DONCOPOLITAN: Issue 3 #IAmWhatIAm

Issue 03

August 2014

The UNRULY CHILD OF A ReBELLIOUS Town

FEATURING: The Meaning of Pride, The Remaking of Kes, The EDL, Fine Food & Rita Payne

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

Contents

Contributors Writers

Editorial Warren Draper

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04

Love & Pride Jenny Dewsnap

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06

The Spice of Life Michael Price

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08

The Very Hungry Magpie Andrew Loretto

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12

Pull-Out SPZero76 Poster SPZero76

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14

The Watcher Josie Bowerman

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16

Kes Mikey Cook

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18

Music & Gig Guide

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20

Bar Guide

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22

We're Getting There, Aren't We? Simon Saynor

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26

Warren Draper Jenny Dewsnap Michael Price Andrew Loretto Josie Bowerman Mikey Cook Ian Walker Kane Mark Rachel Horne Steve Bates Simon Saynor Artwork SPZero76 Photography Ian Barber Michael Price James Mulkeen Warren Draper Design Warren Draper Rachel Horne Sam Cooper Danielle Bruce Editorial Team Rachel Horne Warren Draper Josie Bowerman With Special Thanks to: Right Up Our Street Andrew Loretto Doncaster Central Trust Now Then Magazine Arts Council England

Disclaimer The opinions expressed in each feature and article in the Doncopolitan are the opinions of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Doncopolitan.

The editors and production team of the Doncopolitan accept no responsibility for the opinions expressed.

Printed by Kingsbury Press, Unit 13/Durham Lane, Doncaster, DN3 3FE. Conceived and created by

Horne & Draper art - design - publishing

Cover Art ŠSPZero76, 2014 - www.spzero76.com Portrait of Fringe artist, David Williams ŠIan Barber, 2014 - www.ianbarberphotography.co.uk

EDITORIAL Warren Draper

As an all too average cissexual, cisgender male (Google it if you’re unsure - I did) I was initially dubious as to whether I was qualified to write the editorial for this issue of the Doncopolitan. Created with Pride 2014 in mind this #IAmWhatIAm edition celebrates diversity, love and tolerance; and while I love tolerance I’ve never felt as if I was particularly diverse. But then I remembered the old Yorkshire truism, ‘there’s nowt as queer as folk’. Each and every one of us is a bit queer in our own way, aren’t we? With a taste for short, strong, red-headed women with excellent left-hooks and thick Barnsley accents I know I certainly am. And stick me on a tube train in London where I can’t help smiling and saying “Hey Up!” to people who usually offer nothing but silent, fear-filled stares by way of a response and I am suddenly part of a highly visible minority (honestly London, you need to relax... if you acted so serious and self-centred around Donny you’d be laughed out of Asda).

The truth is that the world has become far too small for bigotry and intolerance. The people who complain about the amount of ‘foreigners’ on our streets need to get out more. You can’t go to any sizeable town on the planet without seeing a similar mix of locals, visitors, immigrants and migrant workers. The people chasing the dream aren’t the problem, it’s the fact that the dream has become a nightmare for all but the super-rich and their lackeys. That’s why the English Defence League (EDL) response - beautifully observed in Josie Bowerman’s The Watcher (p16) - is so wrong-headed.

Instead of attacking each other we need to find strength (and indeed solidarity) in diversity, so that we can make our ever shrinking world a better place for us all.

As local chef, Michael Price, shows in his piece The Spice of Life (p8), few things illustrate the positive effects of immigration better than food. Indeed

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no traditional British dish – from Fish & Chips to Chicken Tikka Masala – would exist without the free movement of people, ingredients and techniques. And isn’t culture itself just a recipe for life? Some things might work well – and may even be a necessity... – at a given time and place, but that doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone and every-when, or that that one culture (dish) is better than another.

Likewise just because you’ve only ever known egg and chips that doesn’t mean that you should turn your nose up at cuitlacoche and offal. Variety, my friend, truly is the spice of life.

ABOUT This magazine will big up anything which has the potential to add to Doncaster’s metropolitan appeal. We’ll celebrate Doncaster’s culture, arts, style, music, people, fashion, lifestyle, architecture and even, its coal-black underbelly.

Doncaster doesn’t like snobs and we hate it when people look down on other people for what they eat, so why should we put up with those who condemn others for their ethnicity, culture, tastes, beliefs, gender or sexuality? As the amazing piece by Jenny Dewsnap reminds us (p6) Doncaster Pride was the very first Pride event in South Yorkshire and remains one of the most significant. Now that’s something Donny can be proud of.

doncopolitan.wordpress.com doncopolitan@gmail.com

And talking of pride, we’re incredibly proud to have the very talented SPZero76 illustrating this #IamWhatIAm edition.

SPZero76 is part of the amazing Bristol based Lost Souls street art crew. He might be Bristol at the moment, but he’s 100% Donny born and bred. You can find him on Facebook and check out his work at spzero76.com

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:

Tweet us: @TheLudicLife @rachelhorne Write to us: Doncopolitan Magazine Church View Centre Church View Doncaster DN1 1AF

Illustrations ŠSPZero76, 2014

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LOVE & PRIDE. Jenny Dewsnap

Doncaster was a latecomer to the concept of Pride, but has the accolade of hosting the first ever Pride event in South Yorkshire back in 2007. I remember the day well, a small crowd made up of slightly nervous gay people and very curious straight people, not absolutely certain it would work and whether there would be “trouble”.

