As summer comes to an end, there’s lots to look forward to in Cambridge. The culture scene is in full swing with events including Cambridge Film Festival and Cambridge Literary Festival, plus there's a wave of new foodie openings to discover. Our latest issue covers all the details, plus interviews with top authors, comedians, and musicians making their way to Cambridge this season.
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CULTURE HOTLIST Cambridge Film Festival, must-see theatre and unmissable exhibitions
SAVOUR THE SEASON Embrace autumn at the cosiest dining spots in town
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS The Libertines, Nish Kumar, Tracy Chevalier, David Nicholls and more
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WELCOME
AUTUMN AWAITS H ello and welcome to our October issue, featuring a riding a phenomenal wave of success. He reflects on his writing journey, his love of solitude, and his newest title You Are Here over on page 14. We also had the great pleasure of speaking with literary sensation Tracy Chevalier, who tells us about the inspiration behind her latest novel The Glassmaker on page 18.
EDITORIAL Editor in chief Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Editorial director Roger Payne Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editors Jim Blackstock, Minhaj Zia ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com Senior sales executive Claire Cornish 01223 499453 clairecornish@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS Miriam Balanescu, Mark Box, Rebecca Elsdon, Charlotte Griffiths, Charlotte Phillips, Liz Potter, Anna Taylor, Angelina Villa-Clarke & Elisha Young DESIGN & PRODUCTION Design director Andy Jennings Magazine design manager Lucy Woolcomb Junior designer Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman Ad production Holly May MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck TYPEFACE Nyght Serif / Maksym Kobuzan from Tunera Type Foundry COVER Illustration by Holly May, inspired by a photo from @pretty_little_cambridge on Instagram
guest appearance from me back in the editor’s seat! It’s a joy to be back – even if just for a moment – and I’m pleased to say there’s lots to look forward to in Cambridge this month. The culture scene is buzzing as we head into autumn, with upcoming events including Cambridge Film Festival on the horizon. Now in its 43rd year, this annual gathering is one of the oldest events of its kind in the UK, showing a carefully curated selection of new British and international cinema alongside classic retrospectives, documentaries, family favourites and an eclectic array of shorts. We caught up with the festival’s new programmer, Teodosia Dobriyanova, to hear about her love of film and her vision for CFF on page 22. With the winter edition of Cambridge Literary Festival just around the corner, we also got a chance to speak with one of its top-billed speakers: best-selling author David Nicholls. With his beloved novel One Day enjoying a new life in a hit Netflix adaptation, a musical of his earlier work Starter for Ten taking the West End by storm, and a new book out, he’s currently
It’s a busy month on the food front as well, with five new eateries vying for our attention. Ellimatta brings a taste of Australian cafe culture to Victoria Avenue, while Tea Apothecary offers a luxurious haven for tea lovers on Magdalene Street. There’s also a new burger joint, an adventurous ice cream parlour and Noshe – a cosy coffee house and Afghan restaurant – to seek out. Find out more on page 34. Elsewhere in the issue, we catch up with comedians Nish Kumar and Jason Byrne, hear some rock ’n’ roll tales from The Libertines’ drummer Gary Powell, highlight Green Street’s hidden treasures and lots more. Thanks for having me back, and I hope you enjoy the issue!
Editor in chief
EDITOR’S PICKS
Find us @cambsedition
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Cambridge Edition Magazine Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ, 01223 499450, cambsedition.co.uk • All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publishers. • Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Cambridge Edition or Bright Publishing Ltd, which do not accept any liability for loss or damage. • Every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct. • Cambridge Edition is a free publication that is distributed in Cambridge and the surrounding area.
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1 The mini Sophie, £485, Cambridge Satchel Company 2 Scalloped edge cushion, £25, Angela Reed 3 Pink with green Fleur d’Orleans kimono gown, £90, Curating Cambridge 4 Seeker Mint Rose, £425, Beaucroft Watches 5 Niin cracked glaze plant pot grey/blue, £34, Iris & Violet
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ON THE COVER 43 / DINING GUIDE Dial up the cosy factor with our annual round-up of the best spots for some local feasting 52 / GREEN STREET Shining a spotlight on Green Street, a cobbled haven of history and chic indie shops INTERVIEWS 14 / ODE TO SOLITUDE We chat with author David Nicholls ahead of his Cambridge talk 17 / FIVE MINUTES WITH JASON BYRNE The Irish comedian discusses his new show 18 / HEART OF GLASS Celebrated novelist Tracy Chevalier shares news of her new book
25 / POLITICS AS USUAL Political
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polemicist Nish Kumar joins us for a chinwag 29 / GARY POWELL The Libertines’ drummer on why the band’s in its
best-ever shape CULTURE EDITION
08 / THE AGENDA The essential cultural dates to know for October 10 / THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS Incredible productions coming our way this autumn 20 / BOOK CLUB Celebrity memoirs currently in the spotlight 22 / SCREEN TIME We chat with the new programmer at Cambridge Film Festival FOOD EDITION 34 / FOOD NEWS New eateries you should check out this month 37 / RECIPE Golden pork belly with pommes Anna and cider cream sauce 39 / ELISHA EATS Our food columnist on her love of beetroot
HOME EDITION 76 / STYLE NOTES A stylish city spot to inspire your interiors 78 / IN MY SPACE A local interior designer takes us inside her own stunning sanctuary 80 / HOT IN THE KITCHEN The latest trends and how to recreate them in your home 89 / EDITION LOVES We choose our favourite accessories to make the most of your kitchen 90 / GARDENS Anna takes us through the key tasks for October
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SCREEN TIME Cambridge Film Festival highlights & this month’s movie picks FAMOUS LAST WORDS The best celebrity biographies to curl up with this autumn CULTURE EDITION BACK ON THE SCENE The Libertines’ Gary Powell tells us what became of the likely lads
Reel luxury
The wait is nearly over for the hotly anticipated Everyman Cambridge to open. Nestled within the Grand Arcade, this deluxe cinema experience will offer five screens showing blockbusters, live screenings, indie flicks and international cinema. Say goodbye to buckets of fizzy pop and hello to cocktails and glasses of fizz – plus pizzas, premium burgers, milkshakes, sundaes and popcorn, all to be enjoyed from the comfort of a luxurious velvet sofa. We can’t wait!
