Latest news with #Consumed
BBC News
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Edinburgh Fringe Festival: NI acts seeking 'eyes on their work'
For three weeks in August, Scotland's capital becomes a hub of creativity, arts and culture as thousands of performers descend for the Edinburgh Festival from Northern Ireland are always a regular fixture and this year will be no some say while the Fringe brings opportunities it also has its year's programme includes 3,352 shows across 265 those performing is comedian Reece Kidd, who described the Fringe as "a bit mental". Reece will be performing five shows a day during the Fringe as it is "the only way financially" he can afford to perform. "I'm a 30 year-old man who stays in a university dorm because it's the only place that's semi-affordable," he said."I get kidney stones every year, it's tradition. I ruin myself."Reece said the financial challenges of accommodation in Edinburgh during the Fringe presented obstacles for working-class acts."The grant schemes aren't sufficient," he said."I would love if everyone had to submit their bank statements." Karis Kelly, the writer of the play Consumed, a dark-comedy examining trans-generational trauma among four generations of women from a family in Bangor, said the Fringe was an opportunity for acts from Northern Ireland to meet potential collaborators. "Another really big opportunity is that, increasingly, we've seen shows that were staged at the Fringe become TV productions," Karis said."The Fringe gives you the opportunity to actually have a thriving career."But they believe a lack of funding holds back acts from Northern Ireland."I think working-class artists in the north have a harder time than any other artists," Karis added that more priority needed to be given to the arts scene in Northern Ireland."Audiences in Northern Ireland deserve to see authentic representations of their stories," they said."So often we see our stories told by people who aren't Northern Irish."I don't know how we expect to have a thriving theatre ecology when we ship everyone out."What's going on at this year's Edinburgh festivals? Rose Coogan, whose play Rose + Bud features at this year's Fringe, said it was a great opportunity to "get eyes" on her work."It's no secret that there's a certain level of validity that doing the Fringe can give you."She described her play as "a queer coming of age story about learning who you are and forgiving who you were".She said it was more important than ever that "queer people make art"."Hopefully people, who don't know any trans people, walk away from the show knowing we are looking for the same things in life as them," she said she felt many artists left Northern Ireland because the local art scene "doesn't know what to do with them"."Belfast needs to treat itself just as important as Edinburgh or London. Sometimes working in theatre here can feel like screaming at a brick wall," she said."We need to strive to get our things put on here."She added that people from working-class communities struggled to afford the costs associated with performing at the Fringe. "This would have been undoable if I hadn't got the experiences and opportunities I'd been given," she said."We don't give working class artists here enough room to grow. Art needs to be more accessible."
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
From fast fashion to ‘conscious style': Can we break the cycle of overconsumption?
In a world where the algorithms dictates desire, it's easier than ever to shop without thinking. A single swipe on TikTok can trigger a chain reaction – from viral trends to overstuffed closets to the textile landfills of the Global South. But as the fashion industry races ahead at breakneck speed, a growing movement of thinkers, innovators, and educators are hitting pause – and asking us to do the same. Leading the way is Aja Barber, a writer, activist and author of Consumed, whose work has been pivotal in exposing fashion 's entanglement with colonialism, capitalism and climate breakdown. 'I had to have a real cold turkey watershed moment,' she says. 'I found I had a massive amount of clothing I couldn't just dump at a charity shop knowing what I now know about the colonialist waste stream that flows into Ghana.' A mindful wardrobe starts with one step Her solution? A year-long process of reselling, gifting, and consciously downsizing her wardrobe. 'That process made me not want to buy anything,' she reflects. 'It really helped me break the mindset that you can just buy something and it'll make you happy.' Barber's philosophy is clear: consuming less doesn't have to mean living less. 'I can assure you, I'll be unpacking consumerism for the rest of my life, and that's okay because we can do that in community and it can be really fun and exciting,' she says. 'But everyone has to slow down. Whether it's a cold turkey thing or two weeks where you just say, 'I'm going to wear what's in my wardrobe.'' Reading, reflection– and reconnection This shift – from buying more to buying mindfully– requires time, education and space for reflection, all of which our current culture of speed conspires against. For Barber, part of the answer lies in literacy – not just reading labels, but books. 'We have to become more of a reading society,' she says. 'Because when we slow down, that's when we start to think deeper on these issues.' It's an idea echoed by Dr Stine Hedegaard, course leader for MA Fashion Marketing & Sustainability at London College of Fashion. Her students are in a unique position: future marketers being trained to sell in a world that urgently needs to consume less. 'We focus on a critical evaluation of this contradiction,' she says. 'We explore who is responsible for fashion's sustainable transition –government, brands or consumers – and that reflection impacts their own habits.' At the core of her curriculum is the link between fashion and biodiversity. 'Consumption practices impact the environment, nature, people and communities,' she explains. 'The goal is to educate students on fashion's dependencies on natural resources and how that contributes to biodiversity loss, and in turn discuss how marketing communication may to a greater extent inform consumers of this connection. We see a significant mindset shift when students understand how fashion impacts nature. It's still a niche topic – but it's growing.' That connection to nature is vital, and it may also be a quiet form of resistance. 'People who spend more time in nature absolutely consume less,' Barber insists. 'When your hands are in the earth, something changes in your brain chemistry. You're connected.' Rooted in the elements: A new way to dress It's this spirit that drives Amanda Charles, founder of Made of Water, a swimwear brand born from the icy tides of the Cornish coast. Her community of cold-water swimmers isn't driven by style trends – they're driven by the sea. 'Our community is everything,' she says. 