Upcoming events in Southampton

** Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream coat @ The Mayflower [23- 28th of March] **

** The Importance of Being Earnest @ The Nuffield [24th – 28th March] **

** The Enemy performing @ Southampton Guildhall [9th of April] **

** Easter Fair @ the Southampton Common [9th -19 April] **

** N-Dubz performing @ Southampton Guildhall [10th April] **

** Chinese Circus @ the May Flower Park [29th April – 4th May] **

Jester's Night Club

Jester’s is a lot like Marmite not just because students either love it or hate it but because it is covered in thick brown stench and smells funny! That said, it still has an alluring appeal, like Marmite a night at Jesters leaves your taste buds scintillating with strong and unique sensations. It is difficult to explain the attraction to friends at other University’s “Well.. it’s an underground nightclub with a poxy dance floor that smells of sick and sweat, the beer is scrapings off the bottom of a barrel, you have to queue at 9 to get in and you have to wear old clothes because somebody is bound to spill snakebite all over you!” So why do you go they inquire “Well it’s 50p a pint!” and for students that’s all that qualifies for a good night!

Jester’s is rumoured to be officially the worse nightclub in Britain. It was 3rd worst, then the worst was shut down and the second worst was burnt down! Southampton students seem to take pride in its pitifullness. To call it a nightclub is a gross overstatement, it’s a dingy underground pub with a small dancefloor and outdoor seating. In Jester’s smashing glasses, urinating in sinks and being naked are all acceptable behaviours which would make you barred for life in any self-respecting nightclub. In fact, to be thrown out of Jester’s is an accolade of such extraordinary achievement only comparable to the Great Escape, the Dambuster’s and Southampton’s 1976 Cup Final Win! It is a badge of honour to be so low and reaching such a feat elevates you to lofty heights amongst peers.

With the general foulness of the decor aside, it can be a great place to catch up with friends, not take yourself too seriously and have an eventful evening However, I would still class Jester’s as an ‘experience’ rather than a night out, yet a necessary one for anybody at Southampton University. It is commonly held that any Fresher has to go there at least 3 times before they pass judgement. To summise, Jester’s is like a horror movie, most of the time you are uncomfortable and want to leave yet the experience is so thrilling that you want to go back for more. . Jester’s, love it or hate it, is a memorable place even if your night out there isn’t!

Thriller Live

I have just returned from the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton having seen “Thriller” a Michael Jackson tribute show that ‘rocked my world.’ With dance moves from MTV award winning choreographer LaVelle Smith Jnr and vocals from talented singers including Pop Idol’s Hayley Adams this is a must for all MJ fans.

The shows starts with Michael in the Jackson Five played by a highly cheeky and talented young star grooving accross the floor and belting out the classics “ABC” and “Blame It On The Boogie” Michael then progresses through his adult years and various skin shades with “Earth Song” and “Blood on the Dancefloor.” A standout performance was “Smooth Criminal” with a phenemonal Michael Jackson dance routine culminating in a flawless moonwalk. Also, noteable was ‘Dirty Diana’ with a strong edgy male vocal and a raunchy female dance routine hinting the character kerb as well as moon walked! Mutant dancers appeared out of the audience for the “Thriller” finale before a good performance of “Bad” for the encore that had everyone up on their feet.

Overall the vocal and dance performances were excellent. However, if the show did not rock with you then you are not alone. Unlike similar tribute shows such as “Mamma Mia” and “We Will Rock You”, “Thriller” has no storyline or structure making the show purely a rendition of Mj’s hits. Without a clear plot, the performance was reminiscent to watching a Michael Jackson hour on VH1 and became tedious during the lesser known songs. Attempts to create a gap between songs were filled with mindless blurb about Michael Jackson and his album sales making the show seem like a plug for his music or part of a Michael Jackson episode on the Biography Channel.

The choice of casting was also strange. Although MJ sung “it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white” with this casting director it apparently didn’t matter if you were male or female either. MJ was played throughout the show by asian, white and black male and females most of whom beared no resemblance to the real MJ, during any of his acid bathing phases! All were excellent vocalists but the lack of one lead made the casting director seem very indecisive.

