THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1947 ISSUE NO. 768 FRIDAY 26th APRIL 2013

CRSCHMIDT Delicious or dodgy? As Cambridge City Council displays new food hygiene standards for city’s eateries, Varsity reveals the worst offenders. Prepare to be surprised...

byLOUISE ASHWELL authorities which have begun to run that major improvements are required. and boasts impressive lighting and Greek fast food joint Gardies, for Senior News Editor it. e scores according to this new 28 establishments in Cambridge comfy barstools. instance, enjoyed a top mark of  ve national framework, however, reveal postcodes CB1, CB2, CB3 and CB4 e fast food mobile Uncle Frank’s, in its last inspection. No rating is A Varsity investigation following that here a number of eateries have were given scores of one and two. less surprisingly retains its score of displayed for the Trailer of Life on the Cambridge City Council’s switch to been underperforming. Some of the recipients of these scores one from its last local inspection. One FHRS website, which a spokesman a new national Food Hygiene Rating Under the new scheme, each food will come as more of a surprise than supermarket was included within the for Cambridge City Council explained Scheme has exposed a poor state of business receives a score between zero others. Alimentum, one of Cambridge’s camp of low-ranking establishments, was because it is registered for the sale hygiene in many Cambridge students’ and  ve. Businesses whose hygiene Michelin starred restaurant, which namely the Spar on Chesterton Road. of food with South Cambridgeshire favourite and most frequented standards are deemed very good on its website boasts food ‘prepared A number of delis and Mill Road’s District Council, and as such, “it is they restaurants and cafes. ese include receive  ve, while any institution that with passion, integrity and originality’, International Food Store join it. Few who should display the rating not us.” the mobile catering  rms whose low receives zero does so because their together with a recommendation would automatically think of nightclub e trailer is owned by a Polish couple hygiene ratings will be nothing new hygiene state represents a health by the Sunday Times, received a e Place as a site for food purchase, whose registered address is in Great to students, but also more upmarket threat, These are required to make score of two in its last inspection in yet it too has a hygiene score, and Chesterford. While this can appear institutions, as well as University- urgent hygiene improvements, and risk December 2012. Olio and Farina, an a low one of just two at that, from an misleading, “the principle is based owned out ts. being closed down altogether. None Italian restaurant chain in the Grafton inspection sixteen months ago in on where the food business is based, Each establishment’s score is of the businesses surveyed received a Centre which identi es an audience December 2011. and not where it trades. While the two allocated according to a new national score of zero. on its website of Italians on vacation Not all fast food establishments locations are usually the same, for ... Food Hygiene Rating Scheme A score of two, however, conveys that or studying, claims to be looking to come in for criticism, however, from (FHRS). Cambridge is one of 150 local improvement is necessary, and one rediscover authentic Italian  avours, the hygiene inspectors. Legendary Continued on page 4... >> 05 News: Students in Cam- 15 Comment: Why food banks 18 Features: Varsity guide to 21 Theatre: not your average 30 Sport: Athletics team tour bridge need feminism alone aren’t the answer revision & procrastination toilet drama Ivy League

NEWS / COMMENT / FEATURES / LISTINGS / ARTS / CULTURE /FASHION / SPORT 2 [email protected] VARSITY Editorial FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013

A PEEK ONLINE e academic idealism your life into hours and mistakes but LETTERS POULTON OPINES Cambridge encourages self-re ection and good intentions. can be quite at odds with ere’s no point buying highlighters MIND THE SUPERVISION GAP Our politicians have no regard for the culture it fosters. Last if you’ve never used them before. Pay the British people but rigidly follow term’s discussions about attention to people when they talk to I am so pleased this [supervision another agenda. ey freely commit mental health were unre- you, think as clearly as you can, and discrepancies] has been highlighted treason against us. But are you aware solved, but will prove when you’re working, enjoy it. We in your article. It’s very important that our existing English Constitutional particularly germane to our have more agency than we think. that colleges are transparent about and Common Law was created lives in the next few weeks the amount of teaching and support speci cally to protect us from such as we enter Easter Term. students actually receive, and that despotic governance for all time ? We’re living in the same e orts are made to standardise ese laws are everlasting and should city but it looks somewhat this across the university as far as be used. di erent  lled with nerv- humanely possible. Since Edward Heath deliberately ous individuals and their deceived and betrayed the British su ocating, unspontane-   ,    people into the hands of a foreign ous timetables. power - the EEC/EU - every British EDITORIAL We throttle each other BUDDHISM AND THE DALAI LAMA parliament has been an unlawful when we speak our inside assembly because of the treason they Hannah Wilkinson takes a series voices out loud. Nerves I would like to point out that the Dalai have increasingly committed against of photos of an average day in breed nerves: don’t vocalise Lama has been in semi-retirement us. Cairo as she looks from a happily what you have and haven’t since 2001 ,then in 2011 he took an But we can remedy this riot-free window view to the done. unprecedented move with voluntarily situation. If you go to www. waste mound at the end of her Certain things about the Cambridge by devolving four century old Dalai englishconstitutiongroup.org and street where mangy cats happily grading systems encourage our inse- Lama’s Institute political authority www.acasefortreason.org.uk, you scrounge. curities. e jumps between a 2:2 and to the elected leader of tibetan will see the depth of criminality and a 2:1 or a 2:1 and a First are signi cant people, who happens to be Dr corruption we live under and what we enough to drive people crazy angling lobsang Sangay a senoir fellow law can do about it. And if you watch the for what is slightly out of reach. But scholar form Harvard law School. So YouTube video “A Plea For Help”, you the way we behave also de nes this centuries old tradition of combined will see that there is everything that culture to which we are subjected. It political and spiritual head has we can do to get our country back. It is important that this our mentality been formerly abandoned. I think needs only for the British public to view has sustainable foundations. this is a  rst important step towards these sources. Fight to stay interested in your sub- democratization. Tibetan people were ject; ask people what they’re reading reluctant to accept this decisione and  
 about, not just whether or not they’ve requested him atleast he could retain read something; try not to think ‘do I as a nominal head but he categorically need to do x’ but rather ‘do I want to refused to give a space for democarcy CONSPIRACY THEORY ALERT do it’ - maybe the blueprints of an ele- to  ourish in the tibetan community. vator shaft will regain their mystique. You’ve been busted. Don’t think I Some of our supervisors are still    ,    haven’t noticed the secret messages beyond inspirational and people still you media elite have hiding amongst pull through for us when they have the propaganda you supply this other things to do. So don’t divide MARGARET THATCHER bourgeoise university with. If you take the seventh letter of the sixth line on She took the nation out of the hands of the eight page (and this Issue 768? the Union Barons and into the hands Coincidence, I think not) and then add What really happened in Britain byALIYA RAM & SALOME WAGAINE of the bankers and corporate barons. them to the letters on the Wednesday under Margaret atcher, and what Editors, Lent 2013 I think I would have preferred the 17th April 2013 episode of Countdown, made it so divisive? Tom Belger former. it forms a pretty interesting anagram takes a look at the life and policies of a certain Illuminati leader. I’m of a still divisive woman.   ,    watching you. Expect me.

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EDITORIAL MEETINGS FOR WRITERS Or contact us: Make this Space began in collaboration with Changing @ Varsity’s O ces Spaces, an organisation committed to turning vacated shops on the high street into platforms for Old Examination Hall @varsityUK creative ideas in Cambridge. eir most recent exhibition responded Free School Lane to the theme Collaboration for Transformation, turning a bare Cambridge CB2 3RP room into a phantasmagoria of facebook.com/ colour WANT TO WRITE varsityuk FOR US ? add yourself to ...News: Sunday 4pm our mailing lists at lists.cam. ...Comment: Monday 5pm ac.uk ... eatre: Friday 1.30pm varsity.co.uk

EDITORS Aliya Ram & Salome Wagaine [email protected] BUSINESS MANAGER Michael Derringer [email protected] DESIGN EDITOR Naomi Pallas [email protected] DIGITAL EDITOR Luke Sweeney [email protected] NEWS EDITORS Louise Ashwell (Senior), Emily Chan (Deputy - Breaking News), Phelim Brady (Deputy - Analysis) & Josh Simons (Deputy - Investigations) news@ varsity.co.uk COMMENT EDITORS Alice Udale-Smith (Senior) & Ben Brindley (Deputy) [email protected] FEATURES EDITORS Naomi Pallas & Claire Healy [email protected] LISTINGS EDITOR Zara Meerza [email protected] ARTS EDITORS Sam Hunt (Senior) & Lewis Wynn (Deputy) [email protected] CULTURE EDITORS Dominic Kelly & Ella Gri ths culture@varsity. co.uk THEATRE EDITORS Richard Stockwell (Senior) & Rivkah Brown (Deputy) [email protected] FASHION EDITOR Cassandre Greenberg & Tom Rasmussen (Art Director) fashion@varsity. co.uk SPORT EDITORS Ruairi Bowen (Senior) & Andrew Stallabrass (Deputy) [email protected] PRODUCTION EDITOR Patrick O’Grady [email protected] BUSINESS & ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE Tristan Dunn CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Katie Bartholomew [email protected] EASTER TERM SUB-EDITORS Roxana Antohi, Tom Freeman, Emily Pulsford & Gillian Whitaker VARSITY BOARD Dr Michael Franklin (Chair), Prof. Peter Robinson, Dr Tim Harris, Chris Wright, Michael Derringer, Madeleine Morley (VarSoc President), Tristan Dunn, Aliya Ram & Salome Wagaine

NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT Varsity, Old Examination Hall, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RF. Tel 01223 337575. Fax 01223 760949. Varsity is published by Varsity Publications Ltd. Varsity Publications also publishes BlueSci and The Mays. RECYCLING Recycled paper made ©2012 Varsity Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher. Printed at Iliffe Print Cambridge — Winship Road, up 78.9% of the raw material for UK Milton, Cambridge CB24 6PP on 42.5gsm newsprint. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Offi ce. ISSN 1758-4442 newspapers in 2011 NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT VARSITY [email protected] 3 Friday 26th april 2013 News “Generation self”: are today’s students more self-centred than ever before? Emily Chan surveys the social attitudes of students at Cambridge to investigate whether there is widespread apathy

were liberal democrat voters, equal generation – through something like level – Facebook is an example of this.” with supporters of the Green party. volunteering for a charity in their area – She noted that social media was Nearly half said they supported the rather than through an interest in party however an efective tool for activism: labour party, while 23 per cent said politics.” “Student protests and sharing of political they supported the Conservatives. Figures show that 53 per cent ideas are frequently done on twitter, While the majority agreed that there of students at Cambridge have Facebook and other contemporary was widespread political apathy among volunteered for charity or within the ways of showing our social conscience students, others thought that students local community in the past year. just like other generations.” connected with society through other Some believe that social media Farrell added: “his generation has means. has contributed to the idea of the the power of internet-fuelled activism One student, who is studying history “Generation Self”. tanne Spielman, a to allow them to inform themselves of art at Fizwilliam, said: “i think maybe ppS student at Jesus, commented: “Our about things that don’t even happen my generation expresses its concern for generation is narcissistic and cares a lot in this country. We are becoming more others in diferent ways than my parents about our image, often on a supericial global, not more insular.”

JOHN LOO a Varsity survey has found that 57 Figures from the survey also indicate per cent of students at the University that students at Cambridge are more of Cambridge agree that this is a sympathetic to those living on beneits “Generation Self” – a term used by the than their counterparts nationally. Guardian to describe a generation more Only 18 per cent disagreed with the concerned with the self than others. statement that “unemployed people half of students at the University of receiving beneits are for the most part Cambridge said that they “agree” or unlucky rather than lazy”, compared to “strongly agree” that their generation nearly 50 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds is far less politically active than their questioned in a poll conducted by iCM. parents’ generation, compared to 32 But opinions on the levels of per cent who “disagree” government spending or “strongly disagree.” on benefits were divided. Only 3 in 10 said that 60% responding after the recent they had participated in a changes to the welfare system, demonstration in the last THINK THAT 40 per cent thought that the ive years, although 2 in 5 THERE IS A current spending was “about answered that they took right”, while 37 per cent said it “quite a lot” of interest “STRONG LEVEL was “too low”. in national politics. 60 OF POLITICAL the latest report by the per cent agreed with the British Social attitudes survey suggestion that there is a APATHY” indicated that there has been “strong level of political a shift towards the right over apathy within the student population.” the last 20 years, particularly on the Gideon Farrell, a Natural Sciences redistribution of wealth. in 1991, 58 student at King’s, thinks that the per cent of respondents agreed that suggestion that today’s students are the “government should spend more more self-centred than previous on welfare beneits even if it leads to generations is unfair: “if anything the higher taxes”, compared to only 28 per Baby Boomer generation is ‘Generation cent in 2011. Self’. hat generation had high growth, in Cambridge, however, the left-wing free university, beneits and the NhS student stereotype held strong: 1 in 2 and yet did not think to ensure future considered their political views to be stability.” on the left, compared to 1 in 10 on the he introduction of £9,000 tuition right. he most popular news outlet, fees last September has meant that aside from the BBC, was the Guardian, student debt is an even greater cause favoured by 28 per cent of students. of concern. 54 per cent think they will he National health Service, which have to ask their parents for inancial featured in what some described as a

support after graduation. ‘leftie’ Olympic opening ceremony another student, who is reading last summer, is strongly supported by history at King’s, said: “he generation students. 82 per cent said they “strongly before us, in [their] 30s now, is far less agreed” that the NhS should remain politically engaged then the present free for everyone. student cohort, many of whom have although Cambridge Mp Julian been radicalised by tuition fees and huppert was elected with 39 per cent government cuts”. of the vote in the 2010 general election, Nearly 60 per cent of students said students seem to be turning away from that they were “generally opposed” the liberal democrats. of “irmly opposed” to cuts in public Of those who said that they supported spending. a main political party, only 13 per cent 4 [email protected] VARSITY News Friday 26th april 2013

FOOD HYGIENE RATING delicious or dodgy? (continued...) SCALE

town residents alike. Café Milano on advertising in University publications, hall Naomi Wood expressed concerns St andrew’s Street, Sri lankan restau- also received the lowest rating. about the number of eateries which rant Ceylon Cinnamon, and the haunt a local food hygiene rating scheme the new rating scheme has exposed of many student society end of term has existed for food outlets in Cam- received low hygiene scores. “i would meals, the Varsity restaurant, which bridge for many years, but the hope is expect low hygiene scores from certain serves food from Greece and the Medi- that participation in a single nationwide places, but the number of well-known terranean, were all judged in need of scheme will allow businesses across the names that have been revealed by this major improvements, and given a score country the chance to operate on a level study is worrying. When i eat out, i have of one. playing ield. always, until now, just assumed that Nor were chains exempt. if the staf of the aspects which are examined restaurant kitchens at least will be clean bigger nationwide chains such as pizza when examining an institution’s and hygienic. Express, Café rouge and Jamie’s italian hygiene standards include tempera- “i’m not sure how it will afect my were all able to breathe a collective sigh ture issues, preparation and cooking. choice of restaurants in the future – of relief on receiving scores of 4 or 5, inspectors also take into account the although at least it can’t be as bad as the mere fact of being a chain was not a condition of the buildings and the pre- the student kitchen i share with twelve guarantee of subscribing to their com- cautions the irms take to ensure food is people!” pany’s regulations in practice. safe to consume. a spokesman for Cambridge City his was particularly true of smaller Examples of instances where food Council warned that the change of chains, with only a couple of branches hygiene standards would be felt to system might have allowed for some across the country to call upon. he have lapsed would therefore include anomalies in the data. “Clearly, we have chain Browns Bar & Brasserie, whose failure to provide soap for cleaning just undergone a complete review of WWW.GEOGraph.OrG Cambridge branch is situated on hands, windows not itted with insect- our database, and as such, it is possible ...continued from page 1 trumpington Street received a score proof screens and evidence of raw meat that some of the codes may have been of two in its inspection of July last not stored in adequate refrigerated incorrectly allocated.” food mobiles, as in this case, this may year. conditions. Equipment coming into hey added, however, that “whilst not be the same.” Meanwhile, Cinnabon, whose Cam- contact with food may not have we have tried to ensure that this is not One eatery with links to the Uni- bridge branch is one of four stores been effectively cleaned or the case, we are reliant on businesses versity came in for criticism for lax owned by the company nationwide, and disinfected. and members of the public to inform us

commitment to hygiene regulations. which ofers deals to students through Second year English student ataNNiE trinity MOlE of possible errors; in this case, we he University Sports and Social Club believe that the information is correct.” on Mill lane was slapped with a score his new scheme will not necessar- of one at the start of the 2012-13 aca- ily translate into more obvious display demic year. Students can still rest easy, of hygiene stickers by establishments. however; Cambridge colleges have all Each business receives a certificate received scores of ive, while the Uni- and window sticker to show their score, versity library tea room received top but is not obliged to display them marks. he rollout of a new online scheme, restaurants deemed in need of Ever thought in what however, will allow students to check improvements include some of Cam- sort of conditions these more easily than ever before when bridge’s most recognisable names, were made? eating out which are safe, and which

which are frequented by students and should be shunned. WWW.FliNtShirE.OrG.UK Join our team Interested in

We’re now recruiting for Easter and Michaelmas 2013 postgraduate No experience is needed to get involved next term, and there’s never been a better time to join Varsity and try one of our positions. journalism For more information and to apply, email the editors, Aliya and Salome, [email protected]. training? Formal applications are also invited to edit and section edit Varsity in Michaelmas 2013 Application forms are available for download from varsity.co.uk/get-involved A major scholarship and/or bursary may be awarded to students graduating from the The deadline for editorial applications is University of Cambridge or ARU who are about 5pm on Monday April 29 2013 to undertake an approved course in journalism in the coming academic year. The deadline for section editor applications is 5pm on Monday May 27 2013 Past beneficiaries of the awards have gone on to successful careers at a variety of All students are encouraged to apply. media organisations. No experience of Varsity is necessary. If you have any questions, please email the For further details on the Trust and to check current editors on [email protected]. eligibility, visit www.varsitytrust.org.uk or email [email protected] for an information pack. Positions on the team include: News Editor, Production Editor, Comment Editor, Features Editor, Deadline for applications: Arts Editor, Reviews Editor, Sport Editor, Fashion Editor, 5pm, Monday April 29 2013 Science Editor,Theatre Critic, Music Critic, Classical Critic, Film Critic, Visual Arts Critic, Literary Critic, Food Critic, Photographer, Illustrator

The Varsity Trust offers funding to students planning to undertake journalism courses in 2013-2014. Registered Charity No. 1012847 VARSITY [email protected] 5 Friday 26th april 2013 News

NEWS IN BRIEF

GRAFFITI APPEARS ON CAMBRIDGE MOSQUE SITE MILL ROAD Vandals have attacked the planned site for a new Cambridge mosque on Mill road spraying offensive messages on hoardings in front of the mosque’s building site. Graiti appeared with the message: “For the murderous scum bags. What were you thinking? hitler tried terror and failed as will you”, just days after the Boston marathon bombings claimed three lives, in an apparent attempt to link the bomb attack to islam. Cambridge MEp richard howitt said: “this anonymous graiti by cover of moonlight is the worst kind of cowardly attack from someone who knows their views are unacceptable.” Soon after appearing last week the graiti was painted over by Cambridge City Council. BUBBLE TEA SHOP OPENS ON REGENT STREET

TEA he latest fashion in beverages is hitting Cambridge as a shop selling bubble tea, a soft drink imported from taiwan, opens on regent Street. he drink is based on Jasmine green tea, assam black tea or Oolong tea, to which is added a choice of milky, creamy or sweet lavours and is then topped of with tapioca pearls, jellies or ooballs – jelly sweets that burst in the mouth. he shop, named Ooshi, is owned and run by local family, who say the drink is “new, diferent and will be served in a lively, fun and bright environment with exciting colourful graphics that we believe will appeal to a student city like Cambridge”. Bubble tea originated in taiwan some thirty years ago, and has since seen popularity in the United States. SOMERVILLE SCRAPS SHARK PLANS

OXFORD Somerville College, Oxford has abandoned plans to display a live shark at its summer ball in May. he £110 ball, advertised by organisers as “a night of decadence”, came under ire from students after the shark plans were revealed in recent weeks. a number of graduates and undergraduates VARSITY GOES of the college wrote a letter to the college’s principal demanding BEHIND THE they prevent animals being used as a “gaudy show” at the event, arguing it would cause the animal SCENES OF undue stress and amount to cruelty. Somerville’s principal CUSU WOMEN’S said they had “just pulled the plug on the shark” due to concerns over damage to the university’s CAMPAIGN AND reputation. More bad news for Somerville came on Wednesday ARU FEMINIST when it was revealed that credit rating agency Fitch had stripped the college of its prized aaa credit SOCIETY’S ‘I rating. NEED FEMINISM 75 YEARS OF CAMBRIDGE’S COMPUTER BECAUSE...’ LABORATORY PHOTO TECHNOLOGY his week the University of Cambridge’s Computer laboratory has been CAMPAIGN ON celebrating its 75th anniversary, marking decades at the forefront KING’S PARADE of developments in computer technology. lOUiSE aShWEll (all phOtOS) (all aShWEll lOUiSE 6 [email protected] VARSITY News Friday 26th april 2013 Emergency food hand outs multiply CAMBRIDGECITYFOODBAN.WIX.COM in Cambridge Tom Belger investigates the recent growth of the Cambridge City Foodbank, and the realities of poverty in the city. the number of people receiving trying to get in on the act as well”, angie emergency food supplies in Cambridge WHAT IS THE FOODBANK? giggles. has nearly doubled in the past year, a “hings like baked beans and soup Varsity investigation has revealed. and pasta we’ve really got loads of,” he charity Cambridge City Foodbank the trussell trust began work in she says. “But now we’re starting to has fed 2382 residents since last april, 2000, when two former staff on the communicate to our donors to bring representing a 93% rise on the previous UN feeding programme established a things like puddings, juices and pasta year. approximately a third of those Foodbank in Salisbury. he charity now sauce, which people weren’t thinking being fed are children. provides manuals, training, support o f ”. the highest number of users are and co-ordination for a network of Shoppers keen to donate are concentrated in an arc stretching round projects across the country like the one encouraged to buy what they can aford the north, east and south of Cambridge, in Cambridge. from a Foodbank shopping list, which in wards like arbury and trumpington. the organisation describes its ensures clients have access to a varied By contrast, the three central and mission as supporting church-led and balanced diet. he list includes western wards of Market, Newnham eforts to “engage the whole community tinned fruit, vegetables, meat and ish, and Castle, in which most colleges are in providing food to local people going as well as cereal, tea, long-life juice and located, appear relatively unafected. hungry”. Uht milk. “he igures speak for themselves. in he Cambridge Foodbank was set up “here’s usually the odd little treat this city, we’ve got 17% of all children A typical food box from the Cambridge in 2010, on the initiative of a group of too, like chocolate or a packet of crisps,” living in poverty”, said the Cambridge City Foodbank anglican, Catholic and Free churches. i angie adds. She shows me some boxes City Foodbank Co-ordinator, david met volunteers and one of its founders, of ‘extras’ speciic to Cambridge, which Goldspink. angie Campbell, at a distribution centre range from toothbrushes to hats, he Foodbank runs four distribution to explore the rebirth of a phenomenon scarves and hot water bottles. centres across Cambridge, which more commonly associated with the local people in need are referred provide families and adults in crisis Victorian era. to the Foodbank and given a voucher with enough food for three days. Mild-mannered, but spirited and for its supplies by around 70 diferent it forms part of the trussell trust hard-working, angie has overseen agencies, including social workers, charity network, which operates over the charity’s expansion to a team of 45 doctors, schools and advisors at 300 foodbanks nationally in partnership active volunteers, with no paid staf. Jobcentre plus and the Citizens advice with local churches. Food is largely donated by a Bureau. he rapid growth in foodbank activity supporting network that now includes “people are generally quite relieved,” relects a national trend. he trussell over 50 churches and schools. it is angie says of clients’ irst visits. “a few trust expects to be assisting 500,000 also donated by shoppers through people have been in tears, they’ve been clients by 2015, a nearly 200% rise on collections and drop-of bins at tesco, upset. But generally it’s appreciation as the 26,000 fed in 2008-9. CAMBRIDGE CITY FOODBANK Sainsbury’s and asda. “Waitrose is much as anything else.” the Celtic side of the access problem

byLAURENCE ROWLEY-ABEL no-strings inancial support package Are Scottish students staying at home? and PHELIM BRADY for the lowest-income students”. Scotland’s Edinburgh University News Reporter & Deputy News Editor however, some Scottish students suggest that even with the offer of extra inancial support there is a trend Once again Cambridge finds itself towards staying in Scotland for higher questioning who gets to study here and education. Claire Johnstone, a Scottish why. New igures have revealed that student at Stirling University, said that in between 2011 and 2012 the University her school there was a general attitude of Cambridge saw a 14 per cent drop that attending English universities in applications from Scottish students, was not a feasible option: “hey were as numbers fell from 378 to 324. last thought of as too expensive for us and year also saw the number of Oxbridge nobody was sure if the government places going to pupils from Welsh would help pay for the fees.” comprehensive schools fall by a ifth. For students living in Wales however Statistics compiled by the University tuition fees have stayed the same at show that in 2011 only 57 students were around £3,500, regardless of where accepted to the University of Cambridge they study in the UK. From this year the from Wales and 55 from Scotland. in Welsh government is providing all new the same period, 597 students were students with a grant of up £5,425 per admitted from london alone. year to cover the extra cost of the new dr Mike Sewell, director of admissions tuition fees regime, following a decision for Cambridge, expressed a desire to made in 2011 by the country’s labour- “understand the reasons behind the plaid Cymru coalition to keep fee costs drop in applications and tackle them”. down. the drop in Oxbridge applications But despite this, statistics compiled from students in Scotland follows the by the BBC show that only 76 pupils government’s introduction of the new from Welsh comprehensive schools DUN_DEAGH tuition fees regime, which sees students gained places at Oxbridge in 2012, expectations. “in my town everybody ambassador, with the job of driving up reason behind the fall in Oxbridge from Scotland as well as England pay down from 96 in 2008. Over the same grew up going to one of the local the number of Welsh pupils gaining acceptances. Under the Welsh Bacc up to £9,000 per year when they attend period however, the number of Welsh schools, then perhaps got a degree from entrance to the two universities. some pupils take just two a-levels, in an English university. entrants from independent schools has a nearby Welsh university and returned last year the Mp’s office published addition to studying other modules on addressing the issue, a spokeswoman stayed the same. to live in the same town”. research which suggested the Welsh personal development, enterprise and for Oxford University was keen to Chris hitchcock, a student at King’s in March the Welsh government Baccalaureate, the qualiication taken current afairs, rather than the three emphasise that Scottish students “have College who comes from Wales, appointed paul Murphy Mp, a former by many Welsh teenagers in their required by Cambridge and Oxford in access to the country’s most generous spoke of there being a problem with Welsh Secretary, as Wales’ Oxbridge last two years of school, could be one their standard entry requirements. VARSITY [email protected] 7 FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 News

