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Month: March 2020

Manchester: City of Literature

As a UNESCO City of Literature, Manchester promotes and creates exciting events and opportunities for writers of any medium. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved this March through organisations and your local community.

If you’ve lived in Manchester for a while, you’re probably aware of ITV Studios in MediaCity. The Red Planet Prize is partnering with ITV to create a platform for screenwriters who are just starting out. If you fancy trying your hand at submitting, all the necessary details are available on the Red Planet Pictures website.

Another exciting opportunity for young writers of any medium is the Writing Squad, which recruits writers aged 16-21 from the North West every two years and provides them with writing workshops, the opportunity to partake in existing projects and professional development skills. Again, the details to apply are available on the Writing Squad website.

For World Poetry Day on Saturday 21st March, Manchester will partake in live streaming two poets, Mary Jean Chan and Manchester’s very own Isaiah Hull, to the world, in partnership with Poets and Players. This event will be free at the Whitworth Art Gallery, after which a tree-planting ceremony to “celebrate setting down roots for poetry in Manchester” will take place.

If you’re looking for a place to discuss literature you’re interested in, there’s a great opportunity on the University’s doorstep. This month, at Hatch the Boozy Book Club are hosting a fun night discussing Shutter Island. It’s part of a larger group ‘Social Vibes MCR’. If you’re interested, check their website and sign up to attend! It’s advertised as a night containing books, booze and banter, which is hard to object to. So, if you’re somebody who likes getting a little tipsy and discussing literature with fellow Mancunians, this is probably for you.

For other book-related events, be sure to check out Blackwell’s events page. Blackwell’s hosts book launches year round, in venues such as the Manchester Central Library and its recently relocated store near the University campus.

March is teeming with literary events; be sure to keep an eye on the Anthony Burgess Foundation and HOME as well as those above for events that may interest you.

The UoM based zine creating a space for discussions about blackness, beauty and community

Edge Control, created by English Literature student Rawan Yousif and English and Drama student Hope Leslie, is a new University of Manchester-based zine focussed on beauty, blackness and community. It grew from an event created by Rawan in 2018, hosting a number of young black musicians and poets in the Students’ Union, at which Hope performed a poem. Hope proposed the idea of a publication and discussions began between the two about what they were and were not seeing in bigger conversations about beauty and how they could move the conversation to exist within the local community.

As black students, they hadn’t had the spaces or time to come together during their university experience so far and they wanted to find a way of bringing black young people together and give them the opportunity to get published. “The idea was that it was by black people for black people,” Rawan commented.

They were initially interested in hair, specifically, but decided to broaden the range of the zine by considering beauty as a whole, within the framework of blackness. They were interested in the day-to-day of beauty and thinking about how daily life coincides with it and how this plays into community. “The beauty industry when it’s spoken about is spoken about as if it’s one universal experience, but there’s lots of separate ideas and people [within it],” Rawan explained. “We wanted to shed light on the people who were thinking about it and talking about it and working in it but didn’t have this major clout.”

“The ‘beauty industry’ that you see on Instagram shouldn’t be the only way we think about beauty,” she continued. “You can just focus on these local people instead of vying for them to get into an industry that is clearly exclusionary. You can just give these people your time and your energy, rather than trying to get a seat at a table that doesn’t necessarily want you.”

By securing funding from the Students’ Union, Rawan and Hope were able to make the zine completely free of charge, representing their inclusive and community-based values.

The name Edge Control is based on a beauty product used to slick down baby hairs, often used by black women. The zine itself features art, essays, articles, interviews, poetry and short stories all written by black people. Mimi Gold, a Manchester-based fashion designer, is interviewed in the zine, and there is also a piece on the influence of Missy Elliot on pop culture, written by Dara Coker.

The zine was intended as a one-off, but based on the response to Edge Control, the pair are considering expanding it in some way, perhaps by turning it into a society or a collective of black students; maybe even passing it on to younger students to run when they graduate this year. They held a launch event in early March and were touched by the excitement other black women expressed about the zine. Rawan says that she and Hope’s ambitions for the zine were to create a space for black people, but that the community that has already began to grow as a result of it has exceeded that.

Edge Control is available from the SU, as well as local libraries and cafes around Manchester. Keep an eye on their socials for updates on where you can find the zine and to see where Edge Control goes in the future. Additionally, feel free to send them a message @edgecontrolzine on Instagram if you want to get involved.

Moschino Fall Winter 2020 review

Jeremy Scott’s latest collection for Moschino offers the ultimate escapism. He takes us back to the days of Versailles, with a cool, modern twist. The collection is rife with the gourmand, evidently inspired by Sofia Coppola’s teen dream interpretation of Marie Antoinette’s life. There are dresses shaped like tiered cakes, lovingly iced, and even a satire of the Fendi baguette bag, only this one looks exactly like a real baguette. Let them eat cake.

Scott’s skill for the kitschy is at its best in this collection. There are stiffly curled wigs in macaroon shades, plucked straight out of a Parisian patisserie, Moschino belts strung out of pearls. It would be easy to tip over into outright camp with this show, but the stage is pared back and subtle. A dingy mirrored runway nods to Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, but still remains sleek and modern.

Similarly, outrageous silhouettes like pannier dresses slashed off mid-thigh, and vertiginous, beribboned platform boots, could easily feel saccharine in the hands of another designer. Yes, there’s the look Gigi Hadid sports, a voluminous minidress fashioned out of what appear to be sugar flowers- the younger sister of the dress Florence Pugh wears in Midsommar. However, as the show goes on, the colours become more muted, and arguably more striking. Leather in white, grey, cream, black and dusky rose tempers the sweetshop tones. There’s an edge added to the robes à la française, too, with a kinky Dangerous Liaisons aesthetic, as the bodices become leather jackets, the panniers leather too. Elsewhere, denim is a strong theme, the Canadian tuxedo of Britney and Justin re-imagined for the French court.

The monochrome looks bring a new twist to a familiar aesthetic of excess and luxury. An ingenious take on the pelerine, a small lace cape for the shoulders, came in the form of a black leather jacket cropped above the bust. A black wig towers above a gothic robe à la française, with frilly blackwork embroidery spilling out from the sleeves and the bodice. The darker tone makes the looks more serious and imposing. There’s also an interesting nod to streetwear with the hooded dresses, notably one that contains an entire wig.

Instead of poking fun at the excessive women of the Versailles court, Scott reimagines the powerful, striking silhouettes for the modern day, and manages to make them feel, if not entirely wearable, inspiring.

UoM study indicates unnecessary antibiotics prescriptions could lead to increased hospital admissions

A new study conducted by the University of Manchester’s epidemiologists indicates a link between the number of antibody prescriptions and a higher risk of hospital admissions.

The study, published in BMC Medicine and funded by The National Institute for Health Research and the Connected Health Cities Programme, drew its conclusions based on the analysis of the data obtained from 2 million patients in England and Wales.

The data contained patient records of common diseases such as Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and ear and chest infections, from 2000 to 2016. This is while long-term conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Chronic lung disease were excluded from the database.

