During the first three months of this yearunemployment rose by more than 7.5 percent in Yorkshire, according to official

figures published last week. The Office forNational Statistics (ONS) announced that thenumber of people out of work in our regionincreased to more than 250,000 between Januaryand March.

The figures show that our region was hitparticularly hard by job losses during the period.More than a third of the jobs lost in the UK were inYorkshire.

One of the hardest hit groups were 16 to 24-year-olds. During the first three months of thisyear youth unemployment increased to more than950,000 nationally, which is the highest level sincerecords began.

The Prince’s Trust estimates that one in fiveyoung people are now out of work in the UK. Theirspokeswoman Susie Price said that the number ofyoung people contacting the charity for help hadincreased over the past few months and thatschool leavers were being hit especially hard bythe economic climate. “You have people withdegrees on the market so people who don’t havejobs are finding it even more difficult to find work,”said Price. “It’s a more competitive market so thoseat the bottom are suffering a lot more.”

The poor state of the job market is also having a

huge effect on graduates. York St John graduateJonathan Causley, 23, of Horsforth, said it took himthree months to find a job. “I’m just waiting to getmy start date now,” he said. “There’s plenty of callcentre work in Leeds but not much else. You see alot of so-called ‘marketing’ jobs but they all turnout to be sales jobs. You soon learn that if a jobseems too good to be true then it usually is.”

Fellow graduate Corinne Saunders, 24, ofHorsforth, has spent the past two years trying toget a job in the media but has been unable to breakinto the industry despite doing a number of unpaidinternships. She said: “I spend ages catering my CVfor every application and still get nowhere.” Shecurrently works in a sandwich shop in Leeds citycentre and believes that the government penalisesgraduates like her who would rather do any jobthan claim benefits.

“If I was unemployed or just worked 15 hours aweek I could spend more time applying for jobsand doing work experience,” Saunders said. “I’dalso be entitled to all these government internschemes, which would help me find a better job

and I would get my rent and council tax paid too. Ifeel like I’m being penalised because I choose towork but hopefully it will change now we have anew government.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Work andPensions pointed out that the government’s futurejobs fund and work focussed training will help upto 470,00 long-term unemployed young peopleback into jobs and training by March 2011. But shesaid that it was unclear whether the scheme wouldbe extended by the new government to help thosewho don’t currently qualify. She said: “The firstsignificant policy announcement is expected at the'emergency budget' on 22 June.”

The figures released by the ONS showed thatmore than 2.5 million people are looking for workin the UK. The number of people in work fell to28.8 million, while the number of people classedas economically inactive is the highest sincerecords began. More than eight million people ofworking age are not in employment or educationand there are over one million people workingpart-time because they are unable to find a full-time job.

The deputy director of the Confederation ofBritish Industry, John Cridland, warned that the“tough labour market” would continue for sometime to come. He said: “ These figures show howfragile the recovery is.”

NLN

MAY 21, 2010 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 5

MORESPRING HOLIDAY EDITION

Pages 2/3 - Wedding fashion

Pages 4/5 - What to do this May

Bank Holiday weekend

Page 6 - News: to pay or not to pay

Page 7 - The latest reviews

Page 8 - Treading the boards

with artistic director Alan Lane

by Adam Edwards

Yorkshirebears thebrunt of job lossesThe region’s youth are hardest

hit by the economic downturn

“I spend ages catering my CV

for every application

and still get nowhere.”

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HITTING THE PHONES: On the look out for jobs

NLN MORE 2

1. L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara

Boasts magnifying and lengthening qualities for 60 per centlonger lashes with powerful staying ability.

Testing: The comb-style wand separates and defines lasheswell. It’s definitely hard-wearing and is therefore quitedifficult to remove. This mascara is certainly tear proof andstays on from day to night.

2.Clinique Lash Power Mascara

Claims to last 24 hours without a smudge or smear.

Testing: It has the tendency to flake off and the brush is smalland fails to build volume. It performed poorly in the watersplash test as black smudges set around the eye area.

£9.99 £12.50

Waterproof Mascara Prevent panda eyes this wedding season with the

9/10 4/10

The Wedding Season

Special by Rebecca Elvin and Chloe Doyle

Love is in the air – wedding season has officially arrived. MORE looks at some of the latest trends

for wedding guests, tests out the high street’s best waterproof mascaras and gives a few handy

hints for the big day.