Thinking back to those days it’s easy to see how far we’ve come, both as a Pride but also as a force for diversity in the borough of Doncaster. In 2012 Doncaster Pride became a registered Charity and in 2013 secured funding from The Big Lottery to employ a case worker in recognition of the work that needed to be done to tackle youth homophobia in our town.

So, why do we have a Pride and what does it mean?

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the famous police raid in 1969 at a gay bar in New York that birthed the modern LGBT movement. In essence the Pride movement and events that have spread across the world are a direct result of this piece of history, but yes - of course in 45 years the world has changed.

Here in the UK we’re fortunate to have travelled a long way down the winding road of equality, but Pride events remain just about the only way for the gay community to express their sexuality and celebrate being gay in a largely straight society.

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So why is it important for a gay person to want to celebrate being gay? Well, the bottom line is that Gay Pride is not about sex, as so many people assume. It is about celebrating who we are and the fact we are gay. It’s a celebration of the fact that we are making it okay to be gay and that we recognise the challenges that every single gay person may face, as well as the sacrifices of those before us.

Many straight people may never actually express any homophobic tendencies themselves and may abhor in the same way as their gay counterparts any inkling of inequality or discrimination, but it goes much deeper, and this depth explains why Pride still has such an important place in our society.

Firstly, being called straight has never been an insult and no straight person was ever asked to think about why they are straight and how they came to be this way. Nor has any straight person been physically attacked, shouted at in the street or sacked from their job for being straight.

Straight people don’t have to worry about holding their partner’s hand in public and holiday plans don’t have to be made by taking into account which country not to travel to for fear of being imprisoned because of your sexuality, nor do a straight couple have to explain to an overzealous hotel receptionist that yes, actually we do want a double and not a twin!

Then consider the fact that no straight person ever had the uncomfortable experience of having to come out to their family and friends, nor face the consequences of being disowned by parents or kicked out of their home for being straight. Our schools too are often horrible places for anyone who is not straight. An atmosphere of shame and bullying ends in the leading cause of death among Lesbian and Gay youths - suicide.

However, Gay Pride was not merely born out of a need to celebrate not being straight, more our right to exist as individuals who happen to be attracted to someone of the same sex.

No amount of gay rights or equality legislation will ever negate the need for Pride and for as long as it’s impossible for any straight person to understand the heterosexual privilege they take for granted and experience what being gay is like, Pride remains not only relevant but vital.

Finally, if you’re wondering “How come there’s no Straight Pride?” I say the day being straight becomes a crime, an insult, a reason to bully - then start one.

End

LGBT YOUTH PROJECTSUPPORTED BY PRIDE Three years ago Doncaster Pride’s committee asked young people what their experiences of homophobia and bullying were in school.

Shocked by some of the incidents they heard, the committee felt an urgency to tackle and improve the inclusivity and treatment of young LGBT people. Working alongside the Council, Pride finally created a proposal that would see Doncaster’s first and long-awaited LGBT Project Worker. Pride has since obtained funding from Big Lottery to appoint Andy Roe to tackle these concerns and support young people from across the borough.

Working closely with teachers and pupils including over 750 students and 80 teachers, Andy provides various levels of training in both primary and secondary education. The project’s first conference, ‘Educate with Pride’, was held in June at Doncaster Dome and deemed a tremendous success, backed

by Mayor Ros Jones and other dignitaries from across the country. After six months of hard work, Doncaster has now been ranked 19th out of 45 authorities actively tackling homophobia as recorded by Stonewall, a national charity aimed at putting a stop to homophobic bullying.

The projects latest endeavor is to set up a multi-agency team to support schools to develop guidance for transgender students in the area. The LGBT Youth Group is now up and running in partnership with Doncaster Integrated Family Support Services and Doncaster’s Culture and Leisure Trust. Pride encourages any young people experiencing homophobic bully to get in touch - 01302 874562.

For more information on our work with professionals working with LGBT Young People, please contact education@doncasterpride.co.uk.

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THE SPICE OF LIFE. Michael Price

Britain has one of the most diverse and

of microwave-ready meals. In my mind this

magical. One sniff and it transports me

vibrant food cultures in the world. From the

is tangible – and indeed, tasty – progress.

back 30 years to what seems like another

Jewish immigrants who brought fish and

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age. With the amazing diversity in our

chips to our shores; to the Bangladeshis

Food is always of paramount importance

culinary tastes and influences I wouldn’t

who created the now quintessentially

to newly-arrived immigrants as it serves

be surprised if my children, who will be

British curry houses; to the the Italians who

as an emotive link to what they have

steeped in global cuisine, didn’t have the

opened countless cafes and introduced us

left behind. In countries with long-

same experience from beef rendang, or

to barista, the panini, parmigiano reggiano

established food cultures the preparation

fermenting kimchi, and I find the idea of

and ‘on-trend’ ingredients such as nduja (a

and serving of food is the ultimate act

this incredibly exciting.

