The Independent Cambridge Student Newspaper

4th March 2011 Issue No. 738 ESTD 1947 Three of a kind?

OPINION Does CUSU matter? Varsity asks students what they think

p7

GERARD TULLY ADAM BOOTH

SAM WAKEFORD CULTURE Hidden gems from Masters’ lodges around More similar policies, familar rhetoric and little student interest? The three Cambridge candidates in the running for president gear up for the annual CUSU anticlimax p10 VARSITY NEWS Union Society in Lent and Easter of “applying pressure” on the NUS and electorate. 2010 as well as CUSU Secretary and “campaigning against the government’s In contrast, Tully’s manifesto claims: Nominations for the CUSU presiden- Undergraduate Development Officer disastrous fees policies”. “I will fight for students, not an ide- tial and sabbatical elections, the voting in 2009/10. With the exception of a planned ology.” He wants to concentrate on for which will begin on Monday 7th Sam Wakeford is running for his campaign “for hobs to be returned to being a “President dedicated to stu- March, have been announced. second sabbatical position; the Archae- student kitchens”, Wakeford’s emphasis dents above all else” which would Four of the six sabbatical positions ology and Anthropology student was seems to be upon what he has achieved, involve “streamlin[ing]” CUSU to are highly contested; most notably that this year’s CUSU Education Officer. rather than what he aims to achieve. provide better engagement with ordi- of the presidency, for which three can- He is campaigning on a joint ticket with Adam Booth is campaigning “for a nary students. Additional aims include didates are standing: Adam Booth from Morgan Wild, from Sidney Sussex, who fi ghting student union” which focuses increasing student safety by campaign- Robinson College, and Gerard Tully is running for the uncontested position on lowering living costs in Cambridge, ing for a greater police presence in and Sam Wakefi eld, both from Trinity of Education Officer. Their election pushing for greater investment in Uni- problem areas and, on a more light Hall. slogan is “re-elect experience and versity buildings and infrastructure hearted note, diversifying CUSU Booth is a PhD student at the ideas”. and, most importantly it seems, sus- ents and providing greater student Engineering Department and, in his The candidates’ manifestos reveal taining a student union that is able to discounts. manifesto, claims to “know about student overarching similarities in their policy “fi ght against fees”. Booth’s participa- Commenting on this year’s selec- life from all angles as an undergraduate, positions – all three unsurprisingly tion in Cambridge Defend Education tion of candidates, outgoing President SPORT a post-graduate, and a supervisor”. He promise to fight against cuts and is evident in his commitment to cam- Rahul Mansigani told Varsity: “I’m has been an active campaigner for sev- aspire to better access – though their paigning (for which he has a separate really glad to see the level of interest The Light Blues eral groups in Cambridge over the past approaches are considerably di erent. section in his manifesto), and linking in CUSU in this election: there are a six years, most recently in Cambridge Sam Wakeford, regarded by most with other groups around Cambridge range of very good candidates for all meet the Dark Defend Education. to be the establishment candidate, to address public sector cuts. positions. Next year is going to be very Blues on the Gerard Tully reads Archaeology as reiterates his claims to “experience” His a liation with the left – a fact challenging for CUSU, and the candi- an undergraduate, and advertises his throughout his manifesto. Having that he does not play down in his mani- dates all o er di erent visions of how basketball court “Right Experience, Bright Ideas”. He been involved in CUSU campaigns for festo – is likely to be a deciding factor in they will tackle this.” was vice president of the Cambridge nearly four years, he talks a great deal his appeal or otherwise with the student (continued on page 3) p15 Temperate Teetotaler or Wicked Wino? 09 > Take part in Varsity’s Alcohol Survey 9 771758 444002 www.varsity.co.uk/alcohol-survey Comments to make? [email protected] 4th March 2011 2

Old Examination Hall, Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RF Telephone 01223 337575 Fax 01223 760949 ESTD 1947 Issue No. 738 www.varsity.co.uk EDITORIAL DIGITAL DIGEST

VULTURE OH MY GOSH IT’S A 2011 OS- he world has watched CARS LIVEBLOG bemused and amazed Tas riots have rippled through the Middle East over the Our intrepid blogger does an all- past few months. These events have nighter all in the name of journalism proved, if ever we needed proof, - typing away in his boxers (so Carrie the overwhelming e ect of protest. Bradshaw), to bring you an The toppling of Mubarak, and the award-by-award breakdown of the increasingly tenuous position of Oscar ceremony that ‘mad dog of the Middle East’ Gaddafi , go a long way to show- EMAILS, LETTERS & TWEETS VERIFIED ing just why protest cannot and Strange but True should not be viewed as some sort GRADS’ DIGS either — perhaps she forgets that “you and of fashionable pastime. When used I could grab a camera right now and fi lm appropriately, it has the power to Dear Editors, whatever we want” was an analogy bounded This week in Strange but True: ice electrify a nation, or indeed nations. I thought this week’s article on rent prices on both ends by highly articulate commentary cream made of breast milk, Facebook Inevitably, the move from dicta- was excellent. You may be interested to note of the regulation of the porn industry. for babies, and high-fl ying foxes torship to democracy brings with that Durham University (also collegiate of The comment that “the real porn star it a toll of casualties and, from a course) has 100 per cent consistency between argued her case about the industry e ectively” gilded, Western perspective, it is price bands in colleges. However, my quip merely makes me curious. As I recall, there easy to look at the growing list and is that Anna only bothered to investigate 24 was a second “real” porn star speaking in dismiss it as an inevitable conse- ‘undergraduate’ Colleges. She should have proposition; one who talked on his experi- quence of a non-Western approach made an e ort to investigate ‘grad’ colleges as, ence on working within the industry with the to protesting. Of course, there is an despite the name, several have undergraduates eloquence expected of the most seasoned politi- VETEMENTS Fashion Week, Tweet Tweet understanding of the role it plays in who just happen to be 21 or over. cians, laying down clear cut arguments in upholding democracy which, after Let me ask you this: Why have the oppor- direct response to the motion. Was his stance It’s Fashion Week in London - and both all, comes etymologically from the tunities on o er to a 21-year-old fi rst-year simply too pro-porn for his inclusion in this those backstage and those who missed Greek for ‘the people’s rule’. mature undergraduate not been scrutinised, one-sided a air? out on a seat are wearing out their However it has now become so when the opportunities of a 22-year-old I do not ask that people walk away from smart phones #LFW ingrained in our political fabric, fourth-year natural sciences student have? a debate with a new world view and sense of that often it loses its impact; a Let’s be frank. None of the undergrads enlightenment, merely that they do not discard luxury as opposed to a necessity. know where St Edmund’s College is, and arguments which run contrary to their views. The vast majority of our apathetic almost none have heard of it, due in part Alas, perhaps my e ort in writing this is population are simply not con- to a lack of media exposure. These articles wasted. After all, how can I be expected to cerned to take part, fearing that as a exemplify and perpetuate the problem. Go on, be taken seriously by Ms Mayne when I fall VERIFIED tool, protest has become blunt. This ask around the o ce, ask fi rst-years. You’ll be into the category of “men” against which she Decoding Yemen attitude only bolsters the police’s amazed. seems to level such disdain? approach to protests. If they think I would be more than glad to provide you Angus Morrison While all the focus on Libya and the majority of us don’t care about with information on room pricing and please via email Gaddafi ’s latest quote/ensemble rages, it, then their response will also feel free to run a story about St Edmund’s our revolution correspondent looks to be an uncaring one. This was the entitled ‘new college found in Cambridge’ any VIOLENT PROBLEM the simmering state of a airs in Yemen case at last week’s peaceful protest. time soon... The contempt shown by the police As new college president I am doing my Dear Editors, towards students only serves to best to promote the college’s name around the I have done extensive research on porn and highlight their willingness to abuse university as I fully understand the main violence. The only research that I have found their power. responsibility for the College’s name recogni- that “proves” a connection between porn and With elections every fi ve years tion lies with its members. domestic violence is “feminist” research which how can we make ourselves Guy Forbat has both sampling error and methodological heard to the government unless CR President, St Edmund’s errors. YOU, THE COMMENTATOR it is through standing up, joining College As Belle de Jour pointed out, the only A pick of the week’s comments from the website together and taking to the streets? via website good research which shows any connection As the recent U-turn over the between domestic violence and violence is that forestry sell-o has proved, protest THE REAL PORN STAR porn makes people already prone to violence, “Everytime I look at the Varsitorialist, I’m can still make our politicians sit up violent. The problem is the violence, not the like ‘Who are these fucking hipsters, don’t and take notice. It is an instrument Dear Editors, porn. which must be used responsibly It is disappointing that last week’s review Rick Umbaugh they have essays to fi nish??’” though. Protests should form a of the Union’s pornography debate was given via website Zing Tsjeng strong and yet mature voice, force- not from the objective stance of a critic, but ful and yet reasonable. What do from the unwavering perspective of one who acts of exhibitionism really achieve had long made up their mind what the ‘cor- CAUSE AND EFFECT “Take ANY porn scene and show it to a group except to provoke condemnation rect’ outcome of the debate should have been. where it is not needed? If Cameron Indeed, it is as far from a balanced analysis Dear Editors, of women. One third will fi nd it o ensive, wants to promote a ‘Big Society’ – a as can be for the reviewer to imply that she In general, some kinds of porn may ramp up one third will fi nd it ridiculous and one third society which takes action – then he was fully versed in the “real issues of porn” socially unacceptable impulses in people who must be ready to face up to a people while those voting in proposition were merely *already* experience such thoughts. It does not will fi nd it hot.” Jessie Fisher who expect him to listen. Equally, if furiously masturbating drones. in itself cause them. we expect to be heard, we too must Laura Mayne’s highly selective quotation Belle du Jour adopt a responsible approach. of Jessi Fischer’s speech does her few favours via website

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(continued from front page) when Corpus Christi JCR decide to dis- a liate The act provoked momentary Sex attacker E-fi t released PRESS Yet despite the diversity and potential uncertainty in other JCR committees, CAMBRIDGESHIRE POLICE interest surrounding the contest, turnout though eventually no other Combina- in CUSU election has in recent years tion Room decided to leave CUSU. CUTTINGS been notoriously low with only 13.1 per The most contested positions in this The pick of the week’s papers cent casting their vote in the Colleges in year’s elections, the voting for which 2010. 2009 had a record turnout of just begins online on Monday, are Stu- 21 per cent, in comparison to a moder- dent Support and Access and Funding PAKISTANI MINISTER KILLED ate 17.1 per cent participation rate in O cer, with four candidates each com- the 2008 elections. Nevertheless, there peting for the sabbatical positions. In The Pakistani minorities minis- does not appear to be a correlation contrast, both Women’s and Education ter Shahbaz Bhatti was shot dead between the supposed level of interest O cer only have one candidate each: by an assassin who ambushed his and voter turnout. Ruth Graham, from Christ’s College, car in broad daylight in Islam- Many students feel that their college and Morgan Wild, from Sidney Sussex, abad. Mr. Bhatti was the cabinet’s JCRs and MCRs have a greater infl u- respectively. An uncontested nomination only Christian minister and had ence on their everyday life and that, is not, however, a guarantee of success. been receiving death threats for his whilst CUSU provides training and sup- In the by-election for CUSU Coordina- strong support of reform to blas- port for the College Unions, its remains tor in October 2010, Luke Hawksbee, phemy laws. distant from the student body. CUSU the only candidate running, lost out to faced serious criticism last November RON on a 13 per cent turnout. GALLIANO DITCHED BY DIOR EMILY CARLTON Granchester Meadows and are said to national correspondent bare “striking similarities. John Galliano is to stand trial Viewpoint: Rahul Mansigani, outgoing President In each of these incidents women had for allegedly making anti-semitic Police have released an e-fi t of a man been “grabbed” as they walked alone comments in Paris last week. The Why is CUSU important for students? they are seeking in connection with a at night and ‘touched sexually’. Each fashion designer could face up to series of sexual assaults around town. ended as the attacker ran o “when vic- six months in prison if convicted CUSU provides, this year more than ever, a strong, e ective central voice for They have previously warned women tims begin struggling or screaming”. and has already been fi red from the students across all colleges. in Cambridge to be vigilant when out at The latest attack occurred at 12.30am fashion house Dior because of the night, suggesting that six sexual assaults on February 7 when a 27-year-old incident. What was the highlight of your year CUSU President? in the last four months may be linked to woman was grabbed near Shelly Row. one man.They have released an impres- Detective Sergeant Phil Priestley I’ve loved the way that issues have been taken up by the student sion of the man, thought to be white, has been positive about the response GADDAFI REFUSES TO GIVE IN body this year. I was most proud when we had fi ve hundred around 6 foot, with short dark hair and to the police investigation: “We have students at our Rally against Education Cuts in stubble aged between 20 and 30. received a good response so far from The Libyan town, Brega, has been November. Deputy Seargent Phil Priestley of the public and hopefully this image will hit with air strikes, days after the Cambridgeshire police has said, “I encourage others to come forward with town changed hands for the third What do you think your legacy as President will be? would urge anyone who recognizes the information”. time in clashes between rebels and image to contact police. No piece of Police are continuing to increase government troops. Gaddafi has CUSU has come really far this year: to be a campaigning information is too trivial and may help patrols in the areas were the crimes were lost control of the eastern part of union in an environment like Cambridge, CUSU us bring this o ender to justice.” committed, and have spoken to o cials Libya, but has vowed to fi ght back, has to be engaged with, and accountable to, its The attacks, some of which were on at Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Uni- claiming that many Libyans will die students. students, took place in Silver Street, versities urging them to warn female if western forces intervened. Adams Road, Sidgwick Avenue and students to be particularly cautious.