Flower girl

Rose dressMonsoon£55

Cream shrugMonsoon£30

Rose headressMonsoon£8

ShoesMonsoon£20

Mother of the Bride

Ruffle dressOasis£60

FascinatorAccessorize£40

Bow shoesModa in Pelle£90

Female guest

Nude shoesDune£95

Rose Jacket

Dorothy Perkins

£70

Lace DressRare£75

This season’s perfect nude accessories

NLN MORE 3

3. Dior Show Waterproof Mascara

“Guarantees” show-stopping eyelashes with its lash buildingformula to give a false lash effect.

Testing: This is easy to apply with the thick brush andlengthens lashes. It achieves the false lash look and holds upwell. It won’t smudge or smear when in contact with moisture.

4. Lash Maxxx Waterproof Mascara

Marketed as giving a multiplying effect with a zero clumpapplicator.

Testing: The fine-tooth comb applicator separates lashes andproduces a dark dramatic look depending how much you puton. Even with many coats it still does not give you a clumpy“spider eye” effect. It also works as natural look mascara ifyou sweep over the lashes sparingly and does not smudge orsmear when in contact with water.

£6.99£18.50

high-street’s waterproof mascara offerings by Rebecca Elvin and Chloe Doyle

8/106/10

Monochrome – black and white – is a very popular choice for weddings. Just

avoid wearing all black or all white.

High platforms are the height of fashion this season and also the key to

avoiding aching feet. Rather than a stiletto, the raised platform gives more

comfort and means you can dance the night away with ease.

Rather than wearing heavy make-up that will last all day, take some with you

instead and apply as needed. You don’t want to turn up looking like Chucky’s

bride.

Weddings are the perfect opportunity to dress up, so why not take full

advantage of the latest offerings in headwear. From hats to fascinators – the

choice is yours.

If you want a summer tan to accompany your wedding outfit it might be wise

to get it done professionally to avoid the tango look.

Keep your outfit simple and classy but play with colours and accessories to

add a touch of style.

Dress for the season. Make the most of summer dresses and floaty skirts,

teamed with a shawl or cardigan to take you through to the evening.

If in doubt about what to wear, the invitation usually gives a dress code

indication. That way you’ll know if it’s a formal or informal occasion.

Men: choose a light coloured suit in the summer and a dark suit for the winter.

As soon as you get your invitation, RSVP immediately. The bride and groom

have a busy job of seating everybody.

Always use a wedding list, even if you find this method impersonal. Otherwise

the bride and groom will end up with five toasters.

Always turn off your mobile during the ceremony. If you don’t the outcome

could be extremely embarrassing.

If you have kids, keep them under control. Try bringing non-noisy toys that

will keep them entertained and allow you to fully enjoy the day.

Don’t forget to thank the bride and groom for the invitation as they will have

spent a lot of time and money on the occasion. This sounds obvious but they

will appreciate your gratitude.

12

3

4

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Top Tips - Dressing for a wedding

General wedding etiquette

Male guest

Gunmetal blazerFrench Connection£130

White shirtBurton£25

Gunmetal trousersFrench Connection£70

Pink tieAsos£8

ShoesNext£40

Lace glovesAccessorize£8

Pleated bagDune£50

Heart bagModa in Pelle£40 Bow shoes

Dune£85

Pearl necklacePhase Eight£22

FascinatorMonsoon£28

45

Many adults spend Spring Bank Holiday walking

in the countryside. For most of them, hunting

treasure was something they did as children in

the back garden. But now, grown-ups can hunt for

hidden objects in over a million secret locations

worldwide.

This is Geocaching. Started in 2000, the “hi-tech

treasure hunt” has grown to become a global game

where participants hunt cleverly concealed containers

– also known as “caches” – using a Global Positioning

System (GPS) device.

They’re closer than you think. Every day you

probably walk past, under or over hidden items,

completely unaware of their existence. There are over

4,000 in the Yorkshire and Humberside area alone.

Caches range in size and shape, from 35mm film

containers to five gallon buckets. Inside each box you’ll

find a logbook and some larger caches contain small,

low-value trade items which players or “geocachers”

can swap.

Co-ordinates for every geocache are logged on

www.geocaching.com. Each cache is rated out of five

according to how difficult it is to spot and how

traversable the surrounding terrain is. They can be

hidden in bushes, placed under stones, suspended in

trees or submerged underwater.

The rules are simple. Caches should not be placed on

private property without permission, nor should they

be put near airports, stations or at other sensitive

locations. If you take a trade item, you’re expected to

replace it with something safe, legal and of equivalent

value.