WHY DO PEOPLE NEED natural rise in food output of young foodbanks as they become established, Varsity FOOD AID? and the snowball e ect resulting from the Trust’s marketing activities”. Volunteers were less hesitant. “It’s attends 2013 So why are so many people resorting to de nitely worse,” says Katie, with the emergency food relief in the UK? other volunteers around her nodding The Foodbank keeps a record of solemnly in agreement. “And it will get YouGov agencies’ reasons for referring clients, worse, we’re all aware of that as workers. to allow the Trussell Trust to collect We’ll be coming here a lot more”. statistics on a national level. Varsity She pointed to the range of reforms Cambridge was granted access to the data for being implemented this month, such Cambridge. as real-terms cuts to all working-age Nearly half of all 2382 cases were bene ts, the abolition of crisis loans symposium caused by delays and changes to and the bedroom tax. e Institute for bene ts. Fiscal Studies suggests these will leave byBEN SCHILPEROORT “If people have had a change in families an average of £891 worse o . News Reporter circumstances, it can take up to six “We’ll be busier,” agrees Angie glumly. weeks for their bene ts to come in”, eir new clients may well include Angie says. “So we have lots of people middle-class families, Angie says. “One On 17 April, YouGov hosted the annual who literally have no income for a lady was in tears when she arrived, one YouGov-Cambridge Symposium in matter of weeks”. who used to donate. Her husband had partnership with the University’s I asked if administrative errors were left her. She had young children, she Department of Politics and International to blame. “No, no, that’s just the way had her house south of Cambridge and Studies (POLIS). the system works!” another volunteer a mortgage to pay, and she couldn’t get Following fresh research from YouGov pipes in, her tone one of dismay. TOM BELGER a job. She said she was going to have to measuring the polarization of public POVERTY IN BRITAIN £90 a week [bene t], and she’s still got sell up. e nice home, nice job, nice opinion caused by Margaret atcher’s to pay gas, electricity, water, TV license, holidays, it had all disappeared.” premiership, the Guardian columnist PEOPLE ARE and for her kids. From this month, even Jonathan Freedland chaired a debate on bene ts she’ll have to pay council THE POLITICAL RESPONSE on her legacy. Fraser Nelson, the editor JUST FINDING ‘Low income’ was the other most tax.” of the Spectator, praised Thatcher’s common reason clients turned to the programme for “putting money in the Foodbank. Over one in  ve clients were IMPACT OF RECESSION AND Politicians’ and commentators’ hands of the many, not the few”, and IT HARDER referred because their wages or bene ts reactions to foodbanks have been argued that New Labour advanced her TO MAKE ENDS MEET were inadequate to cover their living THE CUTS mixed. The Conservatives and the legacy to areas into which she feared costs. Liberal Democrat Mayor of Cambridge to tread. Also on the panel was Dr “It’s heart-wrenching, some of the “For the  rst time ever, we have more have praised them as a grassroots Helen ompson, Reader in Politics stories people have to deal with,” says people in poverty that are actually in How far is the foodbank’s growth linked initiatives responding to hard times. at POLIS, who disputed Thatcher’s Angie. working households than non-working to the recession and the cuts? Labour claim they are a dire re ection credentials as a conviction politician “Last week we had a young lady households, and that should shock “I’m sure it is,” Angie stresses. “People of the government’s handling of the and characterised her premiership as whose roof had collapsed because of people. Even people in work are having are just  nding it harder and harder to economy. Little attention has been one of “crisis management”. asbestos. e council moved her into to choose between buying food and make ends meet.” paid so far to their limitations as a way For the remainder of the conference, temporary accommodation with her heating their homes,” co-ordinator Recent  gures show real wages fell of dealing with poverty, something I the challenge of restoring public trust three year old son. e  at was totally David notes. 4.5% between 2007 and 2011, and examine in the Comment section. in the banking was discussed by the empty.” I spoke brie y to a support worker, unemployment now stands at a 16-year Whatever your politics, it seems chairman of RBS, Sir Philip Hampton, “She didn’t have any money, and Katie, picking up food for one of her high. These are among the factors clear the problem is a deeper one than and journalists Will Hutton and Allister her bene ts weren’t coming through out-of-work clients. She gave an insight highlighted by the Trussell Trust, which recent comments by Downing Street Heath. The panel included Craig till the following week. ere wasn’t into their bleak situation: has also pointed to the impact of bene t suggest. People are using foodbanks, Donaldson, CEO of Metro Bank, the any help, only a £60 crisis loan, but she “One of them, I know she’s got nothing cuts and rising food and fuel prices. a spokesperson for the Prime Minister only High Street bank to emerge in over had the deposit and bills to pay, and of in her cupboards. And I mean nothing. I A recent independent report said, because “they feel they need a bit one hundred years. course it’s not enough for her and looked. Some teabags, but I don’t think suggested providing a clear-cut answer of extra food”. Speaking to Varsity about the event, her son to actually set up a home and she’s even got milk. She hasn’t eaten for was di cult, however. It said a degree We can only hope the  ndings of the Mr Donaldson said, “Conferences everything.” days sometimes. She’s trying to pay bills of growth was to be expected with or government’s ongoing investigation are like this are great for getting the and keep warm and she’s only on about without the recession, noting “the a little more thorough. industry to talk. ere seems to be a general acceptance that we need to do something to restore trust in banking. But the question is, what?” He was able to reveal that he is looking into setting Cambridge declared the capital of cycling up a branch of Metro Bank in central

TEJVAN PHOTOS Cambridge in the near future. byAMY HAWKINS on improving hazardous junctions and The annual YouGov-Cambridge Senior News Reporter road surfaces, including the junction of Forum will be held on ursday 12 and Hills Road and Regent Street, which has Friday 13 September 2013 at Magdalene been allocated £450,000. College and will explore the role of the A recent government survey has A statement from the Cambridge state in an age of austerity. revealed that Cambridge is the top city Cycling Campaign, a group that aims to for cyclists in the UK. According to improve cycling safety and encourage WHAT IS YOUGOV, AND the report, 47 per cent of Cambridge more people to cycle, said: “With residents cycle at least once a week. is consistent but relatively small levels of WHAT ARE ITS LINKS  gure is much higher than in Oxford, investment compared with other forms WITH CAMBRIDGE? which was in second place with only of transport investment, we could start 28 per cent, and far above the national to rival the cycling rates of cities in average of 10 per cent. e top three Denmark or the Netherlands.” YouGovYouGov is is a research company TWITTER/@YOUGOVCAM cities of Cambridge, Oxford and York all “Despite an increasing population, Britain’s most have high student populations. census figures show that car use in prominent public However, the statistics for Cambridge Cambridge has hardly risen in ten years. opinion pollster. show that the number of regular cyclists Improved facilities for cycling will o er In 2011, it has actually fallen since last year. In everybody the choice of healthy and establishedYouGov 2011, for instance, 43 per cent cycled …sustainable ways of getting around, Cambridge, connecting the three times a week, compared with 35 reducing congestion and pollution research company with academics per cent this year. even further.” and students. Researchers warned that these The campaign is also planning to  ndings should be approached with question candidates in the upcoming It is working with the University in caution, as the survey is only in its local elections on their plans regarding developing the syllabus for a new second year, meaning a regional pattern cycling provisions in the city. Cambrige Master’s Degree in Public has not yet been established. Speaking While safety is a key concern for In Cambridge, 47% of people cycle at Policy, being launched in October to Cambridge News, Alex Plant, the cyclists, many feel positive about the least once a week, while 25% cycle at 2013. executive director for transport and situation in Cambridge. Mollie Wintle, least fi ve times in the same period environment at Cambridgeshire County a  rst-year student at Murray Edwards Professor Andrew Gamble of Council, said: “We are con dent that the who cycles regularly, said: “I only feel a the POLIS Department: the numbers of people cycling and walking bit worried when I’m cycling up Castle measurement of public opinion will continue to increase over time”. Hill. In general I feel safer on my bike “has become a crucial element of e publication of the survey follows than o it.” our democracies… Access to the the recent announcement that the is year’s  gure of 25 per cent of polling resources of YouGov can Department for Transport has granted people cycling at least  ve times a week help students test their ideas, and Cambridgeshire City Council with £1.2 was again down on last year’s 37 per become aware of what lies behind million to improve the safety of cyclists cent, but still well above the national public opinion data… “ around the city. is money will be spent average of three per cent. 8 [email protected] VARSITY News Friday 26th april 2013

YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED DALAI LAMA PAYS VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE Oxbridge comes top byJOSH SIMONS AND BEN BRINDLEY he dalai lama was on a two-day visit to for getting donations Cambridge last week to attend a talk on ‘Non- success of Oxbridge and the rest of the violence for Conlict resolution’ as part of the byGOPAL KOTECHA Global Scholars Symposium. russell Group universities, rather than Speaking at St John’s, he told the media they News Reporter the sector as a whole. ought to grow longer noses to better “snif out last year, venture capitalist problems”. it is not only the academic rankings Michael Moritz, a former member he said: “it is important for the media to look that are dominated by Oxbridge – the of the board of directors at Google, both in front and behind them, with long noses – latest annual report by the National donated a record-breaking £75 this is important in a democratic society”. Centre for Social research puts Oxford million to the University of Oxford. he dalai lama argued that within this century, and Cambridge irmly in the lead of Without this donation, Oxbridge’s if the education system could be corrected so philanthropic share of fundraising would be that it educates the heart as well as the brain, fundraising as significantly lower at 40 per humanity’s underlying compassion would bring well. ON AVERAGE cent. global peace. he research, the non-russell group he refused to accept that humans are truly carried out on £12 MILLION WAS universities fared signiicantly negative, saying “if it’s true that humans are behalf of the SPENT BY OXFORD AND worse than their counterparts, negative, we should pray that the world will end”. Council for with fundraising down 36 per Questioned about the rising numbers of advancement CAMBRIDGE ON cent, despite investing almost as tibetans who self-immolate, he refused to and Support FUNDRAISING much as the previous year. respond, saying that his duty to tibetans was not of Education the higher Education one of leadership but of giving them a voice. he (CaSE) and the ACTIVITIES Funding Council for England explained, “the tibetan people are my boss, i’m ross Group, (hEFCE) has discontinued its not their boss”. categorised matched funding scheme, which later, the dalai lama gave his irst of three talks UK universities into five different aimed to encourage voluntary giving in a packed St John’s chapel, broadcast live to the groups based on the strength of their and was open to all higher education world on youtube. fundraising campaigns. institutions. Smiling, he explained that even if we did not Oxbridge raised 45 per cent of the entirely understand him, it was our fault: “you total funds secured by UK universities

invited me.” in 2011-2012, more than the rest of B_D_SOLIS VARSITY the russell group combined, placing Oxford and Cambridge into their own separate group of “elite fundraising programmes”. Such a high level of fundraising was Fears of low student turnout for next not without signiicant investment by the two universities. Oxford and Cambridge spent on average £12 million each on fundraising activities, month’s local council elections over 30 times the average spent by other UK universities. likely to change in future due to Because it’s diicult to get access to they also gained a much higher the government’s introduction of pigeon holes in some colleges and rate of return than other universities, individual voter registration, but that because not everybody reads a lealet spending less than 10 pence per pound won’t apply this year. before the put it in the bin, we’re also raised. his is in contrast with the if you’re on the electoral register, making increasing use of email and group of so called “fragile fundraising Venture capitalist Michael Moritz you should by now have received a social media. programmes” that spend over £20 per donated record sum of £75 million polling card which will tell you where Whereas we try to contact most pound raised, and are therefore losing to Oxford University last year your polling place is. voters in person by knocking on their money from their eforts. if it has not been received, you may doors and talking to them about the the total amount raised by not be registered and should contact issues they care about, that’s not really universities – which include donations, electoral services at Cambridge City possible in colleges. pledges and legacies – has gone up by Council to check. you are eligible to 14 per cent, despite a decline in overall vote if you are aged 18 or over, reside he County Council elections take place charity donations. at an address in Cambridgeshire and on hursday 2nd May. his increase is primarily due to the are a citizen of Britain, ireland or any member of the Commonwealth or the European Union. EACH ISSUE, THE VARSITY NEWS TEAM Why don’t students vote? DELVES INTO THE NEWS ARCHIVES TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS HITTING THE ED CARLSSON-BROWNE Voting is a democratic duty, and it’s also the best way to get your point of HEADLINES IN YESTERYEAR Ed Carlsson-Browne graduated from view across on both local and national Corpus Christi in 2008, and is now a issues. PhD student living in Cambridge. He at the last county council elections, STOP PRESS with Varsity - Friday april 29, 1983 is running as a Labour candidate in Market, the most student-heavy ward the Cambridgeshire County Council in Cambridge, had a turnout of only elections next month. Varsity asked him 27 per cent, the second lowest in the to give his views on why many students county. he major reasons students don’t vote in the local elections. don’t vote is that they don’t realise elections are happening or that they Background on the County Council, have a vote. Many choose to vote the elections and registration at home, or don’t think they know enough about the issues. he primary areas which the county Students are legally entitled council has responsibility for are social to vote both at university and at services, youth services, waste disposal home, provided they don’t live in and the environment, transport and Cambridgeshire. and they live in leisure, and culture. it also appoints Cambridge for at least half the year, so members to a number of oversight they deserve a say in these elections. if bodies in areas such as education, students don’t vote, all it means is that policing and ire services. non-students in student-heavy wards Elections to the county council ind their votes have proportionately happen once every four years, with more impact, which is hardly fair. elections to Cambridge City Council in each of the intervening years. here are 69 seats available, 14 of which are What is being done? elected from Cambridge. all students living in college Candidates have been using the old accommodation should be registered methods of putting lealets in pigeon

to vote by their colleges. this is holes and organising meetings. FROM THE ARCHIVES VARSITY [email protected] 9 FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 News The rise of the Oxbridge brand: University of Cambridge™ As the University of Oxford adds the bicycle to its range of merchandise, Katharine Biddle takes a look at ‘brand economics’

RULE BIKES; candle - OU SHOP The relationship between branding importantly brand image to brand merchandise to include a new and academia may at first appear attract students. line of bicycles exclusively linked to the incongruous. Surely brands enable a Familiarity plays ‘Oxford brand’. reductionist form of subtle advertising, significantly into this the Chris Evans, the Managing Director while academia heralds the detailed brand image focus, of Oxford Limited has disclosed the discovery of concealed truths? with institutions in bikes will include a retro design and Upon closer inspection however, the UK like Oxford high-quality material, which is meant it becomes evident universities and Cambridge to emulate the brand’s core values of are a brand, often applied to resonating with “heritage and excellence.” by prospective students for young ambitious The Oxford bike will join other reputation as much as speci c minds early in Oxford-based merchandise including assets. the educational dark blue Oxford clocks, Oxford plates, Back in 2010, the University process. Oxford scented candles, Oxford travel of Cambridge was named the Ian Pearman, bags and Oxford stationary. second most prestigious brand in CEO of Abbott Oxford is not alone in its promotional the UK, topped only by Mercedes- Mead Vickers, material-based brand items, with Benz. the UK’s largest Cambridge’s Blue Bike, the uno cial Cambridge as a brand beat advertising agency, bike for the Tabs, joining the ranks back industrial titans such as Apple, identified the in 1895 with induction by Townsend BMW and Audi in a survey Cambridge and family. conducted by Design Technology. Oxford Boat Race as Aside from bicycles, Cambridge  e survey cemented Cambridge a subtle reminder to possesses a specific website for all ANALYSIS University in the realm of luxury, high- youth of the brand name matters concerning trademark and end merchandise brands, presenting educational institutions. licenced goods a different picture of brand-name  e hype surrounding the sporting The ‘Trademark and Licensing The investment incorporated into fuelling and funding the brand universities at large. event leaves a reminder in the minds Programme’ is designed to regulate of a university emulates the centrality branding has within Studies conducted by behavioural of young intellectuals of the history, the use of the University of Cambridge academia for attracting donations, endowments and students. economists have shown brand age and tradition associated with the brand name internationally, with a wide name products are purchased due to renowned universities. range of legal counsel, licensing agents In some ways, academia has become all about the branding. With reputation or acclaim, which causes Universities have delved into and licensees to ensure the brand is not students’ main priority following graduation being employment, a better a reduction in anxiety in relation to the realm of ‘brand’ economics by used by any party not directly a liated ‘brand’ on resumes will increase graduates’ chances of getting the job. product quality. producing and heavily marketing to the university itself. The means external and even official university products, such as  e intensive attention to the use of However, such attention to merchandise branding, while assisting in universal recognition make customers scarfs, hoodies, cups, bookmarks and the brand conveys the importance the fi nancing educational programmes and promoting the institution, fi rst more likely to purchase a product refrigerator magnets, among many brand image has upon the University’s serves to cover production and selling costs of the products themselves. regardless of the price di erential. others. reputation and business.  e money Supporting companies that specialise in protecting the ‘brand’ of a Academia possesses a similar Many universities even contain a gained from the brand-name is a university seems to defeat the prioritisation of students and education. asymmetrical aspect to drawing in company speci cally for managing and valuable source of income for the customers, relying on league tables, developing their retail brand. Oxford University, used to fund its educational peer recommendation and most has recently expanded their list of programmes.

CAMBRIDGE IN STATS

POPULATION LANGUAGES RELIGION STUDENTS ETHNICITY The “usually resident” In 2011, 15% Those of “no religion” In 2011, 7.8% Only 1.7% of residents population of Cambridge was did not speak English rose from 26.6% in 2001 of the population was were black compared as their main language made up of students, to 80.1% 123,900 in 2011, an increase of compared to 7.7% to 37.8% compared to 13% since 2001 in England and Wales in 2011 4.2% in 2001 of residents who were white

The Offi ce for National Statistics has published its breakdown of the 2011 census fi gures, giving an unparalleled view of how England and Wales have changed since 2001. The census, which included about 25 million households, paints a picture of the nation as a whole whilst also providing a detailed snapshot of the population and characteristics of individual towns and cities. By Alice Twomey

BLIBBLEBLOBBLE International students hit by hidden bank transfer charges

byARIANNA FRESCHI  e company’s online fee calculator A recent Vision Critical polling by He added: “It’s outrageous that the money at a favourable rate could be News Reporter reports charges reaching sums as high TransferWire revealed that 85 per cent banks are hoodwinking students like the difference between being able as £335 on a £9000 pound transfer, of students who made international this - tuition fees are high enough.” to cover all my accommodation fees”. using mid-market exchange rates transfers last year “significantly A rst-year computer scientist at Other students stated that they had With tuition fees already signi cantly from March 2013. underestimated” Queens’ was critical of the extent to never been charged “considerable higher than those of home students, Such fees can be charged or were unaware of which such claims portrayed “banks amounts”, and instead expressed overseas students in the UK are facing through xed  at commissions, 85% the fee they were preying on the ignorance of students”, greater preoccupation with the issue further expenses due to considerable through percentage rates charging being charged. though agreed that “information of ever rising tuition fees. bank charges in transferring fees to around 5 per cent of a transfer “SIGNIFICANTLY Taavet Hinrikus, on fees on wire transfers aren’t A rst-year economist suggested the university. or through inflated currency UNDERESTIMATED” co-founder of always easily accessible and clearly that the University of Cambridge’s International undergraduates exchange rates. TransferWise, expressed”. nancial o ces provide little advice at Cambridge pay annual tuition In addition, having to pay OR UNAWARE has responded This was considered the case on how to avoid or mitigate the costs fees which can reach over £33,000 overseas tuition in full before the OF BANK CHARGES with the launch especially for home-country banks, they incur. depending on their area of study, and start of each term requires single of the ‘No fees on which were reported to take the  e UK Council for International receive next to no nancial support. large transactions which are hit fees’ campaign. highest commission fees. Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides Beyond this, according to nancial the hardest by bank charges. Speaking on the fees, he said: Some students expressed deeper tools to help students calculate their services company Transferwise, most Furthermore, commissions are “Whatever the banks’ marketing concerns about transaction costs, expenses while studying abroad, and high street banks will charge students usually charged unknowingly, to materials say, they do not offer as one post-graduate Criminology recommends factoring in an extra £50 to transfer money from their home students who are uninformed or international money transfers for student reported that “Exchanging to each wire transfer for transaction country accounts to their university. unaware of such expenses. free”. such a considerable amount of costs. 10 [email protected] VARSITY News FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013

LILY COLE

It is well known that the model and actress Lily Cole excelled academically at Cambridge, receiving a Double First in History of Art. is didn’t stop bike thieves though. “ ey took the basket o and left it on the ground,” she has said. “I think that was the most hurtful part of the ordeal! I bought the bike because it had a nice basket, and they just left it there.”

