Step into the new season with a bounty of delights to discover on your doorstep. This issue, we take a trip to Mill Road to reveal its must-visit restaurants and shops, highlight some sensational staycation spots, serve up some tasty recipes and bring you all the latest from the local culture scene.
WELCOME
Cosy season
EDITORIAL Editor in chief Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Assistant editor Miriam Balanescu Editorial assistant Alex Fice Editorial director Roger Payne Deputy chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editors Harriet Williams & Ben Gawne ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS
ovember has arrived – and with it, an irresistible urge to batten down the hatches and hibernate. Yep, it’s officially cosy season, and we’ve got plenty of inspiration for helping you embrace the ‘hygge’ this month. Cambridge chef Rosie Sykes, a connoisseur of comfort cooking thanks to much-loved collections such as The Sunday Night Book (the bible of soul-warming weekend recipes), joins us to talk hearty soups, slow-cooking, autumnal flavours and Guy Fawkes suppers on page 61; while this month’s Home Edition offers tips for creating the ultimate nest (page 87). If you fancy wrapping up and enjoying the Midsummer Common fireworks – the first display since pre-pandemic – we’ve got all the details on page 21. We also welcome back our Winter Dining Guide, a round-up of the best festive feasts, Christmas party venues and seasonal treats available around the city, on page 53. Elsewhere in the issue, we’ve got news of the Literary Festival, Jazz Festival and the best theatre, gigs and art exhibitions heading our way in this month’s Culture Club (from page 7). For those impossibly organised readers already planning their Christmas shopping, there’s a rundown of the best festive markets hitting the streets on page 64. Enjoy the issue and see you next month!
Mark Box, Charlotte Griffiths, Anna Taylor & Elisha Young DESIGN & PRODUCTION Senior designer Lucy Woolcomb lucywoolcomb@bright.uk.com Ad production Man-Wai Wong & Kieran Bitten MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck
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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Contents
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04 Starters Our favourite Instagram pics of the month, plus brilliant buys from local indies 07 Culture Club Art, theatre, interviews, book picks, festival news and this month’s street style portraits 38 Indie of the Month Meet Bespoke Party Bands, the local agency reinventing function entertainment 43 Savour & Sip Delicious new openings, autumn eating with Rosie Sykes, hot tips from Elisha and lots more! 63 Multicultural City Edition hears from members of Cambridge’s Italian community 64 Christmas Shopping Ready to blitz your Christmas list? Read our round-up of the top markets and boutiques
71 Charity Spotlight We find out about the amazing work of local homelessness charity Wintercomfort 75 Sixth Form Special From A-levels and apprenticeships to BTEC and IB, we review the options for post-16 learning 81 Education Spotlight St Faith’s preaches the power of precision learning and what it can help pupils achieve 82 Eco Cambridge We explore some of the city’s most sustainable neighbourhoods and buildings 85 Home Edition Tips on cosying up your interiors and essential energy-saving advice for the winter ahead 98 Gardens With the garden in retreat this month, Anna shares crucial tasks to keep things ticking over
Illustration by Lucy Woolcomb, inspired by an Instagram photo by @glimpsesofgraduatelife
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LOCAL LIFE
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LOCAL LIFE
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November
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THIS MONTH’S MUST-HAVES FROM LOCAL INDIES
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1. Nectarine scented candle, £4.99, The Manor Gift Shop Fill your home with the scent of nectarine using this gorgeous coconut wax candle, available at Burwash Manor’s gift shop 2. Gold half sunburst necklace, £20, Lilac Rose Beam a little sunshine into your outfits with this gold-plated sunburst necklace by Estella Bartlett 3. The Bowls bag, from £185, Cambridge Satchel Company The local heroes have done it again with a fabulous new collection, featuring this Bowls bag with a latticed texture 4. Wave retro knit jumper, £78, Iris & Violet We love the jazzy colours of this cute batwing-knit jumper from city-centre favourite Iris & Violet. Ideal for a cosy pub lunch! 5. Backpack, £145, Ark A soft, eco-leather bag in on-trend mustard, this features a padded tablet pocket and nifty organiser 6. Solmate Mirage socks, £16, Podarok Keep your feet cosy with these snuggly, mismatched socks from Solmate. Pick up a pair at Podarok on Bene’t Street 7. Hot chocolate stirrers, £3.50, Hill St Level up your hot choc with Hill St’s exquisite, handmade stirrer cubes – just add milk!