All you need to participate is a good pair of walking

shoes and a GPS device. Chairman of the Geocaching

Association of Great Britain (GAGB) Matt Pringle said:

“The only requirement is someone who wants to be

outside and not indoors. It doesn’t take huge technical

knowledge. GPS devices are becoming easier to use and

the newer mobile phones often have them built in.”

For many, Geocaching’s appeal lies in its ability to

transform a walk around a town, park or the

countryside into an exciting scavenger hunt. Alan Firth,

premises manager at The Grove Centre, Horsforth,

said: “My wife and I heard about Geocaching and

thought: ‘we could combine this with our walking’, and

it developed from there. It’s added that extra dimension

to our love of walking and the countryside. We plan

our walks around the Geocaches now.”

Geocaching also has a “secret society” element to it.

Non-players are referred to as “Muggles” (a term taken

from Harry Potter). Finding caches without alerting

Muggles to their presence is an integral part of the

challenge, adding a spy-like secrecy and tension to the

hunt.

Secretary of the GAGB Lucilla Dale said: “Children

and adults enjoy the idea of having to find something

secret and hidden and the idea of trying to retrieve it

surreptitiously.”

As well as appealing to players’ treasure hunting

instincts, those who place caches – “hiders” – often

use them to educate. Some Geocachers create detailed

trails – also known as “multi-caches” – which lead

players along a particular route. Many caches contain

information about the area in which they are placed,

and provide a chance to learn something new about

locations players thought they knew well.

Alan Firth said: “We did a lovely course based on the

Bradford heritage trail. I'm originally from Bradford,

and until I did the one in the city I had no idea that

some of those locations were there. I'd never actually

been to the Bradford City Fire Memorial before I

followed the Geocaching trail.”

With participants eager to share, inform and educate,

there’s a vibrant community attached to the hobby.

There are hundreds of other discussion boards, groups

and Geocaching communities across the web. Frequent

“event caches” are held, where players can meet up

with other enthusiasts.

Alan Firth said: “It's a very social community. We've

met several people through the hobby.” He added:

“There was an event at the Chevin for Yorkshire Day

last year, with caches placed especially for the occasion

and prizes at the end of it.”

For anyone who enjoys seeing new places, being

outdoors and exploring, Geocaching is a great

opportunity to liven up a walk, educate yourself and

interact with others. With Geocaching locations all

around, it’s an accessible hobby that can be taken up

at more or less any time. Remember: you’re never far

away from a cache.

Bank Holiday weekend marks the start of summerand presents the perfect opportunity for a swim.Yet a staggering third of UK adults have not

learnt to swim. When you consider that 1.2 millionpeople around the world die from drowning everyyear (that’s more than two people every minute)swimming lessons should be your essential exercisethis summer.

Competent swimmers like myself can still reap thebenefits of swimming lessons. Swimming has physical,social and mental advantages. It can be a calming

hobby, an intense work out or a competitive sport. Itis great for new mothers getting back into gentleexercise after child birth. Swimming reduces the riskof heart disease and the water eases stress on joints,which is especially beneficial for older adults. Manypatients who are overweight or trying to recover froman injury use swimming to aid their treatment. It healsmuscle, helping to build a stronger fitter physique.Caris Matthews, 32, a new mother from Leeds, neverlearnt to swim as a child because she was “tooscared”. She said: “I wanted to overcome my fear,that’s why I’m here. I know swimming keeps youhealthy. I want to get back into shape and become ayummy mummy.”

Although I learnt to swim as a child I wanted to getback to basics so I went to Castleford pool inWakefield for an adult swimming lesson. The mixed-ability group was split up into starters, intermediatesand experienced categories. Swimming lessons are notjust for people who cannot swim.

My instructor, Matt Dawson, 24, “knows thatpeople are usually embarrassed” but all abilities canengage in swimming lessons because they want to

start, improve, or build their technique and stamina.We were kept in different ends of the swimming

pool depending on what group we were in - shallow,middle, or deep. There were two life guards on dutyas well as our teacher shouting instructions at us fromthe side, showing the more vulnerable swimmers thatthe lessons are well supervised. The starter group hada variety of water floatations and boards to help themfeel safe. Each group was instructed to do differenttasks and instead of doing full lengths, everybodytackled widths. Stroke technique was taught toprevent injury by incorrect style.

I swam non-stop for a full hour and was proud ofmy achievement during the lesson. I didn’t realise thathaving an instructor there urging you to swim in atechnically correct stroke could provide such anefficient work out. If you’re over 18 and have neverbeen able to swim, start by trying out a class anddevelop this life-saving skill.

