Issue 1426 Monday 9th May 2022
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thecourieronline.co.uk
SRA Con returns to NCL
National Pet Month!
Our writers introduce you to treasured pets Bruce, Cookie & Daisy Lifestyle | page 15
Read how NSR got on with hosting this incredible event
Celebrating Eid
Campus Comment | page 7
Lifestyle | page 15
At home or in Newcastle, for writer Leo David Prajogo, Eid is all about sharing
Marking boycott confirmed Alexander James - News sub-editor
Further measures from the UCU come in following the unchanged stance of Newcastle Uni
U
CU have confirmed that forty-four universities across the UK are set to conduct a marking and assessment boycott in the coming months, a move which is likely to prevent students from receiving grades. Newcastle University is one institutions where the boycott is set to take place. On top of this, thirty-nine universities will be conducting a further ten days of strike action this academic year. The timing and nature of the boycott has yet to be announced by the UCU but the decision is expected to be be ratified at the Higher Education Committee on the 12th May. The Special Higher Education Conference was held on the 20th April to review the progress of the Four Fights campaign and for university delegates to decide on the next steps in the dispute. There is a belief among a large portion of the UCU membership that a serious escalation in the pay and pensions dispute is needed to incur concessions from employers, despite the strike action already conducted this year. The majority of members voted for strikes and ASOS (Action Short Of Strike), including a marking and assessment boycott. On the four fights, 73.99% voted to strike; 85.91% for ASOS. On USS 79.45% voted to strike; 88.15% for ASOS. Over 40 branches surpassed the 50% total yes vote. The UCU now needs the decision to be
Image: Twitter (@NewcastleUniUCU)
ratified by the General Secretary and UCU officers whereupon the industrial action will be planned and initiated. At the most recent UCU conference, the delegates who proposed the assessment boycott noted that ‘the neoliberal university depends on data streams as never before, and is particularly vulnerable to their closure’. In further justification of the strike action, they cited a marking boycott at Newcastle University in 2016 which was successful in dismantling a university proposal for a target-based performance management scheme that was highly
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unpopular among staff. The Four Fights is an attempt to tackle serious issues regarding the erosion of pay, use of insecure contracts and casualisation of a majority of university staff, workplace inequality and unmanageable workloads in one dispute. The UCU demands fair treatment for staff across the sector, and a core part of its strategy to bring meaningful negotiations from the university will now be continued strike action. While the proportion of universities’ money which they spend on staff has decreased over time, recently hitting a new low
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of 51.6%, the sector’s overall income is higher than ever and keeps increasing. It has increased every year for the past five years at a rate that comfortably exceeds every measure of inflation. NUSU Postgraduate Officer Eleanor McCarthy commented that the Students’ Union currently “knows the same information as students [...] but we are having regular meetings with the University and will be updating students as soon as we can”. Eleanor also made it clear that NUSU is “mandated by Student Council to continue to support the strike action and particularly
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to support postgraduate research students.” Lastly, Eleanor acknowledged the the strike action has continually been a distressing occurrence for students, and that the upcoming boycott may well continue that distress. However, she also emphasised that “NUSU is here for all students and will be working with the university to represent your academic interests and wellbeing during this time.” A poll run by the Newcastle Student Union in February found that 53% of the 1600 students that voted supported the upcoming strike action, with 42% voting against strike action. Recent findings suggest the marking boycott is unpopular with the student body. A poll run by the Tab Online this week found that 73% of respondents no longer supported striking academic staff. This latest stage in the four fights campaign will have an even more direct effect on students’ academic work, possibly delaying graduation for some final year students. A Newcastle University spokesperson said: “We want to reassure students that we are putting plans in place to ensure that no student is disadvantaged in their awards because of this latest action. We will ensure assessed work is marked, and that students in their final year graduate this summer on schedule. Many students will not be affected at all.” No new plans for the mitigation of strike or ASOS action were revealed by the University. The impact will vary between schools depending on the staff body’s level of participation with strike action. Final year students in particular may become collateral damage in the latest development of the pay and pensions dispute, as there remains a possibility that some students will have their final marks back late and their graduation delayed.
Inside 9th May 2022 Current Affairs | Campus Comment The poisoning of patriotism As another St. George's Day passes, Sam Norman reflects on the souring connotations of these patriotic displays. Page 6
Current Affairs | Science Disruption on the rise Sub-editor Joseph Caddick considers the implications and achievements of disruptive protesting. Page 11
Life & Style | Relationships Vaginismus "caused me to feel closed off" "A very individual condition", one writer shares how support and research helped them to feel "determined and optimistic". Page 13
Life & Style | Lifestyle Problematic praise: 'You look slim' Good intentions must make way for the recognition of internalised fatphobia. Page 15
Life & Style | Food & Drink Stack stand-ins Mourning over the shipping container collection? Read on to find promising independent substitutes. Page 19
Culture | TV Deadline disaster distractions Sometimes, small doses of escapism make all the difference. Our writers recommend their most reliable re-watches. Pages 22
Culture | Gaming Uncharted 4: An archaelogist's dream Enable your procrastination with this testimonial to Uncharted 4's historical inaccuracies. Page 26 & 27
How does a computer get drunk? It takes screenshots - George Bell, Courier Jester and Film sub-editor clearly feeling the influence of a CompSci dissertation
A note from the Editor
W
e are back! Hello, and welcome to another issue of The Courier, your student newspaper. While the Easter break had us out of print production, there was plenty going on in the land of Student Media. Firstly, congratulations to NUTV for winning Bronze in both 'Sport' and ‘Event Coverage’ at the NaSTA Awards in York. Over in Sheffield, the SPA held their first in-person conference since 2019. Congratulations to Carly Horne, TV subeditor at The Courier, for her shortlisted ‘Best Comment Piece’, ‘Voice elitism: The struggles of a regional accent’.
The media conferences did not end there, and our very own NSR was busy hosting the SRA conference on our campus. It was a fantastic few days full of sage advice from industry veterans, and great teamwork from our volunteers. The conference included the Amplify Awards, where it was announced that Izzy Ellis, NSR Station Manager, will be one of the ‘voices’ of the Student Radio Awards in November. Exciting stuff! For a full rundown of the proceedings, head over to Kayleigh’s article on page seven. On the subject of awards, the Media Awards are happening on Friday 20th May from 6:30pm in Venue, NUSU lvl -2. It will surely be a great night of celebrating our hard work this year, so take a look at shortlists
(congrats to all nominees) and get your tickets over at nusu.co.uk/awards Best of luck to you all with the ongoing assessment season and the summer term! It’s a busy time to be sure, but the activities we have on offer at our Student Media Afternoons can scale to your availability. Plus, we’ll be joined by former Editor of The Courier Tom Nicholson this Wednesday 11th from 1:30pm in the Bamburgh Room. He’ll be giving out plenty of advice about working as a culture journalist, so well worth joining us for that if you can. Thanks for reading, and hope to see you there! George, Student Media Officer
THE COURIER
SECTIONS Editor
George Boatfield -- mediaofficer.union@newcastle.ac.uk
Current Affairs
Senior editor: Elizabeth Meade -- e.a.meade1@newcastle.ac.uk
News
-- courier.news@ncl.ac.uk Ruby Story-Dartford Alexander James Becca Alexander Renzo Szkwarok Daniel Wales
Campus Comment
-- courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk Kayleigh Fraser Tiyanna Mistry Amana Khan
Comment
-- courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk Humphrey Jordan Rosie Norman Emily Kelso
Science
-- c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Erika Armanino Jon Deery
Sport
Deputy Editor
Muslim Taseer -- m.taseer1@newcastle.ac.uk
Life & Style
Senior editor: Meg Howe --m.j.howe1@ncl.ac.uk
Relationships & Blind Date
Annabel Hogg Gabbi de Boer Imogen Mole
Lifestyle
-- c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk Leanna Thomson Faye Navesey Molly Taylor
Fashion & Beauty
-- c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Imogen Clarke Lizzie Yockney Sophia Ayub
Travel
-- courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Lenka Minarovicova Alice Holmes
Food & Drink
Marcel Shamshoum Scarlett Welch
Senior Editor: Peter Bath -- p.l.bath@ncl.ac.uk -- courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Lucy Rimmer Mitchell Hall Katie Siddall Castor Chan Ethan Todd
Social Media
Head of Social Media: Sarah Lahiri -- s.a.n.lahiri1@newcastle.ac.uk Meagan Screen
Culture
Senior editors: Maud Webster --m.webster4@ncl.ac.uk Hattie Metcalfe -- h.metcalfe1@ncl.ac.uk
Music
-- c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Rowan Christina Driver Oren Brown Lucy Bower
TV
-- c2.TV@ncl.ac.uk Rachael McCreanor Rebecca Sykes Carly Horne
Film
-- c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Jess Bradbury Autumn Keil George Bell
Gaming
-- courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Michael Duckworth Joseph Caddick Haaris Qureshi Peter Lennon
Arts
-- c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Ruby Taylor Maja Mazur Tom Wrath
Puzzles
Joseph Caddick
THE
COURIER
Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Becca Alexander, Renzo Szkwarok, Ruby Story-Dartford, Alexander James & Daniel Wales
News
3
Sublime city summertime: NCL set for a suite of outdoor events and activities Daisy Harrison
All the most exciting happenings coming up in Newcastle
I
t’s looking to be a lively summer here in Newcastle, with lots of events being organised! Here’s some of what you can expect to find… Central Park – named the ‘North East’s biggest beer garden’, Central Park is back for another summer. Located in Times Square, and fully equipped with a stage, seating, bars, food court, and a huge screen, Central Park hosts musicians, performers, sports events, and the people’s favourite: Kroud Karaoke. The venue is open midday-midnight, 7 days a week, and can hold over 700 people. There are several different seating options, including Central Beach, Surf Shack, Electric Garden (with fire pits), and VIP terrace. NE1’s Summer in the City – although the exact line-up of events hasn’t been released yet, Summer in the City is a series of free pop-up events and activities, located in various places around the city centre. Past events have included: Screen on the Green, a large open-air cinema at Eldon Square; Restaurant week, giving you the chance to eat in restaurants around Newcastle for £10 or £15; The Urban Garden, this provides deck chairs, bean bags, and loungers, in Wesley Square, on The Quayside. The plans for this year’s Summer in the City should be revealed soon. Northern Pride – taking place
between the 22nd – 24th July this summer, Northern Pride is the biggest LGBTQIA+ event in the North East, and aims to show the world that our region is a celebrated LGBTQ+ safe place. Multiple large events will be happening over the weekend, including: Friday Night Fundraising, the opening ceremony of Pride, with Todrick Hall, Bimini Bon Boulash, and DJ Jodie Harsh headlining and The Pride March will take place from 12 noon on Saturday 23rd July, with a focus on this year’s theme: Remember, Resist, Rise Up. There will also be lots of smaller events and entertainment happening throughout the weekend, as the festival will be split into two areas: The Festival Arena and The Community Village. The Festival Arena will hold the main stage, fun fair, Be Scene Zone, and Rainbow Village, whilst The Community Village provides access to support services and hands-on activities, as well as street performers and The Curious Arts Stage. Mouth of Tyne festival - this will happen on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of July with the scenic backdrop of Tynemouth Priory and Castle. Iconic artists such as Keane, Lighthouse Family, and SophieEllis-Bextor will be headlining the weekend, so this really isn’t one to miss! LooseFest – if you prefer electronic/ hip hop music, LooseFest may be the festival for you. Over the 30th and 31st of July on Town Moor, you can expect to see music from big names such as, The Black-Eyed Peas, AJ Tracey, Joel Corry, Example, and Clean Bandit. With all this going on over the summer, there’s no excuse to leave The Toon! Image: Instagram @northernprideuk
Cost of living crisis cuts into student life Jade Woods
Students are set to face the full effects of a price crisis as the whole nation is squeezed
I
t is no secret that the cost of living is going up. Between rising energy prices and issues with trade due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, the price we have to pay for basic essentials is steadily rising. It is no surprise that university students are going to be hit the hardest by this rise, with limited student finance, that in some cases barely covers rent, this increase in prices are a huge worry to students across the city, leaving a lot of people wondering how they are going to meet ends meet. A Newcastle University student has been living in a 4-person flat in Jesmond for the last year and is continuing her tenancy into her final year, however she has been hit hard with a rise in both rent and bills. Her rent is going up £10 a month per person, £40 across the whole household, and a £21 increase each in household bills, £84 between the four of them. Whilst it may not seem like a huge increase, it is £372 a year and as a student who cannot work due to the demands of her degree, this increase
is a huge blow to her. Moreover, third year students get a smaller maintenance loan in their third year because the government believes they ‘do not need it’ after their course ends, but with tenancy agreements continuing until July and the chances of getting a graduate job straight out of a degree being pretty slim, these rise in costs could not have come at a worse time for third years. Whilst the rising cost-ofliving is something inevitable, and the money has to come from somewhere, it is people like university students who will be hit the hardest. Furthermore, private student accommodation known as Nido, recently emailed all their current tenants who were planning on continuing their tenancy into their next academic year letting them know that their fixed accommodation price would be increasing. In the email they said, “we do have to anticipate having to adjust our all-bills-included offer in the future, perhaps moving to a metered approach or increasing our all-in price”. Whilst increase in energy prices is inevitable, Nido had already increased their prices by £8 a week for the next academic year: a premium en-suite room rising from £138 to £145 per week. Moreover, many students have already signed fixed contracts for the next academic year based on the previous price offered to them. It seems unfair to these university students, who for the most part rely on their student
Image: Wikimedia
finance as their only source of income for rent as well as everyday living, to be penalised after the price of their accommodation had already gone up a significant amount, £336 a year. It is obvious that university students across the city are going to be facing hard times in the coming year. Energy
prices and cost of living are quickly rising and when you pair that with the government’s maintenance loan failing to match this rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a solution to the financial problems faced by students.
Financial support is available from the University King's Gate for any students in need of assistance
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THE
COURIER
Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Becca Alexander, Renzo Szkwarok, Ruby Story-Dartford, Alexander James & Daniel Wales
News
5
BBC Comedy Festival to take over Toon Elžbieta Voverytė
'City of Comedy' title, and the first BBC Comedy festival to be held in the city
I
Image: Wikimedia
n May of this year Newcastle will play host to the BBC’s inaugural comedy festival, where it will welcome a wide range of comedic talent, from stars such as Greg Davies, Romesh Ranganathan and Stephen Merchant to lesser-known upcoming acts like Tim Renkow, Kat Salder. The event will span from Wednesday 11th May to Friday 13th, let’s just hope the acts only break a leg figuratively. After the opening day on the 11th, participants will be invited to attend and industry-focused day consisting of a range of panels and talks on the 12th and people hoping to break into TV and comedy or advance their careers will be able to take part in sessions on 13 May.
This event will allow anyone wanting to break into the comedic scene to express themselves and show off their talents to experts, who can guide them in their future careers, whilst also providing plenty of fun and entertainment along the way in the form of panels, talks and the comedy acts themselves.
Attendees ttendees still need to get free tickets for each event, so make sure to plan ahead Although the selection of events will be available for the public to attend completely free, attendees still need to get a ticket in order for the venues to not get overbooked, so make sure to plan in advance. The very few shows that have already been announced to happen in the Stand Comedy Club in the city have already ‘sold out’ of the free tickets. More information including venues and the exact times of the shows should be announced in the upcoming week.
When interviewing the BBC Director of comedy, Jon Petrie, he said: “We are excited to be coming to Newcastle, the BBC's first City of Comedy, to celebrate comedy in all its forms and to outline BBC Comedy's vision for the genre in 2022 and beyond. We are committed to nurturing, developing and collaborating with comedy enthusiasts across the UK, to ensure comedy remains a staple part of our British culture". Alongside with these exciting news, BBC Comedy has also announced that they will be contributing to a new Regional Partnership Scheme, co-funded with Northern Film + Media (NFM), pairing North East based emerging talents with a leading BBC Comedy supplier to support ‘the growth of indigenous scripted comedy supplies in an underserved and underrepresented region’.
HMRC site sets Carliol House on path to partial demolition Maud Webster - Head of Culture
B
ack in November 2021, HMRC’s plans to move 9,000 workers into Pilgrim’s Quarter were announced. This site encompasses the set-to-be demolished Stack, which closed last week, and Grade II listed Art Deco building Carliol House. The government agreed a 25 year lease on the site, with an estimated completion and move-in of 2027. Local heritage group Northumberland and Newcastle Society warn against these proposals, which are currently seeking planning permission. Chair of the Northumberland and Newcastle Society's Tyneside committee, Tim Wickens, asserts that "this isn't good enough”. He comments: “The finest architects in post-First World War Britain - including Sir John James Burnet - designed Carliol House to be a monument to a brave new world and a symbol of a city determined to be at the vanguard". The planning committee notes that Carliol House, opened in the 1920s, is a “designated heritage asset”. These applications seek consent for the partial demolition and alterations to the listed Carliol House, in addition to the erection of a substantial new building to its rear. Many heritage bodies, including Historic England, Historic Buildings and Places and Twentieth Century Society, have expressed a number of concerns with the proposals. They all note the building as a prime example of intra-war architecture and doubt the proposal’s abilities to concern the authenticity of Carliol House. Historic Buildings and Places argue that “the application is contrary to national and local policies and should
be refused on heritage grounds”. They object “to what equates to the almost complete loss of the grade II listed Carliol House, which would harm the significance of this heritage asset and erode the important contribution this building made to development of Newcastle”. Historic England, whilst welcoming the principle of re-using the building, believe the proposals’ intentions to remove the internal footprint of the building will “affect the authenticity of the building” and find the loss of original windows “unfortunate”. The planning committee also acknowledge the potential economic benefits of the new HMRC site, and the benefits of retaining at least the exterior of the building. The planning committee at the end of April concludes by recommending planning permission for the project subject to a number of conditions and grant listed building consent. This means the proposals are subject to the approval of the secretary of state and various additional agreements to ensure the proposals remain sensitive to various city considerations.
Image: Flickr
Top-right: Carliol House under construction in 1924-1928 Lower-right: As Carliol House currently stands, with Commercial Union house to the left
Image: Geograph
Sub-editors: Kayleigh Fraser, Tiyanna Mistry & Amana Khan
Monday 9th May 2022
THE
COURIER
Campus Comment Taking University The poisoning of patriotism 6
complaints further Joseph Caddick - Puzzles and Gaming sub-editor
L
ast year, I submitted a formal complaint to the University about how they’d handled the pandemic, and the toll it had on my mental health. As expected, they weren’t very receptive. Unhappy with the outcome, I decided to take my complaint further, to the Office for Independent Adjudication. After the initial communications with them, they asked me to send over any new evidence that I had acquired. Honestly, by this point there were few differences, and I was completely burned out after the intensive back-and-forths I’d been having with the University’s admin teams at that point. However, I would eventually provide the new developments that were relevant to the case to ensure a decisive verdict could be reached. One year passed, and by this point I had given up any hopes that the University would be held to account for how their handling of the pandemic directly affected my mental health issues. I was right to do this. The response from the OIA, to me, was wholly unsatisfactory. It was a long document, though the sentiment was roughly “The University said it did nothing wrong through internal reviews, so it did nothing wrong”. Needless to say, such an argument is absurd. Of course the University would deny wrongdoing, why would they subject themselves to criticism by admitting their missteps? It was this line of logic that prompted me to take my case to the OIA in the first place, so to hear it parroted back again is infuriating. It’s also naive on their part, and that’s assuming it’s not something more sinister. In the document that the OIA sent me, they did acknowledge that the University was wrong to withdraw the £150 they offered me if I took my complaint further, which I referred to in my last article on this case as ‘hush money’. If they understood the impact that this had on my mental
health, surely it can be inferred that the University treated its students unfairly when it came to the other aspects of my complaint. So they’ve acknowledged the University was involved in behaviour that could be construed as shady, yet choose to take them at their word regarding everything else? Baffling. Where I really got angry though was how they spoke of my mental health. Patronising is too generous of a word. I took the time to write a very detailed response as to how my mental health was affected by everything that happened last year, and how the University’s decisions repeatedly exacerbated any anxiety the pandemic was already causing. A genuine quote from their results is ‘it was open to you to access support through the NHS’. Yes, it was. And I did. As people do when they are struggling with their mental health.
Sam Norman
G
rey’s Monument was swarmed on the 23rd of April with St. George’s Day demonstrations taking over the city centre. The simultaneous presence of patriot groups and anti-fascist groups led to a strong police attendance with each group cementing their beliefs with speeches and banners. Videos of the protests surfaced through various news outlets, with The Chronicle displaying the North East Against Racism group in unison chanting for their hospitality for refugees, as well as the North East Frontline Patriots waving their flags of memorial. Such tension between the two groups arises debates around patriotism, calling into question its place in
modern society, especially among younger generations. From my perspective, both demonstrations were counterproductive and only further drowned the idea of patriotism in a toxic pool. It is difficult to view protesting against racism on St. George’s day, opposite those celebrating the day, as anything but a sly attack that only dilutes the real valuable message they stand for. Equally so, it is just as difficult to not view the blurred lines of patriotism with hate speech, given with the ‘Brexit Age’ we have seen a 15-25% rise in religious and race-related hate crimes. Therefore, neither group enthused any belief in their own cause and only further provoked divisive tensions. It is these tensions that display there is no argument for a debate on whether patriotism has become poisoned, but rather why. The Shield’s Gazette covered a story of the landlord of ‘Dougie’s Tavern’ in South Tyneside, and his annoyance at such few people knowing
The University treated its students unfairly It’s this sort of snarky dismissal of mental health issues that make me feel as though student complaint procedures in general are in dire need of being overhauled. People in charge of evaluating complaints should be trained in how to discuss mental health, because this is not the first time where I have felt a lack of tact from a staff member regarding this. If you have complaints with the University, please continue to raise them, though don’t expect a satisfying or even empathetic response, even if you take it beyond the University. With all that in mind, I have now asked to make a formal complaint about the conduct of the OIA staff that I have spoken to. This will raise the classic question; who watches the watchers?