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Culture Club ILLUMINATING
One of the biggest firework displays in the region returns on Bonfire Night this year – find out more on page 21
THE BIG SMOKE all fired up! FROM IRREVERENT THEATRE TO ROMANTIC COMEDY, A KALEIDOSCOPE OF CULTURE AWAITS
© JOHN SCOTT
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CULTURE CLUB Arts & Culture THE MUST-SEE EVENTS AROUND CAMBRIDGE THIS MONTH
Life is Still Life “The words ‘still life’ rarely elicit a great deal of excitement in people,” admits Naomi Polonsky, curator of the latest display from The Women’s Art Collection, Life is Still Life . “I wanted to show that still life is exciting. It’s a way to conduct radical experiments in form and explore questions about life, death and the human experience.” However, still life has not always been recognised as a revolutionary genre. On the contrary, it was dismissed as a minor subject for creators throughout the history of art. In the 17th century, the French Academy of Fine Arts established an official ‘hierarchy of genres’, planting still life firmly at the bottom. As women were banned from studying the naked male form at this time, they were excluded from higher genres such as historical and mythological painting, and so gravitated towards still life – not least because it reflected the circumstances in which they tended to create art: the home. Over time, still life has evolved into a hub of experimentation and today offers an ideal way to address urgent contemporary issues, says Naomi. “I would argue that this is not in spite of the exclusions that have taken place in art history, but in fact because of them. The limitations on the type of art that women have been able to create has meant this ‘lowly’ THE WOMEN’S ART COLLECTION
REJECTING THE RECEIVED WISDOM OF ART ACADEMIES, FEMALE STILL LIFE ARTISTS GET THEIR ROSES IN THIS EXHIBITION
genre filled with quotidian domestic objects was a portal into everyday life. As Virginia Woolf said when looking at a still life painting: ‘what can six apples not be?’” Life is Still Life aims to bring into sharp focus the radical nature of the form. Featuring artworks by women created between the 40s and the present day – both on loan and from the permanent collection – the exhibition showcases the experimentation borne out of still life and confronts urgent contemporary issues such as climate change, the pandemic and legacies of colonialism. Included in the display is a striking photographic piece by Sekai Machache commenting on self-isolation during lockdown, Sam Taylor-Johnson’s iconic video of fruit decaying next to a plastic pen, and a ceramic work created especially for the exhibition by Katy Stubbs, who uses dark humour and a playful style to explore the idea of human callousness. The works have been hung in an irregular fashion throughout the corridors of Murray Edwards College. This is intended to evoke ideas of domesticity and the home – proudly owning the historical setting in which most still life paintings were created and displayed. Another key decision in the curation of the exhibition was to commission wallpaper by the New York-based artist Michelle Marchesseault,
further emphasising the domiciliary roots of still life. “It also references the fact that The Women’s Art Collection is housed in an environment which is home to the students at Murray Edwards College – and was founded as a way of inspiring them as they live, study and socialise here,” adds Naomi. A still life study day on 18 November will offer the opportunity to explore the exhibition in-depth through a series of talks by artists and academics. To book your place, visit womensart.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk OBJECT PERCEPTION Rachel Nicholson, Still Life in Pink and Grey, 1992 (top left) and Hilary Pecis, Breakfast Nook, 2021 (above)
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CULTURE CLUB
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THEATRE SPOTLIGHT EARWIG
BEETLES, FLAPPER GIRLS AND SILENT MOVIES: WRITER AND ACTOR LAURA CROW TELLS US WHAT TO EXPECT FROM HER ACCLAIMED SHOW ABOUT DEAFNESS AND FINDING YOUR OWN VOICE Following a highly successful run at the
Laura. “ Earwig explores how the onus is often put on deaf people to compensate and follow conversations – by positioning yourself so you can see someone’s lips when they’re speaking, for example – and this is especially true in the context of the 20s setting.” Writing at the end of 2019, Laura decided to set the play in this decade as a playful parallel to the dawn of our own 20s. “Then all the awfulness of the last few years happened. But actually we ended up finding even more parallels; a century ago, they’d just had the war and the Spanish flu pandemic,” she adds. The rise of the silent film during this period also takes on an important role. Throughout the show, a projector beams intertitle cards created by Laura (who is also a freelance illustrator) to provide a commentary on what is happening, much like in a silent movie. Except, this narrator appears to become its own character, offering witty observations and sarcastic comments in response to the action on stage. Fundamentally, as well as reinforcing the 20s aesthetic, it also provides a form of captioning that helps to make the play accessible to deaf audiences. The actors also learnt British Sign Language (BSL), which is used at various points in the play without subtitles – giving hearing audiences
Edinburgh Fringe this summer, Time & Again Theatre Company’s latest production Earwig comes to Cambridge later this month. Exploring themes of deafness and disability awareness, the play showcases the story of Marigold, a deaf entomologist – shining a light on the intersection between ableism and sexism against the backdrop of the roaring 20s. We join Marigold just as her best friend returns from a trip to Egypt. The pair discover that an unusual beetle has hitched a ride in a suitcase, prompting insect-obsessed Marigold to try and identify it. This leads her to the local library, where she meets a flapper girl who befriends her – for hidden motives that shall become apparent. These encounters set Marigold on a journey to confront some of the challenges she faces as a deaf female scientist. The play’s protagonist shares some similarities with her creator. Laura Crow, who wrote Earwig and stars as Marigold, lost 50% of her hearing aged two after contracting meningitis, and knows what it’s like to be deaf while presenting as someone who can hear fully. “As Marigold and I use spoken English, people wouldn’t necessarily know that there was anything different about our hearing,” says
