Venue 382

ARTS / BOOKS / FASHION / CREATIVE WRITING / MUSIC / GAMING / FILM / TV / VERA VENUE

382

VENUE

2

editorial

The nights are getting darker, the mornings are colder, and Halloween is around the corner: autumn is very much underway. For some, that will be a positive thing; a chance to wrap up warm, drink tea and read books. For others, it is a depressing symbol of summer being over and done with. To those people, we say “do not despair!” There is much to look forward to, happening in and around Norwich, to keep you busy through the autumn months, when you would rather be hibernating than in seminars.

The 14th-17th October saw this year’s WildPaths festival, an independent music festival in Norwich. The festival saw a culmination of indie artists take to the stage - artists such as Biig Piig and Billie Marten, among many others - and hone an atmosphere of collaborative performance, which has, of course, been so missed during the scope of the pandemic. The LCR has also been busy on Norwich’s music scene, inviting performers from Laura Marling on 17th October, and Kasabian, on the 24th October.

UEA’s own art gallery, the Sainsbury Centre of Avengers fame, has been hosting Grayson Perry’s ‘The Pre-Therapy Years’ exhibition, which is on campus until January next year, and Drag Race’s Bimini Bon Boulash visited UEA, to talk about their new book!

So, though winter is getting nearer, there is much to do in Norwich and beyond in the coming months! We hope this issue of Venue helps you to explore and stay up to date with all of these wonderful events in the arts world…

Stay safe, stay well, and enjoy Issue 382 of Venue!

Best wishes, Elizabeth, Molly and Hamilton

Photo: Samuel Baxter (from L to R, Deputy Editor Hamilton, Venue Editor Elizabeth and Deputy Editor Molly)

Section Editors: Arts - Jack Warren

Music - Tom manning

Books - Louise Collins

Gaming - Holly Jackson

Fashion - Zorsha Taylor-Suich

Film - Laura Patterson

Creative Writing - Izzy Murphy

TV - Ben Smith

Front Cover Photo by Anna-Maria Okhomina

contents Arts ................................................................... 4 Books ................................................................ 7 Fashion ............................................................. 10 Creative Wriiting ........................................... 14 Music ................................................................ 17 Gaming ............................................................. 20 Film .................................................................. 24 TV ..................................................................... 27 Vera Venue ..................................................... 31

3

4 Arts Outpost presents: Uninhabited- Eleanor Rodwell

By Jack Warren Lockdown changed the concept of

where to look. But also, these pieces

hold Eleanor’s figurative explorations

home radically for everybody. In some

were created in a very different world.

are not only an echo of the furnishings

ways it might never be the same. The

One where the eyes of the public and

which surrounded us during isolation.

relationships between our bodies, our

the walls of the gallery were distant.

They are also a demonstration that

lives, and each other were all shifted

We must wonder about the impact this

fabric is bodily in quality and like the

into another paradigm. Amid these

had on the creative process. This kind

mind and body, can distort, drape and

changes, Norwich-based artist Eleanor

of questioning is something which

crumple under abrasion and pressure.

Rodwell was working on her recent

Eleanor Rodwell specialises in as an

This sets the precedent for the ideas

project Uninhabited which featured in

artist.

explored in many of the pieces.

residence at Outpost Studios earlier this

Eleanor’s ability to communicate

The

most

striking

elements

of

the often-indescribable emotions and

Eleanor’s project are large tapestries

As with much of her work, Eleanor

bodily murmurs that we all experience

that bridge into sculpture, through both

focuses on the body and its often

has always been a touching theme

form and curation. One of the pieces

anxiety-generating mechanisms that

in her work. But the pressures of

was draped off the wall and across the

make us function and feel. With this

lockdown clearly stimulated something

floor, highlighting the difficulty Eleanor

project though, Eleanor brought the

more in this project: the abrasion and

must have had in deciding what form

impact of lockdown on the mind and

melding of the home and the body.

her work was going to take. Eleanor

body into a perspective that can only

These ideas are explored in a depth of

used charcoal and pastel on calico and

be viewed now that we are allowed out

feverish imagination, with lockdown as

silk fabric to communicate the human

again. I went to view Eleanor’s work on

the catalyst. We are once again asked to

body, and all its capability for feeling

the first night of opening in Gildengate

look at how being in isolation changed

physical emotion, into abstraction.

House, Anglia Square.

the way we perceive ourselves, our

As with the materials, the colours

There was something about this

emotions, and the spaces that we

and textures also crossed the boundary

exhibition that had an element of being

inhabit. Put simply, that is what this

between the body and the home. A

both public and private. In part because

exhibition is all about.

meld of blacks, browns, reds, and

month.

of the space itself; Gildengate House

As she points out through her

yellows evoke a sense of the body

can be difficult to find if you don’t know

work, in some ways the home is an

in an elemental way with no time

extension of the body,

for ostentation. Eleanor melds the

and the body in itself

literal fabrics of home with chalked

is a home. Lockdown

abstractions of the body, bringing

brought

whole

the two concepts together in friction.

into

Much like the domestic tension that

question. The calico

was bubbling under the surface of our

and silk fabrics that

lockdown lives did.

this

relationship

Photo: Eleanor Rodwell

25

Arts

Theatre’s intermission is over Photo: Wikimedia Commons

By Louise Collins I describe myself as a theatre kid without the talent that most theatre kids possess. I adore everything about a trip to the theatre, I nearly exclusively listen to show tunes, and I collect all my theatre trip programmes. If I had a lick of talent, I would have been the most unbearable kid growing up. Alas, I can’t hold a tune, nor can I dance on beat. So, I live vicariously through watching theatre productions.

Every birthday and Christmas, I would be gifted at least one trip to the theatre, whether to watch a ballet, a play or a musical. It became a tradition for me and my mam, it was exciting, and it was fun. There was nothing like the post-show buzz where we’d be swarming out of the foyer and into the street with awed grins on our faces.

But then, of course, Covid hit and shut down theatres across the country.

I’d been fortunate to have travelled to London a fortnight before the country shut down. I’d been to see Be More

Chill which had only recently opened on the West End. When we went, there were only a couple of cases in England, nothing to worry about. How wrong we were.

The

lockdown

happened,

and

everything was cancelled. My flatmate and I were booked to see Everybody’s

Talking About Jamie in June, and I’d had tickets for shows back in my home city. I was restricted to listening to the soundtracks or waiting for the

professional recordings of live shows

utter joy. I was buzzing afterwards, and

to be released. Obviously, it had to

I couldn’t stop thanking my mam for

happen. But for me, and many other

buying the tickets.

theatre lovers, it was a massive loss.

Two weeks later, I saw Six! at the

So, you can imagine how quick I

Norwich Theatre Royal. It was my first

was to book in when they started to

time in this theatre, and it was my first

open.

time seeing this show. And wow, what

On September 1st, I was gifted

a show. As with Heathers, I was moved

tickets to see Heathers on opening

to tears. At the end, the audience were

night for my 21st birthday. In a week’s

all up dancing and it genuinely felt

time, I was due to return to what

like coming home. It was clear to me

felt like my second home. I couldn’t

that everyone in that audience was

wait. As per our tradition, we made a

there because they had a genuine

night of it. We went out for food and

love for theatre, and they’d missed it

a few drinks before making our way

during the pandemic just as much as

to our local theatre. Everyone was

I had. It may not have been the full

wearing masks, but I could still hear

theatre experience – part of the stage

the excited chatter as we waited for the

was blocked by the person in front of

show to begin. And holy cow. What

me – but it brought back a sense of

a return. My experience of Heathers

comfort that was deeply missed during

was possibly one of the best audience

lockdown. I can’t wait to find myself in

experiences I’ve ever had. I’m not sure

more audiences this year, catching up

if that’s down to the sheer love of being

on all that was missed.

back that I felt, or if it was just one of

Afterall, there’s something about

those shows. But the emotions were

the arts that just makes you feel at

high, and I was close to crying with

home.

6

arts

Nothing Happens in a petrol station

By Jess Blissitt On opening night, I huddled into UEA’s

hell, the idea was innovative, and this

as it showed the exact date and time of

Drama Studio for Minatour’s first show

came across in every aspect of this

each scene; a crucial part as the play had

of their season. I was also particularly

performance.

a non-linear timeline which helped build

excited as it was my first piece of live

The cast was only made up of

tension in this gripping drama. Overall,

theatre I had seen since the pandemic.

seven actors, but each were faultless

the backstage crew created a supportive

The play entitled Nothing Happens In

and

fascinating

front for the actors with steady, precise

A Petrol Station performed for three

performance. Additionally, there was a

cues, as this allowed us to see exactly

nights at UEA’s Drama Studio. It was

nice sense of familiarity between them

what the writers envisioned.

entirely created by students, written

which truly added to this realism from

The actors were each incredible,

by last year’s graduates, performed

simply tiny nuances or how the actors

but I found the policeman (played by

by and directed by their successors. It

kept a steady pace around the stage,

Finn Lynch) particularly excellent. This

truly showed off every aspect of UEA’s

it never felt dull or passive. The actors

was because they made a character

creativity.

constantly used all the space around

so conceivably dislikeable and such a

The play surrounds a petrol station

them, and this movement made the

leering presence onstage, it was hard

which appears to be in the middle of

plot even more immediate. A huge

to believe he was anything other than

nowhere and follows seven different

congratulations to Ruby Belassie who

an immoral police officer that coerced

people

slowly

directed with such detail in such a

strangers into working in this petrol

intertwine. It brings all different ways

limited amount of time, as the cast

station. Indeed, his last scene with the

of life together, from a sex-worker to

and crew were only given a month to

sex worker had me enrapt by the abusive

a policeman. Each scene occurs in

rehearse.