However, these minor negatives were made irrelevant by the quality of the choreography. The dance troupe reached every beat with high energy and flair and had the audience up on their feet rocking with them. A particular commendation should also go out to the costume and make-up department who did a great job replicating MJ’s trademark jackets, ankleswingers and play dough like facial features!

As a whole the show was excellent and received four stars from the Independent and the Times. The choreography, sound and lightening were brilliant and created a great atmosphere for the audience. If you are looking for a traditional theatre show with a storyline then “Thriller” is not for you but if you want a high energy performance with great dancing and singing, then you just can’t Beat It!

Slumdog Millionaire

The film, Slumdog Millionaire’s extraordinary success at the Academy Awards and at the Oscars roused my interest, making me curious to experience the spectacle myself. My housemates in toe, we ventured to the evening performance at the Odeon in Southampton. The advantages of this particular cinema include an accessible location and free parking in the evenings – always useful on a student budget. Being part of the industrial Leisureworld complex, it shares the space with typical chain restaurants and the newly opened Oceana night club.

Another money-saver for the student, ‘Orange Wednesday’ allowed us to benefit from the ‘2-for-1’ offer. The enormous queue was a promising omen and after a fifteen minute wait, we were offered premium seats for an extra £1.50 per person. Having saved money thus far, we opted for a better view and ended up paying a reasonable £4.50 each.

A tempting selection of confectionery, drinks and popcorn welcome cinema-goers, but unsurprisingly, are extortionately priced. Being resourceful students, we purchased drinks from Waitrose prior to our outing, but decided to splash out on a large sweet popcorn to share, setting us back £4.00!

The screening was packed, almost every seat was occupied - our premium seats proved a profitable investment, providing comfort and an unrestricted view. After the standard 20 minutes of tedious advertisements and trailers for films set to flop, the film began.

The film itself was remarkable; being innovative and driven by an intriguing narrative - rather than ground-breaking special effects that distract the viewer from the plot. Set in Mumbai, the film follows Jamal, a street kid or ‘slumdog’ who lands an appearance on India’s version of the TV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? When Jamal advances to the final question, he is arressted on suspision of foul-play and his interrogation by police unviels harrowing flashbacks, revealing both horrific and moving images of the poverty in Mumbai. Thus, explaining his knowledge of the millionaire questions.

I had mixed expectations prior to the film, reviews are often biased and highly subjective or grossly over-exaggerated – the average viewer will not rate the cinematography or editing as perceptively as the critics. However, in this instance they were accurate, the film deserved its positive reception for emotive performances, a moving score and real narrative. I highly recommed Slumdog Millionaire and in my opinion, it is one of the best films I have had the pleasure to watch. To view the tralier for Slumdog Millionaire, follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIzbwV7on6Q

Fed up, poor and hungry

After a busy week working on my dissertation and all the other stuff third year throws at you I desperately needed to get out of the house. With limited money as a student (but still enough to go shopping everyday of the week and buy something I ‘need’), I wanted to go for dinner somewhere relatively inexpensive.

Many people had recommended Cowherds to me but I have never actually been there myself so I thought I would give it a try. So off I went with some friends in my usual attire (UGG boots and shorts if you haven’t noticed) to see what all the fuss was about.

We found ourselves a nice little table next to the log fire where we proceeded to look over the menu, our stomachs sounding more and more like tigers as we viewed the mouth-watering dishes.

As a vegetarian that eats fish I chose the fish and chips for main and as a poor student I chose not to have a starter, although I have heard the breaded mushrooms and baked camembert are worth a try! Off I went to the bar to place my order along with a ‘lemonade and lime with no ice’. I was pleasantly surprised with the price…for just under £10 I was sorted.

After a short wait our food arrived much to our stomachs delight. The waitress offered us a variety of sauces to which the ketchup was imminently emptied…oops. With lemon squeezed over my fish and LOADS of black pepper I tucked in. Within minutes my food was gone (thanks to my friends and their ten minute rule!!).

The meal was delicious and for under £10 I was very satisfied and will definitely be returning again. I would recommend Cowherds to anyone, particularly if you want an inexpensive but nice meal out. Check out the menu for yourself at http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thecowherdssouthampton/food/.