sara rebecca vishal Jason tamsin jonathan richardson white parmar arthur robinson sobczyk Oxbridge academics science history maths english geography citizenship sign letter of protest 600 Oxford and Cambridge academics have signed a warning letter to the Government over education cuts

TRISTAN DUNN the government’s plans in detail. “until such time as the possible political correspondent This lack of transparency has outcomes and consequences of led the academics to lament, “We these proposed changes have Over six-hundred academics of are being asked to “fl y blind” over been coherently and rigorously the Universities of Cambridge matters of the utmost impor- examined.” and Oxford have written an open tance in respect of our ability to The further suggest that a letter to the business secretary, continue to deliver world-class “public commission of inquiry” Vince Cable, and the universities education and research.” be set up“with the responsibility minister, David Willetts, calling Plans to raise tuition fees to a of examining these issues.” on them to halt their proposed minimum of £6,000 and a max- A spokesperson for the Uni- changes to the higher education imum of £9,000 were passed in versity of Cambridge had no system. Parliament in December. This comment to make regarding the The open letter was sent to new fee system comes into e ect open letter. Mr Cable and Mr Willetts on from 2012 and so universities are The letter came a day before Wednesday 2nd March and was being rushed into planning new Mr Willetts’ visit to the Univer- also published by the Independent bursary and fee structures. sity of Cambridge to give a talk newspaper. The rise in tuition fees comes entitled ‘The Coalition’s Vision In their letter, the academics alongside an 80% cut to the for Science and Technology’. say universities are being asked higher education budget moving The talk itself was fraught with Registered charity no:1098294 to create plans based on higher the UK university system tension and the security presence tuition fees without knowing the towards a more free-market surrounding Willets was notably Teach First Application Deadline full details of the changes. based arrangement. high. They say, “We note with The academics say that this Attendees had their ID dismay and alarm that univer- system whereby “the money checked twice and bags were Thursday 18 April sities are being forced to take follows the student” will end not permitted within the lecture major decisions, with unknown up “depriving some courses of theatre. Do you want to meet a recruiter on campus before consequences, at a breakneck income streams” such that some As Willetts’ talk continued, the the end of term? speed” courses and institutions will fail. shouts and drumming of pro- A government White Paper, Which courses and institutions testors were audible within the This is your final opportunity. which explains how to new fail will “be left to the market to theatre. system will work, was expected to decide.” Four security guards remained be ready this month but has now They add, the current pro- present within the theatre for Vacancies remain in Maths, Science and IT for June 2011 start. been delayed until later this year. posal “appears to rest on no the duration of the address and Contact Tanya at [email protected] or call 0203 117 2326 Despite this delay, universities more than an article of faith – a there were security guards at all have not been given an extension belief in the absolute wisdom of entrances of the building. to formulate plans for fees and the market.” Despite reported attempts bursaries. They are being asked to Their suggestion is for the gov- of break-ins, the talk finished www.teachfirst.org.uk form the plans without knowing ernment to halt its current plans undisrupted.

TF2093 Weevil 170x130 ad.indd 1 01/03/2011 16:59 News Editors: Rhys Treharne & Lydia Onyett [email protected] 4th March 2011 4 “Gaddafi could hold on” LETTICE FRANKLIN’S Jessie Waldman talks to Dr George Joffe about whether there is method or just madness in the recent behaviour of Colonel Gaddafi

GOT SOME NEWS? EMAIL [email protected]

I am buzzing. I am all a week. The banter began early for tingle. I am shaking all over Churchill’s hustings when some like leaves on a tree on a grey, gusty joker wrote cheekily on the Facebook Cambridge day. I have just watched event: ‘We’ll probably NOT be a YouTube clip of Jamie’s Dream allowed to make the CUSU poten- School, Jamie Oliver’s new show, in tials fellate any cows, but insightful which he brings together queries are defi nitely allowed (as inspirational individuals to see if long as they aren’t too bovine)’. they can persuade 20 children, who The totally bewildering comment, have never loved education, to perhaps referring to some laddish change their mind. In this particular escapade in the past, was shot down clip, Jamie takes on frozen chicken by grammatical bullets: “...?” in a nuggets in a battle in the arena of powerful reply from CUSU presi- the classroom, and OH MY GOD, dent, Rahul Mansigani. Mansigani does he win. At one point he has perhaps been taught Practical addresses one of the rowdiest Criticism by the same supervisor students as “Tiger”, presumably as me, and so been shown Debra It has been an exciting few weeks for begin to surround Tripoli.” going to take place does take place”. because he has forgotten her name, San’s beautiful and moving passage George Jo e. As a research fellow Cam- Surely the regime is on its last legs? Jo e seems fairly certain that the revo- and he gets away with it! Can you about the power of ellipsis: “an bridge specialising in the Middle East I question how much longer Gaddafi lution will succeed, though he admits “it think of anything na er? Can you ellipsis (from the Greek elleipein, and North Africa, he has a been one of can cling to power. To my surprise, Jo e could be a matter of weeks, it could be a even imagine if one of your teachers to fall short, leave undone) merely the most prominent British academics to seems to think Gaddafi could “probably matter of days”. /lecturers/supervisors ever said signals the existence of unarticulated o er his view on the revolution which is Nonetheless, reports from journalists “Easy, Tiger”. This would be a crime thoughts; it does not reveal their taking place in Libya, and threatening from the BBC and The Guardian have against integrity and pride, and, content. It intimates ulterior layers to usurp Colonel Muammar Gaddafi ’s He’s grandiloquent, done nothing to quell my image of an quite possibly, against the law of consciousness, but o ers only a repressive regime which has remained enraged dictator tottering on the brink actually (if said with a purr). He row of silent dots. One can speculate largely unchallenged since 1969. he’s a meglomaniac of insanity. On arriving in Libya, a group makes deee-licious looking about what lies behind the silence, I begin by asking him about his per- of British journalists were taken on a tour homemade breaded chicken, and, but its secret cache may be too fear- ception of the situation in Libya at the ...but he’s not mad by the government forces, designed to more importantly, transports his some or too poignant for even the moment. Many people in the West were illustrate just how in control Gaddafi still students (and me) into ecstasy. speculative mind to gain a purchase shocked by the speed with which Gad- was. Unfortunately for the regime, the on.” dafi ’s regime was thrown into turmoil, hold on indefi nitely”. He does, after all ba ed journalists were taken to Zuwara, I should say that I am a how did it happen so fast? Jo e explains control the central bank. “But the real a town in rebel control. Is this not a sign longstanding worshipper to that this is largely due to the fact that question isn’t that,” Joffe argues, “the of confused leadership? Jo e agrees with the god that is Jamie Oliver. I quite Many students were left Libya is primarily desert: “There are only real question is the degree to which the me, suggesting that this was surely a honestly think that he deserves a literally unable to “gain a two areas in which intensive residence is regime loses credibility”. “miscalculation” on behalf of the Gad- knighthood. My daily meal is purchase”, a purchase of a King’s possible…to capture one or both is essen- Loss of faith in Gaddafi , Jo e postu- dafi ’s forces, who had no accurate notion dependent on Jamie’s latest tweet. A air ticket on Saturday night, after tially to win a war”. lates, is likely to be the dying blow to the of the situation on the ground. He held my hand while, in hazily tickets sold out 15 minutes after the I ask Jo e what he thinks will happen regime, as people “begin to think that Has Gaddafi gone a bit mad? Joffe hot, long and totally free days of the launch party began. The line of next. “The latest news is that the oil fi elds maybe it’s going to be rather dangerous shakes his head emphatically. “He’s summer holiday, I made my fi rst loaf hopeful students stretched down to in the centre of Libya have been taken because Gaddafi ’s eventually going to go, grandiloquent, he’s a meglomaniac, all of bread. He held my hand again as Corpus, left only to “speculate about over by the rebels too. There are hints maybe they are scared of the thought of those things but he’s not mad. He’s quite I roasted my fi rst chicken, saying what [will lie] behind the silence” of that the army units that have gone over the international court investigating them, capable of rational careful and complex “pukka pukka” soothingly as I warily the locked, heavily guarded doors to the rebels will try and go westwards to of being pariahs after any change that is calculation. What he is, is somebody who prodded the disgustingly-onomato- to the College on May Week. And, is now enraged that Libyans have rejected poeically-named giblets, (all this just to dragggggggg on this analogy his ideal political system, and I think that hand holding is, of course, to its death, you could, potentially really is the thing which he fi nds utterly metaphorical; Jamie is a good family say that it will be an exploration of unforgivable.” man). His School Dinners scheme ‘layers of consciousness’, layers of So unforgivable in fact that forces transformed my secondary school unconsciousness, as it is themed ‘A loyal to Gaddafi are dismissing the pro- canteen from the home of the pizza Midsummer Nightmare’. testors as drunks and drug addicts. They bar and, if you’re lucky, deliciously have even accused the rebels at Zuwara stodgy bread and butter pudding, to, of consisting of al-Qaida released from well, Nobu really, where special rules Hmm, perhaps a well-placed, Guantanamo bay, a fact which Jo e dis- had to be created to deal with the infi nitely powerful “row of misses as “just nonsense”. He elaborates: mad, and at times dangerously silent dots” should have replaced “Let me just say this, those released violent, rush on the exotic fruit bar. that extract from my own “layers of from Guantanamo Bay were simply stuck consciousness”, which are, as the in prison. One of them was then beaten Furthermore, he appreci- term peters slowly away, becoming to death and the regime claimed he com- ates Cambridge, or, perhaps, increasingly soggy like a mille mitted suicide.” Cambridge has decided to appreci- feuille left out in the rain Are rumours of al-Qaida just a last ate him, as Mary Beard, renowned by an absent-minded desperate bid for Western support? The Classics don, took part in Jamie’s Marie prevalence of Islamism in Libya, Joffe Dream School, tackling Antoinette, argues, is “vastly over-exaggerated”. Our Martial’s epigrams just as distracted notions of Islamist movements in Libya inspiringly and spine- perhaps by are “a consequence of the war on terror tinglingly as Jamie did day and…one of the major distortions in west- chicken nuggets, dreams ern policy towards the region as a whole”. and, I imagine, of However, Joffe expresses grave con- without resort- inno- cern over the politics which might unfold ing to feline vative following Gaddafi ’s departure. “I think nicknames. naked it’s probably going to be some kind of chefs, spontaneous leadership that does emerge Such classical and that has enormous dangers.” rhe- epi- In spite of these fears, Jo e describes torical grams, the uprisings and revolutions occurring pizzazz is and in the Middle East at the moment as “tre- much in need fancy mendously important”. They represent, this week, as CUSU dress he suggests, the most “dramatic” political candidates attempt balls... upheavals our generation has experi- to win over each enced. What is happening, he argues, is College

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Over 20 different departments within the University of Cambridge come together to address a range of topics including Conflict; Globalization; Labour Market Inequality; Social Policy; Culture; Bio-medical Advances, Human Rights and Justice.

Centre for Gender Studies

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SONIA TONG This House Believes...