'Made of Water grew from a group of women meeting at sunrise to swim in freezing seas. That experience of braving the elements created a sisterhood – and changed the way we see clothing.' Her suits are made from ECONYL®, which is regenerated nylon from ocean waste, and are tested in the Atlantic, not a lab. 'We don't chase trends,' Charles explains. 'We use social media to share stories, not sell. It's about showing real people who live slowly and dress with intention.' Closing the loop: Technology meets textile waste But there's another side to this conversation: innovation at scale. While many individuals are rethinking their wardrobes, the industry's infrastructure remains rooted in waste. Enter RE&UP, a textile-to-textile recycling startup with bold ambitions. 'The world can't regenerate fast enough for the way we're consuming,' says Keith O'Brien, who leads global brand marketing. 'Recycling textiles means we're not just shifting the problem – we're closing the loop.' RE&UP's technology breaks down blended fabrics like cotton-poly, which is a notoriously tricky task, and turns them into high-performance materials. Their latest partnership with Puma signals a turning point: a practical path to circular fashion that doesn't sacrifice quality or style. Yet O'Brien is clear: there's room for everyone. 'From biomaterials to regenerative design, every effort counts. But the dream is a world where nothing is non-recyclable.' From individual choices to systemic shifts Back at the grassroots, Barber remains focused on personal action. 'If every person just bought one secondhand item instead of new, that would be monumental,' she says. 'Then it grows. Suddenly your wardrobe is mostly secondhand, and now you can afford to support an ethical designer.' Her advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed? Start small. She laughs: 'Before you know it, you've got a compost bin and you never shut up about it.' In an era of climate anxiety, fast fashion, and endless scrolling, it's easy to feel detached from the natural world. But could that disconnection be driving our desire to consume more – especially when it comes to what we wear? We're conducting a short survey to explore how our relationship with nature affects our fashion habits, and whether social media plays a role in shaping our choices. It takes just a few minutes, your input is completely confidential and will help provide insight into modern attitudes on sustainability and consumption.
Scotsman
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Northern Irish theatre and dance productions to be spotlighted at Edinburgh Fringe
Artists and organisations hope to gain international recognition Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Three works created by Northern Ireland theatre, dance and arts organisations will be spotlighted as part of an event at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. The Spotlight On Theatre And Dance From Northern Ireland initiative on August 19 is delivered by Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI), in collaboration with Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by British Council Northern Ireland and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now in its seventh year, the event aims to shine a light on work created by artists and arts organisations from Northern Ireland. From left, Seon Simpson, Fergus Wachala-Kelly, Colm McCready, Karis Kelly and Simon Sweeney. Three works created by Northern Ireland theatre, dance and arts organisations will be spotlighted as part of an event at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer | PA The exposure of being part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe gives an opportunity for the artists to connect and network with international arts industry figures with a view to having their work tour internationally. The three productions from Northern Ireland being profiled in 2025 are Anthem For Dissatisfaction by Gina Donnelly with SkelpieLimmer Productions , Consumed by Karis Kelly , a Paines Plough, Belgrade Theatre, Sheffield Theatres and Women's Prize for Playwriting production in association with the Lyric Belfast and Shame Show by Colm McCready and Fergus Wachala-Kelly with SkelpieLimmer Productions. In addition, four Northern Ireland artists will travel to Edinburgh as part of the Fellowship Programme, designed to support artists, directors, and producers who are exploring future opportunities at the Fringe. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This year's fellows are Carley Magee , Ronan McManus , Gemma Mae Halligan and Lisa May. Niamh Flanagan , executive director of Theatre and Dance NI said: "Over the past seven years, Spotlight at the Edinburgh Fringe has demonstrated the strong national and international appetite for theatre and dance from Northern Ireland. "The festival has created invaluable opportunities-drawing attention from national and international programmers leading to touring, collaboration, and other opportunities both at home and abroad. "This recognition continues to elevate Northern Ireland's reputation on the global cultural stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "The Spotlight programme now extends beyond Edinburgh , providing support to artists and companies as part of both the Belfast International Arts Festival and Belfast Children's Festival." She added: "We are delighted to present three exceptional artists as part of this year's Spotlight at the Edinburgh Fringe programme. "Their work exemplifies the innovation, ambition, and artistic excellence that define Northern Ireland's creative sector. We're thrilled to support them in showcasing their talent at the world's largest arts festival and marketplace." Richard Wakely , artistic director and chief executive of the Belfast International Arts Festival said: "The Spotlight at the Edinburgh Fringe programme continues to celebrate Northern Ireland artists who are working across performance disciplines and wish to create deep and sustainable international partnerships and collaborations." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Broadening artists' reach Jonathan Stewart, director of the British Council Northern Ireland said: "Providing Northern Ireland artists and companies with opportunities to showcase their work on international stages not only broadens their reach but also strengthens our local creative community. "This exposure helps fuel a vibrant, thriving creative economy in Northern Ireland , benefiting artists, companies and audiences alike." Siobhan Molloy , festivals, venues and international arts development officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland , added: " The Arts Council is proud to help spotlight the incredible theatre and dance work being made in Northern Ireland at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and funding from The National Lottery has been a game changer in helping us achieve that.