fiery spreadable salami from Calabria) and

of love. It is through food that a mother

burrata (an oozing soft cheese) which are

or, less frequently, a father, sustains and

I have previously written and spoken about

so beloved by hipster chefs.

nurtures their family, both physically

my great admiration for Doncaster market,

and emotionally. We all understand the

where I spend a lot of time talking to my

While Doncaster may not currently boast

meaning of comfort food, even avant-

suppliers. They offer a wealth of knowledge

any restaurants of great renown, we do

garde chefs such as Ferran Adria or Heston

about products; a knowledge which I’m sad

have a growing number of places preparing

Blumenthal seek to tap into these powerful

to say is becoming increasingly rare. Every

fresh ingredients with great care and

emotions. Indeed they even created a term

week I invariably get into a conversation

attention, very often grilled with some skill

for the high end gastronomy designed

with a Chinese lady buying a beautiful

over charcoal. They stand in stark contrast

to create that Proustian moment; “Auto

wild turbot or a Polish guy assessing

to the chain-pubs (of which, I think we can

Emotional Cuisine”. For me the smell of a

the quality of the pike. I have to ask the

all agree, there are already far too many)

roasting leg of lamb while I am chopping

person with the massive bag of mud crabs

who serve a depressingly familiar selection

mint to accompany it is quite simply

if they are using them for Singapore chilli

crab, and if so, what do they put into the

Scicluna’s that make me incredibly proud. I

paste? It is a constant learning experience.

have been to amazing markets and delis all

This influx of new people bringing their

over the world, but nowhere else has such

While supermarkets bring an incredible

passion, knowledge and experience drives

a diverse range of customers. From young

array of global ingredients they also rob

the market forward and keeps it vibrant.

to old, rich to poor, everyone is welcome

us of that essential human interaction,

Were the Asian and Eastern European

at Scicluna’s. You can pop in there and buy

which is such an important part of building

immigrants to leave we would be lucky to

a bag of lentils for 10p, or spend a small

strong, vibrant communities. What Josie

have the custom to support one fish stall.

fortune on Perigord truffles. Everyone is

and the other market stallholders, provide

treated the same. You could hardly say the

is almost like a culinary social services.

Nowhere demonstrates the positive impact

same about Fortnam and Masons or Dean

I am sure that for some of their older

immigration has had on our town more

and Deluca. The whole experience is like

customers it may be the only time anyone

than Sicluna’s Deli. I, for one, have been a

something from another age. It reminds

ever asks how they are doing. So my plea

loyal customer of Josie’s - who is of Maltese

me of my weekly trip to visit butcher Harry

to you would be to support our amazing

descent - for over a decade. A couple of

Martin with my father. People would be

independent businesses. Whether it be a

years ago I featured in a short film shot by

queuing down the street, but he would

Turkish grill or the Polish corner shop that

the very talented local film-maker James

take his time to chat to everyone. I would

sells great kabanos alongside discount

Lockie, and Josie was at the top of our

always be given a thick slice of homemade

lager, never be afraid to embrace – and

list to feature in the production. It was

hazlet on the house while Harry and my

taste - the new.

amazing to hear about how she is still

father chewed the fat. Dad still loves to

learning about new ingredients, traditions

recount how, when he asked Harry the

and techniques. People are often too quick

price of anything, he used to whisper: “That

to talk Doncaster down, but it is places like

depends who you are - some people can

Photography ©Michael Price, 2014

afford to pay full price, others can’t!”

End

9

A Cast Pantomime Created by Matthew Bugg and Kully Thiarai Designed by Ali Allen

FRI 5 DEC – SAT 3 JAN

£17 / £14 concessions* Family 4 ticket £56

(admits a maximum two full price ticket holders)*

01302 303 959

castindoncaster.com Cast, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU * Includes 50p per ticket booking fee, not charged if paying by cash

the very hungry magpie.

Andrew Loretto

As an artist, I’m always a hungry magpie

‘magpie’ needs of Doncaster that will

was apparent in terms of what it takes to

– picking up bits and pieces of creativity

enable our home-grown artists to build

succeed, to have faith on oneself – and

along the way, to construct a nest brighter

their own new nests to share with new

to make those occasional sacrifices in

and shinier than before, until the next

inhabitants.

personal life to achieve success.

tumbleweed in the streets. New roosts and

Right Up Our Street is part of Arts Council

Still, there are profound differences as

treetop platforms beckon, each offering

England’s Creative People and Places

well. Good art can’t exist in a vacuum

the chance to build higher, further.

national programme – whisch has a focus

of solo ambition. It is about dialogue

on developing art and participants in

with audiences, participants, spaces,

Artists are restless, inquisitive beings.

areas in England that have previously been

real life. Publicly-funded art also has a

Itchy feet are endemic to the experience of

less well served by arts activity. That’s

particular role to play in daily human

making and sharing art – the thrill is in the

not to say creativity and art isn’t already

discourse, alongside other fundamentals

challenge, the chase, the making. When the

happening in Donny. Of course it is, by the

such as health, economy, education and

art (in my case, theatre) is released into

bucketload. However, the work perhaps

employment. As with all of those other

the world, we seek the next thrill, the next

hasn’t always had a proper chance to

disciplines, it is imperative that artists are

question to explore with audiences.

be challenged, grow, sustain and reach

attuned to new influences, challenges,

its maximum potential. I write this with

world views – and, yes, what our audiences

In my role as Creative Producer for Right

one eye on the Commonwealth Games

and participants have to say.