We should ditch the House of Lords

PROP. Laura Mayne, fi rst year, Churchill OPINION College After over two weeks and many attempts at fi libuster- ing, the House of Lords were unsuccessful in preventing the perverted gerrymandering add- ons of the AV bill. Our Parliament needs a second chamber which will scrutinise legislation, hold the Government to account, and provide a powerful check on MPs. These functions are not being fulfi lled by the Lords, and the undemocratic process of appointment undermines any good work they actually do. In an age of demanded government transparency, openness, and accountability these cronies of our gerontoc- racy degrade our democracy. It’s an anachronism where expired politicians with no obligation to do any real work Who’s afraid of Omar Barhouti? claim their pension, robe and whisky courtesy of the tax- ou can tell that the Pal- Anti-Zionist Network, not to men- activists holding special ire for payer. estinian movement for tion enough boycott activists inside companies that benefi t from the The House of Lords boycott, divestment, and Israel to make the Government occupation, such as Caterpillar, who represents the incestuous sanctions against Israel scared enough to pass a bill in the manufacture custom-made bulldoz- relationship between the Gov- is picking up steam: the Knesset this week prohibiting boy- ers to destroy Palestinian homes; ernment, politicians, business UnitedY States is beginning to treat cott activity from within the State or Ahava, who produce beauty and money of which we must its leaders like security threats. of Israel. products from stolen resources on rid ourselves. It’s time for a DANIEL BENJAMIN The US Consulate in Jerusalem Calling for boycott, divestment, illegally settled land. fully elected chamber where has inexplicably delayed the grant- and sanctions does not ‘demonise’ In Cambridge, BDS activists are members serve the people. In banning a non- ing of a visa for Omar Barghouti, or ‘delegitimise’ the Jewish people preparing a CUSU referendum to If the AV bill demonstrates a Palestinian human rights activist, – it demonises and delegitimises push the University to drop its con- our concern for democracy, violent campaigner for e ectively cancelling his scheduled the gross oppression and denial of tract with Veolia, a multinational surely we should fi rst vote to book tour in the US (Barghouti will rights that the Israeli state has vis- environmental services company drop the ludicrous Lords? human rights, the US be speaking in Cambridge on 9th ited on the Palestinians. involved in a light rail system betray their ulterior March .) From my perspective as a Jewish connecting illegal settlements in OPP. What’s so dangerous about Barg- person, it’s Israeli apartheid that occupied East Jerusalem. Veolia’s John Wallis, second year, Trinity motives houti and his book? When the US gives Jews a bad name, not those light rail system is essentially a College bans a visitor from the Middle East trying to fi ght it. The BDS move- ‘whites only’ mode of transport we almost expect to read racist, ment has as its vision that Jews that serves only the Jewish There are two key functions orientalist articles describing a and Palestinians might settlements. carried out by the House of “bearded cleric” inspiring “terrorist live together in historic The University Lords. attacks”. Palestine on an equal has a contract with It cannot block Bills entirely, But not this time. footing. Veolia for disposal and rarely objects to the overall The US is afraid of Barghouti But at present, of hazardous idea of a proposed law (this is for another reason. Barghouti is that is not the wastes: the real only proper for an unelected a leader in the growing Boycott, case. Palestin- hazardous entity chamber), but it can fi lter poor Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) ians within the that needs to be policy-making. movement against Israeli apartheid State of Israel disposed of is the Many Bills are passed by the and for Palestinian human rights. lack equal rights; discrimination, Commons without most MPs The BDS movement, called by Palestinians in the population control, having read the detail. The hundreds of Palestinian civil society West Bank and and restriction of House of Lords has the time to groups in 2005, has three simple Gaza are subject to freedom of move- scrutinise Bills fully, fl ag errors demands: equal rights for Palestin- a brutal occupation; ment that Veolia and improve legislation. ians living in the State of Israel, the and Palestinians in the support. It can do this because it has end to the occupation of the West diaspora are denied their The campaign against expertise. Most of its members Bank and the Gaza Strip, and the human rights, as refugees, to return Veolia in Cambridge is just one part have had long careers in their right of return for Palestinians living to the land from which they were of the increasingly widespread BDS respective fi elds and are able in exile – in short, the BDS move- ethnically cleansed in 1948. movement. to provide specialist knowledge ment demands human rights for the Boycott is a time-honoured tactic Through BDS, the world is ral- and inside opinion on related three sectors of Palestinian society. of international pressure on rogue lying against the oppression of the policy. Without this role, Parlia- Evidently, the US Government states, most well-known for its suc- Palestinians and making it clear ment would completely lose fi nds the nonviolent BDS move- cess in challenging apartheid in that Israeli apartheid will not be touch with the reality of what it ment as dangerous to its allies and South Africa. Though there are tolerated. is legislating for. interests as the supposed “Muslim certainly many di erences between It makes sense that Israel’s back- The system is senible: elected extremists” who are more typically Israeli apartheid and South African ers in the US are afraid: the rising representatives determine Par- From my perspective (though equally spuriously) banned. apartheid, the essential features are success of the BDS movement and liament’s policy direction, while Is BDS dangerous? It is seen as the same: a denial of human rights the fall of corrupt pro-Israel dicta- appointed experts scrutinise the as a Jewish person, dangerous by the Israeli state and to a huge portion of the population tors in the Middle East bodes poorly laws to make sure they carry its supporters in the US Govern- on the basis of their race. for the continued dominance of out their intentions. it’s Israeli apartheid ment. Zionist groups in Israel, the It is no surprise that Palestinian Zionism. The Lords should be seen US, and the UK say that boycott activists made the strategic decision Barghouti and the other backers more as civil servants than as that gives Jews a is anti-semitic and that Israel is to mobilise the same non-violent of BDS are fi ghting a non-violent politicians, and indeed this is being unfairly ‘delegitimised’ and solidarity tactics that brought the campaign for a future of equality how most of them see their bad name, not those ‘demonised’. end of South African apartheid. and human rights for all, and the role. But BDS is not anti-semitic: it is The BDS movement against US attempts to silence him won’t trying to ght it. supported by many Jewish groups Israeli apartheid has picked up deter it. such as the International Jewish steam across the world, with boycott Opinion Editor: Laurie Martin 4th March 2011 [email protected] 7 Opinion Focus Students go to the ballot next week to vote for their representatives in CUSU. However with mounting pressure to provide a voice for students amidst cuts PRADEEPA SIVASANTHIRAN and tuition increased fees, Varsity asks whether CUSU still matters CUSU: WHO-SU? Why we walked CORPUS CHRISTI JCR COMMITTEE n last year’s CUSU elections elected representatives in the UK at £6.70 13.1 per cent of the student the moment, to which CUSU has body voted. People don’t care fallen victim. iven the persistence of about CUSU elections. The most obvious and perhaps Af liation fee, per debate over CUSU’s It doesn’t matter whether e ective demonstration of student relevance, it is di cult to CUSUI is actually important or good; will was in the occupation – person, paid to understand why CUSU has they need to justify their existence, something that CUSU, at fi rst, soG comprehensively failed to come up and they aren’t doing it very well. didn’t have anything to do with. CUSU by College with a compelling, succinct explanation Unions exist primarily if not solely They released statements, but the of just what it is that makes CUSU so to represent their members. The point was clear: students were JCRs. PostGrads important. success of CUSU can be judged on perfectly adept at representing pay £3, and PGCE Let us be initially very clear: how accurately and e ectively it has themselves. They were erasing the CUSU does do some good work ANDREW GRIFFIN done that for Cambridge students. middleman between University, students £1.50 But the question we have to ask is By this measure – as by most sta , and students. Students whether it does enough to justify the measures – CUSU has failed. showed they were perfectly good at sizable a liation fees it commands With their image in Its sabbatical o cers are seen representing themselves. from JCRs and MCRs. tatters, CUSU must as layabouts who are being paid However, in response to the This question is not an easy one to for another year of a degreeless occupation, CUSU were left with a answer. Much to CUSU’s detriment, justify their role to and relatively workless time choice: support the occupiers (who 13.1% a liation in Cambridge operates students at University, or as part of an were doing CUSU’s job) but risk through a unique - and uniquely undemocratic, dull, and vulgar alienating a good proportion of Proportion of student clunky - two-tiered system. process of JCR to CUSU to NUS students who were either against or On the one hand, students are to safely-seated MP. apathetic towards the occupation, population who represented as individuals, and the CUSU does a lot of good: the or condemn them and go against University recognises CUSU’s claim women’s and disabled students’ their principles and mandate. voted in the 2010 to speak for students on this basis. At campaigns stick up for students In the event, CUSU went for the the same time, JCRs and MCRs are who are often voiceless. The access middle and failed both. CUSU elections asked to pay to a liate as corporate department does noble, if not The next year will be tough for bodies in return for certain services. always e ective, work. Welfare CUSU. The full e ect and damage To take the Corpus example, the is excellent, but only becomes of the Government’s changes to college’s a liation fees constituted conspicuous when needed. There is higher education has not yet hit. only around 0.6% of CUSU’s a risk of CUSU looking ine ective Teaching, and students’ provision £4,900 budget, but some 10% of the JCR’s. because much of their work is generally, will su er. Access teams Our members voted to support necessarily helping the quietest. will need to increase their e orts to spending on JCR provision over that Many of CUSU’s problems are ensure that – despite costing £9,000 of CUSU. not their fault; in many cases, they a year – Cambridge still looks like a Grant awarded The onus is very much on CUSU are simply circumvented, and the desirable and achievable goal. to demonstrate why the money will horizontal organisation that social Whoever wins on Thursday, this to CUSU 2010/11 have a greater impact in the hands networks allow has made this will be their challenge: justifying of an overarching organisation easier. There’s a broad feeling of why CUSU, Cambridge, and from Cambridge beleaguered with constant allega- discontent and disa ection towards universities are important. Admissions Of ce for tions of being ‘out of touch’ with the student body, with eccentric Council their access project meetings and with abysmal turnout in elections, rather than in those of From the outgoing President work a JCR or MCR much more directly responsive to the specifi c needs of USU represents, Cambridge is the UK’s richest and disadvantaged groups, provid- students in any given college. campaigns for, and university. CUSU is still famous ing vital representation to those This is something which, in the provides services to, throughout the country for its who often need it most. view of Corpus students at least, is all 20,000 students at access schemes, and for our level We need look no further than the simply not being done. Cambridge. This year, of representation. We provide rep- level of student engagement with c.£20% Regardless of your views on moreC than ever, CUSU has pro- resentation across the University, our bursaries campaign to show CUSU, then, it is clear that dem- vided a strong, e ective and united from faculty reps to the University that CUSU is relevant. Without a onstrating CUSU’s relevance, student voice: on fees, on education Council itself. strong central students’ union, the Proportion of CUSU accountability and utility must be cuts, on bursaries, and on dozens of Our Student Advice Service University would have been able put high on the agenda for next other issues that a ect Cambridge provides direct support to hundreds to cut our bursaries unopposed. budget made up of year’s crop of CUSU o cers. JCR students. of students a year, some facing Instead, CUSU is leading a vibrant and MCR a liation can no longer We are one of the most incredible di culties. Our LGBT, campaign with JCRs/MCRs and College af liation fees be taken for granted. underfunded student unions in disabled, international, black and hundreds of our students mobilis- CORPUS CHRISTI VOTED TO DISSAFILIATE FROM CUSU the country, and still receive no minority ethnic students, and wom- ing to ensure that we put up a fi ght. IN 2010, WITH AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF 71% VOTING IN FAVOUR OF THE MOTION block grant, despite the fact that en’s campaigns support minority RAHUL MANSIGANI, CUSU PRESIDENT Have your say... Does CUSU matter? We asked some students for their opinions JAMES GILL, ST JOHN’S COLLEGE EDWARD TURNHAM, CHRIST’S COLLEGE SOPHIE MORGAN, ST JOHN’S COLLEGE EMILY CARLTON, QUEENS’ COLLEGE CUSU’s shadowing Most students don’t care, CUSU could matter, and I’m not really sure what scheme has unrivalled and yet CUSU’s structure arguably should matter, they do that’s very produc- power to deliver informa- means it is ruled by the but the way it functions tive. Unlike my College tion and inspiration to minority who care enough hinders this. Automatic JCR, I don’t feel CUSU’s people from schools that to take a year out. Sur- membership means that impact on my life. It’s hard often have sent no-one to rounded by like-minded people either take it for to get enthused about the Cambridge for more that hacks, they think students granted and don’t vote, or elections or the candidate’s fi ve years. For this reason, want a Union that spends resent the fact that they are manifestos. We need an CUSU does an impressive their money on political represented by a body they honest discussion of its job. campaigns. didn’t choose to join. role. Theatre Editor: Siobhan Forshaw [email protected] 4th March 2011 8 A Nourishing Stew Famed for his brand of deadpan and daring humour, Stewart Lee is one of CULTURE the most well-known comedians today. He talks to Rory Horsman about his comedy and the importance of culture in our political climate