Image: Flickr Image: Pixabay
Image: Wikimedia Commons
the date of St. George’s day. The tavern was decorated with flags, to which bypassing cars were said to be beeping, but the Gazette highlighted how “wound up” landlord Norman Scott was with the ignorance to the day. This is a reoccurring narrative of patriots finding a disrespect in the lack of celebration, summing it up to a lack of patriotism, especially in younger generations; I firmly disagree. For myself, and many of my peers, an archaic holiday, based on some form of mythological story taught in primary school does not inspire patriotism. But where have we seen an overwhelming sense of patriotism from young people? The 2021 Euros saw all generations of a nation unite under the country’s team. The Olympics every four years inspires pride in all the talent from our country. Eurovision allows the entire country to laugh together as we once again get minimal votes. All of these relevant, 21st Century cultural events inspire patriotism, therefore, to argue there isn’t any anymore, is simply someone not looking close enough. Time has shifted, and people are moving away from tradition, for better or for worse, but not all patriotism is entangled with far-right rhetoric. Patriotism is rife in the UK, but in mainstream media, the only form we see is the likes of St. George’s Day ‘celebrations’ where they cannot make their mind up whether they’re honouring tradition, celebrating, remembering those who have died, or are just there to make a point about the country not being patriotic enough. Acknowledging the country's faults and working to improve life for all races and religions within the country would in fact be a key segment of patriotism and is a must to help detoxify the associations of national pride.
Rate it or Hate it: Luther's Tiyanna Mistry - Campus Comment sub-editor
E
very university has their infamous student union bar. At Newcastle University, we have Luther’s. Whether or not Luther’s would be considered infamous however, is a question that remains to be answered. Luther’s is the spot where you can have a post seminar pint with your mates on a Friday, or maybe just take some time for yourself and study with a cheeky Starbucks before your dreaded 9am. Either way Luther’s is the place where you’ll find students from every walk of life, dealing with the day-today chaos of student life. If a burger for breakfast with a pint is what you fancy, then Luther’s is the answer to your questionable tastes.
Luther's isn't for everyone. Simply put, the vibe is just not there However, Luther’s isn’t for everyone, including myself. Whilst many societies might choose to hold their pre-drinks at our esteemed student union bar, pre’s
at Luther’s is just not for me. Simply put, the vibe is just not there. There is a certain anticlimactic atmosphere that clouds me when I drink at Luther’s. Whilst I don’t mind the odd midday or post-lecture pint, starting a heavy night out at Luther’s just doesn’t hit the same spot as pres at the famous Dog and Parrot or Market Shaker. Though Luther’s is not my personal choice to start my night out, that is not to say that our student union bar doesn’t have some thrilling nights. It is host to several live events throughout the academic year, from live music from exciting bands, quiz nights and live sports sessions like Newcastle’s exciting fight night in Venue. Just recently Luther’s was host to a fight night event where groups came together to support their friends who were boxing and have an already good night donned in suit jackets and fancy clothing. Though the atmosphere is arguably anticlimactic when preeing for a heavy night, the same cant be said about the atmosphere at Fight Night in Luther’s. Loud music, loud chanting and good spirits all
around will be the only thing anyone is focused on that night. So, while Luther’s might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it might just be your heavy pint on Fight Night or hot coffee in the early hours of the morning.
Image: NUSU
THE
COURIER
Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Kayleigh Fraser, Tiyanna Mistry & Amana Khan
Campus Comment
7
Class of 2022, we are owed an apology Kayleigh Fraser - Campus Comment sub-editor
T
hree years, 4 lockdowns, 3 vaccines, 17 modules, 3 flat moves, hundreds of zoom lectures, a pandemic and 1,095 days later... it's finally the end. But, for the class of 2022, it's definitely bittersweet. I remember when I filled in my personal statement. Baffling on about Orwell and books I enjoyed, I had to persuade Newcastle University that I was worthy. I was worthy to come on campus and study in their beautiful buildings. I was ready for this. Well, I say that. I did cry when I was dropped off... Then, came the strikes. As a first year, I was frustrated how we just arrived and ended up missing out on weeks of teaching whilst still paying thousands of pounds to stay in Newcastle. I suppose back then it didn't really matter as much. That's the good thing about first year. Then, the world stopped. March 2020 taught us that nothing is ever certain or assured. The whole university experience that we were sold and coaxed into enjoying was ripped away at the blink of an eye. I moved home like we all did and attempted to finish my assignments in my childhood bedroom. Did I mention the fact that I had to fight to keep my rent money on a flat I wasn't even using? You read that right. Myself and a friend were in email discourse for weeks with university staff, demanding we keep our money for a flat we were forbidden to visit.
Little did we know, it would only get worse from there. Second year came around. After a very interesting summer on my part, I was once again marooned in my parents house completing assignments from afar and trying to stay engaged with whatever Zoom seminar I had or what lecture I had to watch 'several times to understand the topic at hand'.
The university must apologise for how they've treated students I think this is when it all sunk in for me. I hated every second. When you have so much time on your hands, it's inevitable that your mind starts to turn and you think of what could have been and what you should have had. I want it to sink in that we paid £9,250 pounds for Zoom. £9,250 for no/ little access to facilities. No in-person support. No understanding of what on earth was going on. Yet, we were still expected to step up to the plate. How was it fair that we were marked in the same way by lecturers like the world was normal? How was it fair that we were cooped up in rooms for months, struggling to cope with harsh assignments and no motivation? Despite all this, university says CHA CHING! That will be £9,250 pounds please! Now comes the redemption arc of this story where I gush that third year
was absolutely incredible in every way. Compared to every other year, of course it is! I've accomplished more this year than I did in the two previous combined. The scary part is that even though this year was the most normal, we've still had to deal with weeks and weeks of disrupted teaching from strike action. Personally, one of my modules has been severely disrupted by strikes and the result is me having absolutely no idea what is going on or how on earth I'm going to be able to write my final essay.
There's nothing more we can do now, though. This is the hand we've been dealt. I just don't want this to be our legacy. When I think of my second year of university it genuinely gives me anxiety and stresses me out. That's just the thought of it. What I want now is recognition and support as us third years end the rollercoaster of a ride we've been on. I want lecturers to mark our work despite the new strike action on marking. I want the world to look at the class of 2022 with admiration and respect as the
year that made it. We made it through. But, we need an apology. The university must apologise for how they've treated students over the past three years. It is truly unacceptable. Give us a tuition refund, reimburse our graduation costs. Show us that you realise what we've been through. I'll never forget my time here. It may not have been what I expected in the slightest, but I can't change that now. The class of 2022 will enter the working world unbelievably resilient and strong.
Image:Joe Molander
A week to remember: SRA Con 2022 Kayleigh Fraser - Campus Comment sub-editor - Head of News at NSR
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or many, the Easter holidays were filled with chocolate, ski trips, relaxation and guilt-free nights out. But here at NSR, we were the hosts of the greatest event in the student radio calendar. Radio minded students from across the country travelled up to Newcastle for three days of exciting talks, panels, classes and events. Amongst the guests was the Head of Radio 1 Aled Jones and presenter Jordan North.
Station Manager Izzy won 'Voice of the awards' Day 1 started with bag drop, as students gathered to be welcomed to Newcastle. We were welcomed to conference with an opening talk in the Herschel Building auditorium. We had a day filled with talks, and then gathered to watch Demo Factor held at Northern Stage. For anyone who doesn't know what Demo Factor is, students can submit a three minute demo of them
on radio to be judged in front of a live studio audience. This year, Chris North, Pandora and Aled Jones were a few of the judges taking on the demos. The night went extremely well, with the after party taking place at Venue. Day 2 began as
we came together for a bumper day of talks. Dev, Lindsey Russell and Katrina Ridley held a keynote for attendees. We
were then able to break out into smaller, more specialised rooms for talks on production, podcasting and feedback. That night we also celebrated the Amplify Awards. NSR didn't walk away with any trophies, but our very own station manager
Izzy won 'Voice of the awards', where her voice will be guiding us all through the Student Radio Awards in November.
We were the hosts of the greatest event in the student radio calendar And finally on day 3, we had even more speakers. We kicked the day off with a keynote from Jordan North and Vick Hope, followed by a keynote from Capital's Lauren Layfield. A highlight from myself on the final day was the journalism workshop from LBC. So, was SRA Con a success? As SRA Chart Officer and NSR member Hope Lynes said "I really enjoyed SRA Con 2022. It was really interesting being able to attend a real conference after having an online one last year." Then, our very own Izzy Ellis said "What a success! It was an honour to be Station Manager for this event, and especially to host this event in the North East as there is such a plethora of radio talent. It may have been expensive, but it was worth it!"
Image: Kayleigh Fraser
Sub-editors: Emily Kelso & Humphrey Jordan
8
Monday 9th May 2022
Comment
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Politics should be for everyone, not just the rich Joseph Caddick - Puzzles and Gaming sub-editor
The double standards benefiting the political elite face a harsh rebuke
P
olitics has, for too long, been a game only the wealthy can play. Everyone has known this for years, but it is finally being discussed (to some degree, anyway) in the mainstream political discourse. As part of the recent character assassination into the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, his personal finances have come under scrutiny. Sunak is married to Akshata Murthy, a billionaire who has been described as being richer than the Queen. How can someone with such an absurd amount of money be expected to enact financial policies that directly affect the poorest people in the country? He’s never had to scrimp and save to make ends meet. Oh sure, he stands next to a Kia for a photo shoot, clearly he’s a man of the people. At least it’s reassuring to know that the cost of living crisis can be solved by a crappy photo shoot. Or so he thinks. Although some working-class people have gotten into politics, the fact remains that it is still very much a field for privately educated, Eton and Oxbridge alumni who have faced very
Image: Wikimedia Commons, PxHere
few struggles in their lives. The cost of living crisis means next to nothing to these people, and as much as they lament about their wages being ‘chicken feed’, I’d like to see them work jobs that pay less than the minimum wage. You know, actual ‘chicken feed’ wages. Politicians are wildly out of touch with the people they are supposed to represent, and this should never be something we accept.
How can the absurdly rich enact financial policies that impact the nation's poorest?
It’s a fault with the system. Speaking of the rigged system, we’ve all seen this brazenly on display with regards to partygate. Boris and his cronies broke the law and were fined a paltry £50 for doing so, with more of these fines likely coming in the future. Compare this to students who were fined £10,000 and kicked out of university for the exact same lockdown
violations; £10,000 means a lot more to a student than it does to the Prime Minister and his millionaire mates, that’s for sure. Fines should, rather than being a set sum, be a percentage of a person’s total income. Time after time we’ve seen rich people pay off fines that would bankrupt normal families as if they were merely slaps on the wrist. That’s not okay, and it’s certainly not fair. Breaking the law should have real consequences, not £50 fines to the elite for repeatedly breaking the same law. To the wealthy, politics is just a hobby in which they can enact policies to protect their finances. Money should not be at the heart of any political discussions. Politicians who are caught accepting bribes of any kind should be fired immediately, and honestly, tried for treason. Conflicts of interest should be shut down the second they become apparent. Liars and lawbreakers should also be sacked. How can the people that make the laws be the very ones we see break the laws and face no repercussions? This could even prompt further rule breaks because we clearly see people getting away with this sort of behaviour. With recent polling showing a drastically different outcome to the 2019 general election, it will be interesting to see if recent news stories have a tangible effect on the upcoming local elections. The tides may be changing.
The legacy of Freud: two perspectives Luke Copp
T
here is often talk of separating the ‘spirit’ of a controversial thinker’s work from the ‘letter’ in order to preserve a unique attitude whilst undesirable conclusions found in the letter may be discarded. Freud is no stranger to this reductive treatment; we have haphazardly absorbed operative concepts into our vocabulary whilst the more problematic elements of Freud’s theory are either flat out rejected, or admitted only in the form of jokes (ironically, both textbook Freudian procedures). It is only in the spirit of Freudianism however, that we can read the letter; a rejection of the letter merely betrays a lack of the spirit. But what is the spirit of Freudianism? According to philosopher Paul Ricœur what uniquely characterises the Freudian spirit is an ‘anti-phenomenology'. In an anti-phenomenology, the phenomena (that which appears immediately to consciousness and is therefore assumed to be best known) must become least known. The theory of repression, according to Freud ‘the cornerstone on which the whole of psychoanalysis rests’, means that consciousness is a possibility which may or may not eventuate: it does not occur unconditionally as a matter of course. When we (like good empiricists) search our own consciousness for data that would corroborate Freud’s claims we in fact exhibit an attitude towards conscious phenomena that is antithetical to the spirit of Freudianism. Freud himself places psychoanalysis at the end
of a sequence of similar ‘outrages to man’s self-love’ whereby what was best known to man became foreign. After Copernicus’ cosmological model and Darwin’s theory of evolution comes psychoanalysis, declaring that the conscious ego is not even master in its own home and must ‘remain content with the veriest scraps of information about what is going on unconsciously in his own mind’. This anti-phenomenological spirit enables us overcome pop Freudianism. It is not where the letter of Freudianism is most convincing, where Freudian vocabulary has been absorbed into everyday speech (projection, identification, meaningful dreams), but precisely where Freud is most disagreeable (Primal phantasies, Oedipus complex, death drive), that the anti-phenomenological spirit must be employed. Any assessment of Freud that grants the possibility of repression but then rejects the Oedipus complex on grounds that no phenomenological data attests to it is akin to granting Darwin that Galápagoian turtles owe their long legs to natural selection but then insisting that humans are too clearly purposive and therefore must be the product of intelligent design. Such an assessment merely betrays a failure to accept the fundamental humiliation the letter of Darwinism necessarily entails. Indeed, acute purposiveness in humans is exactly what we would expect if the theory of evolution were true. Likewise revulsion, or simply a lack of phenomenological evidence altogether upon introspection is exactly what we should expect to encounter if certain psychoanalytical themes are true. The phenomenological scepticism and readiness for humiliation of the Freudian spirit is what allows us to properly read the letter.
Josh Smith
I
f your doctor announces they will take a Freudian approach, you should run. Nonetheless, I believe Sigmund Freud deserves his place as one of the 20th century’s greatest thinkers. So, how can we make the charlatan and the genius of Freud concur into one man? Ironically, the answer lies with one of Freud’s biggest critics, Hans Eysenck, saying that “he was, without doubt, a genius, not of science, but of propaganda, not of rigorous proof, but of persuasion, not of the design of experiments, but of literary art”. Freud’s lectures are fascinating to read. They’re full of anecdotes, allusions, and beautiful rhetoric. Above this, his ideas, despite their discomfiture, are convincing when heard from him. Nonetheless, his lectures lose their power when written, as lectures enchant one with a constant need for attention, whereas books allow the reader to stop and ponder “when was this proven?”. The proof of aetiology, where something is built up step by step by each cause, is frequently employed, yet each step only adds more assumptions. The proof lies in neurobiology, dormant until the CAT scans of the 1970s and MRI scans of the 1990s. If he never proved anything, what did he contribute then? First, he arrived at roughly the same conclusions as modern psychology has in his theories of personality. His model of the mental apparatus (Id, Ego and Superego) lacked empirical grounds, yet neurobiology is edging closer and closer to a system which arrives at similar conclusions, this time with proof. In this way, he can
be seen as the equivalent of Philolaus to Copernican heliocentrism. Finally, his genius also lies outside of his science, as Eysenck suggests. His influence on art, whether directly through his criticism, or indirectly through his ideas, is immeasurable. The Pelican Freud Library have a book called 14: Art and Literature which can be found online for cheaper than a Co-op Meal Deal, collecting his
major works on art, such as essays on Shakespeare, Da Vinci and perhaps his most cited idea, the ‘Unheimlich’ (uncanny). These ideas go on to spawn Freudian criticism, one of the leading schools of scholarship since its conception.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Emily Kelso & Humphrey Jordan
Comment
9
A complex inheritance: Should we return stolen historical artefacts or keep them? Ross Bennett
It is considered whether artefacts should remain in museums or should be repatriated
S
ince the Black Lives Matters protests wherein Edward Colston's statue toppled into Bristol Docks, attention has turned to museum collections. Once revered, people now question whether these historical artefacts belong in museums any more. Should artefacts be returned to their places of origin? Do artefacts belong in museums to be publicly displayed and yet far removed from their original contexts? Calls to repatriate artefacts back to their places of origin have only become more public and more heated - especially in the cases of nonEuropean artefacts. In cases such as the British Museum’s collection of artefacts from places like Egypt and Sudan, there have been repeated accusations that these artefacts were "stolen" whilst these nations were subject to European colonisers. Zahi Hawass, an Egyptian archaeologist and former Minister of State for Antiquities, openly announced during his time in office he would cut ties with any museum "that
Image: Wikimedia Commons
does not return stolen artefacts to us." More recently, the Greek government have stated they will "turn up the heat" to pressure the British Museum into returning the infamous Elgin Marbles. Such arguments seem strong; surely it makes sense to keep relics from nations such as Egypt and Nigeria in their homeland instead of in a museum thousands of miles away? One argument to consider comes from Tiffany Jenkins, the author of ‘Keeping Their Marbles: How the Treasures of the Past Ended Up in Museums – and Why They Should Stay There’. Jenkins argued that there is simply no point in removing artefacts
from museums and returning them given that most artefacts have outlived their original purpose. Some artefacts for example were made to worship kings and rulers now dead and gone whilst others praise deities from long dead mythologies. Modern day Iraq is very different to ancient Assyria whilst fifth century BC Athens is unrecognisable compared to the Greece of the 21st century. What would be the benefit in returning these items to their places of origin when some of these artefacts simply serve no purpose? Surely there is more educational value in placing historical items in a museum, alongside contextual material and other artefacts
from the same period than having each individual item reside in the ruins of where it was born. There is also the stance that a large percentage of these objects hold cultural significance and even religious value in their places of origin – after all, what better way to celebrate your history and culture than to display artefacts created by your ancestors, centuries or even millennia ago? In the cases of some practicing religions today, some of their most important texts and items now reside in museums thousands of miles from home. Consider the artefacts belonging to Indigenous American cultures, which were taken and now
reside places such as the American Museum of Natural History or The National Museum of the American Indian. Not only did Indigenous Americans have their lands taken from them, but their civilisations also were eroded and left to linger on reservations. The descendants of those to discriminate against Indigenous Americans now display items from Indigenous American culture and talk about how “noble” and “majestic” Indigenous American culture was. There is obviously a contradictive nature to the way in which museums celebrate the culture of the artefacts they present yet reduce them at the same time. Ultimately, the matter is a complicated and diverse one. As a history student myself, there is obviously a great deal of wonder in visiting galleries and museums that hold artefacts from Ancient Egypt or Greece or pre-Contact America. One cannot deny that there is a complex heritage and history which entangles each object into one greater narrative which is only now being discussed. The journeys travelled by artefacts often involve colonialism and theft, but it cannot be denied that artefacts hold importance to us now as educational tools. Just how do we reconcile the educational value presented by these artefacts as well as the pain that they are born from? I fear there is no simple solution.
What the Left can learn from the French presidential election Harry Sanderson
In the wake of the French Presidential Elections, left-leaning political parties have lessons to be learnt
E
mmanuel Macron has won the French Presidential Election in what will seem to many onlookers as a mirror image of the previous election in 2017. Once again, the far-right contender Marine Le Pen was defeated in an election which featured similar rhetoric surrounding immigration, unemployment and globalisation, not to mention a notably Islamophobic discourse. However, this election is certainly not as similar as it may seem, and is emblematic of the global failure of Centrist politicians to counter the threat of the growing far-right, unable to provide answers for the systemic problems that these parties have taken advantage of to gain support. The big difference in this election is that in 2017 Macron was on the rise, having virtually emerged out of nowhere to gain 66% of the vote, but this time
Le Pen is the insurgent candidate while Macron’s vote has dwindled to 58.5%. The election has been a reflection of the decline of Centrist politics in France more generally, with the traditional centre-left and centre-right parties that once dominated French politics receiving just 1.75% and 4.78% of the vote respectively in the first round, being cast into political obscurity by their more radical counterparts. Whilst
most of the media coverage in the UK has been focused intently on Le Pen, it is important to note that she was a mere 1% away from failing to reach the second round. Snapping at her heels was the leftwing challenger Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who made a modest improvement on his strong performance in 2017. Like Le Pen, Mélenchon is often described as a populist, a word which has been so often used in political commentary that its meaning seems to have been muddied. The broad consensus in mainstream progressive media is that populism and far-right nationalism are one in the same, with headlines such as ‘How can liberals defeat populism?’ familiar to the pages of the Guardian, whilst The New European warns of ‘The political dangers of turning to the alluring waters of populism’. What people fail to understand is that populism is not a political ideology but a discursive strategy, as described by the political theorist Chantal Mouffe. It creates a narrative which appeals to ordinary people who rightfully feel that their concerns are being disregarded by the elite groups of the establishment, and in its discourse focuses on addressing the interests of the people as a whole rather than a select few. It would therefore seem that populism would be the natural tool of the left. The majority of western leftwing parties, including
Image: Wikimedia Commons
the French Partie Socialiste, however seem to subscribe to a strangely right-wing view of electability: that an appearance of professionality and moderation is more important than political messaging that directly challenges the elites and the status quo that so many are fed up with. As a result, populism has been largely spurned by the mainstream left, whilst the opportunistic farright have spotted an opportunity for success. Le Pen achieved this by capitalising on the failures of both Hollande and Macron to address systemic inequalities and poverty in France, creating a skewed version of populism that focuses people’s frustration at immigrants, Muslims and ‘the woke’ rather than at specific economic policies and vested interests in politics. In recent years the Latin American left has successfully reacquainted itself with populism, leading to electoral successes in Mexico, Peru and Bolivia among others. The European left must catch up to this soon, rather than perpetually
subjecting itself to the unavailing task of trying to seem like a slightly less objectionable version of the parties of the right, and the cost of living crisis is the perfect opportunity for this should it be taken.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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Monday 9th May 2022
Science
Newcastle: the most polluted European city Isabel Lamb
Newcastle has been named the worst in Europe for air pollution in March
I
n March clean air company Airly carried out a study that ranked the worst European cities for air pollution, with Newcastle ranking first (or worst) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Mean levels of NO2 over a 24-hour period were recorded at 44.6 micrograms per cubic metre of air, 179% greater than the recommended limit and worse than those of capital cities such as Paris and London. Having previously called Airly’s claims misleading, when they ranked 2nd for NO2 pollution last year, Newcastle council stated again that the findings are distorted and present an unreliable picture of Newcastle’s pollution. This is due to data relying on samples from only a handful of the hundreds of government monitoring stations across Tyneside and on samples being taken over a short period of time. Whilst they may dispute the claims of Airly, the council recognise the health issues that are caused by NO2
Sub-editors: Erika Armanino & Jon Deery
and plan to tackle pollution with the implementation of a clean air zone. It is hoped that the enforcement of tolls on highly polluting vehicles entering the city centre and the pedestrianization of Grey Street and Blackett Street will help to reduce levels of air pollution below unacceptable. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is mostly produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, with emission sources including vehicles, construction equipment, and power plants. Long term exposure to NO2 has been shown to aggravate pre-existing asthma, trigger inflammation of airways, and increase the likelihood of respiratory infections. High NO2 levels are also harmful to the environment causing damage to vegetation and crops, changing the chemical makeup of soil, and threatening species diversity. To help combat health issues stemming from key air pollutants, the WHO air quality guidelines stipulate the mean atmospheric levels that should not exceed over a 24-hour period and annually. For NO2 this level is set to 25 micrograms per cubic metre of air over a 24-hour period. However, targets are rarely met and, in 2019 99% of the global population lived in areas that exceeded these air quality limits.
