makeup artist for celebrities, supermodels and fashion advertising campaigns.

No stranger to success, her artistry has appeared on the covers of publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Glamour. She has also collaborated with fashion houses such as Lancome, Chloe and Prada for their publicity campaigns and runway shows. Despite her jet set lifestyle which has seen her based in ParisNew York and LA, Lisa has also made her mark on the British beauty industry. For over 10 years from 2003-2013, as the Creative director for Boots No7 she reshaped and ultimately recreated the cult brand.

Lisa is similarly renowned for her online beauty Bible lisaeldridge.com. Its impeccable yet easy-to-follow video tutorials and expert beauty advice have transformed it into a ‘go-to’ for makeup mavens everywhere. The charm, professionalism and variety that she injects into her videos (as well as her enviably soothing voice) is infectious and renders the world of beauty accessible and understandable for all.  Whether you’re trying to achieve the ever evasive ‘au naturale’ makeup look or want to know just how to rock a red lip a la Dita Von Teese, look no further than her site.

What sets Eldridge apart from most beauty bloggers is her extreme understanding of beauty trends and her ability to adapt and communicate them through her online videos to her fans. The high- quality of her videos in fact caught the eye of Chanel, who asked her to create digital content for their monthly online magazine ‘Makeup Confidential.’

If you can’t get enough of Eldridge keep an eye on the Beauty Section of Elle, where she will be sharing her know-how in a monthly column called ‘The Beauty Guru.’!

In need of some guidance? Here are my personal top 5 Lisa Eldridge beauty vids:

1. Marilyn Monroe Iconic Makeup Look

2. Wide Eyed 60s Lashy Dolly Eyes

3. Acne/Blemish Covering Makeup

4. Quick Tips for Perfect Foundation

5. Easy 3 Minute Smokey Eye

Pork Shoulder, Butterbean and Chorizo Stew Recipe

Written by Oscar Watkins on . Posted in Food & Drink.

With winter fast approaching, a pounding headache, and the first chesty coughs ringing in lecture halls; what better way to warm up than with this wholesome and affordable one pot wonder.

 

You will need:

 

A healthy slug of vegetable oil (olive oil will do)

600g pork shoulder, cut into serving pieces (Sainsbury’s basics will do, this will cook for a long time)

150g chorizo, cut into serving pieces (pre-diced chorizo is available in most supermarkets)

1 medium onion, sliced finely

1 bird’s-eye chilli, seeds removed, flesh diced (keep the seeds if you like it hotter)

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

75ml white wine

400g tinned tomatoes, chopped (1 can)

200g can of butter beans, rinsed and drained (1 small can)

 

A handful of fresh spinach

 

Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the pork pieces and fry until browned on the outside but not completely cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside to rest on a warm plate.

Add the chorizo to the pan the pork was fried in and fry until crisp and golden-brown. Remove from the pan and set aside with the pork.

 

Add the onion and chilli to the same pan and fry until softened.

 

Add the garlic and the wine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer until the volume of liquid has reduced by a quarter.

 

Add the chopped tomatoes and the butter beans, then return the cooked pork and chorizo to the pan and stir well.

 

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over a low heat. Then cover the pan with a lid and cook for at least 45 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and reduced in volume. Add a few tablespoons of water to the simmering mixture now and again, as necessary, when the sauce becomes too dry.

Just before serving, season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir in the spinach.

Serve with a portion of garlic bread on the side, or with couscous or polenta.