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THE AGENDA
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EXHIBITION
Megan Rooney: Echoes & Hours, Kettle’s Yard The final chance to enjoy this captivating exhibition before it closes. It features Rooney’s abstract paintings and her mural on the gallery wall.
Discos for Grown-Ups, Cambridge Junction Don your sequins for a night of seventies disco, eighties pop and nineties dance classics at the Junction. Expect hits from Sister Sledge, the Bee Gees and more.
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THEATRE
Hints and Revelations: Radius Festival of Drama 2024, St Mark’s, Newnham A performance of A Hint of the Unknown God , a directing masterclass exploring The Tempest, plus lunch and a Q&A.
Nobody’s Empire, Cambridge Junction Belle and Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch celebrates his debut novel with readings, songs and a live Q&A at the Cambridge Junction.
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Footlights Tour Show, ADC Theatre Cambridge University’s renowned comedy troupe performs its annual tour show at the ADC, featuring its usual blend of sketches, songs and stand-up.
Milton Food and Craft Market, Milton Country Park Celebrate the arrival of autumn with a host of local suppliers amid the wildlife. A perfect chance to soak up the sights and buy treats.
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Dates for the diary for your Cambridgeshire culture fix
The Last Dinner Party, Corn Exchange A shining light in the recent guitar-music renaissance, this five-piece band takes inspiration from gothic novels, Kate Bush and
Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble, The Portland Arms This ten-piece brass and funk band specialises in knees-up dancing, singalongs, raucous rapping and sax solos, covering anything from eighties pop to smooth
glam rock – with a synth-driven spin.
soul. Catch them at The Portland Arms.
FESTIVAL
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Cambridge Film Festival, Various The 43rd outing of this beloved celebration of films runs until 31 October, boasting more than 100 titles. On the programme, find UK premieres of brand-new features, classic retrospectives, documentaries, family favourites, as well as an eclectic array of shorts.
Paint and Sip, Turing Locke
Taking place from 7pm to 9pm, this session is a chance to enjoy a drink or two, socialise and let those creative juices flow, developing your own masterpiece.
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Sir John Betjeman’s Banana Blush, St Edmundsbury Cathedral Zeb Soanes performs Betjeman’s verse at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, accompanied by the dazzling virtuosity of the Chris Warner Ensemble. This unique performance promises to whisk viewers from a twenties cocktail party to village bandstand in an hour of toe-tapping delight.
1 NOV Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night 2024, TALK
23 NOV Cambridge Literary Festival, Cambridge Union and Old Divinity School The winter edition of the festival brings together leading authors including David Nicholls, Ali Smith and Michael Rosen. A must for all bookworms. 8 NOV Cambridge Jazz Festival, Various Headliners such as Incognito, Yolanda FESTIVAL Brown, A Certain Ratio, Zoe Rahman Octet and steel- pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas come together for this multi- venue, city-wide celebration of jazz music. The festival runs until 24 November. MUSIC Corn Exchange Do psychopaths rule the world? How do we define normal? Are you friends with a psychopath? Are you worried YOU might be one? Join the author of The Psychopath Test at the Corn Exchange to find out.
MUSIC
The Bluetones, Cambridge Junction Brit-pop legends The Bluetones are back with their first new material in nearly 15 years. Expect a trip down memory lane with songs like After Hours and Never Going Nowhere , plus cracking new tunes.
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Neon Moon Halloween, Cambridge Junction The infamous Neon Moon Halloween ball returns to the Junction for a dazzling night of burlesque, circus acts and dancing until the small hours. The crowd go all in with outfits, so dress to impress!
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EXHIBITION
Rasheed Araeen: A British Story, Heong Gallery Pakistani-born, London- based artist, writer and educator Rasheed Araeen has been at the vanguard of art and activism for six decades. Enjoy a collection of his paintings, installations, collages and sculptures at this new exhibition at the Heong Gallery.
Will Young, Cambridge Junction Twenty years on from his Pop Idol win, the Ivor Novello-winning singer stops by to perform some of the biggest hits of the noughties, including Evergreen, Leave Right Now and Light My Fire .