The Tab have nothing on this. It’s Friday: celebrate with Varsity News’ trivia titbits on this Easter term’s Union line up

NEIL GAIMAN BRADLEY WHITFORD FRANCIS BOULLE JACKIE STEWART

Before he ventured on a career in While Bradley Whitford’s audition In May 2011, Boulle created the Jackie Stewart achieved fame not science fiction and fantasy, Neil for the character of Josh Lyman in website www.sexymp.co.uk, only for a distinguished record Gaiman’s first book was a 1984 e West Wing impressed the show’s which allows visitors to rate the in racing, but pioneering safety biography of the band Duran executive producers, with Sorkin attractiveness of members of the measures in the sport. In one Duran. describing it as “simply the best House of Commons. On the website, particularly lethal period during audition for anything I’d ever seen,” Francis said that he wanted “to his era the chances of a driver who GDCGRAPHICS Warner Brothers casting director create a fun and memorable tool to raced for five years being killed John Levey was not convinced help the British public get to know were two out of three. Among his ARMANDO IANNUCCI Whitford had enough sex appeal to their Members of Parliament”. measures were the introduction of play a lead character. full-face helmets and seatbelts . Following a Twitter jibe by Alistair MICHAEL SANDEL JIMMY WALES LISA KUDROW Campbell about Iannucci’s acceptance of an OBE in 2012 – ‘your wit a bit tired and blunt There are rumours that the Jimmy Wales is the co-founder e Friends actress gained a degree already. ree little letters can have philosopher Michael Sandel’s high of Wikipedia. The online in Psychobiology from Vassar more impact than you realise...’?, forehead, baldness, sti gait and a encyclopedia features 26 million College in Poughkeepsie, New Iannucci responded with the tweet careful voice were the inspiration articles in 286 languages. Over York. WMD. for the character of Montgomery 4.2 million of these are in English. Burns, the evil businessman in e e website has an estimated 365 ALL FACTS SOURCED FROM WIKIPEDIA IN HONOUR OF JIMMY Simpsons. million readers. AVIVA PERLMAN As departments move to West Cambridge, Chancellor’s what next for New Museums site? £590 million

byFRANCISKA FABRICZKI byANDREW CONNELL News Reporter to Cambridge News said “plans are Senior News Reporter under way for major redevelopment Development plans for the New of the site to provide facilities for town Museums Site show possibilities of and gown for the 21st century.” The University of Cambridge radical changes in the landscape of As the Arup building undergoes Chancellor, Lord Sainsbury, has seen both the University of Cambridge and reconstruction, among its new residents his wealth rise by £70 million in the last the city itself. will be the Cambridge Conservation year, according to the Sunday Times’ One of the University’s key Initiative (CCI), a partnership that 2013 Rich List. campuses, the New Museums Site aims to provide “research-driven, His personal wealth, along with located directly in the centre of town, is innovative and practical solutions for that of his family, is estimated at £590 set to undergo serious reconstruction […] conservation.”, according to Sir million this year, up from £520 million as the departments move to West David Attenborough, who attended in 2012, which ranks him number 150 Cambridge. e building is currently the launch of the centre in April on the list of Britain’s richest. home to the University Computing e campus at the New Museums The Chancellor comes third in Services, Babbage Lecture eatre and Site will provide ample space for a the Sunday Times Giving List, which e Department of Material Sciences Cambridge University conservation An artist’s impression of what the university’s new calculates the proportion of total and Metallurgy. research institute as well as o ces for West Cambridge site might look like in future wealth donated or pledged to charity. e site is home to a diverse mixture other conservation organisations. Sainsbury’s recent donations amount of architectural styles, ranging from The proposals for a £59 million to £294.9 million, mainly to education, Victorian to Modernist. The Arup redevelopment on the site have been the arts, humanitarian causes and building, a representative of the submitted to the Cambridge City heritage. He was also the second most Brutalist architectural style, will be the Council for the  rst phase, and outline substantial political donor in 2012,  rst to see changes if the development proposals for the rest of the site will be giving £519,940 to the Labour Party. plans are approved. available later in 2013. e changes Sainsbury sits in the House of Lords as Proposed renovations include an taking place on the New Museums a Labour peer. option of demolishing the academic Site will therefore likely not a ect most Lord David Sainsbury was appointed buildings and replacing them with a current undergraduates. to his largely ceremonial role in 2011, building complex that caters for both Cambridge residents can be for which he receives neither a salary university students and city residents reassured regarding the conservation nor any expenses. As an undergraduate with shops, cafés,  ats and o ces. of important city landmarks, with the he attended King’s College, where he Plans submitted to the City Council application to the city council stating studied History & Psychology. also show ideas for the construction that: “ e intention is to retain the The former chairman of the of a foyer linking to the Museum of buildings around the perimeter of the supermarket  rm Sainsbury’s, David Zoology, external lifts and stairs for site, many of which are included on the Sainsbury spent 35 years in the business easier access to the raised ‘podium’ of list of buildings of special architectural The Broers Building for science and technology, founded by his great-grandparents. Arup from Pembroke Street and Corn and historical interest and make a opened at the West Cambridge site in 2010 His family currently owns 8.2% of the Exchange Street. signi cant contribution to the quality business, which is valued at £7bn. A university spokesperson speaking of the city centre conservation area.” VARSITY [email protected] 11 Friday 26th april 2013 News is river Cam swimming Congrats on the race set for comeback? results! yours, the byAILEEN DEVLIN water, especially in an urban environ- Cam, at their quarterly meeting last News Reporter ment. he current position of the Cam week. a provisional go-ahead was given Conservators is to prohibit swimming pending further discussions between Cabinet. an annual swim up the river Cam between the Cambridge and Botti- the organisers and river manager pippa could be making a comeback this sham locks. he ‘upper river’ however Noon. Noon was optimistic about the going to university.” summer. has been designated as an ‘author- event, saying “i think it’s a great idea… byANDREW CONNELL he minister said he was working he mile long swimming race had ised bathing place’ for members of and i think it could become an annual Senior News Reporter with the department for Education been an annual tradition for over 40 the public with swimming permitted event again if it takes of.” to see “whether we can better target years before concerns over pollution between Kings Mill Weir, Granta place also buoyant about the possibility Universities minister david Willetts has information at pupils from poorer levels in the river Cam led to a ban on and Byron’s pool. of the renewed annual swim was Cam- unveiled plans for bright pupils from backgrounds who have done well at the race in the Eighties. he swim tradi- he improvement in water quality bridge city councillor tim Ward who poor homes to receive congratulation their GCSEs”. tionally took place in the early morning in recent years had raised hopes for a happily admitted that he had “fallen letters from ministers if they achieve Criticism over the scheme has and followed a course along the Col- renewal of this tradition, and enthu- in the Cam several times and not been top GCSE scores. also focused on what opponents lege Backs, from the Mill pond to Jesus siasts hoped to waive the entry fee ill.” Cllr Ward welcomed the prospect incentivising or patronising pupils, see as Willetts’ lack of support for lock. which had previously been charged of reviving an old tradition noting that the plans have brought about mixed apprenticeships, since his letters will Wild swimming, as it has come to be and instead transform the mile long “it seems like a very good tradition and reaction. only provide information relating to called in recent years, has a long and race into a charity event. he proposal Cambridge has a number of eccentric Under the scheme, expected to be pursuing a university education. well documented history in the UK. was put before the Cam Conservators, traditions that come and go. hey are launched this summer in England, in his speech, Willetts continued: however, there are strict rules in place the body charged by the Environment what make Cambridge, Cambridge.” high-achieving “We are not going concerning swimming in bodies of agency with the upkeep of the river students will also to start telling INTERBEAT receive information HIGH-ACHIEVING people where to about how to apply apply. But i want for university. in a STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE to work with you speech last week INFORMATION ON UNIVERSITY so that we can go in london, Willetts further in ensuring said he hoped that the scheme would that students know where to look for also be rolled out to pupils starting the information that will help them

WILLIAM ARTHUR FINE STATIONERY

their a-levels this autumn. make the right decision for them - Willetts alluded to research from about the range of universities and the the USa which found that sending support available.” information packs to bright, low- the universities minister was income students had a positive efect addressing attendees of the annual on uptake of places at sixth-form. conference of the funding body he letters will be sent to students for English universities. Willetts via their head teacher, owing to said that he wants the university concerns surrounding data protection, sector to improve the way it monitors “Books you don’t need which Willetts was keen to highlight: student satisfaction rates. he also “With today’s sensitivities about data talked of the expansion of universities protection, it is hard for ministers to which take in lower-achieving drop a line directly to Joe or Gemma students, to give increased lexibility in a place you can’t find” congratulating them on their exam in the number of places and greater results and urging them to think about choice. Ben Schilperoort explores the bookshop you’ll never have heard of On 27 March, the second-hand an exhibition. it was these attempts Responses to Willetts from the Twittersphere bookstore plurabelle Books unveiled to salvage bits of books that led him its ‘Miniature Bookshop’, a small and to collaborate with visual artists intricate paper sculpture made out like Emma taylor and robert Good. @ButlerAlexander of an old book. the opening of the 2014 marks the tenth year of Alex Butler, Petersfield, Birmingham ‘Miniature Bookshop’, created by plurabelle Books, a strange anomaly So David Willetts is to write to teenagers from poorer local artist and sixth-form student almost two years after the closure backgrounds with good GCSEs to encourage them to Emma taylor, was led by Cambridge of Galloway and porter, the iconic go to university? Patronising tosh.. Mp Julian huppert and, in keeping second-hand bookshop on Sidney with the eccentricity of plurabelle Street. dr Cahn seems conident that Books, included a procession of his business is still viable despite @BethEleri unicyclists. being on the outskirts of a city with Beth Brewster, London this event says much about the dozens of libraries. a sign in the nature of Cambridge’s best-hidden bookshop reads, ‘Books you don’t David Willetts is going to send kids who do well in bookshop. Situated in a large converted need in a place you can’t ind’, which their GCSEs a letter telling them to think about uni. stonemason’s workshop on purbeck has become the business’s unoicial Patronising & clueless road, it has 60,000 specialist scientiic tagline. this is perhaps its books and 2,000 general books which secret to success: a collector’s tend to sell for between £1 and £5. paradise of old and rare books, it takes its name from anna livia maps and illustrations which, @SebastianSalek plurabelle, a character in James Joyce’s if unsellable, are eventually Sebastian Salek, Clare College, Cambridge Finnegan’s Wake.Whilst the location transformed into original works of is inconvenient for students not at art. Is this satire? homerton, the bookstore is a cabinet Julian huppert, speaking at the of curiosities that attracts students unveiling of the book’s new sculpture, from across Cambridge. he director, summed up that “it is these intriguing

dr Michael Cahn, would rather be PLURABELLE BOOKS_TUMBLR independent businesses like @morifo described as a ‘rehouser’ of books than plurabelle Books that make Cambridge Mohamed Ali Al-Badri, King’s College London a book dealer. alongside his regular such a unique and special place and bookshelves he keeps boxes filled i hope many people will come along as a poor student, I would’ve liked that (: with book spines and covers. a box to the opening and take the opportunity ile is illed with old college bookplates to take a look at the treasures inside.” which he plans to frame and turn into 12 [email protected] VARSITY News FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Genetic markers show who is at high risk from cancer

(SNPs), tended to be located in ‘control’ fault see their risk rise to up to 80 per 11,000 die each year. bySARAH REGAN regions of the genome, increasing the cent. Several of the variations tied to breast News Reporter chances of cells growing out of control. is work may prove vital to those cancer have also been implicated in The individual variations do not with the BRCA1 fault, and others with other cancers. is suggests that they A Cambridge study has a ect a person’s chance of developing similar genetic markers. may be involved in the underlying identified over 80 gene cancer by very much, but their e ects “Women with BRCA 1 or 2 faults mechanisms of cancer growth. regions that increase the are cumulative. are more likely to get breast or ovar- e impact of the discoveries may risk of cancer. e discov- e one per cent of people who have ian cancer but have to live with the include new treatments. Professor Paul SCIENCE ery may lead to better many such variations showed their risk uncertainty of whether they will actu- Pharoah of the University of Cambridge treatments and under- of developing prostate cancer to be ally develop the disease,” said Antonis said: “ e identi cation of genetic vari- standing of the disease. nearly 50 per cent, and of breast cancer Antoniou, a Cancer Research UK senior ants that are associated with cancer e areas of di erence around 30 per cent. cancer research fellow at the University risks will give us important insights into pertain particularly to breast, prostate e study revealed more about the of Cambridge. the basic biology of cancer that may LINDA BARTLETT and ovarian cancers. e variations, BRCA1 gene, already used in breast “Our research puts us on the verge of lead to the development of new ther- called single nucleotide polymorphisms cancer screenings. Women with faults being able to give women a much more prevention or monitoring options for apies or better ways to target existing in this gene alone have a 50 per cent risk accurate picture of how likely they are them.” therapies.” SCIENCE IN BRIEF of developing the cancer before the age to develop breast or ovarian cancer and e research is also good news for However, it will be at least  ve years of 80, but those who also have many of would help to guide them about the men, as it may  nally allow accurate before this research is able to a ect the other variants associated with that most appropriate type and timing of screening for prostate cancer, of which patient care. STUDY MAY HELP WITH FOOD POISONING SALMONELLA A study examining THE HUEMUL DEER the way in which salmonella

colonises the gut of animals could MAGICAL-WORLD be used to develop vaccines or future treatments. e project – a ONLY 2,500 collaboration between Cambridge University’s Department of LEFT IN THE WILD Veterinary Medicine, the University of Edinburgh and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute – looked at thousands of salmonella mutants. POPULATION HAS Professor Duncan Maskell at the University of Cambridge said: “We STABILISED found that hundreds of genes are important for colonisation...Our data AS A RESULT OF indicate that Salmonella contains a The Huemul Deer is only found in the core set of genes that is important South American region of Patagonia CONSERVATION WORK when it infects all three hosts, but that there are smaller sets of genes OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE that are required for infection of each individual host species.” YEARS

TURNINTHEPIKE FISH COMMUNICATE TO HUNT OUT PREY MARINE SCIENCE Groupers and coral Cambridge MP and leading experts speak out trout have a hunting signal to point to the location of prey, new research suggests. The fish can perform against controversial government ‘snooping bill’ upside-down headstands with head shakes to tell its hunting partners when prey is present. ese partners byEMILY CHAN HIV and mental health) without giving include moray eels, octopuses and Deputy News Editor the police any new e ective tools to Napoleon wrasses. Researchers monitor criminals who chat via social found that groupers would swim media.” over to the eel if they did not react to MP Julian Huppert has joined a e bill, which has been redrafted the signal. is type of collaboration number of internet security academics amidst widespread criticism, would was previously only known in in urging the government to scrap the require internet service providers (ISPs) humans, great apes, and ravens. controversial ‘snooping bill’. to retain data on its customers on  le The Communications Data Bill for a year. proposes to implement legislation A Home O ce spokesman said that that would allow the police and other law enforcement needed “to keep GENES LINKED WITH intelligence services to track internet pace with changing communications CHILDHOOD OBESITY and social media technologies and services use, including to save lives and protect the OBESITY Researchers have discovered emails, Facebook “MONEY public.” He added that new HACKNY four genes that are linked with activity and THAT COULD BE FAR legislation would “help severe childhood obesity. Variations websites visited. catch paedophiles, terrorists So while at present this stu is only used information on what we do on Facebook mean that sections of DNA that help Ross Anderson, BETTER SPENT ON and other serious criminals.” for murder, rape and robbery, in future or Google; and yet they haven’t even to maintain protein receptors that professor of security MORE POLICE AND ON The government hopes it will be used for everything. found out how the data they currently a ect the regulation of weight are engineering at that the bill will be included “ e second is that the scope will collect is used. missing. A common variant in the the University of TRAINING” in the Queen’s Speech next become much wider. It won’t just be “ eir information was described LEPR gene is found in 6 per cent Cambridge, is one month. It is thought that the who you called and who called you and in a formal report in Parliament, from of the population and can increase of a group of ten ‘snooper’s charter’ would where you were, but who you emailed, a committee I served on [the Home the risk of obesity. “Some children academics to sign a letter to the Prime cost £1.8 billion to implement over ten who messaged you and what websites A airs Select Committee], as ‘unhelpful will be obese because they have Minister expressing opposition to the years. you visited. and misleading’. severe mutations, but our research plans. Professor Anderson said that there “ ird, it will be awful for innovation, “It would cost well over a billion indicates that some may have a In the letter, the experts argue that the were a number of issues with the as UK tech start-ups that provide pounds – even assuming the costs don’t combination of severe mutations bill is “naïve and technically dangerous”, plans: “ e  rst issue is that the cost of communications services will have to rise as most government IT projects do. and milder acting variants that in noting that parliament does “not have a surveillance will go down, so it will be build in wiretap facilities, and maybe is is money that could be far better combination contribute to their good track record in legislating for the used more. hire people with security clearances.” spent on more police and on training, obesity,” says Professor Sadaf internet”. “At present the police have to pay Dr Huppert has expressed concern bringing us all more bene ts.” Farooqi, from the University of ey add: “ e provisions to force several hundred pounds to get your over the plans since the draft bill was Earlier this month, it was announced Cambridge’s Department of Clinical ISPs to monitor how customers use third mobile phone location history for last published last year: “ e Home O ce that billions of web pages will be Biochemistry. party services will be expensive, will week; the idea is to build a whizzy has got this badly wrong. ey want to preserved by UK legal deposit libraries, hinder innovation and will undermine automated system and after all the collect vast amounts of information on including the University Library in the privacy of citizens visiting specialist zillions have been spent, the marginal us all – from weblogs of every site we Cambridge. is will include material websites (such as advice on pregnancy, cost of each request will be near zero. go to, to asking ISPs in the UK to collect from Facebook, Twitter and blogs. VARSITY [email protected] 13 FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Comment Learning to love the recession COMMENT ONLINE Charles Reed thinks a recession could imoprove our attitude towards material wealth POPPY DAMON

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Buddhism, the Dalai Lama and or those graduating this year what happens if it is an ‘L’ shape? much of this education will be pursued me hoping that the economy and Japan has shown that this is a dis- for intellectual satisfaction rather than the job market will improve, tinct possibility.  eir ‘recession’ of as a means to a job, this will still lead When I was 14 I skipped school. It the Easter vacation must have falling GDP intermingled with sub- to a signi cant investment in the UK’s wasn’t to go drink VKS in the park Fbeen a massive disappointment. Last trend growth began in 1990. It seemed pool of human capital. When the recov- like other ‘kids my age’. I went see the month, the O ce of National Statistics to bottom out in 2003 but has now ery does occur, this would then bene t Dalai Lama speak at the ‘Burswood reported in its Labour Force survey that become even worse. It was caused by the economy from increased innova- Dome’ in Western Australia, a venue UK unemployment started to rise again. an asset price bubble leading to a credit tion and creativity. graced by the likes of Elton John Cyprus’ €17 billion bailout, agreed on crisis and bank failures, as is the case A protracted downturn could also and boasting a humungous casino 26 March, has intensi ed the Eurozone with Britain and Europe now. bene t the environment. Using their complex. In light of his recent visit crisis, with depositors once again  ee- Neither have Britain and the rest of highly educated labour force, Japa- to Cambridge and the very valid and ing with their savings from the European Europe historically been immune from nese companies have concentrated on interesting discussion that it has periphery. And last week, disappoint- long term below-trend growth.  is developing green technologies.  is caused (for once) I would like to put ing growth gures from China led to occurred after 1870 when cheap Ameri- is an area in which Britain also could the case for the Dalai Lama: though commodity and stock prices crashing can corn rst began to be imported on excel; it is already a European market he’s far from perfect, his critical all around the world. a huge scale into Europe.  e ensuing leader in manufacturing tidal and wind acclaim is justi able. Falling world-wide business con- slowdown lasted until the end of the power generators. But recessions have fidence and the deepening crisis in century leading to what contemporar- more direct environmental effects: Europe won’t help Britain recover from ies called the ‘Great Depression’. British What’s not to love about less GDP means less pollution. Britain the last recession any faster than the unemployment hit record levels in this man? would have struggled to meet its 2010 anaemic growth rate it has enjoyed to the 1880s and industrial growth stag- goals to reduce carbon dioxide emis- JON SANDERS date. George Osborne, in ‘Plan A’, gam- nated for at least 30 years. If this parallel sions under the Kyoto Protocol if it were e Value of Pilgrimage bled on a ‘V’ shaped recession, with a is repeated, the downturn is not only not for the recession. short period of con- likely to be harsh immoral.  e same Furthermore, Pilgrimages will happen as long traction, followed a in the short term, e ect is already vis- a slower grow- as humans walk the earth; at the quick recovery.  is EXCESSIVE but to have long ible in Britain: last RECESSIONS ing economy will same time they are dependent on was Britain’s expe- REMUNERATION BECOMES term e ects. With week Business Sec- give politicians people repeatedly walking a speci c rience in the early no end to the Euro- retary, Vince Cable, HAVE DIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL time to consider route, often di cult for biological, 1990s, with the CONSIDERED IMMORAL zone crisis in sight, unveiled more EFFECTS: LESS GDP MEANS whether the pursuit geological or political reasons. As economy growing it is again probable plans to curb exces- of growth actually an atheist, pilgrimage is signi cant at an annual rate of that Europe will sive executive pay. LESS POLLUTION produces a better for me because the journey is as over 4% at this point after the start of su er long term comparative economic Recessions also lifestyle for those important as the end-point of a that recession as we are from the latest. decline against the rest of the world change attitudes towards education. who elect them or just one that is ever pilgrimage. With more disappointing growth over the next decade. After the recession hit Japan, higher more frantic, acquisitive and aggres- gures on the horizon, even George However, the same parallels can show education no longer was a guarantee sive. If this consideration should lead to Osborne has been forced to admit in us how to embrace the recession by of a good job as the numbers of unem- the development of a society which can last month’s budget that Britain’s recov- changing our society’s obsession with ployed graduates soared. Without live a more sustainable lifestyle with ery from the recession will take much material wealth. Taking the example of graduate jobs on the horizon, more products and food produced locally, FRED MAYNARD longer than he anticipated. GDP is Japan, attitudes to economic rights and graduates were forced to take gap years less travel and more leisure time, per- Maggie and Me not set to reach its pre-recession level wrongs changed in Japan during their or pursue further degrees.  is e ect haps it is possible that Britain could until at least 2015. He now suggests the period of zero growth. Pro ts were still can be felt in the UK already, with num- lead the world into a new environmen- The Facebook newsfeed has the recession may be ‘U’ shaped; but it is welcomed, but excessive pro ts and bers taking masters’ courses in the UK tal era as, once upon a time, it led it into strange effect of making history beginning to look like a wide ‘U’. And remuneration were considered vaguely reaching record levels. Even though the industrial one. seem passé within a few hours of it actually occurring. A thousand threads featuring unnecessarily long comments sprout and grow out into loud, pompous oblivion. And within Bubbly and G&Ts: Cambridge drinks and status ve hours of the news, I’m already fed up of the whole conversation. Her legacy is a land without alternatives. Ingrid Hesselbo looks at the various drinking habits of the Cambridge student community A country bereft of any ideas, with a

U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. SEAN A. FOLEY supine Labour Party stu ed full of as an enabler of unusual behaviour, was often vodka.  is often led onto career politicians with the collective and it is embedded strongly in how a discussion about how horrible the charisma of a used tissue. A nation we identify ourselves. Tackling ‘Basics’ version from Sainsbury’s was. in which I can’t even be bothered the ‘problem’ of drinking needs to Here, the drink was not aspirational and to watch my friends debate on change the cultural associations we so not desired. What you drink identi es Facebook, because I already know have with the stu , and this will not who you are.  at people wanted to what everyone is going to say. be based on monetary value alone. drink high status and expensive drinks Based on the interviews conducted illustrates that many of our drinking there were striking similarities in habits are determined by our attempts attitudes: everybody interviewed said to signal things about ourselves. that they felt they drank too much, It is signi cant to see that so much TOM BELGER and yet the range that people drank of how we drink alcohol is connected What actually happened under also varied from a couple of drinks to identity. Even though many were at atcher? in a week, to students who binged pains to point out that avoiding drinking on a couple of bottles in one night. alcohol was not a marker of exclusion, What really happened in Britain Students knew the potential dangers what people had as their drink of under Margaret  atcher, and what Everybody enjoys a May Ball G&T of drinking: people recounted stories choice if they were drinking was pretty made it so divisive? Everyone’s of friends getting into unlicensed taxis, consistent, indicating that drinking is opinion seems to start with ‘love having to get their stomach pumped, a strong sign of identity for Cambridge her or hate her…’ without actually any people think that and how were express ourselves.  e and women students. Because discussing what made her political all students and young interviews show that if the government commented on alcohol is so tied Marmite. Her legacy merits a more people practice the same wants to tackle student drinking, it not wanting to DRINKING up and interwoven intelligent debate. Thatcher’s dangerous drinking needs to take into account the ways walk back home IS A CULTURALLY EMBEDDED with identity – divisive policies brought prosperity, Mhabits. But based on interviews with a in which we use alcohol to create alone after a night our class, our pride and power for some, and range of Cambridge undergraduates it ourselves.  ere were strong common out. But, when I RITUAL gender, our status poverty, fury and humiliation for seems that Cambridge has a drinking trends in the perceptions and practices asked them about – it is difficult others. Bitter con ict over her legacy bubble with slightly di erent practices. of the people interviewed,which were their favourite drink and what their to change people’s practices. These isn’t going to stop any time soon. I conducted a number of hour-long bound up into notions of class and ideal night out was they answered interviews have shown that students interviews with students in Cambridge. status. It is through recognising and confidently. Clearly they know the in Cambridge have individualised  ese interviews are going to be used as changing these identifiers that an potential dangers and choose to do ideas about drinking alcohol but also part of a policy paper for  e Wilberforce effective way of combating student it anyway. So what makes us do this? that their practices generally conform See www.varsity.co.uk/comment Society, who were commissioned by binge-drinking could be achieved. Drinking has such strong cultural to a trend in identity signi ers and the for all the latest debate online  e Portman Group (the people who Drinking is a culturally embedded associations, and it is a key signi er of identity people try to both assume run the drinkaware campaign) to ritual and its use legitimises behaviour identity. Gin and tonic and champagne and convey. Drinking is a personal work on a collection of papers about that society deems as unhealthy or were mentioned by almost everyone activity and as such, the government the topic of student drinking. The unacceptable.  is is not down to the as their favourite drink – champagne should take a smaller scale approach, interviews were conducted to nd out magical properties of the drinks, but was often said with a shy smile or a which tackles our social associations about perceptions as well as practices of because we have ingrained associations laugh. Both these types of drinks have with di erent kinds of drinks, would drinking. I found that the way we drink between drinking and these behaviours. connotations of a higher social status. As be the most e ective at reducing the alcohol is intricately tied up with identity  e place of alcohol in society is a corollary, people’s least enjoyed drink amount of units that students consume. 14 [email protected] VARSITY Comment FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Egyptian women’s problems are our own Hannam Wilkinson challenges the simplistic narrative of Egyptian vs. Western women’s rights