Pisces swimming school in Leeds offers one- to- oneadult swimming lessons. For more information visitwww.piscesswimschool.co.uk

Techno

treasure

huntby Tom Richardson

Thrown in at the deep endby Chloe Doyle

Spring Bank Holiday Special

4 NLN MORE

Pristine beaches uncluttered withinflatable paraphernalia, undis-turbed crystal clear turquoise

swimming pools, the calming sounds ofbirdsong, peaceful cosy corners inwhich to be immersed in a good bookand dining rooms with no high chairs insight. This is not just any holiday. It’s achild-free holiday.

With May Bank Holiday on the hori-zon, avoiding the hordes of kids duringhalf-term is a challenge. More peopleare choosing to take a break withouttheir own children – or anyone else’s,disturbing the peace. Adults who like towhile away the hours endlessly lost in amiasma of their own thoughts havemore choices to be able to plan timeaway without squealing “little ones”.

In the past, going on an adult-only hol-iday that wasn’t full of honeymooningcouples celebrating their nuptialsmeant booking a trip with Saga or Club18-30. These days there are a range ofholiday companies, hotels, resorts andcruise ships catering exclusively foradults.

First Choice, a package holiday com-pany, offers a variety of “experiences”and Champneys health resorts are ded-icated to fitness and relaxation. If acruise is your preference then P&OCruises have two adult-only ships; theArtemis and Arcadia. Sandals holidayresorts have always marketed them-selves as exotic breaks exclusively foradults. For every sedate pastime, thereis a more tantalising one for those of amore adventurous disposition.

The age of people who choose to befree from children during their breakstend to be middle aged couples and

friends or the retired. Mrs Ogborne, 48,a charity fundraiser from York, holi-dayed with her husband at LittlecoteHouse near Hungerford earlier this yearwith Warner Leisure Hotels becausethey were attracted to luxurious his-toric houses. They wanted an all-inclu-sive place with lots of activities. “Wehad a nice break visiting the area andwe had the pool to ourselves everymorning and evening and played tennisto our hearts content,” she says.

Professionals who work with childreneveryday can crave child-free breaks. A42-year-old primary school teacherfrom Bradford, who wants to remainanonymous, says: “It’s nice to have thealternative of not being with kids andbeing able to switch off from them.There is a different atmosphere whenthere are children around especiallywhen they are throwing a tantrum in ahotel during breakfast.”

There is no question that holidayswithout children can be an altogetherdifferent experience. Even for peoplewho have kids, getting away withoutthem can make a holiday a bit more re-laxing. No need to worry about babysit-ting arrangements while having a tipple(or three) or unhindered enjoyment ofthe cultural aspects of a destination.Plus, the freedom to make and changeplans quickly or the prerogative to goback to bed after breakfast is satisfy-ingly indulgent.

If tearful tantrums and noisy out-bursts are not your idea of a fantasticholiday then an adult only break couldmake all the difference between return-ing refreshed and rejuvenated or inneed of another getaway.

by Shahzeena Khalid

Adult Holidays

NLN MORE 5

What’s on this Bank Holiday by Richard Simpson

For adults only

Spring Bank Holiday Special

Nocturnal activity

Nothing to do on a summer’s evening? Next Saturday all eyes will be on the sky as

Harewood House provides the backdrop for an illustrated bat walk. John Gregory

of the West Yorkshire Bat Group will conduct a tour around the stately home’s

grounds. The walk starts at 7.30pm with tickets priced at £10 for adults.

www.harewood.orgMusic talent comes to Leeds

Few artists have as much hype surrounding them right now as Marina and the

Diamonds. With songs in heavy radio rotation and a critically acclaimed album TheFamily Jewels peaking at five in the UK charts, 2010 has been a successful year so

far. Marina will be performing at Leeds Metropolitan University next Monday night

so catch her in an intimate venue while you can.

http://www.leedsmetsu.co.uk/entertainmentThe big film releases

Sex and the City 2 arrives just in time for the bank holiday weekend. Carrie and the

gang are back for another helping of fashion and frolics, only this time the ladies

are on holiday. Alternatively, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, a fantasy adventure

from the same people that brought you Pirates of the Caribbean is released today.

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Prince Dastan is the protector of an ancient dagger that

can alter time.Tour with a difference

Totally new to Leeds, tomorrow sees the launch of a new open-top sightseeing bus.