an insight into what it’s like to not know what is being said. “We’ve been working with a BSL interpreter throughout production and it’s something we’re keen to incorporate more of in the next stage of the tour,” explains Laura. “In the early 20th century, deaf people were strongly discouraged from using sign language, because people thought they would forget how to read or speak. One of the main themes of this play is about rejecting the idea that disability needs fixing.” Despite addressing some serious issues, Earwig keeps a light touch throughout: “It’s very fast-paced and funny,” says Laura. “It has dance and mime sequences, it’s vibrant and packed full of humour; I think that’s important when telling these kinds of stories.” Earwig comes to the Town and Gown from 22 to 24 November. Book your tickets at townandgown.co.uk
PLAY OF AN AGE Featuring flappers, jazz and an overbearing husband, Earwig promises quick wit, 20s decadence and lots more besides
IMAGES © SHAY ROWAN
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CULTURE CLUB
HUMOUR ME CUSTARD COMEDY
For a dose of funny, check out Custard Comedy’s hilarious November offering, as headliner Andy White comes to the Viva Theatre in Soham on 4 November, followed by Cottenham Village Hall on 11 November. ‘Undeniably entertaining’ (Chortle), Andy White’s humour embraces silly voices, funny faces, observational and topical humour, and draws on aspects of his mixed- race background. Get your tickets at custardcomedy.co.uk
GIGS PUSSY RIOT 2 NOVEMBER 7pm, Cambridge Junction, £26 THE PROCLAIMERS 5 NOVEMBER 7.30pm, Cambridge Corn Exchange, £40 BLOSSOMS 15 NOVEMBER 7.30pm, Cambridge Corn Exchange, £32.50 RED RUM CLUB 17 NOVEMBER 7pm, Mash Cambridge, £13.47
A sound of old
HEARTLESS BASTARDS 30 NOVEMBER 7pm, The Portland Arms, £14.30
Steady as baroque The Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) are recognised throughout the world for excellence in classical music. Established nearly 50 years ago, they were responsible for making the first British recordings of orchestral works using original instruments dating back to the baroque period. Today, they have a record label, AAM Recordings, and have released more than 300 albums, collecting over one million listeners on Spotify every month. AAM share close links to Cambridge, as orchestra-in-residence at the University of Cambridge. This November, they return for several concerts around the city, including a performance of Rebel’s Les Élémens at West Road Concert Hall on 9 November, which promises a celebration of nature through baroque music. “We’ve chosen to dedicate our 2022/23 season to exploring the idea of nature, the natural world and our own place within it,” says music director Laurence Cummings. “Inevitably, this takes in chattering songbirds, croaking toads, raucous storms and swirling tides. But it also considers the nature of music itself, the environments humans have created for themselves and indeed the very meaning of life.” He adds: “High-mindedness aside, the root of it all is simple: music of the very highest quality – by Handel, Vivaldi, JS Bach, Purcell and others – performed to the very highest standard.” To find out more and book tickets, visit aam.co.uk
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CULTURE CLUB
CENTRE STAGE
ONES TO WATCH We’re off to India this month, as The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opens its doors to audiences at Cambridge Arts Theatre. Hollywood legend Hayley Mills stars alongside a cast of familiar faces, as we follow an eclectic group of British retirees on a journey of risk-taking, love and second chances. A joyous comedy, this show is just the ticket for a cold November evening – catch it 22-26 November. In the intimate setting of Corpus Playroom, The Melanin Monologues shares the experiences of six black women as they reveal their innermost struggles and joys. Hear their stories between 1 and 5 November. From 9 to 12 November, the ADC Theatre brings us a rare, theatrical response to TS Eliot’s masterpiece, The Waste Land , to coincide with the poem’s 100th anniversary. Claiming to push the boundaries of theatrical expectations, this brand-new student production will examine the broken fragments of our culture and the condition of human nature, asking what meaning can be taken from spiritualism. On 16 November, the Town and Gown plays host to The Return , a one-woman show exploring the hidden consequences of war. Written and performed by
22-26 Nov
Natasha Stanic Mann, the play is based on personal experiences of growing up in Croatia during the breakup of former Yugoslavia. Fragmented memories are explored through movement, storytelling and poetry.
Don’t Miss! LEGENDS OF ROCK MUSIC AND TELEVISION, WASHED DOWN WITH A GLASS OF THE GOOD STUFF
JOHN CALE 10 November, 7.30pm, Cambridge Corn Exchange, from £38 Original member of The Velvet Underground, John Cale’s contribution to alternative rock is immeasurable. Catch him as he returns to the UK for his first extended tour in a decade.
MOLECULAR MIXOLOGY & MUSICALS 19 November, 7.30pm, Town and Gown, £55 The Cambridge Gin Laboratory is returning to the Town and Gown for another unforgettable evening of cocktail making and musical theatre magic, complete with live performances!
SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON 18 November, 7.30pm, Saffron Hall, from £20 Hear one of the greatest broadcasters of our time in candid and intimate conversation with his son, as he reflects on his journey from humble beginnings to a remarkable career in TV and radio.