relationship between the two characters

and

how

their

lives

brought

their

own

the twilight hour of 2am and when a

The costumes were created by each

that I was inescapable invested in. As

nervous robber accidentally kills the

of the actors themselves, which added

well as this, the Hitchhiker also stole

store manager, the policeman decides

another creative twist to this play, as

the show, as his light comic relief

she must replace her victim as store

it offered a sense of character but also

got a big laugh from the audience.

manager, to pay for the murder he just

an insight into how the actor viewed

From his constant nose sniffles to his

witnessed. A year later, another man

their role and what kind of person they

comedic timing, their huge charismatic

kills her with the same mistake and ends

were trying to portray. The scenery

presence set the standard high from the

up working there as well, in a cyclical

was basic but functional, showing the

beginning.

theme that manifests throughout, all

interior of the gas station and the bench

Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed the

coerced and crafted by the police officer

outside. Yet each of these items were

performance, and I thought the cast and

and his ill-fitting moral guide. The

used frequently by the cast, which truly

crew did incredibly well and I hope they

multiple points of view that entangle

brought the setting to life. The lighting

are proud of what they produced.

each character to be trapped in this

and sound were also smoothly executed

gas station like their own personal

throughout, particularly the projector

Editor: JAck Warren

7

BOOKS

UEA Live: Lauren Groff and her Queer Nuns

by Louise Collins

On October 7th, Lauren Groff kicked off UEA Live by discussing her latest novel Matrix, a finalist for the 2021 National Book Awards. Matrix is a historical fiction novel reimagining the 12th century poet Marie de France as a queer, visionary leader. Groff has a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction, four published novels, and two published short story collections.

Five years ago, Groff vowed to never again write historical fiction.

As evidenced by Matrix, she broke that vow. She was introduced to the works of her latest protagonist at university, where she was a dual English and French major. Marie de France was the first female poet published in the French language, and Groff immediately became entranced. Having carried Marie de France in her mind for 20 years, Groff went to a lecture at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Here, the speaker was talking about ceremonial manuscripts of 12th century nuns, and Groff was inspired, stating, “as I was sitting, I saw Matrix rise up and be-

come too big for me to ignore.”

In writing Matrix, Groff used a mixture of deep historical research and a lived experience by visiting an abbey. She learnt the life of modern nuns and lived through some of their routines. In more ways than one, Groff describes Matrix as a hybrid of history and contemporary life, saying “I wanted history and the current day to speak back and forth” as she wants the reader to understand they are reading history through a contemporary voice, including the way that Marie, in this novel, is a queer lover and a leader - a contemporary take on a fairly unknown historical figure.

Groff said, when writing Matrix, “I asked what does female power look like?” Marie is thrust into a position of power in an abbey and, throughout the book, learns what power is, and how to use it to resist hierarchical structures. Groff noted that part of Marie’s character was that she was aware of her privilege, and this awareness was vital to her story.

Matrix takes inspiration from both

the past and the present, discussing the topics of climate change, and women’s rights in the 12th century vs under the Trump presidency. Groff, living in Florida, felt powerless during his term, and this inspired a lot of what her protagonist felt. The characters and the histories helped Groff channel her own feelings of fear and powerlessness as a woman in America into this leading figure of Marie. In laying herself bare, Groff said something which really resonated with me - “as novelists, our job is not to answer anything. We go into books to ask the questions that come the closest to the darkest parts of where we are at the moment of writing the book.”

Knowing this, I can already tell Matrix is going to be an emotional read, and I for one, look forward to entering the world of Marie de France and her nuns.

Photo: Molly Taylor

8

books

An Interview with Samantha Shannon

By Louise Collinss

Samantha Shannon is a well-known fantasy and dystopian author. Whilst studying English Language and Literature at Oxford University, Shannon signed a book deal for a seven-book series known as The Bone Season.

Shannon is currently working on the fifth instalment of the series, and a project set in the world of The Priory of the Orange Tree. After being introduced to her works in the Spring of 2020, via Priory, and becoming enthralled in her series, I had the honour of interviewing her.

Q - I just wanted to say how much of a fan I am of you. Your writing has really inspired me, and your interaction with fans always blows my mind.

A -Thank you so much! I love chatting to readers.

Q - Do you have any advice for balancing writing with university? How did you manage writing The Bone Season whilst working and studying?

A - I started the first draft in Summer 2011, just before my second year at uni, and kept writing into the first term. If memory serves, I got my book deal around the start of second term, early in 2012. Time management was critical – I worked on my research and essays during the day and wrote in the evenings. I’d written as a hobby from the age of 12, so I was used to carving out time for writing during studying and homework.

I won’t pretend my academic and social lives didn’t take a hit – I skipped lectures (they weren’t compulsory for my degree) and going out with friends – but, luckily, it paid off. In hindsight, I wouldn’t recommend writing at the expense of academic opportunities.

You’re paying through the nose for your degree, you worked hard to get your place, and you have your whole life to work on a book.

“I want my readers to see themselves in the worlds I create and feel they have a place there.”

Q - Your books are always beauti- the summer and a hot chocolate with fully diverse, whether with queerness, biscuits in the winter. mental health, disability or race. Why is that important to you?

A - Real life is diverse, and I don’t see any reason not to reflect that in my books. I want my readers to see themselves in the worlds I create and feel they have a place there. I know how reassuring and inspiring I find it when I see people like me in the stories I love.

Q- You’ve often shared songs which tell your characters’ stories like how Danse Macabre reminds you of Jaxon. Do you base characters off songs, or find the link as you write?

A- Music inspires me in terms of atmosphere and scope, rather than storylines. I like music without lyrics – film scores, or the cinematic instrumental music in trailers. I sometimes connect characters with songs, as with Danse Macabre and Jaxon, but that’s generally a connection I make once the character has taken form.

With Arcturus, the deuteragonist of The Bone Season, I thought it would be interesting for him to communicate through an old gramophone, as he isn’t human and doesn’t always have his own words to express himself to the human protagonist, Paige.

Photo: Lisa Makepeace

Q - Do you have plans to step outside of the fantasy / dystopian genre, and if so, which genre?

A - Not for the foreseeable future, but I’ll probably delve into historical fiction at some point. I already thread historical detail into my books, but I want to take the full step and write Q - I know your fascination with et- books centred on women side-lined by ymology inspires many of your char- history. acter names. What else inspires your writing?

Q- Finally, what is your favourite A- Everything from history and genre to read, and what is your go-to mythology to geology and language. book recommendation I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the A- Fantasy is my favourite. My natural world – volcanoes, caves, hot favourite books which came out this springs, the Northern Lights – for a year are Black Water Sister by Zen book set in the same universe as Priory Cho (about a closeted lesbian who beand for the Bone Season books, I delve comes her dead grandmother’s medideep into real cities, like London and um), The Wolf and the Woodsman by Paris. I love drawing real details into a Ava Reid (a fantasy inspired by Jewish fantastical setting. mythology and Hungarian history, with a gorgeous slow-burn romance) Q - What’re your favourite writing and She Who Became the Sun by Sheland reading snacks and/or drinks? ley Parker-Chan (a queer reimagining A- Coffee is my go-to drink for of the rise of the founding emperor of writing and editing. I’m trying - and the Ming Dynasty). failing - to give it up and drink more water, as I suspect the caffeine doesn’t help my migraines, but coffee is still my fuel. I don’t snack much when I write, but when I do, it’s fruit. For reading, I’d take a cold Dr Pepper in

BOOKS

9

Bimini Bon Boulash at UEA Live by maja Anushka People of influence are well represented by the fans they have, and those waiting to see Bimini Bon Boulash are characterised by animal prints, colourful hair, and bold makeup.

Taking my seat, I settle into the excited buzz of the room. It doesn’t feel like we’re about to watch a book launch - the energy feels like an audience waiting for a performance. Considering Bimini’s career, a drag performer who started out in East London in 2017, this anticipation makes sense. Bimini broke through the mainstream media when they were cast in RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Season Two. KR Moorhead comes onstage and wastes no time before introducing the main event, and Bimini sets the tone for the evening by walking down the Lecture Theatre stairs in 10-inch heels as the entire room whoops and whistles.

I’m delighted when I see they’re donning the same outfit from the first episode of Drag Race - a feminised, high fashion version of Norwich City FC’s uniform.

Originally from Great Yarmouth, Bimini gushes about how good it feels to be back in Norwich, joking “Prince of Wales Road needs to come with a trigger warning.”

Bimini’s presence onstage is immediately comfortable, casual, and genuine. Moorhead quickly gets into the meat of the conversation, discussing being gender nonconforming and non-binary, and Bimini says they’ve always been intrigued by the idea of the ‘bimbo’. They explain they were influenced by certain versions of femininity they saw growing up, like Katie Price and Pamela Anderson. When speaking further about women in the media, Bimini, who studied Journalism, shows their extensive knowledge of broadcast culture. “The British media have a lot to be held accountable for,” they say, and of their own youth: “we saw female breakdowns as entertainment. Now we know what Britney has gone through - Free Britney, thank God.” Moorhead praises them on their transparency about errors in judgement, and Bimini replies that it’s important to them to promote honesty, kindness, and understanding. One of the main messages of the new book, Release the Beast, is “nobody’s perfect.”

“The best art comes from fucking up”

Photo: Maja Anushka When taking audience questions, one person asks how to approach gender identity conversations with unaccepting family members. At first, Bimini jokes, “go on a mainstream TV show, and give them no choice!”

However, then they note that it’s a very tricky topic.