For more information see this week’s North Leeds News p.5.Sport in Leeds

If the weather gods are kind how better to spend the weekend than by taking in a

quality county cricket clash. Yorkshire Carnegie take on Lancashire in the LV County

Championship. The four-day test gets underway next Saturday. The action kicks off

at the Headingley Carnegie cricket ground at 11am. Tickets are priced £15 for adults.

http://www.yorkshireccc.com

Arcadia (P&O Cruises)

Experience the three tier theatre, the fine dining restaurant, which

spans two decks and a luxurious spa, complete with thermal suite and

hydrotherapy pool. Dine in “Arcadian Rhodes”, created by well-known

British chef Gary Rhodes. Sample a fusion of oriental flavours in “The

Orchid.” Enjoy five course menus in the main restaurant and enjoy

more relaxed dining in the Belvedere food court and out on deck.

www.pocruises.com

Sandals Resorts

Exotic destinations for a touch of romance, sophistication and

relaxation. Gourmet food and butler services are available for a really

special experience. Couple this with a mixture of activity and

adventure with scuba diving, windsurfing or golf.

www.sandals.com

Champneys

Choose from four character resorts with spiritual wellbeing breaks,

spa treatments and fitness classes. Residential or day packages are

available. Kriotherapy is the latest exhilarating and revitalising

experience that involves spending just three minutes in the specialised

chamber set at minus 135C (211F).

www.champneys.com

Warner Leisure Hotels

Indulge in the spas, enjoy live music and performances. Play bowls in

the historic grounds or book a special “Come Dancing” break. The

hotels include seasonal and festive activities. Try new experiences

such as “being a farmer for a day” or “understanding your dog”.

www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk

First Choice Holidays

Enjoy experiences that would be difficult to do with children such as

climbing, serene beach escapes and a variety of cultural experiences.

www.firstchoice.co.uk

The Times will erect a paywall next week,forcing users to pay for online content beforebeing able to access full news stories.

There will be an initial free trial period and whenthat ends the charge is £1 a day or £2 a week. Theservice is free for existing subscribers to The Timesor The Sunday Times newspapers. Users must signup online using a debit or credit card and a boxpops up when a story is selected by someone whois not registered, prompting them to subscribe. Itsounds simple and the fee is not too high but thequestion remains – is the brand strong enough towarrant charging for news that can be read onanother site for nothing?

Rupert Murdoch, owner of The Times, argues thatthe quality of journalism he is providing doesn’tcome for free and so it is only right that theconsumer pays for superior content. The Timeswebsite explains: “The sites will deliver a trulyunique online experience that will give you theopportunity to explore and enjoy our award-winning titles as never before. We believe that ourtitles offer unique content presented in a verycompelling way. We will focus on breaking newsand exclusives, with the website providing moreanalysis and commentary, richer graphics and livedebates with our journalists.”

While The Times is launching a paywall theGuardian editor, Alan Rusbridger, believes that

online journalism should not be charged for.Speaking at Leeds Trinity University College,Rusbridger admitted he is “obsessive about thefuture of newspapers” and encourages journalistsat the Guardian to utilise free social networkingsites such as Twitter and Facebook when sourcingnews stories.

The Financial Times was one of the first onlinenewspapers to charge, along with the Wall StreetJournal in New York. For shrewd businessmen andwomen it is seen as a service that will help theirbusiness for a relatively small fee. And the rules arenot quite as strict as they may seem. Clicking on alink to an article produces a pop-up inviting theuser to “free increased access”, which allows up to10 articles to be viewed in a 30 day period. So it isnot totally inaccessible to those still wishing toaccess a limited number of stories for free.

Since The Times announced the plans to erect apaywall this year, hundreds of people have postedcomments online airing their views about whatthis means for the future of the site. Kim Righettisays: “You’ll price yourselves out of business. Thereare too many free websites. Times are tough andthis is a place where folks won’t spend money.” Butreader John Smith disagrees: “I struggle to see whythe new charges are thought unreasonable,” hesays. “The Times invests a great deal in theirjournalism and have every right to expect areasonable financial return.”

Patrick Smith, freelance journalist and eventsorganiser at the Frontline Club – a London mediaclub that debates and discusses issues such as thepaywall – says it is not just about money. “TheTimes understands that it is going up against nineor 10 national newspaper sites, or equivalent sitessuch as the BBC, which has literally millions ofwords going back 10 years, all of which is availablefor absolutely nothing. I think they are perfectlyhappy with only having a fraction of their currentreadership,” says Smith. “It is not the concrete aimof The Times to make money in the next few years;this is about Murdoch saying to the world, ‘Ourstuff is worth paying for across the board’.”