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CULTURE CLUB
Uncharted waters Edition Reviews: Bodies ALEX FICE TRACKS DOWN CAMBRIDGE’S QUIRKIEST SHOWS AND BRINGS YOU THE LOWDOWN
following our instincts. Scattered across the pool’s surface are various objects with which we can interact – coloured spheres that light up in the palm of your hand, floating speakers, fountains and even a floating mattress. We do as we’re told and dive into the experience. A group of around 20 adults engaging in what is, at its core, sensory play is certainly strange. Some are more open to the invitation to play than others. A few of us swim around the pool slowly, soaking in our surroundings, before allowing our inner child to surface. It does beg the question: at what point did we lose the ability to play without feeling self-conscious about it? After about ten minutes, Water invites us to agitate the flow – by kicking, splashing, jumping up and down – which results in an exhilarating, frenzied burst of energy in the pool. Then comes the calm after the storm. As the waves settle around us, we notice that the images on the screens at the side of the pool have changed, showing video footage of natural disasters such as flooding and drought. Behind the playfulness, there is a serious message at work. The installation draws to a close with a meditative session involving inflatable pillows, guided by the dulcet tones of Water until the very end. Outside, I get a chance to catch up with part of the team behind Bodies , artist/activist Ray Young and director Gail Babb. Quizzing them about the installation, I learn it has been designed without any live performers to maximise audience participation, emphasising the importance of agency when it comes to seeking climate justice. “With the climate crisis and the way the world is right now, we can’t just sit back and spectate; we’ve got to do the work ourselves,” says Ray. “ Bodies teaches you that, if you want to make the water move and create a storm, you can do it – but we have to do it together. That’s the point of the work, really. Don’t leave it up to someone else – take charge of your life.” Bodies is set to tour again late next year, and has a sister piece called Thirst Trap . Find out more by visiting rachaelyoung.org
Described as ‘a sound and performance installation that invites audiences into an indoor pool for an active, sensory experience of water, discovery and rest’, the programme blurb for Bodies leaves much to the imagination. Add that the performance utilises water ‘as a key character in our collective conversations on climate justice’ and you are left with a maelstrom of ideas just begging to be explored. So, I packed my swimming costume and made my way to Abbey Leisure Complex to experience Bodies first- hand. Upon arrival, I am greeted by reps from the Junction and asked to choose my starting point in the pool, thus determining my ‘droplet’ name (each participant represents a droplet of water from a different river around the world). We are welcomed to the poolside and told to stand by our starting positions, marked by a cork board on the floor. The tiled walls of the pool reverberate with atmospheric music that ebbs and flows in a meditative way. Opposite me, on a long, tall section of wall, an enormous projection shows the spectral image of a stream of water, twisting in a contorted, bubbling spiral. Two smaller projection screens are positioned at opposite corners of the pool, also swirling with watery imagery. A stream of greetings begins to echo round the room from an unseen source, introducing us to our guide for the performance – Water. The voice invites us to sit on the edge of the pool with our feet in, before gradually lowering ourselves. Next, Water guides the crowd through a gentle meditation, encouraging everyone to focus on the water around us, as well as inside us. Our brains are 80% water, we are reminded, and the water in our bodies is the same that has been on Earth for billions of years. Two droplets are called to swim into the middle of the pool and greet each other, before making their way down to the shallow end. The rest of us soon trickle after them, before beginning the next phase of the installation. Water invites us to explore the pool – by ourselves, or with other droplets –
CHAMBER OF SECRETS SOUND SCENE
Kettle’s Yard’s autumn Chamber Music series continues with a concert by venerated violist Stephen Upshaw and pianist Richard Uttley on 3 November, performing works by Schumann and Brahms, among others. The Marmen Quartet offer a programme of Haydn, Bartók and Beethoven on 17 November, promising to showcase the group’s vitality and vigour. Susan Tomes concludes the series on 24 November with a thoughtful and captivating concert, performing ten pieces in total – including Bach, Haydn, Ravel and Debussy. All take place in Kettle’s Yard House, giving you the chance to experience this cultural gem through fresh eyes – and ears.
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CULTURE CLUB
With the climate crisis, we can’t just sit back and spectate, we’ve got to do the work ourselves
DROP IN THE OCEAN With elements of play, meditation and calls to action, this multi-sensory show is one of a kind
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CULTURE CLUB
TO THE BEAT
November at the Granary With its autumn concert series in full swing, there are some great performances to look out for at Stapleford Granary. On 4 November, the cultural hub will welcome Bill Laurance – a multiple Grammy award-winning pianist, composer and former bandleader of Snarky Puppy – for a mesmerising concert in association with Cambridge Modern Jazz as part of the Cambridge Jazz Festival. British saxophonist and composer Trish Clowes joins forces with pianist Ross Stanley on 6 November. Clowes has written for the London Sinfonietta and the BBC Concert Orchestra, performing in notable venues and festivals around the world, while Ross Stanley is recognised as one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists and organists. Vocal trio Lady Maisery follow on 11 November, bringing innovative folk to the fore, with rich soundscapes, unique harmonies and thoughtful reinterpretations of traditional tales. On 13 November, Pixels Ensemble perform a reflective Remembrance Sunday concert, with music by Elgar, Ireland and Vaughan Williams. The Granary’s CEO Kate Romano will begin the evening with a pre-concert talk on the music Elgar wrote in response to World War I. On 19 November, Apartment House offer a dynamic programme charting over 100 years of compositional variety, with musical influences from around the world, including Lithuania, Canada and Mexico. Celebrated musicians Tim Garland and Jason Rebello round off this month’s line-up on 25 November, launching their latest album As Free As The River with a concert in association with Cambridge Modern Jazz. Visit staplefordgranary.org.uk to find out more and book tickets.
TENEBRAE AT CHRISTMAS 10 DECEMBER, 7.30PM, SAFFRON HALL, FROM £20 One of the world’s leading vocal ensembles comes to Saffron Hall for a festive concert that promises to set the scene for Christmas, with an uplifting programme of seasonal favourites.
WHAT’S ON?
EXHIBITION ROUND-UP The current installation at Extraordinary Objects, The Extraordinary Collection , showcases rare, limited-edition prints and originals from some of the world’s leading names in contemporary art. The display includes pieces by icon Jean-Michel Basquiat, a rare signed print by Roy Lichtenstein and bold works from Bridget Riley. Opening on 12 November, Paint Like the Swallow Sings Calypso at Kettle’s Yard celebrates the history, themes and forms of carnival – from street parades, music and dancing, to folklore, flora and fauna. Created in collaboration with three first-generation Caribbean painters, the exhibition will include works by over 35 artists. At Wysing Arts Centre, Uma Breakdown’s first solo exhibition Earth A.D . examines the historical context of Gothic narratives through video games, objects and an immersive installation. It explores the genre’s relation to time, versions of England, industrial capitalism, guilt, shame and queerness.
