Doncopolitan issue 14

Issue 14

New Year 2016

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

Contents

Contributors Writers: Warren Draper Rachel Horne Sheila North Ben Hales Jon Kelly Reviewers: Rachel Horne Tristan Envy C Manga JJ Broom Rob Johnson Sven Dali Amelia Yeates Paige Sennett

Design:

Editorial Warren Draper

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Doncograms -

05

Under The Crust At Toppings Pies Rachel Horne

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Something’s Brewing In Doncaster Sheila North

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Discover World Food... Without Leaving Donny! Ben Hales

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What’s The Deal With Cooplands? -

16

The Season Ahead... With Cast -

18

Pull-Out Julie-Ann Bowden Poster Small Details & Kato Otak

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Fight The Power An Interview with Mark Thomas Jon Kelly

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Sprotbrough Christmas Fair -

26

The Guide -

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On The Road with Jim Taplin Rachel Horne

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Warren Draper Rachel Horne Sam Cooper Artwork: Julie-Ann Bowden Editorial Team: Rachel Horne Steve Bates Warren Draper Sam Cooper Frances Bibby Rachel Ryan

Lois Stothard Amber Heath Fran Bibby Paul Bareham Jayne Watson Martin Collins Louise Harrison Photography: Warren Draper Rachel Horne John Fuller Elya Steve Ullathorne Kobako Pedro Serafin

With Special Thanks to:

J. Alexander

Right Up Our Street

Jayne Watson

Andrew Loretto

Nazia Sattar

Arts Council England

Mark Loraine

NOW THEN Magazine

Proud to be Independent

Disclaimer

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The opinions expressed in each feature and article in the Doncopolitan are the opinions of their

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Cover Art: ““ Julie-Ann Bowden ©2015 Centre Page Art: ““ Julie-Ann Bowden ©2015 Back Page Art: “Father Angel“ Julie-Ann Bowden ©2015 Inside Cover Photography: “Henry Crier in the Corn Exchange” Warren Draper 2015

Articles and images marked with a are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

EDITORIAL Warren Draper The hinge of the year is an emotional time for many people. Maybe it is the lack of daylight (and Vitamin D...) triggering Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? Or perhaps it is memories of holidays past which remind of the passing of time? Whatever the reason, there is a tendency at this time of year to reflect on those we love and those we have lost. A bitter-sweet joy fills our hearts and puts friends and family before the annoying little worries which usually dominate our everyday lives throughout the rest of the year. And when we think of friends and family we also tend to think about parties. This changes the mood from one of reflection, to one of celebration, joy and, with the dawning of a new year, possibilities. With this in mind we have built this issue of the Doncopolitan around the theme of #EatD rinkandB e D o n ny.

With regard to eating, Doncaster has become something of a gastronomic wonderland. From traditional food companies such as Cooplands (p16) and Toppings Pies (p6), to the amazing variety of new world food outlets popping up in town (p12), there truly is something to suit every taste. The Doncopolitan team generally meets on a Wednesday down at our newly emerging Copley Road studio and gallery (its number 83 and you're more than welcome to join us). Each week we lunch at a different venue so we can enjoy cuisine from around the world (you're more than welcome to join us for lunch too... but the tab's on you!).

From Australian inspired Superfood Salads at the Masons, to a traditional English ploughman's at Kath's Marketplace Alehouse & Deli next door, taste-bud teasing Kurdish kebabs on Copley Road to winter warming Polish dumplings on adjoining Nether Hall Road, you really can take your tongue on a 10,000 mile journey without ever leaving DN1.

As for drinking, as well as great bars such as the aforementioned Masons and Alehouse, and clubs like Diamond

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Live Lounge and Vintage Rockbar, we can also boast some of the finest micro-breweries in the country. Sheila North takes us on a tour of one of Donny's finest on page 8. Anyone lucky enough to get their hands on a magazine we recently helped to create for Mexborough, the Foxy Mex, can also read a great article which covers more on 21st Century local brewing (if you want a PDF of the article drop us a line at doncopolitan@gmail .com). In this issue you'll also find it easy to be merry with good news stories such as the Sprotbrough Christmas Fair on page 22 and musical delights from Jim Taplin on page 38.

And as for Be Donny, regular readers will know our thoughts on that by now.

We've always sung the praises of our beloved home-town, and we know full well that there is the talent, vision and energy right here, right now,to turn Donny into an exiting, vibrant and forward-looking place to live. If, like us, Jon Kelly's interview with Mark Thomas on page 26 gets you in the mood to build a better, fairer, brighter future then why not just do it? Our one New Year's Resolution for 2016 is to prove the naysayers wrong by creating a series of practical, grass-root projects which show just how much a small band of positive and committed people can achieve when they put their mind to it.

After all there were people not so long ago who said that a 'cultural desert' such as Doncaster wouldn't support an arts and culture magazine like the Doncopolitan... bah humbug! When it comes to making real and positive change, we've found that those who moan hardest have the least to offer.

So, in the words of Rachel Horne, we're setting out to make Donny an official 'Negative Nancy Free Zone!'

Our resident artist for this issue is the amazing Julie-Ann Bowden. We've been itching to get her work in the magazine, but these beautiful angel pieces convinced us that we had to wait for a very special season to do them justice.

Enjoy.

ABOUT This magazine aims to provide an independent voice for Doncaster.

We will big up anything which has the potential to add to Doncaster’s metropolitan appeal and strengthen the local economy - or as we call it, the Donconomy. We’ll celebrate Doncaster’s culture, arts, style, music, people, fashion, lifestyle, architecture and even, its coal-black underbelly.

To remain as independent as possible this magazine is completely self-funded, relying on advertising and generous donations to stay afloat. If you would like to advertise with us, or if you’d like to support our endeavours through subscriptions or donations please call us on: +44 (0) 7846 439982 If you’re a local artist, musician, writer, photographer, fashionista, socialite or social commentator, and have something to contribute to this magazine, please get in touch.

Online: www.doncopolitan.com doncopolitan@gmail.com Write to us: Doncopolitan Magazine Copley Road Project 83 Copley Road Doncaster DN1 2QP Social Media: Twitter: @DoncopolitanMag #DoncopolitanMag Instagram: @Doncopolitan #Doncogram Facebook: facebook.com/doncopolitan YouTube: youtube.com/user/ Doncopolitan

1.

Doncograms 1. “Doncaster Town Crier” by Warren Draper ©2015 2. “Christmas At The Marketplace” by Rachel Horne ©2014 Got a Doncogram you think we might like? Then email it to doncopolitan@gmail.com

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UNDER THE CRUSTAT toPPINGS PIES Rachel Horne Although many Doncasterian’s know and love Toppings Pies, it was a Twitter chat that led to our visit to Doncaster’s pie HQ and bakery situated behind the HUB. Going under the crust was certainly a new experience for me, although I was aware of how much these delicious pies are loved in the Donx by folks of all walks of life. Every year my other half buys a Toppings Christmas pie and although I am vegetarian, much to Mr Topping’s horror, these pies are hand crafted, artisan, locally sourced bundles of joy.

Apparently Mr. Roger Topping picked up a copy of Doncopolitan whilst having a hair cut in a local salon. Flicking through the pages, he was impressed to find a publication that wasn’t routinely slagging off Doncaster like so many others do. A few tweet and email exchanges later and we’re in the office talking hardcore pie banter and discussing the history and future plans for the company.

It was Roger’s father, Bill Topping who started it all when he opened his butcher’s shop in 1961. Little did he know that it was the beginning of a multi award-winning company whose products would one day grace the deli counters of Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

The Scawsby butchers shop was moved to the Doncaster Market Hall a decade later to meet customer demands, and today remains a family affair with Bill’s grandson Mark managing the outlet for more than 20 years continuing a proud family tradition.

The reputation of the tasty traditional Toppings pies, some inspired by historical recipes dating back to Victorian and Tudor times, quickly spread. Within two years Maggie and Roger had set up a separate bakery division and moved to bigger premises to keep pace with customer appetite for family-inspired products.

By 1997 the company continued to enjoy its reputation for fantastic home made pies and picked up a number of awards – the trophy cabinet is now groaning under the strain of housing more than 40 awards!

Making top quality British pies and other bakes now lies at the heart of the company and the Topping family continue use only the very best British Red Tractor pork and other locally sourced ingredients.

By 2000 the company had once again outgrown its premises and The Topping Pie Company was officially born when Roger and Maggie bought a new bakery.

Toppings pies have been enjoyed on deli counters up and down the country for many years and shoppers in the Frenchgate Shopping Centre have been tucking into Toppings pies since the top-floor shop opened there in November 2011. Sheffield too now has a slice of the action with the most recent shop opening in the Crystal Peaks shopping centre.

The company has transformed from a small, family butchers to a multi award-winning specialty pie business, supplying a wide range of handcrafted products to retail, wholesale and export customers. But it is still very much a local Doncaster company which retains its traditional family roots and the original butchers shop.

On our trip around the bakery we get a glimpse into “ the life of pie” here in Doncaster. The food tech world is serious business. We’re all clad in hair nets and plastic suits. We could be in Area 51, but instead we are here to go under the crust of Toppings. A small team of staff are working on the production line crafting each pie by hand. It’s an artisan operation and I quite fancy having a go at making one.

I especially want to play around with the cranberries or apricots. It’s nearing lunch and we’re all starting to get hungry. Lucky for us Toppings pies are on the menu.

End

Bill hung up his butchers apron in 1989, handing the baton to son Roger and his his wife Maggie. It was Maggie’s talent and passion for home baking that was to change the shape of the business. In 1991 Maggie took some of her family’s favourite original home-made pies made to her own recipes to sell in the butcher’s shop.