Before the paywall 1.2 million people visited thewebsites each day and it remains to be seen howdramatically these figures will be affected, if at all.But with The Times and The Sunday Timesannouncing a joint loss of £80m last year it wouldseem that the paywall is a financial risk they arewilling to take.

Time to pay up6 NLN MORE

by Stephanie Burns

The word on Town Street

“You feel isolated if you don’t have a computerthese days because everything is about ‘online’.I read a newspaper or I watch the television andcan get everything I want to know there.”

MORE asked shoppers in Horsforth

if they would pay for news online...

Felicity Haslam

72

Fink Hill, Horsforth

Retired

“If I’m going to pay for it I would rather get thepaper. I would not buy news online.”

Alex Horspool

Age undisclosed

Hawsworth Road, Horsforth

Teacher

Neville Copley

43

Station Place, Bramley

Journalism student

“I can see why journalists would want people topay for something they have worked really hardon, especially if they are offering more services.”

Keith Merrymen

70

Church Crescent, Horsforth

Retired

“I don’t think you’ve got to pay for online news,if you want a paper, you get a paper. Or you canalways go to the library.”

To commemorate the centenary of the death ofMark Twain, an unpublished documentcontaining details about his eldest daughter and

muse, Susy, has been released. It is to be put up forauction by Sotheby's in New York in June as part of abatch of letters, photographs and manuscripts fromAmerica's most famous literary icon.

A petition asking President Obama to designate 2010as “The Year of Mark Twain” has also been launchedby admirers of his work.

Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens he changed hisname to Mark Twain after working as a river pilot. Inriver terms it means “safe to navigate”.

He wrote 28 books including The Adventures of TomSawyer in 1876 and The Adventures of HuckleberryFinn in 1885 as well as numerous short stories, lettersand sketches. He spoke out against bigotry, racism andhypocrisy and has been quoted innumerable times withwitty anecdotes such as, “The reports of my death aregreatly exaggerated.”

Mark Twain’s birthplace and childhood home is opento the public as a museum in Hannibal, Missouri, USA,and annual walking tours of places he visited are held inNew York City to commemorate his birthday.

Visit www.twain2010.org for information about theMark Twain petition.

Mark Twain centenary document revealed

Natasha Scarisbrick30Batchelor Lane, HorsforthAccountant

“The BBC is my primary source and I can’timagine that they’d ever start charging but ifthey did I doubt that I would pay. I would goelsewhere or stick to watching it on TV.”

PAYWALL: Sign up or log off

by Shahzeena Khalid

This weekend is set to be a scorcher but something

is threatening to put a dampener on outdoor

activities in Leeds – a greenfly invasion. Social

networking sites Twitter and Facebook have been

inundated with tweets and status updates about casual

strolls in the park turning into swatting contests with

the aphids who are not deterred by a mere flick of the

hand. The extreme cold weather over the winter has

killed off a lot of the larger insects that eat greenflies –

such as ladybirds – and this week’s unseasonably warm

weather has been the perfect breeding ground for

them.

Neil Calvert, owner of High Trees garden centre, near

Leeds/Bradford airport, has advice for those worried

about the damage the greenflies could do to plants.

“They do seem to have exploded in Leeds over the past

week because of the warm weather and will do a lot of

damage if plants aren’t protected,” says Calvert.

“Unfortunately there is not a lot you can do to protect

plants apart from spraying them - even fine netting

wouldn’t keep the greenflies away.”

Greenflies invade Leedsby Stephanie Burns

WRITER: Mark Twain

THE FILMBad Lieutenant - Port of Call New Orleansby Richard Simpson

MOREreviewsNLN MORE 7

THE GIGThe Melodicas New Reedby Rebecca Elvin

New Orleans is not a place for the fainthearted. Ravaged by Hurricane Katrina andstill on its knees, so much of the city is still

rotten from flood damage. A perfect backdrop fora man just as rotten as the surroundings to slipthrough the cracks.

One thing to make clear is that this is not asequel but a reimagining. Leave all comparisonswith Abel Ferrara’s 1992 classic at the door. Thisis a completely different beast and one UK

audiences have been forced to wait a long time for.It has been seven long months since the filmdebuted at the London Film Festival last year.

Director Werner Herzog is much better knownfor his documentary work, but teamed up withNicolas Cage the duo deliver a compellingcharacter study in crazyness.

