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News by Sofia •

In Conversation with Samantha Spiro - the stage and screen actress with no role she can’t play

The award-winning British actress reflects on a career built on versatility – talking about getting recognised in the street, the pressures facing younger actors and her latest sitcom Bill’s Included with Rob Brydon.In 2010, on a rain-soaked stage at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Samantha Spiro is mid-entrance as Beatrice in Much Ado about Nothing when she lost her footing - “arse over tit” as she puts it, and lands right on her back. She gets up and carries on.This resilience seems to be...
City News •

London Calling! The London Angle Goes Tabloid - City News

In a city of nearly ten million, it’s easy to drown in numbers and miss the part that truly matters: the people living inside the story day after day. London might run on money, but it lives on people.
That’s what City News is doing today with a tabloid-themed newsday. Now, to be clear: we’re not shouting for the sake of it, and we’re certainly not dressing up scandal as journalism. We’re covering stories that put real lives front and centre, and tell you, quickly and clearly, why something shou...
City News •

Barnet ban on smartphones sets the example - City News

With its tougher policies on phone and social media use in schools, Barnet could be setting an example ahead of a possible national ban, currently being debated in Parliament.
Last week the House of Lords backed calls for smartphone bans in schools across England which would involve a Tory policy amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Barnet was the first local area in the country to ban smartphones from all its 126 schools.
Teachers have previously told City News that enforcing...
City News •

Park Cafe Takeover Faces Legal Challenge with Handover Date Imminent - City News

Over 20,000 people have signed a petition against the imminent hand-over of independent cafes across parks within North London to a new operator.
Hoxton Beach, the current operators of three of the cafes, have voiced serious concerns in response to the City of London Corporation’s decision to transfer the establishments to a corporate chain.
It has launched the Real Cafes Campaign and is crowd-funding legal action against their eviction and the change in ownership.
Under the plans, cafes in Gold...
Epigram •

In Conversation with ‘One Day’ author David Nicholls: ‘[Bristol] was a turning point’

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy EditorDavid Nicholls is an award-winning author and screenwriter, the writer behind acclaimed novels such as Starter for Ten (2003) and One Day (2009). Nicholls studied Theatre and English at the University of Bristol which provided an inspiration for his first novel Starter for Ten, and since then has established the Nicholls Art Bursary at the University of Bristol providing financial support to first-year undergraduate theatre students.Nicholls is one of my favouri...
Epigram •

In Conversation with Grace Campbell: An unapologetically comedic spin on life and... being on heat

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy EditorGrace Campbell is a comedian well-known for diving right into topics that many comedians shy away from - mental health, feminism, and sex-positivity all in an unapologetically comedic and unique way. Her current tour and biggest one to date, Grace Campbell is on Heat is coming to the Bristol Beacon on Sunday 17 November, so Epigram sat down with Grace in advance of the show to chat about everything from what her new tour is about to particularly challenging stag...
Epigram •

My Old Ass: The Heartfelt, Comedic Tale of Coming Face-to-Face With Your Future Self

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy EditorMy Old Ass follows the story of a newly 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella), who upon trying mushrooms for the first time finds herself talking with her 39-year-old self (played by the ever-comedic Aubrey Plaza) who offers warnings on what to do and what to avoid in hindsight. This forms the basis of a transformative summer for Elliott before leaving for university in Toronto.The thought of meeting your 39-year-old future self at the ripe age of eighteen sounds e...
Epigram •

In Conversation with Rhys Nicholson on stand-up show HUGE BIG PARTY CONGRATULATIONS

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy EditorRhys Nicholson is an award-winning comedian whose razor-sharp wit and unapologetically bold and flamboyant persona have earned them a well-respected spot in the comedy world. From a judge role on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under to being a popular contestant on Taskmaster Australia, alongside a massively respected comedian on the stand-up scene, Rhys has captivated audiences across a wide range of platforms. Ahead of Rhys’ arrival at Bristol’s Hen & Chicken Studio...
Epigram •

‘I have an awful lot to thank Epigram for!’: In Conversation with Epigram alumna Holly Smale on turning Geek Girl into a hit Netflix show

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy EditorGeek Girl, a well-loved and highly sought-after book across school libraries, details the life of 16-year-old Harriet Manners in her journey of being scouted and eventually becoming a model as a teenager.Holly Smale, the author of Geek Girl as well as subsequent books in the series, spoke with Epigram about the process of turning her book series into a TV show which was released earlier this summer, and how her experience as Deputy Editor of Epigram whilst at Br...
Epigram •