They stress their belief that human beings “are open to hearing other people’s experiences,” but that this can lead to hostility if conversations are approached with aggression. Bimini advises the audience to “be open to the other person as well. Why do they feel like this? Why are they misinformed?” I ask Bimini what the hardest part of writing a book was, and they reply: “Writing it.” Bimini explains they initially found the process “very difficult” but got through it by taking it chapter by chapter, and with help from Shon Faye, who recently published her own debut, The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice.

Release the Beast tackles gender identity, self-expression, fashion, queerness, and mental health advice.

Bimini reads the introduction to the room and says that self-help books aren’t usually written for people like them - queer, non-binary, and working class - and describes their book as an ‘anti-self-help book’. Bimini finishes the extract with: “the best art comes from fucking up.”

EDITOR: Louise Collins

10

Fashion

The Changing Nature of Halloween Costumes

Photo: Unsplash

by sophie colley

The evenings get colder, the leaves turn brown, and the smell of Pumpkin Spiced lattes is in the air - autumn is officially here, meaning Halloween is right around the corner. With pubs and clubs reopening, 2021 offers an exciting opportunity to pick a costume or three to celebrate spooky season. However, with the huge amount of pop culture and media we are exposed to, alongside the nostalgic influences reignited during the lockdowns, it is not so easy to choose what to dress up as. Halloween has grown to be a massively celebrated time of year, invariably met with the impact of the changing nature of costumes.

It may seem that Halloween costumes inspired by popular culture are a modern trend - what friendship group has not attempted a Spice Girls tribute? However, it can be traced most notably from the 1950s onwards.

Everyone knows and loves the classic costumes. Ghosts, witches, cats are all great ideas (especially on a budget) and are timeless Halloween hits. But from the mid-twentieth century, popular culture began to influence the costumes people were choosing to wear, and the 1950s and 1960s were filled with Disney-themed costumes and members

of The Addams Family. As pop culture influences grew in America and the UK, the influence they had materialised in their Halloween costumes.

However, it is not called ‘Spooky Season’ for no reason. Trends continued to reflect the media in the 1970s when it became popular in America to wear presidential masks for Halloween costumes, Richard Nixon being a frequent choice. Recently, in 2016, this trend reoccurred alongside the Presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Politics has become a notable trend for Halloween costumes, and whether supporting or mocking politicians, this is a trend we can expect to see in the future.

Trends changed drastically in the late 1990s and early 2000s when stores began to produce ‘sexy’ alternatives to Halloween costumes and professionbased uniforms, which remain popular to this day. This trend reflects the changing attitude towards fashion and empowerment in the early 2000s. Since the mid-twentieth century, Halloween has developed into an event not just for children but for adults too, with the variety of costumes expanding significantly over the years.

Whether it is television shows, blockbuster movies, or politics, the nature of Halloween costumes constantly changes to reflect the popular culture of its time. In that case, what do we predict for this year? With Squid Game and Bridgerton taking the world by storm, we can expect to see some creative costumes based on these highgrossing Netflix shows. Equally, with James Bond, Cruella de Vil, and Black Widow resurfacing in the film industry, these characters are likely to inspire viewers.

However, will our experiences during lockdown impact our decisions?

Many hours in lockdown spent reading or watching films meant that nostalgia was incredibly prevalent, with older pop culture resurfacing. This year, we could see a rise in people dressing up as previous fictional characters as well as new ones. Book sales grew to £6.4 billion last year. Could we expect to see an abundance of Gatsbys and Tintins in 2021?

Regardless of whether a costume is old, new, political, nostalgic, or traditional, Halloween is the perfect time to dress up as something you love, feel passionate about, or simply feel good in.

Fashion

11

Fashion Companies to Limit Overall Clothing Production By holly jackson Are consumers buying too many clothes?

We all know that buying from huge fast-fashion companies has a detrimental impact on the environment. The fastfashion industry has experienced rapid growth in the last few years, especially during the pandemic, due to the increased popularisation of online shopping which churns out hundreds of new designs every day, certainly raising the question of sustainability, and in many cases, how ethical the production of cheap clothing is.

In this age, trends are short-lived, yet the demand for each brand’s latest outfits is still high. A contributing factor to this arguably comes from social media stars, flaunting the most recent designs and dictating many people’s outfit choices.

Lots of items have become extremely sought-after due to the hype social media creates for them, leading to more consumption.

Responding to the environmental consequences of the fashion industry, Caroline Rush - the organiser of London Fashion Week and the Chief Executive of The British Fashion Council - has urged fashion giants that they need to sell less clothing in order to reduce the environmental footprint. As it stands, the fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global emissions.

Production has a devastating impact on various aspects of our environment, ranging from microplastic pollution, loss of ecosystems and biodiversity, to wasting large quantities of water.

Rush encourages consumers, “to think about repairing, to think about extending [your cloth] life, and not putting it in landfill at the end of the day”. There are certainly many ways to prolong the life cycle of your clothes, whether it be through upcycling, reselling, or donating to charity, and we as consumers should be mindful of this next time we go to throw something away. Luckily, online platforms such as Depop and Vinted make selling secondhand clothes easier than ever, helping you clear out your wardrobe and make a little extra cash, whilst keeping items out

of landfill sites.

Rush also warns fashion giants that “we are at a point in the fashion industry when we are going to have to go through quite a significant transformation and systemic change”. She acknowledged that such drastic changes may not be suited to all fashion brands, who might find it difficult to adapt.

The British Fashion Council has also devised a blueprint designed to target the negative environmental impact of the industry: The Circular Fashion EcoSystem Report. It lays out a solution to developing a circular fashion economy by halving the amount of new clothing items, increasing the reuse of materials and clothing, and refining the methods through which textiles are sorted. This in turn would lead to an increase of jobs available in the fashion sector. The report also addresses the phenomenal amount of wastage being produced in the UK, and that change is necessary to resolve this.

In the meantime, as we wait for these plans to come into effect, it may be worth evaluating how we as consumers can act more sustainably.

“[...] think about repairing, to think about extending [your clothing’s] life, and not putting it in landfill at the end of the day.”

Photo: Unsplash

12

Fashion

Highlights from 2021 Paris Fashion Week by sienna norris This season’s Paris Fashion Week took place from 27th September until 5th October, and it was another memorable nine days amidst a pandemic. The event first started in 1973 and typically takes place twice a year in the fashion capital of the world. Paris Fashion Week is one of the biggest and well-known fashion events of the year, ahead of Milan and London, sporting a variety of looks year by year.

For this year’s runway looks, there were a lot of Parisian inspirations.

Understandably, these styles were romantic, effortlessly chic, and simple yet captivating. The designers that drew the most inspiration from Paris are the ones that seem to have knocked it out of the park this year.

Prada’s counterpart, Miu Miu, was one of the several designers that took

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

the week by storm. Their campaign was Apres-Ski, themed for the colder months ahead, as well as having a tribute to Y2K fashion. The celebrities sporting the Miu Miu brand were some of the most favourited looks from this year, with the most notable Miu Miu looks coming from Halle Bailey, Lucy Hale, Katherine Langford, and many more.

On the contrary, Thierry Mugler, the king of camp fashion, went in another direction. Cardi B’s red feather dress designed by Mugler was a complete showstopper. Other popular looks of the week came from Valentino, in which one runway took place on the streets, Givenchy, with one look sparking criticism over a noose-like necklace, Saint Laurent, and last but not least, Chanel.

Balenciaga ignited the most conversations at this year’s Paris Fashion Week, with The Simpsons making their runway debut. A short episode of the show played in front of an audience, the characters modelled Balenciaga couture, perhaps an imitation of Kim Kardashian’s dramatic Balenciaga looks from the last couple of months.

When talking about any Fashion event, it is hard to ignore the controversy that takes place. This year, a climate protestor on the runway during a Louis Vuitton show interrupted with a banner saying “overconsumption = extinction”.

Despite this, the show went on.

However, some designers, particularly Stella McCartney and Chloé turned to sustainable fashion for their designs, proving that big names can play a vast part in changing the climate crisis by going eco-friendly.

Overall, Paris Fashion week upheld its iconic status as the dominating annual fashion event with a wide variety of styles, outlooks, and inspirations.

EditOR: Zorsha Taylor Suich

14

creative writing

A Wife of Bluebeard

By Bella Hatch You tell yourself you love The prince who dashes in Who storms the castle And slays the dragon And takes away a part of you in doing so.

You tell yourself you’ll learn to love Bluebeard If it means you can avoid the chopping block.

You insist you like the inferno, The desire is the fire and it burns beautifully But it leaves nothing But ashes and soot And a bad taste in your mouth.

(You thought he’d slayed the dragon But he’s only taken its place.)

There are moments when You can convince yourself you love him; When he’s away in sleep, Lost to you somewhere you Never wanted to follow; When you squint He can look perfect (But squinting gets so tiring.)

Photo: Unsplash

You rewrite the story as many times As your mind will let you; Reiteration after cold reiteration Until the lines between hero And villain Blur on the page And in your head So you’ll just ask him to kiss the burns on your fingers And run them through his hair.

He won’t love you In any way you understand (Or any way that really matters) And you’ll love him More than he’ll ever ask to be (Or he’ll ever deserve) And you’ll wonder if maybe The wives before you were the lucky ones.

creative writing

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Who Needs A Prince

By Louise Collins

Photo:Unsplash

I am not your typical fairy tale figure. My name is Princess Helena, but most people call me Princess Charming. I think they’re trying to be funny because no-one would ever refer to me seriously as ‘charming’. I’m no dignified princess, I’d rather be riding my horse at full speed through the forest than sitting having tea, like I’m supposed to.

I’m meant to be greeting royal guests for my family’s ball right now, but I truly couldn’t think of anything worse. Don’t get me wrong, I love a ball. The music, the dancing, the outfits and the food are all stunning, but I despise making small talk with a bunch of princesses trying to win my friendship, and princes trying to win my hand in marriage. Who needs a prince? I don’t see why I must marry in order to rule. And I won’t even get to rule if I do marry! Fancy that! I’m the heir to the throne but it’ll be my husband who rules. How is that fair?