Matthew Topping in the factory (p6) and Matt, Roger, Maggie & Mark Topping

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Something's BREWING IN

Doncaster

Sheila North Normally I don’t drink and write, but when you’re researching an article about a pub which brews its own, so, well, it had to be done. I chose a half of Pumpkin Porter: a dark, strong beauty of a beer that was Doncaster Brewery & Tap’s Ian Blaylock’s attempt to reproduce a slice of “pumpkin pie … in a glass”.

And what a lovely beer it is. With a choice of nuts, pickled eggs, and crisps among the bar snacks, I chose a bag of Piper’s black pepper and sea salt crisps, then settled back to enjoy my beer, and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Located on Young Street where the Waterdale meets town centre, the Tap opened its doors just over three years ago, in January 2013.

“We have no designs to take over the world, we just want to be able to cover our expenses, and be happy doing what we do,” says Ian, who along with wife Alison runs the Brewery & Tap. Whilst Alison tends to be front of house, Ian concentrates on the brewing, which takes place in the room just behind the bar.

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Ian describes the Tap as: “somewhat as a niche”, producing traditional cask ale, as well as selling traditional cider, as well as a wine list. The Tap also sells foreign bottled beers, thus catering for groups where one of the drinkers doesn’t fancy the sort of beers which Ian brews.

I chatted to Ian on a Sunday, when the now traditional cheese board, pork pie and pickle spread was on offer to those wanting some snap to go with their end-of-the-week pints. The selection of cheeses were from Neil’s Cheeseboard, at nearby Donny market, whilst the pies and sausage rolls were from Darren’s Family Butchers, on Thorne Road.

I first went to the Tap for the monthly Well Spoken! events, which provide an open mic for local writers, as well as guest poets. Since then, I’ve been for several other writing related events, as well as at least three concerts, and a craft fair, where I had the pleasure of singing along to John Denver’s Country Roads in a packed room over a Donny pub, 40 years and thousands of miles from where I first heard it.

Another regular feature at the Brewery & Tap is the monthly Phantom Cinema, which caters for local film buffs, and is moving from its previous Friday night spot to Thursdays.

Among the more unusual events to take place at the pub so far are an electrical trade show in the Upstairs Room, and a table dancer who performed a rather lively “Northeastern Bolero girls’ night out” as part of Right Up Our Street’s DNweekeND. I’m probably one of many in town whose first visit to the Tap was for an event, and who then stayed for the beer, cider, wine, and the pleasure of a pub where – provided there isn’t a turn on – you can actually have a conversation, and be assured of a genuine welcome.

And, of course, a quality selection of drink. Ian ensures that the Tap always has six of his beers on. Those half dozen beers range from a strong dark stout or porter, to a bitter, and a pale ale. In addition, there are usually six ciders as well. Though not normally a cider drinker, a few months back I had a pint of the wonderfully named – and tasting - Thrown Hat: an experience which could

turn pretty much anyone into a cider fan.

Ian and Alison have no plans to make the Tap’s own cider, though he is mulling over a “bread beer” made from stale bread, as part of the Real Junk Food Project, and in collaboration with Cooplands.

Meanwhile, on a personal front, the good news is that Town Fields will soon be joining the beers on offer at the Doncaster Brewery & Tap. That’s definitely something to drink to.

Cheers!

End Doncaster Brewery & Tap is at 7 Young St, Doncaster DN1 3EL, they can be contacted on 07770 95 8394 .

Photography: Warren Draper (top) and Sheila North©2015

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Discover

World Food.... without

leaving

Donny Ben Hales What kind of foodscape would the world traveller find in Doncaster at Christmas?

Arriving by train he or she might like to be shoehorned into a modern shopping centre and be familiar with global chains offering sandwiches, burgers and fried chicken and conclude this is a very generic town, or may prefer to walk briskly to one or more of our town’s more interesting, esoteric and characterful eateries.

Let’s walk right down towards the Doncopolitan studio at the end of Copley Road. On the left Kian’s Kurdish and Persian Dishes serve their delicate lamb soup for a starter – we’ll postpone for now their huge kebab meals.

Opposite is Kurdistan Coffee with exotic sounding dishes such as Tashreeb and Nokaw.

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For a main course at this end of town I usually buy a drink from a nearby mini-mart and go to Desi Roti, a small, informal Indian restaurant. I might look like a more traditional take away from the outside, but this place is all about the curries.

You select your level of spiciness, which will determine how much fresh chilli is used. The Rotis are baked in a traditional clay oven and are perfect for using with your fingers to scoop up a load of Channa (chick pea), Masala or lamb Balti – whether vegetarian or meat – it’s all vibrant and delicious.

There’s also good chocolate cake with cream, though you could nip across the street for dessert, to Aeland coffee shop, the street’s newest, late opening café, where delicious Middle Eastern cakes and pastries, like Baklawa, await.

Though full already, we can skirt round

the edge of town, turning onto Nether Hall Road and passing no less than three Turkish restaurants (Yusuf’s, Mezze & Turkuaz), two Italians (Fratellis & San Remo) and a Spanish tapas place (El Toro), turning left at the main junction (noting the Rum Rooms fine dining boutique on Market Road plus the new Twisted Burger Co. within Vintage Rockbar and dimsum-to-die-for from China Palace on Silver Street) and up East Laith Gate.

There’s Akbars for curries, the ever popular Relish Bar and Grill, Lalezar (another Turkish one) and The Filling Station, which uses a proper smoker to barbeque its meats till tender.

We turn right through Bradford Row then onto Hallgate. At the top on the left is the Hallcross pub, which hosts the waste food fighting Real Junk Food Project, which serves an always tasty

and nutritious, brilliantly random menu every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday tea time.

Through the alley until we arrive at my other favourite foodie area: Wood Street and the adjacent Waterdale centre.

Papacass’s has an Italian theme, but to me is as much a no-nonsense, friendly and cheerful daytime café, as well as the wholesome daily specials I love the bright and cheerful décor, which combines red gingham table cloths and retro Italian posters.

A little further down is Pure Lunch Bar, a welcome new healthy eating take away where nothing is fried or processed.

Main courses like salmon tacos and beef chilli can be washed down with one of their nutrient packed smoothies. NYC Bar & Grill on the bottom corner offers sophisticated New York style burgers

and drinks and is one of the best spots for people watching in town.

Let’s finish within the Waterdale centre. The City is now a cosy Polish restaurant, and at the top there’s Java, a great little spot I like to go for a good value breakfast and to read a decent newspaper on a Saturday.

Our last stop is shabby-chic Taste Eatery. The lunch, evening and drinks menus are all enticing and on Thursdays the venue becomes an intimate night spot, opening even later than usual for bands and open mic gigs.

There are many others to discover – Doncaster’s fringe eateries are certainly worth a detour.

End

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The New Season At

cast Cast, Doncaster’s Performance Venue, announces its Spring 2016 season, which continues to bring quality shows to the region. The voices of Yorkshire mining communities are brought centre stage with John Godber’s new play Shafted! and Gary Clarke’s Company’s COAL. A poignant reminder of the loss of a once mighty British industry that went it decline 30 years ago under Thatcher’s government and ended this year, with the closure of Doncaster’s own Hatfield Colliery in July and Kellingley, North Yorkshire earlier this month.

Shafted! follows an ex-miner and his wife on how they fought back over the past thirty years after the 1984-85 strikes. Starring John Godber himself alongside Jane Thornton, Shafted! brings back to the stage Godber’s and Thornton’s BAFTA award winning partnership.

Marking the 1984-85 strikes 30th anniversary, choreographer Gary Clarke’s new dance theatre show COAL delves on the darker underbelly and human cost of the mining industry.

Commissioned by a consortium including Cast, and endorsed by The National Union of Mineworkers, COAL brings together on stage seven high class dancers, a community ensemble drawn from local mining communities and live music from Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band in an ever relevant exploration of community and solidarity.

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Another political drama of the season, United We Stand is a new production about the contested Shrewsbury 24 trial, which comes to the stage at the same times as campaigners call for the release of confidential documents alleged to show undue influence on the trial by the government at the time.

Further season highlights include a bold re-imagining of Bizet’s Carmen set in an oil-rich, military dictatorship in Equatorial Guinea by Zimbabwean-born Bawren Tavaziva in Africarmen (Tue 23 February).

The hard and uncompromising world of 1960s Newcastle rife with crime, sex and violence in Get Carter (Tue 5 – Sat 9 April), a new production by Northern Stage of the Ted Lewis’ novel, originally set in Doncaster and first made famous in the Mike Hodge film starring Michael Caine.

From the team behind Birdsong comes a new production of the West End hit Shadowlands (Tue 26 – Sat 30 April), about the love story of beloved Chronicles of Narnia author CS Lewis.

For children and families Cast, in association with Manchester’s Z-Arts, brings a twenty-first century twist on the Hans Christian Andersen classic tale Snow Queen (Thu 17 – Sat 19 March), exploring modern families and online safety.

Looking ahead to summer Cast looks forward to hosting the world premiere of Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre (Thu 19 – Sat 21 May), a new production for 2016 celebrating the 200th Brontë anniversary, and the return of Sadler’s Wells’ acclaimed international festival of hip hop dance theatre Breakin’ Convention (Saturday 7 May).

Graham Whitehead, Head of marketing and communications at Cast comments: “Cast’s continued success proves that Doncaster is a town where arts and culture can and does thrive, with over eighty thousand visitors coming through the doors this year. Our new Spring Season for 2016 sees some of the biggest national companies bringing new world class shows to Doncaster, as we continue to establish Cast as the town’s cultural living room and a cultural powerhouse for the region.”