6 Oct
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CULTURE EDITION AUTUMN THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS A s autumn settles in, Cambridge’s Arts Theatre is serving up a feast of theatrical delights that promises to keep Robert Lindsay’s career retrospective (22 September), these offer a personal connection with beloved figures in the arts. Another must-see is Alan Bennett’s The Cambridge Arts Theatre is brimming with highlights to delight, entertain and inspire through the new season. Here’s what’s in store
History Boys (1 to 5 October) – celebrating its 20th anniversary – while 1984 (22 to 26 October) sees Orwell’s classic thrillingly reimagined. The season wraps up with a double bill of playwright Terence Rattigan’s work (12 to 16 November), starring Nathaniel Parker and Dame Siân Phillips.
the city’s cultural scene buzzing through the colder months. Whether you’re a fan of gripping drama, laugh-out-loud comedy or heartwarming family fare, this season’s line-up is packed with unmissable shows. A definite highlight is the Arts panto Cinderella , bringing a sprinkle of magic to the city from 28 November to 5 January. Starring Matt Crosby as Buttons, the creative team behind Mother Goose will be delivering another dose of songs, silliness and Christmas cheer that’s a joy for all. For those who love a good whodunnit, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (29 October to 2 November) is a must-see. With Michael Maloney stepping into the iconic role of Poirot, this tense and tightly woven tale of murder and intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last moment. The West End hit Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (19 to 21 September), meanwhile, is created from scratch each night based on audience suggestions. It might sound chaotic (and it is), but the team are masters of quick- thinking comedy and ad-libbing songs. Black is the Colour of My Voice (10 to 11 October) offers a moving tribute to Nina Simone, and fans of Gilbert and Sullivan will be thrilled with The Pirates of Penzance (14 to 19 October), which sees an all- male cast bring a joyously mad take on a classic. We also love the look of Heathers the Musical (19 to 23 November), a rock- musical take on the cult 80s movie about a high school clique with a dark side. There’s more music with The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars (10 November), who return to Cambridge to celebrate the iconic London venue, its music and history. This season also boasts exceptional one-night events. From Sandi Toksvig’s humour and insight (29 September) to
CUE THE DRAMA (Clockwise from top) Heathers the Musical, Murder on the Orient Express and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
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Art & soul Showcasing some 250 new works by both amateur and professional local artists, Cambridge Drawing Society’s (CDS) autumn exhibition takes place from 27 October to 2 November at The Leys School. Open from 10am to 4pm every day – with free admission and free parking – the show will bring together CDS artists working in a variety of media, from paintings and drawings to original prints and sculptures. With a variety of pieces to explore, including unframed works and a great selection of artists’ cards, it’s the perfect place to pick up a gift or something for the home.
BRUSH HOUR Artwork like Shifting Margins (above) by Rob Dempsey will be on display
SETTING THE STAGE… Bringing world-class classical performers to the city each autumn, Cambridge Music Festival’s latest series promises cult classics, sensational soloists and mesmerising world music to enjoy. Since its debut in 1991, the festival has gained a reputation for its imaginative and boundary- pushing performances. The upcoming concerts continue this tradition, with appearances from the Philip Glass Ensemble, celebrated pianist Boris Giltburg and acclaimed baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside.
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The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is making a splash in Cambridge next month, bringing a captivating collection of ocean-themed films to audiences at West Road Concert Hall on 12 November. Founded in Australia, the Ocean Film Festival was created to inspire people to enjoy, explore and protect the world’s oceans. Now in its 11th year touring the UK, the festival showcases short films that capture the magic and challenges of life above and beneath the waves. This year’s line-up features awe-inspiring tales like Ice Maiden – which chronicles Lisa Blair’s harrowing solo voyage around Antarctica – and The Whale Song , a fascinating look into the musical communication of humpback whales. The event is presented by the Marine Conservation Society and PADI. Screening includes a live compère and the chance to win ocean-themed prizes. Tales from the deep
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS TO BOOK NOW! Secure your spot for this trio of festive frolics in and around Cambridge
27-30 December, Corn Exchange Now a beloved local tradition, the Corn Exchange Christmas ballet is back with a run of The Nutcracker by Mergaliyev Classical Ballet. Book now for a festive treat to remember. The Nutcracker
29 November - 23 December Kids can enjoy Christmas crafts and story time with Santa as he stops by the stately home to deliver presents ahead of his busiest time of the year. Father Christmas at Anglesey Abbey
29 November - 21 December, Cambridge Botanic Garden Cambridge Botanic Lights 2024
Iconic features will transform into a dazzling spectacle of colour, while the cafe serves up Christmas delights.
