Image Credit: Andre Pattenden

Wake The Tiger officially opens its portal to the OUTERverse today (2 February), a new immersive addition that doubles the size of its Amazement Park by adding 15 brand new unique art spaces and environments across 1,000sqm.

Visitors can expect a new mind-bending, multi-sensory walk-through fantasy that includes a segment from an actual plane, a cosmic ‘kitsch-en’ and various nostalgic childhood toys. Throughout the adventure, passengers can also pause for a moment of tranquility in a chamber inspired by the natural beauty of crystals and have their minds well and truly dazzled in a sea of black and white geometry.

“We’re so proud of what we have achieved over the past 18 months, and this expansion has been a fantastic journey for us all here at Wake The Tiger,” says Graham MacVoy, the venue’s co-founder and managing director. “Getting to work among such creativity and talent has been an absolute honour and we couldn’t be prouder of what’s been created here. Wake The Tiger truly embodies the phrase ‘You have to see it to believe it!’. Words can’t describe what to expect, so Bristol and beyond are just going to have to come and see it for themselves…”

The Bristol Magazine team caught up with Luke Mitchell, Wake The Tiger’s co-founder and creative director, in our February issue. You can read our interview here, where we discover how Wake The Tiger’s magic, madness and mayhem grow from ideas to reality.

Book your tickets to Wake The Tiger.

OUR FEBRUARY ISSUE IS OUT NOW

You'll love our fabulous February magazine which features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. 

Features include delving into the creative minds at Wake The Tiger who designed its newest walk-through fantasy, the OUTERverse; an exclusive interview with one of Britain’s most versatile and celebrated actors about his career in comedy, Robert Lindsay; and we chat with Chris Pirie from Green Ginger and Puppet Place who tells us about a very special studio on Bristol’s Harbourside.

As well as a slightly new feel and format, we give you a fantastic line-up of editorial features, wonderful articles, an exclusive interview with Robert Lindsay as well as our pick of the best things to see and do across the city. We really hope you’ll enjoy the read!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Two twists on Yorkshire Puddings

National Yorkshire Pudding day falls on Sunday 4 February this year – who knew? Now you do, make the most of it with two easy twists on the Yorkshire Pudding theme.

Yorkshire Puddings with Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Cream (serves 6 as a starter)

Whisk 4 eggs, 100g plain flour, 75ml semi-skimmed milk, 2 tbsp fresh dill (chopped),1 peeled, crushed clove of garlic and a pinch of salt together in a large jug to create a smooth batter. Cover and allow to rest for 30 minutes (or chill in the fridge overnight). When you're ready to cook, preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Divide around 3 tbsp vegetable oil between a 6-hole muffin tin and place into the oven to heat up. When the oil in the muffin tin is smoking hot, carefully remove the tin from the oven and divide the batter between the 6 holes. Return to the oven and bake for around 15 minutes, or until the Yorkshire Puddings are golden and puffy. To make the horseradish cream, mix 125ml crème fraîche with 1 tbsp horseradish sauce. Serve the hot Yorkshire Puddings topped with slivers of smoked salmon, generous dollops of horseradish cream and wedges of fresh lemon.

Blackberry and Apple Yorkshire Puddings (serves 6)
Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6, lightly drizzle a 6-hole muffin tin with vegetable oil and slide into the oven to heat up. Meanwhile, peel and core 4 large apples of your choice and chop into chunks. Heat around 30g butter and 100g golden caster sugar in a large frying pan over a medium heat and sauté the chopped apples for around 5 minutes or until lightly caramelised and just starting to soften. Whisk the white of 1 egg with 40g caster sugar until frothy. Add the remaining egg yolk plus 2 whole eggs, 200ml full-fat milk and 140g plain flour and whisk again to combine. Stir the caramelised apples into the batter along with 150g blackberries. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and carefully divide the fruity batter between the 6 holes. Slide the tin back into the oven and bake for around 15 minutes, or until the puddings are golden and puffy. Serve hot with thick cream, vanilla ice cream or custard.

Wines of the Lebanese mountains

Recommendations by Tom Bleathman from the Great Wine Company. Beautiful yet troubled Lebanon enjoys warm summers, cool winters and dramatic landscapes.

One of its outstanding wines is IXSIR, established in 2008, which uses fruit from Lebanon's finest sites, including the dramatic Ainata vineyard, which at an awe-inspiring 1,800m elevation is higher than any vineyard in Europe. Vines grown this high make wines with spectacular, soaring fruit, and exhilarating balance and complexity. 