Cage plays New Orleans cop Terence McDonaghwho, after an unfortunate injury sustained tryingto help a drowning prisoner, becomes addicted topainkillers before unravelling in spectacularfashion.

To say McDonagh tries to have his cake and eatit would be an understatement. What ensues is acoke-fuelled bender as our man tries to work amurder case, all the while looking for his next fix,ripping not just pages but entire chapters out ofthe law enforcement rulebook in the process.

The depraved depths Cage will go to are quitestaggering but it is another addiction thatbecomes more worrisome – abusing the powerhis badge grants him. Whether he is raiding theseized narcotics storage room or stealing drugsfrom teenagers he searches, here is a man willingto abuse every tool at his disposal.

A film of this subject matter really should not beso incredibly funny but here lies one of the film’smost surprising strengths. Audiences will gawp atthe audacity of Herzog and Cage. In what willsurely become a talked about scene, ahallucinating McDonagh gets into a staring matchwith an iguana at a crime scene.

As the walls close in McDonagh is forced tojuggle protecting a young teenage witness andrelocating his call-girl love interest Frankie (EvaMendes), all the while forced to look after hisfather’s dog. The ingredients should not add upbut somehow they do. The fact McDonagh

remains likeable is a testament to the script andthe leading man.

The movie lives and dies with the performanceof Cage. Present in damn-near every scene, luckilyhe doesn’t disappoint. Easily the best thing Cagehas done in the last ten years, he revels in thesheer lunacy of playing a man who crosses the lineand shows little desire to find his way back. Aftergetting bogged down in high-concept eventmovies, here is a character finally befitting of histalents.

Ultimately this is worth the price of admissionjust to see the crazed look in Cage’s eye. BadLieutenant is a film that gives you so much moreand while other films command hype and fanfare,it is doubtful any movie this summer will be moreintriguing.

Bad Lieutenant is released today

More Scores: 8/10

Don’t go to see The Melodicas New Reed ifyou intend on standing still. As the six-piece band burst in to their first song on

the terrace stage at the Nation of Shopkeepers ona mild Sunday evening, the crowd struggles to bemotionless. With their amalgamation of reggae,blues, folk and rock, The Melodicas New Reedhave a unique style that cannot be found on thecurrent Leeds music scene. The rhythmic andsoulful sounds seem to engross and capture theaudience as they flow through the air. The dominoeffect of people sitting up to listen, followed by thetwitching feet struggling to resist dancing,encapsulates the care-free and easy-going attitudeof the music perfectly.

The Melodicas New Reed, made up of Bo onbass, Col on acoustic guitar, Foz on electric guitar,Hashman on drums, and Matt on keys, vocals andthe melodica, come across like a group of friendswho thrive on performing together. This quality ismore than apparent in their live performance andtheir chemistry on stage could not be forged. Thisnatural synergy creates a genuine and tight set.

With no support act needed The Melodicas NewReed start the 90 minute set with their latestenergetic material, occasionally dropping thetempo and plunging into more tranquil butequally entertaining sounds - perhaps to give theaudience a chance to catch a breath. Speaking ofcoming up for air, between blasting out his uniquevocals and creating harmonious, rhythmic soundson the melodica, Matt possesses a commandingquality that leaves the audience hanging on to hisevery move, word and breath. Teamed with theenergy that the rest of the group provide it’s nowonder that they comfortably hold the attentionof the audience for over an hour and a half. Theobvious crowd pleaser comes in the form of LifeKills, which not only satisfies their regular hordeof followers but seemed to strike a chord with themass.

The band, who grew up together in Runcorn andnow live in Leeds, have been making music andperforming together since 2008. They can oftenbe found busking on Briggate and are frequentlyjoined by special guests including flautists andguest MCs. On this Sunday evening, a lively

interjection from guest MCs Crafty and Se-Ed-Ieadds to the concoction of sounds that make thegroup so distinctive.

The Melodicas New Reed’s MySpace page claimsthat they are “something your mum might like”,but the appeal does not stop there. Not only willyou struggle to keep still when experiencing TheMelodicas New Reed, but you will also struggle tofind a reason to dislike them. Their wide appealmeans that you might find more than a few mumsin their packed out audiences.

More Scores: 10/10

Follow The Melodicas New Reed at

www.myspace.com/

themelodicasnewreed

Upcoming gigs:

June 5 - The Mad Hatters Tea

Party, Leeds

August 25 - Leeds Fringe Festival,

Leeds

All future gigs listed on their MySpace page

Alan Lane must be exhausted. The curtainshave barely closed on The Count of MonteCristo at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, a

swashbuckling adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’historic novel, and already the director is treadingthe boards again.