End Ticket’s for Cast’s Spring 2016 season are available from Cast’s Box Office on 0 1 3 0 2 3 0 3 9 5 9 or online at c a s t i n d o n c a s t e r. c o m

season diary 01302 303959

PERFORMANCE (P15)

Sleeping Beauty

Fri 4 Dec – Sun 3 Jan Main Space See inside for timings COMEDY (P14)

Mark Thomas Sat 5 December

Second Space 7.45pm CHILDREN'S (P5)

Christmas Tales with Granddad

Tue 8 – Wed 30 December Second Space See inside for timings MUSIC (P6)

Christmas Brass Sun 13 December Main Space 7pm COMEDY (P14)

Cast Comedy Club Christmas Special Fri 18 December Second Space 8pm COMEDY (P14)

Cast Comedy Club Christmas Special Sat 19 December

Second Space 8pm

PERFORMANCE (P14)

How You Gonna Live Your Dash Sat 6 February

Second Space 7.45pm TAKE PART (P22)

The Great Big Dance Off Mon 8 February Main Space 4pm

LOCAL TALENT (P22)

Showin’ Out

Fri 12 – Sat 13 February Main Space 7pm Saturday matinee 2pm COMEDY (P15)

Cast Comedy Club Sat 13 February

Second Space 8pm COMEDY (P6)

The Picture of Doreen Gray

Wed 17 February

Main Space 7.30pm PERFORMANCE (P15)

Into Thin Air

Wed 17 February

Second Space 7.45pm COMEDY DRAMA (P7)

PERFORMANCE (P14)

United We Stand Fri 22 January

Shafted!

Thu 18 – Sat 20 February

Second Space 7.45pm

Main Space 7.30pm Saturday matinee 2pm

POETRY (P6)

DANCE (P7)

The Pitmen Poets Tue 26 January

Main Space 7.30pm PERFORMANCE (P14)

The Man in the Iron Mask Thu 28 – Sat 30 January Second Space 7.30pm MUSIC (P6)

The Magic of Motown Fri 29 January

Main Space 8pm LOCAL TALENT (P22)

Clara

Sat 30 – Sun 31 January Second Space 7pm Sunday matinee 2pm MUSIC (P6)

Hatfield Colliery Band

A Tribute to Mr Ken Johnson Sat 6 February Main Space 7.30pm

Africarmen

Tue 23 February

Main Space 7.30pm THEATRE (P15)

Macbeth

Fri 26 February

Second Space 1.30pm & 7.45pm MUSICAL REVIEW (P8)

Beyond the Barricade Sat 27 February

Main Space 7.30pm CHILDREN’S THEATRE (P12)

Play Dough

Sat 27 – Sun 28 February Second Space 2.30pm Sunday 11am & 2.30pm VARIETY (P8)

The Good Old Days of Variety Tue 2 March

Main Space 1.30pm

DANCE (P10)

Fresh

Phoenix Dance Theatre

Second Space 7.45pm

Second Space 6pm Main Space 7.30pm

Main Space 7.30pm

Fri 4 March DANCE (P9)

PANTOMIME (P4)

DANCE (P8)

A Local Boy

Sat 26 March

Gary Clarke Company COAL

This Is How We Do It!

Main Space 2pm & 7.30pm

Main Space 7pm Wed matinee 2pm

Sat 5 March

LOCAL TALENT / MUSICAL (P13)

Fiddler On The Roof Sun 6 – Mon 7 March Main Space 7pm TAKE PART (P22)

LOCAL TALENT (P22)

Tue 29 – Wed 30 March

AN EVENING WITH (P8)

Simon Callow Fri 1 April

Main Space 7.30pm EASTER PANTOMIME (P13)

Sir Scallywag…

Schools Concert

The Wizard of Oz

Main Space 10.30am & 1.30pm

Main Space 3pm & 7pm

Tue 8 March

INTERACTIVE THEATRE (P16)

Gatecrash

Tue 8 – Fri 11 March

Second Space Tue 6pm Wed – Fri 6pm & 8pm Thu matinee 2pm LOCAL TALENT (P22)

Sun 3 April DRAMA (P9)

Get Carter

Tue 5 – Sat 9 April Main Space 7.30pm Sat matinee 2.30pm PERFORMANCE (P17)

Dirty Lingerie

Let’s Face The Music

Wed 6 April

Main Space Sat 7pm Sun 2.30pm

THEATRE (P17)

Sat 12 – Sun 13 March

PERFORMANCE (P16)

Falling

Wed 16 March

Second Space 7.45pm

Second Space 7.45pm

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Thu 7 April

Second Space 7.45pm COMEDY (P18)

Rory McGrath

Tue 19 April

PERFORMANCE (P10)

National Theatre Connections 500

Wed 20 – Thu 21 April

Main/Second Space 7pm MUSIC (P11)

Gerry Cross The Mersey Fri 22 April

Main Space 7.30pm CABARET TEA PARTY (P19)

An Odd Occasion Fri 22 April

Second Space 7.45pm MUSIC (P11)

St George’s Day Concert Sat 23 April

Main Space 7.30pm PERFORMANCE (P19)

Lost in Blue Sat 23 April

Second Space 7.45pm DRAMA (P11)

Shadowlands

Tue 26 – Sat 30 April

Main Space 7.30pm Sat matinee 2pm

COMEDY PERFORMANCE (P19)

CHILDREN’S THEATRE (P12)

Saturday 9 April

Second Space 8pm

Becoming Hattie

Thu 17 – Sat 19 March

OPERA (P10)

Second Space 7.45pm

Snow Queen

Main Space 10am & 1pm Sat 10am & 2pm PERFORMANCE (P17)

Scuttlers

Sat 19 – Sun 20 March Second Space 7pm TAKE PART (P22)

Generate: Doncaster

Mon 21 March – Fri 1 April Whole venue

PERFORMANCE (P16)

Punching the Sky Wed 23 March

Second Space 7.45pm

Clocks 1888: The Greener

Fri 15 – Sat 16 April Main Space 7.30pm Fri matinee 1.30pm

PERFORMANCE (P18)

The Town Meeting Wed 13 April

Second Space 6pm & 8.15pm COMEDY (P18)

Cast Comedy Club Fri 15 April

Second Space 8pm FAMILY CONCERT (P13)

Sight Specific

Sir Scallywag and the Battle of Stinky Bottom

Second Space 7.45pm

Second Space 2pm

HIP HOP DANCE THEATRE (P17)

Thu 24 March

LOCAL TALENT (P22)

Sat 16 April

CLASSICAL MUSIC (P18)

Move, Shake, Hide

Ensemble 360

Main Space 7pm Fri matinee 2pm

Second Space 7pm

Thu 24 – Fri 25 March

COMEDY (P17)

Cast Comedy Club Fri 25 March

Second Space 8pm

Sat 16 April

PERFORMANCE (P19)

Grandad and the Machine Tue 19 April

Second Space 7.45pm

Thu 28 April

LOCAL TALENT / PERFORMANCE (P13)

Disney’s Peter Pan Jr Into The Woods Jr

Sat 30 April – Mon 2 May Second Space 2pm & 7pm PERFORMANCE (P20)

Shakespeare Untold Wed 4 May Main Space

HIP HOP THEATRE (P20)

Breakin’ Convention Sat 7 May

Whole venue 7.30pm BALLET (P21)

Jane Eyre

Thu 19 – Sat 21 May Main Space 7.30pm

CHILDREN’S BALLET (P21)

Tortoise and the Hare Sat 21 May

Main Space 12.30pm & 2.30pm COMEDY (P21)

Hal Cruttenden Fri 3 June

Main Space 7.30pm

Cast gratefully acknowledges support from:

castindoncaster.com

What's the dealat...

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D av i d We t z , M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r o f Cooplands, has been working in Doncaster for the last 8months helping Angus Steel, the new o w n e r, g e t t h e b u s i n e ss b a c k on track.

So tell us a little bit about

w h a t yo u ’ ve b e e n u p t o s i n c e Cooplands came under new ow n e rs h i p i n J u n e?

We l l , t h i n g s h a v e b e e n e x t r e m e l y b u s y s i n ce J u n e 2 0 1 5 . C o o p l a n d s is a household name in South Yo r k s h i r e a n d h a s a n i n c r e d i b l y strong emotive connection w i t h t h e p e o p l e h e r e . S a d l y, the business has been terribly n e g l e c t e d o v e r t h e y e a r s . We picked up the mantle in June and we rolled our sleeves up and got to work. It has been a difficult time for our staff who saw some redundancies earlier on in the y e a r. T h e p r o c e s s o f c h a n g e , which we began to put in place s t r a i g h t a wa y, h a s s o m e t i m e s been hard for us to communicate to them.

W h a t h a s b e e n yo u r m a i n fo c u s s i n c e J u n e?

S t e a d y i n g t h e s h i p, k e e p i n g o u r l oy a l s t a f f o n b o a r d a n d w o r k i n g w i t h a v e r y s i m p l e n e w b u s i n e ss s t r a t e g y. We a r e w o r k i n g o n

Photography: Warren Draper ©2015

communicating better about how we are redeveloping the business, and what our shor t term and long-term goals i n v o l v e . I n a s t r u g g l i n g b u s i n e ss there is usually a mix of firefighting, interspersed with periods of calm. The latter allows us to focus on things that help re-energise and redirect the business to do the right things.

S o w h a t i s yo u r n e w s t r a t e g y ?