Up Our Street (which has supported these

(from one of my favourite British cities,

pilot issues of the Doncopolitan), I have

Glasgow), always full of admiration for the

With this in mind, I felt it important to offer

engaged in dialogue with a hugely diverse

seemingly impossible determination of

as part of Right Up Our Street an element

range of artists and art forms in Doncaster

athletes. I witnessed this first-hand a few

that would respond to the training and

and beyond. Each artist or art consumer

years ago when I was Creative Director for

challenge needs of artists and art forms in

is making and engaging with their form

Extraordinary Moves, a creative strand of

Doncaster. I’ve called this the ‘inspiration

in their own unique way, and yet my task

the Cultural Olympiad in Yorkshire. The

programme’ (for obvious reasons), to shine

is to find trends, unearthing the common

parallels between sportspeople and artists

a light on the work we do and to show

scrap comes along and yesterday’s nest is

12

potential ways forward to work we might

Let’s think big, Doncaster. How else can

Andrew Loretto is Creative Producer for

achieve in the future.

we be inspired by and learn from the

Right Up Our Street – led by a consortium

experiences of others? Who are the artists

of Doncaster arts organisations (darts,

So far, this has resulted in new writing

we wish to bring here to lead training,

Cast, DVAN, DCLT), part of Arts Council

development hosted by Cast, leading to

workshops, symposiums? Do we wish

England’s Creative People and Places

performances and evolving groups of

to exist in splendid isolation or do we

programme until March 2016.

new writers. There have been a range of

wish to bring the world to Doncaster and

performance workshops working with

Doncaster to the world? Right Up Our

Email: andrew@rightupourstreet.org.uk

intergenerational participants aged

Street is only around for another year and

Web: www.rightupourstreet.org.uk

16-90. Other work has explored writing

a bit – let’s grab the opportunity whilst

funding applications or marketing work to

it’s here. Let’s submit artistically brilliant,

the public.

audience-developing pitches through the

End

Open Calls process. And let’s make the I have been impressed during my time in

most of the inspiration programme. It’s

Doncaster by the latent ambition of many

here. It’s for you to pitch in – for the good

individual artists and arts organisations

of the art, for the benefit of the public.

– from the inspiring integrity of darts

Let’s build those new nests. Ever higher.

(Doncaster Community Arts) to the

Ever brighter. For the artists, audiences

chutzpah of new kid on the block, Cast, and

and wellbeing of Doncaster.

the endeavour and spirt of individualism of the New Fringe at Church View, much

If you’ve got a brilliant idea for the

of which, alongside the voluntary arts

inspiration programme element of Right Up

sector, was showcased during the pilot

Our Street that would benefit artists and

DNweekeND (and watch out for news of the

audiences, get in touch!

2015 version… 19-21 June).

13

©SPZero76, 2014

The WATCHer. Josie Bowerman AM. A drizzling market day, the setting for

convenience that a connivance. I wonder

every Northern cliché: unemployment,

whether the EDL are here in the hope that

deprivation, resentment. It smells,

their cause, whatever it really is, hiding in

inevitably, of sausage rolls, thickly meaty

their heap of mangled official rhetoric, will

under a doughy sky smeared by dirty

be grabbed up by the people of Hexthorpe

hands. There’s a sour, chewed-over tang

and will win them a shout of support. I also

in the air. Everything is lumpy with the

wonder, then, where the ‘trouble’ will come

gristle of issues that can’t be swallowed

from and whose expectations for the day

away. Race, class, the economy, fear.

will end up most troubled.

Hexthorpe is the knot of sinew the town has been gnawing at lately, the tension in

PM. I drift towards Hexthorpe, a muffled

Doncaster’s mouth, and today the EDL are

shut-up shop for the occasion. Curtains

coming, to grind their angry teeth at it.

are firmly drawn over any expectations at all. I don’t know whether to find this a sign

Everyone is fuddled, pastry-wrapped.

of anxiety, or disinterest. Across the road

Whatever led to today, whatever started

from the station I see a lacklustre group

it, the EDL has come to finish it. No matter

of lager-swillers in neon EDL waistcoats.

how much glazed confusion there might be

It’s barely midday, and the swilling looked

about the why, how and who of this coming

vigorous. I edge towards anxiety. Still, it’s

march, no matter the baffling tumble of

listless and from a distance, a dull knock

words and words on the internet - yelping

in my chest. I’m not sure I understand all

Facebook pages and the prattle of the EDL

the factors leading up to this, and I’m not

website - everyone can nod their heads

sure that if I asked anyone from round here

and say one word with grey certainty:

they’d know whether the EDL’s presence

trouble. A butcher mutters about police

has anything to do with circumstances in

presence and looks more nervous than a

Hexthorpe. There aren’t too many anyones

man surrounded by knives should.

to ask; the streets are, for the most part, un-taken-to.

