TBT: 'Bouncing Back', a Birthday Unsurprise and the N Word

It has indeed been a while. And it's funny (haha) because NOW it's even more of a while, as this post was originally written in MARCH, but I just rediscovered it in December and had to post it...

I suppose I should start with the obligatory apology regarding my absence. I do unfortunately have the expected shabby excuses of commitment to other projects, and also no longer possess a camera. Or, as of a few months ago, a decent phone. I'm unsure why I got so behind with it as I genuinely loved blogging. I considered starting a completely new blog, but frankly I'm far too attached to this blog and a lot of the posts on here - some of which have been retweeted by the likes of Alexandra Shulman and Ian Rankin, the Vogue editor being a particular anecdote I find myself refraining from embellishing my CV with far too often.

So I am 'bouncing back', yes, in the blogging sense, but this is not the only mild epiphany I've had recently (...or, as I'm re-editing this in December, in the last year... aha). After experiencing my first major bomb out of an essay, I had one of the academic kind which, somehow, resulted in my flinging myself into every opportunity possible instead of actually buckling down and studying. Regardless, this is good, and led to me having one of the busiest (and definitely most media-related) weeks of my life...

Monday:

11am The Journal's News Writing Workshop with Nick Eardley, News Editor of The Scotsman

A very insightful talk that's actually made me further consider news journalism as opposed to features and reviews. The main thing I took away from it, besides stylistic advice, was that ever important N word: networking, a word that influenced not just the rest of my week but my mindset. Nick's main advice was to keep a contacts book (physical, non-iPhone reliant, couldn't possibly be stolen book) and bring it everywhere with you, telling us that the key to a good news story is good sources. Simply write down the email address/number of anyone you meet who you think could be of any possible use in the future, whether it's the head of university security, someone at the police press office or the box office manager at the theatre. Nick also advised, unsurprisingly, to be ballsy and put yourself out there, stating that most newspaper or magazine editors would, after some persistent emailing, give you half an hour of their precious time for you to pick their brains.

Misc: flat viewing, French literature essay submitted, numerous calls to Santander trying to sort out my not having a debit card at the mo... Having to rely on banks to get money out is not ideal, bank opening times are SO inconsiderate.

Tuesday:

12:15pm A lunch with the culture section of the student newspaper. So culture. Wowe. Etc. It was at Bristo Bar and Grill, in George Square as I'm sure any Edinburgh reader is aware, which I cannot recommend enough - only slightly more expensive than Teviot and a far more tasteful menu (not that I don't love the nachos as much as your next 1-3pm library breaker). On the lunch menu you can have one of their sandwich, baguettes and bagels with fries and salad for a fiver - and I'm talking halloumi, smoked salmon, brie, steak. Despite the ket den its exterior resembles, the food is varied and tasty. (edit: wow, this was so long ago that Bristo Bar is no longer and has been taken over by the fabulous Paradise Palms, a verrry cool self-proclaimed 'dive bar' with dimmed lights and jazz-spinning DJs)

Once everyone had finished, the editors announced the articles they had to give out that week, one of which I considered but declined because of a supposed DJ set my flatmate wanted me to go to on the same night... (I promise this is going somewhere).

4pm The third and final meeting for a media award I'm currently completing, run by the university, which will basically go on my extra-curricular scroll when I graduate, as well as allowing me to see some great guest speakers. The speaker of this session was Lara Moloney, the head of sales and marketing at The Skinny, whose job involves going to press nights, networking and promoting The Skinny for financial backing and to widen readership and awareness. Another influential talk, heavily based on the importance of networking. As she was saying how important events like press nights can be, I realised I should definitely take the theatre review as it was a press night (which, besides obviously being great to meet people, would have a free bar). Thus, I immediately snapped open my laptop and emailed to ask if I could still take the piece. (still gradually going somewhere)

6pm RAG Meeting, starting to discuss April's charity hitch hike 'Race 2 Berlin', which I am competing in and which coincidentally starts on the same day as my birthday... Meaning I probably won't be spending my birthday in Berlin, but on a rainy road in Scotland trying to beg for a lift while joyfully holding up a 'Help us get to Berlin, it is my birthday' whiteboard sign.