In simple terms - to work towards delivering exactly what Cooplands was once famous for: q u a l i t y a n d v a l u e . We b e l i e v e that the Cooplands brand b e l o n g s i n S o u t h Yo r k s h i r e a n d we want to nur ture those roots.

I would love to speed up the process of re-building Cooplands but it has to be a ‘one step at a t i m e ’ a p p r o a c h . I w a s o n ce told that you can only eat an elephant one chunk at a time!

17

H ow a re yo u a c h i e v i n g t h a t , g i ve n t h a t C o o p l a n d s n o l o n ge r m a n u fa c t u re s i t ’ s ow n p ro d u c t s ?

It’s a good question and one that we’re often asked. I wholehear tedly believe that w e c a n s t i l l g i v e o u r l oy a l c u s t o m e r s , o l d a n d n e w, a h i g h q u a l i t y, v a l u e p r o d u c t e v e n i f w e are not manufacturing ourselves.

We s t a r t e d t h i s p r o ce ss o f change by being clear and determined about restocking the shelves with quality products.

We h a v e d o n e t h i s by f i n d i n g and securing impor tant local s u p p l i e r p a r t n e r s w h o p r o d u ce a n e xc e p t i o n a l p r o d u c t a n d b u y into our vision for Cooplands.

There are some amazing local f o o d p r o d u c e r s i n Yo r k s h i r e t h a t g i v e u s s o m u c h c h o i ce . H av i n g said that, we’ve gone back to producing cakes ourselves, which w e a r e v e r y e xc i t e d a b o u t .

C a n yo u g i ve a n e x a m p l e o f t h e k i n d o f l o c a l p ro d u ce yo u w i l l sell?

Ye s , s u r e . O b v i o u s l y i n t h e p a s t , Cooplands made and sold its o w n b r e a d a n d w e wa n t e d t o g e t back to selling a quality product.

I t ’ s a s l o w p r o c e ss a n d i t ’ s t a k e n us a few months to find the right q u a l i t y, b u t w e a r e n o w w o r k i n g w i t h a l o c a l f a m i l y b u s i n e ss w h o a r e t o t a l l y p a ss i o n a t e a b o u t making a good, honest tasty product. The bread we stock is made from scratch (unlike the bread which supermarkets sell).

I t ’ s c o l l e c t e d a n d d e l i v e r e d d a i l y, s o i t ’ s a l wa y s f r e s h i n o u r s t o r e s .

It costs us a little bit more to do this but we really believe in this a s a p o i n t o f d i f f e r e n ce .

B u t h ave n ’ t t h e s u p e r m a r ke t s t a ke n t h e l i o n ’ s s h a re o f b r e a d s a l e s away f ro m i n d e p e n d e n t b a ke rs o n t h e h i g h s t re e t ?

That’s absolutely right. There h a s b e e n a s h i f t a way f r o m customers buying their bread f r o m h i g h s t r e e t o r co m m u n i t y bakery shops, but that’s more to do with the traditional bakery

18

shop moving their main offering to one of ‘food on the go’ and focusing on selling takeaway products for the lunchtime sandwich market, for example.

At Cooplands, not only do we sell great bread made from s c r a t c h n o w, b u t w e c a n u s e i t to make fantastic sandwiches with! It’s how things used to b e a t C o o p l a n d s y e a r s a g o. We h av e a l r e a d y b e e n w o r k i n g o n new lunch products, which will hit the shops in the lead up to Christmas.

Yo u s e e m t o b e ve r y m u c h fo c u ss e d o n p r o d u c t r e p u t a t i o n , w h i c h i s w h a t C o o p l a n d s wa s o n c e k n o w n fo r.

A b s o l u t e l y. T h e w o r l d h a s changed and we want to return to the original, simple Cooplands values, but in new ways, if t h a t m a k e s s e n s e? P e o p l e h a v e very fond memories of cer tain products and, while we want to retain those customers and keep t h e m h a p p y, t h e r e h a s t o b e a b a l a n ce b e t w e e n s t o c k i n g i t e m s because they have ‘sentimental value’ and looking a bit fur ther ahead to what new customers wa n t . We h a v e t o g i v e a l l o u r customers what they want , which goes for all retailers. I’ve a l way s s a i d t h e r e i s n o r o o m f o r a r r o g a n ce o r c o m p l a c e n c y in retail!

H o w a r e yo u go i n g t o s p r e a d t h e word?

We a r e w o r k i n g o n a v e r y e xc i t i n g , c o n t e m p o r a r y marketing strategy to establish the Cooplands brand, focusing both on bringing back regular customers and attracting new customers in to all our shops.

We ’ r e g o i n g t o b e s h a r i n g s t o r i e s about Cooplands, its products and our suppliers and running regular events and competitions to engage people. Our marketing campaigns will be highly visual and we’ll be doing a lot of regular social media messaging to reach out to new customers.

We p l a n a s e r i e s o f r e g u l a r m e a l deals to ensure we appeal to the ‘ l u n c h o n t h e g o ’ c r o w d . We ’ l l be working with the Council, local employers and media outlets to shout about what we’re doing – and we have some r e a l l y e xc i t i n g n e w p a r t n e r s h i p s with local organisations and social enterprises which we will a n n o u n ce s h o r t l y. We ’ r e e v e n looking at making a shor t viral f i l m a b o u t t h e b u s i n e ss a n d o u r vision to put Cooplands bakery back at the hear t of t h e c o m m u n i t y.

End

Š Julie-Ann Bowen 2015

FIGHT THEPOWER With Mark Thomas

22

Jon Kelly Jon Kelly recently chatted to Mark Thomas ahead of his recent appearance at CAST. This is a transcript of a wider interview originally recorded for the Orange Flavoured Pipe Machine radio show, broadcasting on Fridays from 8pm on Sine FM. Mark, there are loads of things you’re involved with; you’re not just a performer. You’ve been referred to as a number of things - comedian, political activist even a domestic extremist.

What are you happy to be described as? Assuming you’re allowed to leave the country, what does it say on your passport?

Official pain in the arse, that’s really what I want.

So you’re coming back to Doncaster to visit our new performance venue with your new show?

Yeah, it’s really exciting. It’s brilliant Doncaster has a new venue; I think it’s great. You know I went to college at Bretton Hall? The next show I’m doing is about the Labour Club in Wakefield.

It’ll be a weird and wonderful show.

I’ve always regarded Yorkshire as a place where I have to come and do well at, because this is where I started performing in public, in the Wakefield Labour Club. We’d put on shows, benefits and fundraisers for the miners’ strike and progressive causes, campaigns against nursery closures and all that type of stuff. We used to write shows and perform them in the afternoon. And we also refused to rehearse because we believed that to be bourgeois. We were terrible! I make no claims about it. But we put a lot of heart into it. And because of that history, whenever I’ve come up to Yorkshire I’ve always regarded it kind of like second home. So Leeds, Sheffield, Donny, all those places you have to do well at ‘cos it’s your home turf. Yeah, I’m excited about coming up.

Just tell us a little bit about this new show then, Mark. It’s called Trespass isn’t it?

The show’s about how we’re privatising public space. Corporations, shopping centres all these kinds of things buying

up public space. There are new laws, new regulations about things you can’t do. It’s me basically being bloody minded and saying, right let’s see what we can do. It’s the usual mix of protest theatre, journalism and mayhem; we’ve done all sorts of things. We did a punk rock gig on the River Thames, without authorisation or anything like that.

See, when the tide goes out, it’s really difficult to say who is in charge of the beach. So all this massive stretch around the centre of London is privately owned by corporations and you are there by their permission. You can’t demonstrate, you can’t assemble, you can’t busk, you can’t hand out leaflets, you can’t protest, you can’t make a speech. All the normal things you’d expect due to your human rights; you can’t have these things in these spaces now. So what we do is say, well let’s find the places where you can do these things. And when the tide goes out, you can get down on the beach. We did a gig with Oi Polloi.

They make progressive Oi music and they’re fantastic! So we got them and another band called The Flowers of Flesh & Blood, who are a similar band, and we got generators and set up sound systems on the beach. And we had 500 punks turn up! It was great. All these tourists just looking around wondering what’s going on with all these punks going mad. In the middle of it all, you’ve got rather genteel, somewhat middle class activists going around collecting petitions. All these lovely, very nice people walking around asking the punks to sign petitions in the middle of the set.

So lots of fun and games we have with the show, lots of messing around and lots of defiance. It’s also an examination of where do our rights start and end. I’ve got human rights, but when I walk into a shopping centre where do those rights go? I suppose it’s really asking those questions.

it in a certain area and if you get caught you pay £100 on the spot. So Oxford has made begging illegal. So if you’re caught begging you have to pay £100 fine. Now most beggars haven’t got £100 and so that means they end up going to court and because there are mandatory court charges now under Chris Grayling’s law, even if you’re guilt free you have to pay. So we set up beggar traps. They’re big cardboard boxes with metal gates at the front with wooden sticks and string. On the side it’s got Oxford City Council’s logo, like an official beggar trap. Basically we put them out there as a protest and there were loads of people going “…that shouldn’t be allowed, I can’t believe the council have done that…” and they thought they were real.

I don’t know whether it speaks about human credulity or whether it says how awful the council is that people expect them to do that. So I just created this story by mucking about. It’s not observational humour. We’re telling a story, but we’re ensuring we’re taking part in the way that story is created.

I guess very often people are totally unaware that these kinds of laws exist and your comedy revolves around exposing that.

I like the analogy you’ve made with the ramblers of the 1930s with this new show. The fact you’re almost like a 21st Century urban rambler as opposed to fighting to access areas of the countryside. That’s a nice allusion to make.