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CULTURE EDITION ODE TO SOLITUDE F or the acclaimed romance writer David Nicholls, it’s been a big year. His 2009 novel One Day – a hit upon release – has gained another knowing what a post-Covid world would look like. I do want to avoid writing stuff set in the 80s or 90s in future.” The world landscape of love has also Ahead of his appearance at Cambridge Literary Festival, Miriam Balanescu sits down with best-selling novelist David Nicholls
changed. “In terms of internet dating and technology in modern relationships, I’m very aware that I’m getting on a bit now,” David chuckles. “There’s a lot of smart, brilliant writing about modern sexual politics and relationships. I don’t necessarily feel intimidated at the notion of writing about that, but I’m also wary of writing like a tourist.” Loneliness is a familiar theme in David’s work, however: “There’s a changing attitude to solitary life, which – at the same time – acknowledges how corrosive and alarming loneliness can sometimes feel. In many ways, we’re much more connected than we’ve ever been. I know that if there are moments where I feel lonely, I reach for social media. “Every time I log on to Instagram, everyone seems to be having a far, far better time than I am. That can add to that sense of isolation, of missing out and of life not being what it ought to be.” Despite a potential gap between David’s characters and today’s generation, the fresh popularity of One Day is evidence it still hits home. “We did talk about updating it to make it more ‘relevant to a modern viewership’, and it didn’t really work with the story,” he admits. “It’s a real thrill for me that it resonates, especially since my son is not far off the age of Dexter – a character in the novel. He’s just about to go to university, and sometimes as an outsider, his life seems so radically different from mine at 18.” Novels aside, David leads a prolific double life as a screenwriter, adapting Patrick Melrose and Far from the Madding Crowd . “It allows me to increase my range as a writer. I don’t think I could have written some of the darker aspects in Sweet Sorrow or Us without having spent some time with these other amazing writers.” On whether the mindfulness through nature impacted You Are Here , David states: “I’m wary of making too many great claims for it regarding mental health. I’ve been perfectly miserable in beautiful places.”
lease of life after the runaway success of the recent Netflix adaptation. His earlier novel Starter for Ten has taken the West End by storm as a brand-new musical. If that wasn’t enough, he has just added another novel, You Are Here , to his now six-strong stack. This latest work is a love letter to hiking in the English countryside – something which was once a Nicholls family pursuit, but is now a crucial part of his writing life. “There was a point where my kids decided they couldn’t bear it anymore, so I started to go by myself,” begins David. “Hiking makes it sound quite dramatic. I’m never really far from other people.” You Are Here pits a nature-hater (to the extent that they consider it an anti- aphrodisiac) against a lover of the great outdoors – obviously fated to fall for each other. David says his initial aim – after being accused of nostalgia by a harsh critic – was to root this novel in the present day. “I slightly bodged that,” he says of writing during lockdown. “I found that the modern world had immediately transformed into something that was unrecognisable. “I didn’t want to write a Covid novel, but at the same time there was no way of
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“My exhibition is a thread that winds its way through the Fitzwilliam – loose in some places, taut in others, which the visitor can choose to follow or encounter serendipitously,” describes Glenn Ligon, whose new show All Over the Place runs until March next year. One of the world’s foremost contemporary artists, Glenn will be showing his own works from the past 35 years, as well as a series of site- specific interventions revealing new perspectives on the Fitzwilliam’s collection and his own artistic career. Greeting visitors will be his striking neon sculpture Waiting for the Barbarians, which will be installed in the museum’s portico entrance. Inside, you can explore his text-based paintings, including Mirror Drawing #9 and Stranger #90, as well as an important early work: Untitled (I Feel Most Colored When I Am Thrown Against A Sharp White Background), which will transform the Octagon gallery. Elsewhere, Glenn has selected artworks and objects from Cambridge collections to bring hidden stories and aesthetic qualities to the fore. Ranging from 18th-century Chinese imitation Wedgwood vases to experimental dry-points by Frank Auerbach, these pieces connect through themes of cultural hybridity, annotation and legibility. In the Upper Marlay galleries, a wall of paintings will be deinstalled to uncover the ghostly traces of previous gallery hangs. In this space, Glenn has chosen to exhibit Adoration of the Magi (circa 1520) from the Fitzwilliam Museum, which features Balthazar as a Black African king, alongside one of his own Untitled (Study for Negro Sunshine) drawings. “Looking in from the margins to see more clearly, thus shifting perspectives and acknowledging what is not seen, sits as part of Ligon’s artistic and curatorial practice, which is at the heart of All Over the Place ,” notes curator Habda Rashid. “This framing methodology enhances our aesthetic, poetic and conceptual understanding of all the works in the exhibition, as well as collections more widely and the role of museums in making sense of the world.” Glenn Ligon: All Over the Place
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JASON BYRNE We learn about Jason’s journey into comedy, his favourite things about Cambridge – and why old men make the best clouds 5 minutes with
GIGS NOT TO MISS!