According to the researchers, patients who have had a minimum of nine antibiotic prescriptions for common infections over the past three years, are 2.26 times more likely to pay another visit to the hospital in following three months.

Additionally, it was depicted that the risks of going to hospital with another infection directly correlates to the number of antibiotic prescriptions in the previous three years.

Based on the findings, statistically patients who had two antibiotic prescriptions were 1.23 times more likely to go to the hospital with another infection. This is while this number was 1.33 and 1.77 for patients with 3-4 and 5-8 prescriptions respectively.

Despite the findings, the team emphasised that the reason behind the association between higher antibiotic prescriptions and increased hospital admissions is yet to be determined, with more research required to indicate what, or if any biological factors exist.

Professor Tjeerd van Staa from the University of Manchester, said: “GPs care about their patients, and over recent years have worked hard to reduce the prescribing of antibiotics.

“But it is clear GPs do not have the tools to prescribe antibiotics effectively for common infections, especially when patients already have previously used antibiotics.

“They may prescribe numerous courses of antibiotics over a several years, which according to our study increases the risk of a more serious infection. That in turn, we show, is linked to hospital admissions.”

He then added: “We don’t know why this is, but overuse of antibiotics might kill the good bacteria in the gut (microbiota) and make us more susceptible to infections, for example.”

Francine Jury, from the University of Manchester and the clinical project manager of the study, also commented: “GPs often have little time to get to grips with the detail of a patient’s history.

“But what makes it even more difficult is that little official guidance exists for patients who already in the recent past had several courses of antibiotics for common infections.

“Our hope is that, however, a tool we are working for GPs, based on patient history, will be able to calculate the risks associated with taking multiple courses of antibiotics.”

Women and STEM in the media

This years’ Women in Media conference held a ‘STEM and the Media’ discussion with speaker Mhairi Finlayson, who is recent a Computer Sciences and Physics graduate. In this session Mhairi discussed her research as part of the BBC research and development (R&D) graduate scheme, as well as the underrepresentation of women in science.

Three years into my undergraduate chemistry degree I have been lectured by only three women from the School of Chemistry. I’ve been taught by countless men who stand at the front of lecture theatres as they teach discoveries by male scientists, using units named after them – Dalton, Bohr, and Kelvin among others. Both the demographic of lecturers, and lecture content, are a stark reminder that STEM is still a hugely male dominated profession. It was refreshing to hear Mhairi talking about her work in STEM and made me hopeful that this significant gender imbalance will improve.

Mhairi works in the Artificial Intelligence in Media Production (AIMP) department to develop ways of using AI to improve media and broadcasting. This was an application of STEM I had never considered, which made for an engaging talk, evident when more than half of the attendees asked further questions at the end. This led to an interesting discussion about both technology in the media and being a woman in science.

One project Mhairi is currently working on, is to develop an AI system that can film and edit panel shows by analysing the “vast quantities of archival data” the BBC has so it can mimic the creative decisions made by people. Initially, I was sceptical about why this was beneficial but Mhairi went on to explain that this would mean big events, like the Edinburgh Fringe, could be covered by the BBC and shared with a wider audience.

She emphasised “AI cannot get rid of creative jobs” because there isn’t the technology for AI to be creative, however it will enable people to spend their time on the creative elements of their jobs in media. In response to a question about using AI for educational videos Mhairi said that when deciding to use AI you need to question if it is “the best tool to use in that circumstance,” which really highlighted to me that even if AI technology continues to advance, many jobs can’t be replaced simply because AI would not be suitable, or we don’t have enough data for it to learn certain skills.

After hearing about Mhairi’s research, she continued to discuss her experience on being a woman in science, recognising the gender imbalance meaning, “women just don’t see other women in STEM.” From my own experience, this is hugely discouraging and begs the question of what is happening throughout our education to mean that women aren’t represented, and are not having careers in this field?

Mhairi felt that “media organisations are noticing and focussing on increased diversification,” especially as this will benefit the code designed for the AI being developed, for example. One audience member asked if the editing of panel shows currently has a gender bias, which would then impact the AI in the future and continue this bias. Mhairi suggested that for face detection the ratio of the size of someone’s face to the size of the screen may affect their on-screen-time and questioned if voice detection would be worse for women compared to men. These are all points that Mhairi’s research group needs to consider when designing this technology, and highlights why diversity is needed among researchers to ensure that these are considered.

Listening to Mhairi showcased an application of STEM outside of academia, emphasising that “STEM and research is quite a creative place to be.” This will hopefully engage more young women to pursue a STEM degree and career, especially after hearing about current research from other women.

Living in lockdown: Coronavirus and my year abroad

Erasmus placements are supposed to be one of the best years of your life. Before setting off you hear about the wild parties, the relaxed lifestyle, and the beauty of making friends from all over the world… Unfortunately, instead of living the dolce vita and attending lectures, we are all sitting indoors at home.

In the build up to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, current British Erasmus students are counting their blessings that they managed to squeeze into potentially one of the last year groups to benefit from the Erasmus programme and grant. The recent outbreak of COVID-19, however, has certainly thrown a spanner in the works for many Erasmus students, myself included. 

On the 9th of March, it was announced that the whole of Italy was going into ‘lockdown’; a terrifying prospect that immediately brings Chernobyl-like images to mind. Universities in Italy have already been sporadically closed since the 26th February for ‘deep cleaning’ purposes, however this latest measure taken by the Italian government sees educational institutions closed until the 3rd of April.

Sign on closed shop #wearestayingathome. Photo: Bella Jewell

This year the University of Manchester Italian Department sent a small cohort of students off on Erasmus exchange to a handful of universities in Italy; Bologna, Perugia, Naples, and Bergamo. The aim of the study abroad placement – like any – was to undertake lectures in Italian, and to gain a greater understanding of the Italian culture and language. But in reality, number of lectures attended: three. 

Having worked in France for the first semester during the general strike against pension reform, I was excited at the prospect of starting again, moving to the south of Italy to study in Naples, at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.  

The first week of Naples was wonderful – I fully threw myself into the energy of the city, making the most of the world’s greatest pizza and one-euro glasses of Aperol Spritz (yes, really).

Those buzzing streets, packed bars, and lively evenings now seem like an alternate reality, as the few cafes and restaurants which are open as normal have imposed a ‘one meter apart’ rule, which obliges all clients to refrain from any physical proximity.

What’s more, as of March 11th, the Italian government has declared all shops and businesses be closed apart from pharmacies, food shops and petrol stations. Leaving the house for an ‘unnecessary activity’ is banned. This is a rapidly changing situation.

Joke sign for an ‘anti-corona virus’ fruit juice. Photo: Bella Jewell

One positive of the situation is the fun you can have people watching; the pantomime performance as Italians go in for a customary kiss on the cheek, then immediately remember the rules and lurch back to tap elbows, never gets old.

Perhaps my humour standards have been lowered due to my reduced access to civilisation, but I regularly find myself giggling at the inconsistencies of the Italian reaction to Coronavirus.