Yeah, definitely. There’s a thing called the public space protection order which is a law that councils have introduced to ban and outlaw certain types of behaviour that are legal. They can ban

You’ve been doing this for quite a long time now…

Yeah, 30 years!

Are we heading towards this future dystopia we’ve always feared or is it something we have to be constantly struggling against?

I think the thing about civil liberties and human rights is that you can never take them for granted. You have to go and fight for them so that other people can’t take them away. I’ve always held that adage of the left very close to my heart that they don’t call it the struggle for nothing. And fighting for human rights is a constant battle. You just have to get out and get stuck in.

Yeah, absolutely. That whole movement was an iconic act of civil disobedience

23

and direct action. It was really exciting.

They were predominantly working class men and women from the North of England who were willing to trespass and say we have a right to roam. They went to jail for six months for having the audacity to walk on the hills and the beautiful countryside that is the Peak District. Yeah, I talk about that quite a lot.

I was really curious to click on the Trespass playlist on your website, a great set of strange R&B, novelty records and weird jazz. Does that reflect your musical tastes?

It reflects part of it, yeah. What I love is that when people come to the show you want to set the tone before it’s started.

So I want to get people thinking in an

24

Photography: Steve Ullathorne ©2015

odd way from the beginning! Yeah, I’m a huge music fan. My New Year’s resolution is to listen to more new music. I’m obsessed with music. I read loads of music books. I’ve actually got a Public Enemy biography on the go at the moment.

I saw Public Enemy at the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield a couple of years back and I was a bit late getting down there for their set, but I could hear that famous siren call that announces when they come on the stage and that iconic voice as Chuck D took the mic.

Without even seeing them, it was totally unmistakable.

Chuck D is remarkable. I think he’ll eventually be remembered as iconic, as important, if not more, than Bob Marley.

He has created a political soundtrack and he’s been part of the creation of an art form that has dominated the last 30 years. Chuck D is the father of the modern protest song. If you look at the protest movement and you go from Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie to Dylan, and then you get into punk and you get Bob Marley coming in and a whole load of influence, it’s Chuck D who picks it up from there.

Yeah, I’d totally agree with you there.

Great talking to you, Mark and thanks for the opportunity to delve into your music.

Yeah, take care, Bye, Jon. End

Sprotbrough Christmas Fair

This year’s Sprotbrough Christmas Fair, organised by those fine folk from Reckage At Home, was another Christmas Cracker of an event raising £160 for the Royal British Legion and £100 for Sprotbrough Community Library.

An amazing lady named Bet, who is 87 years young, had a stall which raised almost £300 for a hearing dogs charity.

They will be holding another Fair in the Summer for the animal charity, Rain (rain.org.uk). In the meantime a big thank you to everyone who attended, including: Roc and Doll & she knows Wares and Graces Eyres and Graces The Garden Tearooms Ann Smith (Artist) Celebration Tree True Candles Rachel Smith Woodturning Sprotbrough Community Library

26

Photography: John Fuller ©2015

27

MUSIC GUIDE

Joe Carnall JNR

Little Mono

Diamond Live Lounge, Friday 11th December 2015

Sailing Songs Album Review

Joe Carnall Jnr has maintained a loyal fan base throughout his career whether that be fronting Milburn and The Book Club or as the bassist in Reverend And The Makers. It makes sense then that Carnall Jnr has now chosen to go down the path of being a solo artist albeit backed by a full band.

I can’t quite put my finger on what sets Little Mono apart from the pack.

A band from a mining town in South Yorkshire certainly layering on the mine-shaft deep riffs and tapping the rich seams of coal-black humour from around these parts. But there’s so much more to these boys.

Joe Carnall Jnr is the latest in a slew of impressive acts to feature at the Doncaster Diamond Live Lounge including Space and Frankie & The Heartstrings and as the Sheffield singer/songwriter opened up with a storming rendition of Captain Hook it was clear this was to be another good night.

Carnall Jnr’s emergence as a solo artist is reminiscent of Gaz Coombes brilliant solo work in as much as both artists have broken free of the shackles of Milburn and Supergrass respectively to produce something fresh and new. This is never more apparent than on second track Avenue, a stomping piano led ballad with a hook laden chorus. A well-received Sharpshooter follows before The Boy Who Was Struck By Lightning has the Doncaster crowd clapping along.

At this point the band leave the stage as Carnall Jnr treats the crowd to a couple of acoustic songs including a version of Milburn favourite Cheshire Cat Smile, complete with dodgy backing vocals from the audience. Joe jokes that normally the band would go backstage but as there is no such area in Live Lounge they will just have to stand and watch.

The band return for a triumphant run through of excellent new single Three Things, which encapsulates Carnall Jnr’s Simon and Garfunkel influenced folk sound before crowd favourite Times New Roman - probably the only love song about fonts. By the time the last notes of set closer Haunted have finished it is clear that whether it is with Milburn, The Book Club or as a solo act, Joe Carnall Jnr means business. His album is due to drop next year.

Don’t miss it.

Rob Johnson

Originally, music room chums at the local comp, Little Mono have become a collective of sorts led by songwriter and Jarvis Cocker doppleganger, Vincent Marsh, and co-writer and partner in crime, Joe Hirst. A few years of honing and refining through heavy rehearsals led to this deepest and darkest, earworm of a debut album, Sailing Songs, recorded earlier this year but scheduled for release in early 2016.

Opening track Vivid spills its hardcore guts from the outset. A sinewy coiling riff in the manner of Washington’s finest, Fugazi. It’s short, sharp, floor-tom driven and with to-die-for swooning vocals. It is over way too soon.

Then there’s the dubcentric Kites that deceives with its light upstrokes of chiming synth-like guitar, before the distorted wave of typically mono-esque guitars come crashing in. The voices are hazy and shoegazey, for want of a better term: strike that, gauzy, translucent and harmonic. Getting high and feeling the down side, all washed up and nowhere to grow...

Propeller shows how catchy this outfit can be with a skewed nod to 50’s doo wop and aviation as escapism with a spiralling tailspin down to earth at the coda. I pause to catch my breath.

A Shining Path could be Wire and Sugar’s lovechild in it’s churning chord structure. Brutal and beautiful at the same time. The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog was the first thing I heard by LM when I saw them at Sheffield’s MADE @ The Audacious Art Experiment, and still remains a personal favourite. Blinding Light took 10 minutes to create but years to perfect, this is where the Marsh/Hirst sonic explorations really comes into its own. It is a joyous primal scream, dancing phosphenes of neo-psychedelia, dissolving into an seething mess of feedback and atonality after five mins of melodic bliss.

Sailing Songs seems to be about being lost and found, washed up but triumphant, cold to the touch but warm of heart, and precision-tooled to ebb and flow, too short - at 30 minutes - but guaranteed to remain on your turntable for most of the coming months. That is until Songs of the Bewildered (Little Mono’s sophomore album) comes along in the new year.

Can’t wait for more black stuff from these boys.

Sven Dali

28

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MUSIC GUIDE

Sherlocks

#DOncoLISTINGS

Leopard, Saturday, 21 November 2015

DECEMBER

Sheffield’s The Sherlocks arrived at The Leopard fresh from the success of their latest single Heart of Gold being played on numerous national radio stations and with the sell out crowd chanting ‘Sherlocks Army’ before the band had even taken the stage.

Opener Last Night kicks off with the call and response chorus getting the crowd going before Was It Really Worth It continues to show off brothers Josh and Andy Davidson providing strong backing vocals on guitar and bass respectively. With another set of brothers Kiaran and Brandon Crook making up the rest of the band on vocals and drums it is easy to see why the band have become so tight as a live act despite being relatively young.

Before Motions Kiaran tells the audience ‘I say this every night but this next song is when the gig properly starts’ but it is Escapade that really makes the crowd erupt with the rowdy bunch down the front doing the massive guitar riff justice. The frantic intro from Shine Your Light as well as the ‘Let me know!’ refrain keeps the crowd jumping before new song Get Up receives the same treatment as some of the older fan favourites, such is the devotion of the Sherlocks Army.

You’ve Made A Mistake’s bitter opening lines ‘You’ve got a perfect face for a radio, I can read you like a book’ may invite lazy Arctic Monkeys comparisons but The Sherlock’s are actually more indebted to ‘All Mod Cons’ era The Jam channelling The Clash during the London heroes more melodic moments.

Live For The Moment has the crowd gasping for breath but the final one-two and gig highlights of Heart of Gold and Chasing Shadows cap off a brilliant night for one of Yorkshire’s most popular new bands. Set closer Chasing Shadows is clearly a fan favourite but if The Sherlock’s keep on writing songs of the quality of Heart of Gold then they won’t be closing their set with it for much longer.

A triumphant return to Doncaster for a band with the world at their feet.

Rob Johnson

-29th MC Devvo plus Saints, Social Bar DTC. Free Entry.

-31st NYE Rocky Horror Pit Show, Alternative Anthems Club Night. Diamond Live -Lounge 9.00pm - 3.30pm. £5 Advanced.

-31st NYE Counting Coins Plus Support. Ska/punk/gypsy/hiphop £3.00 Advanced.

-31st NYE Groom Lake Fugitives Plus support Cask Corner Dive Bar. Free Entry

JANUARY -9th Kadinja (Paris based) Plus Dawn of Justice and Carbine. Prog Metal.