Cambridge Edition: You’re heading to Cambridge this month – have you spent much time in the city before? Jason Byrne: I’ve played at Cambridge Junction a few times. Once, my mate and I wandered into one of the colleges, past this little wooden barrier with a sign that said, ‘Don’t go beyond this point if you’re not a student’. But we’re Irish, so we just strolled in! I always try and find that busker in the bin in the city centre too; I couldn’t find him last time, so I hope he’s OK. CE: What’s the Cambridge crowd like? JB: They’re usually a bit more proper. Lots of people in finance, property developers, consultants. Very polite. But I sort that out pretty quickly. CE: Tell us about your new show, No Show. What can we expect? JB: Honestly, I have no idea! I come with stunts and material, but it’s the audience that makes each night different. I did a gig in Kendall where a ranger from the Lake District took over the show. I ended up turning him into a serial killer. He was partially deaf, so every time I asked him something, he answered wrong, which made it even funnier. CE: Why this more improvised format? JB: It’s more fun! After my heart surgery, I wanted to make things less stressful. The less I plan, the better I feel. I’ve been doing this for 25 years, so I know how to handle whatever happens. It’s just more exciting this way – you never know what people will come out with. CE: What’s with the clouds? JB: They’re these big cloud hats I made for the audience to wear. I get three people on stage and turn them into weather. There’s always an old man involved. They have to do sound effects like thunder and lightning, which is always... creative. The audience loves it and their wives are in bits laughing. CE: You’ve been in comedy for 25 years. How’s the scene changed? JB: It’s more about the money now. Back when I started, we’d all hang out in one bar at the Edinburgh Fringe – Jimmy Carr, Johnny Vegas, Alan Carr – nobody was
7 October, Corn Exchange Eddi Reader and co – reunited for the first time in 35 years – hit Cambridge for an evening of gorgeous folky sounds. Fairground Attraction 18 October, Corn Exchange Get ready for pop icon Adam Ant as he whips up the crowd with Prince Charming , Antmusic and Stand and Deliver . Adam Ant 19 October, Junction The nine-piece brass outfit bring their infectious, New Orleans- infused vibes to the Junction for a night of raucous covers. The Brass Funkeys 21 October, Corn Exchange Join the veteran rockers to relive classic hits like Dreadlock Holiday , The Things We Do for Love and The Wall Street Shuffle . 10 cc 23 October, Corn Exchange Following their Pyramid Stage performance at Glastonbury this summer, the band will swing by as part of their 50th anniversary tour. Squeeze
doing telly yet. Now, there are hundreds of shows, massive arenas and fewer hecklers. I miss the hecklers! They toughened you up. CE: Cancel culture is a big topic right now. Is it something you worry about? JB: I don’t tend to do material that gets into that territory – unless you want to cancel me for putting clouds on people’s heads! It’s more of an online thing – people kicking off just for kicks. I had a friend who was trolled by someone, and when they met in real life, the troll said, ‘I just do it for fun’. It’s all a bit meaningless, really. People just want to laugh and enjoy themselves, especially after everything with Covid. CE: What’s been a career highlight? JB: Definitely doing the Royal Variety Performance. I got to shake hands with Charles and Camilla. Charles said, ‘Well done Jason, that was very good.’ And I, like an idiot, said, ‘Did you really like it?’ Security started inching closer… CE: And any disasters? JB: Oh, loads! I did a gig at Up the Creek in London, and the crowd started shouting ‘taxi!’ when I was bombing. The owner saved me by bringing me back the next week. I went in with a completely different approach and smashed it. It’s all about learning from the rough gigs. CE: Any future ambitions? JB: I’d love to direct something where I’m not performing. Watching others perform your work is great – much less stressful! Jason Byrne brings No Show to Cambridge Junction on 25 October. Tickets are £30.50
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“The writing is painful, but the research – that’s the best bit.” Tracy Chevalier tells Phoebe Harper about her spellbinding new novel, The Glassmaker T he unique beauty of Venice has seduced creative souls for centuries. Reams have been written attempting to capture the rare charms of La Serenissima, so for Tracy Chevalier, the question was how to do it differently. With the highly anticipated publication of her new novel The Glassmaker , Tracy turns something as small and potentially insignificant as a tiny glass bead into a portal, revealing the vast history of the craft and over five centuries of life in this captivating city. The novel’s genesis was originally sparked by one of Tracy’s readers, who suggested at an event that she research the significance of Venetian glass beads, their widespread use in trade and how they had historically been made by the women of Murano while sitting under lamplight at their kitchen tables. “He left me some books and I had a brief look at them that night, but then put them away,” she reveals. “For years, something stuck in the back of my mind; there might be a story here, and in 2018, it felt like time to get those books down from the shelf.” Heart of glass
chapters from its history,” Tracy says, introducing the concept of time alla Veneziana on which her characters live. “I just had to convince the reader to accept how I was playing with time – in the style of Virginia Woolf’s Orlando or Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life – and go with it.” She does this through the painstaking amounts of research that ground the story in its unrelenting detail, having spent significant time on Murano and Venice – even trying her hand at glassmaking on several occasions to ensure she could bring the historic craft to life on the page. “The writing is painful, but the research – that’s the best bit!” she quips. Tracy likens the novel’s movement to a stone skimming the water’s surface, briefly touching down on each seminal moment across the centuries. It is down to the mastery of her own writerly craft that each flows seamlessly without losing momentum, bringing each elaborate and opulent pearl together in sequence, like threading beads on a string. An Evening with Tracy Chevalier takes place at Waterstones Cambridge on Tuesday 1 October. Book your ticket now at waterstones.com/events
And so the story begins, taking us through the looking glass into quattrocento Venice, when the city was at its artistic and economic zenith. We are introduced to the Rosso family and our protagonist Orsola as she seeks to master a craft in a patriarchal world that will secure her family’s future. “History has always focused on those who had power; politically, socially and economically, this was primarily men, while women’s voices and the struggles in their everyday lives have been deemed unimportant. It’s these stories I’m trying to bring into the light,” Tracy shares. Although following the same family throughout, the novel plots an ambitious course spanning five centuries, where – although the rest of the world is changing – the characters barely age. It charts the family’s rise and fall, bypassing the 16th- century plague, the arrival of Napoleon, the 19th-century construction of a bridge that connected Venice to the mainland, as well as the 2019 floods and the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the novel was written. Along the way, we meet stars like Joséphine Bonaparte and Casanova, though we stick with the family throughout. “Venice itself is such a timeless place and I wanted to cover these significant
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October Book Club Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes with Charlotte Griffiths’ round-up of the best biographies
RUTH CRILLY HOW NOT TO BE A SUPERMODEL: A NOUGHTIES MEMOIR If you survived the 90s and noughties’ highly questionable approach to body image and were raised on a diet of glossy magazines, you are going to absolutely love this book. This is a captivatingly informal, instantaneously intimate look at what it was actually like to be a working model at the turn of the century. The book follows Ruth’s discovery, her early years finding her feet as a model, as well as her rise to international fame over the following ten years. She describes her career as not-quite-making-it, and though young Ruth is regularly told she’s too short, too old or too curvy for true global stardom, her career is an undeniable success. It has enabled her to pay off her debts and travel the world with star-studded friends in tow. This all sounds extremely glamorous, but somehow, she never loses her relatability or her informal style of storytelling. As anyone who’s a fan of her brilliant Instagram account will know, Ruth is an extremely able communicator. She slips her arm through yours like a best mate and deftly manages to strike the perfect balance between the highs – including the undeniably exciting, achingly cool nature of life as a model – and the drudgery of the lows. These include potentially unsafe photoshoots where she and her fellow models are at the mercy of the creative whims of single-minded photographers and art directors. Her unique, self-effacing humour is evident throughout her anecdotes of bone-achingly long castings for the most mundane of products. She recounts schlepping across the maze of London in a time before Google Maps and sharing complicated accommodation with her fellow models as they zip around the world in a quest for fame and fortune. An unputdownable, hyper-glamorous and utterly hilarious time capsule of a book.