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Is disruption the best option? Activism and Just Stop Oil Joseph Caddick - Puzzles Sub-Editor
Are disruptive protests a help or a hindrance to the environmental movement?
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n recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in disruptive protests from climate activists. Although I completely respect the causes of these protests and believe that they can be effective, they may alienate some of the general public. Just Stop Oil is a new activism group that has received a lot of media attention recently. They have a fairly selfexplanatory goal; to stop new fossil fuel licensing and production. One of their many protests in April was sabotaging petrol pumps on the M25. The real controversy with these protests comes when it’s not just oil companies that are affected by them. Blocking motorways and affecting people’s already annoying commutes will just sour their opinion of whatever you’re protesting for, as they’ll forever associate that group with making them late to work. Even people who passively agree that climate change is an issue may feel pushed away by disruptive protests, something I’ve heard a lot when speaking to people about them. It’s a classic
case of not all publicity being good publicity. This isn’t a clear-cut issue, however. Polarisation is a part of the strategy employed by these groups; although some people may be hesitant, they hope that seeing protests in the news pushes those more actively engaged with the cause to join them and make a stand. Whether you like these protests or not, they are effective; people are much more aware about climate change as an issue now than they ever have been before. And, perhaps as a countermeasure to these concerns, Extinction Rebellion decided to focus on targets that would affect the public less. By targeting airports that are popular for private jet usage, banks that bankroll the fossil fuel industry, and the press for downplaying the climate crisis, direct action is still being taken. Selecting these targets allows their message to be heard without negatively affecting the public. That’s a perfect iteration to their formula. The reason for these protests is very understandable. With issues like climate change, experts and activists alike have been ignored for decades, so
there’s a real sense of frustration. As the UK government is set to order more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea in defiance of their net zero targets, it is easy to see why activists are being forced to extreme action. Desperate times lead to desperate measures. People are willing to be arrested to fight for something they believe in, and that is certainly admirable. Disruptive protests are a complex issue, because it is very easy to understand why they are deemed necessary by activists, but there are negatives that can undoubtedly push some people away from the cause. By more carefully selecting their targets, activist groups can hopefully find a perfect combination between direct action that doesn’t frustrate more ambivalent members of the public.
Image: JSO Press
Ayahuasca and psychedelics against depression Peter Lennon
Could psychedelics be the antidepressants of the future?
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n April 2021, a study conducted at King’s College London reported success in using psilocybin – found in ‘magic mushrooms’ – to treat depression. The small study, which consisted of 89 able participants, was conducted in two groups. The first group of 60 received a dose of either 10mg or 25mg of psilocybin in a controlled environment, followed by one-to-one support from a psychotherapist. The second group of 29 received a placebo and psychological reports. The study, which uses a Class A drug, has shown promising results thus far, with the psychedelic effects giving the brain an opportunity to free itself from the rut of negative thoughts. The authors of the report, however, stress that the therapy between dose administrations is vital
to the success of overcoming TreatmentResistant Depression (TRD). The study has sparked hope with the field and has moved into Phase III of its study. Although the psilocybin study has emerged as new research, the use of psychedelic drugs to treat depression is a much older tale. The use of psychedelics can be traced back as far as the ancient world, where shamans used such herbs to access the spiritual realm in religious rites. Due to their featuring in such practices, however, the psychedelics were not considered for their medicinal effects by the Western world, who instead labelled such techniques as purely spiritual in nature. However, in South America the use of ayahuasca – a psychoactive brew – continues to be used in spiritual ceremonies and for its medicinal purposes. The brew commonly comprises of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Pschotria virdis shrub, with the latter plant containing N,NDimethyltryptamine (DMT); the DMT acts as the primary psychoactive. Furthermore, the brew is mixed with tea for oral consumption. Much like the control provided by scientific experts, shamans and
curanderos (a traditional native healer) advise consumers of ayahuasca to do so in the presence of an experienced user due to the hallucinogenic effects of the substance. Furthermore, such shamans also warn those of brujos (witches), who have reportedly lured tourists to partake in the consumption, with the brujos using their high state to absorb their life energy – an energy that is believed to be limited in all humans. The ceremony that features the consumption of ayahuasca is led by the shamans themselves, often taking place over the course of a whole night. The effects of the brew can last for hours and is usually followed by purging (vomiting and diarrhea). The purge supposedly relinquishes the body of negative energy. Participants in the ceremony are also advised to abstain from certain foods and activities, such as red meats and sex. Beyond the continued spiritual practices of the brew, however, lies a potential antidepressant akin to the psilocybin being currently used in British clinical trials. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial in 2018, ayahuasca was shown to be significantly effects against TRD from a single dose.
Additionally, the results of the trial indicated that the brew had also been effective against anxiolytic, reducing the severeness of the users’ anxiety. D e s p i t e the centuries old usage of such drugs, as well as the promising trials conducted with modern medicine techniques, the biggest hurdle for such treatment will be in bypassing or overturning the strict laws against Class A drugs. As of this writing, both ayahuasca and psilocybin are illegal controlled substances in the United Kingdom, with their usage being strictly limited to such clinical trials. The United States has similar laws in place, with the exception of usage in religious/ spiritual ceremonies. However, with more success in future phases and a continued emphasis on the importance of therapy sessions to guide the “unlocked” mind between doses, the medical community will hopefully be able to prove both the viability and safety of the treatment.
Images: Canva and Wkimedia Commons
Sub-editors: Gabbi de Boer, Annabel Hogg & Imogen Mole
Monday 9th May 2022
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Relationships Does hooking up make me less of a feminist? 12
the line between casual sex and assault. Hook-up culture can hide sexual predation, and with the rise of spikings and date-rape drugs women can never be too careful about their personal safety.
Georgia Purcell
Why hookups can help women gain back the confidence that society tries to remove
By taking back the power, women are paving the way for feminism and positive attitudes towards sex to grow in the coming generations
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he drastic changes in dating habits of the last fifty years are never more apparent than experiencing Tinder or Bumble as a twenty-yearold woman, with an almost equal number of cheesy pick-up lines and straight-up propositions being thrown at you. With these changes, it has become easier for women to feel able to experiment with their sexuality through flings or hook-ups, avoiding the stigma that would follow these actions in the past. Of course, it’s undeniable that there is still a particular stigma around women with a higher ‘body count’, and the dichotomy between the way society reacts to men and women who sleep around is part of the issue women face when participating in hook-up culture. Men are often lauded for sleeping with someone on a night out, whilst women are hypersexualised and branded a ‘slut’. In the past, women who have lots of sexual partners were looked down upon, despite being ruthlessly objectified and commodified by a society dominated by men. Women appearing promiscuous or as if they were ‘asking for it’ were judged by both men and other women, and collective shaming, or ‘slut shaming’, is common within both younger and older generations. Hayley Farless argues that although casual sex can be liberating for women, it forces them into a ‘prudeslut dichotomy’ where women are characterised by their sexual activity with no in-between. The rise in casual sex is inadvertently tied to the assumption that everyone is willing to engage in casual sex or one-night stands, which can blur
Claiming back these ideas of hypersexuality, having a ‘hoe phase’ has become something women can celebrate after a relationship ends, using their new free time to explore sexually and have fun at the same time as fighting the patriarchal views women are confined by day to day. The culture around hookups and casual flings has enabled women to reclaim their sexuality and level the playing field between men and women with the normalisation of casual sex. Hook-up culture encourages confidence both in body and self, and if practiced safely can be a great way to relieve stress and have some fun. By taking back the power, women are paving the way for feminism and positive attitudes towards sex to grow in the coming generations and encouraging conversations around sex, making the subject less taboo and thereby helping women and men to speak out if they have experienced a traumatic sexual encounter. Either way you look at it, sexual encounters are personal choice, and respecting these choices whilst encouraging confidence and fun is the best way to advance society's opinions of women and their sexualities. Image: @agathesorlet on Instagram
Box Theory: Why you shouldn't worry Gabbi de Boer - Relationships sub-editor
The theory that men put us into boxes based on the future they see with us
I
f you’re internet savvy and on the Sex and Relationships side of TikTok, you’re probably already familiar with ‘Box Theory’ - the theory that when a heterosexual man meets a woman, he puts them into one of three boxes. The first, if they see a relationship with you, the second, if they see you just as someone to sleep with, and the third, someone they don’t find attractive in any way and therefore don’t pursue any friendship or relationship with them. Once categorized, it is difficult to move out. ‘Box theory’ has been confirmed by many men on TikTok, however, it is also debated that it’s not just men who feel this way. The theory itself isn’t set in stone or heavily researched, however, it all boils down to first impressions. It’s not completely unrealistic that, regardless of gender, people do decide what they think of someone based on their looks and if they’re attracted to them. After all, that is the basis of dating apps swiping based on a curated profile of someone’s best shots and snippets of their personality. It is no surprise then, that if you ask some straight men if this is true, and they think it over, they’ll agree to some extent. It’s a pretty simple way of thinking but overall, nothing to worry about. Many women have come forward feeling that the theory is inherently misogynistic - an understandable stance, however, it’s just a simplified way of explaining something many
people do anyway.
The basis of dating apps swiping on someone's best shots What can be considered quite misogynistic, though, is that straight men supposedly won’t be friends with women they find unattractive. Although this again isn’t a proven fact, it certainly is disheartening to hear as a woman. Then again, do we really want to be friends with superficial people (none the less, superficial men) who only like us because they like the way we look?
It’s a pretty simple way of thinking but overall, nothing to worry about
Overall, if you’re a woman, and worried about how ‘Box Theory’ affects you, then think of it more simply. It’s just a way of categorizing first impressions. Your first thoughts about someone are often uncontrollable, and physical attraction is also something that can’t be controlled. So put yourself first, and as long as you’re happy with who you are and how you look, try not to concern yourself with what someone thinks of you.
Image: @vectors via pixabay @designecologist via unsplash
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Gabbi de Boer, Annabel Hogg & Imogen Mole
Relationships 13 'I thought, this is it, I can't change anything': My experience with Vaginismus
Maud
V
aginismus is when your body’s automatic reaction to vaginal penetration is for your muscles to spasm or tighten and basically say “no, that’s not happening”. It can effect people even when they’ve previously experienced painless penetrative sex, and has a long list of possible causes. When I realised around 16 I couldn’t use tampons and penetrative sex had stopped ‘working’, I spent a year shrugging and thinking “this is it, I can’t change anything”. Even when I read up about Vaginismus I kind of still thought that there’s nothing I could do about it. Or that maybe it would just get better over time. I found it tricky to bring it up with prospective sexual partners and it caused me to feel closed off and insecure about my body, especially after I started university.
It caused me to feel closed off and insecure about my body, especially after I started university Trying to improve Vaginismus is often a long process which can take up a lot of energy.
Realising that it wasn’t just going to magically get better led me to trying to seek help. After broaching the topic with my GP - after two years of ignoring and then trying to ‘fix’ it on my own - the doctor read from the same NHS webpage I’d already read countless times and I was advised to take an STI test because it was probably that.
It doesn't necessarily mean that you can't still enjoy sex The irony of being told to take a physical test which involves putting something into your vaginia to diagnose why you can’t put something into your vagina is not lost on me. In hindsight, I think asking for a female doctor or going to a sexual health clinic would’ve made this experience a lot better. But following this setback, having conversations with a couple of close friends and researching more about the condition made me feel determined and optimistic that things could get better. Identifying the cause of my penetrative problems and reading about and trying out different ways to improve Vaginismus eventually led to it now having minimal effect on my life. Having Vaginismus also doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have sex. The view of ‘sex’ as being purely penetrative, vaginal sex is completely misleading. Healthy, enjoyable sex can be in the form of a
huge range of sexual activities. Dealing with Vaginismus is hard and it can be very stressful but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t still enjoy sex. This said, it is also a very individual condition; different people with Vaginismus will experience it to different extents, and their causes can be for a myriad of different reasons. These can range from having had a bad sexual experience or medical e x am i nat i on , or medical conditions, or psychological fears or thoughts like thinking your vaginia is too small (or many, many other reasons). As the Vaginismus Network puts it, “We strongly believe that every person living with vaginismus has a unique experience and it's not a case of 'one size fits all'”. Previous Courier writers have touched on the importance of having visible characters experiencing Vaginismus, such as Lily in Sex
Education, and I agree that this can help a huge deal. If you want more information on Vaginismus you could check out the NHS’ webpage on the condition, or get in touch with the super helpful Vaginismus Network.
Image: @thevagnetwork on Instagram
The male contraceptive pill: dissapointing but unsurprising Annabel Hogg - Relationships sub-editor
A male contraceptive pill is finally set to reach human trials, but why has it taken so long?
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fter six decades of women across the globe dealing with the life-altering side effects of the of the contraceptive pill, a contraceptive pill for men is finally set to reach human trials this year. The non-hormonal contraceptive was found to be 99% effective in preventing pregnancy during lab tests on mice. The new pill targets a gene which produces Vitamin A in the form of retinoic acid, a key contributor to sperm development.
It's a kick in the teeth for the millions of women who struggle every day because of the pill The pill contains a chemical which blocks this gene, thereby reducing sperm counts – though, thankfully, this is reversible after six weeks of not taking the contraceptive. The hunt for a male contraceptive pill has been active for many years, but most of the trialed and tested drugs targeted the production of testosterone rather than the retinoic acid gene. In reducing testosterone, the pills had side effects such as obesity and depression. One of the creators behind YCT529, Abdullah Al Noman, said “We wanted to develop a non-hormonal male contraceptive to avoid these side effects”. Now, I don’t think anyone, including myself, believes that it’s necessary for men to experience
these side effects just because those are what the women’s contraceptive pill induces. However, the fact that world leading medics are searching for a pill that provides the easiest experience possible for men is somewhat of a kick in the teeth for the millions of women who struggle every single day because of the pill.
It was upsetting to watch the world be horrified by the vaccine statistics whilst I silently took a bigger risk My first year on the pill was the worst year of my life. Migraines, horrendous mood swings, nausea and irregular periods were just some of the obstacles I was dealing with every day. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t wish any of these on my male friends – but the fact that previous male pills have just been written off because of weight gain and depression raises questions as to why the female pill is still on the market. Perhaps this is because pregnancy prevention is still seen as a female responsibility, or perhaps it’s because women’s health just isn’t taken as seriously as men’s. This certainly seemed evident during the pandemic when a number of people who’d had the AstraZeneca vaccine fell ill with blood clots. Expectantly, uproar broke out with many people demanding the particular vaccine be banned. However, in the UK, blood clots occurred in around one out of 250,000 people taking the vaccine, while the contraceptive pill has a much higher rate of blood clots, affecting one in every 1,000 women every year. I know that for me, it was quite upsetting to watch the world be horrified by the vaccine
statistics whilst I silently took a much bigger risk. It made me feel like my health didn’t matter just because I was a woman and it was my job to prevent pregnancy, no matter the side effects. Ultimately, the male contraceptive pill is a good thing, and it means that so many less women will have to suffer. However, the discourse around having minimal side effects for men is just one more in a long series of kicks in the teeth for women, who are quite frankly sick of being ignored.
Image: @towfiqu narnhuiya via unsplash, @padrinan via pixabay
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Molly Taylor & Leanna Thomson
Lifestyle
It's National Pet Month! Cookie the Hamster
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Will Stuart
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remember being sat in the middle of an online lecture, feeling lethargic and unmotivated. Then, ping, my phone goes. “Mum sent a video”. It was Cookie, my Syrian hamster eating a strawberry. Even when I am 50 miles from home, my hamster still brings a smile to my face and brightens up the day. I’m a sucker for cute animals, and the rare occasion in which I am back at home in Carlisle always feels like a treat when I walk into the lounge and see Cookie, just standing there, meerkat-like at the door of his cage wanting to come out. We let our hamster free-roam quite often, and Cookie is quite clingy - literally. You cannot walk more than a couple of paces without a light tug on the bottom of your trousers as he attempts to climb your leg like Ben Nevis. Whilst they cannot speak, you can see the care and love that pets have for you. It makes you simply feel joy, you smile, and remember how something so small can make you so happy.
Bruce the Dog
Daisy the Cat hen you’ve had a bad day, it’s impossible to carry your bad mood home when the first thing you get on stepping through the door are big moon eyes, a merrily swaying tail, and a cheerful yet slightly impatient “MAWOO”. When I adopted my cat Daisy from a shelter, I took on a responsibility to give her a better life than what she’d had before. Seeing her strutting round so proudly, clawing holes into furniture as she pleases, I feel constantly glad to have made that fateful decision. Daisy brightens up the flat more than any colourful artwork, sunlit window, or well-fed peace lily possibly could. She turns boring household chores into a game, albeit with the usual objective being to not step on her tail as she prances around like a hyperactive child. Whenever I feel lonely or upset, I look down and she’s usually there, sitting on my lap or, if she’s feeling especially bold, the keyboard. So many problems in day-to-day life are temporary, silly, and unimportant. Daisy is a constant reminder of that, and a constant source of love and joy. Even when I come home with a face like a mouldy potato, she’s always happy to see me.
Joseph Caddick - Puzzles & Gaming sub-editor
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lthough he’s not exactly my pet, during the pandemic my sister and Bruce, her dog, came to live with us. It was the first time I’d had a pet outside of the goldfish I won at a fair once, and I really didn’t expect the positive effect it’d have on my mental health. I remember that the day they announced the rule of six coming into place, I was hoping to celebrate my 21st birthday with friends back on campus. That of course didn’t happen, which really crushed me at the time. As I was sat on the living room floor, Bruce walked in and tilted his head as he looked at me, then walked over. I just started stroking him and it helped ease that pain I was feeling at the time. Another moment that stands out to me is that whenever I’d come downstairs in the morning, I’d be greeted with Bruce’s face and he’d get excited to see another one of us was awake. He’d start licking my legs and feet, which I’d giggle at because I’m incredibly ticklish. During a time where it was very easy to feel lonely, seeing a pet who’s happy to see you was a great way to start the day. I went from being a little bit scared of dogs to being a complete dog person, and I’ll always be thankful to Bruce for that.
How I celebrate Eid I Leo David Prajogo
write this article with rice cakes steaming on the stove, kaastengels in the oven and curry paste ready to be fried. I’m cooking as much of a feast as I can in my poorlystocked university kitchen, ready to share it with my flatmates first thing in the morning and give leftovers to friends, because for me, that is Eid. For as long as I can remember, my family has celebrated Eid (or as we call it, Lebaran) almost secularly. To us, Eid isn’t just the biggest Muslim festival of the year; it’s a day to spend with friends and family, both Muslim and non-Muslim. Now at university, miles away from home, I try to keep the same spirit: it doesn’t matter that I don’t have Muslim friends to celebrate and pray with on Eid, because what matters most to me is sharing food with the people I care about. At home, Eid looks like this: I shake my parents groggily awake at 7AM. I dress in new clothes, because you always try to get new clothes for Eid, and
most years that’s been an abaya or a nice blouse with jeans for me. Then, we drive to my grandmother’s, and that’s when the day really begins. By the time we arrive, the tables are lined with food. There is rendang, opor, ketupat and lontong sayur filling the house with their aroma, and, of course, the table covered in sweets, and the freezer full of dessert. We take half an hour to pray salat Eid together as a family, aunts and uncles and cousins and parents and grandparents, before guests start streaming into the house. I spend the day greeting people related to me by so many degrees of separation that I don’t
know who they are, hugging them, calling them auntie and uncle. I chase my brother and younger cousins around my grandmother’s house and garden, and follow my grandmother around obediently as she introduces me to all her cousins and friends, who all congratulate me on my grades and pat my cheeks. Because this is my grandmother’s party, my older cousin and I spend most of the day helping out. We stand by the front door and greet friends and family with bows and smiles, wishing them minal aidin wal faizin and gushing over how much their children have grown. We gather empty plates, woven from wood and lined with banana leaves we can throw out for easy cleaning. We offer to refill grandmothers and grandfathers’ water glasses, and bring more bowls of soup and more trays of rice cakes. Not everyone at my grandmother’s Eid parties celebrates Eid; many of them are there to meet old friends and reunite with family. My grandmother welcomes all people of all races and religions, no matter their relation to her, at her house on Eid. That’s how I celebrate Eid - a day of love, celebration, and unity.
