Manfield – a small and oft-overlooked college – has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. Its enormous JCR was buzzing on Saturday night with what appeared to be almost the entire student body, gathered together to watch three hours of homegrown comic and musical talent.
The image of Anna Turskaya elegantly playing the harp among the arcade machines set the tone for the evening, which showcased remarkable talent in a low-key and informal atmosphere. All of the comedians got laughs, and even the least confident possessed some imaginative material.
The musical acts were all enjoyable and a few performers really stood out. Singer-songwriter Alice Codner charmed with her powerful but delicate voice and witty lyrics. Duo Ben Featherstone and Joe Chrisp gave an understated but compelling performance, combining rich vocals with bluesy guitar. At the end of the night, the organisers confirmed that this was the biggest ever Mansfield Open Mic Night; let’s hope it continues to grow, as the college knows how to put on a good show.
