Photo by Craig Fuller

'Hansel & Gretel' at Tobacco Factory Theatres: Review

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away… (well, if you happen to turn left just past the Aldi on North Street), you’ll find the joyous cast and crew of Tobacco Factory Theatres and New International Encounter company, who have joined forces to re-tell the enduring Brothers Grimm tale Hansel & Gretel.

Director Alex Byrne’s version of Hansel & Gretel leads us down a well-trodden path deep into the forest, sticking closely to story we all know, but with a few delicious treats thrown into the mix to keep things feeling fresh: the woodcutter’s wife is replaced by a devilishly unhinged husband ‘Nigel’ (played by Joey Hickman) and the famine is considered in the context of our cost-of-living crisis (yes, Hansel, can you believe that even Southville Deli’s shelves would be empty?!).

Its cast manages to whisk you off to that faraway Czech forest from another time, but the masterclass in fourth-wall-breaking storytelling keeps your feet firmly in BS3 – it is a gloriously self-aware production that is hyper-conscious of the audience surrounding the woodland scene at all times. And it does a jolly good job at beckoning you further into its bizarre world with impish glee... just don’t lean too far into its warm embrace or the oven door might slam shut behind you. 

Read the full review, and find out how to get tickets, on our website

Have you read our December issue?

Your next edition of The Bristol Magazine has some familiar faces on the cover...

Well, it's official. The city's elves have worked their magic and Christmas festivities are upon us. Our December issue is positively bursting with things to do, see and taste for the final few weeks of 2024, whether you're venturing out alone or are spending time with others. We've got a cracking interview with Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park and new film Vengeance Most Fowl's director Merlin Crossingham. The significance of the franchise's first feature-length film in 16 years being made here in Bristol cannot be overstated. Fans around the world are rejoicing, and so are we. 

We've also got some glamorous looks to see you through the party season, decoration inspiration, festive film recommendation, a local gift guide, a special focus on Clifton Arcade, and SO much more...

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 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 £4.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Pork Belly with Crackin’ Crackling and Pear and Onion Sauce

Recipes by Melissa Blease

Soft, creamy pork under a blanket of crackling served with a rich, fruity sauce: this little piggy is destined to be a big hit on your festive menus this year. Leftovers? Lucky you! Serve room-temperature pork, crackling and sauce in brioche buns - and if you’ve got any sage and onion stuffing leftover from another roast, stuff that in the bun too!

Ingredients (serves 6-8)
3kg boneless, high-welfare pork belly (preferably organic), skin on
½ a nutmeg
100g rock salt
1 small bunch of fresh thyme spears
6 tbsp demerara sugar
2 pears, peeled and sliced
2 onions, peeled and sliced
200ml chicken stock

Method
1. Using a very sharp knife (a Stanley knife is perfect), score the skin of the pork belly with shallow cuts around 5mm apart and 3mm deep, without cutting right through to the flesh. Sprinkle with the sugar, salt, sprigs of thyme and grated nutmeg then massage the mixture into the skin. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 12 hours (or up to 24 hours).

2. When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 150c/gas mark 2, rinse the salt/sugar mixture off the pork under cold running water and pat dry with kitchen paper.

3. Put the pears and onions into a large roasting dish and cover with the chicken stock. Place the pork belly on top (skin side up), sprinkle with more salt, cover with foil and place in the oven for 3.5 hours.

4. When roasting time is up, remove the pork from the oven, carefully transfer it to a baking tray and allow it to rest for around 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to medium (you’ll see why at the next stage) and pour the contents of the roasting tin into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and leave to simmer gently.

5. When the pork has rested, slide it under the preheated grill around 15cm away from the heat until the crackling crisps up (this should take around 10-15 minutes.) Remove from under the grill, loosely cover with foil and allow to rest again for a further 15 minutes while you blitz the reduced pear, onion and stock mixture to create the Pear and Onion Sauce.

6. Carve the rested, crackling-topped pork belly into slices and serve with the pear and onion sauce, mashed or roast potatoes and seasonal greens.

Low & Non-Alcoholic Spirit Alternatives at The Great Wine Co.

What to enjoy a drink his holiday season without involving alcohol? The Great Wine Company has you covered with their range of low & non-alcoholic spirit alternatives.

Spice 94, Seedlip | £23.45
Forest Non Alcoholic, Everleaf Drinks | £22.95
Dandy Smoke, Crossip | £33
Caleño Light and Zesty, Caleño Drinks | £20.45

Click here to see these and much more at The Great Wine Co.

Bristol's The MAZI project launches Christmas raffle to support local youth

 The MAZI Project, Bristol’s food inequality charity, has kicked off the festive season with a heartwarming Christmas raffle to fund over 2,000 nourishing meals and 380 meal kits for disadvantaged young people across Bristol. 

The raffle offers a chance to win incredible prizes, with top prizes including:

• Private dining for four at Sonny Stores
• Two VIP tickets for Feast On 2025
• Two £50 Bianchi’s Group vouchers
• Three-month subscription to Bristol Beer Factory beer
• Power boat trip for up to nine people around the historic Floating Harbour

The MAZI Project hope to raise £6,000, with all proceeds going towards supporting care leavers, young asylum seekers, and youth overcoming homelessness to access nutritious meals and feel connected during this challenging time of year. Winners will be announced on January 3, 2025. 