Images: Pexels (Rodnae Productions) Pixabay (GDJ) and Pinterastudio
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Stop using 'you look slim' as a compliment Imogen Mole - Relationships sub-editor
We are far too comfortable with projecting our internalised fatphobia onto others, no matter the good intentions
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ompliments can be a really beautiful thing. They’re a way of showing someone they’re appreciated and admired and let’s be honest, it does feel great to receive them. However, when it gets hard is when someone compliments you on your body. Whether this is a grandma you haven’t seen in a while that says ‘you’re looking so healthy and slim!’ or a friend you see for a quick catch up, it can really feel like you’re suddenly not a person, or a friend, or a grandchild, but a creature under a microscope. Whether intentional or not, when someone compliments you on looking thinner, it translates to saying, ‘you look acceptable because you fit into what society deems as appropriate, keep doing what you’re doing!’. It’s a chant that you never asked for, it's never needed and puts you in a lonely place of choosing between the appearance you feel the happiest in or the appearance you feel you need to uphold to keep others happy. I’ll give you a clue, always choose the first. Although it is a completely offensive thing to say and can have extreme effects on people’s health and wellbeing, sometimes it can really be from a place of sincerity, sometimes someone really wanted to give you a genuine compliment but internalised fatphobia jumps out and ruins it. We are hardwired to believe that to be healthy is to be slim so much so that whenever we see someone that looks visibly slimmer than the last time we saw them, all those magazines we read with the photoshopped abs, all the ‘I’m watching my figure’ comments we heard when we were younger, the ‘before’ and ‘after’ weight loss adverts on buses, the diet posts on Instagram all manifest and come to the surface, and culminate into thinking the only possible way to compliment this person is to say they look thinner instead of saying they look good. By doing this, we end up just churning out the poisonous ideas that we were polluted with in the first place. You’d think in a society so technologically developed we’d be able to get over the binary of fat = unhealthy, slim = healthy. The truth is you really never know what anyone is going through, no matter what they look like. That person you just told looks amazing since losing a few pounds could be in the throes of depression, the person with a six-pack could be working out to look like the models on Instagram, and really not enjoying it at all. At the end of the day our bodies are simply just a physical home for our minds ,so maybe we should think about it in the way that you wouldn’t walk down a street, see a nice looking house and think that nothing sad would ever happen inside it just because it looks what you deem as acceptable. I’m not saying we should never compliment anyone ever again; I just think it’s important to normalise not commenting on people’s bodies and instead ask how they are or about something happy that’s happened to them recently. That can mean a lot more to people and open up a much more important c onv e r s at i on than saying they look slimmer ever could.
Image: Pexels (Andres Ayton)
Sub-editors: Sophia Ayub, Imogen Clarke & Lizzie Yockney
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Monday 9th May 2022
Fashion & Beauty
THE
COURIER
Dopamine dressing to boost your mood Lizzie Yockney - Fashion & Beauty Sud-Editor
Is this simply a fashion trend, or can it be a way to increase our happiness?
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pring has officially sprung (although you wouldn’t be able to tell with these grey Newcastle skies) and it is a great time to start dressing like it. Think bright colours and patterns, pastels, and chunky knits. This sudden interest in bright colours can partly be attributed to ‘dopamine dressing’, the idea that dressing in bright colours can have a psychological effect and boost your mood. Though this trend has recently risen to prominence in fashion publ i c at i ons and on social media platforms such as TikTok, a study was conducted in 2012 by Professor Karen Pine from the University of Image: Instagram @hope.macauley
Hertfordshire, in which Pine found that “what a [person] chooses to wear is heavily dependent upon [their] emotional state”, meaning that clothing choices not only determine your mood, but also reflect it. Although in her study Pine refers specifically to women, ‘dopamine dressing’ can apply to anyone. ‘Dopamine dressing’ is especially poignant after the past few years, where most people would admit that they lived in sweatpants and jumpers. This spring and summer both feel particularly liberating, as all pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and this trend reflects that shared sense of happiness. The trend can be seen across Spring 2022 readyto-wear runways, such as Jacqemus, Gucci and Marques’Almeida and is encapsulated by brands such as Hope Macaulay (a brand based in Northern Ireland that makes sustainable, dreamy knits). The influence of the bright and bold ‘Euphoria’ makeup looks can still be felt in this trend, as I think that ‘dopamine dressing’ shouldn’t just be limited to dressing. I’m excited to invest in some bright eyeliners and struggle to recreate graphic eyeliner looks that I come across on TikTok.
Dressing in bright colours can have a physiological effect and boost your mood Although ‘dopamine dressing’ is a trend circulating in fashion commentary at the moment, I think that it can be used in everyday life. It is not just about wearing bright colours but putting together outfits and makeup looks that make you feel happy. For me, the appeal of ‘dopamine dressing’ is in the importance that it places on
personal style and choice. Its ethos is basically to dress what makes you happy, because it will make you happier. I know that when I put on an outfit that I love and do my makeup, it helps to make me feel more confident and less anxious, especially when I’m getting ready to go out. It’s kind of like a suit of armour. There are also certain colours and patterns that I am drawn to (at the minute I am pretty much buying only green clothes) and there are colours that I associate with my friends and family.
Image: Pixabay @monstreh
The best part of 'dopamine dressing' is that it is rooted in happiness and places importance on
However, I do acknowledge that some people don’t place as much value on their clothing choices, which is absolutely fine, but again, the best part of ‘dopamine dressing’ is that it is rooted in happiness and places importance on personal style. Ironically, although ‘dopamine dressing’ is currently a trend, I think that at its core it is inherently off-trend for this very reason. Further, ‘dopamine dressing’ is obviously not a way of curing mental health conditions and absolutely should not be treated as such, however I think that it is a small, simple way of potentially increasing your happiness and boosting your mood. Image: Instagram @hope.macauley
The death of personal style Samantha Seidu
Whatever happened to personal creativity in fashion?
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he fashion industry is constantly evolving every season with new trends coming in as quickly as they leave. With the rapidly changing industry, we must find our own personal style and make fashion work for us. As we grow, our personal style changes along with us as we learn to express ourselves in different ways; our surrounding environment, the people we hang out with and the things we enjoy can all play a part in how we like to dress. Social media and the rise of influencer culture has given us more exposure to different styles and trends than ever before, which is a good thing, however, it has its downsides too. Nowadays, we try to fully adhere to trends and dress similarly to our favourite influencers and celebrities, rather than dressing like ourselves! So, can we really say that personal style is beginning to die and if so, can we resurrect it?
great way to showcase the kind of person they are. Knowing this, why should we assume that personal style is starting to die? As mentioned before, social media and influencer culture have a hand. Social media has proven to be incredibly useful when it comes
to finding different styles, especially when they are trending. Influencers have also been helpful in the sense that they give people some direction when it comes to styling certain fashion items or accessories. The problem with both is that what they show fully depends on what users
You don't have to stick to one aesthetic, use as many or as little as you want
We try to fully adhere to trends and dress similarly to our favourite influencers, rather than dressing like ourselves! Before we can answer this question, we need to understand what one’s ‘personal style’ is and what it means to an individual. Simply put, a personal style is a form of self expression through aesthetic choices; this can include clothes, accessories, hair, makeup, etc. As it states in the name, someone's personal style is personal to them and can be a
interact with. All it typically takes is one or two influencers to start a trend that people begin to follow, social media platforms then push forward these trends as this is what people might want to see. This creates an endless loop of shortening trend cycles and a need to follow them. What makes this worse is that once a trend cycle ends, we are left with a heap of clothes that may not be worn again.
Image: Pixabay @lyubalee
Image: Instagram @miumiu
Image: Instagram @matildadjerf
In a sense, fashion trends can be quite restrictive, and to a certain extent not very inclusive but that isn't to say that we can’t make it work for us. If we take the ‘neutral tones’ trend that has come back into fashion, it serves as an example of a restrictive trend that can still be personalised. Whilst the point of this trend is to use neutral and earthy colours, we can still play with the style with different pattern sets and fun accessories. Though fashion trends can be difficult to follow and expensive to conform to, we can take aspects to incorporate into our own personal style and this is how we can resurrect it. The key is to filter out the parts of trends you will want to use in your style and eliminate those that you won’t. Play about with different colour schemes, different clothing styles and shoes. Separate co-ord sets if necessary since they can both serve as great parts of a separate outfit. You don’t have to stick to one aesthetic either, use as many or as little as you want. Your personal style is personal to you, it will be the first thing others see on you and we can learn a lot about you without a conversation, so use trends, influencers and social media as a source of inspiration to find your style. Though it can be a long process, once you find a style that suits you, there will be no need to follow new trends when they appear.
THE
COURIER
Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Sophia Ayub, Imogen Clarke & Lizzie Yockney
Fashion & Beauty
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Iconic Met Gala looks from over the years Jenica Davis
The Met Gala has become one of fashion's most-watched events, creating a myriad of iconic looks. But which do we remember for years to follow?
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t’s nearly that time of year again where celebrities get dressed up for a night of unconventional fashion. Whilst celebrities don their armour of jewels and coats of glamour for this year’s theme of ‘Gilded Glamour’, the rest of us will be spectating in the comfort of our pyjamas. Because who isn’t an expert in fashion nowadays? Without further ado, here are some of my favourite looks from previous Met Gala’s.
I appreciate the fluidity that Monae brought to the red carpet with the duality of the masculine and feminine within her look In last year’s Met Gala ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’, there was one look in particular on the Met Gala red carpet that brought everyone to a halt and rightfully so. Iman stole the show with her striking gold look by Dolce & Gabbana x Harris Reed. Exploding like a firework from her headband, Iman’s gold foil-painted headdress is quite the statement hat, and gives the impression of a sun; a motif that extends to the bottom half of her outfit as she wears a completely handmade crinoline. Underneath her tiered skirt, Iman wore a gold leaf-printed corset with flares. Reed describes how the look focused on “the idea of a ballroom scene” and “the idea of her being a Queen.” For her first time at the Met, Iman’s glowing look will most definitely go down as one of the most memorable. The theme of the 2019 Met Gala was Camp: Notes on Fashion – a theme which I thought was beautifully embodied by Janelle Monae’s abstract look. Collaborating with Christian Siriano, this blinking-eye, custom dress was inspired by her
favourite artist, Picasso, and she particularly wanted “to highlight Picasso’s African Period in the early 1900s”, when the painter took inspiration from tribal masks to create his fragmented portraits. The colour palette was primarily black
Along with the bejewelled straps and an extra-long train, this dress took over six-hundred hours to create
and white with a distinct pop of pink, and it had a fragmented red lip on the balloon-shaped skirt of the dress. Most notably, there was a robotic eye on her top that’s eyelashes blinked as she walked down the carpet. However, the part of the look which particularly won me over was the towering stack of hats arranged on her head. I appreciate the fluidity that Monae brought to the red carpet with the duality of the masculine and the feminine within her look. When discussing Met Gala favourites, it’s difficult not to name all the looks from the 2018 Met Gala – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. That year was a particular favourite amongst many and people have aligned their expectations of this year’s Gala with the 2018 Met Gala. Zendaya’s Joan of Arc look from that year was one of my personal favourites.
Image: Instagram @reallucytv
Dressed as one of Catholicism’s most famed icons, her custom, metallic gown was made by Versace, and featured an armoured neck and shoulder piece and a spiked belt. Draped in glittering chainmail, she also wore a cropped wig in the style of Joan of Arc’s famous bob. Despite this look being argued as slightly more minimalistic compared to Zendaya’s other Met Gala looks, I enjoyed her imitation of the famous heroine that undoubtedly channelled the theme perfectly. Another look that stood out for me from 2018’s Met Gala was Blake Lively’s grand, regal ensemble. Also created by Versace, Lively wore a crimson gown with gold embroidery and an intricately beaded corset. Along with the bejewelled straps and an extra-long train, this dress, made by hand, took over six-hundred hours to create. With my apparent love for headpieces, I particularly enjoyed the golden spiked headpiece too, which took the form of a halo, giving the impression of an angel. Attention to detail is key when it came to this look, as Lively’s rhinestone-embellished clutch handbag had scenes depicted on each side. On the front, there was ‘sacred heart’ iconography behind a veiled woman, which was very in tune with the theme, and on the back, was a mediaeval family crest, which read ‘Reynolds’ – adorable. Last but not least, this list would not be complete without mentioning Rihanna’s red carpet winning statement look from the 2015 Met Gala’s China: Through The Looking Glass. Designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei, Rihanna’s vibrant, yellow cape gown, weighing fifty-five pounds, was furtrimmed and embroidered with gold thread. Encapsulating the theme, Rihanna also wore a matching, golden headpiece by Pei that imitated the Chinese dragon. Supposedly, the original look included a corset and shoes, but Rihanna chose not to wear those and Pei said “the cape should be enough” – and it certainly was.
Image: Instagram @pfnthingz
Castor Chan - Sports Sub-Editor hile the Met Gala has been a long-standing tradition as an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute, the ball has now become one of fashion’s - and its designers- most prominent stages right in the heart of Manhattan. Hailing back to the 2000s, one of my favourites is Lucy Liu’s 2007 look. The theme that year was ‘Poiret: King of Fashion’. Paul Poiret introduced drapery and Orientalism to fashion with bold colours, and to me, Liu’s royal purple Zac Posen dress echoes that. The drawn-in bottom of the dress and Art Noveau style were accentuated with a gold Egyptian-inspired tiara and amethyst bracelet as a simple but perfect match.
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If I could try any dress on from the Met Gala, this could very well be my top contender Moving closer to recent years, where the Met Gala rapidly gained the current reputation it has as a show to bring haute couture to extremes, fashion has really stepped it up. 2018 brought along the ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ theme, which contains some of my all-time favourite red carpet looks. One dress that makes a statement and yet exudes sophistication is Ariana Grande in that dreamy Vera Wang ball gown, inspired by none other than the Sistine Chapel. If I could try any dress on from the Met Gala, this could very well be my top contender. Then to contrast with glamour, we have Gigi Hadid in Versace, a stained glass piece made up of shimmery, cascading panels. Lastly, you cannot talk Met Gala without mentioning Guo Pei’s Yellow Queen dress, which Rihanna modelled for the 2015 ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’ theme. While the theme easily allowed for stereotypes or even potential appropriation, Guo’s dress made a bold statement against China’s reputation for fast fashion and showed international audiences that Chinese influence had its place in luxury high fashion. Symbols of Asian culture and pretty mandarin collars with pankou knots (the frog closures) appeared across the gathered stars - I also adored Zhang Ziyi’s Carolina Herrera gown - but none were as iconic as Rihanna’s that night. Guo also brought attention from the Western fashion sphere to i nte r n at i on a l talent, the true win of the night.
Image: Instagram @arianagrandiosa2.0
Sub-editors: Alice Holmes & Lenka Minarovicova
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Monday 9th May 2022
Travel
THE
COURIER
My favourite UK beaches 24 hours in Liverpool Joseph Caddick - Puzzles & Gaming sub-editor
This summer, you don't need to go abroad to spend time on the beach. This writer explores their favourite beaches in the UK
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ith the temperature slowly getting warmer, people are flocking to beaches around the country to bask in the summer sun. Having been to a few myself, here are some of the ones that I have the most fond memories of. Long Sands beach: As soon as I was introduced to this beach in Tynemouth, I absolutely fell in love with it. Only a half an hour Metro ride away from Newcastle, it’s an amazing place that I’d recommend all students should visit at least once. There’s just something so calm about this whole area, which has some tremendous views. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed with uni work, I like to come here and relax by the ocean. There are all kinds of activities both on the beach and in the immediate vicinity, ranging from surfing lessons to dinosaur-themed mini golf to an aquarium. You can easily spend a day on the beach and seeing what the local establishments have on offer.
Formby beach: This Merseyside beach is about as far from Liverpool as Long Sands is from Newcastle, so it’s easy to get there. Unlike any other beach that I’ve been to, the Formby Beach is preceded by a nature trail. Every time I’ve been with friends (and that’s a lot of times), we’ve always taken a moment to appreciate the green space before we go to the beach, and that’s a really nice way to start any relaxing day. For some reason, I always had the impression that this beach was larger than most of the ones I’ve been to in the UK. The sand seems to go on for miles, making it a fantastic for when you want a secluded sandy space away from tourists.
Image: Source: Photo by Patrick Metzdorf on Unsplash
North Shore beach: Llandudno is home to a couple of beaches, and this one has it all. Not only is there a typical sandy beach, but also a pebble one. I’d never been to a pebble beach before visiting here, and it’s a nice change of scenery. If that’s not enough for you, there’s also a pier with a host of your more typical tourist attractions. I’m a sucker for arcades on the pier, and Llandudno did not disappoint, as it’s got two of them. These are of course just some of the many beaches dotted around the UK’s shores. As the summer approaches, the idea of a day at the beach sounds more and more appealing. If you can, try visiting one of these.
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Daisy Harrison amed the European capital of culture in 2008, Liverpool is the perfect place for a UK city break! The best way to get your day started upon arriving in Liverpool is to go for breakfast. With 3 locations dotted around the city, Moose Coffee, offers an American Canadian influenced breakfast. The all-day breakfast menu provides you with plenty of choice, with dishes ranging from pancakes and French toast; eggs in various forms; potato hash; porridge; and even steak! Liverpool has one of the largest collections of galleries and museums in the UK, so once you’ve finished with a delicious breakfast, you can spend some time exploring the amazing culture on offer throughout the city. Many of the museums are located around Albert Dock including Tate Liverpool, Museum of Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum, and The Beatles Story. This is also a great opportunity to soak in the views from Albert Dock and learn about some its history, as The Dock was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004, due to its role as one of the w o r l d ’s major trading centres in the 18th and 19th centuries. You can also take sightseeing a step further
whilst at The Dock by boarding the Mersey Ferry, which will take you on a 50-minute River Explorer Cruise. (And yes, they do play Gerry & The Pacemakers! From The Albert Dock, you can take a short walk to the Baltic Triangle, an area of Liverpool that has been redeveloped to house a variety of music venues, cafes, bars, and creative spaces. Here you will find the Baltic Bakehouse, a shop and café that makes award winning bread - this is a great place to grab a sandwich for lunch. After lunch, you can head back to the city centre, which is the perfect place to do a bit of retail therapy. Boasting over 170 shops, look no further than Liverpool ONE for the ultimate shopping experience. Alternatively, you could explore Bold Street, which is home to a variety of independent businesses, such as bookshops, vintage stores, music & art shops, and even a loose-leaf tea shop. A great way to spend the evening is going to the theatre, and Liverpool certainly doesn’t fall short of them! With at least six different theatres spread out across the city, you are bound to find something you want to watch. Finally, it’s time for an evening meal. Down The Hatch is a vegetarian/vegan junk food restaurant, located in a cosy underground basement on Duke Street. It provides wonderfully tasty food and cocktails and is an excellent way to end your day of exploring Liverpool.
Image: Source : Photo by wakeyfan on Pixabay
Our Bank Holiday trip to France Image: Source : Photo by Xwatt on Unsplash
Castor Chan and Katie Siddall - Sports sub-editors
Two of our writers recall where they spent their bank holiday, on the sunny beaches of Southern France
D
AY ONE: travel We met up at 10:30 at Newcastle Train Station where we had breakfast at *drum roll* Burger King. Then we boarded the Lumo train to London King’s Cross. We couldn’t help but pick up our books for a relaxing start to the journey. Once we arrived we legged it for a train to Paddington as we were told confidently by our Southern friend that the route we were about to take was quicker - but more expensive! - than taking the Piccadilly line all the way to Heathrow. At Paddington, we had to find our way to the Heathrow Express platform (platform 7 by the way). Then after a 10-minute wait, we were on the train and heading to the airport. Heathrow was quiet and we managed to get through customs and security safely and quickly the most adulting we’ve ever faced. Once through to duty-free we went for lunch at Wetherspoons where we had a drink each to celebrate the start to our holiday. Whilst in Heathrow we were delayed an hour but we finally set foot in France at 21:30. After a half an hour bus journey we also set foot into our hotel - the Hotel Le Royal. We stayed up for a few hours gassing with the French TV on, but eventually, we were tired enough to go to sleep to be refreshed for our very hectic next day! Monaco! Day Two: Monaco Bright and early, we set off to the train station for
Image: Source: Castor Chan
our journey to Monte Carlo to watch the Formula E and visit the - what we now know first-hand hilliest principality in the world. Upon arrival, we headed straight to lunch. It was not the easiest to find and involved a few more flights of stairs than we would have preferred, but it was more than worth it as we arrived at Pulcinella. We each had an Orangina to start, then Katie chose the spicy tomato penne while I had cacio e pepe with green tagliatelle. The portions were large and satisfied us, perfect to fuel our trek to the grandstands. When I say trek, I may mean hike. Although Monaco is tiny, the two of us soon learnt that the amount of walking more than doubles as you zigzag down the huge changes in altitude. The view was certainly worth it though, as we had bought really good seats for the incredible price of only thirty Euros. To read about our race experience,
head on over to our article at the Sports section! Once the race was over, time for the walk - and in Katie's case, the shuffle - back to the train station. Because of the flood of travellers, we were unable to squeeze onto the train we were scheduled to leave on, and had to wait another half hour at the station for the next. After finally getting back, we went downstairs to the nearby restaurant. The outdoor table we sat at offered a gorgeous view of the promenade and setting sun, and we enjoyed our delicious plates of carbonara and pan-fried fish. I also had a creme caramel, whilst Katie's dessert drink was a second Sex on the Beach. Then off to our room where we did some work to the audio of The Voice France. Day Three: Nice After a long night of sleep, we woke up at 11am to get ready for a beach day - the relaxing day we deserved after yesterday’s antics. We rented beach beds for 22€ each, which I don’t personally see as too bad for the whole day, and treated ourselves to a pizza to share. We lounged about for the next few hours (eating, drinking, reading) before going back up to our hotel room to get ready for tea. Once ready, we researched places to eat and reserved a table at L’Antica. This was a 10-minute walk from our hotel but we spent an hour wandering around as we hadn’t done any sightseeing in the town or on the promenade that was just across the street from our hotel! We then came to our restaurant L'Antica - it was a cute little place just across from a small park. The food was not the best nor was it the worst, this was a deciding factor for us to spend as little time here as possible. After we ate and paid, we strolled back down to the promenade, back to our hotel and packed before our early start to catch our flight back to dreary old England. Day Four: Travel
Leaving was bittersweet, whilst we were wondering how time had flown, we were both eager to get back into familiar beds. We finished throwing our last belongings into our bags before checking out and catching the bus to the airport. Upon arrival at Terminal 1, we stopped for a quick snack before heading through the ever-exciting customs. Soon after we emerged on the other side ready to find our gate. Boarding was quite fast as well, and it was a smooth flight apart from a spot of turbulence in the last 15 or so minutes. Then it was off through another set of security before stopping for lunch in Heathrow. A long layover later, we were finally on the last plane leg back to Newcastle. Another short, uneventful flight and we were ready to be back in our flats. I collected my suitcase and we were off to the Metro to conclude the last of our travel. It was a good trip that Katie and I both enjoyed, and we'd love to visit Nice and Monaco again someday. Maybe with better shoes though! To hear more detail about their exciting trip around Southern France and to see more holiday photos, head over to The Courier online.