tewart Lee is performing the real life experiences and familiar Webber musical, or Chris Moyles’s at the Corn Exchange this idioms of his Midlands upbringing with work being translated into English Sunday, and one gets the ridiculous concepts. Having “Give it by William Tyndale. He refl ects on sense that he enjoys playing to me straight, like a pear cider made whether he would still choose to go a university town. The venue from 100% pears” as a family motto to university today: “I am not one of Swhere he will perform Vegetable Stew is ludicrous, but after hearing him these test cases from some incredibly is one he references in minute detail in describe his grandfather’s experiences deprived background, but I am the his critically acclaimed 2009 of the Dresden bombings in this sort of lower-middle class person that TV show, Stewart context makes for a highly interesting absolutely wouldn’t apply today, take on Lee’s Comedy and warm show which also challenges that debt.” Vehicle (watch the audience to discern between fact Lee is critical of the Coalition Gov- the ‘Rap Singers’ ernment’s attitude towards fees and segment – one for higher education generally, sending a YouTube). His message that it doesn’t value educa- meandering Unique in this tion for its own sake. “Semantically the and often debate is being fought on the wrong semi-fi ctional modern age of bland terms; they are winning the argument monologues, on practical terms by saying ‘you generously and unchallenging can’t expect this all to be paid for by interspersed the Government’, and there might be with mass-entertainment something in that. There may be a need hilarity, and fi ction. for a rethink on how stu is funded and will What Stewart Lee wants to do is paid back.” He is quick to point out, appeal to quite unique in this modern age of however, that “what they are missing is educated bland and unchallenging mass-enter- the core of it, the emotional centre of comedy tainment which provides audiences it. They can only see what you learn in fans who with identical experiences. Lee wants its future fi nancial value. Many people will return to to bring reliable, loyal and apprecia- who have gone on to do great things, him “every year until tive crowds to smallish venues and and even those who didn’t but had [he is] 80” as he puts make them laugh, with everyone their lives greatly enriched by what they it, with a chuckle. having a slightly di erent experience learnt, didn’t go into further education Lee began as each time. He tells me that in his last with the view of the fi nancial value of a stand-up in the show he performed satires of both their learning. Like poets or writers. days of alternative “crowd-pleasing” Michael McIntyre What possible fi nancial value is there comedy three and “o ence-generating” Frankie Boyle in being a poet?” he muses. “The mark decades ago: material. He is very aware that he is dif- of a civilised culture is whether it places it is therefore ferent from other comedians: “I’m not a value on knowledge and culture for understandable going to be doing that – the axiomatic their own sake, and the Government that one of the modes of doing stand-up – I’m going are saying they don’t.” topics he lists as to be doing something else and you are a possibility for going to have to listen to that.” And the Cambridge audiences continue to do so, probably The mark of a show is “comedy in because he can introduce them to his the `80s”, along with sharply-written and o -the-wall ideas. civilised culture is the related and now Stewart says that “if audiences like prescient issue of “the it they are welcome to come back”, whether it places a Tories”. Other topics turning on its head the notion that which he mentions for the customer, in the case of comedy, is value on knowledge potential inclusion in always right. He provides the show – the show are, “Adrian the audience can take it or leave it. and culture for its Chiles, moving to In previous tours Lee has talked the country, national about his experiences of saving Richard own sake identity and charity”. Hammond from bullies at school (which Those familiar with turn out to be mostly fi ctional), and Like poetry, presumably his style of Stewart Lee’s work his irritation at his mother’s insistence creative, non-mainstream stand-up is will be aware of his that he, like her favourite comic Tom another craft with a low fi nancial value. sharp forensic satires O’Connor, could be working the cruise Sadly, Lee is familiar with making on any given subject; ship circuit. Another example of his economic sacrifi ces for his art. With characteristically, humour is a uniquely bizarre take on McIntyre-style stadium comedy becom- the topics he focuses the death of Diana, which he explores ing more ubiquitous by the day, the on are esoteric. with calm, deadpan humour. From this romantic notion of the impoverished He devoted nearly one is given an insight into what Stew- yet creatively uncompromised stand-up 30 minutes in his art Lee’s time on this earth has been may go the way of other dying tradi- last touring show fi lled with. tions, memorialised in the museums to discussing the Lee talks very fondly about his time of the future. It is not yet known how “tragedy” that the studying English Literature at Oxford, an exhibition like this would be staged; Magners Pear saying that he now appreciates, in presumably as a waxwork of Mr Lee on Cider advertising retrospect, “how often things that [he] stage, mic in hand. Until then, Stewart campaign had read, talked about or was encouraged Lee will be nourishing his fans with his supposedly wrought to think about come up when [he is] ‘Vegetable Stew’. on his own family writing or performing”. His work is a heritage. What testament to this, with sketches teaming Stewart Lee will be performing at the Corn is so refreshing with references to important fi gures in Exchange on Sunday 6th March is that he literature and learning: Samuel Beckett subtly mixes being converted into an Andrew Lloyd HOB PUBLICITY Senior Culture Editor: Julia Carolyn Lichnova 4th March 2011 [email protected] 9 “Offal-ly Good”

Crack open the Chianti and the fava beans – Food & Drink Editor Andrew Tindall nds there are more uses for liver than just alcohol abuse

STOCK.XCHNG t seems these days that any food been aggressively hearty fare: Burn’s writer worth their (Maldon) salt Night haggis and our grandmothers’ has written a scathing piece on aggressive portioning of liver and the subject of eating meat. The bacon casserole, with far too much of world, they would have you the fi rst component and not enough Ibelieve, is split between pasty vegetari- of the latter. This would be to ignore n. a person who is self-indulgent in their ans and those self-described ‘carnivores’ a multitude of quick, healthy and deli- who go around saying things like, “for cious dishes. Liver is transformed if fondness for sensuous luxury every animal you don’t eat I’ll eat two”; fl ash fried, medium rare and melting, things that fail even to be clichéd witti- served either with a fresh tomato sauce fter thinking in last week’s might be embarrassed to admit to it, cisms and demonstrate a poor grasp of or as the sumac seasoned Albanian article on how space can subtly pervasive. mathematics. This has always seemed delicacy Arnavut Cigeri. Kidneys too One of the many uses of offal – as a delicious pasta sauce. a ect time in our emotional And I think that this particular symp- rather strange to a natural fence-sitter benefi t from quick cooking, whether in lives, this week I started tom is a bad one. It extracts us from like me: I am unashamedly omnivo- a Twenties-tastic devilled kidneys on cosmopolitan sushi bars and tapas. This wondering about spaces ourselves, leaves us watching our own rous. Yet I wonder why many ardent toast or made into a cream sauce for association with poverty is certainly Aof a virtual kind. The new technologies actions like someone having an out-of- meat eaters are so squeamish about the pasta. Combined with a high nutrient not shared by our European cousins, that our generation of undergraduates body experience or a paranoiac. It makes realities of their protein source? This content, cheap price and intense taste, or by our restauranteurs who serve up has literally grown up with – mobile us self-conscious, unnatural – it is like article isn’t an advertisement for tofu or it seems criminal that many of use sweetbreads and foie gras like they’re phones and the internet – are rightly eating the fruit from the tree of knowl- for duck hunting – fortunately neither avoid it. going out of fashion. This classism said to make the world smaller: like edge. I can explain what I mean further, features heavily in my life. If anything, seems anachronistic in an age when it is Cambridge’s physical smallness, phones if you will permit me a digressive anal- this is an opus to o al. deemed acceptable to enjoy opera, play and computers facilitate frequent and ogy: have you ever been walking along I might be alone in this sentiment, I wonder why many lacrosse and even attend Cambridge if easy contact between individuals, and normally, and then become aware of but I believe we really should eat more you have a northern accent. have the same e ect as spatial closeness, your walk and suddenly forgotten how to o al. For the uninitiated, “o al” is one ardent meat-eaters More likely the reason many of us driving the relationships you form at a do it naturally? Indomitable alpha male of those endearing Olde-World terms do not eat o al, I hazard, is squeamish- faster tempo and helping you to make that I am, this sometimes happens even for something that is of course utterly are so squeamish ness. O al can be brutally honest with more. But these new technologies play to me if I notice a beautiful girl behind; I horrifying – in this case a catch-all for its nomenclature, and has a propensity a clever trick when they are advertised become aware of my walk, of the move- a multitude of organs and innards. about the realities of to remind us that our dinner was once as merely tools for our use – when a ments of walking, and I begin to stu it Everything from lamb’s liver to ox a living creature. This squeamishness site like Facebook describes itself as a up. What I had previously done (I like tongue, from sweetbreads to chitterlings their protein source? is entirely unjustifi able, and is manifest “social networking tool” or a “service” – to think) gracefully when I was uncon- (don’t ask), are fair game on the table as of a life of denial. If we choose to eat because when you put down a real tool, scious of it, I absolutely fail to do when far as I am concerned. Some say that So why do we shy away from this meat we must accept that killing an like a hammer, it (usually) ceases to a ect I become conscious of it, as though my you can eat everything on a pig except superfood? Perhaps partly it is through animal for food is morally permissible, the way you act in your day to day life, legs achieve the consistency of cheese- the squeal, and they wouldn’t be far the emergence of aspirational eating. yet many of us fi nd reminders that but, unlike a hammer, when you sign o strings at the moment of my awareness. wrong. Tripe used to be a mainstay in the steak does not begin and end as a slab Facebook or hang up your phone it does Well, social networking is a bit like that, Of course, the 16-25 demographic North of England and has been in a plastic tub utterly unpalatable. If not. Facebook and phones are not pas- isn’t it? We are all to some extent aware isn’t traditionally a big o al market. unable to shake the fl at-caps-and- that is our thinking, then we shouldn’t sively employed by us to create an e ect; of the e ects our actions will have on Most of our encounters with o al have whippets image when held up against be eating meat at all. they have profound e ects on us as well. other people; polite Cambridge stu- One such effect is to create a state dents that we are, we demonstrate this of social hyper-awareness. People take awareness every time we say “please” photos in the real world and pose for or “thank you”, yet such social grace is The Sleepwalking through Sainsbury’s Mixtape them with public viewing on Facebook not something we have to think about. BY ZOE LARGE in mind. The speed at which some- (this point admits the possible exclu- featuring... thing can be written into the internet sion of those in isolation. I am thinking – an article, a status, a comment, a here of those students who resemble I often arrive at the supermarket, car- Half Asleep - School of Seven Bells wall post – and be left there with your Tom Hanks in Castaway and arrive in rier bags in hand, only to realise I’ve Be Happy - The Threshold Houseboys Choir name on it, in some cases irrevocably, town claiming to come from somewhere totally forgotten what I needed to buy. Spirit Lake - Coco Rosie that quickness coupled with the public called “Girton”) The kinds of social The next half an hour is inevitably Nightlife - Amon Tobin nature of such writings creates a cul- hyper-awareness that Facebook installs spent wandering around looking lost. Happiness - Jonsi and Alex ture in which people can be constantly in us, despite, no doubt, making us Those beset with the same a iction perceiving themselves perceived, imag- socially more practiced than the young should learn to revel in the disorienta- ining what impression their actions will people of our parents’ generation, can tion, accompanied by these songs. give to onlookers, aware of crafting or also dislocate us from ourselves. controlling a public image. To say that It is something like only having one social networking sites make everyone a night stands. There’s no problem with miniature celebrity is an exaggeration, each encounter individually, but having but I think that this behavioural phe- that as your only sexual interaction nomenon is, might begin to alter the way you think From the Archives: although about sex, as you start emptying it, for people yourself, of its emotional This Week in 1988 signifi cance. Facebook and all the rest are similar – if you’re always thinking about how you’re being thought of, watch- ing how you’re being watched, trying to feel the feelings you’re inciting rather than your own, you can forget to live in yourself. PETER LEGGATT

GEORGE SHAPTER The Varsity Creative Writing Competition Deadline: Wednesday 9th March 2011 Judged by Robert Macfarlane, award-winning travel writer, literary critic and fellow of Emmanuel College To enter simply send in a poem written by you, no longer than 500 words in length, to [email protected] with “Poetry Competition” in the subject line. No theme is specifi ed. Each person may submit up to three poems. The winning poem will be printed in Varsity the following week. Arts Editor: Yates Norton 4th March 2011 [email protected] 10 Master Pieces Arts Editor Yates Norton uncovers fascinating gems of art from the Master’s Lodges of Cambridge

MICHAEL DERRINGER

Yesterday was World Book Day! We St John’s College room, is panelled with scroll-work oak dating from hope you’re feeling nostalgic for those Master: Professor Christopher Dobson 1567, making the room itself a worthy candidate £1 or even (ooh!) £2 book tokens Master Gem: 17th-century chair for the Master’s Lodge’s masterpieces. The lodge is you got at school. Never enough to rich in fascinating works of art and objects, but it afford a book – just enough to make was this elaborately carved chair from c.1670 with a you feel guilty about not buying t makes one shudder to think that in the 1930s, cushion embroidered by the Duchess of Northum- one. Having St John’s College’s Master’s Lodge might have berland herself which was the most remarkable. said that, been razed to the ground – something which, This tour de force of carving and design in rather the sight ironically, the Second World War put a stop heavy-handed Baroque may have been a gift from Ito. Thankfully Sir Charles Gilbert Scott’s gem still Charles II to the Master of the College when he of a pile of books at survives complete with original panelling and fi re- visited in 1681. The lions’ heads may allude to roy- this point in places brought over from the old Master’s Lodge in alty, as has been pointed out by some scholars. The term makes fi rst court – which, incidentally, Scott himself had frenzy of cherubs’ heads and the elaborate scroll the best of demolished! One such room, the so called Fisher work are de rigeur in Baroque furnishing and are here presented in high spirited and technical facility. us tremble. MICHAEL DERRINGER Whilst on the continent such elaborate decoration applied indiscriminately from furniture to fi xtures, Much-anticipated movie Howl has just so boisterous a Baroque style took some time to take reached UK cinemas. A dramatization o in Britain, not least because of Cromwell’s reign of the poem’s trial for obscenity, it of stylistic cheerlessness. The old Sidneyite would no intertwines surreal animation with doubt be appalled at this stylistic slip of the tongue an equally strange reality. With James with all its Restoration fl amboyance and ‘popish’ Franco as Ginsberg and John Hamm tawdriness (as he would have seen it). But if it errs (Don Draper from Madmen) on the side of tastelessness then how much better to in the cast, it looks pretty sit amongst cherubs and lions than on a hard board unmissable, especially if with four legs and a back. you’re into your Beats.