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD aping men and devoid of agency. I, as a West- women ern woman, am liberated, my rights in Tahrir protected. I possess agency which I am square “is able to exercise to the same extent as R not a red the men around me. line” railed  is dialectic is  awed on a number Egyptian Sala preacher of levels. It is true that there are oppres- Abu Islam in February, sive regimes, and oppressive aspects of

COMMENT during a bout of some every religion which are often visited of the worst instances upon women in negative and harmful of sexual violence vis- ways. But the essential truth of this fact ited upon women since has been expanded in order to justify an the Revolution. “Naked women” he over-simpli cation which ignores the exclaimed (referring to any woman complexities of agency and freedom, not dressed in the correct Islamic way which might be exercised by di erent according to him) “are going to Tahrir women in di erent ways. It ignores the Square because they want to be raped.” complexities of the di erent ways, posi- Although the Muslim Brotherhood tive and negative, in which a woman’s never officially culture may impact echoed this view, upon her. the preacher’s I STILL HAVE TO It also places comments are contemporary Although the Muslim Brotherhood never o cially echoed this sadly indicative of LISTEN Western culture at view, Abu Islam’s comments are sadly indicative of the level a similar level of the endpoint of the TO CAITLIN MORAN TELLING of contempt towards women continually demonstrated by the contempt towards struggle for wom- actions of Egypt’s ruling party. women continu- ME THAT IF I WEAR HIGH en’s rights. The ally demonstrated West has defined by the actions of HEELS DOWN THE STREET I the terms of ‘lib- don’t have to listen to Abu Islam telling I brought the whole thing on myself. importance of abuses against women’s Egypt’s ruling party. WILL ATTRACT RAPISTS eration’, and that me that if I go to Tahrir Square dressed a Just as though I were one of the ‘naked’ rights according to prejudice based on Little more than a we have apparently certain way, I am asking to be raped. But women in Tahrir Square. cultural di erence. month after Abu achieved those I do have to listen to Western feminist Rather than separating the anger we Secondly, it potentially allows women Islam’s video was posted online, the ends allows us to judge the lives and Caitlin Moran telling me that if I wear may feel at any one of these incidents to embark on a more sensitive and Brotherhood condemned a UN declara- choices of other women, and even high heels walking down the street at from the anger we engaged negotia- tion to end violence against women on intervene on their behalf if we deem it night, I will attract rapists. I do have to felt at Abu Islam’s tion with feminism the basis that allowing women to pros- necessary. listen to Joanna Lumley telling me not comments, we VICTIM BLAMING globally. If we rec- ecute their husbands for rape “would In this sense, the over-riding West- to “stagger around in the wrong clothes should recognise PERPETUATES AND ognise that basic lead to the complete disintegration of ern mind-set asks us to channel our at midnight.” their basic similari- abuses against society”. anger against cultural di erence and If my husband rapes me, as a liber- ties. By directing NORMALISES RAPE women, such as the Statements like these will make any the abuses against women which are ated Western woman, I can take my our anger not at rhetoric surround- reasonable person’s blood boil. And apparently inherent in it, as opposed complaint to the police and have him cultural differ- ing rape culture, rightly so. But we must take care of to systematic abuses which are being prosecuted. But, like scores of women ence, but at a globalised rhetoric which, are pervasive in di erent contexts and where we direct that anger. committed against women world-wide. across London, I may well be pressured through a consistent language of victim- in di erent ways, and yet are something When I rst came to Egypt, it was so It forces us to look out instead of in. To into dropping my accusations. Even if blaming, perpetuates and normalises to which all women are nonetheless easy for me to put every inequality I trivialise the inequalities we perceive in the police take me seriously, the likeli- rape, we can begin to deconstruct the subject, we can have the humility to saw down to an age-old dialectic which our own cultures–because what do we hood of prosecution is famously low. ‘oppressed/liberated’ dialectic. realise that we should not be trying to still dominates the Western mindset. have to complain about? After all, West- And were my case to reach the ears of  is is important for two reasons. ‘save’ women from other cultures, but  ese women are oppressed, I thought, ern women are liberated, the women of the media or, God forbid, the Twitter- Firstly, it legitimises the relevance of to engage with them as individuals on because they are Muslims, because they Egypt oppressed. sphere, I may well be consistently told, feminism in ‘liberated’ countries since their own terms. are Egyptian.  ey are controlled by As a ‘liberated Western woman’, I like the Steubenville rape victim, that it removes the temptation to grade the Chris Roebuck CARTOON VARSITY [email protected] 15 FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Comment COMMENT IS FRED Poverty help is duty, not charity Tom Belger thinks foodbank poverty demands political change rather than charitable pity n recent years, ‘foodbanks’ dis- pasta. FRED MAYNARD tributing donated food supplies As the Guardian asked, who likes their to those in need have sprung up groceries served with pity? No amount in Cambridge and across the UK. of cake and chit-chat at foodbanks can Cambridge, Massachusetts is one IHalf a million people are expected to be stop it being “ultimately a humiliating my favourite places in the world. using them by 2015.  eir main organ- and degrading experience” for clients, I visited for a few days in 2010, iser, the Trussell Trust, has been widely as researcher Hannah Lambie reported and something about the place praised by politicians and the press, following interviews in Coventry. stuck with me – it happened to be and will soon receive grants from many Whatever happened to the Tory undergoing an unseasonal warm local authorities. mantra, a ‘hand up, not a handout’? spell, for one thing, but being a keen So why does it make my skin crawl? Foodbanks frame inadequate food as Gap Year student, it probably also Because it reeks of the parish poor relief the problem, and a problem solved. appeared to confirm my dreams of the Middle Ages, the squalor and  ey stop us thinking about and tack- about what university life would be – smug philanthropy of the Victorians, ling the causes of poverty itself, from students sitting under sun-dappled and the millions tasting Tory austerity pathetic wages to mass unemploy- trees reading books in Harvard Yard, in the soup-kitchens of the 1930s. No ment to a ‘safety net’ ridden with holes. The Executive Chair of the Trussell Trust, Trevor museums stuffed with the latest one in 21st century Britain should be  ese are the reasons even working Pears, fi nds out what goes in a foodbox gadgetry at MIT, co ee shops full lining up for charity handouts to meet families are queuing for food boxes in WWW.TRUSSELTRUST.ORG of earnest young radicals debating their most basic of needs. ever-greater numbers. By alleviating counts. and inspires so many Christian volun- the future of Marxism in the 21st You may see foodbanks as a prac- the clearest symptom and ignoring the One, the whole operation– nances, teers to live out their social mission. Century. It would take its namesake tical way of solving food poverty, or a sickness, foodbanks give politicians the food stock and sta –both hinges on and  is raises a deeper question. How across the Atlantic to disabuse me laudable example of the ‘Big Society’ all-too-easy excuse to look the other  uctuates with the whims of donors con dent can we be that the new food of that sunny American Dream. in action. As national and local govern- way. and volunteers. “A lot want to help out, aid industry wants to see the causes It was a shock to discover that the ments enforce the deepest austerity for Imagine the outcry if it was the sick but a lot do it for a while and disappear,” of poverty eradicated, and make itself apparent perpetrators of the Boston a generation, this is exactly what they who had been left with no choice but admitted one Cambridge volunteer. redundant?  e Trust’s stated “vision of bombings are Cantabrigians, then. would like us to believe. to queue for voluntary sector ‘health Two, the ever-more agencies distribut- a foodbank in every community” is thus Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev Foodbanks insidiously erode the fun- banks’. Foodbanks are already normal- ing food vouchers to potential clients more ominous than it  rst appears. lived in Cambridge for 10 years, went damental principles of modern society: ising poverty in Britain, much as we make demand unpredictable. Food- Of course we should not let people to the same school as Ben A eck our collective responsibility to support have normalised homelessness on our banks thus risk being overwhelmed starve. I’ve seen the Cambridge food- and e.e. cummings, and seemingly each other by ensuring jobs, income, streets. Poverty risks becoming a sad and having to turn people away, as in bank’s admirable work alleviating participated in American life without services and a social security net to fact of life, not a scandal demanding Coventry in 2011. Finally, maintaining hunger in our city. But as a societal incident, taking full advantage of protect us from misery.  ey mark a change. 37 million people receive food quality is di cult in a decentralised, response to poverty, foodbanks are the extra-curricular opportunities dangerous regression from food-as- aid unnoticed in America today – we church-led network of volunteers. fundamentally unjust, undignified, that one could expect from a right to food-as-charity.  e shift strips have to kill our own cancer now and at Many of these problems could be unreliable and ultimately ine ective. wealthy university town in North those in need of their standing as equal its root. solved through a more professional By all means help your local foodbank, America. And somehow, amongst citizens. Responsibility for survival Foodbanks also fall short in what lim- and joined-up national system. But the but recognise it as a necessary evil, and one of the most idyllic settings in itself is  ung out to charity volunteers, ited relief they o er. Clients’ dinners are Trussell Trust can’t do this.  eir aim refuse to accept the evil that makes it the country, they accumulated who solicit passers-by at supermarkets chosen for them, and chosen over key is to help local, Christian communities necessary. Poverty is a national dis- enough rage to set o bombs that on their behalf.  e poor become beg- non-food items like water or heating. relieve hunger, not relieving hunger per grace that demands political change, would dismember citizens just as gars-once-removed, to whom we have Patronising and occasionally unhelp- se–an important di erence. It is pre- not charitable pity. they neared the  nish line of a run no obligation beyond token gifts of pity- ful, it is also unreliable on at least three cisely the localised model that allows to raise money for cancer victims. God knows why. And perhaps we need not go looking for a reason. From the biographical detail we have on these bombers, there seems to be no exceptional hardship, no Past characters shouldn’t define you traumatic experience too far out of the ordinary, and as of the time Priscilla Mensah laments the vulnerability of youth to the pitfalls of social media of writing, the younger Dzhokhar didn’t even seem to have been

t has been no more than a few HTTP://THEPRPA.COM/ and I would think: there’s no way I was radicalised at all. One classmate weeks since Paris Brown, the that merciless to my own sex, right? chillingly recalls: “He wasn’t ‘them’. former Youth Commissioner, Wrong. Four years have passed since He was ‘us’. He was Cambridge”. crashed into the news with I was fourteen; I come back to this While the media speculation Ia series of offensive tweets. because I believe it is imperative. It about Islamist cells in ltrating the It was in the car after a family seems like a short time, and it may be US continues, as Congressmen lunch that I  rst heard of the media to someone at the mid-point of their attempt to shoehorn the atrocity furore that subsequently led to the life, but in the life of a teenager it can be into an attempt to derail sensible degradation of this young woman. the di erence between understanding immigration reform, I  nd myself My friends and I read in horror and appreciating my gender, coming wanting to give a Victorian response as her tweets were splashed across Take a look at your own Twitter to university and formulating reasoned to it all: some people just go mad. newspapers and online articles. To image. Like what you see? and logical arguments, and spewing  ere’s a strong part of me that our own shock, we quickly made fundamentally wrong and irrational doesn’t want to give these people calculations about our own Facebook nonsense. Within the period of four the credit to look into their history pages and Twitter commentaries, ones years my environment, my outlook and  nd out their grievances. By that may not have expressed the same and my aspirations have changed. saturating media coverage and level of abuse, but communicated the As some have said, our generation, getting everybody to breathlessly same sense of teen irrationality, of to express something, anything for a my early teens—they are no thoughts unlike others before us, experiences the discuss the aims and methods of opinions built on limited ideas, peer social e ect that my friends could ‘like.’” of mine today. In the process of collateral damage of social networking; jihadism, these two pathetic little pressure and distorted perceptions of Some of the more memorable statuses examining my Facebook timeline, I who may  nd their passed perceptions men have as good as succeeded in the outside world. consist of resentful comments about the couldn’t help but cast my mind back, and subsequent commentary or photo- their desperate need for attention I quickly began BNP and a not-so-nice person who stole ever so unreliably, to what must have documentation comes back to haunt and respect. If I had my way, I would sifting through my THE my purse.  e most striking however, in uenced my distorted, premature them. For me, it is a cringeworthy but deny them that satisfaction. I have Facebook page, COLLATERAL was a status commenting on the opinions. In relation to the media important reminder of my journey to no interest in di erentiating their searching far and widely-reported account of the abusive frenzy that surrounded the famous seeing the world in a light that I can goals from Breivik or Cho or Lanza wide for anything DAMAGE nature Chris Brown and Rihanna’s relationship Chris Brown/Rihanna, I be proud of. It is also a timeline of my or anyone else with a similar grudge to implicate me. OF SOCIAL relationship. What struck me, sadly, was remember standing at a bus stop with road to feminism - to wanting equality against the world. I would enforce a I found some its resemblance to a tweet made by Miss friends listening while they vilified for the sexes, culturally, socially, rule that no matter the body count, things. For a start, NETWORKING Brown about violence—at the time, I her, theorising that she most probably academically and professionally. every such random act of carnage my language and didn’t think the vitriol Chris Brown started it, or that she did it to herself. People grow up, they look back was pushed right down the news spelling was abysmal. received for his actions was justi ed. Looking back now, I realise that we on the things they once thought and bulletins and the perpetrators could From the creation of Looking at it now, four years along, were allies to misogyny, feeding it with shudder with embarrassment, and only be referred to as ‘awful little shits’. my Facebook and Twitter, I typed out I think of the women I know close to coarse and harsh opinions of women sometimes shame. What I have learnt, To let ourselves be surprised when language that I can only consider foul; me that have been victims of domestic and their conduct. I can’t speak for all, and something that I hope others will a few individuals go utterly defective the intent was to sound and appear violence, I think of my passionate but I do know that during my younger too, is not to judge our generation by will leave us endlessly traumatised. adult— I mean adults swear right?— to involvement in the University’s teen years, anti-female rhetoric was incoherent ideas once thought and said. We cannot ignore terrorists and give myself an air of sophistication.  e Women’s Campaign, I think of own my praised; it was considered masculine I don’t defend o ensive comments, psychopaths any more than we result was a sea of bad language and role as Women’s O cer of Girton— and thus it was considered good. By but I do believe in a young person’s right can avoid jumping when someone grammatically incorrect and carelessly and I am made speechless. I am the time I reached Sixth Form, I would to growth, change and redemption. shouts “boo!”. But the jump must spelt sentences; a perfect representation made speechless by the thoughts and hear the younger girls in the hallways After all, everyone deserves be the most they get out of us. of my rushed and breathless desire opinions once held and expressed in speak of ‘whores’, ‘scets’ and ‘slags’ that— our generation included. [email protected] VARSITY 16 Listings FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013

Pull out and what’s on

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday ursda LISTINGS 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 1st 2nd

A Hawk & A Beans on Toast Lewis Mokler There is No Spoon Hacksaw THE PORTLAND ARMS 8PM THE PORTLAND ARMS 8PM THE PORTLAND ARMS 8PM THE JUNCTION 8PM Hilarious singer-song writer The Portland Arms live Paperbacks, Half-Beak a Fans of Beirut’s Balkan Beans on Toast returns with acoustic sessions continue Mining for Gold perform a beats should check out this more songs about how he’d with Mokler headlining, with this acoustic-electro nig band, featuring members of really like to date Laura Marling. support from Oliver Daldry. Neutral Milk Hotel. MUSIC

Place Beyond the Love is All You First Position Koyaanisqatsi I Wish Lost in Pines Need CAMBRIDGE ARTS PICTURE- (Re) CAMBRIDGE ARTS Translation CAMBRIDGE ARTS PICTURE- HOUSE CAMBRIDGE ARTS CAMBRIDGE ARTS PICTUREHOUSE 6PM CAMBRIDGE ARTS PICTURE- HOUSE 3.20PM PICTUREHOUSE 6.30PM PICTUREHOUSE Director Hirokazu Koreeda follows HOUSE 1PM Pierce Brosnan stars in a Director Bess Kargman follows a gentle tale of sibling relations in Ryan Gosling is back. Sophia Coppola’s break o Scandinavian rom-com. Make six young hopefuls to the New This fi lm is part of ‘Architec- this striking Japanese fi lm. fi lm about cultural divisio of this what you will. York ballet fi nals of the Youth tural Projections’, a fi lm series and love. Starring Bill Mu

FILM America Grand Prix. that explores the relationship and Scarlett Johansson. between the built environ- ment and the moving image.

This House Practice Sessions Wolfson Howler Mary Beard Peter Singer Believes the KETTLES YARD 6PM with Tim Key THE PARLOUR, G STAIRCASE, CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY PETERHOUSE 8.30PM 5.15PM Commercial Join geologist Annette Shelford, WOLFSON COLLEGE 8.30PM Mary Beard comes to talk to The world-renowned Education Manager at the Award winning comedian Tim Establishment is the Beard Society about the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Key performs this rare smaller philosopher comes to the importance (or lack thereof) of Killing Creativity On Sciences, for a high speed show. Risk at your peril. Union to talk about his interests journey through 3.6 billion feminists’ image. including animal rights, moral Our Screens years of life on Earth. philosophy and practical CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY 7.30PM ethics. TALKS A debate featuring Franci Nicola Shindler, Oliver P among others.

Troubled Sleep Le Pauvre Riverside Drive Atalanta A Streetcar ADC THEATRE 8PM Matelot CORPUS PLAYROOM 7PM WEST ROAD CONCERT HALL 7PM Named Desire Promised to be an engageing CLARE CELLARS 8PM A dark comedy by Woody Allen A light hearted pastoral opera ADC THEATRE 7.45PM by Handel in which a princess site specifi c performance, this This chamber opera tells the set in New York, concerning a A chance to see Tennes escaped to the forest to live Spanish play has never been tale of a barmaid who has, famed writer, a homeless man Williams’ Pulitzer prize- as a huntress. Meanwhile, performed in English before. for many years, awaited her and Manhattan’s Hudson River. winning masterpiece; an a smitten prince vies for her The story sees a confrontation husband’s return from travels explosive tale of lost dre affection disguising himself as between two sisters leads to at sea. Shock and surprises and indiscretions, brutish WATCH a lowly shepherd. Comedy and an inevitable showdown in ensue when the sailor fi nally actions and burning lus which dark and disturbing returns. heartbreak ensue. secrets are revealed.

Make This Space Katie Paterson Quentin Blake Botanic Gardens FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM BOTANIC.CAM.AC.UK 6-16 GALLERY KINGS STREET KETTLE’S YARD GALLERY & ST Take advantage of the brief A free interactive Catch the Blake show while PETER’S CHURCH spell of sun at the Botanic contemporary art exhibition it’s still on! Light hearted and Gardens. acknowledging the breadth The exhibition brings together beautiful illustrations are of the notion of space in previous projects and new the perfect revision stress sculpture, installations, work from the artist who works antidote. architectural models, graphic with fossils, space and music, STAY IN STAY novels and photography. among other things.

*untitled Shut Up and Oxide and Itchy Feet Rudimental THE PLACE 10 PM THE FOUNTAIN 10PM Dance Neutrino FEZ 10 PM FEZ 10PM Swing and Rock’n’roll fans Dan Fruhman & Seb Warshaw CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY Radio One’s Jackmaste rejoice, your favourite 50s plays vinyl from the past and Remember ‘Bound for the spins at this weeks 10PM inspired night is back. present. Expect retro, house Reload’ & ‘No Good for Me,’? Tired of debaters getting riled? Rudimental. and funk. The masters behind those Utilise the Union in another gems are coming to Fez. Be way. ready. GO OUT Varsity [email protected] FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Listings 17 pin on your board what’s on hursday Friday saturday sunday Monday tuesday Wednesday hursday 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th

Lewis Watson The Pigeon Duke Special o Spoon THE PORTLAND ARMS 1PM Still Corners Detectives THE JUNCTION 8PM 8PM Following the success of his THE PORTLAND ARMS 8PM Peter Wilson brings his ak and debut EP ‘It’s Got Four Sad THE JUNCTION 7PM Touted by the NME for great particular brand of eccentric rm and Songs On It BTW’ Oxford’s A healthy dose of indie rock things, Still Corners synth folk pop to the Junction. o night. Lewis Watson animates some from North Yorkshire. laden soon to be hits aren’t to of his songs live. be missed.

Finding Nemo The Hobbit Argo Zero Dark Thirty GRADUATE UNION 8PM ST JOHNS PICTUREHOUSE 9PM CAMBRIDGE ARTS ST JOHNS PICTUREHOUSE 7 PICTUREHOUSE 11 AM A chance to catch Ben Jessica Chastain stars in this TURE- & 10 PM Affleck’s award winning film critically acclaimed film about Everyone’s favourite little fish The first in a trilogy of epic about secret operation to the capture of Osama Bin emabrks on a journey of a fantasy prequels to The Lord ak out extract six fugitive American Laden. lifetime and is ridiculously of the Rings. Check this out to ision diplomatic personnel out of heartmelting whilst doing it. see Bilbo getting real. l Murray revolutionary Iran. n. his House Ending Deadly Believes the Cornel West Michael Sandel Prof Hassassian CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY LAW FACULTY 5PM CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY Conflict: A Naïve Commercial 7.30PM Cornel West, one of America’s 7.30PM Dream? Ambassador Manuel most provocative public Michael Sandel is a world MILL LANE LECTURE ROOM 9 Establishment is Hassassian is the head of the intellectuals, in conversation famous political philosopher 5PM Palestinian General Delegation illing Creativity On with Paul Gilroy (KCL) and from Harvard University In pursuit of this question to the United Kingdom. and ur Screens respondent Stephen Tuck specialising in justice. He will Gareth Evans draws on has published many works on (Oxford) on Politics and Race. be discussing his new book, CIETY 7.30PM his experience in conflict Palestinan issues. ncis Boulle, What Money Can’t Buy. prevention and resolution, in r Parker, particular as Australian Foreign Minister. r Way Back The Golden Anthology CU Show Choir: Glengarry Glen ADC THEATRE 12AM ire CORPUS PLAYROOMS 9.30PM Fleece Blast From The Ross For one night only, From Daniel Henry Kaes, a ADC THEATRE 11PM Past ADC THEATRE 7.45PM Cambridge’s finest will be essee 2012 Footlights Harry Porter David Mamet’s bleakly Shortlisted for the 2013 performing their favourite ADC THEATRE 11PM e- nominee, comes a brand new, funny tale of bombast and Footlights’ Harry Porter pieces of verse in an evening The CU show choir do what ; an poignant and genuinely daring desperation portrays the dark Prize, this play provides a that promises to be moving, they do best- bringing you t dreams new comedy, sensitively side of the American dream, quirky glimpse into life in amusing and (sometimes) musical hits from the past. utish exploring the taboo themes of proving that, in the pursuit the heartland of rural New rhyming. Suggestions of g lust. depression and suicide. of happiness, someone has Zealand, and explores ideas poems by the public are to lose. of family, farming and golden welcome on the night. fleeces.