Misc Cancelled flat viewing, PANCAKES!!! (breakfast and dinner, the only way to do pancake day)

Soooo I got home after RAG, opened my emails to see that the theatre editor had replied to my late request to review the show with a resounding yes. Gleeful in my state of new-found inspiration, I chattered away to my flatmates explaining how the media talk had made me decide to take the show so, alas, I wouldn't be able to make it to this very mysterious DJ set happening a train ride away that there had literally been nothing revealed about, apart from that some older friends had said 'it's going to be good'. Both flatmates' faces absolutely dropped as I was, for some unknown reason, stared at in shock. They then revealed to me a verrry exciting prospect which provoked me to immediately email back and re-reject the theatre show for the following night...

Wednesday:

1-4pm: Creative, Cultural, Careers Festival: Media. This event was set up by the careers department and actually had a great lineup of speakers, with whom there was the opportunity to network. 

Tom Churchill, Content Producer, BBC.

Chris Deerin, Partner, Charlotte Street Partners, former Political Editor of the Daily Record, former Executive Editor of Scotland on Sunday and former Head of Comment for The Telegraph. 

Neil Dunwoodie, Executive Producer, Sky News.

Gillian McCormack, Managing Director, PR & Events Agency Material_UK. 
Peter Murray, Community Outreach Manager Scotland, Media Trust, the UK’s leading communications charity.

8pm: DISCLOSURE @ CORN EXCHANGE.

Who would've thought?!?! Despite my ruining of the surprise element (which they'd kept under wraps for MONTHS!) it was still a brilliant night and a great gift.

(terrible terrible temp phone camera quality)

Thursday:

The quietest day of the week. Until...

8:30pm Murder mystery dinner party. 10 friends. 10 accents. 3 courses. 1 batch of slutty brownies. 1 cheesy charity shop-bought murder mystery DVD. 6 clues read aloud. Too many bottles of wine to count. Yes it's a seemingly very refined way to fritter away an evening and may sound like hell, but add alcohol to the mix and things get simply hilarious. The drunker we got, the stronger our characters' accents got, and the more ferocious our accusations became. I cannot stress how good a night this is, we've done two and both have been two of the best nights of uni so far - but only if you take it seriously.

For the long awaited 3 course meal, one flat provided our starter: feta and mushroom-stuffed red peppers. Another, the main: a safer option, spag bol. And finally us, who provided the well applauded dessert: slutty brownies, courtesy of The Londoner.

Us as our various stereotyped characters: the bumbling archaeologist, the glamorous film star, the serious business woman and the airy French artist (me)

She doesn't even need glasses

Friday:

10am: Flat viewing. Ran late. Flat wasn't great. Ended up having restorative brunch at the très chic Montpelier's Bar & Brasserie, just off the road we were looking at in Bruntsfield.

Just a note to anyone else currently experiencing the highs and lows of flat hunting (mainly all lows... apart from the one high being the flat you actually get lucky with), is it just me or is it a rather expensive process?! Pre-booked taxis for the ruthless head-to-head race to the estate agents after a group viewing, which can often be likened to drag racing, and then commiseratery brunches and coffees after having failed to obtain the flat. Or having left the house too late to have breakfast and feeling kinda hungry...

2pm: Job interview. No word here yet unfortunately...

4pm: 2nd flat viewing. I'll cut a long story short here: we liked it but decided not to get it 5 mins before the estate agents closed, after having just fully confirmed we were going to pay the deposit and to tell the other group wanting it that it had been taken. Lol.

Friday night: Amazing. Ordered a banging Chinese and all watched A Series of Unfortunate Events, which although it totally ripped off the books, remains one of the most underrated children's comedies OF all time.

Saturday:

2pm: Attended a production day at The Journal, having been invited after putting my name down on Monday's workshop. Basically sub-editing (checking over grammar, style etc) the articles for their next issue. Not exactly riotous fon but good experience all the same.

11pm: Disco themed, 70s flat party, possibly the best I've ever been to. That is all.

Misc: Saturday morning lounging with coffee and blog catching-up.

Sunday:

5am: Walking home from said party, the sky was getting light and birds were atweeting. Summer has to be on the way.

1pm: Oh nope. While literally every other city in the UK Instagrams beer gardens, selfies donning sunglasses and the classic legs-on-sunlounger-possibly-with-beer, Edinburgh is shrouded in fog and occasionally rains.