Image: Source: Castor Chan
THE
COURIER
Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Scarlett Welch & Marcel Shamshoum
Food & Drink
19
Newcastle's independent food venues to stand in for the Stack Maud Webster - Co-head of Culture
W
e’re hit with the news that Newcastle’s Stack has closed. For those who don’t know, the Stack were lots of shipping containers near Monument which hosted live music and dozens of local food vendors. But where can you get a similar Stack vibe around Newcastle now?
Marcel Shamshoum - Food & Drink sub-editor
Enjoy the lovely spring weather with these refreshing cocktails!
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ight, here is the deal; I am no drinks connoisseur, however I do enjoy drinks other than a cold refreshing lager on a nice spring day. That being said, I also know a thing or two about flavours and flavour pairings, so in this article I will be sharing with my ultimate go to refreshing drinks to enjoy during your next barbecue or spring outing.
The Hugo Ingredients 15 ml elderflower cordial 15 ml gin (optional) 1 lemon (peel and juice) Prosecco Soda water (optional) Ice Method 1. In a large wine glass add as much ice as you want.
4. Garnish with lemon peel and enjoy!
Orange blossom old fashioned Ingredients 1-2 tsp simple syrup A couple of drops of orange bitters 1-2 drops of orange blossom essence 60 ml Scotch whisky or bourbon Orange peel Ice Method 1. In a cocktail shaker add in the syrup, bitters and orange blossom essence. Add some ice and stir until the shakers starts to feel cold. 2. Add in the whisky or bourbon and stir for an extra 2030 seconds. 3. Serve in an ice filled glass and garnish with orange peel.
2. Add in the elderflower, gin and a squeeze of lemon juice and stir. 3. Top off your drink with prosecco and soda water. Or just prosecco, up to you. Image: Instagram (@ongewoonlekker)
Whilst the Pilgrim Street Stack has closed its doors, Seaburn Stack has another five years left on its lease and owners suggest it's not going anywhere. So you could always hop on the Metro and have some tipples and nibbles at the SEASIDE STACK.
Other nice places
Hop over the river into Gateshead and By The River Brew Co offers a very similar atmosphere to the Stack, with the same deal in terms of lots of tasty food outlets clustered into disused shipping containers and a mile of tables to choose from. It’s by the river and lacks the huge digital advertising screen. Other than that, similar vibes if you’re desperate for your Stack fix.
Newcastle is brimming with delicious independent food options, catering across all diets and tastes. The Ouseburn is teeming with different bakeries, pubs, cafes and restaurants all owned independently, notably including Thali Tray, Northern Rye, Di Meo's Gelato and Tyne Bar. Trek a bit further East and the Chillingham Road area also has plenty to offer, including Sky Apple Cafe, Heaton Perk and Brew & Bite. Just 'cos the Stack's closed that doesn't mean there isn't a plenty of fantastic independent food options across this fine city. Go for a little wonder or browse on Google Maps and see what else you can find...
Markets are also a great option if you’re wanting to sample a heft of different local, independent food outlets. Two main ones which come to mind
Spring inspired cocktails
The other STACK...
BY THE RIVER BREW CO
Markets Image: Instagram (@stacknewcastle)
are the infamous Quayside Market, every Sunday on the Quayside (as the name suggests), and then Jesmond Market, which is held on Armstrong Bridge every other Sunday.
Calories on menus: more harm than good? Imogen Clarke - Fashion & Beauty sub-editor
Trigger Warning: Disorders.
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Obesity,
Calories,
Eating
n order to tackle the nationwide problem of obesity and physical health, the government will now require restaurants, cafes, takeaways, and any 'out-of-home' food businesses to display calorie information to customers. For now, it is only a legal requirement for large businesses, with 250 employees or more, to make the change. Presumably, this is due to the cost of editing menus in order to add calorie information at the 'point of choice' for the customer. The government has been careful that the legislation will not impact small, independent businesses, however, they will be encouraged to make the changes if possible. The Gov.uk website has cited the primary reason for this new legislation to be obesity in the UK, and it's significant strain on the NHS. The government states that 63% of adults, and 1 in 3 primary school children in England are overweight or living with obesity. The health effects of this has been reported to cost the NHS £6.1 billion each year across the UK. Clearly, the government is intending to 'close the gap' on unhealthy eating, with the new calorie rules applying to non-pre-packaged food, or 'in house' meals/ takeaways. It is already mandatory for food bought in supermarkets, for example, to display nutrition information and calories anyway. The new legislation will undoubtedly mean that calorie information pervades all aspects of our life. For example, the rules will even apply to events caterers, planes and ferries.
The new calorie-counting legislation may only serve to add to diet-culture Public Health Minister, Jo Churchill, claims that the government merely wants to make it easier 'for people to make healthier food choices for themselves and their families'. On average, portions of food or drink that we consume as takeaways, or
out of the home in cafes or restaurants, contain twice as many calories as their equivalent brought in a shop. However, this new stance from the government seems odd, after the 'eat-out-tohelp-out' scheme in August 2020, which actively encouraged people to eat unhealthier meals in restaurants to boost the economy. Perhaps the increased impact of COVID-19 on those who were overweight has swayed them to take action. Although the public should be encouraged to make healthier food choices, the new caloriecounting legislation may only serve to add to dietculture and eating disorders. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is about balance, which means there is nothing wrong with eating whatever you want in restaurants, as long as this is done alongside exercise and eating well at other times. Caloriecounting, and sticking to a strict, is neither healthy nor sustainable in the long term. However, the government's forcing of calories onto our menus is surely promoting this. The crux of the issue is that healthier food is often for expensive, both in supermarkets and at restaurants or takeaways. McDonald's, for example, is a cheap and easy option for many lower income families. Along with all other large food-consumption business, McDonald's will also be required to add a calorie count next to eat meal and beverage. However, this will not discourage people with, in their opinion, no other option from eating there. And talking of beverages, the government's calorie-counting rules will not apply to any drink over 1.2% ABV (alcohol by volume percentage). A large cause of obesity in the UK is overconsumption of alcohol. However, such beverages will not be labelled according to the rules. If the government wants to tackle obesity in the UK, it needs to cover all bases, beginning with education. Childhood obesity, for example, can be improved with teaching parents and children how to eat healthier, and cook quick, nutritious meals from home. However, eating disorders such as body dysmorphia and anorexia in children are equally important, which could be made worse by the new rules. Anorexia is still the deadliest mental health issue in this country. What's more, the government should be subsidising fresh fruit and veg, for those who struggle to afford it, rather than shaming those who cannot afford to eat healthily, and do not have time to exercise regularly.
Sub-editors: Oren Brown, Lucy Bower & Rowan Christina Driver
20
Monday 9th May 2022
Music
THE
COURIER
Live Review & Interview: Mae Muller Jasmin Bateman
Jasmin Bateman sits down with artist Mae Muller to discuss her new music and UK tour.
M
ae Muller headed out on her rescheduled UK tour to perform her debut EP, no one else, not even you last month. Headlining her biggest tour to date, Mae is thrilled to be performing for her fans in person again. After the recent success of her track ‘Better Days’, collaborating with NEIKED, Polo G and J Balvin, Mae has climbed charts globally and is starting 2022 busier than ever, from jetting across to the US, to announcing a string of festival performances later this year. Jasmin sits down to speak to Mae over a Zoom call on International Women’s Day, whilst she is briefly in the UK before heading back to the other side of the Atlantic at the end of the week. How are you doing Mae, I bet you’re probably very jet lagged at the minute, having been jetting about quite a bit? Do you know what, I am, and I’m a bit like a crazy woman at the minute. That's a part of life though isn't it, and I feel like when you have jet lag you are able to tap into this different realm and it sometimes brings the best out of me, I don't know! I go back to New York on Thursday, so I'm going back into the time zone anyway. Your rescheduled UK tour also starts next month. I can say I'm very excited for that to finally go ahead, I bet you must be elated?
Oh my God, I've been waiting to do this tour for like two years so I just feel so ready for it. I feel like all of us are at that point where we just need to do this thing now. The world is now in a slightly better place and the music is so good and I'm very excited to do those shows. We’ve had to reschedule it twice and I’m glad it’s finally time to give you guys the show you deserve. It’s been a few years now since you wrote your EP no one else, not even you. How do you think it’s going to feel performing that EP after so long? I believe everything actually happens at the right time, and I do feel that about this tour now. Especially coming off the back of the pandemic and everything over the last two years, things went a bit backwards for the music industry. However it definitely feels like the perfect time to do this tour now, as even though we wrote and recorded these songs a while ago, everyone has had the chance to properly listen to them, and everyone knows them really well now. That is what is going to make the tour so much more fun! So I'm just really excited for this to finally go ahead, as I haven't been able to perform these songs live very much so far. So I'm definitely ready to perform them and I think people are ready to hear them. It’s all going to come to life in the best way I think. You have said previously that your lyrics are very personal to you, so how do you feel now you’re going to be performing these songs to your fans, knowing that they're going to be singing along every single lyric with you? Yeah, it always feels amazing when people can relate to your lyrics, It's the most satisfying and fulfilling feeling. These are songs that I have written in a room with maybe one or two other people, and then when you're suddenly standing in front of hundreds, and thousands of people and they’re all singing it back, I'm like OK, I must be doing it right! It’s relatable to people and it's obviously making them feel something and that's the entire reason why I do it. I want people to relate to the music and to feel it. I have really missed that
feeling of togetherness, when we’re all together and I can sing these songs with you all. I'm like I really missed you guys, you know? Following the interview, here's what Jasmin had to say about Mae's live set. The rising star brings her EP no one else, not even you to life in a magnificent way. Mae Muller proves that she excels at putting on an energetic show, dominating the attention of the room from the minute the star confidently struts onto the stage when the intro to ‘nails so long’ booms through the speakers of Newcastle University’s basement venue. The 24-year old singer songwriter confidently navigates the expertly crafted setlist, sporadically offering pithy anecdotes, divulging her complicated relationship history and many moments of heartbreak that formed the inspiration for many of her tracks. The heady combination of bouncy bops and audience interaction makes the Muller’s performance truly captivating. Teasing releases in the near future, Mae drops the unreleased track ‘bad thoughts’ mid-set, demonstrating that her relatable lyrics recounting moments of love and heartbreak will play a part in future additions to her discography. Another pleasant surprise of the night takes the form of a cover; fans of Mae will already know she is a huge Harry Styles fan, so it makes sense that ‘Treat People With Kindness’ is also given a place in the evening’s tracklist. The penultimate track of the setlist had the entire room jumping, gracing attendees with an incredibly flawless transition from ‘work like that’ to ‘When You’re Out’, which only had the crowd bouncing even harder. This provocative moment solidified the gig as one to
remember. Naturally, the song to close the evening is the track ‘Better Days’, the viral single that Mae declares “changed everything” for her since its release in September last year. If there were a few members of the audience who weren’t already singing and dancing along before, they certainly were in those final minutes. A celebration of Muller’s success, the headline show is lively, fun and empowering. From start to finish, the contagious energy in Muller’s performance never falters. What is made blindingly clear by the end of the night is that Mae Muller belongs on the stage. Ultimately, Muller’s charisma and flair left the crowd wanting more as she sauntered out of view.
Image: Mae Muller via Facebook
Live Review: Dua Lipa Image: Shirlaine Forrest
LIzzie Yockney
O
nly last week, I was talking with my family at our annual Easter barbecue about the best concerts we’d ever been to and how much we’ve missed live music. We were also talking about who we hoped to see in the future now that live music is back. The last concert I went to was about a month before the pandemic, which was way too long ago, so I jumped at the opportunity to see Dua Lipa at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on Saturday. I honestly couldn’t wait to go, excited to feel the pure joy that comes with being in an arena and singing alongside over 10,000 other people. At the same time, I was also quite nervous, as I knew that I would be attending on my own. My nerves, however, were dispelled as soon as the music started. I arrived at the arena in time to see the supporting act, Griff, who is the Brit Award’s Rising Star of 2021 and is a really exciting emerging artist. From my own experience, supporting acts can be a bit hit or miss, but Griff had the crowd singing and dancing, especially to her most popular hits, “Head on Fire”, “Black Hole” and “One Night”. The latter featured a cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, which was in-keeping with the nostalgic 80s vibe of the Future Nostalgia tour and a perfect crowd pleaser. Griff was an
energetic performer with impressive vocals and an engaging stage presence. It was lovely to watch her, especially since, as she admitted to the crowd, she had written most of her songs during lockdown. There was the sense that she was genuinely grateful to be performing. Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia tour can simply be described as a spectacle, full of explosive dance routines, 80s-inspired VTs, disco balls, several iconic outfits and a giant lobster. The show was pure energy and campiness, which paired perfectly with the nostalgia-infused songs from the album, every one of which is a banger. Opening with an 80s-style exercise video that introduced the band and dancers, Lipa then emerged on-stage to “Physical”, wearing a pink Balenciaga catsuit and matching opera gloves. At this point, any selfconsciousness that I felt was quickly erased by the infectious joy of Dua’s performance.
The show was pure energy and campiness, which paired perfectly with the nostalgia infused songs. Similar to Griff, it was clear that Dua was grateful to be performing again after an unplanned hiatus, as she told the audience that it was “f-ing surreal being here on this stage” and that the last time she had been in Newcastle, at the O2 in 2017, she’d had the “f-ing best time”. Lipa also thanked fans who had held onto their tickets, some for three years.
This tour felt as though it was making up for that lost time, putting on a giant party to celebrate the return of live music. Indeed, the staging of the show aided this, as the addition of a catwalk-like promenade and a smaller diamond-shaped stage at the end gave more room for dance routines and meant that Lipa could walk out into the crowd. I was very lucky to have had a great seat, but this set really helped in making the arena tour feel like a more intimate performance. During “One Kiss”, Lipa and her dancers performed on the smaller diamond stage, lights moving over the top of them to create a club-like atmosphere. This energy radiated throughout the crowd. It is really difficult to write everything about the show, as it was so visually phenomenal, but my favourite moments include “Levitating”, during which Lipa literally levitates over the crowd, disco balls and giant stars hanging next to her and a technicolour galaxy on the big screen behind her. Elton John joined (virtually) for “Cold Heart” and was welcomed with a big cheer from the audience. The staging for this song was more low-key, with Lipa sat on the stage surrounded by her dancers and the audience’s lights on. I also screamed when Dua did the iconic “go girl, give it nothing” dance move, which is a favourite of my friends and one that we pull out at the club whilst very drunk. Further, Dua’s vocals throughout were flawless, as I heard someone say as I was leaving the arena, she sounded just like she does on the album. I absolutely loved the Future Nostalgia tour for its spectacle and energy and Dua Lipa’s incredible performance. She definitely proved herself to be a ‘female alpha’.
THE
COURIER
Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Oren Brown, Lucy Bower & Rowan Christina Driver
Music
21
Why I'm not a slow cover lover Joseph Caddick - Puzzles Sub-editor
I
f I had a pound for every time I’d seen a movie trailer feature a butchered version of an iconic song, I would be a very rich man. The trend of ‘trailerising’ songs sucks the energy out of some of the most lively and atmospheric songs in order to make them fit the generic beats of a movie trailer.
The trend of 'trailerising' songs sucks the energy out of some of the most lively and atmospheric songs I think one of the most emblematic cases of this is Lorde’s cover of Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears, which I think popularised this. What I find charming about the original is the fact that it has an upbeat vibe, but the lyrics deliberately juxtapose this. Turning it into a moody ballad removes that layer and plays it
Image: Gloria Gaynor Facebook
straight. I normally like Lorde’s music, but there’s just something about this one that doesn’t work for me. Another cover I dislike, and the one that actually fuelled this rant, is the Lady Blackbird cover of Gloria Gaynor’s iconic I Am What I Am. The original is a fantastic song about self-acceptance, whereas the version used in a Virgin Airways advert lacks any of that warmth. Part of this is because the chorus is changed to be much less energetic and fun whilst also feeling needlessly louder. Thankfully, the song’s message remains intact, but delivered in a way that feels inauthentic and patronising. Although Christmas was almost half a year ago now, there’s one cover that managed to infuriate me every single year. Michael Bublé and Idina Menzel’s cover of Baby It’s Cold Outside is more abominable than any snowman. Despite the lyrics of this song proving controversial in years, making a kid-friendly version does little to help that. It doesn’t help that the singers clearly lack chemistry, making the whole thing come across as corporate. That’s no excuse for just how boring they make it as well. Every line just sounds so flat and bland when compared to any other version that I’ve heard.
Just to clarify, I don’t think all covers are bad. Some take the basic elements of a song and take them in new directions whilst still maintaining what made them work in the first place. Look at Valerie by Amy Winehouse, which brought a new energy to the original song. Over time, it has eclipsed the original to the point where many people don’t realise that it’s a cover. I also really like the covers Phil Collins did of A Groovy Kind of Love and You Can’t Hurry Love, though that’s admittedly because I’m a huge fan of his music.
Some covers take the basic elements of a song and take them in new directions Music is a very subjective thing, and I think that a lot of what goes into deciding whether or not covers can live up to their original counterparts is equally subjective. As someone who uses music as a means of escaping the drudgery of daily life, the miserable covers remove that escapism element for me. When you strip a song of all its charm in order to make a quick profit, you really can hear it. Thankfully, new covers don’t invalidate their predecessors, you can always still listen to them if you prefer them. Let’s just hope the trailerising of classic songs becomes a tired trend before long. It won’t.
LooseFest announces artists for Town Moor this summer Samantha Seidu
Samantha Seidu takes a look at the latest line-up for this summer's LooseFest.
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n an Instagram post from the 30th March, LooseFest announced that the artist line-up for the phase two will be ‘released over a series of posts rather than one big drop’. ‘We will be announcing artists as time goes on'. Expect a lot of new artists to be added to the Sunday line-up. We know that phase two
Image: LooseFest via Twiiter
will create incredible excitement’. So far, it has been confirmed that Irish DJ duo, Belters Only, who’ve just gone platinum with their dance track Make Me Feel Good, have been added to the LooseFest line up, as well as DJ Detlef. More artists are due to be announced. In the Instagram announcement, a competition took place allowing festival goers to win £25 festival credits for food and drink over the LooseFest weekend. All of this takes place after the successful phase one drop, which announced that The Black-Eyed Peas will be headlining the show, with the likes of AJ Tracey and Clean Bandit who are also set to perform at the music festival. Following the phase one release, LooseFest saw over 30,000 sign ups in the first 24 hours of the announcement and 60% of sold-out tickets after
the sale that took place between 25th and 26th March. ‘The LooseFest team has been blown away, we know how supportive everyone is from the weekly events which has given us the confidence to go as big as we have’, says Dean. ‘Seeing the reaction as it was, was exciting’.
All of this takes place after a sucessful phase one drop LooseFest is due to take place on Saturday 30th to Sunday 31st July 2022. More significantly, it will be taking place on The Town Moor in Newcastle after a ‘groundbreaking’ partnership with the Freeman. The event will have a capacity of 60,000 and is
expected to have full attendance over the two days. As of 30th March, there are still tickets available for sale on Fatsoma and Festicket. Taking place in Newcastle Upon Tyne, LooseFest values the importance of supporting and working with local businesses, artists, and people. ‘The idea was to bring something incredible to Newcastle that everyone can be proud of ’, says one of the festival organisers, Dean. ‘We are local, proud of the city and we’re glad to see exciting things in the city’. LooseFest is currently one of the biggest music festivals in the Newcastle/ North East area and given the success of this year, it can be expected to see more world class acts and more stages in the future.
Sub-editors: Carly Horne, Rachael McCreanor & Rebecca Sykes
Monday 9th May 2022
THE
COURIER
TV Natasha Lyonn Deadline disaster distractions! 22
Peter Lennon - Gaming sub-editor
Emily Kelso - Comment sub-editor
Mitchell Hall - Sports sub-editor
t's exam season: tensions are as high as caffeine levels, and students need destress between bouts of revision and stress. What better way than to chill out a bit than watch some TV? In times like exam season where the future is unpredictable, I find it comforting to return to the classics, something you know off-byheart. For most, that is Doctor Who. Most people have grown up with a Doctor, and for our generation that's been Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith. The stories of these Doctors are simultaneously light-hearted and serious, full of joy and sorrow, make you want to laugh and cry.
Sometimes, when that essay is calling or that revision needs to be done, a student can spare 20 minutes for Brooklyn 99.