THE MOON’S A BALLOON DAVID NIVEN
pictures alongside other cinematic legends. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud, reading sections to anyone who’ll listen and being left open-mouthed at what it was possible to get away with – as well as at David’s astounding lack of self control. Reading this feels a little like settling down to drinks with the actor himself – his gossipy, immaculately set up anecdotes will transport you straight to 30s Hollywood. So pour yourself a martini, sit back and enjoy the ride.
This is an absolute classic of the celebrity biography genre and fully deserves a slot in your winter to-read pile. David Niven was a raconteur like no other. This completely entrancing memoir gives you an insider look at a type of privileged lifestyle and career that simply doesn’t exist anymore. The biography shares David’s own version of the early part of his life, from his years at boarding school to the loss of his father, military service in Malta and his star- studded existence navigating the world of motion
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CULTURE EDITION
KELLY BISHOP THE THIRD GILMORE GIRL If the arrival of autumn means you’re in the midst of a Gilmore Girls rewatch, then you need this book in your life quicker than a pop culture back-and-forth between Lorelai and Rory. If that makes no sense to you at all, then head to Netflix and start watching – you won’t regret it! This is the hugely anticipated memoir of Kelly Bishop, who famously played the elder matriarch in Gilmore Girls , a much-loved US series about a mother and her daughter living in a sleepy New England town. Kelly Bishop played Emily Gilmore – main character Lorelai’s mother – who was a cutting, glamorous, ice-cold snob, yet secretly proud of her daughter’s fearlessness and always striving to protect her family. Mother and daughter clashed relentlessly, but as the memes say, maturity is coming to realise that Emily was right. Despite becoming most famous for her role on this beloved series, there’s so much more to Kelly’s career, as this brilliant book clearly demonstrates. It shares stories of her early years as a classically trained ballerina, her award-winning role in A Chorus Line on Broadway, as well as her personal struggles with her first husband’s gambling addiction and second husband’s cancer diagnosis. She continually reinvents herself, adjusting to the challenges life throws her way, revelling in her later-life success and stardom. Warm, revealing and captivating throughout, this story is the perfect accompaniment to cosy season and a reminder that, sometimes, the best stories are those lived fully.
UNLOCKING THE SECRET GARDEN This trio of tomes is all about searching for personal meaning through horticulture
Rootbound: Rewilding a Life ALICE VINCENT
Where the Hornbeam Grows BETH LYNCH
The Garden Against Time OLIVIA LAING
A poetic, thoughtful paean to the power of growing and the safe space that plants can create in a life, Alice’s precious balcony garden sees her through heartbreak, new love and finding her place in the world.
Part memoir, part travelogue and part heartfelt nature writing, this evocative book shares local writer Beth’s journey to finally create her own garden, untangling her memories and connecting with the world.
This smash bestseller follows Olivia’s restoration of a walled garden in Suffolk, subsequent exploration of both real and imagined paradises and the self-discovery that nurturing a garden can bring.
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CULTURE EDITION
MOVIES & SHAKERS As Cambridge Film Festival returns this month for its 43rd edition, Miriam Balanescu meets its new programmer, Teodosia Dobriyanova, to find out more
W ith over four decades to its name now, Cambridge Film Festival (CFF) has become a fixture of the local cultural scene. Though smaller than its London rival, it has all the markings of a major film festival, boasting the best releases from the festival circuit, as well as restored cinematic treasures and lesser-seen international gems. Its Camera Catalonia strand is also a unique showcase of cinema from the region. This year, two new programmers have been enlisted to join the team: Nathasha Orlando Kappler and Teodosia Dobriyanova. “One of the reasons I was excited to join was that the Cambridge programming panel is a horizontal one,” begins Teodosia. “It’s a conversation between all of us on the programming panel and the wider team. There’s a brilliant structure to it, which has been refreshing. It has been wonderful having regular meetings with the other programmers, talking about the films and listening to their own perspectives, as well.”