Back at the beginning of the epidemic, before the lockdown, I was alarmed to open the Erasmus office door to a surprised receptionist in a face mask. She crossly pointed at the sign by the door stating that only those with covered mouths could enter the office, so a friend and I sceptically wrapped a jumper and a scarf around our faces before crossing the threshold.

The next moment left me smirking into my scarf as I was handed the receptionist’s pen, from one ungloved hand to another, to sign some university paperwork. Two weeks later, I can confirm we did not infect each other… this time. 

Students forced to cover face in office. Photo: Bella Jewell

The human reaction to this epidemic is a fascinating thing to examine, I’ve seen people removing their protective mask to sneeze or smoke in public, people using funky patterned ties that they’ve bought from street stalls as a face cover, and even a ‘trendy’ kids clothing shop in which the mannequins in the window are sporting a rather edgy, branded face mask. Because in the land of Versace, why not make your protective gear more chic? 

“Coronavirus” can be heard on any street corner… One savvy Vespa driver in the historical centre has taken to screaming “Eyy I’ve got Coronavirus!” at pedestrians, so that they dodge out of the way of his vehicle. The words are inescapable, somehow even the toilet paper brand in my flat is called ‘Corona’! 

The scientists in the 60’s who came up with the term coronavirus have some serious questions to answer; the prospect of a flu pandemic is scary enough, without crowning it the King of all viruses by popping the Spanish word for ‘Crown’ in front of it.  

The reality of people living in Italy under this current quarantine is actually rather mundane. All residents are encouraged to stay at home unless they must leave for work, medical reasons, or emergencies.

Bars and restaurants are closed after 6pm, I’ve heard of students graduating via skype, and church services are either being cancelled, or worshippers are reduced to only two people per pew; a difficult rule for a very catholic country.

‘In the church only two people per pew.’ Photo: Bella Jewell

Recently it appears the situation is becoming more strict, with reports of police officers patrolling the streets demanding for justification from people who are outside. 

Many pharmacies, banks, and shops have cracked down on public interaction, adopting a one person at a time policy to limit infection risks. Makeshift signs stating that shops have run out of gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer can be spotted across the city, highlighting the level of public panic as stockpiling of such goods has exhausted supplies. 

Nobody could have expected a year abroad like this, however Italian universities are trying to adapt – in Naples they are currently working on an online learning platform, which is innovative stuff for an old-fashioned institution that relies on a paper-based system for almost everything. 

As I write this article quarantined in my bedroom, I am getting used to the eerie quiet of the street outside my window. The revving of mopeds and shouting of the neighbours has died down, apart from the occasional cry of “ROSARIA” – the name of a local lady who sells contraband cigarettes on demand by popping them in a basket lowered down from a client’s balcony to street level.

Whilst most bars and restaurants in the city have been hit hard by Coronavirus and the lockdown, it’s comforting to hear that at least Rosaria’s business is flourishing.

An empty Neapolitan shopping centre. Photo: Uras Balik
Deserted streets of Naples. Photo: Dorka Mezei

Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake

Ask anyone: Swan Lake is an iconic story. Everyone knows the music and has a vague idea about the plot, even if they’ve never actually been to see it. I had the pleasure of attending the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s adaptation of this iconic piece and was left feeling nostalgic and impressed.

The first act somewhat dragged, which tends to happen with ballet as it’s really important to establish context since there is no dialogue. I thought the opening ensemble dances were a little out of sync, but the dancing from Prince Siegfried‘s friend Benno (Tzu-Chao Chou) was superb.

The second act explains how Siegfried (César Morales) and Odette (Momoko Hirata) meet for the first time, which happens after he sees her transform from a swan to a princess. I was really looking forward to seeing how they might have done this on stage but was left a little disappointed and frankly confused.  It was difficult to tell when she was a swan and when she was human. In ballet, the dancers use their arms a lot, but it made it hard to tell the difference between the typical elegance of the dance style and swan-mode.

That said, as an ensemble of swans, whether they were human or not made no difference to the incredible dancing. They came on stage one after the other, completely in sync with the music, seemingly never-ending – it was like watching a magician pull a string of scarves out of a hat. By the end, there were 19 dancers dotted around the stage in perfect formation. They moved as a gorgeous, white, sparkling mass.

After having my spirits slightly lifted in Act Two, Act Three took an even better turn. The setting was Siegfried’s birthday ball – the costumes were very beautiful, and the dancing even more so. Whilst I also loved the nod to other cultures in this act, the dancing between Morales and Hirata stood out the most. It was romantic and intimate and of course, the dancing was remarkably well choreographed. Their dance culminated in a burst of endless pirouetting from Odette, which had the audience either on their feet or gasping in amazement – I would give you an exact number of turns, but I was too astonished.

After a short interval, the curtains pulled up for Act Four to reveal a thick layer of fog. The audience waited in anticipation and were rewarded when the entire troupe of swans rose from the fog. I’ll admit – it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen on stage. After opting for a pretty simple set – understandable since they had at most twenty dancers on stage at once – it was great to see the use of other elements like this.

That oh-so iconic Tchaikovsky score, beautiful ballet and a passionate story with a tragic ending (spoiler: they both die) is the formula for a standing ovation. Bravo, Birmingham Royal Ballet; I look forward to seeing what they bring to the Lowry next.

Birmingham Royal Ballet continues its UK tour until next month.

Viva la vegan revolution: the junk food edition

The Piers Morgans of this world have barely had a chance to mend their bruised egos following the controversial Greggs vegan sausage roll of last year before a new influx of vegan fast food once again took us snowflakes by storm.

The rate at which tasty vegan convenience food is hitting the shelves of our favourite fast-food franchises is testament to the rapidly growing influence of veganism. This phenomenon is quickly destroying the sentiment that eating vegan needs to be complicated or awkward. This week I sampled three of said offerings. My arteries were screaming but at least the planet/animals remain intact following my binge.

KFC ‘No Chicken’ Burger

KFC, along with other major vendors, are paying attention to the spike in vegan eating and beginning to cater to it. Admittedly, they still have a long way to go; their chips aren’t yet vegan, and worse still, they caused a media storm earlier this year when it was found that some branches had mistakenly served genuine chicken burgers in place of the vegan alternative. That said, when it comes to actual vegan food, their offering is streets ahead of the vegetarian concepts at McDonald’s who, rather than replicating the real deal, make meals comprised of soggy vegetable burgers, a dated and unimaginative version of veganism. The KFC vegan burger sits at the top of the vegan junk food chain for me. The chicken is alarmingly (but fantastically) close to the real deal, with that classic southern fried coating comfortingly intact. Complete with a tangy vegan mayo and crisp iceberg lettuce, my KFC no chicken experience was a trip to vegan heaven. If you’re not too freaked out by KFC’s shaky start, it’s well worth a try.