I love my kingdom, I really do. I could really make a change if only I was given the chance. My parents don’t take me seriously because I’m not as soft spoken as I ought to be. But I don’t see why I should be – princes get to shout and scream as much as they like. I don’t need any of these princes here lording it over me. They can shove off as far as I’m concerned, there’s no way I’ll be marrying any of them.

------The party is in full swing and I’m running away from everyone who wants to use my status for their own good. Everyone on the dance floor looks stunning, I can see their smiles from across the room. My attention suddenly goes to the doors, towards which everyone is slowly turning. I feel myself step out from behind the pillar to get a better look, and the breath leaves my body. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen steps into the room in a blue ballgown. Her golden hair is pulled up, showing off all her stunning features. I feel myself walk towards her before I can stop myself. In mere moments, I’m directly in front of her, holding out my hand. She looks up at me, confusion on her face, but takes my hand nonetheless.

“Would you like to dance?” I ask her, paying no heed to the whispers around me.

“Is it... is it proper?” She asks, under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear.

“Probably not, but that’s never stopped me before. It’s okay if you don’t want to.” She scrutinises my face for a second, then something clears on her own.

“I’d love to.” She sinks into a small curtsey, and I can’t keep the smile from my face as I lead her to the dance floor. Who needs a prince, when you can have a princess?

------A year later, we’re in the same room, standing in front of a crowd full of people. Ella looks striking in her wedding gown, her beauty only emphasised by her happiness. Some people were against our marriage, but, at the end of the day, I’m the heir of this kingdom, and why shouldn’t we love whoever we wish? After the ball, the princes went back to their own palaces and started looking for wives elsewhere. They could tell I wasn’t interested, that I was enamoured with someone else. Ella stole my heart that night.

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creative writing

La Diablesse: monster of men

By Mariam Jallow “Who don’t hear does feel,” a phrase drilled into Nita all her life. First as a stark warning by her parents, whose household rules she’d discarded in favour of rebellion, of putting distance between the versions of herself she wanted to be, and was expected to be. Again by her teachers, who expressed a never-ending frustration with the way she spoke, admonished for not speaking Queen’s English in a Caribbean classroom.

Now in her twenties, Nita found herself repeating the words to the man in front of her, echoing what should have been a warning, now with the conviction of a threat. Tomas had pursued her endlessly, throughout upper-secondary, to appearances at her Nene’s market stall, and most recently, to the dimly lit roadside leading up to her grandmother’s house.

His attempts at, what the church aunties referred to as “courting”, escalated with every rejection and culminated into where she was now- irritated at his “insistence on getting her home safely”. As if she could ever feel safe beside a serial harasser emboldened by his culture and her vulnerable setting.

As she quickened her pace, ignoring his pleas for her to slow down, Nita registered the sound of her footsteps, Tomas’ rapid breaths, and an abnormal clacking. Like a wooden pencil periodically hitting a table, the sound was clean and echoed with a repeated pace. Turning her gaze behind her, the form of what should have been Tomas, was blocked by a woman.

This would become the first time Nita met La Diablesse*. Dressed in a traditional skirt, the white and red fabric pulled around her waist, and flowed down to the dirt road, swaying with the gentle wind.

Nita’s eyes did not stray once, despite the strange and sudden appearance of the woman, and the glimpse of her hooved left foot peeking from beneath the yoke. A scorned woman turned she-devil, hunting the village men for revenge, or catharsis - no one knew. Despite the childhood stories shared by her Nene, between scared children and storybooks, Nita stared on at La Diablesse, the devil woman, as she removed her wide-brimmed hat and spoke to Tomas. She stared as he walked away, not in the direction of his mother’s house, but a path Nita knew ended at the river’s mouth. She continued staring even as Diablesse approached her, a face shown of both great beauty and horror.

Move, she thought, pretend you can’t see her. Or that she can’t see you. Cry. Scream. Run. Don’t just look.

Still, she could not turn her gaze.

La Diablesse smiles at her, before leaving. A clacking, a breeze, and then nothing. Nita ended the night as she started it, alone, walking home.

In her bed, ignoring her Nene’s complaints of coming home too late, and how “who don’t hear will feel”, she stared at the ceiling light, long enough for the orange-hued rays to resemble the burning coals of La Diablesse’s eyes. She turned to face the bedroom wall, but the worn white paint became the fabric of a flowing skirt. The darkness granted by closed eyelids was only a shade darker than La Diablesse’s hair. ww A month later at Tomas’ funeral, the closing of his casket like a clacking hoof on a dirt road, she cried. As the wind carried the wails of his mother’s grief, the biting sorrow echoed Nita’s own, she realised.

On that night, before she was scared, she was confused, and before she was confused, she was enamoured. La Diablesse’s smile left her as Tomas left his kin- hollow, lonely, and feeling.

-----*La Diablesse, also known as Cow-foot woman or Lajabless is a character from Caribbean folklore who lures men to their deaths.

EDITOR: Izzy murphy

17 Music Something Else: Wet Leg/Inhaler at the Waterfront

by Tristan pollitt appealing in the first place, feels fresh and exciting. There isn’t a silent corner of the venue.

Wet Leg has gone off stage. The crowd has quietened down, though still alive. On an ordinary night this would be the end of the evening. But it’s far from being all over. In the next few minutes, the atmosphere in the room comes to stand still. Lights change colour, the stage darkens – then crashing drum beat guitar rift hard bass smooth indie rock vocals. Inhaler have arrived.

And It Won’t Always Be Like This picks up from where Wet Leg left. They enthral the audience with their most popular song, evoking a time in the 1990s and early 2000s where British indie rock was the place to be. In approximately four minutes Elijah Hewson, Robert Keating, Josh Jenkinson, and Ryan McMahon revive the hard-edge spirit that was lacking in a lot of British music during the past decade.

Not for a single minute do Inhaler ever lose a sense pace. Their whole performance wizzes by, playing hit after hit after hit. By the time they play Slide

Out The Window front man Elijah had fully embraced the aesthetic and role of a rock star. He jumps off the stage and lunges into the crowd, they’re hanging off every word as their performance reaches its thrilling climax. By the time the shows over and Inhaler have quickly ditched off the stage, there isn’t a single person who wasn’t shook to the core.

As I sat on the steps outside of the Waterfront at 10:30pm, a few minutes after Inhaler had finished their set, I wrote this piece as a series of short bursts and scribbled notes. Since then, I haven’t been able to shake that night from my head.

Seeing either one live would be a treat. Seeing both on the same night was something else.

Photo: Tristan Pollitt

You suspect most of the big British bands had their start in places like this.

With the space too tight to fit this many people, where the lights – blue then purple – hang heavy in the air and mix with the smoke haze coating the room.

In a seven-song set, singersongwriters Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, collectively known as Wet Leg, carry the audience through a post-punk soundscape, punctuated by clever innuendos. The first two songs go down well, holding attention with a steady tempo and lyrical precision. The audience applaud and shout.

Afterwards you head to the bar to grab a drink whilst the duo retunes guitars and get us ready. From the first few notes of Wet Dream and then Chaise Longue you’re snapped from a lull and dragged straight into the world of Regina George and 2004s youth culture.

With a dash a humour, Wet Legs almost single handedly stirs the punk genre into reinvention. Gone are the heavy heads and black and white photos. Here is a thoroughly new sound which, whilst maintaining what made the genre so

Rolling Stone Magazine, Are These Really the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time?

By matthew stothard

Ranking music is a bizarre idea.

Whilst it makes sense to rank your own favourite songs, to try to be representative of wider society’s views is nigh on impossible.

Rolling Stone Magazine consistently insists on trying though, and its latest effort was published last month when it revealed what it deems as the ‘500 Greatest Songs’. To be fair to them, whilst many absurd music lists which can only be read with a puzzled expression fixed on your face are made by one or two journalists,

their effort was rather more scientific, asking more than 250 figures from across the music industry to list their 30 favourite songs. Did that make it any better?

No, well not to me anyway. The problem with ranking music is that reactions to songs are about as subjective as you can get. Besides the fact that the highest ABBA were ranked was 286th, which is objectively musically criminal and indicative of the list’s narrow focus on American and British artists, I

would be surprised if anyone could agree on the validity, or otherwise, of the results. To take one example, The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever is ranked at No.7, whilst its double A-side Penny Lane comes in at No.280. Many may see this as a consensus view, yet I would swap the two around. No one will ever agree on a ranking of music. They can be a bit of fun, mainly to disagree with, but should not be taken too seriously.

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Music

WILDPATHS 2021 REVIEW:

By Tom manning and Elizabeth woor After Covid 19 caused it to adapt last year to an outside venue fittingly titled Wild Fields, Wild Paths is back and it’s safe to say, better than ever. The festival hosted over 200 artists in 20 venues ranging from the main stage of Waterfront to the intimate Rumsey Wells where only 30 odd people cram into probably one of the coolest pubs you will ever see. With acts such as Jose Gonzalez, Puma Blue and Gengahr performing in the past, this year saw headliners Sports Team, Biig Piig and Palace taking the reins.

While the festival began on Thursday with a host of conferences including some from Spring King’s Tarek Musa and Giles Peterson on Friday afternoon, it was Friday evening where Wild Paths erupted. Sports Team took to the main stage at the Waterfront and brought with them their boundless energy. With Sports Team being known for their indie rock bangers like Here’s The Thing and Going Soft, guitarist Rob Knaggs’ ballad Long Hot Summer gave the audience a well-deserved break from the high tempo of their performance.