SWAN LAKE 31 DECEMBER & 1 JANUARY, 2PM, CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE, FROM £19 Ring in the new year with a spellbinding interpretation of this popular ballet, as the International Classic Ballet Theatre performs Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
SELF ESTEEM 21 FEBRUARY 2023, 7.30PM, CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE, £23 Unapologetic pop star Rebecca Taylor – aka Self Esteem – has gained something of a cult following
since the release of her second album Prioritise Pleasure in 2021.
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CULTURE CLUB
MIRIAM BALANESCU SPEAKS TO ISOBEL MCARTHUR, CO-DIRECTOR, CREATOR AND ACTOR IN THE RIOTOUS REGENCY ERA ROMP, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) BACKSTAGE Universally (Un) Acknowledged
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n an already swamped landscape of adaptations of Jane Austen’s ubiquitous novel Pride and Prejudice , adding something new to the mix is no mean feat. And yet, Isobel McArthur’s Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is unlike any Austen adaptation that has come before – an all-female, all-singing, all-dancing take. The Laurence Olivier award-winner came into being when Andy Arnold, artistic director of the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, announced in 2018 that he was looking for an adaptation of a canonical tome. Isobel immediately headed to the snug second- hand bookshop above her flat and piled up a stack of 50p paperbacks. “My degree was in Scottish literature, so Jane Austen wasn’t on the agenda or an author I was familiar with, other than all that pop-cultural baggage that comes with her notoriety,” says Isobel. “But I sat down and started reading Pride and Prejudice . I had all kinds of expectations and predilections. I was so surprised when, on page one, I was laughing my head off. “I watched the Bollywood, zombie, Laurence Olivier and the BBC 90s versions, because I felt like I needed to know what this echo of an echo chain was that I was contributing to,” continues Isobel. Reclaiming the story from a female, working-class perspective, Isobel started with turning this comedy of manners into a more accessible tale, told from the perspective of four downstairs servants.
IMAGES © MATT CROCKETT
UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS This unique adaptation is sure to please
theatre, and we need to remember that variety, entertainment, gags and music are the things that used to see huge working- class audiences.” Havoc being at the heart of this adaptation, there have already been some mishaps – but that’s part of the fun. “At the Minack Theatre, we pushed on a trolley full of drinks. As soon as it was let go of, it sailed upstage and off the cliff!” laughs Isobel. “They say that some plays are like working in retail, where you’re hanging around for 27 pages, waiting for something to happen after your next entrance or your next line. Then, some plays are like working in a busy bar on a Friday night – you never stop. This is definitely one of those plays. “ Pride and Prejudice was always a woman’s story,” declares Isobel. “It’s set during the Napoleonic Wars. The majority of household servants were women as so many men were conscripted. Masters were even fined for hiring male servants.” Co-directed by Simon Harvey and with a dazzling, multi-talented cast, don’t miss Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at Cambridge Arts Theatre from 14 to 19 November, for a rollicking twist on an old classic.
All roles – including Mr Darcy – are acted by the small, female cast, necessitating swift costume changes. “I wanted to make Austen for Glaswegian audiences in the first instance,” recalls Isobel. “Therefore, that was probably going to be people who, like me, thought this stuff was very ‘English’, possibly about crumby-voiced dukes in drawing rooms thinking they’re having a tough time of it when there are real people in the world who are being overlooked and undervalued. “It’s a doubly transgressive act for the working-class, female servants to put on Mr Darcy’s jacket and play the most high-status, male character in the story,” explains Isobel. “That way, we could make the piece in the spirit of the kind of cultural space that I cut my teeth in, embodying qualities of Glasgow music hall.” The musical element of the show, embedding karaoke classics, is one way Isobel makes the story feel modern. “We’ve got quite a big tradition in Glasgow of what’s called ceilidh theatre, where it’s actors, musicians and singers doing the whole thing,” says Isobel. “We’ve created an intellectual and class exclusivity around
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ABOUT TOWN
things to do this month
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IT MAY BE GETTING COLDER, BUT THE CITY IS ONLY HOTTING UP – ADD THESE ESSENTIAL EVENTS TO YOUR CALENDAR
SIGN UP FOR THE HALF MARATHON! Cambridge Edition is a proud media partner for the 2023 TTP Cambridge Half Marathon, a mass 21.1k (or 13.1 mile) running race through the city’s most impressive sights! Attracting 15,000 runners and thousands more spectators, this hallowed event is known for its fantastic atmosphere and picturesque course, which also happens to be incredibly flat – hello PB! “We are really excited for this year’s race, which will again be in its normal slot on Sunday 5 March. Entry is now open and it’s proving to be another extremely popular event,” comments race director Adam Moffat. “I encourage everyone to sign up while they can for what will be another memorable event around Cambridge’s most iconic landmarks.” Now’s the time to book your place and start planning your training – places are £46 per person. Stay tuned to Cambridge Edition , where we’ll be bringing you exclusive giveaways, expert advice, news and lots more about the event over the coming months.