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Revisiting Doctor Who as an adult makes you realise the genius behind the stories Revisiting Doctor Who as an adult makes you realise the genius behind some stories, and what better time than exam season? Which episodes are the best for re-watching? I'd always go for 'School Reunion', to witness the tear-jerker of a reunion between Sarah-Jane Smith and The Doctor. For pure humour, look no further than 'Partners in Time'. Thirsting after Andrew Garfield after watching tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) or SpiderMan: No Way Home (2021)? Well then, you'll have a nice surprise if you watch 'Daleks in Manhattan' and 'Evolution of the Daleks'. The Horror channel on TV usually shows reruns of 'Classic Who' (Doctors 1-8) if you fancy watching something more retro. If you're lucky, you'll stumble across stories such as 'Tomb of the Cybermen' or 'The Five Doctors'. If 'Modern Who' is more your thing, the BBC are advertising a new podcast set in the Doctor Who universe regarding a conspiracy theory podcast charting appearances of the TARDIS through history.
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ver since having the first episode put on in a secondary school drama lesson, my go to show to relax has been Brooklyn 99 (2013-2022), a reliably fun and rewatchable ensemble with 7 seasons on Netflix ready to dive into and the final available on All4. The show combines consistently fresh and fun mini plots in each episode with long term character arcs that give the world so much heart. Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher are particular highlights as the energetic Jake Peralta and efficient police captain Raymond Holt. The world is constantly playful whilst leaving room for really touching moments, both of which are perfect to relieve exam anxiety.
The excellent ensemble cast play off each other brilliantly. The short runtime of each episode means they can be enjoyed individually as a study break, or as a longer binge to take your mind off things, this show got me through my secondary school exams and will continue to do so for university as well with so many episodes available to relive.
Jenica Davis
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ay has finally arrived which means only one thing to students: exam season has begun. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed with stress during this time of year with the endless readings and deadlines, so it’s important to allow yourself to escape from this world every now and then. With its final season being currently streamed on Channel 4, Derry Girls is set in Northern Ireland’s city of Derry in the 90’s. The coming-of-age comedy centres around four teenage girls – Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), Clare (Nicola Coughlan) and Orla (Louisa Harland) – and a ‘wee English fella’ called James (Dylan Llewellyn). Within the 20-minute episodes, we see the spirited, ill-fated group attending Catholic secondary school and navigating teenage life. However, the backdrop of their situation is very different to most teen shows. The series displays many historical events of the period known as The Troubles - decades of conflict which occurred in Northern Ireland between Catholic nationalists and Protestant unionists, shaping the characters’ secondary school experience.
An episode of Derry Girls is never a dull watch
The humour doesn’t only derive from the ridiculous situations that the group finds themselves in, but also from the adults. In particular, from the playful rivalry between Erin’s dad (Gerry, portrayed by Tommy Tiernan ) and Erin’s grandfather (Joe, portrayed by Ian McElhinney ), and Sister Michael’s (Siobhán McSweeney) utter disdain towards her pupils and Catholicism despite being the headteacher of the school. From accidentally resurrecting a dog to the bomb squad blowing up a suitcase of vodka, an episode of Derry Girls is never a dull watch.
The understated second series arrived on Netflix in April, swapping time-loops for time-travel
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Spoilers ahead!
fter being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russian Doll returns to Netflix with its sophomore season. The season reunites Nadia Vulvokov (Natasha Lyonne) with her friends and fellow time-looper Alan Zaveri (Charlie Barnett) as she discovers that 6 Train sends her back to 1982 in the body of her pregnant mother. Adamant to change her family’s history and her own fortune, she uses time travel to relocate the gold krugerrands that her mother had lost. Right off the bat, jettisoning the time loop for a tale of time travel feels like a smart decision. The first season had explored the loop concept thoroughly and tied all the loose ends up in a satisfying, selfcontained way. Unlike the loop, Russian Doll doesn’t waste too much time explaining the rules of time travel in its story, sticking to the basic Back to the Future concepts that most audiences are well-versed in. The addition to the concept that I do love, however, is the element of “real time”. If Nadia spends the night in 1982, a night will have passed in 2022. It underlines the darkly comedic shenanigans of Nadia with a sense of stakes and sacrifice.
Preview: Stranger adventure into t Daisy Harrison
The newest series of Netflix's hit show looks to be the most intense yet.
I Image: IMDb
Image: IMDb
t’s officially less than a month until the first volume of Stranger Things Season 4 is released, and it’s gearing up to be the most-action packed season yet… The show is set to be released in two instalments, with volume one hitting our screens on 27th May, and volume two following five weeks later, on 1st July. But what can we expect from the new season? Season 3 ended with the group being separated: Joyce, Will, Eleven & Jonathon moved to California; Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Steve, Nancy & Robin stayed in Hawkins; and Hopper was isolated in Russia. Will they remain separated for the entire season, or will the gang need to reunite in order
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Carly Horne, Rachael McCreanor & Rebecca Sykes
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ne continues to shine in Russian Doll Peacemaker: worth the watch? (for the most part). Nadia’s godmother/therapist Ruth Brenner (Elizabeth Ashley) has been unwell and hospitalized, showing physical decline as it approaches Nadia’s 40th Birthday. In Nadia’s efforts to change the course of her family history, she loses such time coming to her 40th. It’s quite an understated feature of the concept, but is immensely important in the show’s exploration of the present. In fact, “understated” just about sums up this new story. Though there are moments of the psychedelic towards the end of the season, Russian Doll’s drama and emotional beats are played with beautiful elegance. The show owes a lot to the
performances of Elizabeth Ashley and Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy, who play the present and younger version of Ruth, respectively. Though the series follows the existential crises of Nadia, this season is very much about Ruth – her worries, her selflessness, and her desire to prevent generational trauma through patience and kindness. This season doesn’t tie Alan and Nadia as closely together as the first season, relegating Alan to more of a B-plot than a colead in the A-plot. Alan also experiences the joys of the train, landing in the body of his grandmother when she studied in East Berlin a n d
dated a man named Lenny. When this plot was introduced, I was convinced this would be used to explore Alan’s sexuality, especially since the season begins by showing his continued boredom in dating women. It wasn’t to be, but the story’s message of lack of closure is still a resonant one. Russian Doll’s second season isn’t quite as satisfyingly conclusive as the first, but its message wouldn’t hit nearly as hard if it were.
Imogen Smillie
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n a show all about the Peacemaker (John Cena), peace is far from our screens. Possible spoilers for both the new series Peacemaker (2022-) and The Suicide Squad (2021). A direct follow on from 2021's The Suicide Squad, the director James Gunn has returned to direct a new DC series for one of the breakout characters Peacemaker (John Cena). If you didn’t stay until the end credits of the film, like the rest of us nerds, you are probably thinking, "but Peacemaker is dead?!". Well, Gunn must enjoy the agonising wait that the MCU movies bring (he did direct the Guardians movies, after all), as the end credit scene shows a rescued and recovering Peacemaker in hospital – lucky for us to see the chaotic development of such a complicated character.
A hilarious mix of action, heartfelt storyline, and a killer soundtrack Image: Twitter, @RussianDoll
r Things - our last Review: The Holiday - the only the Upside Down time I didn't wish I was there to save Hawkins once again? The trailer shows Joyce, played by Winona Ryder, receiving a parcel covered in Russian stamps, so will she travel to Russia to help Hopper? We can expect to see a lot more of Max, played by Sadie Sink, this season, as the trailer begins with her talking to Billy’s grave. There seem to be hints that we haven’t seen the last of Billy as we later see Max levitating above his tombstone – does she gain some sort of power, or is she in danger?
It's shaping up to be the most intense and thrilling season yet The trailer also reminds us of the loss of Eleven’s powers, as we instead see her trying to navigate the complicated realities of making friends in high school – how will Hawkins survive without Eleven’s protection? We can also expect a host of new characters, including Victor Creel, played by iconic actor Robert Englund, best known for his role as Freddy Kreuger in the Nightmare on Elm Street film series. With the Duffer Brothers themselves stating that this season was heavily inspired by the Nightmare series, it’s good news for horror fans. From the likes of demobats, to a haunted house, and creepy grandfather clock, the trailer indicates that this season will be more horror-leaning than before. Season 4 is shaping up to be the most intense and thrilling season yet … but it’s what we deserve after waiting for 3 years! See you in The Upside Down, Nerds… Image: IMDb
Carly Horne - TV sub-editor
Jill Halfpenny shines in The Holiday, the new drama series that will make you glad you're stuck in Newcastle.
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for one am absolutely thrilled about the prospect of going on holiday again, but Channel 5's new drama The Holiday, is exactly why I'll be taking my next trip alone. Forget escapism, this holiday is one they wish they could forget. The wonderful Jill Halfpenny leads the cast as detective and mother, Kate, who is determined that this trip to Malta will be the best holiday yet. Travelling with her distracted husband, Sean (Owen McDonnell), iPad-obsessed son, Daniel (Aidan McCann) and daughter, Lucy (Lara McDonnell), whom we learn is carrying an enormous weight on her shoulders, hardly makes for Kate's ideal travel companions. Perhaps in light of her work as a detective, Kate is suspicious of everyone. Her husband. Her daughter. Her friends. And rightly so, in fact. Most of the people in her life seem to be keeping something from her; even if it's a different dark secret than she initially suspects. Jake (Shaun O'Callaghan) appears a very dark and troubled teenager, one whose presence on this trip would be enough to send me home. From buying one of the younger children a knife as a present to his inappropriate behaviour around Lucy, Jake's character made me feel just a little too uncomfortable. Jenny (Liv Mjönes) is another brilliantly portrayed addition to the holiday from hell, gaslighting Kate in the beginning only to lose her own sanity in the end.
Lara McDonnell is brilliant as Lucy, shining in the role of an otherwise quiet teenager stuck in a bad situation. Frequently ignored by the adults, whose help she needs most, Lucy struggles to participate in the holiday fun against the backdrop of her own violation and her role in the death of a classmate. A mention has to go to such a great visual in the show's final episode. In contrast to her very clear principles and suitability for her work, Kate becomes aware of a crime committed which hits too close to home. She is devastated, and furious and has no idea how to handle this information. We see Kate lock herself in her bathroom and destroy her phone and her mirror in a blind rage. Decisively, however, we see Kate tear off her police badge - leaving the decision to return to her job uncertain, but ultimately, not looking good. All in all, I think The Holiday was a brilliant show (one which should certainly get a second season in my books). From the fantastic performances by all of the cast to the way, the crew managed to bring T.M Logan's work to life - The Holiday is a show I would recommend to everyone.
Image: IMDb, openclipart
Following suit from the toe-tapping film, Cena shows us the morally grey Christopher Smith, once again hired by the US government to, in layman’s terms, do their dirty work without the consequences. With a small cameo from the legend herself, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, the team are ordered to investigate ‘Project Butterfly’. Despite being massively similar to ‘Project Starfish’ (of The Suicide Squad), looking into themes of love and equality, this show holds its own in terms of script and overall hilarity. We are reintroduced to the team that helped complete ‘Project Starfish’, with some very enthusiastic help from Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) – the supposed best friend of Peacemaker. But fair warning on the gory nature that comes with the action from these two messed up besties. With such a complicated moral stance on the world, they will kill anything, in any way possible, all for peace. Yes, I’m as shocked and confused as you are. John Cena really brought this character to life, once again, reviving DC characters after lots of criticism in the past. Costume, makeup, CGI, plot, and music have all come together to create this 8-part series, which, if you are a superhero nerd, is a must watch. And if that doesn’t convince you, then his partner in crime Eagly the bald eagle most certainly will!
Image: IMDb
Sub-editors: George Bell, Jess Bradbury & Autumn Keil
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Monday 9th May 2022
Film
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Award-winning NCL filmmakers talk Ordinary Life George Bell - Film sub-editor
Newcastle Film Students sit down to discuss their RTS award for Ordinary Life
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ewcastle University Alumni recently won the Royal Television Society Northeast and the Borders Award for Student Non-fiction Film. I sat down with the team behind the film to discuss their impressive achievement and gain some insight into how the film was made. Ordinary Life is a first-person documentary that chronicles the adversities faced by a mother and uncle while growing up. It quietly observes their sibling bond through an intimate poetic-observational portrait of their present life. Through everyone’s least favourite video calling software, Zoom, I spent an hour with the crew behind Ordinary Life: were Luke Suddes (Director, Executive Producer), Katherine Beavers (Producer, Production Assistant), Dalene Low (Cinematographer and Editor) and Harrison So (Sound Designer and Sound Recordist). This was made in the middle of the pandemic, which must have been difficult. Were there any issues you ran into while filming? Harrison: Yeah, the hardest part was the guidelines which the
government kept changing. We would plan a shoot and how we would work around restrictions and then suddenly next week, lockdown came and more restrictions, which was extremely tricky to deal with.
The hardest part was the fluctuating government guidelines Luke: It was a blessing and a curse. Obviously, it was horrible to do over a lockdown but at the same time, it gave us six months to plan the shoot. So while the pressure was on to get the shoot done in such a short amount of time, we had it planned like a military operation and were ready. I thought there was a lot of emphasis on photos in this film, with them frequently recurring in some great shots. What does a photo mean to you guys? Dalene: It just captures a very important part of life, because you don’t remember all the experiences but when you see the pictures, all these memories can come back, and you get to experience them again. Katherine: It’s hard for me not to think about this in the context of
the film. We toyed around with the idea of using a lot of archive material and trying to find stuff from the 90s to show the two of them being teenagers. Being able to see them as actual 20-year-olds in that period where they literally had to just go off and live on their own is hard to express but extremely important for us. If you can, name any film or filmmakers that helped inspire this film Dalene: There were some films in mind that we were inspired by and one was something I randomly came across on Vimeo called No Crying at The Dinner Table by Carol Nguyen. The way she talks about family, generational trauma and the way the film was treated was something we were inspired by. Luke: A lot of the inspirations got this film ended up being very similar to each, stylistically and structurally. One film that did have an influence was Amelie. The use of a god-like narrator in films like it and Forest Gump was something I’ve always liked. But also, the idea that without the interesting way Amelie was made, it would be so boring which also applies to our film because it would have just been my mum sitting on a couch. How did your mum and uncle react when they watched it, Luke?
Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Jessica McKeown
Nick Cage is back and this time he's tackling his biggest role yet... playing himself
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ho better to play a fictionalised Nick Cage than Nick Cage himself? The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent was just released, and it's a breath of fresh air at a time when the market is oversaturated with sequels, remakes and superheroes. A self-aware buddy comedy film, it stars Nicholas Cage (The Rock) as himself, and Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) as rich Cage super-fan, Javi. Movie Cage attends Javi’s birthday party for a grand sum of one million dollars and finds himself being recruited by CIA agents, played by Tiffany Haddish (Girl’s Trip) and Ike Barinholtz (Blockers), to engage in a little spycraft on his new friend who they believe made his fortune in arms dealing. The highlight of the film is easily the chemistry between Cage and Pascal. Chemistry between the leads in buddy films is essential as, without it, the comedy would fall flat. Much of the humour in the film c e nt re s around their bromance and the things they get up to including a very humorous scene involving LSD. A n o t h e r hilarious element of this film
is seeing Nick Cage attempt to and somewhat fail to be a good action hero despite the many macho action roles that he’s known for. A plotline in the film is the duo writing a movie based on their friendship, creating an element of self-awareness. The self-awareness of this film adds to the viewing experience and works well to dissect the genre,
Some of the humour did induce some cringes, especially at the start
Credit: IMDb
unlike the somewhat pretentious self-awareness in the latter end of the Scream franchise. Some of the humour of the film did fall a little flat and induced a few cringes, particularly at the start of the film when Cage has hit rock bottom and decides to retire. A let-down is the freakily de-aged Nicky Cage that appears to taunt Cage over how he won’t get back to his glory days. I will always find the de-ageing of actors to be a disconcerting viewing experience, but I can appreciate why they worked it in to show Cage at his peak. Elements of the plot did feel quite predictable, particularly the ending, but then again this is more of an entertaining reflection on Cage’s career than a work of art. The film pays homage to Cage’s glory days with references aplenty to Con-Air (1997), The Rock (1996) and Face/Off (1997). Even The Croods 2 (2020) gets a mention. Personally, I am not a hardcore fan of Cage, only watching a few of his well-known films over the years. Undoubtedly, there were references that flew over my head. This does not detract from the viewing experience, as the film can be enjoyed by both casual filmgoers and avid Nick Cage fans alike. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is in cinemas now.
Luke: They haven’t spoken or called me for five months. Okay, that’s a lie. My mum was a lifesaver during production. This film would not have happened without her driving us to and from Newcastle, picking up food and having like six people in the house at night. I didn’t want to disappoint her, and when she started telling me that she was sending the film to all her friends, that was the real award. But the funny thing was my uncle. He is a lovely guy and for lack of a better word, he is a bit jaded (in a nice way). I could tell while we were filming that he was being polite but didn’t think much of it. To be fair to him, we were just a bunch of kids with a tripod telling him to walk up and downstairs 10 times over and over. But when he saw it, he messaged me a big paragraph saying that he thought it was going to be shit but that it’s actually really, really good. That was the biggest praise I could get. The Royal Television Society, or RTS, contains awards for presenting and innovation to animation. Industry giants like ITV were present at the awards, just showing how prominent they are. The category won by Ordinary Life pitted it against other student documentaries from numerous North-East Universities, making their victory no small feat. Following this big win, the team and film are through to the RTS Nationals which take place in London. Best of luck to them.
May the fourt Pauline Totry
As another Star Wars day passes, it's time to consider whether there is any hope left for the franchise
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he wildly disappointing Star Wars sequels finally signed the end of the Skywalker saga, which started in 1978 with the original and enchanting trilogy, followed by the tediously chatty prequels and the messy sequels. Although both prequels and sequels were mostly powered on nostalgia for the originals, some of them still managed to entertain despite their lack of imaginative prowess – here’s looking at you The Rise of Skywalker. On top of the adventures of the Skywalkers, audiences were treated to a few stand-alone anthology films which presented the best Star Wars film in recent years with Rogue One (2016) as well as one of the most unnecessary ones, Solo (2018). With such a mixed bag, every new Star Wars release fills us with both hope and dread. The upcoming Star Wars films will focus on new characters and new adventures in new parts of the galaxy. The only exception being A Droid Story (TBA), an animated film which will follow
Credit: IM
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Monday 9th May 2022
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Bruce Willis: a career restrospective on a film icon Ross Bennett
Following a tragic diagnosis and subsequent retirement, we reflect on Bruce Willis and his fantastic career
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he family of Hollywood actor and film star, Bruce Willis, recently announced his retirement from acting after a diagnosis of aphasia – a disorder affecting the brain that interferes with language, memory and speech development. As this former titan of action blockbusters retires, it’s time to take a look back at his career; from highs of highs to lows of lows.
Aphasia is a disorder that inteferes with speech
The Golden Raspberry Awards retracted their category dedicated to Willis In the New Millennium, Willis made appearances on the television programme Friends as well as in fondly remembered pictures like Unbreakable, Moonrise Kingdom and Over The Hedge. However, the latter half of his career would be dominated by both financial and critical failures, with even financial peaks such as The Expendables being savaged by critics. Willis infamously and frequently made low budget independent films that were largely panned by critics, however, it was here that his cognitive decline was becoming more and more apparent – requiring his scenes to be small and his dialogue read to him over an earpiece. This period in Willis’ career was so poorly received that in 2021, the Golden Raspberry Award created a dedicated category all to himself – The Worst Bruce Willis Performance in 2021. After the reveal of Willis’ diagnosis, the Raspberry awards retracted the category, deeming it inappropriate. Bruce Willis defined a generation of action blockbusters with his role as John McClane – showing that an ‘Everyman’ could wind up a hero. Whilst his career is flecked with disappointments (both critically and financially), it is surely his peaks that will be remembered instead of his lows.
Did Morbius sweep or stumble into cinemas? Ross Bennett
Jared Leto stars in Sony and Marvel's lastest adventure, but did it sweep the box office?
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moody, sinister-looking creature of the night…that’s how most would describe Jared Leto, star of the joint Sony-Marvel studios production: Morbius. This newest iteration in a long line of comic book movies has flocked into cinemas; whilst everyone has flocked out of them. How best to describe Morbius? Well, a bad movie for a start. But apart from that, Morbius centres around the sickly protagonist Michael Morbius’ quest for a cure to his degenerative blood disorder. However, his attempts to prolong his life inadvertently turn him into a vampiric superpowered creature. Now left to sucking the blood out of evil-doers - much like how Sony does to Stan Lee’s legacy – Morbius has burst
The best parts are shot in shadow - so you don't have to see a lot
onto the superheroic scene. Whilst some interesting action scenes bring some much-needed escapism to the dreary plot full of cardboard characters, there is nothing capable of saving the audience from a wasted two hours. The best parts of the movie are parts shot in shadow – because you don’t have to see a lot. The supporting cast is made up of talented auteurs such as Jared Harris, Matt Smith and, for some reason, Tyrese from Fast and Furious. Watching Jared Harris try his hardest to add
some depth is a lot like the first time you ever saw your dad cry, it doesn’t make sense in your young mind, it changes your perception of the man and it’s the start of a lifelong descent into cynicism. Obviously, you cannot talk about the film without mentioning Jared Leto’s usual intense style of method acting. Infamously, the actor sent out dead rats and used condoms to other cast members whilst filming the DC blockbuster Suicide Squad. Allegedly, this time he took it up a notch. Choosing to use a wheelchair whilst filming to get into the mind of the disabled protagonist, reportedly it would take up to 40 minutes for him to use the bathroom. According to the director, Daniel Espinosa, Leto went to a dark place whilst filming - after watching the film, I can only assume that place was the Morbius set. And, of course, this film is yet another entry in the ‘Sony SpiderMan Universe’ (or the SSU for the millions of diehard
super fans). I prefer to call it the MCU – Morbius Cinematic Universe, standing shoulder to shoulder with Tom Harry’s Venom and awkwardly anticipating future companions in Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web and… Bad Bunny as El Muerto? Why am I so critical of this film? Well, this movie took a lot from me: £15 for an adult ticket to be exact. And I did not get my money’s worth. The best way to treat Morbius is not as a film, but as a cinematic experience. Something that you only do so you can tell people you did it. A lot like those T-Shirts that say “I went to New York and all I got was this stupid T-shirt” yet instead of a t-shirt, you just get disappointment and an oddly bitter taste in your mouth. With all that being said, there is only one thing I can end this review on… #MorbiusSweep.