Nothing feels like it’s connected to

16

anything else by the usual grasp of

People amble, riot vans trundle by. There’s

causality and consequences. It would

still that savoury smell; a not-too-far-

be easy to see an industrial part of a

away pie. Perhaps there’ll be a storm - the

provincial town as the sort of place that

sky is congealing, gravy-like. Arriving

does bring in the EDL to menace away

at the site where the EDL are tipped to

its troubles, to see this as the response

halt, and do whatever chest beating they

to a call, but that doesn’t seem to be it

decide to do, the atmosphere is vague

at all. It’s hollow and random, more a

and disjointed. There are counter-protest

groups; a modestly hopeful banner is

discomfort. The eyes of Hexthorpe swivel

Someone remarkable only for their

asking everyone to Unite Against Fascism.

to watch them. They are as quiet and

ignorance, on the EDL side, is waving the

There are clusters of local residents, and

welcoming as boulders.

flag of Israel. “St George was PALESTINIAN!”

everyone seems blinking, pummelled

hoots the opposition. His face crumples

by those heavy clouds, and shiftingly

There’s crowding and bellowing for a

and he keeps peeking forlornly at his

awkward, the way people are when

while; everyone is calling everyone else

flag. Maybe a moment like that is it for

confronted by lots and lots of themselves.

scum. If the EDL meant to be impressive,

the EDL, making them look a huddle of

What with the strolling and the muggy

if they expected Hexthorpe to turn shiny,

fierce fools. The speeches finish, and

heat, it’s not unlike Cleethorpes, folk self-

patriotic faces towards their flags, then

they straggle out to jeers, the cross of St

consciously taking the air. Only today, the

they must be disappointed. It’s ugly and

George drooping, presumably shocked to

air has wisps of unpleasantness.

beery and pointless. All the diverse faces

discover its own ethnic heritage. So much

of Hexthorpe are made uniform in disgust.

for the English hero, the national narrative.

Right from the start, there have been more

The counter-protest begins to chant.

With that gone, why not write a story for

police than civilians, and they’re clustered

They’ve got nothing but a megaphone,

yourself; collaborate, string voices from a

most thickly here, but the police aren’t

and an enormous purpose: the EDL gone.

community as mixed and multitudinous as

frightening. They’re buttoned-up and

Their posters are home-made, and that’s

Hexthorpe’s into a tale that really means

earnest in neat formations, with regulation

the thing, for so many people here, this

something? When the growing group on the

batons that they use according to

is home, and they want to be the ones

residents’ side of it all roar “OUR STREETS”,

guidelines. The residents’ dogs that are out

who make it. Even though it’s jumbled

that’s courage and pride. The end of the

on patrol, the local force, are frightening.

and scrabbling, what’s clear is that there

EDL’s presence seems more like a kind of

They’re as thick and squat as foul temper,

are more, many more, people who end up

beginning for everyone else, the start of a

with non-regulation jaws that they use

outside the industrial park where the EDL

new community narrative written by and

according to instinct. The police are here

ensconce themselves. The EDL are penned

for everyone. Maybe people didn’t realise

to keep the streets orderly; the dogs are

in, sheepishly, while outside the chanting

they could write it until today. The first

here to keep the streets theirs. Waiting,

and determination turns their organised

page has been laid out: whose streets? Our

residents and protesters all hotching

speeches into bleating.

streets. Who are we? Black and white. What

about, penned in by security forces in

do we do? UNITE AND FIGHT. Fight against

numbers that definitely suggest trouble,

“Auschwitz- never again!” bellows the

fascism, classism, anyone who tries to

it manages to feel both apocalyptic and

counter-protest, and suddenly it’s not

tell this Doncaster community how to be.

banal. I don’t know what I was expecting:

Hexthorpe anymore; time has just got

Whatever problems are facing Hexthorpe,

berets and barricade building. Instead, it’s

very small. It could be no longer ago than

the answers could be drafted into this new

macs, and quite a lot of milling around.

yesterday that another mass of economy-

book, where everyone can hold the pen.

beaten, circumstance-worn people When chaos comes and civilisation falls,

wondered what on earth had happened

Finally, the storm lets go, a gushing taunt

it will happen close enough to home for

to them, and a group made of anger leapt

as the EDL retreat. It needs to rain and

people to nip back and have a cup of tea.

up to answer all their questions with hate

rain, to wash away the anger that was

Everyone will cluster in the road to watch

and intolerance and the promise that rage

smeared here like mud, dull and claggy

the end coming, on a dreary summer-

against the situation could change it, if

and formless. It needs to rain heavy and

storm day.

only everyone could organise enough to

generously on the patches of green, so

efficiently find a scapegoat. People are

newness can grow strong. Walking away,

And then - then they’re here, rumbling and

unoccupied, and it can be seen like just

soaked, looking at faces washed with

ragged and razoring the air with crossness.

another playground game to wad up blame

something quietly like victory, I notice

Here come the EDL, less marching than

and heave and grunt it around, lobbing

the sign. Hexthorpe and the counter-

stumping, and dumpily ordinary. It’s an

it overarm at whoever might not know

protest stood against the EDL on a patch

odd mix of beer garden meets martial,

to duck. Finding someone to victimise

of land put aside by Doncaster Central

jogging bottoms and garish flags. I can’t

can offer the consolation of strength and

Development Trust for the ‘regeneration

decide whether the banners with huge,

purpose against boredom. It might be

work’ of New Deal for Communities. It’s

Iron Cross-like insignia are more or less

childish, and that might make it seem

being used well.

alarming next to all the lumpen, everyday

nothing - a child-sized problem - but

faces. They’re loud, with the swagger and

children are the most spitefully, wilfully

pride of all louts who cheer each other on

cruel versions of humans, and have the

because when they fall quiet is when they

least sense of shame.