Deccan Herald
31-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Read of the Week (June 1 to June 6)
How did plastic take over our lives? And why have we been unable to rein it in? In investigating how we got here, Consumed by Sabira Chaudhuri, equips us to make better decisions about where we go next
Geek Vibes Nation
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Consumed' Blu-Ray Review - Supernatural Creature Feature Impresses With Practical Effects
Trapped between a madman and a skin-stealing monster, a married couple must fight to make it out of the woods alive. For in-depth thoughts on Consumed, please see my colleague Cameron Ritter's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality Consumed makes its Blu-Ray debut with a sturdy 1080p video presentation that showcases the rural cinematography well. The remote shooting locations provide crystal clear and occasionally upsetting textural details. Some moments are intentionally hazy to capture the headspace of our protagonist as she has nightmares about her health and squares off against the creature. The presentation reveals a significant amount of depth while traversing the woods. The image has a somewhat cold quality about it, yet the rich colors of the forest nonetheless make a big impression. The film employs some complex hues in the expanses of nature which delivers a very stark image. Black levels exhibit discrete signs of banding in some of the darkest enclaves, but primarily they maintain their depth. The flesh tones are natural with a favorable amount of detail present in close-ups. This Blu-Ray is a grand representation of this movie that should more than please fans. Audio Quality Brainstorm Media gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that effortlessly executes all of the creepy sonic elements. Environmental sounds of the world creep through the room in a very immersive manner. When the characters move through the woods, some distinct ambient details flesh out the setting to nice effect. Thrilling moments only come in sporadic bursts, but key developments deliver some exquisite texture to the proceedings. The nimble and effective sound design blooms with careful utilization of the surround speakers. Dialogue always comes through crisp and clear without being overpowered by any competing sounds. The score is capably balanced while maintaining its fidelity. The audio track provides a terrific experience that brings this narrative to life without issue. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director Mitchell Altieri and writer David Calbert provide an informative commentary track in which they discuss the movie and production in depth. The pair discusses incorporating folklore into the narrative, the collaborative nature of the set, the performances, the shooting locations, and more. Interview with Creature Effects Supervisor Jim Ojala: A 17-minute interview is provided in which the creative discusses his involvement in the movie, crafting a memorable creature design, challenges faced along the way, and more. Behind The Scenes Footage: A nearly 38-minute selection of fly-on-the-wall footage captured during the production. Creating The Creature Effects: A nearly 32-minute piece that dives deeper into the creation of the special effects. Still Gallery (3:08) Original Trailer (1:45) Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Don R. Lewis is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the creatives, themes, and plot developments, which strengthens your appreciation overall. Final Thoughts Consumed has a very promising premise that finds our protagonists battling creatures and internal struggles in equal measure. It has become less common to see practical effects used to conjure up a thrill, but director Mitchell Altieri and his team take the care to create tangible nightmares that stick in your memory more than most fully CGI sludge. This portion of the production is the best element in the end, as the script feels rather rote and repetitive. The performers bring what they can to the material, but it does not handle the mythical lore at the center of the narrative with enough creativity. The movie is fine for a fleeting distraction, but it does not hold up as a great film. Brainstorm Media has released a Blu-Ray featuring an excellent A/V presentation and a wonderful assortment of special features. Consumed is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Brainstorm Media and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
