The Barman's Diaries #3

Illustrations by Grace McKenna
Wednesday 4:30pm
I can now state beyond any reasonable doubt that society is approaching some form of collapse, why? Because I’ve just been informed that we’re going to start buying our toilet roll on TikTok. I kid you not, apparently that’s a real thing. I’ll just leave that there because a statement like that is sort of beyond analysis.
6pm
Right, other than the sixth great extinction being upon us, there’s a decent crowd in here at the minu

The Barman's Diaries #2

Illustrations by Grace McKenna
Saturday 6pm
For anyone wondering if I’m making full use of this return to studenthood, I’ve seen all 10 films up for best picture at the Oscars next week. I’m starting here because a group of women came in after their book club on Friday evening, discussing the things they’d do to Jacob Elordi (and sure, who could blame them?). I asked one of the women what they’d been reading and what did she say? You wouldn’t know it… Suffice to say her drink

The Barman’s Diaries #1

Illustrations by Grace McKenna
It's 20:03 and ‘Red Wine’ by UB40 is playing. It’s raining backwards outside; the only drink I’ve served in the past 30 minutes was for myself. I currently have a whopping three customers, the two in the corner are playing battleships and sipping negronis, the other is making steady progress through our stock of Pinot Grigio. I was thinking about David Attenborough earlier while cleaning the fridges and, hold on, my favourite customer has just

The Bee Cemetery

Illustrations by Grace McKenna
The Cemetery was situated at the bottom of a pillar of rock at the edge of the woods, past the long grass, past the ticks, and past the rabbits in their cages in the lane. The Bees were abundant in the spring, and by the age of ten, I had been stung three times– once on the chin, once on the thigh and once on the grass whilst playing barefoot. My sister remained untouched. She liked to consider herself in alliance with the Bees– her, a small th

Autumn Recommendations

The Broad's Seasonal Recommendations are back! Kristy, Daniel and Alexis from the Creative Team have put together their picks for you to listen to, watch, and read to get you in the autumnal mood. From cosy and comforting to spooky and mysterious, there is something for everyone on this list!
TO LISTEN
Kristy's pick: Lord Huron, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
Lord Huron, ‘The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1’, Spotify Lord Huron’s most recent album treads

Rotten Tomatoes

Illustrations by Grace McKenna
I did not want to bring her to the backyard. Because it overflows with rotten tomatoes. I was addicted...

Mother Tongue

'Mother Tongue', Peyvand Sadeghian
Before I learnt “How are you?”, there was “Korek?” That once enthusiastic snarl now leaves me choking....

Review: Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing, Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company’s Much Ado...

The Broad’s Seasonal Recommendations: Our Top Picks from November

The Broad’s Creative Team is back with their favourite song, film, and book choices from the past month!
LISTEN
Srishti’s Recommendation:...

Lamenter’s Lament

We are wanting in the dark lights, all hunched,
All live, writing in our book
With a tethered sigh
And wanting a rest, but loving...

Review: The End of the Line

The End of the Line, Theatre Paradok
Rating: ★ ★ ★. 5
The End of the Line introduces us to six almost-strangers, the last people on the...

Review: The Boys in the Band

The Boys in the Band, Bedlam Theatre
What makes a 1960s play about closeted gay men resonate so deeply in 2024? When I heard that Bedlam...