Misc: Did not get changed. Restorative bacon and egg toastie. Watched old school Gossip Girl episodes. Ate half a box of dry bran flakes in bed.

...sooo that was a general week waaay back in March. It's now December. Despite my best efforts, I just always seem to fall behind with blogging. This semester (I'm now in my second year at uni) I've become more involved in RAG by taking on the events manager position, so have supervised/organised/helped with a LOT of things including going to Paris to track hitch-hikers on our Race2Paris, an annual charity hitch-hike from Edinburgh to Paris. I've also collaborated with a few other charities on various fundraising efforts which has been great, and I also now (finally) have a job. However, one of my main new years resolutions (eek) is to restart the blog... so here goes.

Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show: What I Wore

If you didn't gather from my glowing review of ECFS this year, I really did have an incredible time. The event itself was pulled off effortlessly by the student team, and raised an incredible £20,000 for WaterAid, which, despite all the glamour and debauchery of the evening, is the true meaning of the entire campaign.

I decided to wear an outfit I've donned (and blogged about) before, my Forever Unique black Jules jumpsuit, a stylish, comfortable and incredibly versatile outfit.

Emily, myself, Vic (flatmates)

Not a great photo admittedly, I'll have to search for some more. I wore it with my black and gold peep toe ASOS wedges, which they no longer sell. My glasses (not an accessory, I wear them all the time as I'm practically blind) are from Gok Wan's range GW, and are a subtle tortoise shell print.

I teamed the ensemble with a neon yellow mini satchel from River Island to add a pop of colour to the outfit, also a practical choice to save me carrying the press pack around all night! Emily (left) had a similar idea colour-wise and paired her all black outfit with an oversized neon pink River Island envelope clutch.

And of course, the ultimate accessory to top it off - a press pass.

We headed out to the after party at the Mash House (once of my favourite Edinburgh venues) once the show had ended on a high, IE the audience dancing on stage. All three of our outfits worked well for the show - after party transition.

I recently applied to the ECFS 2015 committee and after a successful application have an interview soon... It's an event I'd love to be a part of.

Whatever the outcome, the 2015 committee will certainly have a task on their hands trying to beat this year's show!

Bises,

Riona

Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show 2014 Review: ECFS Brings it Back Home

Bouncing back for its 13^th year as the most successful student-run charity fashion show in Europe, Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show (ECFS) this year reigns in patriotic prestige, far from the fashion week glamour of London, Paris, New York and Milan.

Image: Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show

This year the ECFS team decided to choose a theme close to home, with the concept throughout being ‘This Is Edinburgh’, drawing upon its history, architecture and weather (yes, the choice to honour WaterAid as this year’s charity was no coincidence).

Few venues could be more fitting, then, than the National Museum of Scotland – the securing of which easily being the show’s biggest feat yet. Ticket-holders flooded in to the sold-out show, held in the museum’s Grand Gallery with elegant overarching white pillars and high windows shrouded in violet light, perfectly setting the tone of elegance for the evening. 

The show itself moulds completely into the museum, for instance the extensive catwalk space encasing the Gallery’s centrepiece, a regal green cast iron drinking fountain, perfectly. A live band provides upbeat background music while guests chatter and laugh melodically amongst themselves, before chairwoman Safoora Biglari is welcomed onto the stage by the evening’s charismatic presenter, and we are all shown videos reminding us why we are here, reminding us of all the amazing work WaterAid do.

And the clothes? As one might assume, given the theme, the spectacular show kicked off with what is arguably the most recognisable and classic Scottish fashion: tartan.

Indeed, the first male outfit we see is a classic red tartan kilt, and the first female ensemble a spidery, gothic grey dress worn with a veil. This gothic theme continues to be prominent in the first half, as a symbol of perhaps a more ‘classic’ Edinburgh, but is quickly contrasted with the bright, summery clothes that follow – cobalt blues and daffodil yellows are brought together in androgynous masculine suit ensembles worn by the female models, including a particularly memorable yellow blazer and cropped ruched trouser combination. This is presented alongside bright blue t-shirt dresses, always keeping the clothes from becoming too feminine.

Then, however, comes the lace. Continuing the block colour theme in a more feminine fashion, the audience cast their eyes over delicate but loose floor length dresses with baggy t-shirt sleeves, bright pink lace kimonos, apple green blouses and orange football shirt-style dresses.