4.5/5

Gregg’s Vegan Steak Bake

We’ve all tried the Gregg’s vegan sausage roll by now. And yes, it really is that good – just read Katie Hourigan’s Gregg’s smackdown in last week’s issue. Greggs haven’t stopped there, though. Now pioneers in catering for the indulgent vegan, Greggs’ latest prodigy is the vegan steak bake, another replica of a great classic. If I’m being entirely honest, the steak bake packed less of a punch than the sausage roll for me. In and of itself, it’s a good pastry. The filling is flavoursome and plentiful, and the pastry is greasy and satisfying. However, in comparison to the real deal I don’t think this is as good a replica as either the vegan sausage roll or KFC’s ‘no chicken’. It resembles the texture and flavour of a well-seasoned mincemeat. Convincing and meaty, it’s definitely an enjoyable savoury snack – but it doesn’t remind me of the chunky steak bake we all know and love.

3/5

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Subway Meatless Meatball Marinara

Last but not least, Subway’s offering. The hype about this one seems decidedly on the lower side; there seems to have been less capitalisation on the marketing potential that veganism brings than KFC and Greggs. That said, the sandwich itself is not to be slept on. I think Subway has really benefitted from how artificial (yet obviously banging) the original meatball marinara tastes. The real thing definitely gives off questionable meat vibes, so perhaps this was easier to emulate. Subway has got it spot-on with the meatballs, my only slight reservation about the sandwich was with the vegan cheese, although I can forgive them this because I’m yet to find one that lives up to the real deal. Overall though, a positive review for this classic Sub gone vegan.

4/5

Coronavirus death in Manchester

Coronavirus has caused the death of a 60 year old with underlying health issues in North Manchester General Hospital on the 8th March.

His death was the third fatal case of novel coronavirus in the UK and, following his death on Sunday, three more people have since passed away from the virus.

This comes as the number of cases in the UK has risen to 596 [13/03/20 14:00].

The man who passed away had recently returned to the UK from Italy, where he contracted the virus, and was put into isolation at hospital after visiting his GP.

The hospital has issued a statement, “There is no risk to staff, other patients, relatives and visitors as we have robust measures in place to deal with patients treated on our Infectious Diseases Unit.”

The family of the victim were told to self isolate themselves and, due to the quarantine, were unable to visit the patient in hospital or schedule a funeral.

Those who had been in contact with the deceased before his isolation receive daily texts from Public Health England to check whether they are showing any signs of the virus.  

The son of the victim stated that – “So far… none of us have shown any symptoms,” 

There are currently 23 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Manchester and the man was first death in the city due to the virus. 

Coronavirus is affecting many aspects of city life, including sport matches such as the cancellation of the football match due between Manchester City and Arsenal.

Some players are currently in self-isolation after coming into contact with COVID-19 patient, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marianakis.

The Premier League has issued a statement about the decision to cancel the game: “Following medical advice, Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC consider it is necessary to postpone their fixture due to be played this evening to give time to fully assess the situation.” It has since been announced that the Premier League will be suspended until the 3rd of April.

Advice from the government emphasises “the importance of washing your hands more often”, especially at the following times:

  • when you get to work or arrive home
  • after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze
  • before you eat or handle food

The guidelines encourage people to wash their hands for “20 seconds, using soap and water or hand sanitiser. You should also cough or sneeze into tissues before binning them.”

If you think you may have any of the coronavirus symptoms make sure to call 111 to seek professional medical attention.

Fermented foods are more than a fad

What do kimchi, sourdough and craft beer have in common, other than being worshipped by hipsters?

They all undergo a process of fermentation during their production. Fermented foods have been enjoying a moment of fame these past few years, however, they far predate the gastro-pub.

Fermentation is defined as “the chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeast, or other microorganisms.” Contrary as it may sound, it is also a way of preserving food as well as ‘cooking’. It was developed as an ancient technique to preserve vegetables like cabbages long before fridges existed. Some sources suggest the first examples date back to 7000 BC, but it wasn’t until the 1800s when Louis Pasteur – best known for his work on vaccinations – started to look into it and the process was isolated and defined.

Due to the large amounts of healthy bacteria and yeast in these foods, they are often described as ‘living’, most notably so in the Bon Appetit YouTube series, It’s Alive, where host Brad Leone talks us through a host of fermented foods and how to make them.

This large amount of probiotic bacteria and yeast also makes fermented foods incredibly healthy for the gut. Online sources will tell you about numerous benefits from these foods, including improvements in mental health. But, watch out for bloating and gas. The effervescent nature of fermented goods can often lead to gas and bloating when consumed in high quantities.

One of my favourite and most well known fermented foods is miso paste. A paste made from fermented soybeans and a strain of ‘mouldy’ rice called koji. Miso can be made from any legume, but traditionally soybeans are used. This umami boosting paste comes in a variety of shades ranging from sweet white miso to richer darker ones. The difference is that darker ones have been allowed to ferment for longer, leading to a much richer and pungent taste. A by-product of this process is soy sauce’s gluten-free brother tamari. Miso is best known for its use in the self-titled Japanese soup, however, it’s gained popularity as a flavour enhancer for vegetarian and vegan cuisine, adding depth and savouriness.

A slightly more niche example is black garlic. Don’t be put off by the name, it has a very mellow almost sweet caramel taste with none of the heat from regular garlic. Like kimchi, it has its origins in Korea, however, it has been adopted by haute cuisine and has almost endless culinary application. The process of fermentation uses the Maillard reaction which is the same chemical reaction that gives browned foods like seared meat or toast their distinctive flavour.

Black garlic has a smoky, sweet caramelised flavour and a sticky almost spreadable consistency. Again, like most fermented foods, it adds a huge savoury, umami punch to pretty much anything it is used in. It is an incredibly versatile ingredient, but remember to use more than you would standard garlic as it isn’t quite as harsh. I like it simply blended with a bit of olive oil into a paste then smeared on some fresh bread. It can be found in some big supermarkets or in smaller independent shops. I get mine from Eighth Day on Oxford Road.

Fermented foods span across pretty much every continent and have been eaten (or drunk) for thousands of years. As exotic foods have become more mainstream, we’ve seen a renaissance for these funky, fizzy foods. There are hundreds of fermented foods and drinks out there to try so let’s not limit ourselves to kombucha and sauerkraut. Next time you’re in a fancy supermarket or health food shop, look around and see what you can find. Your taste buds and gut will thank you for it.

What comes first – the beans or the cheese?

The humble baked potato. A staple at home and on campus for the typical UoM student. It’s one of the cheapest lunches on campus, with a cheese and beans jacket costing just £1.25 at Bikos if you can hold off until after 3 pm on a Friday. 

But, this seemingly innocent meal is wreaking havoc amongst jacket enthusiasts. What may seem like simple, uncomplicated scran is provoking confusion and debate in food stalls across campus. Don’t let it’s humble appearances fool you, the beans and cheese potato is as divisive as a jam and cream scone. 

Here’s the question: What should come first on a baked potato, the beans or the cheese?