For more details and to enter, visit The MAZI Project’s website.

Christmas gifting with Chopard at Mallory

Founded in 1860 by 24 year old Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the son of a farmer in Sonvilier, Switzerland, Chopard's innovative designs helped him gain a reputation by making watches for 19th-century nobility such as the court of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. The precision and reliability of his pieces were highly sought-after qualities, and remain the foundation of the business today. Louis-Ulysse Chopard has been owned by the Scheufele family of Germany since 1963 and the brand is one of the most respected houses of highly desirable luxury items across the globe.

Indulge this holiday season with some luxurious gifts from Chopard. Here are just a few of their unique pieces.

1: Chopard Ice Cube Red Quilted Calfskin Leather Mini Bag, £765

2: Chopard Happy Hearts Mother of Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings, £3320

3: Chopard Happy Hearts Purple Silk Twill Scarf, £337

4: Chopard Ice Cube 18ct Yellow Gold Bangle, £4380

5: Chopard Il Classico Brown Leather Wallet, £254 

6: Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Steel Watch,  £8420

Click here to discover gifts from Chopard and more on the Mallory website

Iridescent puffy gilet from Colmar

Women's puffy gilet made from iridescent ripstop fabric with a waterproof (10,000 mm waterproof rating) and breathable (5,000 g/m2/24hrs) membrane. The soft down padding features a water-repellent and makes maintenance easy. Thanks to the stretch lining and cosy hood, this garment offers maximum comfort and is ideal both on the ski slopes and for a trendy look in the city.

Colmar | £345
Click here to buy now or explore the full Colmar Gift Guide.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

We like magazines that are shape shifters. I’m sure collectors with an eye on uniform bookshelf display must hate them, but they surprise and showcase the attractions of print in the digital age. INDIE is a good example, a fashion annual from Berlin that’s relatively progressive for the genre by juggling formats, with each new release looking nothing like what went before it. For its AW24 issue INDIE dives deep into analogue culture with a love letter to one of pop culture’s most iconic design relics, the vinyl record. Crafted in the format of a 12-inch sleeve, each edition is a unique collector’s item, enclosing a random vintage picture sleeved 7-inch record. | £20

magalleria.co.uk

Light display spreads Christmas cheer at Bristol Children's Hospital

Local business Shield Services Group has provided a dazzling Christmas lights display outside the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, to spread some Christmas cheer and raise vital funds for charity.

The construction based multi-faceted contracting group, which operates nationally, constructed the impressive display on scaffolding erected opposite the hospital, bringing joy to young patients and their families.

The lights were switched on by Bristol icon and Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway and funds raised through a Justgiving page will go directly to The Grand Appeal, the official charity of Bristol Children's Hospital. 

The Grand Appeal funds life-saving equipment and vital research and provides family accommodation and support services to enhance the lives of patients at Bristol Children’s Hospital and their families.

The lights will remain on display throughout the festive season and donations to The Grand Appeal can be made here.

Click here to learn more about Shield Services Group.

Clifton, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents.

9 Clifton Vale is a fabulous Grade II-listed townhouse, forming part of an iconic terrace of Limestone fronted family homes, each with a west facing balcony, deep front gardens and far-reaching views. The house is the perfect family home; seamlessly blending retained period charm with a modern aesthetic and much loved, improved and cared for by the current owners. Its location is superb, nestled almost equidistant between Clifton village to the north and the hustle and bustle Bristol's famous floating harbour to the south; with the expanse of Ashton Court Estate just across the Avon. Throughout, the property presents period living at its best; coupled with enormous versatility which is enhanced further by the wonderful retained period features; from wooden floors and tall sash windows to retained ceiling cornice work and period fire-surrounds.

Stretching to some 3650 sq. ft, the house is well appointed to offer ample space for day-to-day family life, with the added benefit of a self-contained apartment which is perfect for long term guests or as an income generating asset, enjoying independent access from the front of the house. 

A sweeping curved balustrade staircase leads up to the first floor which is home to a stunning full-width sitting room with access onto a charming canopied balcony. The views from the balcony are wonderful and is a feature enjoyed year-round by the current owners; especially given the wonderful views, sunset and balloons rising from nearby Ashton Court estate. A perfect spot for a morning coffee or evening sundowner! To the rear is a versatile second reception room or fourth double bedroom – currently dressed as the owner's home office. As an extra bedroom it works perfectly however, and is finished with its own well-appointed en-suite shower room. The balustrade staircase leads to two upper floors, illuminated by an incredible oversize roof light, flooding the top two landings and stairwell with natural light. Across the second floor is an exceptional master bedroom suite covering the whole floor; with a fabulous full-width bedroom to the front enjoying spectacular views and a walk-in wardrobe linking the bedroom to a huge bath and shower room behind. This wonderful space has an oversize walk-in shower, period freestanding “claw & ball” foot bath, freestanding sink and storage as well as twin sash windows and a retained period fireplace

Over the top floor are two further double bedrooms which are served by a shared “Jack & Jill” en-suite shower room. Across the lower ground floor is a beautifully appointed one bedroom self-contained flat; accessed via a door from the front with steps down from the front garden as well as from the main house above. 

Offers in excess of £1,500,000

To see more images and review the details click here to visit the property on the Rupert Oliver website