What’s On Michaelmas 2013

Theatre

CAST 2013: Measure for Measure – Wed 4th September – Sat 12th October, ADC, £10/£8

After a whistle-stop tour of the States (including around 14 performances in around 10 locations), the Cambridge University American Stage Tour returns to the ADC for its last hurrah. For those who can’t wait for their culture hit.

The Greek Play: Prometheus – Wed 16th – Sat 19th Oct, Cambridge Arts Theatre, £20/£15

Cambridge’s best tri-annual tradition returns in its newest incarnation: a hefty double-bill of Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound and Aristophanes’ Frogs. What’s more, students will be collaborating with a professional director, designer, lighting designer and composer to create the production, which looks to be a field day for Classicists, though still a treat for the uninitiated. Book ASAP though – tickets are selling out fast.

The History Boys – Tue 15 – Sat 19 October 2013, ADC, £10/£8

Director James Ellis brings a talented cast and crew to what is perhaps Alan Bennett’s finest work for the stage, and certainly his most relevant to Cambridge. Fun for all the family.

Dr. Faustus – Tue 5th – Sat 9th Nov, Fitzpatrick Hall @ Queen’s, £5

Also Cantabrigian but perhaps more poetically-licensed, director David Tremain brings Christopher Marlowe’s iconic Dr. Faustus to 1980s Cambridge. Weird, but potentially wonderful?

The Penelopiad – Wed 20 – Sat 23 November 2013, ADC, £10/£8

Skilfully combining ancient with modern, Margaret Atwood’s feminist rewrite of the Aeneid was a teenage favourite of mine, and could translate well onto stage. A refreshing addition to Michaelmas’ abundance of classical theatre.

The ADC/Footlights Pantomime: The Princess and the Pea – Wed 27 November – Sat 7 December 2013 , ADC, £10/£8

Ben Pope, Ryan Ammar and Hellie Crannie have put their funny hats on to rewrite this children’s classic (something at which, after Esio Trot, Ammar should be a dab hand). Counting down to this as much as to Christmas (read Hanukkah).

Film

Captain Phillips – from 18th October, Picturehouse

Tom Hanks is everywhere this autumn. Though also starring in the jolly Disney offering, Saving Mr. Banks, I put my money on the unknown quantity, Captain Phillips, Paul Greengrass’s acclaimed retelling of the 2009 hijacking of a U.S. container ship by Somali Pirates.

Blue is the Warmest Colour – from 15th November, Picturehouse

Winner of the Cannes Palme D’Or and maker of enormous waves, Abdellatif Kerchiche’s French lesbian lovestory, an adaptation of a graphic novel of the same name, is a game-changing film of the rarest sort. Don’t miss it.

Ents

Poets vs Rappers – Thursday 24th October, 7.30pm @ The Junction

Three poets take on three rappers in ‘ an all-out showcase of verbal talent, rhyme and reason’, as part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas (here’s a video). Bit like Epic Rap Battles of History, only for real. Book here.

K’Boum and Oversees – Wednesday 20th November, 7.30pm @ The Junction

French and British contemporary circus collide with BMX cycling, tomfoolery, break dance, jumps, swirls and stunts. (Book here)

The Cambridge Festival of Ideas – 23rd October – 3rd November, various venues

The 6th annual Festival of Ideas is a University initiative, and a fantastic one at that, which celebrates the contribution of the arts and humanities and social sciences to our culture. It takes place at a range of venues across the city during a jam-packed 12 days in autumn. Featuring recent graduate and spoken word hot-shot, George the Poet.

EDITORS PICK: The Tab Lash – Thursday 17th Ocrtober, Lola Los

Come down and celebrate the start of term with us. Free shot of ‘tabisinthe’ for the first hundred arrivals and t-shirts for lucky individuals. We’ll be giving away a couple of free tables for you and nine mates, make sure you’ve liked us on facebook. Get tickets here.

Print

Ladybeard Magazine – Sunday 20th Ocrober @ The Forum, Jesus College

The eagly-awaited feminist magazine  is now all set for the release of ‘The Body Issue’ (with ‘The Sex Issue’ following hot on its heels). Get excited.

Art & Exhibitions

Origins of the Afro Comb – until 3rd November @ The Fitzwilliam

Afro combs are 6,000 years old – who knew? The Fitzwilliam Museum, apparently. Go and see its remarkable array of combs – from pre-dynastic Egypt to modern-day black fist combs referencing the Black Power Movement. Culture just got material.

Chiefs & Governors: Art and Power in Fiji – until August 17 2014, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

The first ever exhibition dedicated to Fijian Art outside Fiji, drawing on the museum’s collection of Fijian artefacts, photographs and archives, a collection closely linked to the early colonial history of Fiji and the foundation of the Museum. Chiefs & Governors introduces important aspects of Fijian art and culture and highlights key moments of Fijian pre-colonial and colonial history, to emphasise the dynamism and creativity of Fiji.

Music

Fever w/ Horse Meat Disco – Thursday 10th October, Fez

Finally, a new-but-probably-pretty similar night at Fez which promises ‘the grooviest Soul and Funk blended with your favourite classics’ We’re excited.

Freshly Baked presents Benga – Thursday 10th October, Revs

Competing with Fever will be Freshly Baked, which has recently been attracting some attention for featuring an actually-somewhat-well-known dubstep act, namely Benga. Does this herald the advent of a Cambridge Freshers’ Week of even some standing? The proof will be in the (freshly baked) pudding.

RashDash: The Ugly Sisters – Wednesday 16th October 7.30pm, The Junction

A kooky cabaret adaptation that ‘tells the real story of Cinderella’, featuring live music from Not Now Bernard. Book here.

The Epic of Everest – Saturday 16th November, West Road Concert Hall

This 1920s short film about the British assault on Mount Everest will be accompanied by an orchestral score from Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra (CUCO), with Andrew Gourlay conducting. What a treat!

EDITOR’S PICK: Mogwai – Thursday 28th November, The Junction

Though, as the Junction forgivingly says, ‘not everyone gets Mogwai’, I certainly do – their largely instrumental post-rock might make a drastic change from Carly Rae Jepsen, but it’s a welcome one. Be there or be square.

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and Shostakovich Symphony No.11 – Saturday 7 December, West Road Concert Hall

CUMS Symphony Orchestra, Cambridge’s flagship symphony orchestra, offer to warm us up with some romantic Russian music – featuring soloist Sergey Levitin, and conducted by Martin Yates. Vodka and ushankas welcome.