The festival reflects the broader context of reality At the helm of New East Cinema at the Barbican, Teodosia has fostered a special interest in curating Asian and eastern European cinema – something she has brought on-board at CFF. “We have people with a strong humanitarian focus in their programming that really pops up,” adds Teodosia. “There are people interested in collectives and programming for communities. All of that coming together brings the programme to life; it’s like a patchwork of all our interests and expertise.” Borrowing from the British Film Institute’s action-cinema season, Point Break will also be screened. However, the contemporary films selected speak to our changing world, shares Teodosia: “The festival reflects the broader context of our reality. Many of the films focus on war, conflict, displacement and migration.” On why local film festivals are so important, Teodosia reflects: “Something which has been interesting for me during the pandemic was the shift in online access to culture and cinema. It seemed like a hopeful transition, but unfortunately, many of these platforms began to close once cinemas reopened. This is an ongoing issue, I believe. “Seeing these films with people, listening and hearing their reactions, simply experiencing that together and then discussing the film – that’s priceless, and it’s why we’re doing this.”
FRAME BY FRAME CFF brings audiences together to discover, discuss and debate seminal cinema
Picturehouse Picks
Get your film fix with these recommendations from the Arts Picturehouse
11 November Few family films manage to truly appeal to the whole family, but the Paddington franchise is one of those rare gems. To relive the first two outings for our favourite bear once more on the big screen, don’t miss a series of screenings taking place next month. Paddington and Paddington 2
1 November Director Ola Ince’s Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello
6 November As Hugo Max Scores’ Silent Cinema UK Tour travels around the UK, the Picturehouse will offer the chance to see the creepy classic screened alongside the backing of a live viola performance by Hugo in honour of Halloween. The Cabinet of Dr Caligari with Live Viola Score
take on Shakespeare’s play – where one man’s marriage is doomed by external forces and the fact he loves ‘not wisely but too well’ – tussles with themes of racism, toxic masculinity and a corrupt justice system.
Movie magic not to miss this month
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CULTURE EDITION
4 October Aaron Schimberg’s thoughtful, A Different Man
sometimes strange, doppelganger fable sees Adam Pearson shine as an aspiring actor who undergoes transformative surgery – then played by Sebastian Stan – and later, the double of Sebastian Stan who comes back to mock his lack of confidence.
Salem’s Lot
11 October Just in time for the season of spooks and chills, the latest Stephen King adaptation is helmed by the producers behind the It franchise. An author heads to his childhood home, only to find it is plagued by a bloodthirsty new resident, before teaming up with the locals to exorcise them.
The Apprentice
25 October With this tender, weighty, Golden Lion- winning adaptation of a Sigrid Nunez novel, Pedro Almodóvar returns to his theme of flawed mothers – this time played by Tilda Swinton as a world- weary war correspondent who rekindles a relationship with an old colleague (Julianne Moore). The Room Next Door
18 October This audacious drama from Ali Abbasi has been likened to a real-life-villain origin story – it chronicles a young Donald Trump’s ascent to power by striking a murky deal with right-wing fixer Roy Cohn. Sebastian Stan gives his second terrific performance this month.
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CULTURE EDITION Politics As Usual As political polemicist Nish Kumar prepares to return to the Corn Exchange this October, Miriam Balanescu gets the lowdown on his new show I don’t care about my comedy or my career to the same extent that I care about 90 minutes of comedy is the same as everyone else doing two-and-a-half hours of comedy’.” Nish is known for
what actually happens to this country,” exclaims comedian Nish Kumar. “Who gives a shit about my comedy?” Considering that his latest show Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe explores his alleged vibe-destroying political anger, this comment is perfectly on brand. Written before the general election in July, the show ponders the question: Why talk about things being bad when they already are? But thankfully, the election’s outcome means that Nish can finally talk about other things. “There was this slightly strange conversation I’d have with people where they’d say, ‘You must be hoping they don’t lose’,” he remarks. “And you think, ‘God, no’. I would much rather have spent the last decade writing jokes about anything else.” With over a decade in the business – and innumerable appearances on TV and radio – Nish’s latest routine is his most years in therapy, he speaks candidly – and humorously – about his mental health struggles. “The unifying theme of the show is that things have got to change, both for the species and for me, personally,” he shares. personal to date. After spending the past few
ripping into the former government – his ranting being something he amplifies for audiences, he notes. “I’m probably broadly a bit calmer offstage than I seem to be onstage, but increasingly, the line is slowly being blurred between onstage and offstage, and I am okay with that.” In the wake of his Taskmaster song I’m Always Seeing You (Do Cool Stuff) gaining thousands of views on YouTube, the comedian has finally given in to his musical talents. “I definitely said that I wasn’t interested in musical stuff, but this year, I have played guitar onstage twice – because I think there is nothing more excruciating than a stand-up comedian trying to do music,” he jests. “But a few years ago – without really thinking about the ramifications of it – I played on my friend’s [Paul Williams] album.” Nish is looking forward to being back in Cambridge, a place where he’s performed ‘about 700 times’. “Cambridge is one of the places that I’ve gigged the most in the country,” he explains. “I used to compere a gig at Wolfson College; me and Ed Gamble who used to alternate every month.