Cambridge Film Making Brewhouse Workshop THECAMBRIDGEBREWHOUSE. GARYWALKOW.COM/TOTAL- COM FILMMAKING Have you checked out this pub Sign up for a Total Filmmaking since its recent make over? A workshop in Cambridge with great place to while away hours Gary Walkow on Saturday 11th on a Sunday. May.

udimental So Solid Crew Rumboogie FEZ 10PM BALLARE 9.15PM They still exist. Romeo, Lisa ster Mafia & more will be joining Expect top 40 hits from the C.R.E.E.M. DJs & MCs for resident DJ Gary Sulter. a live show, performing their masterpiece ‘21 Seconds To Go’ among other “hits”. 18 [email protected] VARSITY Features FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Hannah Wilkinson defends the sidebar of shame

“You’re not doing your essay! You’re on some nit-picky stickler-pedant would YouTube!” call e cient. But I’m not the type of I look round at my boyfriend’s judge- person who can just sit down and churn mental gaze. I look back at the computer out an essay in three hours. Never been screen. Sure enough, a cat is teetering the type who can just revise all day with- on its hind legs, demonstrating to the out losing concentration. Because I am virtual world that it has mastered the not a weird freak-machine.

I NAOMI PALLAS use of a door handle. I realise how much like a pathetic I look back at my boyfriend. excuse this is going to sound, but pro- n “I am a little bit on YouTube,” I crastinating helps me to think. When I admit. Behind me, the cat proudly was revising for my exams in  rst year, saunters through the door it so my supervisor told me to put my books FEATURES skillfully just opened. down, and just think about stu . His I’d like to pretend that my advice made me realise that spend- addiction to browsing through ing half an hour arranging all my mugs d Buzzfeed, watching videos of thematically then alphabetically isn’t cats opening doors and delib- necessarily wasted time. Sometimes, erately working myself into a your thoughts need time to develop, and e righteous frenzy by reading letting your brain rest to the tune of one the Daily Mail comments of the musical numbers of e Muppet page is nought but an occa- Movie might just lead to that light bulb f sional indulgence. But I moment later on. can’t hide it. My name In Exam Term, there is so much pres- e is Hannah and I am a sure to be working as hard as everyone procrastinator. else, we forget to respect our own work- And what of it? Per- ing rhythms. You need to pass these n haps spending half exams, not whoever is working like a an hour icking from steam-powered First machine next to you movie trailer to movie in the library. Stop punishing yourself, hit c trailer isn’t what YouTube, and watch those cats. It might e the most tire- just open some doors.

o f THE BETH OPPENHEIM BETH Memory zone: Revision on the brainp r o c he somewhat mysterious manner in which we convert conscious and unconscious elements of our existence into memories that can last is associating it with a r anywhere from a few seconds to a lifetime can particularly salient ele- T often seem quite arbitrary. However, being one ment of the environment. of the most studied elements of human experience, the libraries of Try not to stay in one place, a experimental psychology are stu ed with literature on the matter. and instead uniquely asso- Without turning this fun article into the dullest NatSci exam ciate locations and contexts script, the most essential part of the with particular infor- s brain for this discussion is the hip- THE mation; the key is to pocampus, which sits snugly in the give your tired old brain t temporal cortex, processes the stu KEY TO ANY EXAM IS TO as many salient cues as we pay attention to - consciously or possible for it to draw from. unconsciously - and then binds rel- KNOW THE TOOLS AT YOUR Moving about not only pro- i evant stu together. DISPOSAL vides plenty of contextual Firstly, the old adages are cer- cues but is also essential for tainly true: practice de nitely does good mental health. Holing up n make perfect and cramming is de - in the same library for a month nitely a terrible way to prepare for an exam. I’ll allow the exception isn’t impressive or in any way essential. of perhaps stu ng some already learned and understood words It is not only ine cient, it is irresponsible. a and phrases into our short-term memory before striding/quiver- Best of all, if you can, try and study where ing (delete as necessary/arrogance appropriate) into the exam you’ll take the exam; you’ll be shocked at the hall. However, what is completely unfounded is the prehistoric number of cues around the room will you will t notion that repeatedly and robotically studying material is the have consciously or unconsciously associated best way to learn it. Chuck out rote learning and replace it with with certain information.  is phenomenon is actively practising retrieving the information you’re trying to hold known as transfer-appropriate processing. Who i onto, and, even better, processing it at deeper levels.  e long- knows, maybe that suspicious looking stain on the est lasting memories are the ones that have the strongest and wall could unlock years of French vocabulary you greatest number of connections within the brain. Don’t just read didn’t know you could remember! o something - chat about it over dinner, tie it to other elements of the  e key to any exam is to know the tools at your dis- course, rewrite it, draw it, play with it, transform it and, ultimately, posal. You have the most complex known system in the own it. world right between your ears, so make the most of it! n Personally, I  nd the most e ective way of learning something

BY DOMINIC KELLY BETH OPPENHEIM BETH Varsity [email protected] 19 Friday 26th april 2013 Features

Ellen Davis-Walker picks her top revision spots for a change of scene

TOP 5 many places prove a good alternative. a relaxed, informal atmosphere. to replace work with planning where it is Crammed with mismatched arm a post-uni gap year in Bolivia. possible to secure 2) Cambridge County Library, chairs, sofas and bookshelves Enter at your own risk! a seat without having Lion yard (of which the contents are all for to set a 6 am alarm to make sale) you can feel a little bit like and, inally, for those of us sure that you and your high- Pros: light, spacious and you’re in an elderly aunt’s front who feel reluctant to leave lighters don’t miss out. normally pleasantly devoid of room. Only this elderly aunt uses college during these most spots and with that in mind, i would Cambridge Uni students, this is ground illy coffee and makes stressful of times… AlternativeExam revision like to share ive of my favourite a pleasant alternative to over- a mean goats cheese and pesto t e r m . alternative revision spots: crowded college and faculty panini. 5) a room swap With College libraries. Membership is free, Cons: limited seating means already covered 1) he Graduate Union Café, and what they might lack in sub- that people can often be seen Pros: Sometimes all it can in step by step guides 17 Mill Lane ject speciic journals they more queueing out into the street take is a small change in scene to “discreet stress-busting than make up for in their borrow- waiting for a table! avoid at to boost your concentration. breathing exercises” (no, really) Pros: Situated on the top loor able blu-ray collection… weekends. trade rooms with a friend and the more canny finalists of the GU, the (massive) glass win- Cons: Gets very crowded at (preferably on the other side already staking out the comiest dows ofer amazing views over weekends (often with fairly 4) stuart House Library, 6 of college) for a day and agree seats to glue themselves to for the Cam and the city. Free lap- screechy small children). heir Mill Lane not to let each other back in the next six weeks, the mounting wing wii and cheap cofee make location opposite New look until you have at least ten pages academic pressure has already it the perfect all-day revision means that you also are forced to Pros: part of the extensive worth of hand-written notes. started to bite. haunted by mem- spot, even if the ample opportu- watch happy-shoppers replenish- Careers Service library, Stuart Cons: Bear in mind that, in ories of last exam term when nities for people watching might ing their chino collection as you house is crammed with all the exam term, even the best of friends resorted to bulk order- prove a bit distracting… become all the more conscious of pamphlets, journals and career friends will ind it hard to resist ing energy drinks of Ebay to fuel Cons: Can get very busy, and your impending academic doom. brochures you could need to your open Facebook page. 12 hour library stints, i decided as there are a relatively limited Not ideal. scare yourself into taking your having to frantically Google that the time has come to search number of power sockets you may exams seriously. Spread out over translate the turkish for ‘account elsewhere. as unbelievable as it have to ight it out for the chance 3) CB1 Café, 32 Mill road two floors (and with plenty of Settings’ 24 hours ahead of your might often seem, Cambridge is to charge your laptop. he ground computers) it’s easy enough to irst (italian) exam is not an expe- not just a collection of colleges loor lounge bar (normally fairly Pros: Claiming to be the “oldest get a quiet corner to yourself rience i’d wish on anyone… and faculty buildings; there are deserted during the day) can cyber café in the world”, CB1 has Cons: Far too much temptation This week let Varsity lend a helping hand as you fight your way through revision blues THE VARSITY GUIDE TO EXAM TERM Emily Fitzell cooks up some no-fuss meals to fuel your revision mania

A So - you’re mid-supervi- and drizzle with a little olive oil. in your pot, drizzle a little oil before bed (well actually, they sion or library stakeout, and Now, for a salsa: finely chop and fry off a clove of chopped don’t, but perhaps here’s a already waning under the new a small red onion and some garlic (two if you’re single) with reason that they should.) term’s workload. Exams are fresh chilli, dice some beetroot, a inely chopped up onion. Next, if that’s not already enough r approaching and your tummy’s halve some cherry tomatoes and add one can of chopped tomatoes, evidence for you, choco- a’growling with fearsome lust roughly chop up an avocado. into one can of chickpeas, two sticks late has also been proven to for some good home-cooked a bowl, empty a tin of black beans, of celery, half a diced squash and enhance the memory of a e food (Mm, steak…) add your veg, and then mix every- the zest and juice of half a lemon. snails. Stuf it, i’m sold. With in the world of revision, days thing together. add 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp cinnamon, science on our side, here’s c are deined by work, and meals, For a quick and easy dressing, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. an easy gourmet cocoa hit to and yet more work. So why not douse in a mixture of olive oil, Salt and ground black pepper to help congratulate yourself on bring some frill to those well- the juice of the other half of that taste. dilute the soup with 4 cups a good day’s work. i earned breaks by whipping up lime, some sea salt, black pepper, of stock (vegetable or chicken), Break 250g of good qual- some grumble-worthy grub. a dollop of dijon mustard and/or and leave to simmer away for ity dark chocolate into small p the following dishes are tahini, and a handful of chopped half an hour or so while you get pieces and melt in the micro- sumptuous, impressive and fresh parsley and mint. back to your Blake or pascal. Just wave or in a bowl over a pan of above all, really satisfying. For lunch, serve the salmon and before serving, chuck in a couple simmering water. Stir in about e they’re no-fuss, speedy, and salsa on a bed of salad leaves, and of istfuls of fresh spinach leaves, a quarter of a 600ml carton designed around a medley of for an evening meal, with some and stir until wilted. Now there’s of double cream, add a gen- the tastiest brain-fuelling foods. wholegrain brown rice. top your nothing left to do but to ladle. erous lashing of agave nectar So go ahead, put your books dish with a scattering of pumpkin add chicken to this soup for an or honey, and a heaped tsp of down, and show some exam- seeds, and hey presto, away you extra protein-hit, or top with an galvanising espresso powder. f term solidarity over a supper go - Super(vision) Salmon with a oozy soft-poached egg for veggies. pour the rest of the cream into that’ll have Zagat spies crowd- hot avocado salsa! if you’re feeling adventurous, a separate bowl, and whisk o ing at your gyp door. Salmon, avocado and pump- swirl some harissa paste into a bit until it thickens up nicely. Fold all the recipes featured are kin seeds are excellent sources of of crème fraîche, and dollop on your chocolaty mixture into the gluten free (even the last, if you essential Fatty acids. hey’re high top to inish. cream, mix in some roughly r source yourself some GF bic- in dha, which is crucial to the (hint: why not make extra and chopped pistachios and then cies). Some recipes are dairy health of our nervous system and keep in the fridge, ready to heat pour into a serving dish. leave free, some vegetarian and vegan, to the functioning of the brain. up again as you please?) in the fridge for a couple of and some are for the downright Brown rice, seeds and avocados Chickpeas are a great source of hours to set– et voilà, a gorgeous greedy. are all great sources of the mem- manganese, which is important Chocolate and pistachio torte. s Sending my exam-term sym- ory-boosting vitamin E. in energy production. to serve, dust with cocoa, and pathy from a sickeningly sunny Eggs, like chickpeas, are a great accompany with some summer u paris. Bon appétit, et alors, “Must. Eat. But. ah. Must. source of sustaining protein, and berries and perhaps a scoop of bonne chance! Keep. Working.” - My incredibly they also contain all 9 essential ice-cream; as you please, as you moreish Moroccan Chickpea amino acids. please. c My super(vision) salmon (GF soup (GF, V, DF- without the DF) crème fraîche) “Feck the seeds and rabbit “i think i see a wrinkle”- a c Bleary-eyed and boggle- feed, i need proper, feel-good tribute to Nursery-Days iced brained? hen knock yourself up Never fear, valiant scholar. food!” - My Corrupting Choco- Biccies (V, GF & DF- with spe- a plateful of this simple, healthy Here’s comes a one pot wonder late and Pistachio torte (GF, V) cial biscuits) e dish - it has a kick that’s guaran- to rescue you from your famished According to a study at Colum- Is the stress starting to get to teed to boot your wearied brain state. It’s quick, dead easy, and bia University, there is a direct you? In need of some therapeu- s back into working-gear. cheap as (Gardie’s) chips. And it’s correlation between the amount of tic, infantilising distraction? Well, take one illet of salmon and a damn sight bloody tastier, at chocolate a nation consumes and look no further. Enjoy. bake/grill/steam (or alterna- that. A proper protein-hit that’ll the number of Nobel Prize winners rich tea biscuits. icing sugar. s tively buy pre-cooked from M&S see you powering right through it produces. hat’s why at Trinity, Chocolate sprinkles. hundreds or Sainsbury’s). lightly season, and out the other side of your next the bedders leave us a sneaky After and housands. you know what drench in the juice of half a lime library session. Eight on our pillows every night to do.

20 [email protected] VARSITY eatre FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Homelessness, Sanskrit and Woody Allen Rivkah Brown interviews the cast and directorial team behind Week 1’s Riverside Drive

nsure writing collective, a brave albeit  edg- can call it that) between screenwriter Not only this, but despite his indubi- As writers themselves, Lee and Rat- where to ling initiative, was behind KNOTS, Jim Swain (Seb Sutcli e) and homeless tably comic character, Fred commands tigan are confident flagging up the start in the three experimental plays staged at man Fred Savage (Saul Boyer), it is a far a Gatsby-esque mystique: “You’re not limitations of Allen’s writing. “We spent recount- the Pembroke Cellars in Michaelmas. cry from early Allen rom-coms Annie sure what he’s made up and what he a lot of time characterising,” Rattigan ing his Their latest col- Hall and Manhat- hasn’t,” says Rattigan. “He tells me, particularly the char- U love a air laborative venture, tan. It is tough to pin potentially has worked for an acter of Barbara, apt to become with the though not original DESPITE HIS down generically, advertising agency, he poten- HE a token female part. They

THEATRE stage, Matthew Lee first per se (they seem as Boyer describes: tially has a PhD in Sanskrit. explain how they began with mentions a brief stint to have capitalised INDUBITABLY COMIC “We’ve rehearsed You’re convinced he’s lying, POTENTIALLY a Stanislavskian approach, at primary school play- not inconsiderably CHARACTER, FRED COMMANDS almost as if there but then he says something HAS WORKED working up a trajectory for ing “Pontius Pilate with a on their author’s were two plays. On which seems to prove it.” It is their characters that incorpo- Yorkshire accent”, second, his failure to fame), looks to be a A GATSBY-ESQUE MYSTIQUE the one hand we’ve ironically he rather than Jim, a FOR AN rated both past experiences be cast in his college Freshers’ Play. breath of fresh air. got Woody Allen’s man who lives on his wits, who ADVERTISING and future goals.  ough one He is, of course, being overly humble: A one-act, less-than-an-hour-long brilliant linguistic vibrancies; on the provides, says Boyer, the play’s might think this somewhat directors Matthew Lee and David show (though one which has happily other, a lot of crass physical humour.” “creative driving force”. In fact, AGENCY, HE super uous for a comedy, the Rattigan – who is, casually, doing a nabbed the Corpus mainshow spot),  e play treads a delicate tight-rope Lee says, “Jim is constantly POTENTIALLY richness of character is imme- Mathematical Physics PhD – are the- Riverside Drive is one of Woody Allen’s between being physically and intellec- trying to end the play”, parry- diately apparent in rehearsal, atre enthusiasts of the highest order, newest and least known works. As Lee tually funny – to achieve both will be a ing Fred’s persistent e orts at HAS A PHD IN Sutcli e and Boyer striking up perhaps most notable for their member- points out, the plot is unconventional: feat of comic brilliance. conversation. It is here that SANSKRIT a quick dialogue almost imper- ship of New Word Order.  is dramatic taking as its focus the relationship (if one Yet as much as the four talk up the the play’s psychoanalytic rele- ceptibly as Rattigan enthuses play as a comedy (perhaps acknowl- vance becomes apparent: Fred over the promotional videos edging Cambridge’s current need for is the id to Jim’s superego, the brute he’s recently made. light relief) I cannot help but notice its (i.e. Savage) creative energy chan- As “cartoonish” and “zany” as River- tragic potential.  e note of tragedy is nelled into Jim’s neurotic, hard-nosed side Drive might be, its “madness”, Boyer of course sounded by Fred’s homeless- movie-mindedness. Or perhaps just the admits, is counterbalanced by a “sur- ness: a particularly talkative tramp who real dark edge”, the bitter aftertaste of pertinent issue in stalks him. despair and disillusionment that is the Cambridge, Fred BIZARRE Riverside Drive’s hallmark of Woody Allen’s oeuvre. Its serves as a reminder bizarre combi- pretensions to light-hearted fun belie of our own bour- COMBINATION OF VERBAL nation of verbal the fact that Riverside Drive is no walk geois discomfort REPARTEE AND SLAPSTICK, repartee and slap- in the park. Nor would Rattigan and Lee around, and stick, cartoonish have wanted it to be. It is this generic assumptions about, CARTOONISH ECCENTRICITY eccentricity and eccentricity, this  nely-held tension the poor. Whereas AND ABRUPT EMOTIONAL abrupt emotional between the fully comic or tragic, that we might almost depth, is the sort seems to excite and challenge these unthinkingly tune DEPTH of thing that needs budding directors, for whom experi- out to the touting of to be seen to be mentalism is the raison d’être. And as a Big Issue seller, here we are as Fred’s believed.  ankfully, I’ve been allowed Sutcli e’s face begins to turn purple in captive audience. Though to some to stick around for a rehearsal. I’m a grinning Boyer’s headlock, I feel their extent what Sutcli e calls a “caricature”, impressed that it is Seb Sutcli e (Jim), gamble might just be about to pay o . Fred disproves many stereotypes about rather than the directors, who insists he the homeless: most pertinently, their be stopped as they go along, and indeed lack of education. Fred is, so it would the scene that unfolds is punctuated Woody Allen’s Riverside Drive is seem, incredibly erudite, falling easily with perspicacious directions, partic- the Week1 main show at the Corpus into a discussion about Camus and ularly from the eagle-eyed Rattigan. It Playroom: 7pm, Tuesday 30 April - Sartre. Is this really that funny, or is our is only at this point that the amount of Saturday 4 May THE FLETCHER PLAYERS  nding it so humorously oxymoronic thought that has gone into the direc- proof of our own snobbery? tors’ vision becomes evident. e Golden Fleece: in search of New Zeland Playwright Ryan Ammar on sheep, the purpose of student theatre, and the challenge of writing a play true to his Kiwi roots

to win the competition despite a dis- which was staged at the Corpus Play- the crew is committed. If anyone can ’m a New Zealander, tinct lack of ability and the best e orts room in Michaelmas) has said that salvage the script, it’s this bunch. and very proud of it. of his arch-nemesis, Trevor, to quash “a bit of heart, a bit of mischief, some Finally, I think Whenever this his chances. words – and that’s a play.”  is an important comes up in conver- The Golden Fleece is my has become a mantra for me in thing to I sation, I am usually second play to be staged in THE my writing. My starting point remem- asked some quite predictable ques- Cambridge. My  rst was Esio is to assemble a crop of diverse ber about tions. ‘Do you like Flight of the Trot which played at the ADC CAMBRIDGE and intriguing characters, and is that the Conchords?’ – Yes. ‘Are you in the All last term and will transfer to THEATRE the rest sort of falls into place theatre scene Blacks.’ – No. ‘Are you a hobbit?’ the Edinburgh Fringe Festi- from there. From Trevor, with in Cambridge is – Debatable. val in August. To be honest, SCENE IS A his strange love for structur- a place for learn-  e other popular topic for discus- in writing Esio Trot Roald PLACE FOR alism, to Murray, who hasn’t ing.  e plays that are sion is, of course, sheep. I tell people, Dahl had already done most washed a pair of socks for put on each week are of a often to their surprise, that there are of the work for me. As Hannah LEARNING nearly two years. massively high standard, but they’re 4 million people in New Zealand, and Mirsky (for The Tab) com- Despite their various quirks put on by people – actors, directors, 40 million sheep. I’ve wanted to write mented, “If someone told me that they and  aws, for me, the most important technicians, and musicians - who are a play about New Zealand for a long didn’t like Roald Dahl, I’d suspect them quality of all of these characters, even still working out how to do what they time, but I didn’t really know how I of being either not entirely honest, or (and especially) the villains, is their do, to the best of their ability.  e same should go about it. I did know, how- not entirely human.” With this project, sense of warmth. Indeed, warmth is thing applies to writers. I’m not trying ever, that I wanted it to be truly ‘kiwi’. it was a blank slate – there was no Roald the quality I value most in my writ- to be Shakespeare or Beckett or Stop- So what better place to start than with Dahl peering over my shoulder to give ing. As such, I was rather pleased pard. What I am trying to do is  gure our beloved woolly me a helping hand. when Stefan Golaszewski (the judge out what works and what doesn’t, friends. However, one of this year’s Harry Porter Prize, for and Cambridge provides the perfect The Golden THERE ARE thing I really tried which e Golden Fleece was short- opportunity to do this. e Golden Fleece is set on a 4 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW to emulate in The listed) described the play as “a very Fleece is not going to be  awless, but sheep farm in the Golden Fleece was warm, gentle piece … I enjoyed the I’ve given it a darned good shot. rural heartland of ZELAND AND 40 MILLION Esio Trot’s charac- sense of light coming out through the New Zealand.  e SHEEP teristic ‘silliness’. darkness.” play is named after e Golden Fleece  e really tricky job is translating that a competition that is light-hearted from page to stage. However, I couldn’t Ryan Ammar’s The Golden takes place each year in New Zealand piece that is aware of its own theatrical- have hoped for a better team for the Fleece is the Week1 late show at to  nd the best sheep’s  eece in the ity, and able to laugh at it. job.  e director (Madeleine Heyes) the ADC: 11pm, Wednesday 1 - country. e Golden Fleece follows the Tom Wells (one of my favourite play- and producer (Claire O’Brien) are both Saturday 4 May RYAN AMMAR exploits of Murray, a farmer, as he tries wrights, author of Me, As A Penguin, magni cent, the cast is hilarious, and VARSITY [email protected] 21 FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 eatre Review: Troubled Sleep in the ladies’ loo BREAK A LEG Varsity critic Alishah Shariff on an innovative production at the ADC

