Monthly Archives: May 2013

Frankie & The Heartstrings

Sunderland Minster 25 May 2013 http://frankieandtheheartstrings.com/ REVIEW: JACK AUTY Having garnered public recognition from 2010 and onwards, via radio play, spots at Glastonbury and Latitude festivals and their super-catchy 2011 single “Hunger”, Sunderland band Frankie & The Heartstrings have grown … Continue reading

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Swans: The Seer

Young God Available now REVIEW: GEORGE AIRD When Swans reformed in 2010, frontman Michael Gira categorically stated, “this is not a reunion. It’s not some dumb-ass nostalgia act”. To prove this,  the New York outfit are as outlandishly experimental and … Continue reading

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The Seagull

Northern Stage, Newcastle Upon Tyne 14 May 2013 http://headlong.co.uk/work/seagull/ REVIEW: BETH ALLISON It’s fair to say that funny isn’t usually a word associated with Anton Chekov. However, just five minutes into Headlong’s new version of ‘The Seagull’, it becomes apparent … Continue reading

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The 14th Tale

Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne 22 May 2013 http://www.fueltheatre.com/projects/the-14th-tale REVIEW: EMILY CRAIG As I first walk into the theatre, I don’t know what to expect, as I’ve never seen a spoken word play before. It’s an experience  I won’t forget. … Continue reading

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Moth Publishing

WORDS: ANNIE ROSE MEARS Everyone loves a good crime novel, right? A book that you can get lost in, where you find yourself saying ‘just one more page’ after a few hours of reading? Well low and behold on the … Continue reading

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The Big M

The Toffee Factory, Ouseburn 17-18 May 2013, 7pm- 11pm www.isisarts.org.uk/the-big-m REVIEW: HANNAH GRENCIS Standard Friday nights out in Newcastle do not usually consist of watching short video installations in an inflatable mobile exhibition venue. Tonight however, this is exactly what … Continue reading

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The Handsome Family

Town Hall, Gateshead 19 May 2013 www.handsomefamily.com REVIEW: FRANCIS ATKINSON Even before The Handsome Family come anywhere near the stage, I know this is going to be a good night: I’ve never been to Gateshead Town Hall and am impressed … Continue reading

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A Hijacking

Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle upon Tyne Dir: Tobias Lindholm Starring: Pilou Asbᴂk, Søren Malling REVIEW: ELIZABETH ATKIN Silence is a powerful tool. You could almost forget that, these days, as there’s always a new flashy action film out at the box office, showcasing far … Continue reading

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Miss Crispy 1988

Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne 8 May 2013 http://lessismoreproductions.wordpress.com/shows/2012-miss-crispy-1988/ REVIEW: ALEX SIKKINK Picking up my ticket for Miss Crispy 1988, I was warned that it would be difficult to avoid dancing to the retro soundtrack. It was true; with the … Continue reading

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Newcastle Fashion Weekend

11- 12 May 2013 Northumbria University Students Union REVIEW: HANNAH MORPETH Between 11-18 May,  Newcastle Fashion Week was back for its third year, following storming successes in 2011 and 2012. It launched with a bang, with the opening weekend packed … Continue reading

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NT LIVE

PREVIEW: RACHEL ATKINSON National Theatre Live is a very new way of looking at something very old, but it’s an idea which could, potentially, change the way in which we view theatre forever. The National Theatre’s latest project involves the … Continue reading

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Life! Death! Prizes! by Stephen May

Published by Bloomsbury ISBN: 1408831198 Buy the Book REVIEW: ANGUS KIRK Life! Death! Prizes! by Stephen May begins at the funeral of Billy’s Mum, after her tragic death leaves nineteen year old Billy to care for his little brother, Oscar. Narrated … Continue reading

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Cuckoo Playlist: 5 Songs for Today

PLAYLIST: SIMONE WOOD No theme with this one- just songs that might make today a bit more cheery! Chuck Berry- You Never Can Tell From the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction, You Never Can Tell is full of funky piano and … Continue reading

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Laura Marling: Once I Was An Eagle

Virgin Records Released: 27 May 2013 PREVIEW: SARAH GONNET Who the heck is Laura Marling? There are many reasons to love Laura Marling. Her exquisite song writing taps into that deep desire in all of us to be entranced by … Continue reading

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Five Ring Circus

PREVIEW: MATILDA NEILL Five Ring Circus is a North East based youth circus group, established five years ago and consisting of four clubs, in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Stockton and South Tyneside. The headquarters is a renovated church, now known as … Continue reading

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Lionel Shriver

PREVIEW: RACHEL ATKINSON ‘She is not afraid of anything’, the critics say and, indeed, Lionel Shriver has the reputation of being exacting, controlled and dedicated to her craft. She is also incredibly good, as is evidenced by her ever-growing list … Continue reading

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Derren Brown: Infamous

Empire Theatre, Sunderland 4 May 2013 http://derrenbrown.co.uk/on-stage/ REVIEW: JANE CURRIE Derren Brown is back with another mind-boggling extravaganza that’s carefully choreographed to make your brain hurt. Having seen the illusionist twice before, I was wary as to what new things … Continue reading

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Star & Shadow Cinema

WORDS: ELIZABETH ATKIN Ever wanted to find a cinema in the North East that shows alternatives to mainstream blockbusters, expensive horror remakes and sappy rom-coms? Do you have a penchant for all things film related? Have you ever dreamed about … Continue reading

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Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts: The Many Adventures of Enid Blyton

Seven Stories, Newcastle upon Tyne 4 May 2013- February 2014 http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/144/mystery-magic-and-midnight-feasts-the-many-adventures-of-enid-blyton REVIEW: HANNAH JOHNSON Whether you were born in the 60’s, 90’s or 2010, chances are you’ve grown up wanting to be one of the Famous Five or pretending to … Continue reading

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Dirty Beaches

Cluny 2, Newcastle upon Tyne 5 May 2013 http://dirtybeaches.blogspot.co.uk/ REVIEW: ANNIE ROSE MEARS Alex Zhang Huntai is something of a globe-trotter; he began his musical career as a one man band in Taiwan and then moved to Montreal, Canada . … Continue reading

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