MICHAEL DERRINGER Trinity Hall Sidney Sussex College Master: Professor Martin Daunton Master: Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill Artist: Edmund de Waal Artist: unknown Master Gem: Tenebrae Master Gem: Portrait of an unknown man

The Lent Bumps can be either good MICHAEL DERRINGER or bad, depending how you feel about pparently simple but gradually reveal- intense rowing and the races’ outcome. ing complex allusions and darker If you’ve been rowing yourself, you’re depths, Edmund de Waal’s Tenebrae likely feeling very tired and incredibly allude to the tradition of singing sober, so we pity you. the Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responses on AMaundy Thursday. A dark, mysterious character, But that’s ok, because it’s nearly the the 16th-century Italian composer murdered his end of term! Be sure to celebrate wife and her illicit lover shortly before composing the glorious event by pretending it’s his strange and dissonant works. The subtle shifts actually warm outside with a spree in modulation, shape and colour in the ceramics through the moors of Cambridge. Or, refl ect and evoke the strange variations in texture if your Halfway Hall lled you with and character in the composer’s haunting work. dread more than anticipation, start Described as ‘site sensitive’ rather than ‘site spe- panicking NOW. cifi c’, De Waal’s works occupy a liminal position between the shifting light of the world outside and Alright, so it’s 0.2 that of the interior of the lodge. pounds lighter Having trained in the tradition of the great Eng- than the iPhone lish Ceramicists – Bernard Leach, Dora Billington, - but honestly, Hans Coper – while still an English student at the who’s going College, de Waal moved to Japan where the time- to bother honoured ceramic tradition had decisive infl uence buying the on his work. new But his links with this country have even stronger iPad 2? associations than a post-graduate visit. Descend- ing from a prosperous Jewish family from Odessa, de Waal’s lineage is an extraordinary one, as the MICHAEL DERRINGER ur colleges are well-stocked with Master related. His great-great-uncle Charles documentation. But sometimes an John Galliano being racist. He Ephrussi (Swann in Proust’s À la Recherche de Temps inexplicable fi gure will show their might make stunning frocks but we’re Perdu and the fi gure in works by Renoir and Manet) face – in this case a rather fi ne one with Dior on this one. bought 28 ivory Japanese netsuke which would fi nd – in a rather prominent place in the its way after the intervention of a mattress, the Olodge. The master expressed his frustration with and Nazis and a maid to de Waal’s uncle, Ignace (‘Iggi’) curiosity in this silent guest: “I want to share this with whom he would stay in Japan. mystery. Who the hell is he?” Dressed in fi ne clothes An honorary fellow of the college, an acquain- which clearly denote a member of some leading tance of the master ever since his toddler years and order, the young man holds a special type of quad- an exhibitor at Kettle’s Yard, de Waal has close links rant, one which had been designed by Elizabethan with the college and city. However, his reputation Captain. It is thought that the portrait was acquired as a singular master in fusing a wealth of infl uences by an erstwhile Master, William Cha y, but whether into subtle and powerful works is of international the man in the portrait has any connection with the renown, and his works have been exhibited from the college has remained a mystery. A 17th-explorer in V&A to Chatsworth and abroad. Sidney’s ranks? An unacknowledged alumnus? He rests silent, but with his beguiling expression, he is bound to encourage discussion. 4th March 2011 Features Editors: Lauren Arthur & Olivia Read [email protected] 11 Project People Craving some vacation volunteering? Varsity readers tell us about their invaluable social aid projects abroad

amy liVinGstOne Temi Commuity, Georgia labour. We cleaned recycled wine that is undeservedly overlooked. It Karen Hilltribes Trust, Thailand bottles, harvested crops, painted is a real privilege to be associated Temi, or ‘community’ in Georgian, an accommodation block and with Temi’s ‘first generation’. If In the summer of 2009 I was is home to over 80 residents, most worked in the kitchen. Nika has a you’re up for the challenge, then fortunate enough to travel to of whom are considered ‘socially refreshingly realistic ethos about get involved: www.temi-community.org. Northern Thailand with the Karen vulnerable’. Temi aims eventually his small community: at 20 years LAUREN ARTHUR Hilltribes Trust, where I spent an to be self-sufficient: it grows its old, Temi is still developing and eye-opening, unforgettable month. own produce and makes its own is very much a fragile societal The charity works to improve the lives

wine. It has a modern dormitory microcosm. Yet, it is Temi’s Helen Campbellof the Karen people, who comprise for residents with special needs, a awareness of its weaknesses one of Thailand’s largest ethnic workshop, a laundry house and a that makes the volunteering groups and occupy the remote bread house. Volunteers should be experience so fulfilling. Nika mountainous areas to the west of prepared to be proactive and open- is not under any illusion Chiang Mai. As well as fundraising and minded. Nika, Temi’s founder, that Temi is a utopian sending volunteers to teach English, the emphasised the importance of idyll, so its residents are Trust coordinates ‘water projects’ such as able language our coming to Temi to educate constantly focused on how the one I participated in. I and eight other barriers to make lasting its residents – we gave numerous best to improve it in any volunteers helped to install a clean water friendships. Although physical, the language, art and music lessons way they can. This is a system in a small village called Ban Kha work we carried out was hugely rewarding, – but at the same time we were unique volunteering Noon (or Jackfruit Village), which, for the and gave us the invaluable opportunity expected to participate in manual experience in a country duration of the project, became our home. to experience Karen culture. For more We were overwhelmed by the hospitality information, see www.karenhilltribes.org.uk. and generosity of the families hosting us, AMY LIVINGSTONE Guyana. Spending a whole year in and were able to overcome the consider- GeOrGie keate Onika saltythe community allowed me to establish a real bond with the Amerindian people that a shorter Ayinet, Uganda rehabilitation projects for peo- stay would not have permitted. ple who have lived in I lived in the same compound For the last two years, I have worked IDP camps return- as the students, many of whom with a grassroots NGO (non-govern- ing back to their came from remote tribal villages mental organisation) called African homes. It is youth- deep in the savannah. They would Youth Initiative Network. As their orientated and focuses arrive with all their possessions in first volunteers, we were immediately on providing fora for tiny backpacks, yet were some of thrown into the community of Lira sexual health, political the happiest, most contented people in northern Uganda which has been participation and activ- I have ever met. During the year I torn apart by over two decades of ism. As volunteers, our organised various trips and expeditions, terror under the Lord’s Resistance main responsibilities were Project Trust, such as hikes into the nearby mountains. Army. Starting out as a community to draft large proposals for ble Guyana Many of the experiences were truly organisation, AYINET has grown project grants, draw up an- workers. unforgettable. Initially I wondered if a to implement projects all over the nual reports, contribute to If you would like Project Trust offers volunteers a full year year in one place was too long – in reality, region. They run medical projects to youth fora and help on field more information, please working in a developing country. I chose when the time came, I could barely bring provide plastic and general surgery trips. It is an incredibly hum- email [email protected], as I now run to teach Maths and Integrated Science myself to leave! For more information, go to those victims of war mutilated or bling and eye-opening experience internship opportunities for the sum- mer holidays. GEORGIE KEATE in a small secondary school in southern to www.projecttrust.org.uk. JOLYON WINTER injured during the conflict, as well as with a team of inspiring and admira- LEATHER-STUDDED KISS STYLISTS: Niloufar Haidari & Rina Sawayama PHOTOGRAPHER: Rina Sawayama MODEL: Olga Petersen Theatre Editor: Siobhán Forshaw 4th March 2011 [email protected] 12

JESS LAMBERT THEATRE her seem too aware of the audience’s appreciation of her wit, which thwarted The Seagull what might have been a superbly ADC Mainshow deadpan delivery. Haines never quite (Tue 1st - Sat 5th March) settled as Trigorin; the almost-manic ★★★★★ intensity with which he spoke about Stage Talk his writing jarred with the image in he Seagull has hovered over the which we otherwise invest of him as SIOBHAN FORSHAW ADC’s Spring programme the old-fashioned, mainstream writer. Tsince it was announced, and the Between these oscillations, the eyebrow eek Six spills unstop- attention it has received ensured that it acrobatics and frankly sinister over-the- pably over into Week sold out long ago. shoulder wink with which he seduces WSeven, after a thoroughly It was disappointing to see so many Nina made it di cult to condone their crammed few days of everything careless blunders from this experienced a air, for all its endearing passion. from classic English farce to experi- cast, including slipped lines and clumsi- The best acting was the worst. Cole mental sci-fi . The Seagull could never ness with props. The intimacy of Nina’s was great in Constantin’s embarrassing live up to its ludicrous anticipation, (Lily Cole) secret gift to Trigorin (Simon play, milking its empty excess with a and whilst our reviewer struggled Haines), an inscribed medallion, was captivating presence which culminated for synonyms of ‘disappointing’, it undercut by the sound of it rolling in a series of laughable (in the best seemed that over-indulgent Nazi loudly across the length of the stage for possible way) convulsions. She was well- satire was the order of the day, as the ten agonising seconds after it was supported by an anxious Constantin, Cabaret hit the spot at the Cripps accidentally dropped. Technical pro- introspection into cliché, Bizet’s Haba- in whichever Hollywood summer block- who supplies forgotten lines and fi ghts Auditorium. duction was also frustrating. The set of nerna pushed what could have been a buster it was lifted from. to silence an unreceptive household In delirious protest to the snow- white walls as bare as the trees between powerful suicide attempt over into cute Nicola Marsh was at her best when audience. Their interplay does not balling panic towards exam term, them seemed to aspire to a simple mini- melodrama and Neil Young’s Birds feature in other versions I have encoun- the week ahead welcomes in yet malism, but never quite committed; smothered the resonance of the ending. Even more tered, and was one point at which more surreal comedy and absurdity, hedging instead with the distractions Simon Haines deserves credit for the translation did add something. as the theatre scene dissipates into a of a gaudy tablecloth pattern, bright undertaking the ambitious project of disappointing than Another fantastic scene came in the cloud of nebulous hysteria, in what curtain and ornate yellow garland. A translating the play, but his version felt third act, between Constantin and his I like to assume is a conscious paral- lighting blunder left the second bow as though it dragged, rather than redi- was anticipated mother, Arkadina (Victoria Ball), which lel to that of our own wasted minds. in darkness, and the sound design was rected, Chekhov towards 2011. At the achieved the perfect level of Oedipal Tuesday night sees the uno cial insensitive, too often drowning out the risk of allying myself too closely with encouraging Constantin, but the awkwardness. handover to the new Footlights dialogue or providing poorly chosen the conservative ‘old forms’ the play so unusual casting decision (Chekhov’s To use Constantin’s own phrase, The committee alongside the Spring music which was incoherently united. riles against, the amount of swearing Dorn is male) made the pass which Seagull shows ‘fl ashes of competence’. Review, Odds, which promises a What was meant to be Dream a Little was simply unnecessary, and stinted the the married Paulina (Holly Cracknell) Ultimately, however, this production dependable quality of performance Dream of Me was hummed by a chorus action instead of focusing it. Similarly, makes at her become an unconvinc- was even more disappointing than was and also a shift in tone from the of the house’s sta , Chopin’s Nocturne Constantin’s lament on his mother’s ing lesbian one. In other places, the anticipated. PATRICK SYKES well-recognised comic troop of Now, in E Flat nudged Constantin’s o -stage fame should have been left undisturbed smiles she struggled to hold back made Now. Fresh from the Fringe, the Medics Revue annual show brings THEATRE discussion of fragments of Childe stand-out performance came from Jack exactly what the relationship was a fricative frivolity to the proceed- Harold). Oxley as Byron’s ‘companion’ Polidori, between the characters and Shelley’s ings with The Fantastic Forceps, which Fantasmagoriana This is, it seems, a play more con- who exhibited wonderful levels of camp story. This lack of focused narrative hastily assures that they’re bringing ADC Lateshow cerned with writing than with the social venom. His preposterously dramatic drive means that the characters, as John ‘specifi cally non-medical’ comedy (Wed 2nd - Sat 5th March) or historical situation of its characters, reading of his own contribution to the Polidori puts it, are “languishing like to the Fitzpatrick Hall at Queens’, ★★★★★ and therein lie both its strengths and story competition is one of the show’s the stories in [his] story”. This is frus- beginning this Wednesday. weakness. Micner’s script is strikingly high points, and another instance of trating, but when it’s done this well, also The hilarity continues with Some- ew people know that Mary Shel- witty and polished for a piece of new very clever writing. intelligent, funny and certainly worth one Who’ll Watch Over Me, this week’s ley got the idea for her novel student writing, with some killer lines. Ultimately, I was left unsure of seeing. PAUL MERCHANT Corpus Lateshow from the troubled FFrankenstein from a supernatural There does seem to be some confu- SIANA BANGURA mind of Frank McGuiness, which story contest set by Lord Byron at his sion in the historical register of the sounds like a right laugh. Centred villa on Lake Geneva in the summer of language – archaisms sit uneasily along- around the trials and tribulations of 1816. Tamara Micner’s imagining of side modern slang – but generally the an Irishman, an Englishman and an this event avoids clunky historical expo- dialogue is very sharp. The stage decor American, it certainly seems like the sition, whilst giving the uninformed and furnishings are convincingly of the beginning of a joke, although I fear audience member enough pointers to period as well, the ‘proper’ chandelier we may be waiting a while for the grasp the situation (though one imag- (with actual candles!) being a particu- punchline. larly nice touch. Some of the scene The Judith E. Wilson studio changes did seem unnecessarily long, seems at last to have woken up in Intelligent, funny though, which sapped the energy of the the latter half of term, and con- and certainly play at frustrating moments. tinues its pleasing trend of hosting As Lord Byron, Adam Drew had a plays this week with Happy Days worth seeing good level of detachment and disdain and Krapp’s Last Tape, presented by (his entrance in a kimono, singing an excitable production team, who Italian opera was particularly fun), seek to ‘tease’ the as-yet undisturbed ines that a student of early 19th century but didn’t seem as dégagé as one likes sands of Beckett. They are joined in literature might get more out of the to imagine Byron to have been. The their outlandish ambitions by The Heywood Society, who bring Rosen- THEATRE time playwright Fiammetta Luino has who populate the play. Two artists, a wonderful Italian snake-oil salesman, crantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to the done this week, and to review this play Amedeo (Harry Sheehan) and Vin- almost convincing you of the worth of Reluctant Acquaintances of Peter- If Molière Walked in from a negative perspective would be cent (Temi Wilkey), vengefully pull an a vegetable pierced with drawing pins. house Theatre this Monday eve. the MOMA... mean-spirited and churlish – it is not Emperor’s New Clothes trick with a It is the kind of very physical, frenetic, Not to be outdone, macabre Corpus Lateshow an overdone Ibsen revival, but some- family of modern art dealers, chiefl y the Italianesque theatre that it’s a shame satire The Physicists – allegedly the (Tue 1st - Sat 5th February) thing original, and for this we should screechingly luvvy mother and daughter Cambridge doesn’t see more of. most lucid of Dürrenmatt – con- be thankful. Yet, neither can I ignore (Juliet Cameron-Wilson and Kesia Guil- If you’re expecting a nuanced cri- templates the notions of madness ★★★★★ the play’s faults, which are in the end, I lery), convincing them of the artistic tique of the aesthetics of contemporary and responsibility, also opening this hen reviewing student-written think, outweighed by its virtues. value of empty space. The author Monday at Queens’. Clare Actors plays, it’s hard to strike the The title is well-chosen – it appears clearly knows her Molière, with his The energy and toy with one man’s tortured sense of Wright tone. I have a strong hugely intellectually ambitious, but skewering of pretension and hypocrisy, his own bitter mediocrity in Amadeus urge to award fi ve stars to anyone with in fact conceals something extremely and the chatter about the “social- pace is electric at the Newnham Old Labs (open- the courage and confi dence to write simple; like the mad, pretentious patter political aspect of the vertical lines as a ing Thursday) which, if it aspires and direct their own creation, as fi rst- of the art world-dwelling characters spatial allegory of marriage” wouldn’t from the start even to approach the quality of the FIAMMETTA LUINO be out of place in a commedia dell’arte fi lm, will be a pleasure to watch. lazzi, also referenced by the universally- art, you’ll be disappointed. I’m sad to Look forward also to the intriguing applied bu oon makeup. say the play does not venture much Babushka, whose thrifty production The energy and paceof the perform- more than ‘modern art appreciation team promises that the theatre can ers is electric and unfl agging from the can be vacuous and silly’, and whilst I still be a rich place by little means... start. Sheehan and Wilkey positively occasionally agree, I want my theatre whirl on to stage, ranting hysterically experience to tell me more than pub- against their bohemian oppressors, wisdom. The play seemed an overlong while Guillery and Cameron-Wilson sketch, with the stereotypes a little too form the most horrifi c stereotype of stereotypical to sustain an hour’s plot. READ MORE arty, Islington types, faces contorted in The play is fun, and the performers THEATRE faux intellectual appreciation, and elic- uniformly excellent, but, though it is REVIEWS AND iting from their vocal chords a terrifying a shame to say so, this original writing POST YOUR symphony of neighs and coos as they seems a little unoriginal. But I’m just a COMMENTS AT debate whether a Coke can on a plinth critic – as the play points out, I probably www.varsity.co.uk/reviews can just be replaced by one from the don’t know what I’m talking about. Go vending machine. Gregorio Curello is and see for yourself. FRED MAYNARD 4th March 2011 Reviews Editor: Alex Donaldson [email protected] 13