ust before entering the ladies’ toilets Miscommunication is a major theme RICHARD STOCKWELL of the ADC, we were given stern of the play, with many lines delivered by Jinstructions: Troubled Sleep would one sister failing to register with the ears last for about twenty minutes and that of the other. Also prominent were the sis- It’s Exam Term.  ere’s no chance we were to position ourselves at the ters’ attempts to avoid certain subjects as you can say “Oh no it isn’t!” because opposite end of the room to the cubicles; well as to avoid each other; indeed, their the Panto is months away.  e tell- once the play had nished, we were to gaze barely met during the performance. tale signs are already emerging.  e let the actors out of Anna’s constant queues are getting longer for the col- the door – there moving about within lege cafeteria, because everybody would be no curtain A REAL SENSE the limited space is learning so much that to make call. The twenty- heightened her mental space they’ve forgotten how or-so minutes that OF BEING LOST need to engage in a to cook, or even assemble bread followed were IN HER OWN WORLD certain level of sur- and hummus. People are turning largely intense, face-play in order simple ‘Hello, how are you?’ conver- and generally quite disturbing. to mask the real gloom of her new life in sations into exaggerated auctions of Troubled Sleep, the rst English trans- the city.  e fragmentary dialogue was how many hours they’ve spent in the lation and adaptation of the Valencian strangely enhanced by the  ushing of a library. And yet the theatre world car- playwright José Sanchis Sinisterra’s Mal toilet or sound of toilet roll being changed, ries on, albeit streamlined to the ADC dormir, revolves around an encounter noises which seemed to stand in for the and Corpus Playroom, at the expense between two sisters in a toilet. E orts to obtrusive sounds of the city. of college societies. Still, how does it maintain the original Spanish version’s Both Hellie Cranney and Victoria Fell manage it? urban/rural divide were maintained by managed to preserve convincing Irish Firstly, there’s Prelims. None of the a translation that saw Anna move from accents throughout the performance. above applies to English or History her rural home in Ireland to a city in Eng- Cranney showed a mastery of main-  rst years. Prelims count for less than land. Her sister Becky’s visit sees the two taining presence despite the numerous Part I or Part IIA exams, which count of them in a toilet which Anna cleans, instances when her back faced the audi- for nothing – except maybe pride if discussing this and that, tales of here and ence whilst she was cleaning. She gave o you’re into that sort of thing. Not only back there, with Becky trying to convince a real sense of being lost in her own world, do they just have Prelims to worry Anna to come back home. yet not very far from the world she had left about, often taken in the comfort The rst minute or so involves only the behind. Fell’s performance was also con- of the college library, but they have sounds of Anna cleaning a toilet, out of vincing, her repressed sensuality coming ADC THEATRE already  nished. For them this is just the view of the audience, the door closed to the fore through the simplest of actions, in the memory. Indeed, moments such as  is coupled with the smell of the toilets a normal term, except with more sun- behind her. What ensues is a mono- such as the removal of her coat upon the this one gained power from the location: yielded to a feeling of general unease that shine/rain (delete as appropriate). logue, telling her orders of her sister. the psychological mirror image of the two was also the product of what was happen-  ankfully, they tend to be artistic sister about Mickey, Her performance sisters on the train and the two sisters in ing ‘on stage’. Whilst initially I was cynical and socially responsible types, who her boyfriend who THEIR GAZE became particularly a toilet surrounded on both sides by mir- about going to a play set in a toilet, think- realise it is their duty to donate their buys her stuff and captivating when rors added depth and hinted at a complex ing that the sense of restricted space could free time to entertaining the rest of who takes her to the BARELY MET DURING THE elliptically hinting at and disturbing drama lurking just beneath have been created via other means, I now us by keeping the Cambridge theatre cinema every Friday. PERFORMANCE the sexual abuse she the surface. understand why this method was crucial world going. Becky remains silent su ered at the hands It was troubling that, as an audience to the enhancement of the experience: it But what about all the non- rst- throughout this of her father; this member, whilst I distinctly had the feel- allowed me to focus on the language, a year-English/History students who monologue, but her silence, once broken, while recounting images of a family she ing of eavesdropping on something I language that contained all the gaps and are involved with plays this term? leads to a verbal confrontation, in which sees on the train, a trail of honey running shouldn’t be listening to, I couldn’t feel silences of a feminine psyche that con-  ese people are the second reason various themes explode on the surface; down the youngest sister’s legs whilst the like a  y on the wall as there were other stantly feels the need to censor itself in the Cambridge theatre show carries among them loss, sibling rivalry and mother and elder sister remain un-reac- bulky, human  ies around me who occa- the presence of men, but also of another on, and divide into two groups: those sexual abuse. tive, her eyes clouded over as though lost sionally obscured my view of the action. woman, a sister. who are just too good and those who just don’t care.  e leads in Hamlet will have to learn more lines than Side Effects The Place some of us will course material over Side E ects is the latest o ering from framework is created to explore indi- the next month.  ere are people Dir: Stephen Beyond the Stephen Soderbergh, of Ocean’s Eleven Pines vidual relationships. who are just so ridiculously talented fame. Dealing with the commercial, Soderbergh Ryan Gosling gives a solid perform- that they’ll get a First despite playing exploitative workings of the Ameri- Dir: Derek ance as the lawless, unhinged Luke, the lead in every ADC show, this term can health system, Soderbergh’s  lm Cianfrance as does Bradley Cooper as Avery, who and throughout the year. Others have explores the results it can have on excellently conveys the physical e ects realised that there’s more to life than patients and doctors alike. of fear. Dane DeHaan as Jason and exams, or that they’re much better at Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) is the Emory Cohen as AJ also capture the acting than exams, in which case they young, wide-eyed British psychiatrist grungy, inarticulate interactions of the may as well play to their strengths. whose career implodes as a result of a byEMMA WILKINSON byEMILY PULSFORD troubled teenagers e ectively. There’s certainly no let up in case involving his patient Emily (Rooney Film Critic Film Critic Despite cultivating a brooding, angsty the variety. It’s only week 1, and Mara), her previous consultant Victo- the transition to the darker, profit- atmosphere, this was di cult to sustain on these pages we’ve got pieces on ria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and making American system. Motives and Derek Cianfrance presents his latest over such a lengthy, fragmented story. a play in a toilet, some new writing Emily’s husband, Martin (Channing morals take the spotlight in relation drama in three distinct movements.  e  e lack of punchy dialogue was under- about sheep and a production of an Tatum). Martin’s release from prison to patient treatment and the profit-  rst transition marks an unexpected standable given the  lm’s aim to create obscure Woody Allen play. And so has re-triggered depressive episodes in driven world of drugs manufacture and change of tack, while the second takes a tone of gritty realism, enhanced by a it continues for the  rst four weeks Emily, for which Dr. Banks prescribes a trialling. a ‘15 years later’ format.  e  rst sec- fantastic soundtrack.  e motorcycle of term.  en we hit week 5. Every- new wonder-drug, Ablixa, and so catal- Maintaining the same level of depth tion follows circus motorcyclist, Luke chases were particularly well-executed, body’s complaints suggest this is bad yses their communal demise. in each plot strand is a challenge which Glanton, who, on discovering that he conveying the movement of the motor- enough in the other two terms with- While there a number of additional is not always achieved,leaving actions has a young son, Jason, by a past lover, cycle as powerfully as possible for out needing to add in the start of the minor characters, the driving force of unexplained or feeling overly obvious. Romina, leaves the travelling circus. the audience through blurred, jerky exam period. the  lm as whole comes from the four However, Side E ects impressively bal- In order to provide for his family, camera shots and full-on noise. But skipping over cramming, central parts.  e overall e ect of the ances a poignant moral issue while Luke joins with a car repairer to rob I was struck by the way some aspects exams, and snarling up the city  lm is largely a direct result of their maintaining intrigue and tension. banks. After one robbery, the lives of the  lm reminded me of the story centre with celebrations, next stop performances. Each actor occupies  e veil of mental health issues is also of Luke and his family intersect with arcs in Greek tragedy. One is the inter- is the May Week shows. If you’re up their role with credible deftness, with an interesting lens through which to another man, Avery Cross and his wife est in inter-generational con ict and in time to see any of these then you impressive performances from Jude observe scenes, blurring truth and real- and young son, AJ. At this dramatic the question of whether history will are probably doing May Week wrong. Law and Rooney Mara, who between ity on several levels. intersection, the  lm changes to Avery’s repeat itself, or whether successors But if by some accident you do  nd them create an intriguing portrayal of a You are plunged into the heart of perspective, while the  lm’s third sec- pay for, or avenge, the actions of ances- yourself awake in the middle of the doctor-patient relationship. its sinister workings and shown the tion focusses on the now-teenage sons, tors.Another is the way the day, then plays in gardens and on Mara’s ability to work with vary- hideous consequences of medical mis- who are struggling to  nd their way. narratives, were structured punts have produced some of the ing levels of deep conceit made her conduct, but you are never allowed to Although there are digressions into into parts. most hilariously un(der)-rehearsed performance chilling in its beguiling feel that this is a dry or didactic asser- issues like drug abuse, police corrup- However, whereas Greek performances ever.

falsehood. Frustratingly, Zeta-Jones’s tion of ethical attitudes. tion, guilt and heroism, the underlying tragic cycles are split over FILM Also in May Week are the Previews character, while adeptly played, was not It is di cult to escape the slight gloss theme of the  lm is family relations, several plays,  e Place for the Footlights Tour Show.  is given as much depth, and felt at times of melodrama in some of the  lm’s plot- especially between fathers and sons, Beyond the Pines tried one’s in the evenings, so it’s a good like caricature, or a mere plot device. twists, but this is largely the result of explored through the mostly well- to convey as much in a place to go relieve your sulks if you’re What truly allows this  lm to hang its nature as a  lm exposing the worst interwoven parallel stories of the two single  lm.  is results in not going to the ball.  ey tend to together, however, is its carefully inter- human impulses. In combining con- father-mother-son trios that start o an experience that threat- experiment, and it’s always interest- woven plotline, which takes truly vincing performances and a plotline separate but dangerously converge. ened to drag at times and ing to see how well and how much gut-wrenching turns on its way to its that is both beautifully conceived and  e very notion of what constitutes lessened the impact of things have changed when they bring powerful conclusion. artfully revealed, this  lm is impressive a family is questioned in Cianfrance’s what might otherwise it back at the start of Michaelmas – if Moving from a British medical back- in its energetic exploration of morally engaging portrayal of the issue.By con- have been a tightly-han- you’re coming back, that is. ground, Dr. Banks directly experiences complex topics. trasting the parallel families, a wider dled thriller. 22 [email protected] VARSITY Culture FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Geek or Chic?: AGame of rones Initation Georgina Wadham discusses the third season of the acclaimed, beloved HBO fantasy adaptation.

It’s an interesting coinci- GEEK T-shirt, from Family Guy’s Star how one of its most common words, to Robb dence that the meteoric rise Wars episodes to the in ux of thick- ‘Khaleesi’ (the Dothraki word for queen, Stark’s, in the popularity of Game of rimmed glasses on many a hipster’s duh), had had its original pronuncia- for rones has coincided with nose, geek is the new-but-slightly- tion altered to make it sound cooler: exam- the meteoric rise in popu- mainstream-now-really black. Kah-lee-see rather than Kah-lay-see. ple. TV larity of ‘Geek chic’. And yet, when I  nd myself discuss- As I read this article, I could feel a O f From Liz Lemon on 30 ing my television habits, which have rift developing, a great schism in the course, Rock to the ubiquitous become extravagant now it’s the most Game of rones fan-base whose rip- m u c h horri c time of year, the mere mention ples could have untold after-e ects in the of Game of rones draws one of two years to come. Game of rones is based same RE:ROLL inevitable reactions. on a level of fascinating detail. could First, people ask, ‘Doesn’t that have… Much like Lord of the Rings, its beauty be said a lot of sex in it?’ Yes, friend. It does. lies in its complexity, in its ability to of any More on that later. Secondly, there is a give its fans an entire discourse which fantasy pointed silence. A silence which asks is distinct from any other. People tend or sci-fi the yet-unspoken question: “Isn’t that to become passionate about these dis- series ANGUS MORRISON kind of thing a bit nerdy?” courses. Try telling any given NatSci considered to be nerdy: Star Wars, Star Cinematically, Game of rones is Again, the only answer is yes. Watch- that you loved Patrick Stewart in Star Trek, e X-Files, Doctor Who – and yet, worth every penny of its enormous ing Game of rones is a magni cent Wars and you’ll see Game of rones has an incredibly wide budget: its setting is lavish to the point Games sit awkwardly among their experience. It is unashamedly high- what I mean. mass appeal (judging by my Facebook of being every geek’s dream. media cousins. is is not news – budget, with the  rst series costing a SEX Once you news feed every Sunday night) that And yet, these important aspects gaming is the weird kid at school that reported 50-60 million US dollars. understand the arguably outweighs any of these. of the show fade into the background stares down girls’ tops and sets  re And it shows. With its recognisable AND VIOLENCE numerous plotlines Where exactly this stems from is dif- when one considers the twin elephants to ants. But it’s not just an odd rela- and inordinately beautiful cast, the and their various  cult to pinpoint. e cast is incredible. in the room: sex and violence. Do not tionship with the established arts glamorous, far- ung locations and FOR EXAM TERM interweavings, and A delightful blend of Hollywood talent watch this with your parents. Unless that makes gaming di cult to deal top-notch CGI, the show is a visual CATHARSIS: LET whose family has (Sean Bean, Lena Headey, Charles you won’t feel embarrassed watching with. Even those who have taken it tour de force. But it is inherently, ines- wronged whose, Dance), beautiful newcomers (Emilia multiple graphic sex scenes, heart-eat- upon themselves to ramble at length capably, a show for geeks. YOUR GEEK FLAG and where the vari- Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner) ings, decapitations ... on the subject run into di culty. Based on George R. R. Martin’s fan- FLY ous strongholds and the all-round wonderful (Peter ere is a morbid fascination that Expressing precisely why a game is tasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, the are, and who’s actu- Dinklage, Natalia Tena), the cast brings comes into Game of rones, alongside good or bad, or even if it counts as a world of Game of rones is a complex ally sleeping with their own sister rather Martin’s work to life. the intricacies of its plot, the excellent game in the  rst place is presenting one, which translates in delightful spe- than just being overly friendly, you feel ey make you question your ini- performances given and the depth of its a fresh challenge for the media. ci city to the small screen. a certain sense of accomplishment. tial judgement of their characters for setting, and therein lies its appeal. While all of the arts are subjec- After the latest episode, an article ere is a distinct pleasure in being being weak-willedor naïve, and portray Let your geek  ag  y on the one hand, tive to varying degrees, the freedom came out by one of the show’s language able to argue Daenerys Targaryen’s claim people who have depth beyond their and on the other use the sex and vio- that is granted in being handed the specialists, who was complaining about to the throne of Westeros as compared generic character types. lence as exam-term catharsis. controls can result in wildly di er- ent experiences for each player. In all but the most linear and restrictive creations – in which debates about the de nition of ‘game’ rear their heads – the player will be granted some measure of choice in pursuing Interview: Dame Margaret Drabble their goal. Games can be picked up and put down at will, and trying to Ella Griffi ths talks to the award-winning novelist about women and literature today. identify at which point you can be “You have to shout sometimes, or an actress with the Royal Shakespeare studying at English at the same said to have ‘played the game’ is a no-one hears you at all”, declares Dame Company, her  rst novel, A Summer college. problem in itself. Margaret Drabble. No stranger to break- Birdcage, was published in 1963. Since Was there always an element of Ten pounds for a cinema ticket ing taboos, the novelist gave a voice to a then, she has written over  fteen prize- competition between them? “We and popcorn will usually net you new generation of women in the 1960’s winning novels and was awarded a DBE were just brought up too close, with between two and three hours of  lm. by exploring the complexities of sex, in 2008. the same material. It was hard. When the credits roll you leave having marriage and motherhood. Why did she start writing? “I was “I think she really resented the successfully completed the business I had always imagined her to be always a reader, but what happened is fact that I did it by mistake and it of cinema-going. On iTunes a song  ercely intellectual, chanelling the stern that I’d got married as soon as I’d left was her greatest aim in life”. clocks in at about 70 pence and will aura of a schoolmistress. Perhaps it’s Cambridge. My first husband (Clive She attibutes this tension to an run until the track’s end is marked by to do with her past role as editor of e Swift) was an actor and I’d wanted to be intense home environment. “My the absence of sound. After shelling Oxford Companion to English Litera- an actress, but I started having babies. mother was at Newnham in the out between £30 and £60 for a triple- ture. Or maybe it’s the notorious dispute Somehow it was easier to write novels. It 1920’s and she was a very clever A game, however, it’s often hard to with her sister, novelist A. S. Byatt, which  t the pattern of my life”. working-class girl. But she felt very tell whether you’ll be engaged for a leaves me feeling daunted. In fact, Mar- Margaret’s trajectory reminds me of socially disadvantaged. night or for a year. garet is witty and engaging, elegant with Sylvia Plath’s early career, who also bal- “She arrived speaking with a

e shorter story-driven games short, iron-grey hair and warmly anced writing and Yorkshire accent, and most of the CREDIT: UNITED AGENTS/RUTH CORNEY will  ash by in a paltry six hours, but attentive as she sips her co ee. motherhood in the girls here were middle-class, or an open-world adventure will soak She is in Cambridge to give a same period. “I think upper-class. She had to adjust to all of “I know that all these devices we have up over a hundred hours of your speech at her alma mater, Newn- WOMEN’S Sylvia’s problem was that, and was very competitive for her for recording and communicating has time. A Warcraft veteran, mean- ham College, on women and the ASPIRATIONS that she just pushed children”. changed the nature of privacy and jour- while, may have invested several novel. Most of her novels are writ- herself so far, and that Her novels are brave investigations nalistic authority, but it hasn’t changed hundred days in their favourite time ten from a female perspective. “I CROSS she was married to into social norms, careers and domes- out of recognition. ere has to be some sink. And within all of these time find it harder to write from the FRONTIERS a man who was her ticity. Would she agree that class and responsibility”. frames each player will have made point of view of a man. I did write rival. femininity are two central themes? “I’m Despite receiving multiple prizes, myriad subtle variations that di er- one whole novel from the perspec- OF CLASS AND “It was an emblem- very interested in class mobility, which Margaret has strong principles about entiate his experience from that of tive of a man called e Ice Age. I NATIONALITY atic story for us: can is a very English subject. “I do feel myself such awards. “I boycott the Booker others. had to do a lot of research. I worried you survive if you to be very English, but having said that, simply because I said I would many Adding to the confusion, the about daily things, like clothes, shaving, want to do all these things? It’s incred- my novels have been translated and years ago, and being a consistent product that ends up on the shelves attitudes to sex…”. ibly sad, the story, and the fallout on well read in Japan. I think there must be person, I still do, but I think it does dis- is rarely the finished game. To She describes her literary in uences other generations. On the other hand, some archetypal story of women’s aspi- tort the market. patch, bug  x and append new con- in the 1960’s as Doris Lessing, Sylvia one shouldn’t forget that she left a body rations going on that does cross frontiers “When I started publishing in the six- tent (often for some extra cash) is a Plath and Mary McCarthy, who were of work that was quite remarkable”. of class and nationality”. ties, you went to a publishing house, luxury peculiar to games, and the making “great breakthroughs in sub- I wonder if juggling a career and As well as novels and biographies, your editor looked after you, and that validity of the standard review has to ject matter”. I ask her about the biggest family is an achievable aim for women Margaret frequently writes for newspa- was it. Now, that’s all in meltdown. be questioned when it can become change in terms of the material that today. “Employers are more consider- pers. “ ere are things you can do in a “Publishers are very wary in regard to out-dated two months down the women novelists can tackle today. ate, men are more considerate, fathers comment piece that you can’t possibly sales  gures, while in the old days, they line. “You can write about gynaecological are better. ere’s more of a sense of do in a novel, because it’s a di erent would stay with you”. To lay responsibility for the con- matters. Mary McCarthy’s e Group it being a woman’s right to work, not medium. e novel is subtle, and sort As visitors begin to hover around us tinued growth of gaming solely at was the  rst novel that described birth something that she’s doing because of  lled out, embodied, while in a piece for the chance of a chat, I conclude by the feet of developers would be control in any capacity in 1963. It was she’s odd”. of comment you can just say: ‘this is asking why she chose  ction to debate wildly unfair. As a new culture col- quite useful. It was like a manual, since Margaret’s spontaneous decision to wrong’”. what it means to be a woman. “I think lides with Old Media, the collective these topics were just unmentionable”. begin writing contrasts with the career I ask whether her opinion of journal- that fiction is a wonderful medium press must adapt to convey the sub- Educated at a Quaker school in of her sister, A.S.Byatt, the Booker ism was changed by the phone-hacking not only to reflect on what we do, tleties of an inherently interactive York, Margaret went on to read Eng- Prize-winning author who had always scandal. “With the Leveson report, I’m but for pushing it on a bit. It gives the form. e weird kid’s okay when you lish at Cambridge. After a brief spell as intended to become a writer after on the side of Hacked O . possibilities”. get to know him. VARSITY [email protected] 23 FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Culture Preview:  e making of Make is Space

Rob Hawkins talks to the student creators behind the innovative interactive gallery on King’s Street ART e are all familiar with Tellingly, I think, she called the Ono Coralie explains, from the more con- space (as it says on the tin; the air is  ursday night.  eir laud- the feeling of being piece ‘barely art’: something about what cept-loaded submissions. contained in hundreds of balloons - a able intention is to put unwelcome in a they’re trying to create in Cambridge ‘Of course, a lot of the work still has riotous gallery experience). It’s clever student art on a par with space. Sometimes this also enjoys only a distant relationship a concept behind it – but we made the s t u  . student theatre: to create is caused by social sit- with the stu y, restrictive clichés of selection formally, on what was visually Admirably, the curators acknowl- a supportive environment W uations, other times contemporary artistic discussion. interesting’.  e result is that, putting edge the challenges of working with for people to try their hand, by environmental It won’t be entirely original. ‘Rela- themselves in the shoes of the audi- mainly student artists (as Coralie sen- and an established commu- factors. tional Aesthetics’ ence, the curators have picked work sibly dubs them, ‘emerging’). With this nity with regular exhibitions It’s the culture-shock of pitching up – the business of which is ‘accessible’ in the most positive show’s ethos being so positive, and so and opportunities for curat- in your empty room to unpack and making our gal- sense (rather than, as Jonathan Meades dominating, it’s easy to overlook the ing, criticism and creativity prepare at the start of the term, and HOPES lery-based social de nes it, meaning ‘nothing more than theme binding together the submis- alike. the charged hush in the exam hall at TO COMBINE interactions impor- being comprehensible to morons’). sions: Space. It is democratic: space is It is remarkable, really, the end of it. It’s a feeling aroused, for tant, if not central Simply, this will be a show, they something we all exist in. It opens doors that this isn’t already the case. Chang- many, in contemporary art galleries. POETRY, – is in vogue these hope, which anyone can enjoy, without to the profound and the everyday. ing Spaces’ (www.changing-spaces.org) Performance art often thrives on it, PARTICIPATION, days: think of the prior knowledge or extensive catalogue Admittedly, when I toured the lease of the gallery, though, has given deliberately creating discomfort. Tate’s Test Site silver notes. space on Tuesday, things were embry- them a platform: now all that’s needed Even the spaces in which we show MUSIC AND slides, shooting  is is not to say that the intellec- onic. It seems, though, that it won’t is a successful show – which, here more our art are now prone to creating it – INSTALLATION gallery-goers to the tual baby has been thrown out with the be ‘ nished’ until it’s populated come than ever, depends on strong participa- sterile white temples, adorned with floor and making oppressive tion from the student body. gravely serious pieces of coded mean- headline news, and Weather Project, conceptual The advertising campaign has ing. It’s this feeling that student curators the Turbine Hall setting sun that had us bathwater. therefore been necessarily bold. Coralie Malissard, Charlotte Call and lying  at on our backs, making patterns One artist I put it to Coralie that accusations Alessandra Kurr have set out to chal- on the re ective ceiling with scores of has pro- of shock tactics could be levelled lenge with their interactive exhibition strangers. duced black at their promotional lm (dir. Nick at SixOneSix Gallery, King’s Street . But, characteristically, they’re not on white Morris), with her starring role as a Make This Space aims to offer an phased by this – the pursuit of nov- images nude painter. informal environment in which art elty, it seems, has rightly been put on based on She explains the reasoning: all can be shown, made, and enjoyed. It the scrapheap, along with the clichéd the per- clothes have connotations; they is, Charlotte tells me, concerned with art school term ‘tension’.  is exhibi- centages needed a generic everyman/woman; art as a catalyst for interaction. She tion aims at anything but tension, and of usable the academic nude has been tackled talks enthusiastically about a Yoko instead hopes to combine poetry, par- space in the with integrity for centuries – it’s not Ono piece, Smile, (in which partici- ticipation, music and installation in a gallery. I’m a big deal, she says. pants were photographed, grinning) convivial an open environment. It’s an reminded Charlotte adds (with typical prag- and about the recent Light Show at the intention hard to criticise. of Martin matism): ‘if it gets us more views: Hayward (where simple e ects cause  e curatorial team have set about Creed’s great’. If all of its 5000 viewers see strangers to interact, and ‘everyone left the task with a fundamentally prag- Half the air the exhibition, it will be deservingly with a smile on their face’). matic approach. They shied away, in a given busy. NICK MORRIS A Year Abroad in every subject? This week on Varsity Live, Laura Stockley argues that students from other subjects A LOOKBLOGS AT THE would benefi t from the fresh perspective and life lessons that a year away from Cambridge can bring, even if they don’t leave the country.