From Alex Ruczaj, founder of the Early Night Club – the much-loved ‘sensible clubbing’ night at La Raza – comes Provenance Kitchen Disco, a brand-new series of events. Taking the ‘dance your heart out, but get to bed at a decent hour’ philosophy of ENC, this new party launched in September, bringing together fabulous food, firepits, great tunes, disco balls and dancing. “We even did a conga at one point on the first night!” recalls Alex. “It was a real sense of release. There is so much space up there for people to dance and let loose. We have our glitter team on hand as well, to bring a festival feel.” Upcoming dates for your diary are a Bonfire Night special at Provenance’s Orchard Barn (Whittlesford), and a return to La Raza on 1 December. DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING
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See the fireworks! The city’s biggest and best Bonfire Night celebration returns to Midsummer Common on 5 November, complete with huge fireworks display, funfair and food vendors. Free to attend as always, the event is organised by Cambridge City Council, kicking off at 7pm, and will be compèred by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Jeremy Sallis. “Cambridge’s Bonfire Night and fireworks is such a well-loved tradition,” says the city council’s deputy leader and executive councillor for open spaces, food justice and community development, Alex Collis. “It has always been a night full of excitement, when families and friends converge on historic Midsummer Common to enjoy the dazzling spectacle of this magical display. With everyone facing the cost-of-living crisis, we understand more than ever the importance of free community events.”
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20 NOVEMBER
BIG SWITCH ON The Big Christmas Lights Switch On takes place on Sunday 20 November – Cambridge BID and Star Radio invite you to join in the fun and festivities. The annual Switch On kicks off Christmas, with Star Radio taking charge of the stage this year, promising to entertain the crowds from midday. There will be a lively line-up from local performing arts clubs, choirs and much, much more!
GLITTERING The Christmas Switch On is a bustling affair taking place throughout the city centre – don’t miss out!
WHAT IS LOVE CAMBRIDGE? Love Cambridge is the brand developed by Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) to deliver a range of events and projects that animate and entertain our city. Offerings include the Love Cambridge
Gift Card, open-air cinema nights, Wimbledon screenings, magazines, maps and more. Visit love-cambridge.com or @LoveCambridge_ on socials.
STATION TREE SWITCH ON This year, a separate event will take place on Thursday 17 November to officially switch on the Christmas tree at Cambridge train station. Join Star Radio Breakfast presenter Josh Lovatt to turn on the lights and kickstart Christmas in the CB1 area. Starting at around 5pm, Josh will be bringing his decks and party tunes (and maybe the odd Christmas song!) to the station, asking you to celebrate the start of the festive season. Local bars and restaurants will be on hand to provide refreshments, with the switch-on occurring at around 6pm. There will also be a chance to win some Love Cambridge Gift Cards – so come along and bring the whole family! 17 NOVEMBER
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LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT XMAS GIFT?
A Love Cambridge Gift Card is the answer – it can be used in nearly 200 locations, directly supporting local businesses. Spend it at nationals like Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Primark, alongside a range of independents including Cambridge Contemporary Crafts, Giulio, Ark and Cambridge Bee. It’s not just for shopping – we have some fantastic eateries signed up, including The Orator, Novi, all Aromi cafes and Bill’s. Use one to go punting with Rutherford’s or Scudamore’s, try an escape room at Lockhouse Games or unwind at Gresham House Wellness in the Gonville Hotel. A Love Cambridge Gift Card is available to purchase via love-cambridgegiftcard.com For corporate or bulk purchases, please contact Helen Hames at Cambridge BID directly on helen.hames@cambridgebid.co.uk
CAMBRIDGE BID SUPPORT LOCAL FESTIVALS WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING CULTURAL EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS MONTH, WE ARE PLEASED TO CHAMPION: CAMBRIDGE JAZZ FESTIVAL Cambridge Jazz Festival was founded in 2014, the first here for over 45 years. Not that the jazz scene in Cambridge has been lying dormant – anything but. This city punches way above its weight in terms of the quality and variety of its arts; jazz is no exception. Cambridge BID has supported the festival since its inception, and is delighted to see it back for 2022. For ticket information, visit cambridgejazzfestival.info CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL Back this year, the Winter Cambridge Literary Festival takes over the city from 17 to 20 November. From baking with Nadiya Hussain to looking at a post-Covid NHS with Jeremy Hunt, there’s enough to keep all literary fans busy. cambridgeliteraryfestival.com
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SCREEN TIME
World of Difference HUMAN STORY MIRIAM BALANESCU MEETS GRAHAM FELLOWS, MUSICIAN AND COMEDIAN TURNED FILMMAKER – WHOSE NEXT TITLE, FATHER EARTH, ARRIVES IN CAMBRIDGE THIS MONTH
FROM SMALL TO BIG SCREEN, HERE ARE YOUR NOVEMBER ESSENTIALS
The story initially stemmed from Graham’s efforts in environmentalism, with the idea being to film himself driving a tiny electric car from London to Orkney. Bringing filmmaker David Kew and his dad along for the ride, Father Earth captures all the highs and lows of the following decade. The film gathers an assortment of miscellaneous footage, from Graham psyching himself up in front of the mirror pre-show to an appearance from Sooty and Sweep. “Most of it is totally accidental and unplanned. I was basically filming all the way,” Graham says. “I had so much material and just had to pull it together to form a narrative.” Sadly, Graham’s father became ill during the project. After his death in 2012, the documentary was put indefinitely on hold. “I couldn’t face going back to look at it, really,” recalls Graham. “Then, years later, someone said, ‘can I film you getting ready for a show and shoot the gig?’ As we were doing that, I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve been here before, talking to myself in the mirror. I should revisit the old footage and finish off the project.’ “I’ve got three sisters and they all love the fact that I’ve made this film, which is, if nothing else, a record of our dad.” Bridging the gap between documentary and fiction filmmaking, with Graham flitting between being himself and comic alter ego John Shuttleworth, Father Earth prioritises substance over style. “I like making things on the cheap, because in a way it makes you focus more on what you’re saying; the ideas are more important,” he explains. Though Father Earth does deal with some heavy themes, it’s light in its approach. “To make a film banging on, ‘Come on, everybody, let’s be more eco- friendly’ is not very interesting,” Graham insists. “People don’t want to be lectured. I thought making a film that touches on those subjects, but also a human story, would ultimately be more fruitful.”