ED QUEKETT OPERA the Count to become a caricatured Machiavellian fi gure, but Sedgwick The Marriage of Figaro managed to strike that crucial equilib- West Road Concert Hall rium between Almaviva’s sensitivity and pantomime villainy. A brilliant perfor- Keeping It ★★★★★ mance – bravi in the highest. Mention must also go to the support- Reel ore than 200 years after it ing case, particularly Bradley Smith’s ALICE BOLLAND was written, The Marriage of fabulously camp Basilio and Anna Har- MFigaro remains as one of the vey’s Marcellina. After opening-night best-loved and most performed operas. jitters, Amy Lyddon relaxed into her Mozart’s sanitised take on a rather more role as the cross-dressing Cherubino – So far 2011’s awards season subversive Beaumarchais play – banned the famous ‘Voi che sapete’, a song of has seen some truly excellent in Vienna, where it initially premiered phallic longing, revealed a fruity mezzo lms justly rewarded; The King’s – has inspired many productions by the which was somewhat disguised in her Speech, unsurprisingly, wiped Cambridge University Operatic Society executions of recitative. the board, along with Inception, over the past half-century. Few can have Despite appearances, it takes incred- The Social Network, Black Swan, been better than this. ible fi nesse from the pit to do justice and The Fighter. Whilst it cannot Figaro’s plot is as relevant today as it to Mozart’s orchestral writing. James be said that these lms are was in 1786: it is an astute observation Henshaw and his players were almost undeserving of such recognition, of society’s workings and failings. A there. Cambridge’s opera orchestras are it does strike me as a little sad working-class man (Figaro) wants to the excellent cast. Mozart’s operatic the interval, her silky soprano fl oated never note-perfect, and these guys were that so many equally fantastic marry a working-class lady (Susanna), roles provide a perfect terrain for young through Susanna’s fi nal aria with utter no exception. They weren’t helped by lms go somewhat unnoticed but is thwarted by the power and and developing voices, and in this pro- sublimity. some more serious tuning problems, and unappreciated. So here’s jealousy of his social superior (Count duction star power was found in spades. Foregoing the irritating fashion to mostly caused by the mismatch between my pick of lms from the past Almaviva), who is cheating on his wife. Maud Millar carried o Susanna’s install electronic surtitles for opera in the fortepiano’s Valotti temperament year that de nitely deserve a I’d love to see a staging in the upstairs/ stage-managing of the plot with piz- English proved to be a wise decision by and the equal temperament of the watch. downstairs landings of 7 Jesus Lane; if zazz, ensuring that we didn’t miss an the production team, with the major- modern orchestral instruments. A ever an opera was ideally suited to the ounce of dramatic spark in her pursuit ity of cast members projecting to the valiant e ort though – the overture The Killer Inside Me Pitt Club, this is it. of vocal fi nesse, and vice versa. Other very back. Special mention must go to in particular e used great spirit and Slated by many as overly graph- As it is, West Road makes a fi ne cast members were still reaching for this Nicholas Mogg who managed Bartolo’s magnifi cence. ic and gratuitously violent, this venue indeed. In fact, the set for this elusive balance, with elements of the fi ddly geriatric musings with clarity and Overall this production was impres- lm struck me as a profound Figaro had been designed so cleverly aplomb. Frustratingly, Isabella Gage’s sive. Very impressive. Perhaps at times exploration of the vulnerability that the stage seemed to have grown – it Mozart’s operatic countess proved an exception, as she Tedbury had a tendency to under- of mental stability, as well as a genuinely felt and looked like a theatre, minced through Jeremy Sams’ witty direct, relying on the powers of her shocking expose of sadism and rather than a concert hall dressed up roles provide translation; I’m still not sure whether lavish set and leaving her singers to perversion. It is, admittedly, un- in operatic garb for the night. The she forgave her husband in the fi nale. park and bark. And some elements remittingly dark, even distressing set, a multi-level dolls’ house, really perfect terrain...star Perhaps the starriest talent of the of the concept did seem redolent of – yet this adds to its intended intensity and brutality. did exploit the wow factor, with the power was found in evening, though, was to be found in Jonathan Miller’s famous Figaro produc- pièce de resistance – a rising trellis for Act the bari-hunks, with Henry Neill’s and tion for The Metropolitan Opera. But Four’s garden party – prompting much spades Dom Sedgwick’s superb performances these are minor quibbles. This was a Splice cooing from the audience. Director as Figaro and the Count respectively. no-gimmicks production, which had I recommend this purely on Imogen Tedbury and designer Gillean chanteusing seeming rather disjointed Neill is a true all-round performer, the great potential for growth during the the basis that I have no idea Denny, along with army of techies on when singers were distracted by dra- stu of an opera director’s dreams, with course of its regrettably short run in whether I love it or hate it. A secondment from the ADC, deserve the matic duties. While Millar’s repeated comic liveliness, theatrical skill and a Cambridge. sci- movie about genetic engi- neering, it’s creepy and disturb- utmost praise. declaiming of recitative passages of the rich, meaty baritone formed from the ELLY BRINDLE This is not to rain on the parade of voice began to wane somewhat after best cuts of beef. It’s very easy to allow ing, and doesn’t say much – but at the same time, it’s weirdly MUSIC classically-infl uenced name belies their laden single, ‘Punching in a Dream’. performance of ‘Young Blood’ – the intriguing. This is one of those on-trend brand of indie pop. In fact, Thom Powers, one of the founding release which earned them instant lms where you’re constantly Wolf Gang’s musical performance members of the group, kept an ice-cool transatlantic success – drove everybody thinking “oh no they’re not The Naked & Famous going to …they couldn’t pos- Anglia Ruskin University was slightly too well-executed for the persona throughout, leading clap- in the room into a frenzy, and suggested small, university-based venue. The alongs and thrilling the crowd with his to me that The Naked & Famous are sibly…oh wow they did”. Just ★★★★★ school-disco style lighting – complete terse addresses in between songs. on their way to greatness, capable of watch it. with swaying red lights and half-hearted From my tiny spot at the side of the transforming grubby pubs and student strobe e ects – was a slightly sad stage it would have been easy to forget bars into thriving stadiums. Heartbreaker IMOGEN GOODMAN Ok, so not exactly a cinematic eing in a fl edgling band can be accompaniment to the bands’ profes- that The Naked and Famous were play- KAZUTO SHIOMITSU tough sometimes. No matter sionalism and verve. ing a Thursday-night slot at a student masterpiece; but still, this lovely how far your ambitions stretch, Front man Max McElligott man- union bar. Halfway through their hour- little French romp deserved B a lot more attention than it you inevitably end up playing the odd aged to inject some excitement into the long set, some o -balanced teenagers in back-room of a pub or treading the skinny-jean clad crowd with his highly the front row alerted me to the presence received. In the realm of roman- boards of a makeshift stage in a student strung, new-romantic anthems, but of a mosh pit, a phenomenon which I tic comedy, it is refreshing and bar on your journey to greatness. the support band were unfortunately haven’t come across since I was 14 years original. Romain Duris is dis- This is perhaps why The Naked under-publicised; they performed to a old. The attempts of some hyperactive gracefully attractive throughout, & Famous’ much-anticipated gig at half-empty room for at least 30 minutes boys to crowd-surf and grope the arms and the idyllic Monaco setting Anglia Ruskin (ARU) came across as a before The Naked & Famous’ bulky of lead singer Alissa made me feel like I makes you want to drop every- bit incongruous. The band has enough fan-based arrived. was at the Carling Academy in London, thing and go on holiday. musical charisma to fi ll a stadium, Luckily, The Naked & Famous know and not crammed against a newly-built and far too much collective energy how to spark an electric atmosphere stage at ARU. L’Illusioniste for the undersized hall at ARU to in the smallest of venues. After strut- But all of this was the result of Nominated for Best Animation accommodate. ting on stage, the band catapulted into one undeniable truth: this band have at this year’s Oscars, Sylvain The same can be said of their the immensely infectious ‘All of This’, a stage presence which marks them Chomet’s charming L’Illusioniste support act, Wolf Gang, whose followed by their crowd-pleasing, synth- out as something special. Their epic documents the usurpation of classic illusionism by the in ux of rock bands and modern EVENT from commuters. This optimistic vision fairy lights and UP’s trademark fl iers particularly Ellie Kendrick’s piece, predates its own success, as the majority and lined with mirrors equipped with which gave a voice to the mice of the entertainment, following a of attendees at their most recent event, markers so that people could write Underground (“They’re defi nitely disheartened magician and his Underground Poetry irritable rabbit through 1950s Varsity Hotel held at the Varsity Hotel, were not poetry on them. rats,” someone sitting next to me whis- strangers but rather familiar faces from Because the concept of UP is to pered). Felix Bazalgette memorably Scotland. ★★★★★ many of Cambridge’s poetry readings. captured the all too familiar experience UP’s four-hour event alternated of falling asleep before The Other between music and poetry, with plenty A marathon that Person and Luke McMullan’s ‘Glossec- of time for drinking and cigarette turned into a tomy’ proved to be a more serious gem, thought it would be a good breaks: a marathon that turned into relating the tale of his grandmother’s “ idea to start publishing prose a Bacchic revel, prompting cathartic Bacchic revel surgery. Ias well as poetry.” Nina Ellis’s dancing during The Staircase Band’s Andrew MacFarlane’s and Benji introduction to her prose piece, ‘The set. The room, normally an exercise bring people together, the poetry Compston’s acoustic sets, as well as the Red Balloon’ – which she delivered studio, was whimsically decorated with was roughly split into sentimental vocals of Josephine Stephenson, were beaming, perched on a bar stool in LYDIA MORRIS-JONES and humorous pieces, but was oth- amongst the more impressive perfor- The Secret of Kells her native environment – unintention- erwise relatively homogenous in its mances. In particular, MacFarlane’s A unique masterpiece in anima- ally summed up the entirety of the observations on love, the London cover of ‘All My Trials’ gave warmth to tion, this lm offers a beautiful Underground Poetry (UP) movement, Underground, and the human condi- the communalising atmosphere. infusion of magic, mythology which is constantly trying to fulfi l its tion. Some self-deprecating moments The result was just the experience and history. It is most certainly own dictum. It endeavours to “bring were uncomfortable: “my next poem is of being on the tube: a mildly tense a visual creation; the plot, in London Underground travellers into long and that’s all there is to say about journey with a silver lining of mutual its childlike simplicity, does not meaningful contact with each other it,” Sophie Seita quipped. appreciation and moral support, and detract from the endlessly through poetry” by handing out poems The most enjoyable moments of the perhaps a wilful ignorance of mice (or stunning artwork and fairytale characters. on the Tube and inviting submissions evening resulted from good delivery, rats) on the tracks. NAUSICAA RENNER Senior Culture Editor: Julia Carolyn Lichnova [email protected] 4th March 2011 14 This week’s...