Vintage DTC £4/5 -29th The Lake Poets + Kate Green Folk Acoustic, Roots Music Club, Ukraine Centre, Beckett Road £10/12

FEBRUARY -5th February - Sean Taylor (Acoustic/Folk) Rhannon Scutt (ex Rita Payne) -9th The Crookes New Pop/Indie, Sheffield PLUS Support Diamond Live Lounge DTC £8 -13th Avit Blues (Rock/Blues), Woolpack Live, DTC -26th Cattle & Cane (Pop/Folk/Acoustic), Diamond Live Lounge, DTC £10

MARCH -5th The Vibrators (Authentic 70s Punk legends), Leopard, West Street DTC £9 -5th The Selecter (Original 2-tone legends), Diamond Live Lounge DTC £12.50 ADVANCED. £17.50 After.

APRIL -Fri 29th Billy Ocean with twice MOBO award winning Saxophanist Yolanda Brown. Doncaster Dome £28.00 -22nd The Railsplitters 22nd April Unconventional Bluegrass from Boulder, Colorado, USA, Roots Music Club £10/12

29

THEATRE & FILM Guide

Dance At CAST

ODD JOB MEN

Slow West

Cast ,4th November, 2015

Cast, 11th November, 2015

Phantom Cinema, 7 Young Street, Thursday 28th January, 2016, 7.30 pm.

I’ve heard so many people over the years tell me that the way to change the world is through storytelling. Stories are the key to change, they’re the world without its makeup on and they’re the best way for people to establish a connection with each other.

From 1903’s ‘The Great Train Robbery’ onwards, the strange story of the American West was told in hundreds of films, made all over the world.

Generally set in the latter part of the 19th century, in the wide open spaces and shanty towns of the emerging nation, westerns provided steady profits for decades, until audiences started to lose interest during the 1960s. The classic western, with its heroes, villains, and cruel, whooping Indians, died here, having done so much to write the legend of the Wild West, and to enshrine that short, chaotic period of time into world history.

National Dance Company Wales is an awardwinning contemporary dance company presenting work by some of the most celebrated international choreographers, which is exactly what they did at Cast on the 4th of November 2015. The company performed three pieces that were contrasting in style and subject, but all were enjoyable and we would recommend anyone who loves watching dance or something new to take the chance to see this show.

It started with a soloist performer mumbling and chatting to herself, creating sounds with her voice, breath and movement. The audience were then transported into a full on voice orchestra that filled the stage with intricate rhythms which served as a canvas of interchanging movement and sound. The movement was fascinating to watch, and performed with a light hearted, effortlessly funny nature by the performers who each enveloped a distinct character.

The final piece of the night Walking Mad was unique, in which the audience were meet with nothing more then a long wooden fence stretching across the full length of the stage. Throughout the piece the fence becomes a piece the dancers partner with, climb up, dangle from and push against it. It also contains hidden doors that open and allow the dancers to leap through or bolt from, occasionally it falls right over, creating a stage upon the stage. This impact is felt when all nine dancers step on top it with their hats and raincoats making the scene look like something out of Broadway.

National Dance Company Wales provided an enjoyable and breath-taking triple bill of performances. The works offered a mixture of dance styles and themes, which left the audience with their own personal favorites. We highly recommend seeing National Dance Company Wales, it will be an awe inspiring experience for both the dance novice and regular theatre goer.

A review by University Centre Students: Amelia Yeates, Paige Sennett, Lois Stothard and Amber Heath.

I’ve got high expectations for Odd Job Men - I always do when I come to Cast to see a play. The environment here feels exciting and electric to me, and it always builds me up in anticipation.

As we’re taking our seats I look at the set.

Reminiscent of home, domestic work and, well, stories. I hope it’s enough for the two actors to draw from.

Odd Job Men is a collection of stories, beautifully portrayed in the same way you’d tell a funny tale to your friends at the pub. Nick and Matt set themselves a goal - a goal of exploring the people of Donny by doing odd jobs in exchange for stories.

The theatre is completely packed out, we’re all huddled up close together. The actors get everyone’s attention and introduce themselves.

I couldn’t envisage how this play would be delivered, and even in the introduction I’m feeling a little apprehensive. Nevertheless, they get into character and Odd Job Men begins.

The first story we hear is a nostalgic tale about a tennis ball and a pint of Guinness. The room slowly fills with laughter. My apprehension is immediately put at ease.

The pair recount their experiences through mimes and impressions, each story slightly funnier than the last. We hear about a loft clearance that brought with it an unexpected discovery; a daring trip to the faraway lands of Maltby; a stolen bus; a pineapple plant; and plenty of other simple, humble memories from people who’ve lived in Doncaster for many years.

Throughout Odd Job Men I feel a steady increase in my pride for Doncaster. This play has picked out the many lovable characteristics our residents hold, and showcased them in a lovely way.

Nick and Matt round up the show by encouraging us all to share stories in our day to day lives more often, a lost art that if regained would probably results in us all getting along a bit better.

As we leave I glance at the time and can’t believe almost an hour and a half has passed - it flew by!

I have to run to catch my bus, so I don’t manage to ask another theatre goer what they thought, but the warm atmosphere I leave behind is enough to confirm that everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did.

Fran Bibby

30

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‘Slow West’ is a curious sort of western, but a western it most certainly is. Directed by a Scot, and filmed in New Zealand, it features a young, naive hero, a morally ambiguous gunman paid to protect him, and a long, dangerous journey through an awe-inspiring but deadly landscape. Our ‘heroes’ are on a quest, but this new land doesn’t care about their intentions, and the people they meet are obsessed with force and plunder and survival, so their path is strewn with death and deception.

‘Slow West’ is filled with twists and turns that both reflect classic genre tropes and subvert them. It is a beautiful film full of ugly things, not least the predatory, ruthless people who populate it, and the mud and blood of the protagonists quixotic path to their own destiny. It is clear about the lie of the legend, and provides a few truths of its own. We never see a town, or more than a dozen people at a time. This West is still a wilderness, one that resists efforts to tame it, and ‘Slow West’ is unflinching in its portrayal of its strange indifference. It’s a slow ride, but a hugely satisfying one.

Paul Bareham ‘Slow West’ shows at Phantom Cinema, 7 Young Street, Doncaster on Thursday 28th January, 7.30 pm.

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NIGHT Life Guide

FEELING KOOKY

#CloneGate

So many times she has reopened and so many times she’s closed. Yet she finally has a new awakening under the banner of ‘Kooky’, an impressive night club chain that fuses alternative cabaret entertainment with club night-life.

How Diamond Live Lounge almost broke the internet with #CloneGate and why it is looking forwards to 2016 despite rumours it might close.

Having worked in Trilogy back in its glory days (depending on your vintage you may also know her as Top Rank, Rotter’s, Ritzy or Electric Avenue) I was curious to see what the team of 100 strong staff would bring to the Donny night-life.

When a fellow Doncopolitan contributor asked if the real Stone Roses are playing at Diamond Live Lounge, my first thought was probably not. I’d heard on the grape vine - or should I say rose-vine - that the Clone Roses were back in Donny forming part of the line-up for Independent Venue Week in January.

The outside of the venue has been given a new sign which boasts prominence outshining many of the other bars and clubs near by. The door supervisors were polite and professional. The entrance and staircase was well lit, clean and inviting.

Initially, (sorry if you’re reading this head honcho Dominic Gibbs) I thought it was a dumb-ass idea to try and parody the marketing strategy of the real Stone Roses. Across Manchester and Sheffield fans were causing a stir online as the iconic lemon posters popped-up across the city.

Upon entering the main club the decor took on a darker, more steampunk feel, evoking the Kooky motto “Leave reality at home.” The double doors of the “Evolution Room” opened into a large well decorated room featuring podiums for “Kooky Entertainers”, a 3D digital wall and lasers. The DJs were pride of place, reminding me of Ministry of Sound.

So when lemons start popping up in across la Donx - in diverse venues like Papacassis Kitchen, Tourist Information and Notorious Aardvark some of us gotta “Fooled” into thinking a secret gig Stone Roses would be happening in Donny. We’re home to plenty of their fans here, which is why #Clonegate almost broke the internet Kim Kardashian style.

The smoking area in Kooky’s, was surreal. It made you feel as if the ban was never implemented. Suspended outside the building overlooking the car-park behind Lazarus Walk (not the greatest view but you can’t have it all) with a bar which actually creates a decent chill-out area away from the madness taking place inside.

Within a 24hour period this gorilla marketing tactic saw Diamond featured in the regional and national news, including the likes of NME, the Independent and the Guardian online. If you googled “Stone Rose” on the day #CloneGate took place you got Diamond Live Lounge and Donny. It was certainly an unexpected marketing triumph for the venue which is striving hard to bring up and coming as well as established acts to Donny.

It was well decorated with some decent unique spray paint murals - the owners clearly values what good decor can bring to a night-out. The staff really stood out to me as really having a great time, particularly photographer Photo Kandi who travels the world as an official club photographer. Ibiza, Global Gathering, Creamfields she’s done the lot. As a long-standing member of the pub trade it was the young lady selling shots who made it for me. She danced her way through the crowds, always smiling.

Thinking back to how Trilogy once was, Kooky took me by surprise: the club reminds me of some of my old haunts in London and Leeds and looks like its bringing a revolution to the night-life of Doncaster. I think we’re ready for it?

Tristan Envy Kooky located on Silver Street and is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays nights 10.30pm -6.00am.

There’s been comments across social media that the venue has been going through a rough patch, so we wanted to include a statement here from the venue about its future and 2016.

“There have been a couple of rumours regarding Diamond Live Lounge and it’s future; 1) The venue is closed. This rumour is not true. 2) The venue will close after Christmas. This rumour is also not true. Diamond Live Lounge is open and planning for a big 2016. We are on the back of an amazing Nationally recognised marketing campaign. Our #Clonegate hit the local news and then NME and onto National news, including The Independent. The venue has just appointed an in house booker. We have some big objectives to meet. We have not hidden the fact that the venue has had tough times and tough decisions to make and it did look bleak for a while. However I am determined to turn the situation around and provide Doncaster with an amazing venue that it can be proud of.”