End

begin to cringe at themselves. All the faces are red from chanting, but probably also

17

kes.

Mikey Cook Right Up Our Street, in association with

and Ryan Harston to get the best out of

piece, which creates a rich tapestry as the

Cast, will be presenting a new adaptation

what we know is such a rich and varied

backdrop of Kes, and adds a hint of real-

of Barry Hines’ Kes this September. After

community, and it’s been interesting to say

life, small-town living. Two members of the

the success of last year’s The Glee Club,

the least! I’ve been constantly on the phone

community ensemble have been given the

we’ve got a hard act to follow, but as we

to agents day-to-day, seeing in the region

opportunity to take on the large speaking

near the start of rehearsals, all the cogs

of 70 professional actors and performers,

roles of MacDowell and Tibbut, so they’ll be

are turning together to help us bring this

and even traveling down to London in the

called full-time along with the professional

much-loved local novel into a new and

early hours of the morning to hold some

company. This really is a project with

daring form.

auditions, only to realise that I didn’t have

masses of opportunity for everyone

enough scripts with me, and spending over

involved. We’ll all be working together

Here's the first in our series of blogs from

an hour running around North London

quite closely in the next couple of months

Mikey Cook, the Production Assistant for

trying to find any internet café or copy

to create what I know will be something

Kes, on organising, casting, producing, and

shop that could help. I’d be lying if I said

spectacular. So watch this space for more

pretty much everything you need to know

I didn’t love every second of it – even the

developments.

about how to stage a production of Kes in

challenging parts. Being in production

Doncaster.

meetings means that I’m immersed in a

The next steps for Kes at this stage, as I

world where people are true experts in their

said, are beginning professional rehearsals,

“So much has already happened this year

craft and it’s so refreshing to see all of that

with the community ensemble being called

in the making of Kes that I’m struggling

hard work seem so effortless, yet achieve

three times a week (all evenings and

to think of where to start. We’ve done a

such amazing results.

weekends) on top of that. I’d encourage

research and development week, made a

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everyone to get involved in any way they

complete model box of the set, written a

Kully and Philip’s intention was to involve

can – Right Up Our Street and Cast are

draft script from scratch, and appointed a

as many members of the community

running masterclasses in ongoing skills

designer, a movement director, a lighting

as possible, creating a community

development for performers and artists,

designer, an assistant choreographer,

ensemble that will hopefully become a

and also a Friday Hangout for local artists

a sound designer, a composer, a stage

legacy which continues through Cast’s

from 4 o’clock on the last Friday of every

management team…the list is endless. So,

lifetime and evolves and grows along

month. Also, I hope that, by coming to see

as you might have now guessed, we’ve

with the programme of work. So that’s

Kes, it will inspire even more members of

been pretty busy. Full-time rehearsals for

what we’ve done. On Saturday 21 June

the community to get involved in theatre, in

the professional company of actors will

we held our recall, which was the first

whatever capacity that may be. We’ll see.”

begin on Monday 4 August, and I think

gathering of everyone involved in the

we’re all going to be in for a pretty intense

40-strong ensemble, and we had such

Follow experiences of Kes using

experience. My role as the production

an amazing time. It’s so great to see that

#KesDoncaster on Twitter. This is for

assistant means that I get experience of this

so many people want to take an active

everyone: actors, ensemble members, our

from many different angles.

part in the arts in Doncaster, and with

creative team, and you – our audience.

such enthusiasm and talent. There were

You can also tweet @RightUpRStreet @

My role more recently has focused on the

some truly magical moments during that

castindoncaster or @mikeycook92 to ask

professional casting, as well as the logistics

workshop, which has made us all so aware

us any questions you may have about

of creating a large community ensemble.

that these guys are such an important part

the show.

So far, I’ve been working closely with the

of what we’re trying to do. This community

show’s directors, Kully Thiarai and Philip

ensemble is going to take a role that I

Osment, to co-ordinate auditions, casting

believe is truly remarkable – we’re running

sessions and recruitment workshops. I’ve

character development sessions so that

also teamed up with Ava Hunt, Jow Rose

each member has a defined role in the

End

Rehearsals begin for Doncaster’s exciting new adaptation of Barry Hines’ Kes

Photography ©James Mulkeen, 2014

19

DONCOPOLITAN MUSIC & GIG GUIDE

Bang Bang Romeo Diamond Live Lounge - 18th July Let’s follow “the Hall” to the 1960s, where

the electric, distorted blues sounds of Fredric Lincoln Wray created a lead guitar style which defined the era, and the time beyond. It seems that BBR have come back with us, as they possess a definite manifestation of Link’s 60s sound. At a time when the charts are dominated by a 90s pop and dance music revival, BBR are a much-needed injection of power chords from the past, and all-round epicness that defies chronology.

OK, now fast-forward. Shift time to Friday 18th July. Press play. Let’s see what went down that night...