Theatre Film Exhibitions Talks Music Events Sport

Babushka Rango Norman Rockwell’s Richard Berengar- Reel Big Fish Casino Royale Varsity Judo Wed 8th - Sat 12th March, 11pm Fri 4th March - Thu 10th Fri 4th March, 7pm America ten Poetry Evening Sat 5th March, 9pm Sat 5th March, 2pm-6pm ADC THEATRE (£4 - £6) March THE JUNCTION (£14 ADV) CAMBRIDGE UNION (£1 FOR HILLS ROAD SPORTS CENTRE On a shoestring budget, the VUE AND CINEWORLD 15th Dec 2010 - 27th March 2011 Friday11th March, 7pm Embrace a blast of the past as DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY DOWNING COLLEGE (FREE FOR MEMBERS, £3 FOR GUESTS) The four Cambridge teams will ADC presents the tale of an old VARIOUS SHOWINGS (£5.35-7.20) energetic Californian ska-punks MEMBERS, £3 FOR GUESTS) be looking to avenge their 3-1 Russian widow as she falls in love Rango is a chameleon with big America as you never tire of see- Reel Big Fish stop o in Cam- A minature ‘Casino Royale’ fea- loss last year to the Dark Blues with a painting that hangs on the plans to become a swashbuckling ing it: bright, fl ashy and perfect. Visit Downing College for a bridge on their 20th anniversary turing blackjack, poker, cocktails on the 80th anniversary of Var- hallowed walls of the Hermitage. hero. He might just have found America’s most beloved artist of relaxed evening of words and world tour. Plus support acts and live jazz. The dress code sity Judo. This is going to be an What happens when it is sent the ideal spot, a Western town the twentieth century presents his wine, which will fl ow freely from from Suburban Legends, The is strictly black-tie, so don your intense and exciting event. to auction, and how far will she over-run by bandits that is des- icons of a century. self-regenerating goblets all night Skints and New Riot. fi nest DJs and cocktail dresses journey to take it back? perately holding out for a hero to long. and head down to the Union for save it from destruction. some penultimate week fun and Varsity Women’s Amadeus Douglas Gordan Terror by Beauty: extravagance. Rabbit Hole 9th Feb - March 26th St Matthew Passion Rugby Thur 10th - Sat 13th March, Russo-Soviet Sat 5th March, 2.30pm Fri 4th Feb - Thu 10th March FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM, CAMBRIDGE Friday 11th March, 7pm 8.30pm ARTS PICTUREHOUSE This House GRANGE ROAD NEWNHAM OLD LABS (£4) Two musicians travel from Ger- Perspectives TRINITY COLLEGE CHAPEL Nicole Kidman and Aaron many to Poland to play Mozart’s Believes the Press The women’s Light Blue rugby A new production of a modern Fri 4th March, 5.30pm An exciting project under the Eckhart play a Marchried couple Sinfonia Concertante in E Flat LADY MITCHELL HALL players will take on the dark classic. In parts murder mystery, guise of the Cambridge Bach Can’t be Trusted to who attempt to put their lives Major (K364) at Warsaw. A blues in what promises to be a biting satire and theatrical spec- Players to be conducted under back together after their young poignant look at travel, identity Evgeny Dobrenko argues that Behave Properly on thrilling encounter. Having not tacle, Sha er’s masterpiece asks Sam Hogarth, repetiteur and son dies in tragic circumstances. and music captured in Gordon’s beauty in the twentieth century conductor of the Oper Koln. their Own lost for three years in eitehr the us what it means to be a man. The fi lm charts not only the Blues or the Tigers matches, haunting fi lm. has lost its sacredness. In this Thu 8th March, 7.30pm Cambridge will be both deter- process of reconstructing reality light, totalitarian kitsch must THE CAMBRIDGE UNION (FREE FOR Happy Days after it’s been punctured, but be understood not merely as a MEMBERS) mined and confi dent of emerg- the subtleties of emotions that decline of taste, but as a means ing victorious this year. Wed 2nd - Sat 5th March, Petite Messe Featuring Katy Brand, spoof star surface when self-pity takes hold Mona Hatoum: of legitimising terror. 8.30pm of one’s inner world. Solennelle of the moment, and Juliet Herd, JUDITH E. WILSON STUDIO (FREE) Bunker current international editor of Varsity Ice Hockey Sat 5th March, 8pm As part of a three-part series, do 25th Feb - 2nd April 2011 Hello! magazine, the Union debates Africa United Ways of Seeing TRINITY COLLEGE CHAPEL Sun 6th March, 8.30pm not expect to meet the Fonz in this MASON’S YARD the extent to which the media can PETERBOROUGH ICE RINK Thu 10th March, 9pm Thu 14th Apr, 10am / 1:30pm By a chorus formed from the be trusted. new probing of Beckettian master- Dislocated cities, scarred build- ST JOHN’S COLLEGE, PALMERS KETTLES YARD / FITZWILLIAM 70-strong choral society, the The Varsity Ice Hockey match piece, fuelled by members of the ROOM IN FISHER BUILDING (£3) ings and political tensions in a MUSEUM (£35) Trinity Singers, which includes has been played since 1895 and English Faculty and produced by The extraordinary story of three stark and thought-provoking Two separate opportunities to members of the whole univer- there is an incredibly rich history seasoned performers. Rwandan kids who walk 3000 look at world relations through see the same talk at Kettle’s sity student body. Jeremy Cole, Stewart Lee behind the match. Oxford has miles to the Soccer World Cup swings and bunkers. Hatoum has Someone Who’ll Yard at 10am, and the Fitzwil- Junior Organ Scholar of Trinity Sun 6th March, 8pm been fairly successful in the past in South Africa. Using a sack transformed the gallery spaces liam Museum at 1.30pm. An will be playing a real harmonium CORN EXCHANGE (£18.50) few years but Cambridge have Watch Over Me load of ingenuity and sass (and a into sites of heightened tension, introduction to the collections with Kerry Sugden and Sunil The celebrated writer and been winning and performing World Cup wall chart for a map), where global geographies are Tue 8th - Sat 12th March, of twentieth century modern art Manohar playing the Trinity- comedian presents a ‘vegetable well will look to take back the 9.30pm our pint-sized protagonists set o abstracted and condensed. curated by the Education sta owned Steinway D-model. stew’ of brand-new material in glory. CORPUS PLAYROOM (£6) through the endless horizons of at both venues. Promises to be preparation for his 2011 televi- GODS presents Frank McGuiness’ Africa in pursuit of an unlikely dream. Cheesy, but fun. well-worth the hefty price. sion series. Guaranteed to be an tragicomic drama, which follows Italian Drawings: Cambridge evening of hilarity – book now the heartbreaking ordeal of three The Tourist to avoid disappointment. See Varsity civilian men as they struggle with Highlights from the Adnan Al-Sayegh University interview on page 8. the terrifying monotony of life as Sun 13th March, 7.30pm & Hockey 10pm Tue 8th March, 7.30pm Chamber a hostage. Collection OCR, TRINITY COLLEGE (FREE) Tues 8th March CHRIST’S COLLEGE, NEW COURT Tue 8 March 2011 - Sun 10 Orchestra THEATRE (£3) Adnan Al-Sayegh was sentenced SOUTHGATE Footlights Spring Jul 2011 Sat 5th March, 8pm Beatboxing to death by Saddam Hussein in The II’s and III’s came out the A critically-panned remake of FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM, CAMBRIDGE WEST ROAD CONCERT HALL Revue: ‘Odds’ Masterclass worse of their four matches a French thriller. Angelina Jolie With some of the greatest 1996 as the result of his poetry, (£5/£16) Wed 8th - Sat 12th March, plays the beautiful seductress. which gave a voice to the despair Wed 9th March, 5pm with the Dark Blues, managing Italian masters showing their Cambridge’s premier chamber 7.45pm Johnny Depp gives an oddball of millions of Iraqu inhabitants. THE JUNCTION (£10) only one win despite playing thoughts before the fi nished orchestra presents a sumptuous ADC THEATRE (£8 - £12) turn as the seduced. The loca- Hosted by the Trinity College Have you ever wondered how well. The women’s and men’s work, the Fitzwilliam is o ering French programme, including One of the biggest comedy tions are beautiful, but the fi lm’s Literary Society, this talk is beatboxers manage to sound Blues will not want to su er the a rare opportunity to see how Ravel, Poulenc and Franck. With events in Cambridge, ‘Odds’ clichéd. In the words of Ricky absolutely guaranteed to be a like more than ten instruments same fate so will need to apply some of the greatest artists who guest conductor Peter Stark, this promises to be another smash Gervais, ‘I’m jumping on the though-provoking eye-opener. at once? Join acclaimed British all their concentration and have ever lived, thought, and promises to be one of the orches- hit from the internationally bandwagon here. I haven’t even Do not miss it. beatboxer Shlomo to fi nd out... determination to these games. sketched. tral highlights of this term. renowned comedy club seen The Tourist. Who has?’

We are now open for submissions to: Thursday 17 March

THE MAYS XIX

The deadline is: March 31st. The categories are: Prose, Visual Arts and Poetry. CARO and GU International Women's Day Celebration The evening will feature presentations from women postgraduate students and a keynote The address is: speech from the 2007 Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award winner, Professor Ottoline Leyser. Following the event will be a networking reception, with wine and canapés in the Dome [email protected] (marked ‘submission’). Dining Hall to meet with fellow students, alumni, and university members.

Where: Vivien Stewart Room, Murray Edwards College YOUR SCRIBBLES WILL BE LOVED. When: 7:00pm - 9:30pm visit us: mays.varsity.co.uk Cost: FREE for students! Limited spaces available, so please book online now at www.gradunion.cam.ac.uk or email [email protected] for the booking link. 4th March 2011 Sport Editor: James Corcut [email protected] 15 From the Basketballers lose to Oxford Commentary Box: The men’s and women’s Blues both succumb to losses but the Seconds manage victories KAZUTO SHIOMITSU Saxon winners or