The more classic theme then returns towards the end of the first half, showcasing the male models in tweed suits, deftly posing with books at the end of the runway while being cheered on by fellow students. 

Image: Kirstin Macleod

Timeless tweed is given a contemporary update with backpacks and bright pops of colour peeking from underneath. Female models go business-like in brilliant white suits with plummeting necklines, contrasting black and white broderie anglaise style shirts and Vogue-office-suitable blazers, many of which teamed with bright red tartan socks poking out over white or translucent shoes, constantly reminding us of the show’s theme and Edinburgh’s influence.

After the ruthless auction has been completed in the interval and many spectators have had a glass of restorative champagne, we return to the show. 

Given the focus on Edinburgh’s weather, it is no surprise that the second half got very wet, featuring models making a splash in contemporary chic black and white swimwear teamed with oversized tote bags and two-pieces bearing loud statements such as ‘OVER’ emblazoned on the back of a pair of cotton shorts. 

The long hair of the models is damp and natural, making for a true laid-back, surfer look – this may seem an unrealistic inclusion for a theme based around Edinburgh, but we are reminded to think of Edinburgh’s beautiful beaches.

The boys aren’t quite as bold, bringing a Hilfiger-esque vibe to the end of the show in neutral loose crisp shirts, aviators, preppy, navy sailor like blazers and equally as oversized totes as the ladies. 

After a few more plunging swimsuits and over-the-shoulder sweaters, the show ends on a summery note, with models showcasing the final sundresses and sweater-shorts combinations, before erupting into an on-catwalk party, pulling up members of the audience to Luther Vandross – Never Too Much; an apt choice for Edinburgh’s one charity event that the public just can’t get enough of.

Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show is so much more than a mere fashion show, showcasing trends – it’s a fashion show, a charity fundraiser and a great night out all in one. A true triple threat of an event that will only be moving onto to even bigger, even better things.

Riona Doherty

@rionadoherty

Written for The Student

Dark Road @ the Royal Lyceum Theatre

Dark Road
The Royal Lyceum Theatre
Ian Rankin
28/09/13
★★★★

Exhibiting his script writing skills for the first time, Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, launches The Lyceum Theatre’s Autumn season with gripping psychological thriller Dark Road. Inspired by director Mark Thomson’s initial pitch “Why do we never see detective stories on the stage?”, Rankin ensures the “detective story” plays out far more thrillingly on stage than what we so often see in books and on television – and his transition from novel to stage writing only strengthens his flair for suspense.

Maureen Beattie plays Scotland’s first female Chief Superintendent Isobel McArthur, a powerful protagonist who struggles to balance her commitment to her demanding career with her equally demanding daughter Alex. What at first seems a supportive and inspiring relationship rapidly becomes a ruthless career race when both mother and daughter find themselves fighting for the chance to profit from psychotic and infamous murderer Alfred Chalmers who, though jailed for twenty-five years, is believed to be innocent by both women. However, the digging up of the long buried trial of his supposedly murdering four young girls infects the McArthur household like a virus, pushing Alex to run away and Isobel to self-destruction.

Beattie simply cannot be faulted as the lead, simultaneously portraying strong career woman, a pushover of a mother, and nervous wreck. Philip Whitchurch’s portrayal of Chalmers is chillingly unhinged, with dialogue always perfectly located between a desperate plea and a snarling warning; it is impossible to take your eyes off of him on stage, almost out of fear. Sara Vickers’ depiction of eighteen year old Alex seems confused between focused student and sex-obsessed train wreck – the latter being the less believable and, whilst declaring her love for sex so impudently to her mother provokes much laughter, these outbursts sometimes seem out of character. However, her character brings a lightness and also makes the play more appealing to younger audience members. Likewise, Isobel’s co-worker and old flame Frank Bowman (played by Robert Gwilym) causes hysterics with witty one liners and engages us with how he challenges Isobel.

Aesthetically comparable to the West End, the production is set in three rooms allowing designers to employ a rotating stage set. This allows the stage to be split at various points, most prominently in the final scene – a simple but striking moment featuring both mother and daughter on the receiving end of life-endangering threats. Even between scene changes, we are constantly kept on the edge of our seats with eerie background music and explicit newspaper clippings of Chalmers’ victims projected onto the stage.   Much suspense, laughter, and jaw-dropping shock make Dark Road the perfect night at the theatre, but despite all of this, nothing can prepare the audience for the finale’s shocking twist – one of the many reasons for the four rounds of gracious bows taken at the end.