This is the debate that has been tearing The Mancunion office apart for weeks. Friendships have been destroyed, colleagues have fallen out, housemates have stormed out of kitchens in protest. 

There is only one right answer to this question and anyone who says otherwise is an anarchist. However, for the sake of argument, I lay the reasons before you. 

There are two main schools of thought. The first, more traditionalist (and correct) method is to smother the potato in beans and then top with a healthy handful of grated cheese. This looks better in photos, for sure. You can dip your fork in and get that satisfying “cheese pull” moment that makes everything look so good in pizza adverts. This way also gives you more control over the rate at which the cheese melts. 

This order also makes sense in terms of food density. You start with the heaviest ingredient, then the next, and finally top it with delicious flakes of grated cheese – mozzarella or cheddar, dealer’s choice. It’s called a topping for a reason. 

The main argument for the other side is that when the cheese goes in first, it melts under the weight and heat of the beans for a more enjoyable cheese melting experience. A source from Biko’s Cafe in the SU says that staff are actually trained to assemble the potatoes like this so that they “don’t have to reheat the potato to melt the cheese before they hand it over.”

I would argue, however, that a fully melted layer of cheese under the beans isn’t as enjoyable as a squishy if slightly alternate topping of cheese over the beans. I would add that layering the cheese under the beans means you lose the flavour and texture of the cheese, which gets lost under the overpowering presence of the beans. 

It’s the equivalent of putting cheese under the tomato sauce on a pizza. It’s just wrong. 

If you frequent multiple food establishments on campus you will have noticed a massive inconsistency in the order staff arrange the beans and cheese on a potato. The uncertainty is distressing, every lunchtime being unsure of what could be handed to you under that compostable lid. 

An even more abhorrent method suggested was grating the cheese into the beans as you heat them. I don’t feel that this should even be granted a response other than I hope you never make a baked potato for anyone but yourself, you detty pig. 

Now that we’ve sorted this, we can get back to the real issues. If only settling other British debates was as simple. 

Day 2 of the student occupation of Uni Place

Students from the social justice group People and Planet once again occupied University Place last night in support of the University and College Union (UCU) strikes.

This second occupation aimed to highlight another of the ‘four fights’ of the UCU industrial action, calling for an end to casualisation of work at the University of Manchester.

This follows a similar protest on Monday evening which was focused on the gender and ethnic pay gap in higher education.

People and Planet UoM tweeted a statement on Tuesday about the second night of their Four Nights Four Fights Occupation:

And We’re back, Night 2 of our #fournightsfourfights Occupation, with more people, more energy and more solidarity. Tonight we’re focusing on the continued casualisation of the work force. 68.2% of all staff at the University are on causal contracts. This has to end. #solidarity.”

Simultaneous occupations are happening at other universities across the country, including Liverpool, UCL, Nottingham, and Exeter.

Striking lecturers and staff have voiced their appreciation for the support People and Planet are demonstrating, with one lecturer tweeting, “Student support for our strike is amazing! Manchester students have taken occupation. We are united, not divided.”

UCU members are currently striking at 74 institutions across the UK over pensions, pay, working conditions, and casualisation. This current round of industrial action is the second this academic year.

President of the University of Manchester branch of the University and Colleges Union (UMUCU), David Swanson, spoke to The Mancunion last week about negotiations with the University and expressed optimism for the discussions regarding the issues relating to pensions and forfeits in terms of casualization.

The University has said that it “supports the right of any student to protest peacefully and legally,” and its priority is ensuring that “we do everything we can to minimise disruption to other students and to our staff.”

The evolution of the goalkeeper

In the same year that Albert Camus won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957 he was interviewed as he sat in the stands at a football match. The interviewer asks Camus about the performance of one of the goalkeepers. On the matter, Camus replies, “Don’t blame him. If you were in the middle of the sticks you would realise how difficult it is.” Here, Camus, who was once a goalkeeper for Racing Universitaire Algerios before turning to existentialist philosopher par excellence, articulates the idea of the Goalkeepers’ Union: the notion that a goalkeeper will never criticise one another. Goalkeeping was always an influence on Camus’ career, as he revelled in the absurd quality of standing between two poles in a state of suspended animation.

However, much has developed in the specialised position of goalkeeper since Camus’s playing days. Goalkeepers no longer function as an isolated pariah as the modern goalkeeper must function as a sweeper, defensive commandant, and even playmaker. Manuel Neuer is often described as the archetype of the modern day sweeper-keeper, particularly following the success of Neuer’s Germany at the 2014 World Cup. Neuer performs the notion that a keeper is not just limited to their area, but must read the match as an auxiliary sweeper.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2018 about his football philosophy, Neuer said: “I have to be outside the box and be involved in the passing game from the back to get the ball to the first, second and third row of players.” The traditional rule book of goalkeeping has been rewritten, sending shockwaves through all levels of the game. Non-league football has also placed an emphasis on the ability for goalkeepers to be comfortable with their feet, as have youth academies. 

Modern goalkeeping, though, is not without its flaws. Manchester City’s Ederson was the recent victim of the trappings inherent in his style of play as he uncharacteristically flapped in the Manchester Derby as he nearly swatted the ball against a charging Martial. The other instance was when he bowled the ball out to McTominay, who cooly finished from 40-yards out. Though Ederson made gaffes that wouldn’t go amiss on David Seaman’s seminal 2003 keeper-blooper film Goalkeeping Nightmares, modern goalkeepers find themselves more open to these sort of risks than their predecessors.

However, when the role of sweeper-keeper is executed correctly, riches are reaped. For instance, despite Guardiola’s failed Bravo experiment in the Catalan’s inaugural season at Manchester City, he was stubborn in his approach to playing out from the back in his sophomore year. Bravo was quickly swapped-out for Ederson from Benfica, and in the following two seasons Guardiola’s commitment to the sweeper-keeper approach paid off.

The largest indicator that goalkeepers are more than just shot-stoppers is in the eye-watering price tags they command. It was the sale of Gianlugi Buffon from Parma to Juventus in 2001 for £47.60m that held the record before Ederson’s transfer finally broke it over a decade later. The current world record transfer paid for a goalkeeper was set when Kepa Arrizabalaga left Athletic Bilbao for Chelsea in 2018 at a price of £71.6m. Top clubs now have to dig deep in order to attract well-rounded goalkeeping product.

Whilst things haven’t changed in some aspects — goalkeepers are still often seen as madcap figures, unwilling to criticise one another in the clandestine ‘keepers union’ — it is no longer the tallest school kid that gets put in goal, but often the most accomplished technical footballer. 

United complete the double over City

After Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Ethiad, City wanted revenge and the Manchester bragging rights. City wanted to show they were the better team, like they did in the Carabao Cup, while United needed a big win if they wanted to stay in the hunt for a Champions League place. The sun was beaming on Old Trafford and the stadium was full of anticipation before kick-off.

Like they often have in games against the top six this season, United opted for a back five in order to cope with the pressure from the visitors. City were without De Bruyne, arguably their best player, but still had more than enough attacking quality on the pitch with Aguero, Sterling and Bernardo Silva. City’s defence looked slightly depleted however, with Laporte out and Fernandinho having to play centre-back, as he has consistently done throughout the season.