LEWIS CANNON AND CAROLINE WALERUD Catalan champions? basketball correspondents

The Light Blues met the Dark Blues in four matches on home ground last week ROSA AARONOVITCH footballers’ who have been stuttering in starting with the wins by the Women’s football correspondent the Premier League until last week, are Allstars and the Men’s Seconds. The fol- e ectively out of the running for the top lowing Women’s Blues and Men’s Blues The Champions League. It really is spot. They will have an added determina- games did not go as well. the big one; especially now that the tion not to let down the Russian oligarchy. The day started well as the Cambridge World Cup (through no fault of its Meanwhile, United are the only English Allstars, who had only been practicing perfectly sculpted 18-carat self) has side left ‘what won it’ before. They also as a team for 5 weeks, trashed Oxford become a fully-fl edged travelling Swiss have the mentality and the experience of Seconds, who scored only 3 points in circus. Though most years English Ryan ‘the red dragon’ Giggs. And Spurs, the 1st half so that the half-time score sides get so near, so far the odds of an well, they have their own Welsh wonder fi nished at 17 to 3. The Allstars, led by English side actually winning it seem in the astonishing Gareth Bale, should he coach Blaine Landis, pressed for most spine-tinglingly shorter than an Old be fi t. of the game. Polderdijk dominated the Tra ord 10 yards. If you’re a Spurs So why does this year really feel like it’s rebounds, earning 9 points for the home fan the excitement is almost physically an English team’s time to shine? The sen- team. The top scorer, guard Nezich, dangerous. Liverpool supporters, their sible, middle-aged answer would be that, brought home 14 points. The Allstars’ team slopping about in the inferior solid passing starkly contrasted with with intense defence and solid finish- In the fourth quarter Cambridge again Europa Cup, can only fantasise about the many dropped passes and steals ing, captain Charlie Cotton giving vocal played outstandingly, only losing by fi ve such tension endured by the Oxford Seconds. Final support throughout. points. Unfortunately, the third-quarter The people’s main choice of victor Why does this year Score: 40-25. dip showed in the fi nal score of 42-73. appears to hang in the balance of Arse- really feel like it’s an The Lions then came on court to face Overall, it was an excellently played nal’s return fixture at the Nou Camp their Oxford opponents, to whom they game on both sides and was closely next week – and it is with slightly too English team’s time to had lost by 10 points in a league game There were matched except for one quarter. happy a cursor that I am writing the at Oxford earlier in the season. The With Oxford missing a few key play- Gooners o . Barcelona will simply have shine? game was close from the tip-off, but inspired spells of ers, the Light Blue men were confi dent to bring their better selves to bamboozle without the presence of a coach, Oxford during the warm-up that this year would a north London side recently squashed in really, 2011 is no di erent to any other were easily worked up by the intensity greatness from end Oxford’s Varsity winning streak, the Other Domestic Cup by an Obafemi year. United and Chelsea are 12 months of home crowd and the Lions’ play. especially given Cambridge’s position at Martins (triple) back fl ip. older and a little leakier at the rear whilst German centre Steuber was dominant Cambridge the top of the League and coming o After that? Guardiola’s Spanish bulls Tottenham are Tottenham – the worst in the low post position and point guard a 60-point win over local rivals Anglia have been backed throughout the cam- team to support in the country if you Sullivan provided consistent playmak- Ruskin. paign to march their way to the fi nal, this value your health. ing. Cambridge took the lead mid-way After a streak of wins, the Women’s However, a poor start by the Cam- year to be hosted by London at Wemb- But it’s just been more exciting this through the third quarter, and Craw- Blues game saw Oxford quickly take the bridge Blues meant Oxford went 8-0 up ley, and win. Just wait a moment, though. year. The Premier League has been revi- ford-Sharpe lead the team by example lead. Cambridge fought hard against within the fi rst few minutes. There fol- Isn’t it just as possible that one of the talised with lovely games and carries the the more experienced Premier League lowed inspired spells of greatness from other three English teams could get there hopes and expectations of supporters. KAZUTO SHIOMITSU team. Caroline Walerud took the fi rst Cambridge, led by American Yearwood and, in an English stadium, in front of a Managers, players and fans alike, even 4 points for the Light Blues, after which and German Klee. The intensity and two-thirds English crowd, grab the lau- of the best teams, are wiser than to think they continued with a strong fi rst half. execution was second to none. rels from the Spanish Caesar? any game is a guaranteed three points. Kate Beniuk was on fire, scoring 13 Cambridge fought well and tied It’s a bit like a joke. Did you hear the So you know what? Spurs to win. points in the second quarter alone. In Oxford for points over the final 20 one about the three teams, one in red, Really. Well, possibly, so just don’t put the second quarter the score was tied at minutes. With a fi nal score of 96-63 to one in white, one in blue; one managed any bets on it – money or otherwise. 18-18, so that at half-time the team still Oxford there was nothing for them to by a Scot, one an Englishman and one by Especially ‘otherwise’. And if it doesn’t hoped to cause an upset. be ashamed of given the performance. an Italian? The Premier League’s fi nest happen, wouldn’t it be tantalizing to wit- However, the Light Blues started the Cambridge will continue the season o er much in the way of entertainment, ness the fi ery cauldron of a Barcelona vs. third quarter slowly, not scoring in the striving for wins to secure the League talent and London pride. Ancelotti’s Real Madrid grudge match at Wembley? fi rst 7 minutes, by which time Oxford title and promotion. Then they will team of pensioners, chavs and gun wield- Almost makes it worth the Saxon sacri- reached double the Cambridge score. look to regroup for next year’s Varsity ing, Cheryl-Cole-cheating ‘professional fi ce. Almost. Downing and out Oxford edge out Cambridge ball over the line masterfully, allowing the more brightly of the two. The likes Phillips misjudged the ball’s bounce and ST. JOHN’S 36 number eight to touch down. CAMBRIDGE 1 of Emily Wendt on the wing provided could only watch helplessly as the ball During the next fi ve minutes, Down- the element of pace that allowed Oxford bounced into the goal. It was now all to DOWNING 5 ing sought to establish a foothold in the OXFORD 2 to continually threaten the Cambridge play for. match. Eventually, following an inef- goal. Had it not been for an organised Sadly for Cambridge, just as they were DAN WELLBELOVE fectual box kick from the Red Boys, EOGHAN HARTIGAN Cambridge defence, an early goal would getting on top, a devastating Oxford rugby correspondent Downing spread it wide to the right. football correspondent have been inevitable. Ultimately though, break left them in arrears once more. The move looked over as the winger the continued Oxford presence around Despite Sara Haenzi’s best efforts in St. John’s rugby team’s clasp on the was driven into touch, but a miraculous Cambridge’s women footballers had the Cambridge goal proved costly and goal, the ball bounced nicely for Sarah league title may have finally been o oad saw Jean Paul Westgate score. been building up to this game all season mid-way through the half, Roni Yadlin Rouse and she made no mistake with a broken, but they continue to seek some However, St. John’s were soon able to but Oxford too had been preparing with managed to scramble the ball over the decisive fi nish. consolation from this season with suc- extend their lead. Following a good drive a string of strong performances. The line from a corner. Cambridge however proceeded to cess in Cuppers. A powerful display on from the forwards, the ball was passed Light Blues’ coach Dave Mosley said The balance of play then shifted back throw everything they had at Oxford. Sunday saw them comfortably sweep out to full back Cherezov, who slipped that he expected both technical ability and forth, with both sides being frus- Maisie Byrne played as a captain should, Downing aside, as the forwards and a tackle to touch down. Five minutes and a huge work-rate from the team he trated by the solid defences on display. and marshalled attack after attack. backs combined to score six tries in a later, Burdon drifted left and o oaded had fi elded. In the end however, it was There were moments of excitement, Although Oxford remained dangerous game they easily dominated. to start a sensational attack culminating the exciting Oxford team that shaded many provided by a creative Emma on the break, the Cambridge team’s Within five minutes, the Red Boys’ in fi ve points right under the posts. This things, despite flashes of Cambridge Eldridge, who was determined to get a fi ghting attitude meant that the Oxford pack demonstrated their prowess in preceded the fi rst successful conversion brilliance. goal back before the break, but the half goal was under siege until the very end. the scrum, setting a precedent for the of the half, as John’s went into the break In a game that could have gone either ultimately ended with Oxford in poll Oxford held fast however, and that remainder of the match. A good drive leading 22-5. way, it was the Dark Blues that started position. second goal ultimately proved beyond on the edge of Downing’s 22 put the vis- They went on to dictate play in The second half began with a host of the Light Blues’ reach. itors on the back foot before the ball was the second half as well, as Downing HANNAH COPLEY attacking movements by both sides, as Oxford can be proud of another fi ne picked up from the base of the scrum. struggled to get out of their own half. Cambridge sought that all crucial equ- victory. Cambridge too should be proud Drawing the man, he popped the ball to Cherezov chipped the ball over the aliser, while Oxford were determined of the fact that they played top foot- the scrum half, who supported him on opposition full back’s head to score his not to rest on their laurels. Ironically, it ball throughout and were unlucky to the outside and was then able to dive second with an impudent forward roll, was not one of these o ensive trips into miss out on the day. Maisie Byrne had over for an early score. before the St. John’s pack rumbled over the Oxford box that gave the home-side the right attitude when she said that The forwards seized upon this appar- from a scrum for the second time. their breakthrough. the team would keep their “heads held ent superiority as St. John’s doubled On this form, it is hard to rule out Perhaps it was a long-ball that got high” and rightly noted that she could their lead minutes later. They elected the prospect of St. John’s retaining their lucky or Danni Griffiths had a Beck- not have asked for anything more from for a scrum, after Downing conceded a Cuppers title, to take at least something hamesque moment of inspiration and the players. Both teams can now look penalty on their own fi ve, and drove the from this season. seeing the keeper of her line, let fl y. Beki ahead to the rest of their busy season. Sport Editor: James Corcut [email protected] 4th March 2011

Chelsea and United are twelve months older and a little leakier at the rear Rosa Aaronovitch on the prospects of English sides in the SPORT Champions League this year, page 15 Light Blues dominate Varsity SPORT IN TIM JOHNS BRIEF A round up of the week’s sport

WOMEN’S BLUES PROGRESS TO SEMIFINAL AFTER VARSITY DISAPPOINTMENT

After their disappointing Varsity Saturday and the obligatory Varsity dinner, the women’s football Blues faced the Peterborough Azures in the County Cup quarterfi nal. Despite some aftereffects of the night before, a clear win was expected and achieved against a team from a league below. Five players scored, the fi nal score being 5-1. The overwhelmingly negative news was that Wainwright had to go to hospital with a torn ankle ligament after a very nasty tackle..

FITZ DEFEAT SELWYN TO SECURE SEMIFINAL AGAINST PEMBROKE IN CUPPERS

Fitz’s footballers edged out Selwyn in a tense cuppers match despite going a goal behind to win 2-1. Selwyn took the lead from a corner. But a stoke of bad luck changed the game in Fitz’s favour. The Selwyn goalkeeper su ered an injury in a collision with the Fitz srtriker and was forced o the pitch, leaving Selwyn’s left back to don the gloves for the second half. However, there was yet another twist in the tale as Fitz’s Barham kicked out at a Selwyn player to Cambridge puts in a strong set of performances to take three wins over Dark Blue rivals receive a red card. But even with ten men Fitz were able to equalise and maintain the pres- ADELINE DRABBLE showed good pace to score again. How- opening goal provided the Light Blues right wing and curved in towards goal, sure throughout the rest of the half. lacrosse correspondent ever, fresher Georgie Prichard replied with the confidence they needed in scoring with a powerful shot. Oxford’s And as the game neared its end in kind, dodging past a defender to slot attack. A clean quick-stick goal from Dan Beresford scored just before the half Fitz managed to grab the winner, it cleanly into the corner. Laura Plant, Montgomery, and another by Harvard- time whistle, the score standing at 9-1. guaranteeing them a semifi nal fi x- Parker’s Piece was transformed into a fresh o the plane from touring the US alumnus Tom Barron, left Cambridge Oxford returned to the pitch with ture with Pembroke. muddy sea of varying shades of blue with England, soon provided even more 3-0 up ten minutes in. energetic resolve, and the score reached this Saturday, playing host to several “pretty lacrosse” by spinning past her The crowd reacted loudly to sev- 10-5 within minutes. Cambridge needed close wins for Cambridge Lacrosse. defender and planting (pun intended) eral big hits to both teams, the physical to up their aggression. Tilbury was pre- The Women’s Blues played a di er- the ball into the back of the net. nature of the game truly on show. Goalie sented with a golden opportunity and he ent, tenser, game to that which they have Despite some strong defending by ‘wound up’ like a spring before explod- played all season: the perennial phrase, quadruple-blues Ellie Walshe and ‘the ing the ball into the back of the net. 11-6 ‘everything changes on Varsity day’ rang tall’ Gen Gotla, the score reached 6-6 to Cambridge. true as ever. An early break for Oxford and the tension was high. As Cambridge The perennial Oxford inched closer with penalty gave them the lead but with nerves run- went 7-6 up, ecstatic stick-swinging goal shots and careful attacking play and Search: Cole shot intern ri e practice ning high neither team was able to settle. celebrations by her teammate left Livesey phrase, ‘everything Cambridge seemed riled. But Tilbury The talismanic Ellie Walshe soon pro- with a head injury requiring stitches – scored his fi nal goal with his left hand, vided Cambridge’s response with a nifty ironically the only blood drawn in the changes on Varsity and the whistle came to leave the fi nal penalty shot and it was 1-1. Despite game. A disallowed goal for Oxford score at 14-9 to the Light Blues. some beautiful midfield passing from saw the crowd revert from booing into day’ rang true as The Women’s Seconds, the Kingfi sh- co-captains Anna Harrison and Laura cheering. ers, put in a sterling performance earlier Plant Oxford soon scored two in quick With four minutes remaining, Cam- ever in the day, pulling back from losing with succession , and Cambridge were trail- bridge pulled away and took the score to 15 minutes remaining, to come out vic- ing for the second time. 9-6. The Women’s Blues pulled through Sam Spurrell provided great dynamism torious at 7-6. Great determination and A period of scrappy attacking play today and showed determination in a in the game, sprinting up into attack and nerve must be accredited to co-captains just before half-time was soon remedied season-defi ning match. Their undefeated assisting a goal. His mobility and com- Amelia Duncanson and Ellie Pithers. by centre Alana Livesey, who ploughed streak this year will hopefully continue, munication organised the defence and through the fan and dodged two defend- as they move into the fi nal rounds of the Cambridge reached 5-0 at quarter-time. ers before parking the ball fi rmly into BUCS Premier Championship. A yellow card for the Oxford captain Ashley Cole is no stranger to public HAVE YOUR SAY ON UNI SPORT Oxford’s net. Livesey also took the next The Men’s Firsts had an equally El-Sayed provided Carl Tilbury with an interest in his ‘extra-curricular’ activities. www.varsity.co.uk/sport goal: 3-3 at half-time. storming game, taking clear control from opportunity to score, which he duly did. Here, animators put their take on his At the start of the second half, Oxford the outset. Captain Duncan Barrigan’s Shortly, Michael Lipton drove up the recent shooting of intern Tom Cowan.