Riona Doherty

The Collection @ The Traverse Theatre

The Collection

The Traverse Theatre

Rapture Theatre Company

20/09/13

★★★★

Over the last 10 years, Rapture Theatre have become Scotland’s leading contemporary touring theatre company, attracting sought after performers and boasting a variety of productions. With an already impressive portfolio under their belts, The Collection, set in modern day Scotland, sees Rapture put a fresh spin on a theme almost abused by television dramas – the seedy and immoral game of debt collecting.

Combining gritty realism and Trainspotting-esque black humour, The Collection opens eyes to how taking on such a job can totally eradicate one’s sense of morality, and also the emotional scarring inflicted on those who undertake such a position with some sort of conscience. The latter is depicted through protagonist Bob Lawson (Jimmy Chisholm) formerly known as the infamous Pick Up Truck but who begins to crumble after the suicide of a female client. A reverse personality change is also seen in pitifully unaware new employee Billy Shaw (Tam Dean Burn), whose character transitions from asking “Do you call this a decent living?” to hinting at sleeping with desperate female clients.

With a small but impressive cast of four, The Collection consists primarily of snappy duologues, the strongest and most engaging of which being between Chisholm and David Tarkenter, who constantly captivate with their power struggle. Chisholm portrays the contrast in Bob’s character effortlessly, perfectly conveying the conversion from hard faced businessman to secretly grieving man with a newly discovered moral compass.

Desperately dopey Billy refreshes the audience with light humour through his initial struggle with the job’s ‘heart of stone’ prerequisite, but his frequent outbursts of frustration lack conviction. Likewise, whilst Pauline Turner’s portrayal of one of the clients shows reluctance asking her husband for help with the debt, her emotion is by no means raw. Whilst these minor downfalls could have been improved by further character development, all four actors bounce off each other extremely well.

Lyn McAndrew’s set takes versatility to the extreme, transforming a gravestone to a kitchen table, but the simplistic set works perfectly with the understated lighting. The most refreshing element of The Collection has to be experiencing the moral struggles of debt collecting through the hard-faced bailiffs, rather than through the fearful eyes of clients. Combine this with the gripping intrigue surrounding the suicide, Mike Cullen’s shocking yet witty one-liner script and flawless performances from Chisholm and Tarkenter and it is impossible not to join in with the raucous applause given.

A 7 Hour Car Journey, Innumerable Hangovers and 2 1/2 Weeks Later...

I am fully aware that after not having blogged for over a month I am officially the most inconsistent blogger ever. Especially because I haven't even blogged about a rather huge bombshell - after a stressful and emotionally draining results day, I got into the University of Edinburgh!!! So as of 2 weeks ago, I officially live in Edinburgh - on the Cowgate, pretty much as central as you can get.

Studying French and English Literature, I can't think of anywhere else in the UK more suited to my degree course - Edinburgh is brimming with culture, history and grandeur, with an active L'Institut Français D’Écosse and a strong emphasis on French theatre.

So yes, apologies about my absence but after a stupidly busy August, I suddenly now have hundreds of things to write about. Here are just a few photos from the last two weeks in Scotland's cosmopolitan capital...

Block 7's finest... Our surrogate flatmate Aimee, Emily, me and Catherine - both flatmates.

5am walks home

The almighty BRASS MONKEY. This pub definitely deserves its own post...

Brunching at one of Edinburgh's many independent cafes, The Black Medicine Coffee Company.

The beautifully open plan National Museum of Scotland, a five minute walk from my flat.

Nicolson Street at night

Southside Books - a trusty independent bookshop with a stupidly intelligent owner who seems to have read most of the shop's contents. Almost certain to overhear hyper-intelligent conversations about Oscar Wilde's short stories between the owner and a literature student.

In other news, now a writer for the Culture section of the student newspaper (The Student), Friday night saw me take myself to the Traverse Theatre to review The Collection, which I'll post shortly.

So, unlike the last time I posted, I am now officially no longer an inhabitant of Luton: a statement I have wanted to say for so so long. Edinburgh has so many things to write about, I'm sure I won't be stuck for inspiration.

Bises,

Riona