Rachel Horne

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NIGHT Life Guide

WEIRD PLANET

GINGER BEARD

Something NEW and WEIRD is shaking the very foundations of the art music scene in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. It started as a humble radio show on Friday nights on SineFM but mutated into something unfathomable. But NEW WEIRD PLANET is much more than a radio show. It is shape-shifting and without boundaries, encompassing a virtual online record label, with a community mindset that shakes off the shackles of corporate restraint and (mis)management, to reclaim a refreshing heartfelt musical integrity, artistic expression and supportive spirit away from the companies trying to dominate the music industry. Music, film and the arts is the NEW WEIRD PLANET voice and the art that results perfectly compliments the movement’s beliefs, dreams and aims.

Bringing new music to Doncaster

NEW WEIRD PLANET is a collective of musicians, writers, filmmakers supporting and promoting one another, involving such local establishments as Doncopolitan, SineFM, Phantom Cinema and Notorious Aardvark. It sets out to present bespoke eclectic evenings of weird and wonderful musical showcasing: an empty canvas and open forum for the open-minded. Original quirky art-forms and explorations: songs and soundscapes, film screenings, installations, spoken word, dance, podcasts, performance. Free-roaming (involving other towns and cities eventually), desultory nights of off-kilter entertainment coming soon to a venue near you. Diversity in musical genres is key and it is the intention is to demonstrate this by mixing each gig line-up to incorporate the variety of music out there. Whether it’s ambient doom, prog, psyche rock, alt-pop, orchestral, post-everything, sonic explorations, soundscape DJs, ethereal shoegaze, noise-rock, electronica or drone sludge et al.

Scott: We started Ginger Beard Gigs at the Blacksmiths Arms in Harworth in February 2014. We’re all massive live music fans and in a ‘mountain to Mohamed’ scenario we decided that we’d bring the bands to us.

John: We defined a very simple mission statement quite early on in our genesis: make sure the sound, lighting, visuals and promotion are the very best we could make them and look after the bands. I’ve been in bands and I was always fed up with getting bullied by promoters to sell tickets or feeling that I had to coerce friends and family into attending our gigs.

Plum: All the gigs at the Blacksmiths are free entry and we pay every band that plays for us. More importantly, we work hard to put on an awesome show…you can’t fake passion and I think that the bands and people who attend our gigs recognise that.

Scott: So far we’ve had some amazing performances…October Drift from Taunton; Faerground Accidents, The Velcro Teddy Bears, Stop Drop Robot, The Wired and The Verals from Sheffield; Billy Bibby (ex-Catfish and the Bottlemen); Tom Hingley (Ex-Inspiral Carpets); Moscow from Derby; Avalanche Party from Castleton; Nexus Noise and Unicorn Hunters from Harworth; Bang Bang Romeo, The Famous Villains, The Kavaliers and the 48k’s from Doncaster, The Coopers from Leeds, The Bedroom Hour from London and Delamere from Manchester…to name but a few.

Plum: Each gig is getting bigger and better and we’re now regularly seeing people make the journey from Sheffield and Doncaster to attend our gigs, which has to be a good sign.

Ground Zero v1.1 for the first NEW WEIRD PLANET Micro-Fest is February 2, 2016, in a secret art-space in Doncaster. It is a great experiment, a test to get things just perfect and balanced. This first one is by coded invite only.

Artists and bands already onboard include UV-Pop, Pulselovers, Dark Static, Microchip Junky, Little Mono, Shell Our Moon, Mangabros, Floodlights, Experimental Sonic Machines, Tape Noise Dex. Freak Art for Art Freaks.

Art Freaks! If you make music, or just like what you hear or see… if you create art, make films, or saw something that blew you away… if you met some people who inspired you, or would like to meet them… if you like all things new, and weird, not necessarily of THIS planet.. then let us know, and get involved.

C. Manga

There are two standard responses to telling someone that you come from Harworth. The first is ‘eh’, accompanied with a facial expression that would not look out of place after telling someone that you drink beer through socks. The other is ‘oh, isn’t that where the Brontë Sisters come from’.

Clearly neither response is flattering for Harworth which is, just in case you didn’t know, 10 miles to the south of Doncaster. However, the small ex-mining town is now starting to gain a reputation as one of the ‘must visit’ places for up-and-coming bands playing original material. Enter Scott, Plum and John from Ginger Beard Promotions to explain:

The next Ginger Beard gig at the Blacksmiths (DN11 8LB) is on Friday 12th February 2016. It coincides with their second anniversary and features the phenomenal London act, Desperate Journalist and the groovy Mancunians, No Hot Ashes. Why not take a trip to Harworth and see what all the fuss is about?

For more information follow Ginger Beard Promotions on Facebook or on Twitter @gingerbeardgigs JJ Broom

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Places We Love Guide

ReWIND FOR VINTAGE

#DONCOGEMS

Being a lover of all things retro - antiques, charity shops and bric-abrac markets- I was excited to hear about Rewind Vintage a modern day collectables shop up on Kingsgate in Waterdale. This is yet another success story for local independent trade, at a time when purse strings are tight for high street shoppers, these businesses have triumphed, building a loyal following of customers along the way.

CAFES

Owners, Mark and Hayley, have been collectors of Modern Day, Antiques and Collectables for 22 years. They are truly knowledgeable and passionate about the products they sell. They wanted to be based in Waterdale to be part of the growing indie business scene, such as Notorious Aardvark Record Store, Floral Sugar, The City and Taste (if you haven’t been to these delightful places you must check them out).

The Waterdale indie businesses are working together to bring new trade to this part of town. After all, it’s now the gateway to Cast and the new Civic Quarter and although some Doncasterian’s may not have ventured to this part of town, they would be surprised - people often comment “it’s like you’re not in Donny”. Things are certainly changing for our town.

The layout of this little boutique shop is super pristine, there’ no funky or dusty smells that might frequent other pre-loved shops. The owners wanted to create a welcoming retail space, for customers to be able to hang-out on comfy sofa’s there was even live music when the DnweekeND took place last summer.

Today there’s a replica 1950s duke box playing Elvis and gorgeous affordable vintage home-ware pieces for sale, along with this there is music memorabilia, vintage and retro toys.

Mark and Hayley pride themselves on traditional “good old fashioned” customer service. If there’s something you want they’ll try to seek it out for you. I bought a full length Edwardian mirror for £40, it’s a bargain.

Customers really enjoy the nostalgia the shop brings. Childhood toys, band tees, everything from Nirvana, to Thundercats, Bauhaus to He-Man. If you are looking for a gift or unique home ware item - we recommend you pop-in, you’ll get one of the warmest welcomes in la Donx.

Rachel Horne Rewind Vintage is on Facebook - whereby you can get regular product updates.

Rewind Vintage 28 Kingsgate Avenue Doncaster 01302 349409

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Lord Hurst - Benetthorpe Road DTC Garden Rooms - Braithwell Lotties - Tickhill The Tea Pot - Arskey Georgian Tea Rooms High Street DTC Bite 2 Eat - Vegan/Veggie Cafe Gallery Cafe - Corn Exchange Doncaster Market Taste - Kingsgate - Waterdale

RESTURANTS Vivo’s - Italian - Benetthorpe DTC Lalazar - Turkiish/Lebanese - East Laith Gate DTC Olive Bar & Grill - Barnby Dun Ottos Wine Bar - Sprotbrough Old Weighing Rooms - Doncaster Racecourse DTC The City -Polish &Latvian - Kingsgate Waterdale DTC Twisted Burger at VIntage - DTC

TAKEOUT Desi Roti - Copley Road - authentic curries and hand cooked Roti’s Munchez - Wraps, salads and milk shakes, Broxholme Lane DTC Red Tomato - Italian Inspired Take Away Thorne Road Andrew Cod - Fish & Chips - Beckett Road Gino's Pizza Conisbrough

BOUTIQUES/INDEPENDENTS Punch Menswear - Wood Street DTC Revolver - Menswear- St Sepulure Gate, DTC Notorious Aardvark Record Store - Kings Gate Waterdale Beads Bobbin - Jewellery Making - Doncaster Market Which Craft? - Card Making - Doncaster Market Scicluna's - delicatessen - DTC Down Quilt House -Luxury Fabrics and Antiques - Queens Road Reckage At Home - Interiors - Sprotborough Interiors - Mexborough

DESI’S TRADITIONAL HOME MADE CURRY OFFERS Chicken Curry £4.50 Lamb Curry £4.50 Keema Curry £4.50 Veg Curry £4.50 Dal Curry £4.50 .................................................................

Piey (no extras) £5.00 2 x Roties £0.99 Ojari (no extras) £5.00 2 x Nans £0.99

All offers served with 1 nan or rice or 2 x roties or chips

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 11:00AM ~ 11:30PM

01302 760760

78 COPLEY ROAD, DONCASTER, DN1 2QW

The Best Service & The Freshest Food

We select the best locally sourced produce we can find and design our menu around our daily shop so that we can guarantee that you get the finest food possible.

Papacass’s Kitchen, 10 Wood St, DN1 3LH OPENING HOURS: Mon - Fri, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm facebook.com/papacassskitchen

@PapacassKitchen

Call us on...