Those who have seen Sports Team live will know that at any gig there is only one person that can steal the show, lead singer Alex Rice. For most of the set it seemed as though Alex was a part of the crowd as he came down level with the audience. Towards the end of the set, he had the whole crowd singing “I just wanted to be your… mid noughties MT V star” from Kutcher. As the first set of our festival weekend, it was a sign of great things to come.

A change of sound and scenery took us to the beautiful church venue at Norwich Arts Centre where Steam Down were performing. Fusing hip hop, r&b, soul, and jazz the group had the whole crowd dancing from the moment they took to the stage. Founded by Ahnansé the group’s chemistry was infectious and the frequent saxophone solos from him left the crowd speechless on a number of occasions. One of the highlights of the whole weekend though, was the last song from Steam Down’s set where Afronaut Zu performed his track Oh My God with purple lights surrounding him. Zu’s vocal performance was mesmerising, and it felt as though the venue was picked purely for this song to be played. The cherry on the top came as we bumped into TINYMAN who we simply had to ask for a picture.

There was also plenty of local talent at Wild Paths too and on Friday the late-night set from DJ group Mighty

Thirsty at the Rumsey Wells was proof of this. In a tiny cramped room with paintings of 16th century monarchs and historical figures wearing a mask or holding a pint, each DJ ensured the crowd were fully pumped, not that much encouragement was needed.

Mighty Thirsty were a great way to see off the night and leave us itching to see more acts on Saturday.

The Saturday certainly didn’t disappoint. We began the day at the Shoe Factory Social Club, a former shoe factory that now uses its space to host music, theatre, dance and poetry events. It was here we saw the rising Birmingham rapper, Kofi Stone fresh from his first ever sold-out tour. Although Kofi’s trade mark is his introspective, reflecting lyrics over laid back soft production, do not be tricked into thinking Kofi won’t be an incredible performer. During his track Its Okay To Cry, he had the crowd singing along to the chorus and even came down into the crowd as he effortlessly showed his rapping ability. When it came to Busker Flow, Kofi sprang into a performance that had the crowd going wild. Afterwards, we had an opportunity to meet him which, after his incredible performance, felt surreal to say the least.

While we only managed to catch the end of Biig Piig’s set at the Waterfront, we were able to see her again later at the Shoe Factory as she performed with fellow creative Lava La Rue in the NiNE 8 collective.

Another act fusing genres with some killer raps from La Rue, Nasty Nige and Bone Slim with the neo soul, r&b sounds of La Rue and Biig Piig made for an

Photo: Elizabeth Woor

A FESTIVAL LIKE NO OTHER incredible set full of energy – getting the late evening party started.

The night ended with DJs Bunk x Fwrdmtn at Space Studios. With a relatively concealed entrance, you could easily spend your three years here in Norwich completely unware that the venue even existed. But you know what they say, good things come in small packages. With a packed dance floor and luxurious roof top setting, Space Studios was the perfect place to end Saturday night. The DJs made sure to supply plenty of tunes that let the audience take their hair down.

We even got to dance with some of the artists we had watched perform earlier on in that day, much to the crowd’s delight.

By Sunday ourselves and many others were thrilled by the prospect of being able to relax to some calmer rhythms. A personal highlight from the day has to be from St Lawrence Church, where The All Day Breakfast Club filled the church with some melodious disco sounds. Songs from their new EP such as Sugartown Parade and Old School Struggling raised already high spirits through the roof. Formed of six insanely talented women, the band made a powerful impact within the walls of St Lawrence, getting the whole crowd involved as they offered out pancakes to the best dancer. Sadly, although perhaps unsurprisingly, we went home empty handed. They call themselves ‘South London’s favourtie disco band’, but after Wildpaths I think it’s safe to say that All Day Breakfast Club might now hold the top spot for Norwich’s best-loved supplier of disco (or at least Venues!).

Once again, we returned to The Shoe Factory to continue the final evening of music, this time to see the likes of Marlowe and Olivia Dean. Marlowe bought energy back to the slightly weary festival goers with an electric set in the site. Always honest and raw in how he presents his past struggles, he put on an emotional performance, repeatedly reminding the crowd that despite the tumultuous times we’re in we can still always spread love. Even if It does sound a little soppy, there’s no denying that Wildpaths bought people back together again by sharing their love for music.

Olivia Dean was the final act on the Shoe factory stage for the weekend, and there’s no denying that she deserved this coveted spot within the weekend line up. Bouncing onto the stage in a cowboy hat and platform Ugg slips-on shoes (yes, you read that right), Dean looked just as comfortable as any performer with

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30 years more experience than herself. Grooving along with her band on their final tour destination, Dean united a crowd when performing her hits, The Hardest Part and Ok Love you Bye. With a voice filled with soul, it’s easy to see why she is one of the biggest rising stars of the UK music scene right now.

Last but not least, we headed over to the majestic setting of The Halls to see the closing headliner of the festival, Palace. Their laid back yet warm vibes provided the necessary ambience to fill the vastness of the space and by the end the London dwellers had everybody wanting the festival to last for another three days. Their most loved songs Live Well and Bitter were welcomed by the audience with roars of praise, while their lesser known tracks slotted well in between to create a set that any indie fan would have cherished. Perfectly melancholic while still upbeat, there didn’t appear to be one unmoved person in the venue. Palace was certainly a real treat to end a fantastic weekend.

With live music back in full swing again, to have a festival on your doorstep where you can explore the city is something not to miss. Wild Paths will certainly be back next year, be sure to check it out to see some incredible local and national/international talent.

Photo: Elizabeth Woor

EDITOR: Tom manning

20

Gaming

A conversation with twitch streamer hohohoney By melody chan

At Autumn’s beckoning, I took a weekend off and went to London. I met up with my best friend, Honey, who I have known for six years. Together we competed in NUEL’s Women Tournaments on League of Legends in 2021, she was also the first person who got me into gaming. Honey is currently a student at King’s College London and the Designer Officer of KCL Gaming and Esports Society. She opened a twitch account (HoHoHoney) and started streaming. In the short span of only 3 months, she has reached 1.4K followers.

Under the soft light of a fine October morning, I asked when she discovered her interest in streaming. “I have always been a big fan of streamers since I was a kid.” She looks up to Offline TV but also female streamers including Lilypichu, 39 Daph, Tokibbi, and Ploo. “It was a long-term drive, but the immediate spark was when my sister bought me streaming equipment on my birthday.”

Her silver mic sat on her desk and next to it laid her Razer laptop. She said she was getting a PC to complete the setup because it would be better for her to look at twitch chats on her laptop while she plays more graphically demanding games. Her first stream was on the 6th of July, 2021. She streams Valorant and League of Legends. It was during summer that she decided to commit to twitch streaming, how does she stream and game on top of her studies now?

“It’s my first week in university,” she chuckled, “It’s been fine. But I stream on days without classes, so I treat it like a part-time job and try to find a balance between work and study. It’s nothing too difficult.”

On average she streams 3 to 4 times a week, which is a decent schedule for her to complete her weekly university work and continue her passion for streaming. She could have streamed on Youtube but she chose to stream on Twitch because she thinks it is the biggest and the most consistent platform for gamers. The platform does not discriminate against her because of her gender, and she is treated fairly among male streamers. However, she has encountered inappropriate comments from people, and she often has to time out and ban those who leave misogynist and “simp” remarks.

“There are quite a lot of girl streamers and it’s a good thing we are getting recognition, but the level of harassment didn’t decrease just because there's more of us.” She does not feel targeted herself, saying “lucky for me, this [innappropriate commenting] happens only once every five or six streams.”

According to a study conducted by Reach3, 59% of women in gaming hide their gender when they play games due to reasons such as gender harassment. In spite of this, Honey believes female gamers are more represented in the gaming community nowadays. “In general, there’s a big improvement in games like Valorant where they include all women teams.” The esports community are gradually accepting women into tournaments, Honey states it is a “work in progress”. There are more media casters, journalists, and writers reporting on female esports, hence helping to eliminate the stigma of women being part of the workforce.

After we talked about how female gamers are being represented in esports, I asked what her thoughts were of gaming companies representing women in games. “Women characters usually show a lot of skin, while male counterparts wear armor.” She considers this a dangerous image for young girls and women.

The gaming society needs to change, and “treat women better.”

Photo: Unsplash

gaming

21

do we still need consoles?

By Holly jackson Photo: Holly Jackson

Is there any need to continue purchasing consoles?

Typically, I play Xbox the old fashioned way, through my console and TV. At first I was skeptical about trying it out using Xbox Cloud Gaming, fearing that it wouldn’t be as enjoyable playing on a small screen. However, shortly after pairing my controller with my iPad Mini, I realised I was wrong.

Of course, the first game I tested out was my favourite, the beloved Skyrim.

My initial concerns about it glitching and failing to run smoothly were soon gone, as I realised how amazing the graphics looked (perhaps even better than on my TV). Another thing that stood out to me was that the soundtrack still sounded brilliant even without an external speaker or surround-sound system. I also tested out Battlefield I, another personal favourite, and again I was shocked by the quality of the game and how smoothly it ran on a mobile device.

In order to play Xbox on a remote device, all you need is a Game Pass subscription, an Xbox controller and of course a device, which can be an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You simply head to Xbox. com/play to get started, and from there you can play all your downloaded games pretty much anywhere you like, provided you have an internet connection.

This got me thinking whether there’s really much point in buying a console. A new console is certainly not the cheapest

purchase to make, whereas simply purchasing a Game Pass and a controller seems a lot more reasonable. Not only this, but buying physical disc copies of games also seems a bit redundant to me, as I soon realised that nearly every game I enjoy playing is available through Game Pass anyway. Of course, this doesn’t apply to every game, but you can definitely find an abundance of games on there and easily get your money's worth.