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the galaxy’s most iconic dysfunctional duo, R2-D2 and C-3PO, as they embark on a secret mission. For this next phase, Disney lined up some of the most sought-after directors and producers in Hollywood, most of them borrowed directly from Marvel and DC. Awardwinning director Taika Waititi as well as Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, are both set to enrich the Star Wars universe. Even more exciting, the Wonder Woman franchise director, Patty Jenkins, will be the first woman to direct a Star Wars film with Rogue Squadron (2023). Rian Johnson is also set to direct an all-new trilogy. After derailing J.J. Abrams’ (already wonky) plan for the sequel trilogy with The Last Jedi, one might wonder why Disney would give him not one, but three more chances. It suggests that the next phase is indeed all about taking risks, which is what the sequels desperately lacked. These intriguing new releases should be able to free themselves and the audience from the grip of one of the most beloved trilogies of all times. In turn, they should open up new opportunities to revive this cinematic universe by going beyond utilising fan nostalgia. Given the fantastic work that has been done with TV shows expanding the universe, especially The Man d a l o r i an , the expectation for theatrical releases is high. For the first time in a long time, I have a good feeling about this.
Credit: IMDb
Moonlighting. This cemented the actor’s comedic chops and during the show’s run, he won an Emmy award, as well as a Golden Globe. Funnily enough, during this time Willis netted a job in a long-running advertising campaign for Seagram’s Golden Wine Coolers, which he later left after quitting alcohol. However, his most famous role would be on film instead of on television. Starring in several Hollywood films, it was his turn as detective John McClane in Die Hard that made Willis a pop culture icon and a staple of the big action blockbuster. Whilst the first three instalments in the Die Hard franchise all became box office successes, the next decade of Willis’ career could be described as ‘diverse’ at best. With acclaimed films such as Pulp Fiction, The Fifth Element and 12 Monkeys
being put alongside not-so-acclaimed pictures like The Jackal, Mercury Rising and Look Who’s Talking Too. However. With blockbusters like Michael Bay’s Armageddon (which was the highest-grossing film of 1998) and M. Night Shyamalan’s 1999 film Sixth Sense, it could be said that Willis fared better in the ’90s than he did in the 2000s and 2010s.
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Before deciding to become an actor Willis worked a number of odd jobs; such as a security guard at a nuclear power plant and even as a private detective. The latter of which might have come into importance with his first leading role after entering the acting profession – as a private eye in the comedy-drama television programme
th be with you
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Sub-editors: George Bell, Jess Bradbury & Autumn Keil
Credit: IMDb
Print: Peter Lennon | Online: Michael Duckworth, Haaris Qureshi & Joseph Caddick
Monday 21st February 2022
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Gaming Uncharted 4 is an archaeologist's dream: gravest 26
Emily Kelso - Comment sub-editor
Naughty Dog's Uncharted 4 sheds the historical innaccuracies that plague other action-adventure games
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eople are obsessed with the past. Some people are obsessed enough to get a degree in it (hello!) The only downside to a degree in studying the past is that every depiction of the past in popular culture becomes tarnished beyond belief. For example, I couldn't get through one episode of Bridgerton without yelling "they wouldn't have smoked cigarettes, they would have smoked clay pipes!" It is a rarity for me to enjoy a form of entertainment which is rooted in the past, but Uncharted 4 succeeds where the rest fail.
As the story goes, Mission founded a settlement on the north coast of Madagascar, where a new government was developed
Uncharted 4 is the fourth game in the Uncharted series for PlayStation. Each game is rather formulaic: follow treasure hunter Nate Drake, Victor Sullivan and a band of thieves search for and discover a priceless treasure, nearly dying in the process. There is no doubt that the first three games in the franchise are wonderful, but Uncharted 4 is the pinnacle.
Uncharted 4 has a more-detailed backstory complete with fictional papers that lets you immerse yourself in the history, more of which is true than you may believe. Three aspects of Uncharted 4's gameplay delight myself as an archaeology student: Libertalia; the treasures; the graveyard (sounds weird, but trust me). Each Uncharted game concerns a 'treasure', and Uncharted 4 concerns Libertalia. The first three games concern relatively well-known treasures from El-Dorado to Iram of the Pillars, but Libertalia is also real. Well, maybe. Charles Johnson's 'General History of Pirates' details the story of Captain James Mission who infected the crew of his ship with notions of liberty. As the story goes, Mission founded a settlement on the north coast of Madagascar, where a new language and government was developed. Some argue that Johnson's account is false, but his other stories have sometimes been true; Madagascar was a pirate haven already and other pirates attempted to set up their own utopias. The only deviation concerns Mission: Mission was not included as one of the in-game founders of Libertalia, although Thomas Tew played a role both in-game and in Johnson's Libertalia. The treasures you can find in-game might not be the ultimate goal of Uncharted 4, but it sure is fun to pick them up as you go along. Some treasures sound intriguing. Some are beautifully mundane and typical of the period. Take the Earthenware mug. Earthenware was a form of ceramic used in England by most citizens, although fancier versions include creamware, which was meant to imitate Chinese porcelain. There are also tobacco boxes to be found, which are a subtle nod to the growing usage of tobacco by Europeans. Some objects have a darker connotation than first seems: items that mention "mother of pearl" or "tortoiseshell" speak to the growing trend of hunting animals for personal use. Perhaps the most exciting piece of historicallyaccurate world building to me is the graveyard. Nate and Sam have to explore the graveyard for a particular gravestone, and the developers at
Naughty Dog didn't skimp on the details. At first glance, people may assume the abundance of skulls is just a reference to the pirate theme in Uncharted - but they'd be mistaken!
Symbols used on gravestones from this time include sexton's tools and... skulls
gravestones, seeing details like these truly amaze me. All in all, Uncharted 4 provides a safe haven for those history-lovers who struggle to find good and entertaining representations of the past. Now they really are rarer than the long lost treasures that Nate discovers!
Gravestones were slowly becoming more common, and the earlier gravestones (circa 1700s, when Uncharted is set) include what is called memento mori iconography. This theme essentially reminds you that you'll die at some point (Cheery!). Symbols used on gravestones from this time include sexton's tools and... skulls. All of these are present in-game if you look closely. Some skulls even have wings, which represents the transition to the next most popular motif on gravestones to appear: cherubs with wings. For someone who studies
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga builds on the past Peter Lennon - Gaming sub-editor
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fter being announced at E3 in 2019 and delayed several times, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has finally been released. The Skywalker Saga features adaptations of all nine Star Wars episodes for the first time, but has it been worth the wait? The Skywalker Saga has been one of my most anticipated games for the past few years, so I was incredibly excited to receive it a day early and dive in. Unlike previous LEGO games, The Skywalker Saga allows players to begin with any trilogy they like – prequels, original, and sequels. As a big fan of the prequel era of Star Wars and their adaptation in the original LEGO Star Wars games, I couldn’t wait to dive into Episode I. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of heart for the game almost immediately. Similar to the Harry Potter games, The Skywalker Saga bridges its chapter levels (i.e., replayable levels) with in-hub story features. The idea is that you’ll be able to experience the whole story without the whole story being heavily designed levels. A good idea, right? Well, for The Phantom Menace this means there’s a lot of following senators about as they slowly walk from senate building to senate building. The levels themselves are weakly designed, with three out of the five chapters being vehicle missions. Though vehicle missions aren’t my favourite to begin with, these ones feel particularly dull, with the pod-racing being stripped down to a simple 3-lap circuit. The good news, however, is that all the other episodes are massive steps up! Episode III jumps from boss fight to boss fight, which highlights
the new fighting system. The Skywalker Saga has introduced a new combo system made up of light, heavy, and force attacks. This is a welcome addition to the series and makes the Jedi characters feel more fluid to play as. Like the rules of alchemy, however, this doesn’t come without an equal exchange. The dark side users have been severely downgraded, with attacks such as Force Lightning being integrated into the combo system. This means there’s free-running electrocution in the combat. The presentation of the worlds really is beautiful, bringing the most fully realised version of the Star Wars universe to gaming. I particularly like the snow and sand effects; the character models become increasingly dusted as you walk about. It’s a shame that most of the hub worlds feature repetitive NPCs and side quests, making the vastness of the hubs feel sparse and empty at times. Although TT Games has provided a “Mumble Mode” (available right from the get-go) to simulate the original LEGO Star Wars experience, I’d urge people to play through the game with the original voice acting on in the initial playthrough. The comedy and performances are LEGO Star Wars at its best, taking the mick out of the plots and providing slapstick along they way. You’ll find yourselves giggling throughout this nine-film saga! LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is far from a perfect game, but the sheer joy of exploring the universe with your favourite characters is too much to be burdened by its flaws. While I prefer the game design of the original games, Skywalker Saga has made enough improvements for me to hold it in similar esteem. Image: TT Games
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Monday 21st February 2022
Print: Peter Lennon | Online: Michael Duckworth, Haaris Qureshi & Joseph Caddick
Gaming 27 tones, pirate colonies, and treasures The furry Sonic the Hedgehog controller
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EGA and Microsoft recently announced that they would be collaborating to produce themed Xbox gear to promote the upcoming Sonic 2. In addition to the themed console, they also announced that their controllers would be growing their hair out. Is this a furst place controller, or should it hide away? Castor Chan - Sport sub-editor
Image: Naughty Dog
Sockventure review (Switch version) Joseph Caddick - Puzzles and Gaming sub-editor
Does this indie platformer need to iron out its wrinkles?
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latformers are often thought of as being easy games that you can complete without putting much thought into them. Therefore, it’s refreshing to see more challenging takes on the genre, and that’s exactly what Sockventure is. The premise of this game is ludicrous, and I love that. A kid’s socks get eaten by an evil washing machine, and it is up to a superhero to help save the day. It’s very reminiscent of the weird plots that would set up a lot of older games, like Kirby going on a quest to get his stolen cheesecake back. For a 2D indie game that doesn’t use pixel art, I really like the graphics. There could be more visual variety within each of the level themes, as they largely seem to be re-colours of one another, but everything looks nice enough. The only visual effect that I’m not a fan of is the comic book-like phrases that appear whenever you land on the ground; they clutter up the screen.
Towards the latter half of the game, some of the difficulty does feel a bit cheap
In terms of difficulty, there is a very satisfying learning curve to Sockventure. Completing each chapter unlocks a new ability, such as a double jump or a dash. The next chapter then puts this
new skill to the test, making sure you’ve mastered even the most intricate of movements before long. These challenges, especially earlier on, really help you get to grips with the new mechanics. Towards the latter half of the game, some of the difficulty does feel a bit cheap; spikes are placed on literally every part of the wall and ceiling. There’s very l itt l e breathing room, which can feel Image: Nighthouse Games
claustrophobic. There is also a slingshot mechanic which I don’t think gives you enough time to adjust your course, especially when being launched from one of these slingshots to another. Unfortunately, through either my ineptitude or a glitch of some kind, I was locked out at a certain
point; the stomp ability just wouldn’t work, so I couldn’t progress to the next (and I think final) chapter in my playthrough. I tried several different button combinations and pressing the stomp button for differing lengths of time, but nothing worked. That was disheartening. Gameplay feels smooth, with there being a nice weight to the character’s movement as you jump. It’s very easy to get a feel for the controls, especially because you’re slowly introduced to each new ability. I did notice some minor hit detection issues however, specifically with the sideways pillows (Sockventure’s equivalent to springs). I really found myself enjoying the music, particularly for the earlier levels. Later levels opt for a more atmospheric score, though I feel this works well due to the atmosphere and difficulty increase. Repetitive level themes, no matter how good, can be infuriating when you’re retrying a certain level or segment repeatedly. The sound design in general is good, though the pillow sound effect seems oddly familiar to the spring from Super Mario World. Another minor criticism I have is that the dialogue bubbles that appear when you collect each sock can be a little bit cringeworthy. It’s a minuscule part of the game, so it’s barely ever a problem. If you’re a fan of difficult platformers or feel like challenging yourself, I’d recommend Sockventure.
Sonic 2 x Microsoft: Fur-get about it When I first became aware of this monstrosity (it’s got fur, I’d say that’s apt?) all I could do was read in shock. They have been described to have “textured coatings reminiscent of the ‘bristly’ texture of hedgehogs in the wild,” and honestly, I’d rather pet an actual hedgehog. Displayed next to your similarly Sonicthemed (and much more palatable) console, they will certainly turn heads, but those heads will soon turn tail at the thought of actually using one. Sure, you’ll argue that “oh, it’s just cushioning for your hands as you play!", but I'll hedge my bets by saying that I'm not sure I'll fall in love with them until I touch one. Just imagine how hot and uncomfortable that plasticky-looking artificial fur will soon be, and how does one even go about cleaning it? I suppose people do say that there is no such thing as bad publicity, but this is a bold step. If I were to immerse myself into the Sonic experience, I think I’ll ‘Go fast’ away from these controllers and stick to the movie instead. Image: Xbox Wire
George Bell - Film sub-editor Sonic 2 x Microsoft: A beautiful creation To quote the one and only Queen B, “If you like it you should have put a ring on it” and it seems Microsoft took that mentality to the extreme, giving birth to something truly magnificent. The custom Xbox Series S to celebrate the release of 2023 Academy Award contender Sonic 2 may at first glance inspire thoughts of horror and disgust but you cannot deny how unique it is. From its ring adorned chassis to soft and distinctive controllers, there is truly no other console like it and a dream come true for any die-hard sonic fan, or anyone who can appreciate true art. Sure, the controllers’ fur may be a controversial choice, but you can bet that they’ll be very comfy to hold in those long gaming sessions, just avoid Wotsits at all costs. No need to worry about picking up a cold, clunky controller when you can be enjoying the sweet embrace of Knuckles. My only real complaint with these beautiful creations is that with Sonic and Knuckles being a hedgehog and echidna respectively, the controllers should have been covered in spiky quills rather than soft fur. An ergonomic disaster certainly, but true fans would have appreciated the commitment to the lore.
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Tom Wrath, Maja Mazur & Ruby Taylor
Arts 29 Heartstopper: what makes Alice Oseman's series of graphic novels so special?
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Jenica Davis he wait is over for fans of Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series Heartstopper with the recent release of its first season on Netflix. It’s been highly anticipated how this beloved webcomic would be transformed on screen, particularly as it has been adapted to screen by Alice Oseman herself.
their romance, which anchors the series, giving us a euphoric feeling of falling in love as we watch them fall in love. Despite it being such a charmingly positive portrayal of queer teenage romance, it’s not to say
that the series isn’t realistic. It’s a poignant depiction of the queer teenage experience from Charlie being forcibly outed and bullied by his classmates to Nick’s emotional discovery of his sexual identity. Meanwhile, at Harvey Greene Grammar School for Girls (‘Higgs’), we are introduced to the relationship between Tara and Darcy, lesbians who have been dating secretly but decide to go public. We also see the arc of a young trans woman, Elle, who has transferred to Higgs, struggling with feeling as though she doesn’t fit in and with her feelings towards her best friend, Tao. What I enjoyed most was watching the friendship blossom between these characters as a group: a group full of understanding and genuine happiness for one another. Encompassing all these different stories, it was heartwarming to see young queer couples comfortable expressing their love so openly and joyfully. It is a vital watch, not just for queer teenagers, but for all teenagers, with its insightful display of the queer experience at a young age. It’s even more refreshing to watch a series that have teenagers that not only look like teenagers but act like them. Not overly dramatised, Heartstopper embraces the awkwardness of adolescence in an authentic light. With this heartfelt series, whether experienced on page or screen, you are promised a sincere, uplifting journey – one where I can safely say that no one dies.
Its striking difference lies within its representation. The TV adaptation has already received overwhelming love from fans as well as new admirers of the series. With coming-of-age romance stories being churned out every year, what makes Heartstopper so unique? Its striking difference lies within its representation. This LGBTQ+ teen series unapologetically displays the kind of queer love that we’ve been craving for more than too long. It’s no secret that happy endings for queer characters are a rare gem to find with queer love stories usually being plagued with death and tragedy. However, this series breaks that curse which the media can’t let go of and shows that happy endings aren’t just reserved for heterosexual love. The story follows the characters of Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson who meet at the start of a new year at Truham Grammar School for Boys. We are taken through the evolution of
Image: Instagram @martisun
Review: Opolis at Alphabetti Theatre Ruby Taylor -Arts Sub-Editor look at the exciting and ambitious premiere of science fiction play, Opolis, written and directed by artistic director of Alphabetti Theatre, Ali Pritchard. I was really excited to see Opolis at Live Theatre. I have never seen a piece of theatre in the sci-fi genre, and my experience of Alphabetti’s work has included more contemporary pieces, so I couldn’t wait to see what would be done with this new territory, especially in the hands of the theatre’s own artistic director. The play follows two characters in the aftermath of a crisis left ambiguous that dramatically changes the world, in the technological landscape of Opolis. Julie, played by Christina Berriman Dawson, is from the precrisis generation, and wishes to escape this world where citizens are forced to exercise in exchange for shelter and currency, and the trade is in memories. Attempting to leave, she comes into contact with a younger character played by Kae Grayson who works for Opolis, and has very different views on the world they find themselves in. Opolis explored some really interesting ideas in a subtle, ambiguous way. For example, in touched on the inequality that comes with physical labour for those who are less able, and explored what it means to call an experience real or your own. Much of the play was just conversation between the
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two characters, but it felt tense and dramatic throughout, especially towards the end of the play when the unsettling twist is revealed. However, I think I may have had some misguided expectations for the show. The marketing for me hinted at TV like Black Mirror and films like Ex Machina, all coming from this movement of futuristic, doomstricken work about technology. I have found this really meaningful and interesting with how much technology plays a part in our modern lives, so I think I had very high expectations for the play. It touched on a lot of what I have seen before in similar work. However, although it wasn’t my cup of tea, I think it was a fantastic introduction to this genre, and it was so exciting to see relevant, new sci-fi theatre being produced, especially in a small independent venue. It was incredibly ambitious to produce a story like this in theatre, especially on a small stage. I loved how the space was used to create the foreboding atmosphere. I particularly loved how sound was used on a fairly minimal stage to build up the tension, designed by Wilf Stone, and the use of lighting to represent the technology. Although the play was not my favourite I’ve seen at Alphabetti, I was really glad to see such an interesting and thought-provoking piece of work. Seeing a story rooted in technology being performed in the: traditionally analogue world of theatre was something I would love to see more of, and I left feeling excited and refreshed about the kind of stories that could brought to life in our local theatres in Newcastle. Image: Instagram @alphabetti_theatre
What's for Tea? Daisy Harrison
As part of a series of projects to celebrate its anniversary year, BALTIC has launched a mobile art gallery, in collaboration with Travelling Gallery
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ALTIC and Travelling Gallery have converted a bus into a mobile exhibition space, which has been travelling around the North-East since February. The bus will conclude its journey during BALTIC’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend, by parking outside the gallery on Baltic Square, on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July 2022. The BALTIC was originally built by Rank Hovis in 1950 and operated as a working flour mill until 1984. The mobile exhibition is named ‘What’s for Tea?’, which refers to BALTIC’s building history before it opened in 2002 as a new contemporary arts centre. Its aim is to explore food production and consumption by travelling around communities, discussing what we eat, how much we eat, and how our eating habits could help combat the climate emergency. The mobile gallery hopes to kickstart these discussions by showcasing artist-led workshops, talks, an exhibition, walks, and
hospitality. The exhibition is particularly inspired by group work and togetherness, as artists, art collectors, community groups, and children, have all been encouraged to contribute to the works. The activities provided are suitable for all ages, and the exhibition is free, therefore the main intention of BALTIC and Travelling Gallery is to educate others and begin a friendly discussion surrounding how we approach food. Food production is responsible for a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and due to the rising population, production will need to increase by 70% in the next years. The exhibition, therefore, explores sustainable food production, which could include things such as using environmentally efficient food packaging, reducing food waste, and eating more plant-based foods. Thus, through a series of methods, including film, sculptures, print, and digital, the work displayed throughout the exhibition explores initiatives for sustainable food production and consumption. The bus will be making its way around areas of the North East until the middle of June, so keep a lookout for it, or head down to the Quayside during BALTIC’s anniversary weekend!
Image: Twitte
r @baltic
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Castor Chan, Katie Siddall, Ethan Todd, Lucy Rimmer & Mitchell Hall
Sport
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England announce Ben Real Madrid CF Stokes as new test captain triumphant in Tom Barlow
Joe Root resigned as captain last month after leading England through some of its hardest times
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Stokes’ former role as vice-captain for England and his heroics against Australia in the Ashes and New Zealand in the World Cup final have painted him the perfect man for the role. Fingers crossed that the added pressure of captaincy doesn’t affect his performance with the bat or ball, as ‘Project Restart’ continues for English Test Cricket.
Manchester Utd captain Harry Maguire receives bomb threat Peter Lennon - Gaming sub-editor
The Manchester United defender received a bomb threat after harsh criticism regarding recent performances
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arry Maguire, defender and captain of Manchester United, reportedly received a bomb threat on Wednesday, 20th April. Cheshire Police were called to the reports at Maguire’s home and conducted a sweep of the house, with a police explosives dog conducting a search of the garden and grounds the following day. The 29-year old Maguire, who lives with his fiancé, Fern Hawkins, and two young children, received this threat ahead of criticism for his performance as Manchester United captain; the football team had sustained a 4-0 defeat by Liverpool on the Tuesday before the report. Maguire joined Manchester United in 2019 for £80 million and was appointed captain six months after signing. No bomb has been found on the premises and no evacuations had to be made at the Maguire household. Though information on the threat was initially scarce, it was revealed that the threat had been sent via email to Maguire’s agent by a ‘cowardly fan’. The email threatened to detonate three bombs in Maguire household if the Manchester United captain did not leave the team within 72 hours. Following the search and according to The Sun, Maguire has been staying with a teammate since the events on
Thursday, while his fiancé and children have been taken to a safe house.
the threat had been sent via email to Maguire’s agent by a ‘cowardly fan’.