07846 439982

Good Guys Guide

FRACK OFF

ASPERGErs Youth

RecLaim The Night

The Misson Community Action Group welcomed the Lancashire Nanas on October 24th for a peaceful rally held at the proposed fracking site in Misson Springs in support of the community’s fight against the highly controversial fracking process. The Nanas later gave an inspiring presentation at the Misson Community Centre about their contribution to the successful Lancashire campaign against Cuadrilla. The gathering was well represented by Frack Free groups from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Lancashire. The Nanas are a determined group of people that stand up and fight for what they believe in and visibly object to projects and industries such as fracking that could harm communities and the environment.

The Aspergers Youth Club (AYC) is a social group that provides a unique and welcoming environment for young people with highfunctioning autism. Situated in the Intake Children’s Centre, the group helps young people who otherwise find it difficult to develop their social skills in the standard school environment.

Attending AYC these young people build confidence and make friends.

On Saturday December 5th 2015, from 6.00 pm, Doncaster Women’s Aid in conjunction with Unite the Community, hosted an event at Clock Corner to Doncaster town centre, to raise awareness about Violence against Women and Girls, and also to collect much needed funding for our organisation to help support the valuable work that we do to support these women.

A planning application submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council by IGas Energy for 2 exploratory wells in Misson Springs is open for public consultation until December 9th. The proposed wells would be drilled on the old Rocket Site, 125m from the Misson Carr SSSI which is owned and maintained by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife, many of which are listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

The recent identification by IGas of a futher site on Tinker Lane in Barnby Moor means that with the there will be 2 potential fracking sites within a 6 mile radius of Bawtry. This is just the beginning. Following the announcement of the new licensing areas in the UK, huge parts of South Yorkshire are also up for grabs by oil and gas companies.

A recent survey showed that 82% of Misson residents are against the development.

Jayne Watson For further information contact: frackfreesouthyorkshire.co.uk bassetlawagainstfracking.co.uk Misson Community Action Group Facebook page

The centre provides arts and crafts, videogames, various boardgames and even it’s own mini tuck shop. Regular trips and events including a variety of coach trips, meals out, and even the occasional spot of bowling.

The group is managed by Karena Collins and a handful of other inspiring parents and volunteers, who support both AYC attendees and their parents alike. In recent years this has even led to a specific group for parents, where they can share experiences and offer advice to each other.

Autism awareness has bumped up considerably recently, opening a lot of peoples eyes and a greater understanding of the specialised care and support needed for young people. Every form of Aspergers is different, with every person affected by it having different traits. However the AYC still remains the only group of its kind in the Doncaster area.

The groups recognition continues to grow by word of mouth, some media coverage, and nominations to various community awards. The number of members continues to expand, with visitors and new parents appearing through the door almost on a weekly basis.

The group is a non-profit organization, and has received kind donations for funding from various sources in the past, alongside the group’s own fundraising. The AYC has received nominations for awards in previous years, as well as being nominated for the Duke of York Community Initiative Award in 2014, and the High Sheriff of Sheffield Award.

Every Wednesday during term time at the Intake and Belle Vue Children’s Centre on Ardeen Road, Intake, Doncaster, DN2 5EU, between 5.30pm and 7.00pm -a y c . b t c k . c o . u k Martin Collins

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Over 50 people attended “Reclaim the Night” a national event that is linked to 16 days of action for women’s rights that started on 25th November through to 10th December. It aims to put the issue of women’s safety on the agenda to give women a voice and a chance to reclaim the streets at night in a safe and empowering way.

Violence against women and young girls continues to occur every minute of every day and according to the British Crime Survey there are an estimated 47,000 rapes every year, around 40,000 attempted rapes and over 300,000 sexual assaults. Yet our conviction rate is the lowest it has ever been, one of the lowest in Europe, at only 5.3%.

A recent survey by the young women’s magazine MORE in 2005 found that 95% of women don’t feel safe on the streets at night, and 65% don’t even feel safe during the day. 73% worry about being raped and almost half say they sometimes don’t want to go out because they fear for their own safety.

With cuts threatening most local Women’s Aid Organisations , Refuges and The Rape Crisis movements in the UK we need to show our public support for women, young girls and the essential women’s services that support them.

“Reclaim the night” campaigns for justice for survivors and spreads the message that no woman is ever to blame for male violence against her.

For more information contact Louise Harrison at Doncaster Women’s Aid or 01302 326411.

Louise Harrison

On the road with

Jim Taplin And Mick Holmes Rachel Horne Jim Taplin has some of the best blues rock n’ roll power notes in South Yorkshire, if not the UK. If you haven’t heard of him its probably due to his utter disregard for self-promotion.

Although you can keep up to date with his gigs on Facebook, James builds most of his fan base the old fashioned way.

Through his amazing performances. It’s all about playing live in front of a crowd, which is why his first 2 Eps, aptly named Live at the Dive and Just Live at the Dive, were recorded at Cask Corner. One of Jim’s favourite haunts.

Jim is often found performing with his bezzie and sidekick, Mick Holmes, one our towns #DoncoGems. By day this fella is a serious mortgage advisor, by night he’s a bad-ass harmonica player. Hailing from Edlo, Mick is now a firm fixture of the Donny music scene too playing in bands such as 13 Women and wowing audiences with his pipe playing skills.

Today is a Sunday and James has just finished a gig at Scawthorpe Social Club.

It has been a family fun day, all the generations together partying to James’ soulful, blues rock ‘n’ roll. Grandads and toddlers alike busting shapes on the dance floor to Jim’s re-imagined covers

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Photography: Mark Loraine ©2015

and original songs.

Tonight we’re hitting the road for a different sort of gig. A Manchester event organised by Owen Andrews of Fluidity, a former resident now student at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute in Manchester. James tells me Owen is one of the best guitarists he knows for a young fella in his early 20s - that’s a huge compliment. We’re amongst talented artists tonight.

Although Mick and Jim have been building a following at the Honey Bee Blues club in Sheffield, they’re not as well known in Manchester and tonight it’s an all muso crowd. It’s a chance to make their mark.

Whilst en route Mick gets his head down for a snooze and I get to ask Jim a little bit about his story. He was born “down south” in Newham, East London. He then moved to Dagenham in Essex before his family relocated to Lincolnshire when James was only 3. It was in Lincolnshire where he met the love of his life Natalie, who he married in 2010.

At 18 James enrolled to study at Mattersea Hall Bible College Studying a BA in Bibilcal Studies and Theology,

which was essentially a philosophy course which ironically deconstructed everything he had been taught at Church. This was a difficult but transformative time and Jim left the college to work in bars and pubs across the Bawtry area spending a lot of time partying and playing live in the venues.

It was also the time when Jim realised that he wanted to dedicate his life to music. Over the following years he builtup a solid base of venues and bookings which enable him to live his passion full-time. He is one of the founding hosts of Wednesday Open Mic night at Cask Corner which he now shares with David Bailey from Groom Lake Fugitives.

He also plays regular gigs with his band the Smoking Beagles, so his diary is pretty much fully booked.

Yet the life of a musician is not an easy path to tread. I feel for Jim darting from gig to gig striving to earn a crust. I ask him: ”What are your dreams are for the future and where do you want to go with your music?”

His answer is humbling: “I just want to make great music work with great musicians and be recognised by fans that listen. I really respect George

Borowski. I also admire how other musicians respect him. He is known in the music industry for what he does.

That would be a dream for me.”

We talk a lot about the idea of ‘making it’. The work and the commitment it takes to build a fan base to sell-out shows and to be noticed by the music industry. It’s a difficult life to balance and Jim is a now the proud daddy of 9 month-old “baby James”. Spending weeks on the road isn’t an option for his young family. Although the life of a musician is tough, I firmly believe his hard work will pay off, the way we consume and share music is changing.

There are more ways to get noticed, it’s not just about playing in London anymore.

We arrive in Manchester in ample time for a sound check. Which apparently for James is quite rare. The venue is Gullivers a trendy city bar with a few hipster students nursing hangovers propping up the bar. James and Mick stride into the venue cowboy style – everyone can tell we we’re from out of town. Donny has landed.

It’s time to get settled in ready for the first act. Mick and I were pretty

engrossed in the PJ Harvesque male/ female support. They’re in their late teens/early twenties delivering some interesting melancholic guitar-scapes.

Unfortunately mid-set the male guitarist had a bit of trouble with his guitar pedals making unwanted clinkkonk sound interrupting the serious moody dark tones. We couldn’t help but giggle. Mick whispers: “What’s going off with his pedals?” My response “Awww bless – the Clink Konk killed their grit.”

They were still super-talented though and if the audience hadn’t been literally silent the clink-konks would have been less noticeable.

Halfway through his set Mick joins Jim on stage with his harmonica and a few vocals. I kinda wish my dad was in the room for a bit of Teddy Boy rock n’ roll jiving. There’s a bit of a head nodding in the audience, but no one is brave enough to let loose on the dance-floor, unlike Jim’s social club crowd earlier in the day. Who cares? Jim and Mick are a hit. Winning the Manchester crowd over by being true #DonnyLegends. Thanks Jim and Mick, you’ve done us all proud.

Keep doing what you’re doing you’re on the road to greatness.

Its Jim’s turn to hit the stage. He starts his set by busting a few jokes - a complete contrast to the previous musicians who said nothing. His first track Suburban Living starts with a musical stringendo -gradually building up speed and drawing the audience in until we’re nestled in the palm of his hand, hanging on every lyric. The music is really well polished, but it is his amazing voice which really blows the roof off the place. It is soulful rock n’ roll with an underlying gospel vibe. He’s taking us to church, even though he’s a sinner.

Check our Jim’s Facebook page for details about his gigs, bookings and forthcoming releases.

End

Check out his music at: soundcloud.com/jamestaplin

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©2015