Another point this raises is the portability aspect of Cloud gaming.

It’s much more convenient to have the option to be able to play your games on the go, as well as at home. This is something traditional consoles simply don’t allow you to do due to the setup required, and the sheer weight and size of them. I can safely say I’ve personally never attempted to take my Xbox One anywhere, not even to a friend's house!

As well as wondering whether I would want (or need) to upgrade to a newer Xbox, I am beginning to question the purchase of my Nintendo Switch. As much as I love my little yellow Switch Lite, I’m not entirely sure I have much use for it now I’ve explored Cloud gaming and realised how simple it is to use! I bought it solely because I wanted to play Skyrim on the go, and whilst I own a few other games for my Switch I find them to be quite costly, especially for a student, and generally

I prefer the range of games available on Xbox.

To an extent, this debate has opened up a can of worms. As well as being uncertain about my Switch, I am also wondering if I am someone who really needs a TV, which in this age could be a good question for a lot of people. As someone who doesn’t watch traditional TV, and only uses streaming platforms, I bought my TV solely to play my Xbox on. But again, Cloud gaming negates this purchase, as I can access my games through a mobile or desktop device instead. Again, this involves playing on a smaller screen, but it’s very much down to each person as to whether this could be a problem or something you’d get along with.

If you are someone who loves to try out the newest consoles and editions of games, or playing from the comfort of your home, then a traditional console may well be the right choice for you.

And you still have the option to access your games portably too! However, if you’re looking for a more affordable way to play Xbox and don’t already own a console but own one of the devices previously mentioned, then perhaps trying out Cloud gaming is a better idea.

So, the decision of whether buying a console and all the equipment they come with is worth it is really down to the individual, and which devices you own.

gaming

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christmas gift guide: gaming edition By louise collins I’ll be the first to admit I’m not really ‘in the know’ about most games. I think the last time I played a computer game was in my childhood Friv days, and I’m pretty limited in terms of console games to Buzz! (although I used to love trying my hand at Call of Duty and GTA). I have, however, started to really enjoy board games, and I love the idea of playing board games or trivia games during Christmas. So, I thought I’d bring together the minds of the gamers in my life, and myself, to create a games gift guide. Whether you’re after gaming equipment, video games, or board games you can play as a family at Christmas, I might be able to help you out.

Video Games: If the person you’re buying for is a big video game player, then good news, because new video games are being released all the time. The last three months of the year will undoubtedly see the release of many, but here are a few to consider: 1. FIFA 22, released 1st October 2. Guardians of the Galaxy, released 26th October 3. Call of Duty: Vanguard, released 5th November 4. Halo Infinite, released 8th December Gaming Equipment: The gamer in your mind may have every game under the sun, or you might not know which games they’re into. It’s okay. Here’s some equipment that can be useful and fun for every gamer.

1. Nintendo Switch OLED, released October 8th. With a larger screen and enhanced speakers, the new Switch sounds great.

-2. LED light strip – LED lights might be the perfect thing to enhance someone’s gaming experience. They can be placed behind the computer / console, or around the room for general ambience.

3. Headset / controller stand - You can help declutter their space by giving them somewhere to put their equipment, and these stands come in all styles, from classic, solid colours to beloved characters such as Deadpool or Baby Yoda.

4. Blue light glasses - If the gamer in your life spends hours in front of a screen, these glasses can help prevent headaches and fatigue, so the thing they love doesn’t cause them pain.

5. VR Headset / Upgraded Headset - Headsets can be vital to gamers who talk to other gamers online, or just want the full gaming experience without disturbing the household. A good headset can never go wrong, especially if it’s VR, allowing them to delve deeper into the game.

6. Video games bucket list - a fun way for your gamer to track the games they’ve played by scratching them off as they go.

Merchandise: Gamer gifts don’t have to be limited to actual games, or gaming equipment. They can be accessories, or decoration. So, if you know which games they like, why not treat them to a little something they can show off?

1. T-shirts 2. Posters 3. Gamer socks 4. Funko Pop Vinyls 5. Personalised storage box

Photo: Unsplash

Board Games: Games don’t have to be played alone, and sometimes, cracking open a board game can be so entertaining on Christmas, especially when everyone’s had their fair share of Christmas dinner and a Christmas tipple. Here’re some stocking fillers, or some goodies to have waiting on the side.

1. Monopoly – you can buy and play the classic version, or cater to their tastes with a whole variety, ranging from Disney to Game of Thrones.

2. Funkoverse Strategy Game – this board game has expansion packs for everyone’s favourite interests, from DC to Golden Girls.

3. Cluedo - this classic murder mystery is the perfect game to get your deduction skills out.

4. Twist and Sprout – this card game is a cross between charades & general trivia, and it’s a hilarious one to play with your family.

5. Family Fortunes - if your family is as competetive as mine, this game will dissolve into chaos.

6. Mr & Mrs – if you’re the host, then you’re safe, but you’d best hope the pairs know each other well, or this game will cause hilarious mayhem.

Editor: Holly Jackson

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24 FILM Lost Connections : A Collaborative Short Film Featuring

by Laura Patterson the East Anglian Film Archive “Can we always be connected?” are the opening and anchoring words to Lost Connections, a new archive-based short film set to

of loneliness transcends time and generations.

The shots of places that should be busy but were not, (offices,

be screened across cinemas and schools. It is also available and

theatres, schools and playgrounds), stirred me emotionally – because we have all had something taken away from us for the

easy to stream on YouTube and the BFI Player online.

Led by the Yorkshire Film Archive, Lost Connections brings together various excerpts of footage from twelve film archives

past 18 months: community. Overall, this 13-minute short film questions our integral desire for human connections, how we feel

across the UK. The film was also a collaboration with Film Hub North on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network, made

when it is taken away from us, and if we will recover as we learn to reconnect.

possible through National Lottery funding. Andy Burns created and edited the project, with the help of artist Hussina Raja, who

The East Anglian Film Archive (EAFA), based in Norwich, was one of the 12 contributors to this nation-wide project. Angela

co-wrote and narrates the moving and poetic voiceover.

The contributions of over 200 visual and audio recordings

Graham, the Archive Manager at the EAFA, said: “The East Anglian Film Archive is pleased to be part of this project which

from the past century reveals a timeline of feelings that have been familiar to all of us during the pandemic - of separation,

uses archive film to explore the themes of hope and humanity.

It reflects on experiences during the pandemic but also looks

isolation, uncertainty and emptiness - but also of community and togetherness, digitally and in person.

forward.” The EAFA aims to preserve and celebrate the rich audio-visual heritage in our local county – this short film is just

Beautifully intertwined together are scenes of bustling citylife in time-lapse alongside empty streets: families hugging and

one example.

It’s poetic. It’s poignant. Lost Connections gives us hope for the future by returning to our past.

kissing each other shift to a bird stuck alone in its cage and solitary figures confined to their homes. The ineffable experience

aUTUMN fiLMS TO cuRL UP TO THIS MONTH So, it’s officially autumn! That time of year when you can put on cosy coats and walk with a pumpkin spiced latte amongst the

by Hamilton Brown

falling leaves, or when it’s a rainy day and you want a film to curl up to. I’ve got some suggestions for every genre over this season,

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. This is the kind of film I’d want to put on when it’s a rainy Sunday afternoon and I’ve got a bowl

from cult-classic Halloween films, to seasonal-rom-coms!

of butternut squash soup in my hands. The classic 1989 romcom is a veritable love-letter to autumn and follows the story

The first movie I’d recommend for the drama-lovers out there is 1998’s Step Mom. I only recently watched this movie when looking for autumn films, and I fell in love. This is a loving

of two graduates who, after a short-lived friendship, find each other again five years later. The backdrop of a golden brown

family drama set over the autumn months, and it stars Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon. It focuses on the relationship

New York is enough to make you want to book a flight to New York in the autumn.

between a terminally ill mother, Jackie, coming to terms with her

Another arguably important trait of an autumn movie is for it to take place over Halloween. And there’s only one I will be

divorced husband’s new fiancée, Isabel, and the prospect of her raising Jackie’s children after she dies. There are some tender and hilarious moments in this movie, but this is your warning to bring some tissues!

2017’s Get Out is what I’d class as perfect Halloween Horror, something that will properly scare you with both jump scares and its questions around race and equality, which is important over this Black History Month. It focuses on an interracial couple, Chris and Rose, played by Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams respectively, and a weekend where Chris meets Rose’s parents.

Initially, Chris feels slightly uneasy about being the only black man there at a house party, aside from the black staff members, but what occurs over that weekend is nothing short of terrifying.

For those among you who aren’t a horror fan, I have the perfect movie to curl up with: When Harry Met Sally, starring

watching when the 31st October comes round: Hocus Pocus.

Yes, this camp cult classic about three 17th Century witches, Winnifred, Mary and Sarah, played by Bette Middler, Kathy Majimy and Sarah Jessica Parker respectively, who are brought back to life after 400 years to present day 1993 Salem, will never manage to not make me smile. It’s jam-packed with classic lines, characters and I Put A Spell On You will be stuck in your head for days after. You can’t beat the classics, and that’s why it’s on this recommendation list!

So whether you want to be tricked or treated this season, grab some popcorn and cosy up to some, or all, of these great movies!

FILM

25 Photo: Unsplash

“This is the kind of film I’d want to put on when it’s a rainy Sunday afternoon and I’ve got a bowl of butternut squash soup in my hands.”

My Go-To Halloween Film

by Sienna Norris

Halloween seems to be the only thing I like about autumn part of the appeal behind this time of year, for my age group in particular, is watching Halloween films. Whether you’d prefer a horror like The Conjuring or something more nonchalant, it adds to the feel of Halloween.