levels of sodium chloride, most of us If I were in Cambridge this year I It is all too easy to get caught up in the With eight-week terms, three term could probably graduate without ever know I would, along with my fellow stress of the academic Cambridge hot THIS WEEK ONLINE: years, and three-year degrees, by my having cooked a meal or done our own nalists, feel entirely lost at the pros- house, or let terms  y by in a hungover calculations the average Cambridge washing. pect of entering into the world of work haze of swaps and strawpedos in Cin- - Hannah Wilkinson provides a undergraduate has 72 weeks teach- Whilst some may consider this a great next year. A year out from Cambridge dies and Life. photographic look at an average day ing time, a grand total of 360 days.  at advantage, I question whether Cam- buys you time, and provides an invalu- Crossing international borders may in Cairo. means less than one year of our life is bridge is not doing us a disservice here? able opportunity to narrow down what not be necessary – regional borders dedicated Cambridge teaching time. What use is a rst in Molecular Biology you might like to do after you graduate. would be a step forward. Arguably a - Our new obsession: the bar- My nalist friends are now in week 65 if you can’t work a washing machine?  is year I have both studied and year in industry could be as bene cial bershop quartet version of Justin of this process and whilst the constant We will at least return from a year away worked. I am currently doing an intern- as one in foreign climes. I don’t think it Timberlake’s ‘SexyBack’. grey cloud of the ever-approaching slightly better armed to ship with Oxfam, and I should be obligatory – it’s certainly not deadline may become somewhat tire- deal with stroppy land- now know I want to do a for everybody – but I do think it should - Everything you need to know some, for most of the nalists I know, it lords, gas leaks and bed job with a purpose, one be encouraged. about the rise of the right in Europe. has crept up on them all too quickly. bugs; we may even be I WANT A that means I spend more Equations, formulae and theories Amongst Cambridge undergradu- able to conjure up a time with people and less can be taught, learnt and revised.  e ates, I am in the relatively unusual halfway decent paella JOB WITH A time with screens. I am bene ts from a year abroad have to be ALL THIS (AND MORE) AT position of being on a Year Abroad. or boeuf bourguignon, not prepared to sacri ce experienced. VARSITY.CO.UK/LIVE Our degree system is still incredibly though perhaps that’s a PURPOSE, my social life and sanity Laura Stockley is on her Year Abroad. linear and incredibly in exible. Unless little optimistic… for the mega bucks. ONE THAT MEANS I ELL BROWN VIA FLICKR you are studying a language degree, Arriving in a foreign Aside from the more the possibility of taking a year out is country where you know SPEND MORE TIME obvious advantages to very limited. In my opinion, this is one nobody forces you to do WITH PEOPLE AND living abroad for a year, I major downfall of the Tripos system. some unexpected things think leaving ‘the bubble’ Perhaps they’re scared we’d forget the – you can’t really a ord LESS TIME WITH provides a welcome equations, the formulae or the theories, to be fussy when you SCREENS insight into just what a or even worse, that we’d never come have no friends. So much Cambridge degree has back? of how we judge people really got to o er. I had I won’t give you the ‘gap yah’ spiel and is buried deep in our culture and the privilege of studying at Sciences Po, pretend that we all come back having upbringing; based on the way people Paris, one of France’s nest universities. ‘found ourselves’ but speak, where they come  e quality of teaching was outstand- it can’t be denied that from, what they study or ing, but what it o ered in teaching it living abroad for a year who their friends are. It’s arguably lacked in many other regards. teaches some fairly WHAT USE almost impossible to make Very few academic institutions in the important life les- IS A FIRST IN these snap judgments in world could rival what Cambridge has sons that you perhaps a foreign language and to o er regarding theatre, music and wouldn’t learn from MOLECULAR BIOLOGY culture. I know in a year’s sport. How many universities can boast three years in the Cam- IF YOU CAN’T WORK A time the fact that I cele- an entirely student run theatre, some bridge bubble. brated Mardi Gras in fancy of the best rowers in the country, and a  e Cambridge col- WASHING MACHINE? dress, on a beach (where it Union with speakers as diverse as Sirs legiate system is pretty snowed), with an eclectic Ian McKellen and Richard Dawkins? cushy; if we were mix of French, Mexicans  ere are societies to cater for every prepared to accept odd socks, the and Spaniards is going to seem like a interest, now matter how unusual or occasional shrunken jumper and high somewhat distant reality. obscure.. 24 [email protected] VARSITY e Essay FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Telegrams and bullets from b

It’s said that a society should be judged by the way it honours its dead; Lewis Wynn looks at some of the more strange and mysterious ways of subsisting after death THE ESSAY

WHEN IN ICELAND

HENRY ASHCROFT

“Windy conditions, steep hills and unsuitable road surfaces combine to make Iceland not the most pop- ular of destinations for cyclists”. In the face of our Lonely Planet Guide, a friend and I took to the roads of Iceland last year for a three week cycling tour of Iceland. It became easy to forget the frus- trating conditions in touring this is impossibly fascinating country. Cycling 60km a day we would cross meadows with grazing horses; hill ranges and round fjords, complete with the odd volcano, lava eld or barren red desert. It’s easy to see how Nordic folklore could have been inspired by this landscape: gateways to the land of the gods, troll gardens and Ragnarok (the destruction of the world in a climactic battle of gods and titans) all seemed natural some- how... Casual roadside signposts to Asgard didn’t do much to dispel the mysticism of the place. With no standing army and a crime rate of next to nothing in the capital you can see why the Global Peace Index labelled Iceland the most peaceful country in the world.  e locals were inevitably friendly (and most spoke perfect English) when we actually came across them, since Iceland is the most sparsely popu- lated country in Europe, making it possible to go days without seeing anyone. However, we were fre- quently o ered meals and beds for the night in local farmhouses, which felt like little bastions of rugged human de ance in a world still very much de ned by nature in a way that few European countries can boast. Finding a place to camp was never di cult, though we were on various occasions stared down by families of apparently wild goats; chased by a guard dog which seemed highly unimpressed by our garish cycling kit, or unnerved by the isolation on one night spent in the grounds of an isolated and deserted hotel with a distinct aura of  e Shining about it. Iceland is known for special natu- ral locations like Gulfoss, the ‘Golden Waterfall’ and  ingvellir, the site of the country’s rst parliament from the 9th century, which itself lies in a rift valley marking the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: a 7km gap between tectonic plates. However, Reykjavik showed us that there is more to Iceland than nature. A buzz- ing hive of human activity, it has a thriving art and culture scene, pro- viding a youthful face for a country steeped in its ancient geographical history. Varsity [email protected] 25 Friday 26th april 2013 he Essay

RE:VISION

FIONA STAINER

already craving the joys of iplayer? ams and bullets from beyond the grave read on for subject specific tV programmes that are (almost) com- pletely justiiable as revision aids.

social and Political sciences – looks at some of the more strange and mysterious ways of subsisting after death Starting on BBC two this hursday is he Politician’s Husband. david tennant plays the husband of a gov- ernment minister in what the BBC describes as ‘a drama about the shifting power in a marriage when the personal and political collide.’ personal and political?

History –he BBC made a huge efort to sell he Village as a natural- istic period piece: Downton Abbey it most certainly ain’t. its focus is the working classes, and the plan is to track the lives of the inhabitants of a peak district village through histori- cal events of the early 20th century, kicking of with the First World War. it’s gritty, bleak and depressing and therefore can be passed of easily as revision.

Economics – he Apprentice is back next month. it’s as if the BBC scheduled it speciically to it into your revision timetable. Whether you watch it to come up with your own strategy for each task, or simply to scare yourself into working harder, this type of revision is totally justiied.

Psychology – Sometimes i do wonder if Britain’s Got Talent is one big psychological experiment: how long can we keep the nation enter- tained with dancing racoons and singing grannies? ponder this ques- tion and others, like: what on earth possessed that guy to think danc- ing with a broomstick nun whilst dressed as a priest was entertain- ment? and what on earth were the judges thinking when they put him through?.

Classics – he writers of roman sitcom Plebs (episodes of which are still available on itV player) insist that they approached none other than Mary Beard herself for advice on content. if it has the approval of your professor, it’s deinitely legiti- mate revision.

English – Fed up of reading novels? here are plenty of adapta- tions out there. Order the box sets and put your feet up. Studying MMl? take your dVd box set of choice, set the subtitles to the appro- priate language and hey presto! you’re revising.

Geography –Want to see some part ia Geopolitics in action? hen look no further than the box set of Home- land. Nothing says US imperialism quite like a morally questionable drone strike. it annoyed me that i couldn’t watch without making par- allels to ideas about ‘self’ and ‘other’, and wondering what Edward Said would have thought. i guess that’s just what Geography does to you, apart from give you a love of high- lighters and a high tolerance for cold, wet weather. physical geogra- phers can look to Game of hrones for some relevant respite. despite all the political and sexual intrigue, the underlying ‘winter is coming’ theme means it’s essentially about climate change. 26 [email protected] VARSITY Culture FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Bioshock and awe: “ e best of the year” Thomas Ruddle disccusses the latest in Irrational Games’ ground-breaking series of titles h a v e t o mechanics, setting and especially the Do not get the wrong impression, admit I was plot, which forced me to think about this is certainly nothing like another worried. subjects as diverse as Ayn Rand’s phi- “damsel in distress” game, one must The first losophy to substance abuse and even to note that Elizabeth can handle herself

GAMES game in the the role of the player in video games. in a  ght. She can pull objects through I Bioshock So when they announced the latest from other dimensions through “tears”, series game in the series, Bioshock In nite, I such as cover or weapons and is a dab blew me away with its expected it to be a hanger-on, living in hand with a lockpick. the shadow of its genre-break- It’s been a long time since ing predecessor, in what I refer I’ve empathised with a sup- STORY TIME to as “ e Matrix Syndrome”. porting character in a game However, Irrational Games LIGHT, as much as Elizabeth – she have taken a few risks (some- COLOURFUL is de nitely an integral part thing we don’t see enough of in of the story and she doesn’t the video game industry these AND TAKES feel like a hindrance, as sup- days) and created something GLORY IN ITS porting characters can do. FREYA BERRY that keeps a lot of reassuring Furthermore, the story links to Bioshock, but de nitely ARCHITECTURE is very well-crafted. I don’t It is night time, and there is the stands as its own game and, in want to reveal any spoilers, city clinging to the dark of the some areas, even far surpasses it. but, whilst some aspects did get preten- countryside, carefully etched out in The premise of the plot is encap- tious (the polite way of saying what I put light. ere are the streets, striding sulated in the words of the main in my notes), the ending is absolutely grimly on. And here are the people. character, Booker DeWitt, “Bring us the incredible and ties up the game well, IRRATIONAL GAMES Here is the hum of life, of living, girl and wipe away the debt”. It’s 1912 which Bioshock failed to do. e stellar where real people lived. However, parade, but the ever-present shadow the background noise that is the and Booker, an ex-Pinkerton agent, is moment is where Booker is set against even though you see citizens at various of Columbia’s intolerances and nation- metronome of humanity. sent to the  oating city of Columbia to an old friend in the Army, Cornelius preset points in the game, they all seem alism is made evident with posters Most scurry through, existing, rescue a girl called Elizabeth from the Slate, who, camped out in a racist theme to disappear when any gun re starts, inspired by WWI propaganda and giant never pausing to hear the musical clutches of its leader, Zachary Com- park, sends his troops to die as he wants making some areas feel like battle elds, statues of American heroes, whilst the undulation of time. They are the stock. Comstock, aka “ e Prophet”, them to be killed by a true soldier. not streets. Vox Populi aesthetic has great parallels people in the bars, the ones laughing has formed a quasi-theocratic dictator- Mechanically, Bioshock Infinite is A standout mechanic is the Skyhook, with the Occupy movement. in the streets, or hunkering down in ship, claiming that he has been given great. e guns feel satisfying to shoot a tool that lets Booker grapple onto Even if you forget the story, Bioshock the many libraries for a long night visions from angels to preserve Ameri- and, while they can sometimes feel hooks or rails but which also doubles In nite still holds up as a shooter in ahead. can ideals. underpowered, there is a big enough as a melee weapon. Sliding along rails its own right. However, if you do that, But some – a merciful few – hear This causes them to consider the range to keep things interesting. Plas- which taking shots at people on the you’d be missing out on one of the best the tick louder than others. eir Founding Fathers as gods and Abraham mids (which give you superhuman ground is intuitive and a lot of fun. video game stories since Half-Life 2. My eyes are – di erent. ey walk slower, Lincoln as the Devil; indeed, there is a powers, like throwing  reballs) make If anyone deserves a promotion at verdict? It’s an absolutely brilliant game linger beside the enticingly-lit shop cult dedicated to the worship of John a return as Vigors, but they feel much Irrational, though, it’s the art direc- and possibly the best of the year, but, windows, seem to inhale the essence Wilkes Booth. It also creates parallels more tacked on in this game. tor. In a world of dull, brown shooters, if you haven’t played it, I’d still recom- of the bars, because their ultimate with Rapture (the setting of Bioshock) Booker can also collect Voxophones, Columbia is light, colourful and takes mend saving your money and picking destination is approaching. which tried to seek freedom from which are audio messages from Colum- glory in its architecture, especially in its up Bioshock instead. e books of the city’s libraries religion, where Columbia is seeking bian citizens, which really  esh out the churches. Just avoid Bioshock 2. I’m blocking recognise these individuals. Half- freedom through religion. world and make it seem like a place It feels like an everlasting 4th of July that one from memory. dead creatures themselves, they stir and whisper as such people go by. ey know the price of deafening Yeah Yeah Yeahs are my heroes. one’s ears and lungs and soul to the ey alone have had the cajones nec- Yeah Yeah The Shout- Rolling Stones or e Who in initial inexorable ticking. essary to call people out on the second Yeahs ing Matches track ‘Avery Hill’ or with the slightly Let us examine one in particular, greatest evil done at gigs. e  rst is, of unpolished blues jam of ‘ ree Dollar all light and youth and she is course, the 5’ 4” couple who stand at Mosquito Grownass Bill’, e Shouting Matches really do beautiful, and yet people avert their your exact eye-level and make out the Man scream, or rather soulfully wail, of a eyes when she goes by, instead of whole time. However, that pales into an bunch of guys who between them enjoy staring as they did just weeks before. (albeit more unhygienic) second place a far-reaching and diverse appetite for ey don’t know why. Perhaps they behind the absolute eejits who stand in music, whilst having a jolly good time recognize the cold lips of Time front of you and  lm the whole thing on by JILLY LUKE by KATIE THREADGILL indulging it. which press against her. their phones. Muisc Critic Music Contributor In an album which, thanks to minimal is girl – the way she saw it, she There is nothing more frustrat- promotion, bears as few expectations used to inhabit the noise, and now ing than getting stuck behind one of of development. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are Justin Vernon’s comments in late 2012 as possible for a double Grammy award she didn’t. When the notice came those people who think that capturing sometimes guilty of slightly mawkish that Bon Iver, his unlikely indie-folk winning artist, Vernon and the band are she stepped through the buffer their scratchy, nasty bootleg is more lyrics, but this album sees them matur- popular triumph, would be “winding it free to explore the wilds of their musi- zone that necessarily separates important than listening to the actual ing hugely. down” following the massive success of cal tastebuds to their hearts and ears us from the pain of everything, of people on stage. Yeah Yeah Yeahs have e collaboration with Dr Octagon their  rst two albums undoubtedly hit contents. Perhaps the most astonishing feeling the universe scratch at our outlawed watching through camera on “Buried Alive” generated huge hype fans of the group’s haunting melodies breakaway comes from ‘New eme’, a skin. She crossed into the other side phones at their gigs and thus deserve when it was announced. e result- pretty hard. track which couldn’t be any newer for of silence and allowed its roar of a massive round of applause. ant track is a labyrinthine e announcement of Ver- Vernon if it was wrapped in incomprehensible beauty to enter. Furthermore, if I were Queen, journey of a darkness to non’s return is sure to sing cellophane and topped with It is consuming her, of course, they would get some sort of ROLLS be expected from the man a sweet falsetto to the ears of KICKS a shiny red bow. along with the disease which eats medal, knighthood, or what- OFF THE who gave the world the many. However, Grownass AND FLICKS The carefree lindy-hop into her marrow. Every day brings a ever it is that Queens give out sheer terror of “A Visit to the Man is hardly what Bon Iver’s antidote to a career dedi- new loss. Her hair gradually falls out: to heroes of the realm. TONGUE LIKE Gynaecologist”. introspective following might ITS WAY TO A cated to making melancholy just some of the many threads of her All I’m saying is that if you HONEY AFTER It is by no means the best have expected. SUNNIER SIDE beautiful, it kicks and  icks being which she can feel unravelling were listening to this album track on the album, but it is fresh, blues-rock album its way to a sunnier, if rather as the spool rolls out faster and live, you’d be too busy picking A WHILE, MORE is good and builds on the by the trio who initially formed OF VERNON’S less eloquent and rather faster. She grows thin as the spike your jaw o the  oor to  lm AND MORE underground feeling of brie y for an unreleased EP SONGWRITING more gospel, side to Ver- on the electrocardiogram, as pale as anything. “Subway” and “Under the in 2008, confidently soars non’s extensive songwriting the coats of the doctors who glide If pyrotechnics and gingers FRANTIC Earth” to create a smear of clear of any pigeonhole into PALATE palate. spectrally around her, pacing along are your kind of thing, you’ll re ective blackness through which they might otherwise The closing track eases the peripheries of her fading vision. be glad to know that the video to open- the heart of the album. be stu ed. Vernon, joined by the uncharacteristically And yet, as she lies in the hospital ing track ‘Sacrilege’ features Lily Cole “Always” wouldn’t sound out of place Phil Cook (Megafaun) and Brian Moen boogying folk fan back into a more pen- bed, she is not afraid. People tell doing various things of ill repute with on the soundtrack to The Breakfast (Peter Wolf Crier) present an album sive and familiar place. Yet, inkeeping her she is ‘brave,’ but she knows lots of men in caravans and then being Club, and continues both the lovesick- which mocks any notion of a musical with the other nine, it does so in there is nothing brave about facing set on  re on a beach. e endless rep- ness and dependence on percussion of comfort zone and stretches the limits of a wholly unfamiliar manner. e the inevitable. ere is no point in etition of the word “sacrilege” rolls o the previous tracks. It winds the album breadth that one record can handle. soft swoon of ‘I Need a Change’ turning from the snarling lion of the tongue like honey after a while, the down nicely, preparing us for the small From the distorted grungy tones of is slow-mo soul and it charms Time when it approaches, dripping increasingly textured track combining sadness of the far-away piano in closing ‘Heaven Knows’, to the spunky country with the customary smoothness your own lifespan in seconds and with each reprise to sound increasingly track “Wedding Song”. It’s a soft, gentle beat of ‘Mother, When?’, Vernon’s inten- of yesteryear blues. minutes from its jaws. frantic. ending to an album that is raucous and tion is clear - to take a break from the Bon Iver this most certainly And so she leans back, and closes It builds particularly good drum- sweetly sad in equal parts. earnestness of Bon Iver towards some- is not. Neither is it the kind of her eyes, and lets the universe gather work with a devastating guitar riff Mosquito is the soundtrack to the thing a little more light hearted and a groundbreaking stu that made her into its warm starry rush. She layer on layer until you’re hit with call nights out wish you had. It’s ice-cool little more anonymous. Where Bon Iver Justin Vernon such a big hit. feels the constellations rub gently and response, a gospel choir and tam- but unpretentious, possibly because was intense and brooding, e Shout- But a whimsical scrapbook to a past. Black holes drift slowly by. So bourines that sound like they’ve been Yeah Yeah Yeahs aren’t faking it. It’s a ing Matches relies on ad-hoc synth ri s long list of musical loves and an she accepts, and it is right, and she attached to the various limbs of the girl hugely ambitious piece and they pull and cranks up the distortion for a genu- exciting venture which mingles exchanges this small weary world from e Exorcist. it o brilliantly. Great music speaks for ine band-practise-in-the-garage style. the new with the really rather

for the comfort of eternity. is album is, if nothing else, one itself, and this one shouts volumes. Incorporating the rock styles of e retro, this might just be. MUSIC VARSITY [email protected] FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Fashion 27 Hot stuff

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www.unicen.cam.ac.uk 28 [email protected] VARSITY Fashion FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 FASHION

byPHOEBE LINDSLEY don’t know how often you read the you that the reason LV, and the con- weekend edition of glomerates that own LV, collaborated the Financial Times, with these artists was all in the spirit of but you really should creating art AND fashion. I mean, hey I start doing it: if only to man, Marc Jacobs is an artist and fash- get at the holy grail of ion is just art you wear on your back. Sunday supplements - Financial Times’ Did you not see Meryl Streep school- ‘How To Spend It.’ I ing Anne Hathaway cannot think of any in e Devil Wears single other thing, ART AND Prada? Fashion is person, animal or IMPORTANT, cer- object that better FASHION ulean is GROSS. encapsulates ARE NOW PART OF THE I’m no cynic. I think the connection that those Richard between art and ‘lLUXURY INDUSRTY’ Prince handbags fashion in 2013. and nurse outfits Seriously, you can’t tell the adverts for are really nice. I read the catalogue for £29,500 watches apart from the articles the Alexander McQueen blockbuster prodding you to buy Hermès’s ‘ e Art retrospective at the Met and liked it. I of Living’ picnic set for £2,670. is is also think it’s cool that there is a giant the beauty of ‘How To Spend It:’ won- Murakami sculpture in the  agship LV derfully pointless expensive things. ‘A store on Bond Street, but, I de nitely wonderfully pointless expensive thing’ think that the entire enterprise revolved describes a lot of the art made these around making as much money as pos- days. Indeed, both art and fashion are sible. Excluding pesky illegal drugs, art now a part of the ‘Luxury Industry’, and is the biggest unregulated market in the it is their status as commodities, which world; perhaps fashion houses hope most de nes how people interact with that through collaborations, artists can them in the 21st century. throw some of their wealth, status and Moving on from my FT  xation, a cultural capital their way. Maybe the quick visit to Louis Vuitton’s ‘Friends relationship between art and fashion of the House’ section of their website hasn’t changed that much at all. Fruit- further illustrates just how integrated ful partnerships have always sprung up the fash/art worlds are. Louis V’s arty between designers and artists: think friends number Richard Prince, Olafur William Morris, Bauhaus, Constructiv- Eliasson, Takashi Murakami and Yayoi ists, Elsa Schiaparelli etc. etc. However, Kusama. It seems natural that artists the tone of contemporary collabora- and fashionistas would make good bed- tions seems di erent and altogether fellows. ey’re all hot, sexy and throw more desperate for my cash. Today, great parties - get Wes Anderson to  lm with each new artistic collaboration, a bit of it and you’re golden. I suppose all I feel like I am being told is how to that right about now I am meant to tell spend it. VARSITY [email protected] 29 Friday 26th april 2013 Fashion MAKE THIS SPACE CHARLOTTE CALL

Make this Space began with an opportunity to work with ‘Changing Spaces’, an organisation committed to turning vacated shops on the high street into a platform for creative ideas in Cambridge. his gave the gallery space an unusual status, and led us to the idea: let’s talk about space. We invite the artists and viewers to think about their direct relationship to space, reacting both to display and in situ production. he works use a huge variety of media, from paint to interactive ilm installations, and from nineteenth century glass bottles to graphic novels. parts of the exhibition are interactive, inviting all visitors to get involved to make this exhibition. these stills are from the promotional video, for which the Make this Space team and Nick Morris changed a bare room into something unrecognizable. the making of the video was inspired by the theme for the exhibition; collaboration for transformation. http://makethisspace.tumblr. com/ Exhibition runs from 25th April - 28th April at SIXONESIX Gallery, Kings Street. 30 [email protected] VARSITY Sport FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Mixed fortunes for golfers in Varsity match Joy for the Ladies and Stymies was countered by despair for the Men in Kent, writes James Cumberland DAVID DUNCAN he Varsity were applied by Cambridge’s anchor back, winning four successive holes Matches trio who all secured victory, with the before an unfortunate half in seven on were this  nal match  nishing in darkness. the 10th halted their momentum and year held Attention on Thursday morning Oxford again pulled away to a 7&6 win. on Kent’s switched to Royal St. George’s as Carl Oxford fought back to secure halve