United had to cope with a lot of pressure from City in the first few minutes, but the game quickly turned. The hosts were able to control the game even without having much possession of the ball for large periods of time. This was largely down to Fernandes, Fred and Matic, who all had fantastic performances in midfield. United’s defence also had one of its best performances too.

Both teams were creating chances, making for an entertaining and tight match. The first goal came from a free-kick taken by new star Bruno Fernandes, who made a lovely chip pass to Martial who put the ball passed Ederson. It should have been a routine save for Ederson but the ball managed to snake under his arms. While City would argue that the foul for the free kick should have never been given in the first place, on the balance of play United deserved the lead.

United continued to have chances, many through James who failed to make the right decisions in the final third, but City also managed to create some opportunities as well, with Sterling having the best of the them. The game resumed its expected pattern late on in the second half, when City were trying to equalise. United were hanging on, helped by the fans who created an electric atmosphere.

In stoppage time, the Manchester rain arrived and Ighalo came on who managed to calm the game down. Relief did not set in for United until yet another mistake from Ederson. City’s number one, under little pressure, threw the ball beyond his own player to McTominay who, from forty yards, stunned the crowd with a long-range goal. United were ecstatic. The game finished 2-0 and United completed the double over City in the Premier League, with Solskjaer becoming only the second manager to beat Guardiola three times in a season. Pep Guardiola’s side played well enough, but they often looked like they were running out of ideas and were unable to create many clear-cut chances.

United are now unbeaten in ten but have some tricky games coming up. However, spirits are high and with a far less depleted squad and the likes of Fernandes, Fred and Maguire in good form, the fans are starting to believe in manager Solskjaer. City still have the Champions League to battle for and look likely to beat Real Madrid in the last-16 after a 2-1 away first-leg win.

But with a two year ban in the CL starting next season, plus their seventh loss in the PL this season, the most ever in a season for Guardiola, things could be better. United arguably have the bragging rights of Manchester despite losing to City in the Carabao Cup. And who knows, maybe in the near future United will rise to City’s level and stay there consistently, giving us a chance to see a Manchester battle for the title once again.

Review: Insane Animals

Insane Animals proved to be every bit as fun and colourful as I had expected it to be after attending the press event a couple of weeks ago. The glitter curtains that director Phillip McMahon had shown us backstage were drawn in all their glory before the start of the show and provided a colourful backdrop to most of the first act.

What I was not expecting was just how witty cabaret duo Bourgeois and Maurice would be: cleverly interacting with the audience when we least expected it. With complete stage presence, moving with effortless elegance in their bright, futuristic costumes, they kept the audience totally engaged and in fits of laughter throughout with their quick, sharp and witty humour.

By using the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh, the two touched on many important problems in our modern society: from what forms of power are legitimate, living in the moment versus achieving immortality in a digital age, and the appropriate punishment for someone who has done evil deeds.

Lockie Chapman, who played the infamous authoritarian, King Gilgamesh, perfectly encapsulated the various stages his character goes through: from evil dictator to being rendered vulnerable in his love for newcomer ‘wild’ man Enkidu. The song ‘Gay for You’ was both hilarious and heart-warming as we saw the seemingly cold-hearted king soften as he falls in love with Enkidu.

The second act  (spoiler) transported us from the ancient kingdom of Uruk to the present day. For me, this act truly brought Bourgeois and Maurice’s creative genius to the forefront with their cleverly written lyrics in ‘Welcome to Today’. They somehow managed to actually sum up what has happened in the last forty centuries, “from bitcoin to penicillin”, and to concisely explain the problems that the digital age has brought to the world we live in: “private lives are the property of a few corporations”.

The song ‘Meat Machine’ dealt with immortality in the cyber space, which really showed the ridiculousness of the social media influencer phenomenon, and how concerned people are today with their online presence.

Emer Dineen’s performance was particularly impressive as she transforms herself from the sexual seductress of the first act to a shallow millennial who is obsessed with the idea of placing human consciousness into the digital stratosphere.

This musical successfully managed, as Lockie told us a couple of weeks ago, to “take this old story and pummel it into the 21st century”. Insane Animals was undoubtably a fun and wild spectacle, but was also expertly balanced with an underlying commentary on the constant flux of the modern world we live in today.

Insane Animals runs at HOME Theatre until the 14th of March.

Accounting for Style #5: good with money & charity shop devotee

Accounting for Style is a new series at the Mancunion Fashion & Beauty section in which anonymous Manchester students track all of their fashion and beauty purchases over the period of a month. Get a glimpse into the way your peers spend their money on their style, the splurges and the savings…

Age: 22

Degree: Chemistry

Yearly maintenance loan: £8,785.00 and £1,000 bursary

Rent: £90 a week including bills

Part time job: I don’t have one during the academic year but I work at a catering agency each summer.

Monthly Budget: £320 (£80 a week) but I put at least £40 into a savings account every month to build up my ‘nest egg.’ I’ve been saving since my gap year so when I graduate I can be self-reliant have less pressure to find a job straight away.

Extra Cash: sometimes my parents will give me some extra cash, but I also choose to put that into my savings account.

Fashion and beauty spending habits: I am a saver and as a result I’m not a frivolous spender. I’m someone who brings a packed lunch to uni every day, and I buy a coffee as an occasional treat rather than a regular purchase. Whilst I have a budget, I rarely spend it all and try to save as much as possible. My savings mean I know I can handle various emergencies should they arise which I find to be reassuring.

It helps that I am a charity shop fiend, meaning my fashion and beauty spending is unintentionally minimal. My biggest motivation for charity shopping is simply that I don’t think high-street fashion reflects my style, and honestly, I don’t think materials they use are particularly high quality. Once you’ve bought several dreamy knitted jumpers for £4 that last more than 3 years, it’s hard to settle for high-street jumpers that sometimes only make it through one year and costs upwards of £15. In fact, I still regularly wear and get complimented on skirts, shirts, and jumpers that I bought before I even started university!

Charity shops are not perfect, and obviously have a limited stock meaning they often don’t have a wide range of sizes and are especially lacking in plus size clothing, although I would argue many high-street retailers aren’t much better. But charity shopping is a great solution for me to buy clothes I like, with the bonus that it benefits the environment and my bank account, but it’s literally not a one size fits all alternative and there are more inclusive ways to be environmentally and economically conscious.

I do buy things first-hand when I find something I like, and at a price I like. There are certain things that are harder to find in charity shops like basic tees, jeans, and trousers but because I’m not someone who enjoys mooching around the Arndale this doesn’t happen regularly.

In terms of beauty, I love experimenting with bright makeup; some evenings I sit in my room and listen to a podcast as I blend pinks with silvers with the little makeup knowledge I have. But it’s a similar story here, I really don’t buy much and the small collection of makeup I own I’ve collected over years.