I am a huge horror movie fan, but I generally watch them throughout the year. However, at Halloween, I tend to turn to the genius that is Tim Burton. My go-to Halloween film is Corpse Bride and has been for many years now. If you’re unaware of Corpse Bride, it’s a stop-motion animation that came out in 2005 - the film used 11-inch sized puppets to create Burton’s eerie visuals Set in the Victorian era, the story revolves around Victor, who’s about to enter an arranged marriage with Victoria, but accidentally ends up raising a corpse back from the dead and begins his journey back from the ‘Land of the Dead’ to the ‘Land of the Living’.

I was four when this film came out, and I remember watching it a few years later. It was my older cousins who introduced me to the mysterious world of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp for that matter - from that point, I was instantly mesmerised by his work. Whether he directed or produced them, Burton’s films are the perfect watch for the Halloween season - from Edward

Scissorhands to Beetlejuice, Sweeney Todd, or even Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - his distinct film style is what makes his work so spectacular. Burton was also behind the story for The Nightmare Before Christmas, another stop-motion animation some might consider this a Christmas movie, others a Halloween.

It was hugely successful and kickstarted a cult following around this iconic aesthetic and filmography.

The ghostlike appearances of the Corpse Bride characters, as well as the cinematography, sets and music, (composed by Danny Elfman, another frequent collaborator of Burton), is what draws so many viewers in Some people say that the animation in Burton’s films is what broadens the demographic - younger kids can enjoy his art as much as older audiences. However, during my obsession with Burton at a worryingly young age, I watched Mars Attacks! which absolutely traumatised me. But in fairness, I shouldn’t have been watching that film in the first place - it’s not really for kids.

I’m not sure whether it’s the nostalgia or the aesthetic that makes me watch this film every Halloween, but either way this Corpse Bride is a Halloween classic!

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No Time To Die : Review

by Tshequa Williams

Photo: Tshequa Williams After six years and a pandemic-induced delay, No Time to Die (the 25th James Bond film and Daniel Craig’s fifth and final

depict a Bond with attitudes firmly rooted in the past, the character has been allowed to develop from Skyfall onwards,

run as Bond), was finally released. This has been heralded by many as the saviour of the British film industry. Craig’s

being given a chance to explore emotional complexity. The the character has been allowed to develop from Skyfall onwards,

exit marks the end of an era, but simultaneously paves the way for a new chapter of development - for both the “cold

being given a chance to explore emotional complexity. The cold-

and ruthless” character (as described by Ian Fleming in the original book Casino Royale) and the franchise as a whole.

No Time to Die has all the elements of a classic 007 film – betrayal, dramatic fight scenes, deep-rooted villainy and nostalgic nods to satisfy the Bond fanatic. As well as Craig’s brilliant concluding performance as Bond, Léa Seydoux (returning as Dr. Madeleine Swann) and new-comers Lashana Lynch (Nomi) and Ana de Armas (Paloma) all bring a fresh perspective of the ‘Bond girl’, the role redefined from simply existing as the embodiment of Bond’s desires, to a more involved and independently powerful character, while still even exuding the glamour. Rami Malek masterfully depicts Lyutsifer Safin: the clichéd creepy antagonist we expect from a Bond villain.

Looking back over Craig’s Bond films, we see how the franchise has finally started to progress into the 21st century.

Traditionally, the series has been riddled with misogyny, toxic masculinity and concerning racial/ cultural representation, stereotyping and fetishisation. Whilst Craig’s early films

hearted character begins to thaw and expose the depth that has been long iced over by the façade of an archetypal male hero who is afraid to let his guard down.

Having Nomi as the first Black female 007 is fairly revolutionary for the series, although I hope that if she remains in future films she will be allowed to develop in her own right, rather than taking on the ‘Bond’ role for the sake of casting a Black female Bond. Nomi brings an opportunity to create a female character with an equal calibre as Bond.

For a lot of fans, saying goodbye to Daniel Craig’s Bond makes No Time to Die a bittersweet but highly exhilarating watch, providing the balance of action-filled and sentimental grandeur that has become what defines the modern James Bond films.

EDITOR: Laura Patterson

TV

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The Cultural Phenomenon of Squid Game By lily Boag

456 ruthless survival games.

An unimaginable prize pot that could magnificently change their lives. Debt-ridden and desperate, there’s little opportunity for the players to make better lives for themselves on the streets of Seoul in South Korea until they’re given an invitation to the games. If the majority chooses to compete, their lives will be in their own hands.

Playing traditional South Korean children’s games, following the masked guards’ rules, and facing the horrific consequences of being eliminated, anyone can win the games - if luck and chance work in their favour.

Becoming Netflix’s most successful series launch worldwide, in its first 28 days, the Korean dystopian survival-thriller Squid Game was streamed by 111 million users. An overnight sensation, it’s fought its way to the top, beating Netflix’s previous successes including British regency-drama Bridgerton.

Building up the hype and introducing the ‘Squid Game World’, a pop-up installation in Seoul’s Itaewon Subway Station to celebrate the show’s release in September was used to ramp up the show’s ratings – scarily highlighting the near-future possibility of a world where such inhumane games could exist.

An exceptional achievement for Korea’s entertainment industry, the show’s success proves that Netflix’s recent investments in Asian productions are paying off. It is ironic then, that while the show has become an instant success for the media conglomerate, its dystopian haze boldly criticises the household debt crisis and subsequent social failures caused by South Korean style capitalism, as well as the capitalisation and financial corruption of the global economy.

Another example of how Western attention is being drawn towards Korean culture after the Academy-Award winning success of Korean comedythriller Parasite (2020), and the increasing popularity of K-Pop music, riding the ‘Korean Wave’ the nine-episode series Squid Game is a triumphant breakthrough, allowing for increased opportunities for our screens to expand beyond the captive grip of Hollywood production to a future of televisual cultural diversification.

Channelling South Korea’s vibrant culture, from its enthusiasm for the arts to its fusion of the traditional and modern, Squid Game’s unique, quirky, and dramatic style makes the show an alluring watch.

Through setting and costume, it makes artistic gambles by including creative elements such as a giant robot doll, a colourful labyrinth of doors and stairs, extravagant masks, and pink suited men. Taking the world by storm with its unexpected style influence, Squid Game-inspired makeup is trending on TikTok, tracksuits are back in the fashion game, and costume inspiration has been pinned just in time for Halloween.

Bold, brave, and daring, Squid Game valorously lays its cards on the table, unafraid to question whether ‘money makes the world go round’ and whether ‘fortune favours the brave’, unafraid to compete with American productions and sit in the dystopian hall of fame.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

28

TV

Russell T. Davies returns to Doctor Who! By leo james henry The man is back!

Doctor Who certainly owes a lot to Russell T Davies. Not only is he responsible for reviving the show which had gone off the air 16 years earlier, but Davies has been lauded for revitalising and rebranding the show for a modern audience. The older episodes certainly have their place in the hearts of fans, but the cheaper, tackier, and less cinematic Who was hardly going to appeal to 21st-century audiences. Davies took on the task of balancing the expectations of the Doctor Who community and making the show appealing to viewers (any Whovian who has tried to explain the premise of Doctor Who to an outsider can surely empathise) and emerged triumphantly. From 2005 to his departure, Davies oversaw the rebirth of a British cultural phenomenon, with

a blend of excellent characters, wellplotted drama, and a genuinely fresh take on the sci-fi genre. His reign was not infallible, of course - who could forget the bonkers Valentine’s Day special Love and Monsters - but he left behind him one of the best British TV shows of the 2000s, and a devoted fanbase hungry for more.

To say that his return, announced by the BBC in the last week of September this year, was greeted warmly by a fanbase, amongst whom many feel that the lofty expectations set by Davies have not been matched by his successors, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall. Even this may be something of an understatement.

It would be unfair to present the reception to Davies’ initial run as full of unanimous praise – again, see Love and Monsters – but equally, it is true that

the reception to Moffat and Chibnall has been decisively much more mixed.

This shift has had truly little to do with the titular character: Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker, who will be stepping down along with Chibnall, have all been fantastic Doctors, but the consensus seems to be that the material that they have had to work with is not up to scratch. Certainly, other factors must be accounted for – it is difficult to imagine Davies’ run pulling anywhere near the numbers it did if it had to compete with modern streaming services, and it is blatantly unfair to label Moffat and Chibnall as somehow ‘incompetent’. But since the show’s 50th Anniversary Special in 2013, it appears to have lost some of the whimsical charms and wonderful storytelling all but synonymous with Davies’ stint with the show.

Crossovers in Television Episodes by lily Boag

After fans were left disappointed following the cancellation of Netflix’s magical Archie Comics teen-drama reboot The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which was announced after the release of its fourth season, all hopes were lost for the Greendale and Riverdale crossover that was rumoured to be in the works for Season 5. But on October 7th, just in time for spooky season, our Instagram feeds were blessed.

With a cheeky photo and caption, and a suitable devil-face emoji, Keirnan Shipka declared her return to the role for a major crossover as she announced her next chilling adventure – a transition ‘from Greendale to Riverdale’.

Promising to see us in Riverdale’s Season 6, we can’t imagine what sort of hellish plotlines Riverdale has in store for us next as Sabrina Spellman and Cheryl Blossom are rumoured to be teaming up in a special episode.

To celebrate this news, we thought we would reflect on five of our favourite crossovers to date, looking back on television’s attempts to tease us with

the character run-ins and sneaky easter eggs that make ‘crossover episodes’ the rare magical unicorns of television that they are.