Maguire was subsequently benched at the Premier League match against Arsenal in the opening XI, with Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof starting instead. Commenting on his decision to bench Maguire, Ralf Rangnick admitted that the decision was made in two parts: (1) the ordeal that Maguire had faced earlier that week and (2) his so-far poor performance as captain, despite his success in the Euros. Multiple online petitions have been started to either remove Maguire from captaincy or from the team entirely; the captaincy petition has reached close to 5 0 , 0 0 0 signatures. As of n o w, Maguire
Image: Soccer24
Man City clash Mitchell Hall - Sports sub-editor
The Spanish giants secured their place in the Champions League final in spectacular fashion
Image: Twiiter @benstokes38
he new managing director of men’s cricket for England, Rob Key, made the decision that allrounder Ben Stokes would succeed Joe Root as captain of the men’s test team. Joe Root stood down as captain on the 15th of April, following a 1-0 series defeat to the West Indies at the beginning of 'Project Restart.' With roles left void and our two most decorated bowlers left out, many felt that anything but a series win in the Caribbean would result in Root stepping down from his position. Root retains multiple records as England captain with the most games and wins leading the side. However, those 27 wins are clouded by 26 losses under his tenor too. 5,295 runs as captain with an average of around 47 runs per innings saw the Yorkshireman flourish on his own accord under the captaincy. Form like this was written in the stars when he scored 190 runs on his
debut under the role. Individually, 2021 was one of Root’s best as he scored 1708 runs, with a gap of over 800 runs to Rohit Sharma in second place. Unfortunately though, these runs were often lonesome in comparison to the other ten players floating around the England team and this resulted in only four wins, which all shockingly came in Asia. The time had come for Root to depart and everyone has faith in the man from Sheffield to hunt down Sir Alistair Cook’s test record of the most runs for England. Subsequently, Ben Stokes' appointment as test match captain on the 28th of April was by no means a shock. With Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson ageing and no other real mainstays in the test team with substantial experience at the international level, Stokes was the only option for Rob Key and England, even if some people flirted with the prospect of Key picking his Kent golden boy, Zak Crawley, for the job. Stokes was needed in 2020 in Southampton to fulfil duties as captain for a single test against the West Indies, but this sadly ended in a loss with people quietly happy with his performance as captain.
reportedly has no intention of leaving the team and has been seen attending training at the Carrington complex.
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eal Madrid came back at the last minute to dash Manchester City’s Champions League hopes. The two legs of the competition’s semi final produced one of the most exhilarating match ups in recent memory, with both games sure to live long in the minds of fans and neutrals alike. City took a statement lead at home within the first two minutes through Kevin De Bruyne, heading home off of a Mahrez cross. They didn’t let the pace dip as they extended their lead to two from a finish from Gabriel Jesus, the in-form Brazilian becoming a key figure in the heart of City’s attack. It looked at the time like the match could become a thrashing in favour of City, until habitual hero Benzema showed his class with a clinical finish from the edge of the box to drag them back into the game.It seemed like Madrid would need divine inspiration to gain momentum in the tie, and it arrived as Vinicius Jr dummied a ball along the line, taking the defending Fernandinho out of the game and leaving him in the dust. Nobody could catch him once he was away, and his half-pitch run was rewarded with the ball nestling into the right side of the net. Not to be outdone, Bernardo Silva produced his own form of magic with a gorgeous strike into the top left corner after some very aware refereeing from Istvan Kovacs to play advantage, as Zinchenko had been taken out on the edge of the box seconds before goal.
To put a bow on an a l r e a d y spectacular first leg, the referee gave Madrid a penalty for an Aymeric Laporte handball, a penalty which Benzema dispatched with audacious style, his chipped panenka drifting into the top of the net. Ederson had made a guess and dived to his left, clearing the way for the effort and putting Madrid within one goal going into the second leg. The game at the Santiago Bernabeu, whilst not having quite as many goals, would prove to be no Image: Twitter @goal
less dramatic. A cagey and frantic first half saw both teams create strong chances, but City seemed to be marginally on top throughout, and would break the deadlock in the 72nd minute, Silva laying off Mahrez for a powerful shot into the top right corner. City had a two-goal lead and seemed certain to progress as the minutes ticked into the late 80 with no reply from the home side. The stadium, filled with tension and home fans clinging onto the last shreds of their Champions League hopes, pulsated alongside every beat of the game, like a single organism powered by the heart at the centre. The system received a shot of adrenaline then and Rodrygo finished from close range to bring Madrid back within one heading into injury time of six minutes. The game and the ground were alive and well again as Carvajal whipped in a sublime cross, which Rodrygo rose highest to meet and guide into the net to equalise in the 91st minute. The stadium naturally erupted, the game was set for extra time, and it was anyone’s opportunity now. The only let down of the entire event would be the manner in which the winner was scored, the only goal in extra time coming off the back of a tight penalty call after Dias brought down Benzema in the box. There was no cute trickery this time from the Frenchman, who buried his shot confidently in the bottom right corner after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. The game, as with the rest of Madrid’s captivating cup run, will surely go down in the history of great Champions league matchups, and sets up the final of Real Madrid vs Liverpool, a matchup with recent history in the competition, and all the bad blood that comes with it.
Sub-editors: Castor Chan, Katie Siddall, Ethan Todd, Lucy Rimmer & Mitchell Hall
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sport
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Manchester City issue apology following chants during Hillsborough silence Paige Rutter
A moment of silence planned in tribute to those who lost their lives was unfortunately cut short
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iverpool FC and Manchester City graced Wembley during the semi-final of the FA cup on the 16th of April, a day after the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. To honour the 97 lost, there was a planned moment of silence before the match to commemorate the anniversary. No doubt tensions were running high between both sides, as both teams were within reach of achieving the final. As a round of applause rang out around the stadium, fans soon fell silent as a mark of respect and remembrance. This silence was eventually broken by some Manchester City fans who decided to start chanting during this moment.
The chants were quickly followed by a roaring number of boos from the Liverpool fans, voicing how they felt by the situation. This led referee Michael Oliver to make the quick decision to cut the remembrance short due to the reaction around Wembley.
...fans soon fell silent as a mark of respect and remembrance.
''It doesn’t represent who we are and what we want to be'' to do with City and, of course, we accept their apology.” City manager Pep
Guardiola echoed the club statement by emphasising “It doesn’t represent who we are and what we want to be”. This event did not disrupt the performance of Liverpool, with a brace from Sadio Mané and a superb header from Konaté putting Liverpool three in front at half-time.
Both clubs had their say on the events which unfolded before this match, with Manchester City issuing an apology to Liverpool. “Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minutes silence before today’s game. The Club sincerely apologises to all those connected with Liverpool Football Club.” Following this both managers added their thoughts with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp stating “It felt very wrong in that moment. But this has nothing
City responded in the second half with goals from Jack Grealish and Bernado Silva but failed to do enough to secure a place in the final. Finishing 3-2, Liverpool are within touching distance of lifting another trophy at Wembley as they face Chelsea on the 14th of May.
Image: Twitter (@fcsm_eng)
ABB-solutely Electrifying: Our first Formula E experience at the Monaco E-Prix Castor Chan -Sports sub-editor Katie Siddall -Sports sub-editor
A report back from a visit to Monaco's recent Formula-E race
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hilst on our ventures to Nice, we took a day to visit Monaco to watch the Monaco E-Prix - the only reason we went on holiday in the first place! As we walked into the seating area of the circuit, we were amazed at how short the queues were (maybe because we were a little late!). The atmosphere around us was booming and you could hear the pundits everywhere. Even those outside of the circuit would be able to hear the pundits - which we did whilst we ate our lunch.
Of course, there was a large screen for us to also see the rest of the race. The crowd was simply electric! (pun intended) In terms of the race itself, the fight for the lead
The atmosphere around us was booming On the way to our seats, we emerged on the grandstand and were delighted to know we chose some of the best seats there. In front of us were the pits where we could see the cars coming in when they retired, we could see into the garages, we could see everything. To our right was a corner where the cars came round past the marina and then a straight straight in front of us. (it'll make sense when you read that last bit again!) On the corner, we could also see the boats which were docked for the race, sitting tranquilly unlike the occupiers who were excited just like the rest of us.
was quite the one to watch. Favourites going into the Monaco E-Prix were Frenchman JeanEric Vergne (championship leader and French favourite for obvious reasons), Australian Mitch Evans as the only multipletime winner this season, and the Dutch
Robin Frijns as the second-placed driver in the driver's standings. Although much more familiar with sister series Formula 1, Katie and I were not any less excited to watch our first Formula E race in-person. While overtakes weren't pulled off at the corner we were sat at, it was cool to see them come from the last Swimming Pool chicane past us on their way to La Rascasse. Our position across the pit lane also made it convenient to watch all the cars that suffered power losses and retirements pull in. Evans held the lead for Jaguar for the first fifteen minutes, then started coming under threat from Pascal We h r l e i n . During the race,
numerous drivers made use of attack mode - placed off the racing line at Turn 4 going into Casino Square - to challenge for the lead, and Vergne was one of the first to take it. Then while Evans and Wehrlein went off the line to take attack mode, Vergne took the lead, with the Aussie dropping down
During the race, numerous drivers made use of attack mode the table. Wehrlein quickly took back first, but ended up having to retire with power problems, leaving Vergne in clear air. An ambitious lunge from Brit Oliver Rowland meant both he and Porsche's Andre Lotterer were left in the wall at Sainte Devote to add to the safety car time addition. After all of the chaos, it was Mercedes EQ's Stoffel Vandoorne who claimed first place followed by Evans and Vergne. The two of us stuck around after the race to watch the podiums on the big screen. We also stayed for the national anthems - granted we didn't know any! Because we were so excited to be there, we just didn't want to leave. On our way out, we looked at the docks where all the boats were and snapped a few photos while the sun slowly sank lower into the sky. It was a great ending to a great race and day. To read about our extended holiday journey around Nice and Monaco, check out the Travel section both online and on page 21! Image: Twitter (@svandoorne)
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Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Castor Chan, Katie Siddall, Ethan Todd, Lucy Rimmer & Mitchell Hall
Sport
Sean Dyche: Gone but not forgotten Izzy Ellis - NSR Station Manager
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ove him or hate him, there’s no denying Sean Dyche has rocked the stands of Turf Moor for the better. Being the longest-serving manager in the Premier League before his departure, he definitely dragged Burnley from the dirt up to being a solid staple in the league. Many doting fans ran to twitter on the morn of the sacking noting that this was the worst loss Good Friday has ever seen – was and to be honest, at the time I agreed. It came somewhat out of the blue, even after a tsunami of losses. As fans, we could pinpoint that he was the weak link of the team, but we never
This was the worst loss Good Friday has ever seen
expected after just one year of iffy games for him to be slung in the back alley never to been seen on the Turf Moor grounds again. This brutal sacking sent shockwaves not only through the fans, but also through other premier league teams as not only was Sean off, but his whole training squad too. Although he has been gone just
This brutal sacking sent shockwaves through fans and other Premier League clubs
over two weeks now, he is certainly not forgotten. His legacy will live on for generations to come as the teams local, The Royal Dyche, has no plans of changing the infamous pub name anytime soon. But now, we flashforward to today.
VARSITY RESULTS
On the other side of three wins for Burnley (I know, I can’t quite believe it either!) and with Ben Mee as the stand-in manager, it’s hard to see Dyche wasn’t the problem. His time at Burnley evidently became stagnant, with the team only winning 4 out of 31 games in the 21/22 season while he was in charge. I think its fair to say we are sad to see ol’ Dychey leave Turf in such a cut-throat way, but we will always be grateful that he was there to see the team rise from the ashes over the past 10 years under his control. With Burney currently placed 16th, the Great Escape is now and truly on for the Clarets to stay another year in the Premier League, and I for one have great faith that they will achieve another Premier League win in the near future.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL NCL 16 - 6 NOR
ATHLETICS & XC
NCL 4.75 - 12.25 NOR
BADMINTON
M1: NCL 7-1 NOR W1: NCL 8-0 NOR
BASKETBALL Image: Twitter (@ BurnleyOfficial)
The British major championship will be banning all Russian and Belarusian players from the June tournament
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aniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Victoria Azarenka will all be declined entry from Wimbledon 2022, whilst the unvaccinated world number one Novak Djokovic will be allowed to participate. Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with Belarus’ helping hand, Wimbledon has taken the sole decision to ban their players from participating at the tournament, in-line with
Image: Twitter (@GettySport)
worldwide sanctions. Rublev received plaudits for writing ‘no war please’ on a camera after his semi-final win in Dubai at the end of February, whilst Medvedev exclaimed he was ‘all for peace.’ Both of these players have thus denounced the war in Ukraine, which other Russian sportsmen, such as former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin, have struggled to
It's hard to witness the violent separation currently taking place. - Victoria Azarenka do. Former world number one and Belarusian, Azarenka, said the decision made 'no sense' to her. The ATP and WTA have denounced the ban, as they believe the decision to be ‘discriminatory,’ and lacking any substantial reasoning. Having the former world number one, now two, the current world number eight and the women’s world number 17 banned from one of the most prestigious s p or t i ng events in the
world is a strong statement against Russia and Belarus for their actions in Ukraine. Although the AELTC is playing its part in worldwide sanctions, is it fair to ban sportspeople denouncing a war that is not of their own doing? Aside from M e d v e d e v ’s current injury, Rublev and Azarenka are currently playing, with the Russian man beating Djokovic to win the Serbian Open recently and so the question begs as to whether Wimbledon are going too far against the grain in banning these players. Although being the current world
M2: NCL 90-75 NOR W2: NCL 51-66 NOR
CRICKET
M1: NCL 138/8 V NOR 139/5 M2: NCL 141/7 V NOR 146/8
DODGEBALL
M1: NCL 28-2 NOR
FOOTBALL
Wimbledon welcomes unvaccinated players, Russia and Belarus out Tom Barlow
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number one, Djokovic has struggled to find many countries that will allow him to enter with his unvaccinated status against Covid-19. On the occasion the six-time Wimbledon champion does get welcomed to a tournament, he is evidently lacking in match-practice, thus explaining his Round of 32 loss in the Monte Carlo Masters. The English government have removed all entry requirements to the UK regarding Covid-19 and so the decision to allow the world number one and current three year reigning champion makes perfect sense. Every competition in sport wants the best people playing and so the ban on some of the best players in the world will not have been easy for the AELTC, but the added boost of having Novak playing will certainly have people glued to their seats watching.
M1: NCL 0-5 NOR M2: NCL 3-4 NOR M3: NCL 1-1 NOR W1: NCL 2-4 NOR W2: NCL 5-0 NOR
FUTSAL
M1: NCL 2-4 NOR
HOCKEY
M1: NCL 2-2 NOR M2: NCL 2-0 NOR W1: NCL 8-0 NOR W2: NCL 4-2 NOR W3: NCL 5-1 NOR
LACROSSE
W1: NCL 36-2 NOR
NETBALL
W1: NCL 71-35 NOR W2: NCL 32-36 NOR W3: NCL 37-53 NOR W4: NCL 49-38 NOR
RUGBY UNION
M2: NCL 36-7 NOR M3: NCL 0-10 NOR
SQUASH
M1: NCL 3-2 NOR W1: NCL 5-1 NOR
TENNIS
M1: NCL 5-1 NOR W1: NCL 6-0 NOR
VOLLEYBALL
M1: NCL 1-3 NOR W1: NCL 0-3 NOR
Image: Jack Train
Image: Twitter (@BJNewsWorld)
THE
COURIER
Monday 9th May 2022
Sub-editors: Castor Chan, Katie Siddall, Ethan Todd, Lucy Rimmer & Mitchell Hall
Sport
Varsity victory for NCL Sport Image: Jack Train
V
arsity 2022 came back with a bang for Newcastle University as we took away the trophy for this year.
Arthur Ferridge
Rugby: Newcastle University RFC rolled to a comfortable 36-7 victory over archrivals Northumbria University at Cochrane Park on Tuesday night. The hosts were quick out of the gate, scoring two early tries through Ben Simpson and Dan Baines to take a 10-0 lead after ten minutes of play. Northumbria grew into the game, however, strengthening defensively and enjoying some short spells of possession. They flirted with the try line, piling on pressure in the Newcastle 22 and even knocking the ball on in the in-goal. They managed to get it over the line only a couple of minutes later, as center Freddy Clark scored a brilliant solo try, receiving the ball from the lineout and breaking a handful of tackles to put Northumbria’s first points on the board after 35 minutes of play. A straightforward conversion took the score to 10-7, but Northumbria’s joy was short lived as handbags came out shortly before the halfway mark, resulting in a yellow card for lock Tom Handy. The man advantage provided Newcastle the opportunity to put a handful of nails in
the Northumbria coffin, an opportunity which they grabbed with both hands, bagging a pair of tries on either side of the halftime break as Handy cooled off in the sin bin. From here, Newcastle ran away with the game, employing some creative kicking and strong running to put the game to bed, finishing with two tries from Travis Gideon and Harrison Stiles. “I think defensively we were a little bit light… and in attack we were just a little bit flat and didn’t move the ball into space enough,” effectively summing up a disappointing evening for the visitors.
Men’s Football: Northumbria University cruised to a decisive 5-0 victory over Newcastle at Cochrane Park on Wednesday night in the final event of an action-packed Varsity Week. The match was action packed from the off as Northumbria took the lead in the first minute of play, slotting a tidy finish under the keeper and setting the tone for what would prove to be a largely one-sided game. Newcastle responded well in the following minutes, employing some Sean Dyche-esque long ball football to create a handful of chances and win set pieces. However, these chances were squandered as they were denied by poor finishing and some comfortable saves from the Northumbria goalkeeper. Northumbria also had their fair share of missed chances, shooting wide from the six-yard box in the early stages and sending a free kick into lunar orbit in
the second half. That said, Northumbria played the more impressive football throughout, the midfielders linking well with the attack to drive forward, splitting the Newcastle defense and creating chances. After having a goal ruled out for offside at the half hour mark, Northumbria finally bagged their second with the last kick of the first half. The timing proved to be damning for Newcastle, who went into the halftime break with heads hung.
goal from Newcastle. Ella played a lovely ball into Amelia who took it around the defenders and the goalkeeper to make it 4-2. Newcastle had some more chances towards the end of the game, including a few crossbar hits, but the final score ended up 4-2. Newcastle gave Northumbria a brilliant game both to play and watch and should be immensely proud of themselves for their efforts.
Lucy Payne
The second team faced a difficult challenge against Northumbria’s 2s, who currently sit two leagues above them in BUCS. Lillie Raths had her shot well saved and Ellie Vayro was there to follow up, hitting the ball first time firmly into the bottom corner. Vayro then got her second soon after from a beautifully worked free-kick. Emma Saville put a great ball into the box from just in front of the halfway line and Vayro did well to header it past the keeper. Isla Romer-Lee was causing lots of problems on the left side and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Dana Sumait then did well to beat the defender and score our 3rd goal. The 4th goal was then scored by Lauren Waters, following up a saved shot. Later on in the game, Alice Jackson made it 5 with a well-struck shot. A great team performance to see NUWFC win 5-0. If you wish to read the articles in full, go online to thecourieronline.co.uk.
Women’s Football: The first team went into their varsity game as the underdogs, with Northumbria’s first-team sitting two leagues above in the Northern Premier. A mistake from Newcastle’s defence though meant that Northumbria had the opportunity to make it 1-0. Northumbria then went on to score two more goals in the first half, but Newcastle did well to keep the scoreline at that. Newcastle came out much stronger in the second half and had some great stints in possession. The girls had a good few attempts on target, but Northumbria’s goalkeeper managed to keep them at bay. Eventually, the ball fell to Elena who was waiting in a great position in the box to slot the ball home and bring one back for Newcastle! Northumbria did eventually score another, but it was met with a fantastic
Kate Hardy
INSIDE SPORT THIS WEEK
Sean Dyche
A look back at Burnley’s beloved and the longestserving manager in the Premier League Page 35
Electric racing
Our sub-editors Castor and Katie review their time trackside
Page 34
From the Varsity View Peter Bath - Head of Sport
N
ewcastle came out victorious in the revived interuniversity sports competition on 27th April, finishing with a total of 60.75 points to Northumbria’s 50.25. The hotly contested tournament played out in 33 sporting events across the city, from athletics to dodgeball and everything in between. Newcastle were defeated in their first three events earlier in the week, Athletics and two cricket matches, but pulled it back when the bulk of the action kicked off with a 36-7 rugby union win on Tuesday night. A busy Wednesday saw mixed results for Newcastle. Men’s football lost two and drew one, while 12 of Newcastle’s 60.75 points came from hockey, Newcastle’s teams winning all four matches. It was late in the day before a Newcastle victory was mathematically assured, but a 5-0 drubbing by Northumbria in the Men’s 1st team football finale couldn’t stop Team Newcastle walking away with the trophy. Fergus Mainland, Newcastle’s AU Officer, commented: “It was a brilliant couple of days of sport and great to see everyone out competing. It’s been a lot of hard work from both unis but I can’t wait to see it grow next year.” This was Newcastle’s first victory in the competition since 2013, after a three year hiatus and five consecutive Northumbria victories prior to that. Then Athletic Union Officer, Maggie Elstob told The Courier that consultations with clubs suggested little interest in the competition at the time, and “I’m not going to make students do something that they don’t want to do.” Elstob pointed out that the book wasn’t necessarily closed on Varsity if demand returned, continuing “It’s completely up to next year’s AU Officer and the year after’s what direction they want to take it.” While it ultimately proved to be the year after that, 2022 saw Varsity finally return, and with a welcome victory for Newcastle University. Hopefully success will breed enthusiasm for Varsity in the Newcastle student community, with many more competitions (and many more Newcastle wins) to come. If you wish to read this article in full, go online.
Hillsborough tribute Manchester City issue apologies following disruptions by fans
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