Monthly estimated spend on fashion and beauty: I doubt I’ll spend more than £30 this month. I recently bought a pair of jeans and some boots – an attempt to stay dry in this winter – which are my biggest one-off purchases so I shouldn’t need to buy anything for this month at least.

1st of February: I bought lip balm because I ran out – £1.19

7th of February: Mouthwash – £2

21st of February: Face wax and shampoo £6.17. As someone who rarely buy s a £5 eyeshadow, which is something that I would be excited about, I don’t hesitate spending £5 on face wax. Why? Because of societal norms teaching me from a young age that I need to be hairless to be considered feminine and attractive. I don’t care about my moustache; I barely see my own face! But I’m self-conscious about what other people will think, so it’s a purchase I do make, but reluctantly. For now, I’m a ‘hairy woman’ and don’t shave or wax elsewhere on my body and I’ve definitely saved money and time from doing so. I hope that one day I will feel confident enough to rock a tache, but in the meantime I’ll just pay the price for ripping hair from my face instead of spending that money on something that would bring me joy.

24th of February: I popped into the Oxfam on Oxford Road before a meeting, just to nosey around, and came out with a lovely A-line geometric skirt for £3.99 (originally from M&S!) I haven’t owned a short skirt for years – I am totally obsessed with floaty skirts – but I loved the pattern of this and decided this would be a good purchase to experiment with. At only £3.99, and from a charity shop if I never wear it the consequences are minimal as I can always donate and return it to the charity shop ecosystem. But I have already worn it and I’m pleased to say it was money well spent!

28th of February: I lost one of my favourite pairs of earrings this month and felt like it was time to replace it, so I scrolled through Depop to find new polymer clay earrings. And I found a pair! The jeweller makes them to order meaning I could choose which colours I wanted which adds an extra sense of excitement. This came to £9.99 including postage, which I think is a bargain for a handmade pair of earrings. Depop is a great platform for finding handmade jewellery but the price and the no-returns policy of clothes means I’m yet to buy anything else.

Total spend: £24.14

Overall verdict: That was pretty much as I expected and is a typical month of spending for me. Charity shops are my favourite place to pop in and have a look around for clothes among other things; all of my plates and mugs are from charity shops as well as most of my clothes and even some artwork and photo frames. This month really highlighted that I find Depop and vintage retailers frustrating because part of me is convinced those clothes belong in Oxfams or British Heart Foundations across the country to be sold for under £10 instead of being stocked in Blue Rinse and being sold for a much higher price.

What I didn’t track was the time I spent scrolling looking for things I would want to buy. As I say, I’m not against the occasional first-hand purchases, but I often can’t find any that I want. I’m currently on the hunt for a cropped pink jumper (which will look great with my new skirt), a jumpsuit or some dungarees, a cosy cardigan, a sleeveless high-necked vest top, and some patterned tights.

I’ve been a charity shop fanatic since I was about 15 years old, and I really owe them for my style. There are some tips I’ve picked up along the way, like changing buttons on a garment can make a big difference, and it’s so easy. My latest button adventure will be on a glittery shirt I found in Oxfam (£2.99) in January but I’m not the biggest fan of the buttons. When I need a quiet evening activity, I’m going to dig around in my button collection and replace them. Et voila! The only problem with the shirt will take about 15 minutes and a cup of tea to solve.

Would you like to anonymously track your fashion & beauty purchases for the period of a month for The Cost of Student Style? Email [email protected] to express your interest or come along to our meetings every Monday at 6:15pm in The Hive.

Review: Super Duper Close Up

Performed at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Super Duper Close Up is a ‘tragicomedy’ which explores one woman’s attempts to navigate a life where everything is online.

We never learn the name of the star character, played by Jess Latowicki, even though as the performance progresses, we know almost all the details of her life. As the name Super Duper Close Up would suggest, the show really does get up close and personal. Latowicki starts the performance at the back of the stage, moving closer with every scene transition.

This culminated in Latowicki taking a seat in the front row of the audience. A camera onstage films her, the footage playing in real time on a screen above the stage. As Latowicki twists and turns in her seat to interact with the audience as she continues telling her story, the camera stays focused on her. The intimate feel of the production grows stronger and stronger as the distinction between performer and audience is broken down.

From this point onwards, the camera becomes a fixture in the performance. Accompanying Latowicki through a skincare routine and energetic dancing, the camera always stays close. This provides two ways to watch the performance: either by directly watching the stage, or watching the screen, where the camera angles and special effects change the context of what is happening.

The message is clear: even when we’re alone, we’re made to feel like we have to perform.

As Latowicki gets closer to the audience, her story becomes more personal. What at first seems like a trivial inconvenience is revealed to run much deeper. Jokes about being early for a meeting quickly turns into an anxiety-ridden inner monologue revealing deeper fears. Set against a backdrop of online culture and the increasing need to broadcast yourself to the world via social media, the situation quickly escalates from mundane to out of control.

Themes of anxiety and stress are present throughout the performance. Latowicki narrates a seemingly ordinary event, speaking faster and faster until she is left gasping for breath. This spiralling is closely connected to her rocky relationship with social media, as she scrolls through different apps to try and reduce the panic. Jess Latowicki is brilliantly dynamic in her performance, possessing a masterful control of the atmosphere and emotion of her audience.

Super Duper Close Up explores the difference in what people post online and the realities of their daily life. It is a performance which asks a lot of questions. How can we know what direction our lives are going in? How do you plan for a future in a world with so much uncertainty? Does posting about it online matter? Does anything matter?

Funny, thought-provoking, and deeply existential, Super Duper Close Up is a performance perfectly fitting for a 21st century audience. Asking more questions than it attempts to answer, the undeniably raw performance is a must-see for philosophers and Facebook users alike.

Review: Queer Lady M

A stormy night was the perfect backdrop for this retelling of Macbeth, with a particular focus on Lady Macbeth. The room was small and intimate as the actor, Shane, started by exploring the reasons behind Lady Macbeth’s actions and her basic need for appreciation and love from her husband.

The performance seemed to end as Shane took off the Lady Macbeth costume but instead a new story started; that of Shane’s childhood draw to the character of Lady Macbeth.

We heard stories from Shane’s childhood with a focus on familial relationships and how difficult it can be to maintain them with those who do not always understand us. The intended take-away was to “keep trying with the people around you”, which was repeatedly touched upon as we saw Shane’s childhood disconnect from a mother who tried but did not understand her child’s relationship with gender.

While there was a lot of heavy content, it should be noted that there were also funny moments, and the show was broken up by lip syncs to songs rearranged from the original shakespearean text.

The one-person nature of the show meant a very simplistic set with props being used so a crown represented a king and a suitcase a television. The very nature of such a stark show gave the whole piece a very personal feel as we saw Shane switch between acting out memories and breaking the fourth wall to ask the audience to really engage with the content.

The piece did very much have a work in progress feel to it, with a Q&A afterwards allowing the audience to ask questions of Shane as well as share any thoughts they had on the piece. Unfortunately, the unfinished nature was not something I was expecting, which took away from an otherwise moving piece.

