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IT'S A CRACKER
It's Christmas tradition, isn't it? The Nutcracker, I mean. Along with heartburn, frighteningly early bubbly (those two are probably linked, in fairness) and debating the best Bond (Moore). This year, Birmingham Royal Ballet will be bringing an exclusive adaptation of Sir David Bintley’s Royal Albert Hall production to Birmingham Hippodrome, marking the first time this version has been performed outside of that there London. So it might be tradition but it won't be a carbon copy. No Sir. The breathtaking production places Tchaikovsky's glorious score centre stage, bringing the Royal Ballet Sinfonia out from the pit and onto a platform raised above the stage. As the show opens on a wintry soundscape, the Dickensian tones of Simon Callow as Drosselmeyer echo across the auditorium. Scenery designer Dick Bird's dizzying wall of mirrors reflects spectacular scenic elements that bring the 19th century to vivid life, such as Drosselmeyer's toyshop, the Stahlbaums' beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and the scary midnight world in which King Rat battles the Nutcracker doll and his band of toy soldiers – all enhanced by beautiful projections, conjured up by the award-winning 59 Productions. If it's not a tradition, find out why it is for so many. I mean just look at it! Tickets
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I'M A CELEBRITY RHINO
(GET ME OUT OF HERE)
Last week I found myself admiring the first visual depiction of rhinoceros dung, in a painting hanging in the Barber Institute of Fine Art. It’s late 2021 and all bets are off. Unsurprisingly, it’s not the focus of the Barber’s new exhibition – merely a sideshow; apt given the sentiment of the works. The focus is on Miss Clara, the beloved Indian rhinoceros statue from the Barber’s collection, now leading lady in Miss Clara and the Celebrity Beast in Art, 1500-1860. Like a latter day Britney Spears, toured all over the place by her captors, Miss Clara was the first ‘celebrity’ rhino. But, like Britney, was she happy? Turns out, most likely not. The Barber has painstakingly sourced the many artistic representations of Clara based on her European tour, filling in the story of her life and bringing her celebrity into the critical gaze of our post-pandemic, progressive world. The art is undisputedly impressive, but alongside accounts of a fairly good life, you can see depictions of Clara with her horn missing, joined by other ‘new world’ animals who faced similarly sad lives and gruesome fates. With Mad Men specs on, it’s fascinating to see the advertising genius of such events, in a world where, now, nothing can really shock. Who knew you could sell a rhino as a ‘real unicorn’? The statues, drawings and paintings of these captivating large animals are considered in a wholly different light now —modern day zoos a-plenty, travelling menageries thankfully goners. The detail and observation in some of the works is fascinating, but what gripped me most? The melancholy. You’ll feel the bite of a sad, bitter feeling for the animals used to indulge intrigue, and an uncomfortable acknowledgement that without it, anthropological advances may not have been made. Go for the gaudy gold rhinoceros clock, leave with the social history lesson that suggests we may be better than our ancestors. Just. More (CH)
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Venue: Hamaran 9JA, 461 Bearwood Rd, Smethwick B66 4DH; Website
Choice: Obe ata Chooser: Honey
Not for the first time this year, Bearwood has triumphed with a cuisine we have no experience to authenticate. If you’ve made the pilgrimage to A La Mexicana, your next stop should be round the corner at Nigerian restaurant, Hamaran 9JA (shorthand for Naija, but – pro-tip – all the cool kids call it Nige). You’d be forgiven for walking past the blink-and-you'll-miss-it venue and we were worried it was a Covid-casualty when we found the doors locked. Then, boom! Out pops charismatic owner and chef, Honey, who ushered us in, the doors sealed, apparently, ‘to keep the characters out’. The menu assumes you know the lingo and, after experiencing a panic-induced sweat that wasn’t the last of the night, Honey finally explained what turned out to be simple options: choose different meats or fish and vegetable sides in a one dish style order. Inspecting us with an eyebrow raise that Leonard Nimoy would have been proud of, Honey suggested turkey. We scoffed and raised her ‘goat’. This was now a game of chicken — incidentally not on the menu. Not convinced, she warned it’s meat on the bone — fine by us, we hit back — as we assured her we could turn up the heat and stomach ‘traditional’ options like the obe ata, a delicious pepper stew with a heat we'd not feel quite so comfortable with eating in Nigeria. In late November Bearwood, though, you’ll be fine. Tripe sounds like it’s going to be awful, doesn’t it? Like saying the word ‘moist’ in normal conversation. Honey spotted my gag as she translated the cuts of meat and, challenge accepted, she threw in some tripe (you can see it pictured, look). Fair play; her gamble paid off. Tripe’s alright. Especially smothered in that delicious obe ata. Speaking of which... The pounded yam – a squishy cloud-like cuddle for the mouth – is the perfect vessel for more obe ata. This time with spinach, goat and cow’s foot (unctuous and not at all gnarly), you can eat this one with your hands, apparently. Can you? We didn't. Anyway, what a meal! Hamaran is bang for your buck in one sitting: texture, flavour and heat that keeps you warm on the walk home. Washed down with a few bottles of Trophy lager, ours was a ridiculously good meal plus drinks for less than £40 for two, shuffling 9JA, surely, onto any Brum gastronome's hit list. (CH)
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