ou may recognise the name Graham Fellows as the singer behind the satirical 1978 single Jilted John , or perhaps the
side-splitting comedy character John Shuttleworth, who has frequented national radio and television. However, you may be less familiar with Graham’s oeuvre as a filmmaker – especially now he’s turned to slightly more serious subject matters. The Sheffield native’s first two features, It’s Nice Up North and Southern Softies , probed the UK’s cultural divide, positing his theory that people are more pleasant the further you travel up the country. In his next, a project 12 years in the making, the gagster grapples with oncoming climate disaster, chronicling his renovation of a ramshackle Orkney Islands church which he bought in 2008. “It’s not the most dramatic film of all time – but it’s a gentle story,” muses Graham. “It’s meant to say something about families and our own selfish desires – we tend to put them before the more crucial imperatives such as saving the world. That’s the message ultimately; we think about our relationships before our relationship with the planet.”
THE MENU Gastronomy turns deadly in this simmering drama starring Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor- Joy and Nicholas Hoult – which takes the phrase ‘eat the rich’ quite literally. Where to Watch: Arts Picturehouse, Vue, Light Cinema When: 18 November
THE ENGLISH Marking Emily Blunt’s return to television, this powerful western sees her character seek vengeance for the death of her son. Where to Watch: BBC Two When: 11 November
CUTE CAMEOS Sooty and Sweep make an appearance in Graham Fellows’ semi-fictitious, documentary-style feature Father Earth
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SCREEN TIME
Picturehouse Picks FROM HOTLY TIPPED NEW TITLES TO
FESTIVE FLICKS, FIND OUT WHAT’S ON AT THE ARTS PICTUREHOUSE IN NOVEMBER NT LIVE: THE SEAGULL
Film industry favourite Emilia Clarke makes her West End debut in this dense Chekhov tragicomedy containing conflicts and love triangles galore. The first of the dramatist’s four major plays, its production history is peppered with controversy and acclaim. 3 November (Encore 15 November)
CAUSEWAY Jennifer Lawrence is a tour de force in Lila Neugebauer’s post-military life portrait filmed in New Orleans. Where to Watch: Apple TV+ When: 4 November
LIVING Bill Nighy breaks free from office clock-watching in this post-war reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s Ikiru , adapted into a script by acclaimed author Kazuo Ishiguro. Already receiving rave reviews from its premiere at Sundance, Sex Education ’s Aimee Lou Wood appears opposite Nighy. 4 November MATTHEW BOURNE’S NUTCRACKER! Drenched in the luscious colours of 30s Hollywood musicals, this new take on an old classic follows Clara as she ventures from Dr Dross’ Orphanage to a spectacular winter wonderland. Expect impressive choreography from the master himself, Matthew Bourne. 15 November
BONES AND ALL Timothée Chalamet and Luca Guadagnino again unite for a strangely heartfelt romance with one big twist – and it has something to do with cannibalism. Where to Watch: Arts Picturehouse, Light Cinema, Vue When: 23 November
NO BEARS Trailing two simultaneously unravelling love stories, Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s latest tussles with power and superstition. Where to Watch: Arts Picturehouse | When: 11 November
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CULTURE CLUB
Book Club CAMBRIDGE EDITION FROM A GRIPPING THRILLER TO AN UNFORGETTABLE COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES: MEET OUR TOP PICKS FOR NOVEMBER!