The Q&A definitely added to the experience as we were told more about the history of the theatre company, 1623, which aims to show the relevance of Shakespeare with a starting point of people who are alive today. We were also shown how passionate Shane is about not cutting people off just because it can be hard for them to understand you. This tied into the importance of family even in rough times and reinforced the highly personal nature of the show.

All in all, it was an interesting piece in a beautiful setting. As ever, it is fascinating to see the effect Shakespeare still has on people’s lives and how pieces are still being reinvented to this day.

Queer Lady M continues its UK tour throughout 2020.

Let’s Get Away: Glasgow and Aberdeen

For the past few years, Scotland has held one of the top spots on my destinations list. I have been dreaming about its windmills, flocking sheep, rocky hills, and serene lakes. Leaving from Manchester Piccadilly Gardens, my friend and I made the 5-hour journey on MegaBus to Glasgow. We decided to take a midnight bus to kill the time and rest along the way. We underestimated the cold Scottish climate as it was freezing as soon as we stepped out of the bus at Buchanan Station at 5am. Glasgow is the kind of city where you could wander around the streets and find its soul in every corner whilst admiring the mix of old and new architecture that blend together seamlessly.

We started with a misty morning stroll at the Glasgow Botanic Garden, which was lovely and full of warm autumnal colours from the fallen leaves. Around a 10 minute walk from the garden, we made our way on foot to the University of Glasgow. Roaming around the university feels being in Hogwarts with its greyish castle-like buildings. However, we were less fortunate for not being able to see the gorgeous gothic arches in the interior university courtyard called “cloisters” which would have made for an absolutely perfect Instagram-worthy picture.

Though it may seem like an odd choice for sightseeing we visited The Necropolis which is definitely worth a visit. Perched on top of a hill, this collection of creepy graves and massive mausoleums mark the burial place for 50,000 people, many of whom were prominent Glaswegians — such as John Knox who was the leader of the Scottish Reformation — and dates back to the 1830’s. After this we craved  something sweet so we decided to hop on the bus to The Chocolate Cafe, which is considered one of the best dessert cafes in Europe. I’d recommend their famous Death by Chocolate, a triple layer chocolate cake, which was definitely a highlight for me.

Let's Get Away Paris: photos courtesy of Huda Jafni and designed by Phoebe Moore
Let’s Get Away Paris: photos courtesy of Huda Jafni and designed by Phoebe Moore

We then left Glasgow and headed to Aberdeen for the next stop on our trip. If I think about all the reasons why I wanted to visit Aberdeen, the spectacular natural scenery is probably the main one. Located on the North-East coast, Aberdeen is a place where the harbour meets the city centre. We took a bus ride from Edinburgh, which is nearly 4 hours, and booked an AirBnB. It cost us £18 per night, which was a great budget option.

We decided to get a day bus pass due to the blustery winds which made walking unpleasant, but otherwise it is an accessible city for walking. It was drizzling when we reached Dunnottar Castle but nature did us justice when the rainbow popped out between the hills serving us an incredible sight, and we also had the chance to walk along the shore by Aberdeen Beach.  It was hard to believe that what we were seeing was real because we couldn’t get enough of the view — it was so jaw-droppingly scenic. It incorporates all the romantic notions of the ships, seagulls, and the sea as the backdrop intermingling with historical landmarks. This ensured we did not leave without trying some seafood, so we headed off for fish and chips at The Ashvale.

For me Aberdeen is less refined, but I loved it more for that and there were fewer tourists than Glasgow. If I was ever given a chance to travel back to either Aberdeen or Glasgow, I would in a heartbeat.

Review: Indigo

Indigo is the latest show from Maverick Charles Productions, a bizarre comedy that in part parodied the superhero genre. It was written by Hugo Lewkowicz, directed by Emily Fitzpatrick and was staged at the King’s Arms in Salford.

As the audience took their seats, we were watched by a woman (Sarah Faulkner) with a fierce gaze, who offered us playing cards and fixed us with judgemental looks. When the play started, she introduced the band of quirky characters. The play concerned Doctor Zellner (Mike Moulton), a scientist who insisted he was not “e-ville”, complete with a silly voice and array of ridiculous facial expressions.

His sidekick was a manifestation of the least memorable colour in the rainbow, Indigo (Libby Williamson). Indigo was adorable and enthusiastic with a habit of switching Doctor Zellner’s launch codes for song lyrics.

Zellner’s scientific experiments were thwarted by his arch-nemesis, Swordman (Ross McFadden), an underpants-wearing superhero with a tragic backstory who insisted on pronouncing the W in ‘Sword’. Completing the cast was Zellner’s landlady, Petunia Morris (Nick Nuttall), a character demonstrating the villainy of landlords and landladies, a joke that went down well in this student-filled audience.

Zellner was working on a time machine which he would use to prevent ‘indigo’ ever being listed as a colour in the colour spectrum, much to the hurt of Indigo himself.

The first act was a high energy romp through an exaggerated comic book world, complete with brilliant one-liners and silly shenanigans. I was having a great time but I was starting to wonder how long this format could be dragged out for. At this moment, Mrs Morris entered to open a hole in the space-time continuum. This situation was created through the use of an enormous, stunning swirl made out of LED lights. The characters stepping through this whole was what instigated the second act.

It was after this that things became a bit wild. The play went down a convoluted path involving time-travel and multiple universes. A show this ridiculous does not necessarily need to make sense; however, I think the fact there was supposed to be a plot meant I was left confused at times. Truth be told, I would have preferred another act of the quirky characters arguing and attempting to fight crime, while alluding to Batman.

The second act also had a surprise cameo from none other than Hitler (I don’t know how else to explain it). He appeared continually from this point onward. I firmly believe there are only so many times Hitler can be utilised for laughs. Yes, it was funny the first time he showed up and inspired when he appeared in the musical theatre parallel universe to sing ‘A Chorus Line’, complete with a gold glittery hat, but from this point onward, his presence felt quite cheap. However, this opinion would likely be controversial with most of the audience, whose laughter never diminished at his appearances.

Despite having a confusing second half, Indigo frequently had me in stitches and was a refreshing reminder that theatre does not always have to be serious. All of the actors put in an immense amount of energy (how were they not dying of heat in those superhero costumes?!), ensuring there was never a dull or static moment onstage.

Although all gave wonderful performances, my favourite was definitely that of McFadden with his fabulous costumes and dramatic gestures. “Swwword”, the group of people I was chatting to in the interval all repeated.

There were also many discussions amongst us of what ‘indigo’ actually is: “Is it purple?” “No, it’s like a dark blue, tinged with purple.” It was an interesting choice of subject matter, something that is a part of our concept of colour but that we rarely think about.

As the show closed, Fitzpatrick came out onstage to tell us Indigo is going up to the Edinburgh Fringe. Having been to the Fringe last year, I think this show will fit right in. It is a hilarious comedy that reminds me of some of the improvised shows I saw up in Edinburgh.