BBR strode out with lead guitarist Ross Cameron’s instantly recognizable Wrayinspired intro to ‘Carnival’, the song that flung BBR onto the national scene and earned them Radio 1 airplay. Featuring the commanding presence and powerful vocals of frontwoman Anastasia Walker, ‘Carnival’ was followed by the darkly possessive ‘You Know You’re Mine’, glimmering with memories of Janis Joplin.

Joel Phillips powered the bassline to ‘Johanesburg’, a song with that early James Bond soundtrack quality. The polished drum sounds of Richard Gartland, and yet more of Anastasia’s stunning vocals, in catchy, hook-laden choruses, framed these tracks perfectly. By this time, the audience had crowded to the front, dancing to ‘The Manes’, ‘Bones’ and “Rebellion”.

Then came another power surge, with ‘Reach Out’ and its 60s Mamas and Papas influences. BBR finished on ‘Chemical’, all layered, anthemic vocals and more of that soaring Wray-inspired lead guitar.

We can’t really stop time, so don’t waste any. BBR are incredible live. Don’t hesitate. Just be at their next show. Their new single, ‘Revolver’, is out now on Google Play and iTunes, sounding just as good post-gig. Buy it and support some local stars.

Ian Walker (The Last Politician)

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Orchestra RUFFANTI

Fluidity

Album Review

Q: How exactly do you launch the new single of an up-and-coming local band?

As a radio presenter I get inundated with new music. It’s a double edged sword. I’ll often sit listening to some cacophony wondering who in their right mind thought this noise was in any way listenable. Thankfully I also receive some gems. Allegro Vanden Plas is just such a gem. And then some.

To quote the band, ‘A selection of original songs, lost treasures and re-imagined folk-pop hits’. Orchestra Ruffanti are a group of 14 musicians as diverse as they are talented.

With a host of original songs plus covers ranging from Gloria Jones to The Blockheads to Brigitte Bardot to T-Rex to Edith Piaf, Allegro Vanden Plas is an amazing soundtrack to the summer. And don’t let the word “covers” put you off.

Any band that can stamp their own mark on a cover are always worth a listen. Take opening track ‘Tainted Love’. Originally performed by Gloria Jones, it is now synonymous with Soft Cell, but Ruffanti have reinvented it as a smoky backroom latin-jazz classic.

In an ideal world the afternoon would be spent in a garden, eating and drinking, with the sun shining, accompanied by Orchestre Ruffanti. Not with a barbecue and a six pack but in the garden of a stately home, eating triangular shaped sandwiches and drinking Pimms. The night would end with the group playing in an exclusive back-street bar with a 1950s dress code, a liberal attitude to smoking and compulsory dancing.

I can’t recommend this album highly enough. Every song is priceless.

Simon Sayner

Hallcross - 19th July

A: By throwing a party at a brand new venue in town, The Hallcross, and having yet more fresh local acts as support (Dom Major and Ginger Tom)!

The band in question, Fluidity, are a native group that have been gigging extensively over the past year, racking up 100+ gigs in their first twelve months of existence alone. The launch party was in aid of their new song, ‘Take Me Home’ - and what a way to go. Having used the single to kick off playing to a packed room of their close friends and fans, they stormed through a solid and battle-worn set perfected after a year’s graft.

The crowd, warmed and lubricated by the opening acts (and a hefty amount of alcohol), took Fluidity to their hearts, even singing along to songs they were hearing for the first time. When the band tried to exit the stage, there were demands for more. Fluidity obliged, smashing through the sweaty encore and ending in a delirious fuzz of feedback and exhaustion. Catch them at the next gig.

This band are something special indeed.

Kane Mark

DONCOPOLITAN BAR GUIDE

DONCASTER Brewery Tap

Cask Corner Dive Bar

7 Young Street, DN1 3EL

3 Cleveland Street, DN1 3EH

Micro Brewery Pub open Wednesday, 5pm-10pm, Friday, 3pm9pm and Sat, 12pm-9pm

Open Mic every Wednesday (every 1st Wedneday Comedy night), quiz every Thursday, live music every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday

Pubs have always been at the heart of community life up north. I grew up sitting in beer gardens, overhearing my dad talk politics and gossip whilst eating ready salted crisps. Our neighbour brewed his own beer in his cellar called the Underground Arms.

For those of the booze hound, 50p shot generation, beer and real ale may seem like a thing of flat caps and whippets. But despite pubs closing down in every corner of Doncaster, real ale is bouncing back as micro brewery pubs reinvent old traditions with artisan brews.

Take the Brewery Tap. A tourist destination for anyone visiting Doncaster, it’s a place to kick back and enjoy a delicious pint of Elderflower Ale. After speaking with Alison and Ian Blaylock, the founders, the Tap is a place to celebrate local legacies too. The couple aims to big up Doncaster’s overlooked and underappreciated heritage. Their hand-crafted produce feature names such as Sand House Blonde, Sir Nigel and The Mucky Bucket, a dark pale ale dedicated to Doncaster’s coal mining days. The pump labels are even designed in the shape of the Danum Shield. For those of you who don’t know, the Roman Army, one of the biggest ever assembled, had a small number of shield designs that were replicated across the empire. That’s right - the Danum Shield was designed in good old Donny.