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS
WE ALL WANT IMPOSSIBLE THINGS BY CATHERINE NEWMAN “Hospice is a complicated place to pass the time because you are kind of officially dying,” asserts food writer Ash. She finds herself passing time in a local hospice with best friend Edi, who suffers with terminal ovarian cancer and has been given weeks to live by doctors in Manhattan. Unable to find hospice care in the city for Edi, Ash – based in western Massachusetts – suggests the nearby Graceful Shepherd Hospice, so Edi says a final goodbye to her husband Jude and young son Dash, and moves into the ‘Shapely’ for her final days. Having grown up together in New York, the two women share a lifetime of experiences – one’s memory is a backup for the other, and the tragedy of losing that is just one of the cruelties dealt out by Edi’s cancer. Ash leans on her own support network, containing Edi’s older brother, who Ash is sleeping with after a life-long crush; Ash’s own daughters, Jules and Belle; her husband, from whom she is separated- but-not-quite; plus cats, Jelly and Thumper. The group enter the otherworldly state you slip into when you know someone is about to leave for good – where all the noise and clutter falls by the wayside: “between the Twilight Zone and some other fuckery”, as Edi’s other friend Alice puts it. Their days revolve around hospice visits and Edi’s rhythms: buying watermelon and magazines, tracking down elusive cakes from Edi’s past, all while preparing for their friend’s death and a future they must move into without her. At no point does the book tip into overly sugared sentimentality. Like the process of dying, it’s bluntly hilarious – we learn about Ash and Edi’s past escapades and the slowly expanding cast of characters Ash is (potentially inappropriately) sleeping with. With more everyday comedy, the
tale draws to the inevitable conclusion hanging over this book. There will be no miracle cure. Edi will not rise from the bed with rosy cheeks as doctors marvel. It’s terrible and awful and yet the most simple, real, quotidian occurrence: “The most basic fact about human life – tied with birth, I guess,” Ash says, “but it’s so startling. Everyone dies, yet it’s unendurable. There’s so much love inside of us.” The women’s friendship is depicted in such real prose that you hold your breath while reading for fear of being noticed in the room, as they hold hands and fiercely love each other. Yet a paragraph after a moment of unbearable grief, you’ll laugh at a quip from one of Edi’s brilliant friends. This is a stunning, heartbreaking book. It will make you cry ugly tears, laugh with your whole heart and hug your most precious friends.
Everyone dies, yet it’s unendurable. There’s so much love inside of us
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Catherine Newman’s tender novel rawly depicts the experience of watching a loved one pass away
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Mad Honey
A new book from Jodi Picoult is an immediate must-read for many – but a novel co-written by her and another star author is a rare and intriguing prospect. When Jennifer Finney Boylan contacted Jodi about creating a story with alternating narratives, she responded with excitement. The result is a brilliant novel about secrets, privacy and the difference between who we want people to be and who they are. Set in a sleepy New Hampshire town, the story picks up with beekeeper Olivia, who moves back to her parents’ house with her teenage son Asher, following the breakdown of her marriage with Asher’s father – a high-flying surgeon that physically and emotionally abused Olivia for years. The other narrator is Lily, Asher’s girlfriend, who also recently moved to the small town. Both narrators are starting again – yet one afternoon it all falls apart, when Asher finds Lily’s body at the bottom of the stairs and is accused of her murder. Olivia rushes to her son’s defence, but internally worries: might it be true? How much of his father’s violence did her son internalise? The story unfolds like the process of checking a beehive: you take out each frame, hold it up to the light, and gradually the bigger picture reveals itself. This is a gripping thriller about the power of second chances. It feels a little like listening to a true crime podcast; the switching narratives slowly reveal concealed truths and brilliantly unexpected twists – providing every element you could require for a winter read. BY JODI PICOULT & JENNIFER FINNEY BOYLAN
A Down Home Meal for These Difficult Times If you’ve been struggling to reconnect with reading, short stories could be your salvation, offering bite-sized slices of fiction that present a chance to dip your toes into another’s life for a few short moments, before being whisked off to the next tale. Meron’s confident stories segue from heartbreak to opportunity in mere sentences; these tiny, glowing vignettes sweep you up before handing you to the next hero, and larger themes emerge from the disparate tales. BY MERON HADERO
All her characters are searching for home, whatever that means, whether immigrants, refugees or food truck vendors. They share beautiful, universal truths about race, equality and grief, presenting sentences that’ll see you reaching for your notebook or phone notes app to capture their intensity. Like the finest stories of any length, you are left wanting a second serving, but must be content with what you’ve been given by this gifted author.
This unforgettable collection is the first book from Ethiopian-American writer Meron Hadero, and includes several of her award-winning shorts – like The Street Sweep , winner of the 2021 AKO Caine Prize for African Writing. In this story, we’re introduced to Getu, a young street sweeper in Addis Ababa who must find a solution to the threat of losing his home, while navigating the foreign aid-filled backdrop of his city.
SWEPT AWAY Meron Hadero’s award-winning short stories effortlessly transport the reader
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LITERARY FESTIVAL
ovember is always a good time to nestle in with a new read. As the days get shorter and the evenings longer, there are few better
WITH THE WINTER EDITION OF CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL SOON TO LAND, MIRIAM BALANESCU CATCHES UP WITH SPEAKERS KATE MOSSE, SEIRIAN SUMNER AND ABI MORGAN, TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THEIR NEW BOOKS PAGE TURNERS Turn Up FOR THE BOOKS
ways to spend them than with a book. For those seeking their next read, the Winter Cambridge Literary Festival, from 17 to 20 November, is a stomping ground for leading literary lights and up-and-coming authors. “We’re always on the lookout for astonishing writers and any important conversations across genres,” says festival director Cathy Moore, “and this winter we have both in abundance.” With household names such as Nadiya Hussain and Hugh Bonneville on their roster, as well as giants of the literary world Ian McEwan and Kamila Shamsie, this year’s edition won’t disappoint. The ever-evolving festival brings an exciting new line-up in the opulent surroundings of the University Arms, including a lunch, soirée and afternoon tea – providing an opportunity to sit down with your favourite authors while tucking into delicious food. “Cambridge is a honeypot for brilliant, creative and unique minds,” Cathy says. “It’s an inspiring place to live and has a thriving local scene of which the Literary Festival plays a significant role.”
WRITERS’ RALLY This November sees Cambridge play host to talks, lectures and discussions from some of the world’s finest literary minds – in venues such as the Cambridge Union, University Arms, Fitzwilliam Museum and more
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