This IXSIR benefits from the consultancy of Hubert de Boüard, the winemaker of the famous Saint Emillion and proprietor of Château Angélus and exhibits the same fabulous sophistication in winemaking. | £35

Visit greatwine.co.uk for more.

The Granary Club's exclusive cocktail

Don't miss out on this Limited Edition cocktail from The Granary Club as they celebrate the light festival.

The Golden Delicious cocktail will be exclusively available between the dates of 2–11 February only. 

The Granary will also be offering a free glass of fizz with all bookings between these dates. 

Click here to book.

Valentine's Dinner at Harvey Nichols

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with a heartfelt evening of head-turning dishes at Harvey Nichols Bristol.

Dine on a new, expertly curated five-course menu for £55 per person on Wednesday 14 February, from 6pm, at the Second Floor Restaurant.

Enjoy a glass of Champagne for £10 per person. Optional drinks pairing is also available. Plus, every couple will receive a complimentary gift bag.

Book your table here.

The White Company Recycled Super Soft Quilted Jacket (18mths—6yrs) | £42

Lighter than a coat but with more warmth than a simple tee or jumper, this quilted jacket is the ideal layer for little ones throughout spring.

With a classic collar, it smartens up joggers or little jeans, and the stylish curved stitching adds a contemporary feel while keeping the traditional quilted look. It’s made with recycled fibres and comes with The White Company's Earth-friendly tab.

Click here to purchase. 

Finisterre Tego Long Sleeve Robe | £135

Recycled long sleeve weatherproof changing robe in navy and flame red, for ultimate protection when getting in or out of a cold sea. 

Built to keep you warm and dry when changing in challenging conditions, Finisterre has given the Tego an upgrade by adding longer sleeves and two new sizes. 

With its double-layered, water-repellent outer and cosy fleece inner that quickly wicks moisture and warms the body, it's the go-to robe for those committed to cold water.

Click here to purchase. 

The Happy Hearts of Chopard Scarf

A fluttering of colourful Happy Hearts, simply outlined in gold or brightened by a mobile diamond, take to the air on this light blue square in pure silk twill.

Full of romance and lightness to be worn as you wish: around the neck, in the hair or even as a belt. 90 x 90cm £295. 

The Happy Hearts bangles from Chopard feature two hearts, each beautifully counterbalanced in harmonious closeness.

One big heart is filled with a colourful, precious gemstone or even a diamond cluster; the other contains a freely floating diamond, sealed in a crystal glass case. The bangle is made from 18ct gold, also available in 18ct white, or 18ct rose gold. It’s an iconic and beautiful collection from Maison Chopard.

To find the perfect gift for a loved one, click here to see all the treasures in the Happy Heart collection at Mallory.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

The team at Magalleria frequently get asked for collage magazines but there’s not much to buy and their make-do recommendation is Plastikcomb which rather undersells what this defiantly analog and delightfully riotous German-American art publication has to offer. 

Unveiling only its seventh issue this week, Plastikcomb harks back to the pre-digital 1990s when print designers experimented or toyed with the typographic formats and layouts that governed conventional construction of the magazine page at the time (most notably in Ray Gun magazine).

Think mashed-up, torn, distressed, agit-inspired imagery, ink sprayed everywhere and Letraset typography over the top of it all – the ‘grunge' effect in other words, which has caught on in a big way with younger artists and designers. Can’t think why. | £22

magalleria.co.uk

Rainmaker Gallery shows 'Winter Trees' by Rick Grimster until 29 February

Since January Rainmaker Gallery has been showing artist Rick Grimster's work for his second solo exhibition ‘Winter Trees’, presenting a series of acrylic paintings throughout this month.

The paintings were created over a period of 11 years in the artist's Cotswold home. Grimster’s life story is as captivating as his paintings, which elevate the English landscape with an unbridled joy of colour and a love of nature aligned with his Native American heritage.

‘Winter Trees’ reveals the artist’s powerful affinity with trees, the land and the natural world. It is a celebration of the unexpected magic that is happening in the winter of this artist’s life.

140 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RS
rainmakerart.co.uk

Bristol Ensemble presents The Beatles by candlelight

Celebrate Valentine's Day with the ultimate Beatles special, featuring their best love songs in an hour-long concert that will give you a Valentine's night to remember. 