SPORT T east coast, Rietschel and Alister Inglesby faced two match two against Lucas Birrell-Gray & at the storied links of Royal Oxford men to determine which Uni- James Wiese. Behind them, Oli Flynn & Cinque Ports (Deal) and versity would foot the bill for Saturday John Gregson, 2-down at lunch, clawed Royal St. George’s (Sand- night’s dinner following the Varsity their way back to win the 36th tee for wich). e former hosted Match. a 1-up victory. Match four was a veri- the Ladies and the Divots & Stymies A shaky start in the foursomes saw table roller coaster; Nick Ramskill & whilst the Blues played at the 2011 allowed Oxford to take a 1-0 advantage James Cumberland sped out to a 5-up Open Championship venue. e teams into the afternoon singles matches. lead after 9 holes but lost 5 of the next travelled down to the Garden of Eng- Carl Rietschel produced some excel- 6. When Cumberland chopped their land on Sunday and following a busy lent golf in testing conditions to beat his tee-shot on the 16th into the deep front day of practice for all teams on Monday, opponent 5&4, before Alister Inglesby bunker, they looked like falling behind swords were crossed for the  rst time found himself all-square standing on for the  rst time in the match, but Ram- on Tuesday morning in the Ladies’ the 18th tee. A conservative tee-shot skill escaped solidly, paving the way for foursomes matches. found grass but his approach shot Cumberland to putt 15-feet for a vital Keen to avoid a repeat of their 2-7 missed the green. After the Oxford half. Cambridge won the next two for loss in 2012 and featuring four new player holed his return putt, Alister was a two-up lead at lunch and a par at the players in the team of six, Cambridge left with a nervy 2½-footer for the half, 17th was enough to close out the match stormed into a 3-0 lead at lunchtime. which he calmly rolled in. e Dinner 2&1. Courtney Gill & Francesca Bastianello Match was therefore halved, and the A 3½-1½ lead prior to Saturday’s recovered from hitting it out-of-bounds cost shared. singles matches was a pleasing posi- on the  rst to record a win, captain Iona tion and there was optimism that Stevenson & Emily Faldon won 8&7 and Cambridge could register their first Sydney Burlison & eres Hoyos were THE WIND University Match win since 2009. victorious by 7&6. e afternoon singles We awoke on Saturday morning to matches also unfolded successfully for STRENGTHENED a reasonable dusting of snow at our Cambridge. Bastalliano played a stun- CONSIDERABLY...A REAL accommodation, 15 minutes in-land ning shot onto the green with a 5-iron from Royal St. George’s, with snow still Snowy scenes threatened the  nal from the left rough on the 18th hole to TEST OF GOLF falling. With the prospect of a match days play at Royal St. Georges, where set up a closing par and a 1-up win; the abandonment looming large, the snow Cambridge’s men were beaten highlight of an well deserved 8-1 victory The teams arrived at the course relented at 9.30; an 11.30 a.m. start, with for a talented Ladies team that re ected on Friday morning to  nd that tem- all matches to be played over 18 holes for Birrell-Gray (4&3) and Schönberger Cambridge then. Alas, Gregson’s their total superiority over the Oxford peratures had dropped and the wind as opposed to 36, was agreed. (2&1) put Oxford in front, meaning bunker shot, from a tricky distance of players. strengthened considerably, posing a First out were the captains, Alex Cambridge required victory from Greg- 20 yards, which needed to carry a ridge e Stymies romped to a 11½-3½ real test of golf. In the top match, Paul Silver for Cambridge and Alex Gems son in the anchor match to rescue an in the green before the  ag,  ew too far win in their match against the Oxford Schönberger & David Clark eased for Oxford. In a closely fought match, overall half. and o the green’s opposite side, from Divots. Despite trailing 2-3 after the to a comfortable 7-up lead by lunch- Gems edged Silver 2&1 and with Flynn A birdie 3 at the 17th to pull back to where he could only chip to 15-feet. foursomes, Cambridge stormed back time and with such a cushion, were and Wiese both losing 5&4, Oxford had all-square left this still possible and Oxford safely two-putted from the after lunch with  ve consecutive victo- rarely troubled in the afternoon, clos- made by far the stronger start. However when Oxford the fairway bunke, with back of the green and when Gregson’s ries after the captain’s match, including ing their match out 5&4. Meanwhile, at Ramskill, out third, fought back with a Gregson in the right-semi rough, hopes attempt slid by, it was another point to a magni cent  ght-back from Henry the bottom of the order, Alex Silver & par at 17 and a magni cent birdie on were raised. Oxford chipped out 20 Oxford, who claimed the 124th Univer- Ellis, su ering with ‘ u, to beat Oxford’s Geordie Ting found the morning tough the last to win 1-up, and middle-order yards up the fairway, but Gregson now sity Match by 8½ - 6½. strongest player. A ri ed hybrid to  nd going, falling 7-down and when Oxford rock Ting won his match 2&1. Two more found sand himself, in the left-hand e 125th University Match returns the par-5 16th in two, just 20 feet from stretched their lead to 9 holes shortly halved matches for Clark and Cumber- greenside bunker whilst Oxford pitched next year to Rye, the last venue at which the  ag, ensured victory rather than after lunch things were looking bleak. land saw Cambridge 6½ - 5½ ahead past the  ag in three. An up-and-down Cambridge was victorious; hopefully mere retention. e  nishing touches Silver and Ting began a spirited  ght- with three matches to play, but losses would probably be good enough for that is a positive omen for next year. Boat Race agony for Blues Achilles no match for mighty Ivy League Rowers’ anguish was shared by Roxana Antohi Katherine Turner reports on the TransAtlantic Athletics Championships BETH SWORDS They won, we lost. ver Easter, Oxford and Alice Kaye, Hanna Tarver, Lizzie ompson and What more is there to Cambridge athletes Nadine Prill (l-r) pictured after winning the Wo- say? It had been pre- set off for the 23rd mens 4x400 metres in the Harvard-Yale match dicted by thebookies, time, under the joint by the press, by every- banner of the Achil- T one watching the crews O les club, to compete closely while they were training on the against the Ivy League universities. e Tideway last week in the nal prepara- series dates back to 1894, predating the tions for the race. Oxford were over 20kg modern Olympics itself; this illustrious heavier than Cambridge and their stern history was on the minds of many of pair set such a strong rhythm that the the athletes as they competed in their lighter crew simply couldn’t match them.  rst match against Cornell and Penn As the Surrey bend gave way to a straight desolate Steve Dudek said ‘the boat race on April 6. body of water at the Chiswick steps, there is an 18 minute race but it’s a story told Although many athletes were still was a chance.  e Dark Blues knew that in about 30s - and those 30s at the end su ering the e ects of jet lag, and the if they didn’t pull away, Cambridge could just didn’t happen for us’. He was wrong. temperature was forcing competitors use the next stretch of the  ames to draw  e story he was talking about does not to don their Achilles woolly hats, there closer towards a potential victory. Cox end with the nish line, it goes beyond it. were some impressive performances. Oskar Zorilla sensed the danger and the As a Cambridge supporter, I commiser- Hanna Tarver front ran her way to a crew duly distanced themselves enough ated in the defeat, I had tears in my eyes dominant 800m win whilst the men’s to move onto the Middlesex station, with when Oxford crossed the line, and it hurt 4x400m team also scored a notable clear water ahead, leaving the light blues even to think of asking our rowers for victory. In the  eld Emma Perkins dom- national anthems ringing out around respectively this masked some very in their choppy wash and cancelling out their thoughts at the end. In every single inated the high jump and triple jump the track inspiring the athletes felt to gutsy performances. any advantage they might have had from interview, the Oxford rowers declared while Matt Houlden leapt to an impres- give their all. Although ultimately both All involved with the trip would agree the last bend. Broken, the Cambridge themselves astounded by Cambridge’s sive second place in the long jump with teams once against succumbed to the that it was an unforgettable experience. crew were unable to respond and 17 min tenacity.  eir President, Alex Davidson, 7.01m. Although the men’s team lost might of the American athletes there ere was the opportunity to gain a real 28 sec into the race, Oxford reached the said that ‘it was a lot harder than I thought 14-5 and the women’s 15-4 both teams were encouraging performances with insight into American university life and nish line, with Cambridge one and a it was going to be’, Louloudis added that felt they would be better prepared for Hanna Tarver once again victorious meet fellow student athletes. We mar- half length behind them. ‘Cambridge made it bloody di cult for an improved performance against Har- and a fantastic victory for the women’s velled at their fantastic facilities, learnt  e mixed reactions coming from the us’ and Malcolm Howard, the stroke man, vard and Yale. 4x400m relay team as well as individ- about their studies and training as well two boats at the Mortlake boathouse admitted to getting worried around Chis- After a whirlwind few weeks incorpo- ual victory in the 200m for Nadine Prill as forming heartfelt friendships. e post-race left no ambiguity as to the result, wick steps, as the light blues ‘just weren’t rating stays at Penn and Yale as well as of Oxford, the women’s team captain. trip even allowed for a temporary sus- Oxford jubilating in their hard-fought breaking. Cambridge threw everything a few days in New York, the team refo- On the men’s side John Cook was vic- pension of Oxford-Cambridge rivalries victory and the Cambridge athletes they had at us, there wasn’t a moment cused for the big match against Harvard torious in the 800m while both relay although there is no doubt the athletics ashen-faced, feeling like six when I think they ever gave up. All credit and Yale held at Harvard University. teams also took the honours. Although Varsity match on 18th May at Wilber- months of hell were all for nothing. A to the way they raced.” e atmosphere was fantastic, with the the final scores were 14-5 and 13-6 force track will be as  ercely contested. VARSITY [email protected] 31 FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013 Sport

EYES ON Dancing delights Marathon tales SOPHIE Dancesport Varsity match approaching Donna Golach recalls 26.2 miles of pain WALKER CHI-HÉ ELDER from playing in the park, to leading the Blues

SPORT: Tennis

ROLE: Women’s Blues Captain

AGE: n Saturday 4th May Dancesport is the competitive aspect here can you nd beer without having to stop and stretch. It 20 the Cambridge Univer- of Ballroom and Latin dancing. If you cans on shing rods, was agony but with the crowds help- sity Dancesport Team like Strictly Come Dancing, dancesport men dressed as brides, fully cheering ‘you can do Cambridge’ HEIGHT: (current UK Student competitions are for you - sparkling Mo Farah, moving lycra I somehow struggled on and eventually National and Varsity costumes, great music and ele- and almost 1 million found my way to the nishing line. What 173cm O Match Champions) gant moves.  e Varsity match W cheerleaders shouting was special about this moment? Was it will be hosting the will involve the Cambridge and for it? From the moment I received a the fact that I crossed the line holding PB: Annual Dancesport Oxford A and B teams competing place for the 2013 London marathon I hands with a hunky fellow runner who Varsity Match at head-to-head against one another knew that it would be something to look decided at 400 m that he and I would County Kelsey Kerridge. in slow waltz, quickstep, cha cha forward to, having never run a mara- help each other? No it was the fact that Champion cha and jive, with ve of the other thon. I was excited at the challenge but the race was over; that despite the pain Dancesport disciplines (foxtrot, equally wondered whether it would be I had nished all 26.2 miles. I am really tango, rumba, samba and paso as painful as people claimed. It was. proud of that even though my time was VARSITY CAPS doble) included in other competi- For me the marathon was the best and much slower than planned. Something FOR CAMBRIDGE: tion events on the day. worst experience of my life. to improve upon on my next attempt! Last year’s Varsity match was  e best was the rst 18 miles, which Aside from the feeling of nishing 4 nail-bitingly close, with Cambridge  ew by.  ere really is an incredible one of my favourite moments was run- winning by a mere 10 points out of a atmosphere! I had a wonderful time ning through the ‘Lucozade tunnel.’  is WEEKLY TRAINING SCHEDULE? total 1800.  is year’s match is likely to enjoying the sights of London, Tower appeared at mile 23 and was a stretch  e team has 4 court sessions a week be just as close, and a supportive home Bridge, Big Ben and the 140 year old punctuated with encouraging messages (outside on grass in the summer, inside crowd will make a huge di erence to Cutty Sark and at the same time I was on illuminated balloons; ‘you’re so in the winter), tness once a week, ands the end result so come along and cheer on track to run sub four hours. But as close,’ ‘pain is temporary’, ‘glory waits,’ a match. for Cambridge! Spectators are welcome the song goes ‘why do all good things and ultimately ‘you can do it’ spurred to come for the whole, or for part of the come an end?’ and shortly after pass- me on. Lucozade later revealed that HOW DID YOU GET INTO TENNIS? day, and will be admitted for only £3. ing Canary Wharf these sentiments ‘Marathons hurt especially at the end.’ I I used to play in the park with my Mum B Team match: 11:00-13:00 were mirrored exactly. Suddenly both agree wholeheartedly with this, though when I was little. A coach talent spotted A Team match: 14:00-16:00 of my calves cramped, rst the left and this was perhaps eclipsed by trying to me when I was 9, and asked me to join CHI-HÉ ELDER Other competition events: 16:00-18:00 then the right. From that point onwards get out of bed and climbing stairs the the Youth Performance Squad, and Results and prizes: 18:00 I couldn’t run more than 500 metres next day - Which hurts even more! I’ve been playing more seriously since then.

The weaker foot conundrum: Football’s tired excuse SPORTING HERO? Maria Sharapova - sexy, sassy and Francesca Tye questions the lack of two-footed players at the highest level of the modern game clever. She’s got a degree in Economics The advent of football’s analyti- with both feet instead of just one, it seems one of the most obvious would be the public facilities to play the game.  e use and is starting up her own business, as cal dimension has brought signi cant surprising how rare genuine two footed pressure of the modern game, where the of public parks, streets, and roads allowed well as being a great tennis player. But advances in the use of statistics, video players arise in the Premiership. Such di erence between winning and losing is a certain freedom to young players who on mute - she’s a bit loud for me. technology, alternative training tech- surprise was echoed by Arsene Wenger a matter of millions of pounds.  e mon- could express themselves without prey- niques and dietary advice to aid player earlier this season; when describing Santi etisation of football has placed higher ing eyes and were free to make mistakes INJURIES ALONG THE WAY? development. However despite the use Cazorla’s sublime use of both feet even nancial stakes on games and thus more and try new techniques. With the institu- I got a trapped nerve while playing of such modern techniques, one rather “the professor” could not explain why pressure on players to deliver results.  is tionalization of the game, which is now when I was younger - I had to be carried more fundamental component of the there were not more two-footed players. pressure may lead to players using their most often played at private astro turfs o the court, and couldn’t play for 2 game has been surprisingly overlooked: It is not for a lack of inspirational role stronger foot more often in fear of making under coach or parent supervision leads months. But I’ve subsequently been the use of both feet. Surely any form of models. Two footed players are gener- a mistake, and the more a certain foot is to added pressure on young players to more careful around trampolines... statistical analysis will a rm that playing ally those among the most extraordinary; preferred the less con dent a player will “get things right” and less opportunity to and have been ghting t ever since! with two feet rather than one is a more Zidane, Cruy , Maldini, Platini, Hoddle be using the other, only reinforcing the experiment with both feet. e ective way to play the game and a more and Charlton were all com- decision to use the stronger Moreover, the English coaching system ANY SUPERSTITIONS OR RITUALS? productive one. So why has this basic part fortable on either foot. Czech one.  is added pressure of focuses heavily on the physical aspects of THE I dance naked at midnight before every of playing the game gone unnoticed in the Republic international Pavel modern football may also the game, such as strength and tness and match, beseeching the moon for good coaching manual? Nedved was perhaps one of TERMS STRONGER encourage players to spend places less emphasis on the technical side fortune.  e frustration of players neglecting the best examples; naturally more time trying to perfect of the game. More often players will be shooting opportunities because it’s “not left-footed, he was known as AND WEAKER one foot, making sure this selected at a young age for their stature, on their right foot”, or running around the an obsessive trainer all his life HIGHLIGHT one is almost faultless, rather physicality or pace which thus encour- ONES TO WATCH AT THE FRENCH ball to hit it with their preferred foot, rather and taught himself to be com- than waste time working on ages players to spend more time working OPEN THIS YEAR? than just pass with their much more con- pletely two footed. Although THE PROBLEM their weaker one. on their muscular strength and tness Nadal making his come-back after veniently placed left, is surely one widely such realms of perfection ACCURATELY However, the very use rather than with the ball at their feet.  us injury, de nitely. And in the women’s, shared by football fans. Despite the fact should not be expected of all of the terms ‘stronger’ and the problem of the one-footed player Laura Robson. Got to give some British professionals have the unique oppor- players, it is not unreasonable to expect ‘weaker’ highlight the problem accurately. is one deeply engrained in footballing support! tunity to spend every day practicing, them to be able to comfortably shoot, When coaching youth players, coaches development and needs to be addressed the excuse of “it was on his weaker foot” cross and dribble with both feet, to the often say things along the lines of “now at the grassroots level of the game. How- CAMBRIDGE VARSITY CHANCES? seems to be well-used by pundits and extent that the player need not think try that with your weaker foot”.  e term ever, in an age where the “switch hit”, It will be particularly close this year, players alike. about which foot they are using (a certain ‘weaker’ reinforces to the player that one which once left the cricket world with its but I’m de nitely backing a Cambridge One can accept that all players may Zidane volley against Bayer Leverkusen foot is not as good or useful as the other collective jaw dropped, is now a staple of victory. naturally be stronger on one side, almost at Wembley comes to mind). If shifting and sets a certain stigma early in player’s the shorter form of the game, and where a everyone is either right or left handed – the ball from one foot to another results careers. Mentally they will now always strong backhand is considered a technical but when you are involved in a career in a passing or shooting opportunity lost refer to using their other foot as a weak- necessity to succeed at the highest level which is focussed on the ability of your then surely something is wrong. ness and perhaps limits their thinking as in tennis, with the opportunity modern SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE LIGHT- feet, why not maximize your potential by If not a lack of role models, what other to how good it can ever get. footballers have to train everyday, the BLUE TENNIS GIRLS THIS SATURDAY 27th AS THEY TAKE ON QUEEN’S TENNIS CLUB: being able to use both e ectively? Con- explanations could be used to explain the This negative terminology can also validity of the “weaker foot” excuse has 10:30am at Queen’s Tennis Club, London sidering the bene ts of being able to play absence of two footed players? Perhaps be combined with the decrease is use of to be questioned. 3232 [email protected] VARSITY Sport FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2013

SPORT IN BRIEF Broadway’s Blues in Varsity Joy YACHTING VARSITY Rick Totten’s hat-trick inspired Cambridge to victory in this historic fixture, writes Joe Littlewood UNIVERSITY An outstanding Cam-

FRANCESCA TYE bridge team ended Oxford’s short run of Yachting Varsity Match victories and  nished 2nd to South- Cambridge’s footballers pictured celebrating ampton in a strong  eld of 26 entries their 3-2 victory against Oxford on Holy Saturday for this year’s BUCS/BUSA Yachting Championships held in Sunsail 40’s

SPORT at Port Solent, Portsmouth on 8-11th April 2013. e last time Cambridge was in a medal position was a 2nd place in 2006. This year’s event proved as tough and competitive as ever, with a wide range of sailing conditions that tested competitors to the limits. Cambridge won the pre-championship Sunsail week- end event, which decides the Varsity Match result, with Oxford  nishing 4th. CAPOERIA AT KING’S COLLEGES Free 2-hour Caopeira Angola classes are being o ered at King’s College on ursday 2nd May and Tuesday 14th May at 7.45pm in the Munby Room. Capoeira is an Afrobrazilian game/martial art/ dance that developed as a cultural expression of Africans abducted to Brazil in the course of the trans- atlantic slave trade. It involves movement, music and song, some acrobatics and lots of fun. In the game (the Roda ‘circle’), two players attempt to dominate the game space and each other by means of various kinds of movements, often by trick- ing their partner, accompanied by songs and music. e Angola style emphasises the traditional aspects of the game and the connection to its African roots. Classes will be given by Peter Tosh. BLUES SLAY SCOTS UNIVERSITY Alex Hearne’s 127 helped secure an emphatic eight-wicket a well-deserved victory. had looked the better team, they had The vocal Cambridge supporters victory for the Blues against Scot- Saturday 30th March On a cold, drizzly evening, the game lacked a cutting edge, and Oxford’s cheered every successful pass as their tish Universities at Fenner’s last began scrappily. Oxford had the better lead was not undeserved. team toyed with their tiring opponents, week. Having been put into the  eld, Selhurst Park of the opening exchanges, though nei- Whatever was said at half time and they erupted when Lee Probert captain Paddy Sadler took 3-34, as Cambridge University AFC ther side really found any  uency or clearly did the trick for the Light Blues. blew the  nal whistle. the Scottish Students  nished on 3 clear-cut chances early on. After about ey settled quickly after the restart, Totten was quite rightly awarded 248-9 from their 50 overs. e chase twenty minutes, Cambridge found their and their controlled possession foot- Man of the Match, and sprayed his started in a sedate fashion with Oxford University AFC feet,  nally settling into their neat pass- ball, driven from central mid eld by team-mates with champagne as Hearne and debutant Robin omp- ing game, with Oxford content to sit the engine room of Broadway and Broadway lifted the trophy. A special son determined to build a platform 2 back and defend, playing long balls up Childs, had Oxford chasing hopelessly mention should be given to centre back from which to press. Hearne became to their strikers when they were in pos- all over the pitch. Cambridge’s superior Jamie Rutt, whose appearance today increasingly expansive after omp- session. So it was rather against the run skill, pace and control was evident, and was his seventh in a Varsity match, son fell for 51 but was dismissed after hat-trick from Trinity’s of play when, just before the half hour that extra quality soon had them level something which is believed to be a reaching his century, leaving Akshat Rick Totten ensured mark, Julian Austin again. On the hour record. e win capped o a fantastic Agarwal (40*) and Matt Hickey (16*), that, despite twice lost his marker at a mark, patient build season for the Blues, who also won to secure victory. A falling behind, Cam- corner and nipped A WONDERFUL up saw Tsuda receive the BUCS Midlands bridge defeated Oxford in at the near post to the ball on the edge 1A League title UPCOMING FIXTURES to retain the C.B. Fry  ick a header beyond SOLO EFFORT...ONE of the box. He slipped and reached UNIVERSITY trophy. is was, as the old footballing Cambridge keeper WORTHY OF WINNING ANY the ball through to the final of Friday 26th – Sunday 28th April cliché goes, truly a game of two halves. Fergus Kent and give Totten, who calmly the BUCS BUCS Windsur ng Championships, The first period saw the much-fan- Oxford the lead. e GAME slotted home for his Trophy. Calshot Southampton cied Light Blues unable to stamp their goal seemed to ener- second of the match. Cricket: MCCU vs Middlesex Day 3 authority on the game, and Oxford took gise Oxford, but within  ve minutes, But the best was yet to come. Totten Saturday 27th April their opportunities Cambridge were level. Having won a had looked dangerous out on the right Varsity Cycling H a t - t r i c k well, going into free-kick thirty yards from goal, Ben wing all game, and particularly in the Varsity Canoeing hero Rick half time with a Tsuda intelligently played it quickly to second half, with the Oxford defend- Cricket: Blues vs Spencer CC Totten 2-1 lead. It was captain Ross Broadway. Broadway slid ers backing o every time he got the (Away) all the ball through to Totten, who side- ball. On 68 minutes, he received Sunday 28th April footed the ball past Oxford stopper the ball wide on the right, and Cricket: Blues vs Quidnuncs omas Haigh. Having equalised, ran at full-back Adam Fellows. (Fenners) Cambridge seemed to take their foot His pace and trickery caused Monday 29th April o the gas somewhat. Oxford started Fellows to slip, and the Cam- Cricket: MCCU vs Exeter (Away) to play the ball around with greater bridge winger cut inside onto Wednesday 1st May ease, Austin consistently  nding space his left foot and curled a deli- Cricket: MCCU vs Loughborough on the edge of the Cambridge area, cious shot past Haigh and into Blues vs Birmingham and twice going close with strikes from the far corner to complete his Women vs Nottingham c h a n g e 18 yards. With three minutes to go until hat-trick. It was a wonderful solo ursday 2nd May after the half time, Oxford restored their lead. e ort, and one worthy of winning any Cricket: Blues vs Combined break,b r e a k , Defensive mid elder Anthony Bed- game. Although Oxford had one or two Services hhowever. o w e v e r. dows won the ball in his own half and chances towards the end, they never Crusaders vs Stoics Cambridge drove purposefully into the Cambridge looked like getting back into the match, Sunday May 5th came out a half. He had plenty of time to  nd Ezra and such was Cambridge’s second half Blues vs Duke of Norfolk’s XI different side, Rubenstein in acres of space to his right, dominance that Saturday 11th May totally dominat- whose assured right-foot  nish nestled Oxford managed Varsity Archery – Christ Church ing their opponents, into the far bottom corner of the net. only three shots in Captain Ross Meadows, Oxford and made their Although Cambridge had dominated the second half to Broadway lifts the FRANCESCA TYE chances count to earn the  rst half in terms of possession and Cambridge’s eight. C.B.Fry trophy FRANCESCA TYE