Stand-up comedy has always been an outlet for people to talk through issues NISH OUT OF WATER Nish’s show tackles climate collapse, income inequality and the complexities of being a British-Indian man not voting for a British-Indian PM
I’ve done all the rooms at the Junction at various points. The Corn Exchange is also exciting because they have murals on the staircase of all the musicians that have performed there – like David Bowie and Johnny Cash. I think it’s the last place Syd Barrett ever performed publicly. For a music nerd, it feels exciting to be doing shows there.”
Yet, Nish doesn’t think issues of mental health in comedy are anything new. “Stand-up comedy has always been an outlet for people to talk through issues that concern them […] to make themselves and audiences feel better about those things,” he highlights. “Anything that reduces the stigma around those conversations is a good thing.”
Nearing 40, Nish is currently at the height of his comedic powers – yet he claims he hates any of his shows from ‘before I was 30’. “Stand-up is one of those interesting things where you can get better at it,” he insists. That doesn’t mean it’s not still hard work. “I really do sweat it out on stage,” he admits. “One of my friends said, ‘You doing
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STREET STYLE
Photographer Mark Box shares some of his favourite portraits from the streets of Cambridge this month – can you spot anyone you know? Humans of Cambridge
@rxlphie13
“We love travelling, socialising, music, dancing and food. Our life advice would be to live every day as if it’s your last!”
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STREET STYLE
About the project Founded by Mark Box, Humans of Cambridge came to life under gathered a devoted following as a photographic celebration of the creativity, colour and community found throughout Cambridge. Mark uses the platform to document fleeting moments with eye-catching individuals, striking up conversations with strangers as they pass him on the street and lockdown as an Instagram photoblog. Ever since, it has capturing their portraits on his 35mm mirrorless camera. During most weekdays, you will find Mark with his camera at the ready around lunchtime in the Market Square, on King’s Parade, Burrell’s Walk and Garret Hostel Bridge. Follow him on Instagram @humanofcambridge for more. Meet Mark Box at the Cambridge Photography Show on 5 October at The Hilton Hotel, Cambridge City Centre. For free tickets, visit cambridgephotographyweek.com
Vikki
“Thank you for some fun and lovely photos that capture the essence of me!” @jp.suzii
@ftmeceknc
@cambridgevintagetours
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CULTURE EDITION
AT LIBERTY Nearly a decade since the legendary alt rock group’s last album, The Libertines are back on the scene – Miriam Balanescu catches up with drummer Gary Powell A fter their raucous career beginnings, The Libertines have been quiet for close to ten years. Now, they’ve come
roaring back, their fourth album All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade rocketing to number one in the charts – the first (and second only) time since their self-titled album earned the same accolade 20 years ago. Gary Powell, the four-piece’s long-standing drummer, describes the whole experience as ‘very odd’. When The Libertines gained the top spot in 2024, the group wasn’t informed by management and Gary happened to discover the information accidentally on a trip to HMV. This time around, their celebratory performance schedule was packed: “We did everything under the sun – and I still ended up just going home,” he notes. The Libertines’ latest is an homage to the band’s newfound home in Margate, otherwise known as The Albion Rooms (the Eastern Esplanade is the location of this hotel of sorts). “It’s about a slice of what community actually is,” according to Gary. “If you listen to the lyrics, all the characters you see on the album cover are indicative of the characters in all the songs. “We have always prided ourselves on being more akin to community than to anything else.” So, apart from gamboling around Margate, what have the band been up to the past nine years? “I’m sure no one else in the band would actually say, but I’ll say it – Covid-19 was good to us,” confesses Gary. “It was a horrific period of time, but allowed us the state of grace to actually sit back and concentrate on us as individuals, as opposed to the sum of the parts. “I spent my time writing, trying to get my record label into a sustainable manner. Peter was unable to get any substances from anywhere in the entire world, so he essentially sorted himself out.” The break has served them well. While critically revered, he explains that their last studio album Anthems for Doomed Youth was a gruelling experience for all involved. “It’s coming from a completely different mindset,” Gary explains of the
There’s no doubt that the band holds its own in the face of a fluctuating music industry – but they’re open to change. “We’re not going to try to become a modern-day variation of what people think we should be like,” affirms Gary. But, pointing to The Beatles, he says the best bands progress. (After asking bassist John Hassall how The Beatles would sound today, he responded: “Sgt Pepper.”) “If we had failed with this recording, it may have brought the end of libertinedom,” Gary reflects. Yet Cool Britannia appears to be back – although Gary is ‘not that bothered’ about Oasis reuniting. Set to play at the Corn Exchange this month, Gary recalls his last visit to Cambridge being derailed by a storm, no trains and ‘a Hells Angel on a motorbike to come and get me’. Touch wood, this trip can only go better.
time recording in Thailand. “We were so far away from any form of assistance whatsoever. We’d all fought so hard to maintain our friendship, our sanity, our musical integrity. This is much closer to where I personally believe we’ve always wanted to be.” In spirit, this album is possibly most akin with their first full release Up the Bracket , sharing its unabashed rebelliousness. “With the first album, it was full steam ahead, guns blazing, backs against the wall, smoking furiously – all those analogies. It was a massive sucker punch to absolutely everybody.”
With our first album, it was full steam ahead . It was a massive sucker punch to absolutely everybody
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