In Conversation with Max Fosh: An ideas man who always follows through

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy EditorMax Fosh is an ideas man who always follows through. From writing ‘Welcome to Luton’ for passengers as they landed at Gatwick Airport to cooking a meal in an active volcano, Fosh is like a medieval jester with a camera Epigram recently spoke with the comedian ahead of his 'Loophole' show in the Bristol Hippodrome to find out more about what goes on in his weird, wonderful mind.Fosh is most widely known for his Street Smart interview series, where a video of him...
Epigram •

Progress underway for world-leading Temple Quarter enterprise campus

By Sofia Webster and Megan Foulk, Deputy Editor and Co-Deputy Music EditorA new milestone has been reached today as the structure of the University of Bristol’s new enterprise campus is completed, signifying the project is a third through its completion. The new building, which is on time and scheduled to be completed in September 2026, will solidify the University of Bristol’s reputation as a global destination for world leading research and innovation.The new site, which was previously the loc...
Bristol24/7 •

Paddleboarding fundraiser to return to docks

Frank Water’s flagship fundraising event is returning to the docks for its fifth annual outing.The Stand Up for Safe Water paddleboarding challenge takes place on July 4 in the water in front of the Cottage Inn.
A new format this year will see teams compete in four-a-side SUP Ball, a water bucket challenge and the classic sprint relay race.The event held in partnership with SUP Bristol is open to anyone over-18, with no equipment or experience needed but fancy dress actively encouraged.
Through...
Bristol24/7 •

University named 17th most sustainable in the world

The University of Bristol has been named the 17th most sustainable university in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025.The accolade is based on social and environmental impact, with Bristol named the UK’s ninth best university overall.
Judith Squires, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor and provost, said: “It is fantastic to once again see Bristol named among the best universities in the world.“I would like to thank everyone at the university who made this result possible.”
Of t...
Bristol24/7 •

Bristol mum praised for knife crime awareness campaign at 10 Downing Street

A Bristol mum has been commended for her efforts in saving young lives from knife crime.Leanne Eckland, whose 16-year-old son Max Dixon was killed in Knowle West, has been recognised for her efforts in improving knife crime awareness at a recent Inspirational Women’s Reception.
The reception, which took place at Number 10 Downing Street, honoured Ekland and her close friend and campaigner Carly Kingdon, who were joined by Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bristol South, Liz Brennan.Max an...
Epigram •

In Conversation with wildlife filmmaker Alastair Fothergill of Wild Isles

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy Film and TV EditorWild Isles (2023) is a brand-new wildlife series by David Attenborough focused on capturing the array of breath-taking scenery that the British Isles and Ireland has to offer. Brought to life by Silverback Films, a production company co-founded by Alastair Fothergill, Wild Isles looks exclusively at the fantastic landscapes of the UK that are unique in both their geology and diverse range of species.Epigram spoke to Alastair Fothergill in advance of...
Epigram •

Fool Me Once: a thrilling source of escapism for busy students

By Sofia Webster, Film & TV Co-Deputy EditorFool Me Once is a brand-new limited series adapted from the popular Harlan Coben page turner. It stars Michelle Keegan, who proves her acting repertoire extends much further than Coronation Street. The eight-part series has twists and turns and left me consistently in the dark, making for the perfect series to escape from the busyness of life for a bit. I doubt the acting will be nominated for Emmys anytime soon, but it provided exactly what I expecte...
Epigram •

University of Bristol staff contribute to Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster

By Sofia Webster, Co-Deputy Film and TV EditorOn the first day of 2024, Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster premiered on BBC One, receiving positive reviews across many platforms. The Guardian gave it a 5-star review, calling it 'possibly the most deeply joyous show ever made'. This documentary highlights the joy of discovery and how someone like Attenborough, a beloved and knowledgeable naturalist, can still be introduced to an unknown species – even at 97 years old. The documentary focuses...
Epigram •

Does having a job as a student put you at a disadvantage?

By Sofia Webster, Film & TV Co-Deputy EditorAs a result of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, having a job while at university has become increasingly common. Given the stagnation of maintenance loans — which have failed to keep pace with rising rent prices — and soaring inflation, it comes as no surprise that more students are working at university than ever before.In their 2023 research report, the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) found that 5...
Epigram •

Looking back at ‘Barbenheimer’

By Sofia Webster, Film & TV Co-Deputy EditorBarbie and Oppenheimer, known collectively as ‘Barbenheimer’, were both released on 21st July. They have had a huge impact on the film business as well as the public – one that is unlike anything experienced over the last few years.They are two strikingly different blockbusters going head to head and instead of one’s popularity reducing the other’s total box office score, fans of each film have been encouraged to watch the other, thus bolstering box of...