1. That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana (2006) In this triple Disney Channel crossover combining fan favourite shows That’s So Raven (2003-2007), The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005-2008), and Hannah Montana (2006-2011), we think Disney unknowingly set the standards for all future crossovers, including Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana (2009) which took place a few years later.

2. iParty with Victorious (2011) Combining Dan Schnieder’s iCarly and Victorious, this Nickelodeon crossover-spectacular gave us everything from comical character collisions, heart-warming team ups, to a catchy musical number. Meanwhile, it foreshadows the spin off-crossover series of Sam & Cat (2013-2014).

3. New Girl and Brookyln Ninenine (2016) Expanding beyond the world

of childhood memory-lane, in this comedy-crossover the loveable and quirky Jess Day runs into the charming Jake Peralta during her New York vacation.

4. Scooby-Doo and Supernatural (2018) Entering the animated world, the cast of Supernatural help Scooby’s gang solve some mysteries in this exciting and imaginative crossover!

5. The Simpsons and Family Guy (2014) Including special appearances from the dads from Bob’s Burgers and The Flintstones, this is the ultimate familycomedy cartoon-crossover!

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

TV

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Political Bias on our TV NETWORKS

By Lauren Barrett

It’s hard these days to escape bias.

Whether in news reports, television shows, anything you watch will be written by someone who has a stance on what they’re writing about and it’s hard to leave that outside.

Often, it’s subtle and unnoticed by the audience but even when an opinion is obvious, it may not be seen as an issue. Generally, people engage with media they know shares a viewpoint.

The problem comes when they are presented as fact.

If analysing, it’s not hard to look at a specific show or broadcast to try and pick out the politics of the producer.

It’s a lot more difficult, however, when it comes to entire TV channels and news broadcasts. Most TV networks have been accused of political bias throughout their airtimes. ITV, BBC, and Channel 4 have all had their fair share of controversy in this area. But do they have a duty to stay objective?

The BBC is supposed to be impartial. The Broadcasting Code of the regulator, OFCOM, requires the BBC to achieve “due impartiality in all its output”. Mainly this is because they are funded by the taxpayer and so to p r e s e n t bias would be a source of controversy amongst those who pay, feeling uncatered towards. This does not mean they haven’t had their share of accusations against impartiality though.

Just in the past year, the BBC has had a record number of complaints because of the network’s “perceived bias”. It’s interesting to look at what the claims of bias are based on though, the general opinion seen is over 50’s think the BBC is becoming dominated

by Liberals, whereas students and the younger generation think the entire BBC is a right-wing establishment.

Since there are accusations on either side, more and more viewers are losing faith in the BBC. This goes hand in hand with a general rise in the distrust of establishments.

If we compare the BBC and other British news networks to more American ones like Fox News and CNN there’s a whole world of difference.

Their programmes are blatantly based on a particular political view but also unapologetically so. When confronted about a bias Fox News publicly denied it but they did say a lot of their ‘opinion programming’ is not intended to be neutral. The issue is the lines between their reporting and opinion programming are blurred making it hard to tell which is reliable. OFCOM also ruled that Fox News broke the UK impartiality rules in 2017, which could have resulted in a fine had Sky not taken it off the air shortly before.

Factuality is often subjective and therefore difficult to measure. It used

to be that big corporations like TV networks and newspapers were the only way people could access news and know what was going on, but with the rise of social media, this is no longer the case. Now there are a plethora of different independent news sources that can show other sides of the story.

Included in these, Twitter and other platforms. These can be a vessel for people at an event or involved in a story to share what is happening live.

This can be positive as it can shed light on anything the news is trying to play down or skew or even help start a movement, like the exposing of the police officers’ mistreatment of George Floyd in 2020. The negative side is not knowing the reliability of online sources. Often, people will read the title of an article or skimread it and think they have the whole picture, missing out on the intricacies of the story or even misunderstanding it entirely. They then share it and that is how ‘fake news’ spreads.

In general, the best advice when it comes to relying on media and forming your own opinion is to just be conscious about what it is you’re consuming. Finding out where it’s from and how much validity it has, especially before sharing it, is key!

Photo: Unsplash

EDITOR: Benjamin Smith

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We are looking for: Writers Artists contact us @concreteuea or Visit https://www.concrete-online.co.uk/get-involved/ for more details

31 VERA VENUE FIRM FOUNDATIONS: NEW BEGINNINGS IN A POST-COVID WORLD

From Max, 22 Q. “Hi, Vera. I’ve just started the first year of my degree, having completed the foundation year solely online last year.

Photo: Unsplash

Now things have opened up, I’m starting to think that I’ll be missing out on things. Having not had the best experience of shared accommodation last year, I’m now living in a 1-bed flat that’s near some gay bars/nightclubs. I would like to go to them as I’m G&T, but they always say not to go to a bar/nightclub on your own. I was wondering how I could survive university as an introverted mature student and still enjoy it without feeling as though I’m missing out on things.”

Hi Max! A.I understand how hard it must be to feel so isolated, especially during a life phase that is put on such a high pedestal. You’re not alone. There are plenty of people right here on the UEA campus who are struggling with the same feelings of loneliness.

The issue of safety, which you’ve already addressed, is obviously a big priority for me. To keep you safe while also getting you out there, I recommended UEA Pride, which is completely free to get a membership for. They are a truly wonderful group of people, from all kinds of different backgrounds. Their socials include trans and nonbinary events, clubnights, and a Minecraft server!

There are also off-campus groups who you might find useful. FTM Norwich is a monthly social group for trans guys and other queer folks, who meet on the first Monday of every month.

Norfolk LGBT+ Meetup, which is hosted on meetup.com, has over 1000 members, and does a huge range of different events.

I absolutely agree that you should not go to any bars or nightclubs alone.

Have you tried to use any dating apps?

I know that some people have an aversion to them, which is completely fine!

However, they can be a great way to get connected with other people. You don’t even necessarily need to try to find love through them - I know plenty of single

folks who have Tinder/Hinge accounts to make new friends.

However, if you’re going to try this, please practice internet safety when chatting to people online. Before you go anywhere at night with anyone, meet up in a public place first, during the day. Make sure that you let someone else know where you’re going and who you’re meeting, and ultimately, trust your gut. If something seems off, you are 100% allowed to leave.

Putting yourself out there can be a really scary and intimidating experience.

I wish you the absolute best with your hunt for your people!

32 Stepping back to review a Toxic Relationship From Anonymous Q. “I think my relationship may be toxic. When we have fights, I always end up apologising, even if he’s the one who upset me (which he does a lot). How do I know for sure?”

Thanks for writing in, Anon. I’m so A. sorry to hear that you’re having issues in your relationship, but I’m relieved to see that you’re taking a step back to analyse.

Every relationship is different, and most will endure at least some difficulties. Human beings are not perfect, and no two people are 100% compatible - we’re simply too complex for every trait to align perfectly with no tension whatsoever.

However, when there are too many problems, too many fights, and too many red flags, it’s important to view things objectively and decide whether the bad times are worth the good. I’m by no means a relationship expert, but I can help you by listing some of the most common behaviours found in toxic relationships.

Photo: Unsplash

VERA VENUE About Vera: Maja Anushka is this year’s Vera, Concrete’s Features Editor, and on the MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism course. As well as being almost as nosy as she is empathetic, Maja has almost a decade’s experience of making YouTube videos which have covered topics such as mental illness, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, relationships, body dysmorphia, and self-esteem. Her goal for Vera Venue is to promote self-love, mental wellbeing, and healthy relationships, and create a space where people can see that they are not alone.

You’ve mentioned that you always end up apologising in fights. This is a huge indicator that something is wrong, and can be a trait of gaslighting.

Gaslighting is when someone makes you doubt your own emotions and experiences by manipulating the situation to seem like it’s your fault. Relationships are about give and take, balance, and equality: you should be able to both apologise and ask for an apology. Having one person always taking the emotional labour of making things right - especially when they’re the one who was hurt in the first place - is very unfair and harmful.

The next time you need to bring a hurtful action to light with your partner, it might be helpful to write down exactly how you feel. What did they do to upset you? How did it cause you distress?

How can they make it better, and how can they avoid doing the same in the future? If the conversation gets spun to make you feel at fault, try to stand your ground. They may try to make you feel crazy, or irrational, or stupid, but you are entitlted to your emotions, no matter how small or unimportant the issue might seem to anyone else.

Something else to look out for is jealousy. Of course, every person gets a little jealous sometimes. In healthy relationships, it is often a sign that your partner doesn’t want to lose you to anyone else. The issue comes when your partner’s jealousy becomes a consistent and harmful issue. If you’re being told not to be friends with someone, or to change the way you act around your friends, you should

be aware of how your partner may be subtly trying to control your personal life and relationships.

Another common behaviour seen in toxic relationships is ‘love-bombing’.

After a period of intense fighting, conflict, or tension, abusive partners will go to the other extreme to stop you from leaving. This can take the form of flattery, gifts, endless attention and sympathy, or grand gestures/statements.

While they feel good at the time, these actions are just being used to distract you from the bad feelings of being manipulated, lied to, and gaslit. This push and pull of two extreme ends of emotion, pain and distress vs. comfort and love is extremely harmful to your wellbeing and only leads to more instability and confusion down the road. Abusive partners will rely on you craving their love and affection, like you receive during a period of love-bombing, to make you docile when they go back to being hurtful.

Ultimately, no one can change your relationship but you, but relationships should make you feel accepted, supported, loved, and safe. If you’re frequently apologising, changing yourself to please your partner, and feeling stress, anxiety, or even fear, then you should really consider ending the relationship. You are the most important person in your life.

If you need help, The Mental Health Foundation has two helplines you can call (0808 2000 247 for women, 0808 801 0327 for men). There are also lots of resources on their website, www.mentalhealth.org.uk.