Performed by the Bristol Ensemble, the professional orchestra for Bristol and the South West. Tickets £10 to £30 (plus St George’s booking fees) 

Wednesday 14 February | 7pm and 9pm
Book tickets from 0117 929 4929 or online at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Asian Arts Agency presents Shashank Subramanyam and Rakesh Chaurasia

Asian Arts Agency is pleased to present an evening of Indian classical music with South Asian flute maestros, Shashank Subramanyam and Rakesh Chaurasia, at St George’s Bristol 17th February.

Rakesh Chaurasia, a virtuoso flautist known for his emotive melodies, and Shashank Subramanyam, acclaimed for his enchanting flute playing, will join forces to create an unforgettable musical experience.

Their profound mastery of the flute, combined with their deep understanding of Indian classical music, promises to transport the audience on a journey of musical bliss.

They will be accompanied by UK-based artists Shahbaz Hussain on tabla, showcasing his eclectic and versatile style and Carnatic percussion musician R.N. Parkash, who is trained in a myriad of instruments and styles.

Tickets £10 | 7.30pm
Click here to book your tickets. 
Visit asianartsagency.co.uk for more information. 

Bristol Old Vic to host Industry Day as part of BBC's Bring the Drama Festival

Bristol Old Vic has announced it will host an Industry Day on 18 March as part of the BBC ‘Bring the Drama’ Festival - showcasing careers behind the scenes in theatre, film and TV.

The BBC is joining forces with some of the UK’s leading cultural organisations to create the first festival of its kind - a six-week programme of events taking place across the UK that is opening the doors to the next generation of behind-the-scenes talent in TV, film and theatre.

The event includes a free informative and fun morning for 15-19-year-olds who want to find out more about what it takes to run a theatre. 

9.45am–1pm | Bristol Old Vic 
Click here to book your spot.

Photo credit: Jon Aitken

UWE Bristol to lead 'Immersive Arts' project

A new project, led by the University of the West of England, will support over 200 UK-based artists and organisations to explore the creative potential of virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies.

Funded through a £6 million grant from the XRtists scheme, the three-year cross-UK ‘Immersive Arts’ project will build on the UK’s record of supporting artists to unlock the creative potential of new technology.

The main hub will be at Pervasive Media Studio in Bristol with Watershed as executive producer.

The Immersive Arts programme will give artists based in the UK the opportunity to access training, mentoring, specialist facilities and vital funds, with £3.6 million in grant funding available to help them get their ideas off the ground.

uwe.ac.uk.

Ian McKellen stars in psychological thriller adaptation of 'Hamlet'

Kaleidoscope Entertainment have confirmed that a new adaptation of Hamlet, starring two-time Academy Award nominee and Shakespearian titan Ian McKellen, will be heading to UK Cinemas for one night only on 27 February.

The screening will include an exclusive recorded Q&A with Ian McKellen and Director, Sean Mathias.

Ian McKellen reprises his lead role as Hamlet, a man who descends into madness as he seeks vengeance against his uncle for the apparent murder of his father. Further cast includes stars of stage and screen, Jenny Seagrove, Steven Berkoff, and BAFTA-winner Francesca Annis.

27 February | Click image to watch the full trailer
Everyman, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2NH
Click here to book your tickets.

Queens Parade, Bristol, BS1

Offered for sale by Knight Frank estate agents in Bristol.

Queens Parade is a lovely home which offers flexible living accommodation. This light filled Grade II listed family home boasts features at every level. On the ground floor, an attractive sitting room to the front enjoys exposed solid wood flooring, an aspect found throughout much of the house, and a feature fireplace. The dining room faces southeast to the rear, with French doors opening to the private balcony which enjoys the afternoon sun.

On the first floor, there is a generous principal bedroom with a stunning view and an en suite shower room, along with a guest bedroom which overlooks the front with a view to Brandon Hill. The second and third floor have four further bedrooms with three ensuites and guest shower facilities, each offering a fabulous outlook to the front and rear.

On the lower ground floor, an attractive bespoke kitchen breakfast room to the front with a range of integral appliances and ample storage flows to a stunning family room to the rear, complete with flagstone flooring and a further log burner. This room flows to a raised sun terrace and onto the landscape gardens. It’s important to note that there is an additional level of cellarage accessed internally and by the garden.

At the front of the property, Brandon Hill offers a wonderful area to explore within a parkland setting. There is also an extensive children’s play area. To the rear of the property, there is a raised sun terrace, a private balcony and a generous purposely designed landscaped garden which boasts patio, attractive box hedging and flowering shrubbery. | Guide Price  £1,000,000

For more images and details click here to view this property on the Knight Frank website.