Roman history geeks dig this shield in a massive way. You can even go to see it if you pop into Doncaster Museum. When you’re on your way, don’t forget to stop off at the Tap en route. It’s a place every Doncasterian should visit. They’re also hosting a plethora of events across St Ledger, and I’m sure when the Romans come to town as part of the festival they will be dropping by for swift pint too.

It’s Saturday night in Doncaster. The mercury has been nudging 25°C all week. The races have just finished and Silver Street is a heaving mass of inhumanity. Luckily there’s a few places around town where you can take refuge from the mainstream and one of the best is Cask Corner on Cleveland Street. It may only be a few yards from Silver Street but it is really like another world.

Good beer and like-minded people are my normal requirements for a good night out. Throw in a good live band and I’m a happy bunny.

Live music is one of the mainstays of Cask Corner and on the night we were in Daniel Jeanrenaud and the Camden Cats were belting out some great rockabilly tunes.

Of course the other main reason to visit Cask Corner is beer and as usual there was a good choice – I had a Savannah from Elland Brewery and a Thwaites’ Wainwright, both excellent (for anybody who doesn’t like beer, other forms of booze are available).

Cask Corner is definitely not your run of the mill pub. The décor is a bit on the quirky side (coffins and a giant dartboard?) but it all adds to the charm of the place. If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend you give it a go.

Steve Bates

Rachel Horne

Photography ©Warren Draper, 2014

23

Are you a creative individual?

Do you have a passion for the Arts?

Are you looking for a new challenge?

Then why not join one of the many courses on offer within the Creative Industries at Doncaster College and University Centre.

Further Education Courses

• Art and Design • Creative Media Production • Creative Media Production: Film and Television • Fashion • Games Development • Graphic Design • Interactive Media • Music

Higher Education Courses

• FdA Illustration and Concept Art • FdA Packaging Design and Branding (2015 entry) • HND in Art & Design (Photography) • HND in Creative Media Production - Computer Games Design / Animation • HND in Interactive Media • BA (Hons) Fashion Advertising (2015 entry)

• • • • • • • • •

It’s not too late to apply!

Music Practice Music Technology Performing Arts Performing Arts: Acting Performing Arts: Dancing Performing Arts: Musical Theatre Photography Pre Degree: Art, Design and Media Visual Arts

• BA (Hons) Fashion and Textiles Design • BA (Hons) Fine Art and Crafts • BA (Hons) Graphic Design (2015 entry) • BA (Hons) Illustration and Concept Art (top up) • BA (Hons) Moving Image Production

For more information on any of our courses please call on 01302 553553 or visit our website www.don.ac.uk

DONCASTER’S 10 DAY FESTIVAL IS BACK!

OVER 200 EVENTS 5-14 September 2014

GRAB A GUIDE*

AND PLAN YOUR WEEK!

www.visitdoncaster.com/stleger

DONCASTER TOURISM

*Available from Tourist Information, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster Transport Interchange, Doncaster Market, Cast, and venues throughout the borough

Simon Saynor Simon Saynor Rita Payne (Rhiannon Scutt and Pete Sowerby) released their second album with a launch show at Sheffield City Hall on July 10th.

Their first album ‘Stories From A Suitcase’ was a stripped back, raw demonstration of perfect harmonies and impeccable musicianship set around some of the most gorgeous tunes known to man. With this second album the sound is more fleshed out but still with that unmistakable Rita Payne feel.

The album consists of 12 tracks (if you include the bonus track ‘Ashes’) which are earning rave reviews across the national music press, with glowing support from the likes of Richard Hawley and John McClure.

It is – and I make absolutely no apologies for the cliché – a must-have album. I caught up with Rita Payne recently and fired a few questions at them...

There are more guests on this album, which gives a more fleshed out feel. Was this something you deliberately set out to achieve or just a natural evolution?

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I think there was a degree of both, but ultimately it was more of a natural progression. We had our first headline gig at a venue that we felt needed more than just us on stage to create an atmosphere.

So we got in a few old friends – Pete’s known the banjo player since he was three years old! – to help flesh-out the sound. The new album songs were fairly fresh at that point, so when the additional instruments were added we loved the sound so much we knew we had to record ‘We’re Getting There, Aren’t We?’ with the full complement.

Will Rita Payne live be moving on from two voices, a guitar and a suitcase then?

We will always retain that core element of ourselves as Rita Payne and we still gig as a duo for a large portion of our shows, however the backing band (‘The Rita Payne Experience’, ha ha) will hopefully join us more frequently the more we begin to headline larger venues. When we do play as a band we always start the show as a duo and finish the show as the band.

You launched the album with a gig at Sheffield City Hall. How was that for you?

It was the most humbling experience we’ve ever had. We were introduced by The Reverend Jon McClure (Reverend and the Makers) and by the end of the night we’d received two standing ovations. It was also incredible because the majority of people in the audience had either funded or sang on the album or both. I think we’re both still on a comedown.

So the inevitable question... How do you follow up such a complete album?

Thank you! Well this album has been a culmination of a year’s worth of experience, as a band and as individuals, so the only thing we can do is keep living our life (which still feels like a dream in some places) and see where we are further down the road.

It’s available across the board on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Bandcamp for hard copies.

End

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