Lane, 31, is artistic director of Leeds-basedtheatre company Slung Low, a group of eightartists plucked from diverse backgrounds to makenew, innovative theatre. “The best compliment weever had was that our shows were like films inwhich the audience were the camera, and that’s aclever way of putting it,” explains Lane.

“We make relatively structurally andthematically high art and yet we play to anaudience not made up of high art people. Partlybecause within certain circles what we do is seenas a bit weird, a bit too street, a bit too cool, orwhatever the current word is, and also partlybecause we’d be doing a play about vampires ona car park.”

Doing something a little bit different has alwaysbeen Lane’s aim. He set up Slung Low withnovelist Matthew David Scott in 2000 after one oftheir university plays, Counter Balance, won anaward at the National Student Drama Festival.Lane said: “Coming out of that we realised wewanted to do even more. Just because we finisheduniversity we didn’t want to stop producingplays.”

The company has gone on to win rave reviewsfor its unusual performances – stories set onbuses or in multi-storey car parks – but most havebeen presented outside of Yorkshire. Until now,that is.

Over the last four weeks Lane and his team havebeen transforming five inter-connected railwayarches in Holbeck, Leeds, into their newheadquarters. The Holbeck UndergroundBallroom, or The HUB, provides space for them towork, rehearse and perform. The Arts Council hasprovided enough money to run the building forthe first 12 months, with the hope that it will soonbe self-funded.

Now near to completion, Lane is proud to showoff a venue that is turning into a piece of theatrein its own right. As he guides me around we bumpinto old set pieces that dress up the walls and agreen room that resembles an Edwardian parlour.There is even part of a Lancaster bomber that hasbeen converted into a sound booth. “It gives goodacoustics,” said Lane.

Lane’s love of the arts extends further than justhis own company. He envisages The HUB as ashared space where other artists can developideas and perform for free. He said: “If you’regoing to go through the effort of making a home,it should be a home that is built to share.

“What Leeds has is loads of really great theatrecompanies, loads of really great alternativetheatre makers, but the vast majority of them endup presenting their work in Manchester orLondon.”

First on stage is a group of over 60 dramastudents from the University of Huddersfield.Lane has spent the last week working with themto produce an original piece which will beperformed to the venue’s first audience tomorrowevening.

Then it’s straight on to touring. Lane is revivingSmall Worlds, an alternative installation piece that

was described as “truly unique”by the Liverpool Echo when it wasfirst performed in 2008. Eachaudience member is taken ontheir own personal journeythrough five self-contained boxesthat blend live performance,music and digital projection.

Lane said: “I’m not particularlyinterested in reviving old pieces,but Small Worlds was a show thatwas so successful in its simplicitythat people got it all the time.With all of our shows, 50 per centof the audience go ‘wow’, whilethe other 50 per cent go ‘I’m notsure about this’. With SmallWorlds this wasn’t true – 98 per cent of theaudience came out crying and going, ‘that was themost beautiful thing I have ever seen’.”

Despite a new venue opening its doors and atour waiting in the wings, Lane shows no sign ofrelaxing just yet. He said: “We’ve got eight showsin autumn for the Liverpool Everyman that opensimultaneously, so that will be quite anundertaking. We’re opening an interactive sweetshop for the Gate Theatre in London over thesummer too.”

He added: “We’re also making a big show in Hullwhich will be city-wide and will be quitespectacular, so we’re blocked for the next year interms of making work and then the dream is toreally get The HUB thriving.”

With such an innovative approach to theatre,Lane’s shows have received a mixture ofresponses from critics. “I’ve had national critics

walk out of my show saying, ‘this isn’t theatre’,whilst other national critics stay behind to give itfive stars,” said Lane. But he argues that theatre isall about the audience’s personal experience. Hesaid: “This is theatre because me, you, we, anyone,say it is. That’s it. I never said it was good – that’sthe decision for someone else.”

Small Worlds is at the Lawrence Batley Theatre,Huddersfield, from June 8–12. For moreinformation visit www.slunglow.org

8 NLN MORE

Contact NLN MORE

T: 0113 283 7318

E: editor@northleedsnews.co.uk

Issue five edited by Rebecca Elvin and

Adam Edwards

Next issue: June 24

The leading manJonathan Forrester meets Alan Lane, the artistic 

director of Leeds’ most innovative theatre company

SLUNG LOW: Alan Lane

IMMERSIVE: Small Worlds